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Once again, BCIT demonstrates its focus on making its campus into a living lab for instructors and students. Faculty can now request access to enteliWEB which is a powerful web-based tool used by BCIT Facilities Services to monitor the campus DDC system to maintain a comfortable, efficient and sustainable learning environment. This feature will provide instructors an alternative to PowerPoint presentations and allow students to use real data (perhaps of their own classroom) in their projects, connecting the knowledge they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world examples.
Created as a collaboration between BCIT’s Building Science program, BCIT’s Facilities Services, and the Factor Four Team, this web-based feature can be accessed from any computer and used to enhance the learning experience at BCIT.
Two distinct features are available:
- A read-only access to the DDC system graphics and logic pages;
- Access to a database with all input/output (I/O) points of the existing DDC system located in the Factor Four buildings (trend logs).
To learn how to access these resources see Factor Four teaching resources page.
And here is some background information
About DDC:
Direct Digital Control (DDC) is the automated control of a condition by a computer. BCIT’s DDC is a network of sensors, operable devices and controllers that together provide the heating, ventilation and air conditioning for all buildings on campus. Also referred to as BMS, or Building Management System, the DDC is comprised of:
- Sensors –indicate temperature, pressure, etc. and on/off status
- HVAC devices – valves, dampers, fans, pumps, etc. that regulate indoor comfort
- Controllers – programmable mini-computers, to monitor input signals and control HVAC devices
- Interface – software that allows operators to monitor and adjust DDC: enteliWEB
- Database – storage of operational data over time: Copper Cube
- Connectivity – communication protocols, wiring, internet
About enteliWEB:
One brand of interface software on the market is called enteliWEB. BCIT has engaged ESC Automation, a division of Delta Controls, to install and customize enteliWEB for our needs. enteliWEB combines visual dashboards with easy-to-use facility management tools, such as real-time data, alarms and trend log data. It can also produce powerful reports to monitor energy consumption and help lower costs. A registered user (Faculty member) can access this web-based application through any computer browser.
About Copper Cube:
Copper Cube is a Delta Controls product (hardware installed at BCIT) that allows trend log and alarm data to be “permanently” stored. BCIT’s CopperCube stores up to 5 years of historical data. This can be accessed by both Faculty (via enteliWEB) and Students (via MySQL).
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