Methods, controllers, and machine-readable storage media for automated commissioning of equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of building commissioning, particularly in HVAC systems, is time-consuming and prone to errors due to complex interactions between devices and sensors, often requiring extensive manual testing and occupancy-free training periods, which limits retro-commissioning and continuous commissioning opportunities.
Innovation Solution
An automated commissioning system using a controller with computer hardware and memory that connects devices and space sensors to verify expected behavior, checks wiring protocols, and reports results, allowing for efficient and systematic commissioning of devices and sensors in a physical space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual commissioning testing is performed to verify device and sensor operation, then commissioning accuracy and reliability are improved, but commissioning time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning system performs self-testing by automatically executing test routines that verify device and sensor operation without requiring extensive manual intervention. The system autonomously controls devices, reads sensor responses, and validates expected behaviors, enabling the building management system to commission itself with minimal human involvement while maintaining high accuracy through systematic automated verification protocols.
2Reliability
If occupancy-free training periods are required for commissioning, then device-sensor relationship validation is improved, but adaptability for retro-commissioning and continuous commissioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing commissioning activities to occur during occupied periods rather than requiring fixed occupancy-free training periods. The system can adjust its testing protocols to work around building occupancy, perform commissioning in smaller incremental zones, and continue commissioning activities throughout the building lifecycle, thereby enabling retro-commissioning and continuous commissioning while maintaining validation reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If extensive manual testing is performed to verify wiring protocols and device behavior, then commissioning thoroughness is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical testing procedures with automated electronic control and measurement. The commissioning system electronically communicates with devices and sensors, automatically executes test sequences, and digitally verifies wiring protocols through structured query protocols, eliminating the need for manual wiring checks and physical device manipulation while maintaining thorough verification of installation correctness.
4Adaptability or versatility
If automated commissioning is implemented without occupancy-free periods, then retro-commissioning and continuous commissioning are enabled, but measurement precision of device-sensor relationships may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning system divides the building into smaller commissioning zones or subsystems that can be tested and validated independently during occupied periods. By segmenting the commissioning process into manageable units, the system can achieve precise measurement of device-sensor relationships in each zone without requiring the entire building to be vacant, thereby maintaining measurement precision while enabling continuous commissioning capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments relate to a method, controller, and machine-readable storage medium for verifying controlled devices attached to the controller including one or more of the following: selecting, using a system model that models a system of devices comprising the controlled devices attached to the controller, a grouping of the system of devices to be tested; conducting a test of the grouping to produce a test result for the grouping, wherein conducting the test comprises transmitting a communication to at least one device associated with the grouping; choosing a graphical representation of a portion of the system model from a plurality of graphical representations based on the graphical representation including a representation of the grouping; and displaying, on a user interface, the graphical representation and an indication of the test result.