IntelliFront 4.5 ScreenshotUpgrade to an enhanced user experience with IntelliFront 4.5. The 4.5 release offers intuitive a user experience enriched with new features such as an app launcher menu, simplified alarm badge navigation, add/remove favorite views, and the ability to save an existing graphic as a new entity using the Save As Graphic tool.

For developers, IntelliFront 4.5 now has an extensive API library with documentation on FIN Stack properties and allows users to search through documentation categorized by available pods.

Learn more about the all of the new IntelliFront features and enhancements available with the 4.5 release.

IntelliFront creates a seamless and full-featured system experience across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices. The configure-once and reuse approach makes building custom graphics, navigation, data point information, histories, alarms, and schedules incredibly fast and easy. IntelliFront uses the latest industry and commercial protocols including REST interfaces and Haystack tagging, which means it is ready for the cloud and IoT applications.

And with ASI Controls commitment to backward compatibility, it also works directly with ASI hardware as well as BACnet protocols.

Current IntelliFront users can upgrade for free at http://bit.do/IntelliFront45upgrade.

ASI Supports Automated Demand Response

California’s updated building codes adopted in July, 2014 now require Energy Management and Control Systems (EMCS) installed in new commercial buildings to support automated demand response (ADR) functionality.  California’s 2013 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, Section 120.2 Required Controls for Space Conditioning Systems, sub-section (h) Automatic Demand Shed Controls states that a control system must be able to relax setpoints in all non-critical zones by 4 or more degrees.

The Demand objeGraph showing site kW loads dropping after ADR event signal is receivedct (DEM) in ASIC/2 and ASIC/3 programmable controllers is easily configured to trigger demand response load reductions by changing zone setpoints. In addition to satisfying CA requirements, this feature helps deliver automated energy cost savings in areas with high demand costs.

An ASI Controls EMCS can also deliver automated demand reductions by duty cycling of package air conditioning units, so that all non-critical units are idled for a short period in a defined rotation. Duty cycling ensures demand response yield during ADR events by limiting the total number of active units even when conditions call for full cooling or heating.

How Do Customers Benefit?

Customers who participate in Automated Demand Response programs typically receive demand and/or energy credits for participating in ADR events. Example ADR programs offered by Southern California Edison in Los Angeles, CA include the Demand Bidding Program and Capacity Bidding Program, where customers are paid credits based on how much energy or capacity they deliver during demand response events. The DBP program pays partial credit for yields of 50% to 90% of the energy (kWh) bid and does not include penalties. The CBP program offers higher potential payouts for yield at or over capacity (kW) bid but also includes financial penalties if a customer comes up short.

ASI Controls Advantages

The complexity The ASI system can forecast loads and predict the baseline to assess profitability of demand response participationof calculating baselines to know if participation will be profitable and the need for manual intervention in the process to trigger load reductions both limited the potential payback of first generation demand response solutions. Today however customers can use the OpenADR protocol to receive a signal via Internet and automatically trigger demand response actions by the energy management system. Incentives and subsidies for OpenADR solutions are available to help pay for a new EMCS or to add functionality to an existing system.

Automation removes the manual step but adds risks, a site may unknowingly initiate demand response with no compensation due to unfavorable baselines or even come up short and face a penalty. An ASI Controls EMCS can be programmed to calculate hourly site-specific baselines and use a local weather forecast to predict hourly site loads to display if the default baseline or an adjusted baseline would be most profitable. This feature helps users to maximize returns and minimize the risk of penalties.

ASI systems can also generate automated notifications for future peak demand events complete with cost estimates and a link to a local weather forecast. In a simple case the notification tells a facility energy manager that a peak will be set in 30 minutes, if it’s early in a bill period with a heat wave coming there’s no point in trying to enforce an artificially low peak for the month so the facility manager can override the limit now and avoid unnecessary discomfort. With convenient access to load and weather forecasts and cost estimates based on actual rates customers can make more informed decisions.

An OpenADR client device, the Universal Devices iSisy994Y994i, was added to the ASI Controls price list to provide an OpenADR 2.0 (b) interface for ASI Controls EMS systems. The device can interface to the EMCS via controller inputs to trigger demand reductions. Requiring an OpenADR interface for a commercial building is a step on the road to an eventual SmartGrid where buildings pay for demand and energy based on real-time market conditions, and can also potentially sell demand response yield back to the grid.

