Usage of PLC in energy management and building automation systems

PLCs, also known as programmable logic controllers, are now a crucial part of contemporary building automation systems and energy management solutions. They offer a quick, adaptable, and affordable method for managing and controlling numerous systems. An industrial or building management is a multi-faceted business that requires a significant amount of personnel and material resources to run. In order to achieve the combined goals of high production and employee satisfaction, safety and maintenance should be one of any profit-driven industry’s top priorities. Thus, a plant’s security is crucial in preventing mishaps that might result in significant financial and human losses. Industries have been safe for a very long time. With the development of Allen Bradley PLC technology, specialized software for safety and control applications was first used. With the introduction of modern technologies, circumstances have drastically changed, making it necessary to watch the live process in a system from a control room. The ability to supervise, regulate, and contain the entire process to a small control room has been made feasible by the advent of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition). A software package called SCADA includes features including alarm popups, history files, graphical representations, animations, and more. Internal light control, external light control, water level management, and fire detection are the main factors being watched. Following are some specific applications for PLCs in building automation and energy management systems:

1. CONTROL OF WATER LEVEL

Leads are used to keep track of a tank’s water level. Hence, a control signal is sent to start the motor when the water level is low, and another control signal is given to stop the motor when the water level is high.

2.CONTROL OF EXTERNAL LIGHT

Depending on the amount of light, the building’s outside lights are automatically turned on and off. The LDR is used to measure the brightness of ambient light. All of the lights turn on automatically if the light level is below.

3.FIRE DETECTION

A thermistor detects the rise in temperature that occurs when a fire starts. The resistance of the thermistor changes as a result of the temperature change. Comparator and relay are used to build a control circuit. The PLC receives the signal after conditioning. The people in the neighbourhood are informed about the fire via an alarm.

4.BALANCED INTERNAL LIGHTING

The IR sensor detects the person as they enter the building, and each load is turned on automatically based on the person entering the structure. If there are ten people present, load 1 is activated. Also, if there are more than ten people present, load 2 will activate. If there are more than twenty people present, load 3 will activate automatically. No one entering implies that the loads won’t be turned on.

5.HVAC control

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems are managed by Rockwell Automation PLCs. This involves regulating the air quality, humidity, and temperature and modifying these variables according to the number of occupants and the weather outside.

6.Energy tracking

In order to identify regions of high energy consumption and devise ways to decrease energy waste, PLCs may be used to monitor and evaluate the energy usage in a building. Also Read: How Python Is Streamlining Cloud Computing Processes

7.Security systems

Access control, intrusion detection, and surveillance systems are all under the control and observation of PLCs. PLCs may dramatically minimize energy consumption, increase comfort and safety, and lower operating expenses for building owners and managers. PLCs are used in energy management and building automation systems.