Panel Bus input/output modules reduce engineering costs
CentraLine have released a range of panel-bus input/output modules that radically reduce engineering costs.
The EagleHawk AX controller is an important new product for CentraLine by Honeywell, combining the integration capability of Niagara AX software with a hardware platform specifically designed for HVAC (heating ventilating air conditioning) applications.
The CentraLine Panel Bus I/O (input/output) modules are a key addition to the EagleHawk AX.
A significant hidden cost in building management is software engineering of input and output modules — the interface between the controller, sensors, relays and other ancillary devices.
Software engineering associated with programming input and output modules entails significant costs in training, support and time when delivering control panels to specification.
Open-protocol input/output modules for LON, BACnet and Modbus provide extremely flexible and powerful advantages in integration and interoperability, albeit with a corresponding requirement for software engineering time and knowledge.
However, applications that do not require open-protocol I/O benefit greatly from low-cost modules that require zero engineering and can be configured simply and quickly without specialist software tools.
The CentraLine Panel Bus I/O uses Honeywell Panel Bus designed to work specifically with Honeywell HVAC controllers.
Panel Bus is effectively pre-engineered to automatically integrate with Honeywell HVAC controllers — removing the need for software engineered I/O modules.
This results in almost zero engineering by a Partner’s engineers as configuration is literally at the turn of a screwdriver.
The CentraLine Panel Bus I/O has a whole host of benefits.
Lowest total installed cost.
• Screwdriver addressing — no binding needed, and no software required.
• Maintenance friendly — quick exchange of modules without rewiring or powering down of controller and I/O modules.
• Hot-pluggable — no need to power down controller or rewire on exchange of modules.
• Large number of supported sensors avoids external converters.
• Manual over-ride modules available with feedback over-ride signal.
High reliability and performance.
• Up to 400 physical I/O points on an EagleHawk Panel I/O plant control configuration
• Panel I/O can be distributed up to 800 m from EagleHawk AX. Input/output modules do not burden the controller-to-controller communication traffic.
• Simple 2-wire network with easy to use Panel Bus configuration software module for the EagleHawk. Ring wiring possible for simple network redundancy
• Deterministic protocol supports multi-state outputs.
• Configurable safety positions in case of communication failure or EagleHawk controller offline:- Analogue Output: Remain, 0%, 50% or 100%. Binary Output: Remain, On or Off
Panel Bus is available in six modules.
• CLIOP821A with eight analog inputs.
• CLIOP822A/CLIOPR822A with eight analog outputs and optional manual override.
• CLIOP823A with binary inputs.
• CLIOP824A/CLIOPR824A with six relays and binary output with optional manual over-ride.
• CLIOP825A with six relays and floating output.
• CLIOP831A — a mixed 34 I/O module with eight universal Input, eight analog outputs, 12 binary inputs and six relay units.
The hardware configuration of the Panel Bus system provides for DIN-mounted sub-bases for the modules, with connector bridges and cross connectors enabling multiple Panel Bus modules to be mounted quickly and reliably in the control panel.
A very useful Disconnector Module bridges the input output connections to a Panel Bus I/O, allowing terminations and external circuits to be tested for continuity while the system is powered up and operational.
Jim Cook Senior CentraLine engineer, explains, ‘The Panel Bus range of input/output modules is very important to the EagleHawk AX controller.
‘Ease of installation and configuration really does reduce engineering and configuration time to a minimum, releasing software engineers to focus on programming.
‘The combination of EagleHawk and Panel Bus I/O modules is ideally suited for HVAC applications, providing high performance control algorithms with the extremely flexible Niagara software for integration and on-board graphics.
‘These new products are a great asset to our CentraLine Partners, delivering cost-effective engineering with enhanced controller performance without loss of flexibility in installation and application.’
If you would like to know more about the CentraLine Panel Bus I/O and the EagleHawk AX controller please visit the link below.