Energy Management Cost Savings – Training

ASI Controls wants to help you deliver automated demand response and energy cost optimization solutions. We can help customers understand rate plans to find the best opportunities for payback, teach controls techs how to use ASI Controls energy cost control features, turn site survey data into strategies and payback estimates, and more. Slides from an ASI Controls Energy Cost Control Sales Training can be downloaded here.

EMS_slides

The current slides incorporate electrical rates for Los Angeles, CA but we can provide slides with utility rates for your service area, wherever you are. We can also create an Excel spreadsheet you can use to estimate cost savings and calculate payback based on the electricity rates in your areas, identify opportunities to move to a more favorable tariff, and analyze the potential for solar, advanced energy storage, or thermal energy storage.

Interactive web training and classroom sessions focusing on automated energy cost control can be arranged by contacting ASI Technical support.

pr logo1ASI to Announce New BTL Listings and 5 Year Product Warranty at AHR Expo

San Ramon, CA, January 22nd, 2015 – ASI Controls announces BTL-ASC listings for the ASIC/1-6100 family of controllers for VAV/VVT applications in BACnet MS/TP networks. ASIC/1-6100 controllers are backed by a 5 year limited product warranty that also covers other ASIC/1 and ASIC/3 controllers.

“We are very excited to show our BTL listed VAV/VVT controllers at AHR Expo!” stated ASI Controls President Paul Chapman, “A BTL certification tells customers the product meets the standards for open interoperability, customers get BACnet MS/TP VAV/VVT products that work well together backed by a 5 year limited warranty and comprehensive ASI support.“

“Customers want durable, open solutions that can easily scale and incorporate future technologies,” explained sales manager Bill Messick. “Only ASI Controls is committed to supporting both BACnet and OPC while delivering forward and backward compatibility between product generations.”

Product datasheets are available on the ASI Controls website for ASIC/1-6100 controller models with integrated damper actuators and for models designed for retrofit applications.

PRproducts1

ASI Controls provides state of the art digital controls to manage, monitor, and control building environments. ASI Controls products operate and monitor facilities around the world, including nationwide property networks, commercial and industrial buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, and educational campuses, and as original equipment in Chillers and other HVAC equipment.

March 9, 2015 – (updated) BTL certification was just awarded to the new ASIC/1-8100 BACnet Rooftop Package Unit (RTU) and Heat Pump controller.

BTL-ASC Rooftop and Heat Pump controller

For more information visit www.asicontrols.com or email info@asicontrols.com.

Contact:   Bill Messick, Sales Manager or Connor Chapman, Marketing Associate
Phone:     (925) 866-8808 x121 -or- (925) 866-8808 x131
Email:      sales@asicontrols.com

Supply Air Temperature Reset is a long name for a simple strategy to cut energy costs.

In an office, school, or other large building with an HVAC system a reset strategy saves energy by reducing the production of something – cold air, hot water, or air pressure – that takes energy to make.

Cooling air at 95°F down to 65°F on a hot day requires energy, and to get the same air to 60°F or 55°F takes more energy. The colder you make it the more energy it takes.

It takes lots of energy to push conditioned air through ducts to offices, classrooms or zones in a facility. The faster you push the air the more energy you use, and pushing a larger volume of air will also drive up energy consumption.

Energy Cost Savings Example 1 – Supply Air Temperature Reset

Let’s say it is 95°F outside and cooling is needed from the HVAC system. A Supply Air Temperature Reset strategy adjusts the supply of cold air to meet demand, balancing comfort versus energy cost. In this case the Building Energy Management System decides when to reset supply air temperature based on the temperature of air coming back from the cooled spaces.

A high return air temperature means the zones are still warm so the HVAC system should supply very cold air until temperatures drop to a satisfactory state. Later, as air coming back from the zones drops in temperature it signals the Energy Management System there is less need for cooling.

The Building Energy Management System then raises the temperature of air discharged by the cooling system, which lightens the load on compressors and reduces their energy consumption.

One advantage of a Supply Air Temperature reset strategy is that it can be applied to both Constant Volume (CV) and Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems.

CV systems are cheaper to install but VAV systems offer energy savings compared to CV systems because they adjust the volume of air distributed to match cooling or heating demand.

Compared to CV systems, VAV energy savings are substantial because the amount of energy required to move air is a cubic function of speed. Looking at key points on a graph of speed and power we see that at 100% speed a fan uses 100% power but an 80% speed cuts power required to about 50%, and at 60% speed you cut power requirements by more than 75% versus full load.

reset1Figure 1

A future article will discuss uses and benefits of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). VFDs adjust the frequency of electricity supplied to a motor from 0 to 60 Hz to make a motor run at variable speeds to capture the cubic energy savings described above.

