APOGEE

Modbus provides a viable solution for the integration of APOGEE® family of building automation and control systems and leading manufacturers systems

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc., accepts the Modbus protocol, developed by Modicon, as a viable solution for the integration of its APOGEE building automation system to leading building control systems. The affordable driver provides both monitoring and commanding capabilities, allowing building and facility managers to optimize the use of resources such as time and energy. Hospitals, schools, commercial buildings, computer rooms, manufacturing facilities and data storage centers use Modbus to integrate systems for applications including chillers, process controls, humidity control systems, pumping/central plant systems and boiler controls.

When the front end building automation system and other connected systems follow the same protocol, operators only have to install one driver, thereby reducing installation costs. Modbus, written to ensure operators with minimal training can quickly and properly maintain the integrated systems, is also not application dependent. Instead, the protocol uses a register-based system to tell both systems where specific information is located. Operators can then change the points listed in either system without modifying the driver itself.

"Because we can tie multiple vendors into our APOGEE building automation system with one driver, we are able to offer the customer substantial savings," explains the product manager of Integrated Systems for Siemens Building Technologies.

The protocol lends itself to flexible mapping, allowing changes to either system without having to change the driver, keeping long-term costs down.

The product manager continues, "We can use a single driver to tie in many systems. For example, a project in New York connects devices from Liebert, Square-D, GE Fanuc, and Pillar Switchgear to the same Local Area Network. When we use the simple protocol to integrate other systems into ours, we are also integrating our system into theirs."

Accepted in the industrial market as a defacto standard, Modbus is a simple protocol with general control functions that is seeing a growing popularity in the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) market as well. Free tools and resources are available on-line to support the easy-to-use protocol, including pre-programmed sequences to expedite the installation of the Modbus driver.

Siemens offers a wide range of standard and proprietary protocol options, including Modbus, BACnet™ and LonWorks™. After reviewing each integration project separately, the best solution is developed, depending upon the desired functionality.

For more information, contact your Siemens Building Technologies field location.

APOGEE is a trademark of Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
BACnet is a trademark of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
LonWorks is a trademark of Echelon.

© 2008 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. Siemens Building Technologies Privacy Policy

APOGEE, Insight and InfoCenter Suite are registered trademarks and APOGEE GO and APOGEE Anywhere are trademarks of Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.