Control Trends by Stromquist

Gas metering is a big part of what we offer customers. One product that has proven to be very successful is the Honeywell Smart Multivariable (SMV) Transmitter.  It is an industry leader – there are no others on the market that work as well.  It measures the gas pressure & temperature and measures a differential pressure across a primary element.  The primary element can be an orifice plate or a Preso Ellipse pitot tube.  It creates a differential pressure that we measure and relate to flow (the square root of the pressure drop is proportional to the flow rate).  The SMV calculates a corrected flow by accounting for the compressibility of the gas along with the pressure and temperature that exist in the pipe.  It is quite an involved calculation that is pre-loaded into the transmitter and set up using a software wizard.  Please keep it in mind for gas metering applications – it is an affordable alternative.  For under $4000 you can measure big flows accurately with easy installation. Continue Reading

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Every two years Tridium, the pioneers of open systems, has a meeting that brings all the vendors of open products together to show all the incredible products that can now communicate via the Niagara software. Every summit I am amazed at how quickly controls and equipment are able to integrate and share information via the same web-based network.

Imagine a convenience store that integrates the HVAC controls, fuel tank monitoring, security, oven management, lighting control, freezer and cooler control and monitoring, and grease trap monitoring.  It has been done! And you can monitor and control it all from the web.

The  new products and applications blow me away — everything from the beautiful energy monitoring software, ProphetSuite, to the innovative new  sedona framework wireless technology of Pervasive Devices, to the network devices of Contemporary Controls and Easy I/O, to energy meters from Onicon and E-Mon, to open controllers from Honeywell, Veris, and Viconics, to the lighting controls of WattStopper — all communicating on the Niagara open framework and all available through Stromquist & Company.

I hope to see you at the 2012 Summit !

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Over the years sequencing different stages for compressors, staged electric heat strips, actuators, pumps, and various lighting applications has not been the easiest job for the mechanic. Functional Devices, manufacturers of the famous Relay In a Box (RIB relays), has released the RIBMN24Q4C-PX programmable sequencer to make your job easier.

The RIBMN24Q4C-PX is used to control four integrated 15 amp SPDT relay contacts with one (0-10vdc) analog signal. Power input of this control is 24 VAC/DC. Unlike other models, the RIBMN24Q4C-PX has an on-board digital display to eliminate the need to attach a voltage meter. Just dial up your desired trip voltage and move on to the next relay set point!

Features:

Relay will activate when control signal voltage reaches or exceeds individual relay setpoint

Turn Off is set to 200mV less than setpoint

Factory relay setpoints: Can be changed by installer

Relay 1: 3V » Relay 3: 7V

Relay 2: 5V » Relay 4: 9V

Minimum setpoint: 0.5V

Maximum setpoint: 9.9V

Relay number will flash 3 times when voltage exceeds setpoint

Pressing UP or DN button in normal run mode will display the voltage present on Analog Input

*Sequencer can be piggy-backed, allowing more than 4 relay setpoints if sequencer 1 and sequencer 2 are using the same power control input and input signal source. At this point the relay setpoints on sequencer 2 can be different or the same as sequencer 1. Note: sequencer requires 5va power draw per sequencer from control transformer.

The RIBMN24Q4C-PX is also shipped with a MT212-6 din rail mounting strip.

If you are a Stromquist customer located in Georgia or Florida you can order this product at www.stromquist.com. All others can order this product from one of our affiliates at CGNA.

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Eric continues his conversation with Roger Rebennack. In the second part of this two part interview, Roger speaks in more detail about Honeywell’s WEBS AX security offering, what it takes for a HVAC contractor to be successful as a systems integrator, and why a building owner should look to Honeywell’s product offering for all their building automation needs.

Select the ‘+ AUDIO MP3′ button below to listen in on the interview.