An EMS can display a screen with current status of a Supply Air Temperature Reset-enabled cooling system to help users understand system behavior. In this example screen, building users can click green arrows to adjust the reset parameters within limited ranges, fine tuning HVAC performance and conditions to their liking. The display updates in real-time to help users understand changes in discharge air temperature they may sense.

reset2Figure 2

EXAMPLE 2 – Static Pressure Reset

In a ducted cooling system the central AHU or RTU has to supply sufficient discharge air pressure to ensure that rated airflow is supported at the furthest reaches of the supply duct, and potentially that air also returns to the central unit in appropriate volumes.

If you over-pressurize the system you waste energy. ASI Controls terminal unit controllers automatically adjust duct static pressure in response to airflow demand, reducing energy costs while delivering the freshly conditioned air that keeps people comfortable.

A system that adjusts both air temperature and airflow simultaneously to meet demand is a Variable-Volume Variable-Temperature or VVVT or VVT system.

Other possible reset strategies including Hot Water Supply Temperature and/or Pressure reset using the Heating Coil Valve position as the reset input, or resetting Chiller Cold Water Supply Temperature based on the Cooling Coil Valve position.

ASI Controls can help you run through the numbers and calculate projected savings from an automated EMS using reset strategies.

Controlling Energy Costs in a Commercial Building

Summary

The biggest users of energy in the average commercial building are Lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning). Rates for electricity in most medium to large commercial buildings include both demand and consumption charges, but many energy cost management strategies focus on consumption and miss potentially larger savings available from controlling peak demand in order to reduce demand charges. The focus of this article is to show building owners how to identify and estimate the potential value of Demand Control in their own buildings using data from a utility “smart meter” or a power metering solution. In many cases a Building Automation System that controls HVAC and lighting to manage both electrical consumption and demand can deliver substantial, consistent savings while maintaining building comfort and productivity.

Understanding Energy Costs

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting are all essential to a productive building environment and are the two main places energy is typically used in commercial buildings. Commercial facilities including office buildings, hospitals, retail stores, warehouses, medical suites, and the like consume almost 19% of energy used in the United States so lighting and HVAC use a whole lot of energy.

How much energy the lights and HVAC in your own building use will vary depending on the types of mechanical equipment and lighting in place, prevailing climate, timing of use,  comfort preferences, building age, windows, insulation, and other site-specific factors. The Department of Energy does provide a national average profile, see Figure 1.

Figure 1 – electricity primary energy use in Commercial buildings

Many commercial buildings are on an electric rate plan or Tariff that includes Demand (capacity) charges as well as energy (consumption) charges. Demand is measured in kilowatts (kW), or thousands of watts, and energy consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A 1,000 watt electric heater creates 1 kW of Demand and if left on for 1 hour it consumes 1 kWh. As a rule residential bills don’t include Demand costs.

Customers often have a choice as to which tariff they are on. Many utilities will provide a rate comparison to tell you how much your bill would be on an alternate tariff, either on your bill, through a web portal, or by request to your utility account rep. Many customers are surprised to find that simply switching tariffs can save them money; the best tariff for a customer will depend on their particular usage profile.

Demand charges in a tariff can be a benefit to some customers with a high load factor, e.g. ratio of average kW to peak kW. We recently identified $40,000 (22%) in annual savings for a senior housing complex in Tucson, AZ by switching from the non-demand metered General Service tariff to the demand-metered Large General Service tariff. In the nearby APS service area we identified how an EMS system combined with a 50 kW solar array would enable a private high school to switch from E32-L to E32-M and significantly cut energy costs. The senior facility has a high peak load factor while the high school has a low load factor so each has a different optimal balance of demand and consumption charges.

Demand costs in a tariff will always be expressed on a $ per kW basis, consumption costs are always in units of $ per kWh. For TOU-8-S commercial customers with 12 kV service in Los Angeles and Orange County, the highest cost for energy on paper is about 13 ½ cents per kWh from noon to 6pm on summer weekdays, but you must add in Demand to see full costs.

[pullquote align=”right”]TIP – Demand costs are always per kilowatt ($/kW or ȼ/kW), and consumption charges are always per kilowatt-hour ($/kWh or ȼ/kWh).[/pullquote]

EXAMPLE an office in a large building has 8 fluorescent fixtures with 4 T-8 bulbs (32W) each. Those lights are on every weekday from 7am to 7pm all summer. Lights cost $30 to $45 /kW in Demand and about $30 in consumption monthly on TOU-8-S.

