A B C of B M S

by
BAS Consultant & Engineer

Basic of Instrumentation
Us our Body and its parts

Our Body Reflexes

In BMS
INPUTS:- Sensors
Temperature (of room)
Humidity (of room)
Flow Rate (chilled Water)
Pressure (of Fire Hydrant)
Level (of a Tank)
Run status (Pumps, Fans)

Temperature Sensors

Sensing technologies
Thermistor
Accurate over limited
range
Point type only
Used for space
temperature
Nickel Wire
General purpose sensor
Point or averaging type
Used for space or duct
Platinum
High accuracy / linearity
Point type only
Precision applications

Application Issues
Mount inside thermal well for water
temperature
Mount return air sensor away from
fresh air stream
Mount space temperature sensor :
At 1500 mm height
On inside wall
Away from direct sun or other
heat sources
Ensure off-coil sensors are far
enough away from coil
Outdoor air temperature sensors
require sunscreen
Calibrate using precision resistor,
validate using digital thermometer
Know mounting scope of
responsibility

Pressure Sensors

Air Static Pressure

Used to control VFD based on
VAV duct static
Must be mounted in region of
laminar flow; five duct diameters
from restrictions
Active sensor

Air Differential Pressure

Used to calculate airflow from
velocity pressure
PVELOCITY = PTOTAL - PSTATIC
CFM = 4005 * AREA *
(PVELOCITY / K FACTOR)
Used in VAV boxes and air flow
monitoring stations

Water Static Pressure

Used to monitor pressure at top of
sprinkler riser
Commercial grade sensors can leak

Water Differential Pressure

Used to control bypass valve or VFD
When controlling bypass, best to
mount at last AHU
Do not try to save costs by using
two static pressure sensors
Calculation error of same magnitude
as signal may ocur.

Other Sensors

Waterflow

Mount in region of laminar
flow; five diameters from
restrictions

Many technologies:

Annubar

Paddlewheel

Electromagnetic

Turbine

Humidity

Used to measure the Relative
Humidity in air.

Some humidity sensors comes
with in built temperature
sensors also.

Carbon monoxide

Control car park ventilation fans

Carbon Dioxide

Used as indirect indicator of
indoor air quality

Electrical Transducers

Current Transducers

Voltage Transducers

Lux Level Sensors

To measure the intensity of
light.

In BMS
OUTPUTS:- Control
Valves

VFD Speed Command

Air Dampers Actuators

ON-OFF Command (Fans,

Pumps, Boilers)

INPUTS & OUTPUTS

INPUTS

e.g

Analouge (varying-reading)
AI

Temperature, Humidity, Water Flow , Air

Flow , Tank Level, Energy KW, Voltage,
Current, Pressure, pH, Conductivity

Digital (Binary-ON or OFF)

DI or BI

Status (on/off, airflow , run, open/close)

Alarm
Trip

OUTPUTS

e.g

Analouge (varying-positioning)
AO

Fan Speed regulating (0 to 100%)

Chilled water valve control (0 to 100%)

Digital (Binary-ON or OFF)

DO or BO

Command (on/off, open/close)

I/O
Building management system relies on 4 types sensory information to make a control decision
Analog inputs : are used to read a variable measurement. Examples are temperature, humidity and
pressure sensor which could be thermistor, 4-20 mA, 0-10 volt or platinum resistance thermometer
(resistance temperature detector), or wireless sensors.
Digital input : indicates if a device is turned on or not. Some examples of a digital input would be , an air
flow switch, or a volt-free relay contact.
Analog output : controls the speed or position of a device, such as a variable frequency drive, a I-P
(current to pneumatics) transducer, or a valve or damper actuator. An example is a chilled water valve
opening up 25% to maintain a setpoint.
Digital outputs : are used to open and close relays and switches. An example would be to turn on the
parking lot lights when a photocell indicates it is dark outside.
A typical Mid Size Building may have 800 -2000 sensory points also known and I/O points.
A complex Building like an Airport may have more than 5000 points

DDC Controllers

Control Loops

Types of DDC controllers

Fixed function
Configurable
Text programmable
Graphic programmable

Point Definition

Ranging (linear, calculated,
polynomial)

Filtering (smoothing and
debounce)

Interlocks

Proportional plus integral control

commonly used

Other software routines used in

local control logic

Minimum, maximum, average,
calculator, etc.

Psychometric calculations

Timing (delays, pulses, etc.)

Boolean and comparator
operators

Time clock and backup schedules

DDC physical

Control System

Sl.
No

IO Description

AI

DI

AO

DO

FIELD DEVICE

AHU On/Off

AHU panel to accept 2A NO contact

AHU Run Status

Differential Pressure Switch across blower

AHU Auto/Manual Status

Pot . free contact @ AHU Panel

AHU filter Status

Differential Pressure Switch across filter

Return air temperature

Duct type temperature sensor

2 Way chilled water modulating valve control

2 way Modulating Valve

Chilled water return header flow rate

Flow meter

TOTAL

Basics of HVAC
Pot with water
Evaporation through the pores of Mud Pot makes the water inside cool

Purpose of HVAC
The main purpose of HVAC is to provide
the people working inside the building with
CONDITIONED AIR so that they will
have a comfortable and safe work
environment.

