BACnet Middle East Journal – Issue 08

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BACnet InsightBenefits of BACnet CertificationIn today’s networked world of building automation,nothing works without communication.Communication needs standards so that it workssafely and without problems. In turn, there needsto be reliable proof that these standards are met.For the BACnet standard this proof is the BTLmark.BACnet is the standard communication protocolin building automation. The worldwide ISOstandard is almost 30 years young and it is constantlybeing developed. For example, there arechanges to the protocol in process to addresscybersecurity. Appropriate solutions are continuouslydeveloped, reviewed and then adopted innew versions of the standard.From the beginning, the development and evolutionof the BACnet standard has been challengedto ensure that manufacturers correctlyimplement the standard in their devices. It mustbe remembered that the range of devices isvery diverse and is becoming more extensive.Devices range from simple sensors to buildingmanagement systems. At the same time, thecomplexity of the individual products increaseswith the scope of the tasks which the buildingautomation has to fulfill. This means that thechallenge of developing and producing qualityworking products is growing.Tests and test laboratoriesAt the request of manufacturers and users, atest and certification procedure for the BACnetstandard was developed.A single BACnet test laboratory was foundedwhere products could be sent for testing andcertification, ensuring that all products werebeing held to the same standard of testing. Thiswas followed by the creation of more recognizedBACnet test laboratories. The abbreviation “BTL”stands for the umbrella organization BACnetTesting Laboratories. The aim of BTL was, andstill is, to provide a reliable, widely available andrepeatable conformance test for devices usingthe BACnet protocol for communication. Furthermore,the BTL mark, awarded and supervisedby the umbrella organization BTL, standsfor devices that have successfully passed thisconformity test.A BTL recognized test laboratory must meetdefined requirements. Only when it has proventhat it reliably fulfills these can it be accreditedand thus given the authorization to carry outtesting.BTL recognized test labs check devices toverify that the BACnet standard has been fullyand correctly implemented in each device. Thebasis for this is a test plan which is created bythe BTL Working Group. The procedure and theoutcome of the testing is noted in the test log.This makes it clear which functionalities wereincluded and checked in the test. The repeatabilityof the tests is ensured by following steps- largely automatically - in an exact sequence.BTL CERTIFICATIONOn-ramp to Intelligent Building System Integration10BACnet Any Middle roadmap East Journal to intelligent 8 11/19 buildings must includeprovisions for integrating information and controlfrom multiple systems provided by a variety ofBACnet specification and promotes a high level ofinteroperability of products in the field. It has beendeveloped over the last 20 years by the BACnet Testing
BACnet InsightThe test procedureTo certify a device, manufacturers must submita device and a number of documents to arecognized BACnet test lab. The device profilecategory the device belongs to must be indicatedtogether with the version of the test planthat should be used. The test laboratory checksthe documents and then carries out the correspondingtest. Depending on the device profileand complexity, testing a device can take severalhours, several days or even several weeks. Duringthe test, a test log is generated. If the test issuccessful, this result will be documented by thetest protocol. BTL recognized test labs are foundat several locations worldwide. Every laboratoryworks according to the same specifications andcarries out the same tests. The manufacturercan freely choose where to test a device. An upto date list can be found at the end of this article.A number of laboratories in Asia and Europe arecurrently applying for recognition.The BTL brand and its importance intendersAfter testing has been completed in one of theaccredited test laboratories, the test reportis transmitted by the manufacturer to the BTLumbrella organization (https://www.bacnetlabs.org) in America. There, it is formally checked todetermine whether the test has been carried outin all respects conforming to the test plan andthe device specification. A certificate is subsequentlyissued for the product. The product isthen included in the list of tested devices, the socalledlisting, and the manufacturer then has theright to place the BTL mark on the tested device.BTL (the umbrella organization overseeingtesting and certification)btl-manager@bacnetinternational.orgTel: +1 678-275-4018RECOGNIZED TEST LABS:BTL Test Lab2900 Delk RoadSuite 700, PMB 321Marietta, GA 30067USATel. +1 678-269-4923Fax +1-678-229-2777https://www.btltestlab.orgEmail: testing@bacnetinternational.orgContact: Rich RuelMBS GmbHRömerstr. 1547809 KrefeldGermanyTel. +49 (0)2151 7294-0Fax. +49 (0)2151 7294-50www.mbs-software.deEmail: testlabor(at)mbs-software.deContact: Christian EnklaariHomeLabBACnet test laboratoryTechnikumstrasse 21CH-5048 HorwSwitzerlandTel. +41 (0)41 349 33 81www.hslu.ch/enEmail: dieter.vonarx@hslu.chContact: Dieter von ArxBTL-certified products form the basis of anoptimally functioning BACnet communicationsystem. If only products that are BTL-tested areused in a project, some basic requirements forsuccessful BACnet communication are ensured.For this reason, an increasing number ofplanners and builders not only stipulate the useof the BACnet standard in their tenders, but alsoinsist that only products with the BTL mark areused. BTL certification is therefore already amandatory product feature in many tenders andprojects.It does not take a lot of time to research BTLlisted products. They are all included on the BTL'sofficial website. (https://www.bacnetlabs.org).The listing of BTL tested products is veryextensive, containing over 1000 products. Itcovers virtually all the requirements of buildingautomation and offers an extensive choicebetween many different manufacturers.Hans SymanczikDirector TEMA Technologie Marketing AG | TEMA AGsymanczik@tema.de | www.tema.deBACnet Middle East Journal 8 11/19 11
Page 1 and 2: ISSN 2190-944XBACnet Middle EastI
Page 3 and 4: Preface5 6EditorialOpen and Secure
Page 5 and 6: SolutionsInterface via BACnet/IP at
Page 7 and 8: SolutionsThe electromechanical auto
Page 9: SolutionsLow Cost of Operations in
Page 13 and 14: BACnet Insight• No proprietary BA
Page 15 and 16: BACnet Insightaddition of the Netwo
Page 17 and 18: ProductsAward-Winning Sensor HubDel
Page 19 and 20: ProductsThis enables new strategies
Page 21 and 22: ProductsA Practical Approach to BAS
Page 23 and 24: BACnet Interest Groups NewsBACnet C
Page 25: YOU ASKED FORMORE COURSES.THE BACne

BACnet Middle East Journal – Issue 08

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