Average costs for those lights are roughly 27 to 34 cents per kWh due to Demand costs.

This office adds a 100 W desk light and turns it on from noon to 6pm daily in summer. The first month it costs between $2.40 and $3.90 in Demand and about $1.60 in energy consumption. The average cost for this light is around 33 to 45 cents per kWh.

Timing Matters

The electric utility assesses Demand charges based on peak Demand. Peak Demand is the maximum average Demand over any single 15 minute window in the billing month (sometimes it can be a 30 minute or 1 hour window).

The first example showed how using energy during peak times costs more than the sticker price due to Demand costs, but timing matters in other ways too.

Assume the temperature has been fair all month, so daily energy use looks like the left curve in Figure 2. On the last day of the billing month it gets very hot and the curve resembles the one on the right. The hot day raises the peak about 350 kW, costing an extra $16,000 in Demand costs. SCE offers larger commercial customers some flexibility to select billing period start/end dates, so a timely adjustment to a billing period can save a lot if you have predictable Demand spikes.

Figure 2.1
Figure 2.2 - Summer daily Demand in large office building 
with central cooling

Lighting typically lifts Demand level fairly equally throughout a day but HVAC causes electrical Demand to go up and down on hot days, as Figure 2 shows. The variability happens for two main reasons, (1) HVAC systems are staged to match cooling output to cooling need and (2) small changes in airflow have a large effect on energy use.

A common cooling setup in large buildings is a large chiller or chillers providing central cooling. Cold fluid is pumped to an Air Handler Unit (AHU) where heat exchangers cool the air before fans push the conditioned air into the distribution ducts. Figure 2 traces Demand for a building with a central plant because changes at the top of the curve are about 32 kW in magnitude, with only 100 kW total variation through the hot part of the day. The chiller comes on early in the day to get pre-loaded when energy is cheap, and is turned down to coast through the afternoon after 3pm or so. Looking at graphs from other days suggests this building has at least two 225 to 250 kW chillers and 3 fans with 40 HP motors.

Another common cooling system is packaged RTU or AHU. A package unit includes compressors, devices that chill air. If more cooling is needed another compressor is turned on, adding a stage. Each compressor on/off event changes electrical Demand.

On hot days a properly sized HVAC system will cycle between stages and even on the hottest days the system alternates between the last and next-to-last stages. Other things being the same the steps in a Demand curve are larger with compressors cycling versus a chiller plant running at a good efficiency. On the other hand the spike in Demand when a chiller comes on dwarfs the spike from an average compressor start.

It takes a lot of energy to chill air, and the air distribution system is a second energy hog because the power needed to move air is related to speed cubed (speed times speed times speed). So, small changes in airflow speed have a large effect on power needed.

Figure 3

You can feel this in a car on a highway with your hand out the window. There is more resistance at 50 mph than 40 mph, and even more at 60 mph than 50 mph. Each 10 mile per hour rise adds a lot to resistance, if you’ve put a hand out the window while moving at 100 mph you already know this.

If your utility provides detailed or hourly smart meter data, or you have a BAS or EMS trending your Demand, you can probably figure out the kilowatt draw for each stage in your air conditioning by looking at the stair steps in Demand.

You can also figure out how much power the HVAC draws from the nameplate which tells you unit Voltage and phases, count of compressors, and the Horsepower (HP) and Full Load Amperage (FLA) for each compressor, motor and pump in the system. The FLA is the current the device draws at full load; you can use online converters to translate FLA and voltage into a kW value for a device. Alternately, multiply motor HP by 0.746 (1 HP = 746 watts) to get estimated kW for each compressor, motor or pump. A low Power Factor raises wire losses and creates potential issues with motor wear, transformer overloads and voltage sag, but that topic needs another article to explain.

A model number search often leads to a manual with more detailed specifications.

Figure 4.1
Figure 4.2
Figure 4.3
Figure 4.4 - examples of RTU and AHU nameplates

An Energy Management System with Demand Control features offers the capability to set a limit on the amount of Demand the system can create. The EMS can follow pre-selected choices for which systems to ramp down and what to turn off in the event load shedding is needed to keep the building under a Demand limit. Energy storage solutions provide the EMS with more options to serve a load surge versus shedding Demand.

