An analogous set of challenges was in evidence to Ohms and Watts Services ("OWS") when the company started to assess the shopping centre for automation. As is often the case in this kind of commercial centre, as the years go by, some parts of the infrastructure are renovated, whilst others remain unchanged. After the centre has been established a number of years, there is no longer the homogeneity of technological level that might have unified it when it was first built. This presents a specific type of challenge: to link together existing plant for performance enhancement.
Whilst a lot of emphasis is always put on presentation in retail environments, it would be of little benefit if not adequately lit on a winter's afternoon. Lighting, combined with HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) are the essential services which make the shopping experience possible and comfortable, and it was these components which OWS was brought in to provide an integrated solution for.
Providing a new KNX automation network, OWS interfaced with an existing ModBus line (a serial interface technology) to provide control of several roof-mounted Lennox Baltic units. These substantial air conditioners are supplied by a diesel pump, which is critical to the performance of the system, hence OWS's provision of an audible/visual alarm responding to fault messages from the unit. Fire alarms were also integrated.
The new system supplies essential readouts to a central control centre, and provides the means for remote modification. It advises when servicing is needed, such as the replacement of dirty filters. No longer is it essential to physically patrol the units to monitor operation. The same KNX bus made addition of more units feasible, and expansion of the system followed. Not only does the network facilitate control within the complex, but it can also be accessed over the Internet, becoming an ideal setup for a chain of commercial premises requiring audits from a central headquarters.
Lighting expenditure in a complex of this magnitude is not trivial, and anything that can be done to reduce costs is welcome. The installation of ambient light sensors helps to keep electrical illumination to a minimum. For example, external floodlights come on only when the outside detected lux level reduces to a certain minimum value.
The lighting adjusts automatically according to working time schedules. However, for all the emphasis on automation, it is also important to allow for manual override. Particular adjustments can be thereby be made throughout the centre, to allow for eventualities such as servicing in a particular area outside business hours.
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