Building Controls VIII: Controllers and Controlled Devices

If we can control an environmental system we can tell equipment when to turn on and off, how slow or fast to run, and how cool or hot the temperature of air or water needs to be. 

For an environmental control, or building automation system to work effectively, three things must take place: Measured data must be input into the system. That data must be compared with a set of standards or instructions. Lastly, an action to change or maintain current environmental conditions must be made.

 

In the previous class in this series we looked at how controllers respond to the inputs they receive.  We will now look at the different classifications of controllers.  We’ll also see how the control loop is completed by controlled devices, which take the actions that maintain or change current environmental conditions.

If we can control an environmental system we can tell equipment when to turn on and off, how slow or fast to run, and how cool or hot the temperature of air or water needs to be.  For an environmental control, or building automation system to wor...