In Los Angeles, SCE large commercial customers pay some of the highest Demand charges in the USA but other utilities like PG&E and SDG&E in CA are over $30/kW in summer. APS E32-L in AZ has a $35.43 /KW rate on the first 100 kW and $23.37 /kW on the balance, with a 12 month ratchet clause. The HECO (HI) rate is near $24 /kW, TEP (AZ) LGS-13 rate is $15.25 /kW, PSEG (NJ) LPL rate is almost $20 /kW in summer and $15 /kW in other months and CP&L (CT) rate 56 charges about $14 /kW.

These are the highest demand charges in the US, but even with lower demand charges you probably overpay for the energy you need if your peak demand is unmanaged.

Public utilities are required to make their rates public so you can find all the details of most tariffs online. Many utilities have an online customer portal that allows you to compare what your costs would be on a different Tariff or Rate Plan.

If you have a utility smart meter your utility most likely already offers simple ways to download the meter data. With demand data at 15 minute or hourly intervals you can learn a lot about how your building operates. In many cases a few simple actions to limit peak demand can help control your energy costs without sacrificing comfort or compromising business needs.

Figure 5.1
Figure 5.2 – PG&E (CA) customer portal pages for A1 Standard (small 
commercial) only provide consumption data
Figure 6.1
Figure 6.2 – SCE (CA) gives TOU-8-S (large commercial) customers useful 
details on demand and consumption charges

The quality of data available from your customer portal can vary by utility company and by Tariff or rate plan. The PG&E customer in this example does not have a smart meter installed yet and is on A1 tariff which does not include a demand charge. If they click on the “green button” to download data they only get monthly bill totals. Bill totals and aggregated consumption data are not very helpful for cost savings analysis. High level data can help if cost control focuses on conserving energy, but our goal is to show how if you are on a tariff with demand costs then controlling peak demand can often cut costs significantly without requiring energy conservation. Figuring out an effective demand control strategy requires detailed demand data.

The SCE customer on TOU-8 tariff in Figure 6 has a smart meter and can download meter data at 15 minute intervals for the last 13 months. This is valuable data and knowing how to interpret it can help you devise potential savings strategies.

Figure 7 – data shows $10,000 savings to SCE TOU-8-S customer if demand 
limited up to 480 kW (6%) for 2.5 hours on 1 day

If you don’t have a utility smart meter, or you are part of a large utility account and don’t have sub-metering data, you can install your own power meter or power data logger to get a detailed profile of your building electrical use. Having detailed demand data is essential to figuring out if and how you can run your building more cost effectively. In rare cases customers have even been able to reverse utility billing errors using data from their own power meters.

Hopefully you have learned how to look at information available to you to get an idea of how your building operates today and perhaps you even feel prepared to try controlling Demand manually to test your savings potential. If Demand cost is driving your bills an automated Energy Management System oriented to Demand control can help you manage energy costs comfortably and efficiently. An ASI Controls authorized reseller can help you run through the numbers and calculate projected savings from an automated EMS.


San Ramon, CA, July 29th, 2011 – ASI Controls is pleased to announce availability of the new ASIC/1-6100 family of VAV controllers for variable air volume applications in BACnet MS/TP networks.

“We are pleased to announce expanded BACnet MS/TP controller offerings,” stated Dr. Mashuri Warren, ASI Controls Director of Product Development. “Our new ASIC/1-6100 BACnet VAV controllers provide ASI resellers with the choice to implement digital control networks for HVAC and Energy management using either BACnet MS/TP or ASI Controls protocols.“

“Our new BACnet additions complement our JASIC Open Systems line and extend our field-proven ASIC lines to provide customers with extensive interoperability options,” explained Francis Chapman, ASI Controls Marketing Director. “In many cases, customers who want to maximize the return on their control system investments can install an ASI Controls network as an extension to an existing BACnet system instead of having to install a whole new system. Customers today expect open systems solutions, and our BACnet MS/TP controllers combined with our JASIC Open Systems and support for OPC provide proven, industry standard interoperability.”

“Building owners and operators looking for cost-effective open systems now have new options,” continued Mr. Chapman. “Our track record for reliability, longevity, performance, and extensive commitment to back-compatibility means we can deliver value today and also ensure customer’s options remain open in the future.”

Product datasheets are available on the ASI Controls website for models with integrated damper actuators and for models designed for retrofit applications.

 

ASI Controls provides state of the art digital controls to manage, monitor, and control building environments.  ASI Controls products operate and monitor facilities around the world, including nationwide property networks, commercial and industrial buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, and educational campuses, and as original equipment in Chillers and other HVAC equipment.

For more information visit www.asicontrols.com or email info@asicontrols.com.

