Certifiably Green

A Johnson Controls’ building automation and control system and Metasys earn certifications

Johnson Controls recently earned two major certifications for products that go a long way toward improving energy efficiency in buildings.
The first: the European Building Automation and Controls Association (EuBAC) license for the FX07 field controller. The second: the BACnet Testing Laboratory (BTL) certification for the Metasys Network Control Engine (NCE).
The EuBAC certification mark can now be used for the FX07 field controller fan coil unit system application that belongs to Johnson Controls’ building management system Facility Explorer. Building automation and control systems (BACS) are instrumental in saving energy for building owners and occupants by helping monitor, optimize and control heating, air-conditioning and lighting systems and fire and security networks.
The certification, valid for five years, assures the conformity of products and systems as defined in European Directives and Standards. The process is rigorous, requiring periodic tests and factory inspection by third-party experts.
The technology will be useful in a broad array of buildings and facilities throughout Europe, says Phil Daniell, Johnson Controls product manager for BACS and field controllers.
“The FX platform has the hardware and software features and flexibility to support control systems for most HVAC applications and building types in Europe,” he says. “That includes small- to medium-sized facilities [with local displays and remote-communication services] to large buildings with a building-automation network and central-operator workstations.”

Complementary Practices
The European certification for the Metasys Network Control Engine is significant in that it confirms BACnet conformity and complements the International BTL mark.
BACnet is a neutral communications standard for automation that ensures the continuous flow of data. Using this worldwide standard enables systems to communicate with each other in a single language, helping to reduce energy consumption and operating costs in buildings throughout the world.
“The Metasys System has been welcomed in Europe because of the extremely rich set of features embedded in the network controllers and workstations,” Daniell says. “These are available in various configurations and sizes to meet the control system requirements of any commercial building or complex. That’s exceedingly critical, because these requirements can vary considerably from one country to another in Europe.”