What is Conditioned Air?

Conditioned Air means that the air is clean
and Odor-Free, and the temperature,
humidity and movement of air are within
certain comfort range.
Comfort Zone: (ASHRAErecommendation)

Temp : 22.7oC to 26.1oC

Relative Humidity : 50%
Air Velocity : 30 feet per minute

What is AHU?
AHU is Air Handling Unit
Contains:Fan, Cooling coil , Air Filter

Inputs to the Controller:

Outputs from the Controller:

What is a Chiller

A heat exchanger using air, refrigerant, water and evaporation to transfer

heat (BTUs) to produce air conditioning (measured in tons).

A chiller is comprised of an evaporator, compressor, condenser and

expansion valve system.

Cycle

Chiller Plant

Chiller Plant with BMS sensor

Chiller Plant Operation

Control Logic

Building Management System-: Begin with the basics

BMS Building Management system

Building Automation system
A Building Management System (BMS)
is a blend of hardware & software based
control system installed in buildings to
control and monitor the buildings
mechanical, electrical & other utility
equipment

Building Services
Services

Equipments

Mechanical system

HVAC , Plumbing , Fire Fighting, STP

Electrical System

Electrical DBs/Lighting control & monitoring,

Generator set, UPS

Utility

Lifts, Fire Alarm System, Security System, Public

address system

What is a Building Automation System?

A BMS system collects the operating information required for intelligent building
management.

It analyses the operation of
the building systems by viewing all important
temperatures, humidities and equipment status.

Further to collection of these data, the BMS presents these data on the screen with
full color
Automates some control strategies such as turning equipment On/Off according
to a time schedule ensures energy savings
Allows an operator sitting at the BMS work station to view key information about
the building improves building operations
Allows an operator sitting at the BMS work station to control some of the
equipment in the building improves building operations allowing remote control
/ over-ride where necessary
Maintains an audit trail of what happened and when it happened improves
building management by means reporting and traceability
Maintains historical data for selected information (like temperature, humidity
..etc) improves building management by means reporting and traceability
Alerts the operator at the BMS work station when readings fall outside of normal
range (i.e. breaker trips, temperature too warm, etc.) improves building
management by having a faster reaction time to problems
By doing the above and more a BMS system saves manpower, ensures productive
occupants (especially in an office environment), prolongs equipment life, and the
most important of all saves energy. diagrams (graphics) for the ease of
understanding.

BMS Protocols
BMS system manufacturer divided predominantly into two different
protocols, mentioned below

BACnet - A Data Communication Protocol for Building Automation and

Control Networks developed by ASHRAE. It gives freedom to client to
connect all BACnet compliant devices and ease in commissioning &
configuring.

Lonworks -Lon Works is actually a family of products originally developed

by the Echelon Corporation. At the core of this technology is a proprietary
communications protocol called Lon Talk. Here one needs to buy license for
each individual controllers & devices. Commissioning requires software key
(dongle) all the time for commissioning & configuration.

Modbus is developed by Modicon in 1979. It is used to establish masterslave/client-server communication between intelligent devices. It is a de
facto standard, truly open and the most widely used network protocol in the
industrial environment and devices.

BMS System Architecture

IP- 1 Tier
Where all controllers are connected
to HMI on LAN.

RS 485 2Tier
Level1-: where all controllers are connected
to each other in daisy chain fashion & then
after they connect to router or gateway.
Level2-: When router or gateway is connected
to any HMI for monitoring & controlling.

User Interface
and Password
Alarms
Scheduling
Graphics
Historical Data
Demand Limiting
and Duty Cycling
Control Logic














Maintenance

Operations

Energy

Building Automation System Software

Where this feature resides

Operator Workstation

Supervisory Controller (processing)

Operator Workstation (long term storage)
Supervisory Controller




Operator Workstation
Supervisory Controller (processing)
Operator Workstation (long term storage)
Supervisory Controller

Supervisory Controller
DDC Controller

BMS Typical BOQIt can be categorized in 3 broad categories1. BMS controllers, Softwares, POT(Portable Operator
Terminal),integration & PC.
2. Field Devices- It comprises different kind of sensors,
switches, actuators, Transmitters etc
3. Cables & conduits

1. BMS controllers, Software's, POT

(Portable Operator Terminal), for integration & PC.

Controllers selection can be done based on the IO (Input Output) requirements directly
just to match AI(Analog Input), AO(Analog Output), DI(Digital Input), DO(Digital
Output) in the laymans language.

Integration to collect the data from different devices.