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In part one of his two part interview, Eric talks to the dynamic Roger Rebennack. Roger is a leader in Honeywell’s national WEBS AX  security group. With over thirty years in the business, Roger is well qualified to speak about the  rapid changes in access and security, including how to integrate these through open system platforms into building automation control systems.

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A couple of weeks ago I attended a CSD-1 meeting in Florida put on by the State Fire Marshall’s Office with presenters from the National Board.  CSD-1 is the national standard for controls and safety devices for automatically fired boilers. This standard has been adopted by most states (if not all) and deals with the assembly, installation, maintenance, and operation of controls and safety devices on automatically operated boilers directly fired with gas, gas-oil, or electricity, having input ratings of under 12,500,000 Btu/hr.

While this is not one of the more enjoyable meetings I have attended, it was very informative. If you are working in the boiler trade within your state I would strongly suggest that you attend these meetings when the opportunity presents itself.

Understanding the who, what, when, where, and why of the regulations of boilers within your state will allow you sales opportunities you may not be aware of.  Also it is good to know the regulations regarding who can work on these potentially dangerous systems.  In most states the adoption of boiler safety laws are voted on by politicians, most of whom may not know the potential dangers of a boiler. It is up to you to guide these folks in the proper direction when it comes to your livelihood.

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I had a chance to sit down and talk with Jim Hayman from CGNA (Controls Group North America) a couple of weeks ago at the members meeting in Minneapolis. I just posted my interview with Jim, go to Stromquist Radio, check it out and let me know what you think.

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Jim Hayman joined CGNA in March of 2004 as the Director of Business Development and has helped CGNA grow from 27 to 37 Members and over 50 Preferred Vendors. He came to CGNA from an advertising agency where he worked with the creative team to develop marketing strategies for new accounts with technology companies.

Jim has degrees from Cal-State Fullerton and the University of Nebraska in English. He has written for industry publications and speaks at industry events. Jim and his wife Cheryl reside in Iowa – they have three grown sons, two in college and one married son in the Army.

Select the ‘+ AUDIO MP3′ button below to listen in on the interview.

For more information about Jim, please visit the CGNA website.

To listen to an enhanced version of this interview including photos click this link: Jim Hayman interview on bliptv

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Eric interviews Mike Keller. Mike is Honeywell’s Commercial Sales Director for the Americas.  Eric and Mike discuss new products from Honeywell, including the new BacNet Spyder Controls. Topics included in their lively discussion are: control trends, open systems, and the future of integration.

Select the ‘+ AUDIO MP3′ button below to listen in on the interview.

About Mike Keller, Honeywell Americas Commercial Sales Director
Mike Keller is the Americas Commercial Sales Director and oversees all Honeywell commercial sales for the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Since Mike’s start at Honeywell in 1983, he has held various positions within the company, including a Systems Sales Engineer, Systems Sales Manager, Branch Sales Manager, Building Control Specialist, and both a Regional and National Sales Manager. Within this time Mike has led the pack in several large sales for Automotive Assembly plants, and has also served as the ASHRAE Chapter President and Board Member. Prior to his career at Honeywell, Mike worked as a Quality Control Engineer for United Technologies. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Eastern Illinois University.

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I came across some really good training videos on the Johnson FX20 controllers. Once you get past the commercials and the intro these are excellent videos on the Johnson Controls FX Series of Controllers. They do an excellent job of showing how to set up and configure teh Johnson FX 20 controller including integrating Lon and BacNet  points.

Check these out:

Configuring the FX20 controller

AX Programming Overview

Johnson FX20 Programming Pt1

Johnson FX20 Integrating Lon and BACNet

Johnson FX20 IO Point Assignment

Nothing beats the certification training, but this is a great refresher.

Stromquist is an authorized Johnson Controls Automation distributor in Georgia and Florida.

If you are a Stromquist customer or are in GA or FL, call your Stromquist rep.  All others, please refer to one of our affiliates at the Controls Group North America site to find a distributor in your area.

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