Today, larger facilities often have what is called a Building Management System or “BMS” for short (Sometimes called BAS for Automation). This is a centralized computer system that monitors and manages all HVAC, lighting, electrical, and more.
This is achieved through protocols like Modbus, BACnet, and others. These are used to connect equipment and facilitate communication.
For many years, aquatics equipment was not a part of that and could not be integrated. It’s still exceedingly rare to find aquatics equipment that integrates with BMS. TMI Aquatics is one of the only providers of aquatics equipment that can integrate with these protocols.
TMI’s RSC3 series of chemistry controllers can integrate into a building management system and supports the following protocols:
- Modbus
- BACnet
- Ethernet
- PROFINET
- PROFIBUS
- DeviceNet
- DF1
- Please reach out for more information on other protocols
This is achieved through a combination of Modbus, a converter to the protocol desired, and/or 4-20 mA outputs if needed.
With this integration, most of the pump room can now be added to your BMS/BAC by connecting it to the RSC3 controller. This device not only monitors all water chemistry, but can monitor flow rate, heater and/or UV status, pressure gauges, and nearly everything else in the mechanical room.
An easy example is flow rate, a critical part of any pool system. A flow meter is installed on the plumbing to monitor flow. Normally an operator has to physically walk into the pump room and read it off. Now two low voltage wires can run to the RSC3 chemistry controller and connect to it. Since that is connected to the building’s management system, this is now monitored right alongside your HVAC or other systems. This is just one example of dozens of important values that can be monitored with the right equipment.
If you’re using a Building Management or Automation System and want to integrate your aquatics into it, please contact us to start a conversation.
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