Contact:    Francis Chapman, Marketing Director
Phone:       925-866-8808
Email:        Francis.Chapman@asicontrols.com

You can now follow ASI Controls on Twitter.

Our official Twitter account is @ASIControls

We will use Twitter to send news about firmware updates, software releases, new products, training classes and other timely events.

Starting Monday, July 11th our new hours for telephone technical support will be from 7am (Pacific) to 4pm (Pacific), one hour earlier than the prior schedule.

The new Technical Support phone hours are intended to improve coverage for customers in Eastern and Central time zones. We are offering the new schedule on a trial basis, and will evaluate whether to continue with these new hours of operation or make further changes based on usage and customer feedback.

The ASI Tech Support phone number is (925) 866 8808, option 3. You can also get Technical Support from ASI by email using the support@asicontrols.com address.

We are excited to offer new graphics packages for WebLink provided by BASGraphics.com. These new graphics enable you to assemble a custom AHU, RTU, unitary device, heat pump, or AAON-type rooftop, or to layout a custom Central Plant. The libraries include a mix of large background pieces like housings and enclosures along with smaller components like coils, pipes, fans, pumps, etc. The housings and components in a package can be fit together in any order or orientation.

The graphics match those offered by BASGraphics.com for JASIC Open Systems (Tridium) devices, enabling a consistent look for front ends served by ASI WebLink software, JASIC devices with embedded UI, or by JASIC Web Supervisor front end software.

These optional WebLink graphics libraries are licensed by project. You specify a project name along with a PO at the time of purchase, and each project requires its own license. You can use a graphics package on multiple computers provided the project name matches. To make it easy to get started you can buy one engineering copy for development computers and later apply the cost of the engineering license to your first customer project.

We provide a tool to convert graphics created under one license to a different license so you can re-use graphics from project to project, or transfer graphics from an engineering development machine to the WebLink server at a customer project site.

The BASMaker package combines all four of the AHU, RTU, Unitary, and Heat Pump libraries in one license.

See this YouTube video for additional information on the new graphics packages.

These low resolution of thumbnails provide a preview of the 3D graphics, the actual images in the library are sharp and clear.

These optional libraries contain PNG format graphics for a sharp look along with compact file sizes.  You can order graphics packages for use with either ASI WebLink or JASIC Open Systems from ASI Controls.

AHU Maker

 

PlantMaker

We are pleased to announce availability of a new pre-assembled enclosure for power monitoring applications. By working with meter provider DENT Instruments we can offer convenient single invoice ordering of their Modbus power meter along with a pre-assembled compatible power monitoring panel as a single ASI Controls product. The new ENC-KWMON panel comes with a DENT PowerScout3 power meter along with RoCoil “rope” current transformers or CT’s.

The ENC-KWMON panel is not a UL-listed product. The NEMA-1 enclosure and ASIC/2-8540 controller inside are UL-listed components and the power meter and CT’s are UL-recognized components. The ENC-KWMON product is assembled in the USA.

Each power monitoring panel includes:

  • ASIC/2-8540 controller configured to communicate with a DENT Instruments PowerScout3 power meter using Modbus RTU protocol
  • EtherLink/3 serial-to-Ethernet router for network connectivity
  • DENT Instruments PowerScout3 Modbus power meter (unmounted)
  • Three (3) 16” RoCoil CT’s with 5” opening, 25-3500A rating
  • Terminations for 110V, 24V, and RS485
  • Transformer and 120V AC outlet
  • 20″x18″x6″ NEMA-1 steel enclosure

The power monitoring ASIC2 and WebLink templates are provided as a convenient training example and educational aid, free of charge. ASI Controls resellers can download the ASI WebLink front end template, as well as the ASIC/2 controller configuration that supports communication with a DENT Instruments PowerScout3 power meter, from the Integrator Center. No purchase is necessary to download these templates.

More information on the DENT Instruments PowerScout series of power meters and convenient, flexible RoGowski-style CT’s is available from the DENT Instruments website. DENT Instruments recommends each reseller working with their meters purchase one communications toolkit which includes a custom USB cable that connects the power meter to your PC, along with DENT Instruments Viewpoint software. The communications toolkit is invaluable in the event you have to troubleshoot a meter, or want to look at data from the meter outside of an ASI Controls interface.

For sites with BACnet front ends the ENC-KWMON-BAC with an RS-485 BACnet MS/TP interface is available. You can also special order panels that include RoCoil CT’s with longer leads, split-core CT’s, and high accuracy split-core mini-CT (5A rating) suitable for monitoring individual pieces of equipment.