Created by the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers to be a standard in communication for Building Automation Systems, BACnet is now the leading technology in building automation. It has an open architecture and the ability to control and monitor any building automation process.
BACnet might sound confusing and intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be at all! In this handy guide, Blackhawk Supply will dive into everything you need to know regarding BACnet protocol, how BACnet works, and everything in between. Even if you’re not in the building automation industry, it’s important to know about BACnet technology.
What Is BACnet Protocol?
In the simplest terms, BACnet protocol is a “language” that defines the communications protocol and data model for building automation systems. Rather than having 5 different communication systems in your building for different types of automation, every system can be using the same data model and protocol throughout the entire network. Let’s break down the two elements of the BACnet protocol to explain a little further.
Data Model: The data model is a standard of communication from one machine to another. Effectively, it defines the semantics of the conversation by structuring rules for how the data is presented (what it looks like) and followed.
Communications Protocol: This protocol defines where the data (defined by the data model) goes. In other words, in what order does one machine communicate with another?
How Does BACnet Work?
So how does BACnet work? Let’s dive a little deeper. BACnet communication utilizes what’s called an “object-oriented approach” for better reusability, maintenance, and efficiency.
BACnet controls and monitors any building automation process - think lighting, heating, smoke detection, and even security/safety applications - in a fully integrated way so that equipment vendors, integrators, and ultimately users can have their needs met. That means that the BACnet protocol can use all of the following with equal efficiency - universal digital controllers, mobile and cloud-hosted devices, head-end computers, and application-specific or unitary controllers.
This unconnected and open protocol allows for any device to send service requests to any other device without any communication hiccups via a BACnet router. This is quite different from connected devices because communication in BACnet is unscheduled without any time-critical operations.
Where Can BACnet Be Used?
The BACnet network is most often used for cooling and heating processes with an HVAC system, but it can also be used for a wide variety of building processes (as mentioned above) such as lighting, building security, video surveillance, access control, and even water chilling.
Because BACnet standardizes the communication, any of these processes can be controlled with BACnet controllers. The beauty of BACnet is that you can build a fully-integrated system that allows for the addition of any of these building processes to be easily controlled through a central controller.
What Are the Benefits of Using BACnet?
Even if you don’t fully understand how BACnet works (and frankly it’s not important that you do), it’s important to understand just why using the BACnet protocol can be so helpful with building automation systems.
Standardization
The main reason BACnet communication is so useful is that it’s a standardized communication protocol, meaning the way technology communicates throughout the entire building will be the same.
When it comes to things like power meters and climate, having all of the processes and every aspect of meter rules under one cohesive united communication system is very helpful. Imagine having a fully-integrated building where all communications can work through one BACnet device. That’s what standardization enables for you.
Cost-effective
BACnet protocol can save a significant amount of money. Setting efficient automation for things like lighting, power usage, and climate control can help avoid unnecessary use of resources and create cost savings in a variety of departments.
For example, imagine installing an infrared body sensor that can be shared with the lighting, the climate, and the security system so that when nobody is detected in a building or area, automation can be set with every system to either shut off or turn on, depending on the situation.
This type of efficiency is another one of the main reasons why BACnet has become THE communication system to use.
Simple to set up
Maybe most importantly for you, you don’t need to be an expert in BACnet to figure out how to manage the automation of various devices. Once set up, these automatons are transparent and automatic, and even the setup of a BACnet network itself is relatively easy.
Conclusion
If you want a much more efficient, integrated, and advanced building automation system, setting up a BACnet network is the absolute way to go. It’s incredibly refreshing to have all your automated processes able to be housed under one cohesive protocol, to allow devices to share technology, and to be able to have the most efficiently-running building automation systems possible. And if you’re ready to buy networking supplies utilizing the BACnet protocol, Blackhawk Supply has a phenomenal selection for all your needs. Contact us for additional information.
