If you're an engineer responsible for powering smart buildings, successful design and installation require a comprehensive understanding of the requirements. Today, we're sharing some helpful tips:
Discuss the client's current and future needs
Excellent electrical design in smart buildings meets both current and anticipated future needs. Take the time to understand your clients' essential functionalities and how they expect the building to function.
Help your customers consider possibilities they might not have thought of. If employees use electronic keys to enter the building, the key system can be linked to the lighting. This way, people can walk into well-lit rooms instead of searching for wall switches.
You can also suggest how power solutions can support people's productivity, such as by automatically adjusting lighting levels to reduce glare. Let your customers know what options are available. This will help them make informed decisions about the power needs of smart buildings and give them accurate expectations.
Let natural light guide some design decisions
Many smart building electrical systems respond to people, such as when they enter or leave a room. However, the design can also respond to sunlight. This option is particularly wise if the building already has large windows to utilize natural light.
For example, sensors dim the lights when bright sunlight shines through the windows of some airports. However, the lights adjust again if clouds block the sunlight. A similar setup exists in the engineering building on the University of Pennsylvania campus, for instance. It features smart blinds that react to the sun's path.
Evaluate how any smart building power solutions you use work with natural light, rather than the other way around. Adopting this approach can help save energy and demonstrates foresight.
Efforts to simplify operation
Smart building power options offer opportunities to design lighting and other components that can perform multiple tasks. In some cities, streetlights double as Wi-Fi connection points. A system can be installed to handle both climate control and lighting in a building. This way, clients only need to learn how to operate one new device.
The research allows for options to control the lighting from an app or a centralized panel, making the system as user-friendly as possible. It helps customers feel excited about what they expect after installing the power solution. For example, one plastics company saved over $50,000 annually in electricity costs by upgrading its lighting system. Providing such examples helps them feel justified in their investment.
Intelligent building electrical systems operate in a three-tiered, collaborative manner. Management controls the setup from a centralized point. It also collects incoming data, allowing for problem detection and correction. The control layer involves the intelligent building's hardware. Finally, this layer includes sensors and actuators that collect data, perform tasks, and make adjustments. These devices typically operate on DC power supplies within a 5V to 24V battery range.
Ideally, operating system developers would never consider these things. The interface they use should be very simple, allowing for a seamless experience. Understanding how the three layers work and what they encompass is crucial for robust electrical design.
Work with smart building consultants or installers to tackle the challenges
Consultants or installers specializing in smart building power will provide specific advice on addressing obstacles related to equipment, integration, and other areas of concern. Smart building consultants typically assist with the design and construction phases of a project. They can also help owners or managers unlock new potential from existing data flows.
The consultant or installer will also know the estimated timeframe for the installation. Perhaps the building has been in use all along, or it's currently in its busiest period. If so, one of the challenges associated with the installation might involve choosing the best time for it. Should it be installed all at once or in stages? If the design requires major modifications, the installation time will be longer than the time it takes for the building to prepare for new technologies.
Experts can also offer advice on any general issues and how to avoid them. They can also recommend how many people to hire to complete the installation and provide detailed information about the relevant warranty.
Maintain communication and collaboration during installation.
Intelligent building electrical systems may integrate with products beyond those you typically handle as electrical engineers. Consider scenarios where the same system handles a building's lights, locks, and HVAC. In such cases, ongoing communication with the teams overseeing the security and climate control aspects of the intelligent building retrofit is necessary.
Assess any instances where the building will have integrated components. Then, ensure that everyone involved understands their role in enabling the various technologies in the smart building to work together smoothly.
Consider using a project management application to facilitate seamless communication between various contracting companies and teams. This way, everyone can access the latest relevant information that could impact their work, whether it's related to electrical installations or other aspects.
A well-thought-out approach will lead to successful results.
As these tips suggest, to achieve good results with smart building power selection, it's essential to first understand all aspects that can influence the outcome. Focusing only on matters directly related to electrical decisions or your electrician team is short-sighted and can delay the project or cause it to exceed budget.