2. Field DevicesComprises different kind of sensors, switches,

actuators, Transmitters
BMS
Areas

Category
Type

AHU(Airside)

Temperature(cum
Humidity/RH)
Sensor

SubApplication
Category
Room
Duct

Differential Pressure
Switch
Air
Valve & Actuators
Chillers, cooling Temperature(cum
towers(Waterside) Humidity/RH) Sensor Immersion
Outside
Differential Pressure
Switch
Water
Others
Level Transmitters

CO2, CO sensor

To know the actual Temp inside without cooling

To know flowing air Temp(& RH) inside duct for
supply & Return Air
Across AHU Fan to check it is on or off physically,
across filter to check the status
Across cooling coil
To Know water temperature from the chillers & to the
chillers
To Know outside temp & RH
Across Pumps to check it is on or off physically, across
filter to check the status

Water

To know the water level

Oil

To know the oil level

Room

To know the air quality as in parking lot

3. Cable
It generally can be categorized in two different applications-:
Signal/Control Cable: From different field devices to controllers &
from Controllers to field devices to control the equipments
Communication Cable: cable between different controllers, routers
& gateways for the purpose of intercommunication between
controllers.
Integration cable: cable required for monitoring of third party
devices.

Cable Selection
BMS
Areas

Category

Cable Type

Application

AHU

Duct, Room Temp sensor

2c x 1 sqmm shielded

Temp cum humidity sensor

4c x 1sqmm shielded

Passive Temp(2c) signals from sensor to controllers

Passive Temperature(2c) & Active(2c-power) RH measurement
from sensor to controllers

DP Switch for Air

2c x 1 sqmm shielded

Passive Temp(2c) signals from switch to controllers

AHU FAN VFD

2c x 1 sqmm shielded

Run status

2c x 1 sqmm shielded

On/off status

2c x 1 sqmm shielded

Relay output for VFD On/OFF Operation

5c x 1sqmm shielded

Control & Power (3c power and command) & Monitor (2c)

Valve & Actuator

Integration
BMS
Areas

Category

Integartion

DG

Cable Type

2c x 1.5
shielded
2c x 1.5
UPS
shielded
2c x 1.5
VAV's
shielded
2c x 1.5
Electrical Panels
shielded
2c x 1.5
Chillers
shielded
Security & Fire Alarm 2c x 1.5
system
shielded
2c x 1.5
Elevator
shielded

Application

sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports
sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports
sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports
sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports
sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports
sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports
sqmm twisted pair Integration is only to collect data from different devices to monitor
& generate reports

BMS Design Aspects

Basic data required before you start system design:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Input / Output summary for all subsystems, which need to either monitor or control.
Selection of appropriate field devices.
All integration devices & respective point details which has to be monitored.
Signal & Communication cable route layout (at least tentative).
Panel (Enclosure for controllers) location, BMS PC location.

Steps to follow for designing-:

1.
Select the suitable controllers required for the requirement.
2.
3.

Select the enclosure to mount those controllers, which includes power supply for controllers & other wirings for field device
connection.
Now start with the AHU designing which includes signal & control cabling requirement for different field device selection as
per the requirement.

4.

A typical AHU generally requires following field devices-Temperature cum Humidity sensor (or only Temp) in return & supply
duct. Differential Pressure Switch (For Air) across the AHU Fan, Filter, Actuators for AHU Line.

5.

A typical AHU will have following wiring connection- Connection to all Field
I/O, connection to VFDs.

6.

A typical Chiller side will have following field devices-Immersion type temperature sensor (for supply & return pipes),
Butterfly Valve & Actuator in each chiller supply, differential Pressure sensor across main supply & return .

7.

A typical chiller will have connection to all field devices, chiller panels, Pump VFDs.

devices, Connection to electrical panels as per

BMS Commissioning Aspects

Air Side Commissioning- It comprises individual commissioning of AHU (Air handling Unit), CSU
(Ceiling Suspended Unit), Fans & associated field devices.

We need to measure each field devices value during AHU commissioning as first task to make
sure all field devices are working & then all points can be put in a logic.
Water side commissioning It comprises individual commissioning of Water cooled chillers, Air
cooled chillers, Cooling towers, Primary pumps, Secondary pumps, VFDs & associated field
devices

We need to measure each field device value & other connected points value individually before
putting them into logic.
Integration of Air side & water side in a logic-This is to integrate all independent system in logic.
Which can work automatically based on the user defined parameters without any conflict of
individual system functionality.

BMS Commissioning Aspects

Integration of monitoring pointsThis is to collect all data in BMS system for the purpose of monitoring only.
PICS details i.e mapping details to be taken from respective equipment supplier.
Protocol significance for integration purpose-whenever we say one device supports Modbus over
RS485, here RS 485 signifies physical channel (cable type) & communication port while Modbus
signifies data pattern. Therefore all devices in a loop must support same protocol & configure to
the same.
Cable used for integration is 2 core x 1.5 sqmm shielded
All monitored devices have to be looped in daisy chain connection to RS-485 port. Devices can
support different communication over different protocols. We need to make sure whenever making
a loop all devices should support same communication & protocol type. for instance Modbus over
RS485.
Client User interface (UI)
Client can change parameters as temperature & humidity from UI as per the comfort level & all
basic information can be viewed on the UI.

SNAPS OF INSTALLATION

PANEL

SCHEMATICS-AHU

SCHEMATICS-TFA

SCHEMATICS-SCRUBBER

Water Tank

EXHAUST FAN

CHILLER

CHW & CDW PUMPS

COOLING TOWER