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BACnet®: Manufacturer-Independent Building Control

“Building Automation and Control Networks” (BACnet®) is a data transfer protocol for building automation and control. BACnet® simplifies communication between products from different manufacturers in building automation.

BACnet® in Brief:

  • Standardized data exchange for building automation
  • Uniform communication on the management, automation and field levels
  • Cross-system integration of devices of different building control systems, e.g., elevator surveillance, access control, power supply or radio applications

BACnet® Explained Simply

BACnet® was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers Inc. – ASHRAE for short. Published as an American standard in 1995, BACnet® has existed as ISO standard 16484-5 since 2003. BACnet® supports open, interoperable building automation. It allows manufacturer-independent, cross-system implementation of extensions and changes in buildings. This is made possible by the use of common data points and coordinated functions.

Flexible Integration: BACnet® in Building Automation

A multitude of different building automation protocols exist; in large-scale projects, individual systems often develop independently of one another. BACnet® connects different systems and products, facilitating data exchange between different devices in a uniform overall system. It supports a number of network technologies and topologies, including the IP protocol, allowing cross-system integration of HVAC, lighting control, security and fire alarm systems on the management and automation levels. That means not only greater flexibility, but also lower maintenance and installation costs for building automation and control. As a global communication standard, BACnet® is tested by independent laboratories and continuously developed and maintained.

Benefits of BACnet®:

  • Independent of technology and manufacturer

  • Supports various media types, such as BACnet®/IP and MS/TP

  • Tested by independent laboratories

  • Constantly upgraded and updated standard

Affordable and Future-Proof: WAGO and BACnet®

When combined, the WAGO I/O System 750 and BACnet® offer sustainable, future-proof solutions for HVAC applications in non-residential buildings. The WAGO I/O System 750 is designed as a single system for every application providing optimal communication. WAGO’s BACnet® products offer cost-effective, dependable control solutions and support reliable networking of automation components.

The product range includes BACnet® controllers with IP or MS/TP interfaces and BACnet® IP fieldbus couplers. The WAGO BACnet® Configurator is available for efficient commissioning. All the I/O modules within the WAGO I/O System are supported, as are interfaces to bus systems such as KNX and DALI. The controllers are programmable according to IEC 61131-3. With its broad range of standard and specialty modules, the WAGO I/O System is ideal for a wide variety of building automation applications.

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BACnet® System Graphics

Tested and Certified

WAGO’s BACnet® Controllers are certified by independent test laboratories and carry the globally recognized BTL logo!

Manufacturers of BACnet® products can take advantage of conformity tests at recognized, accredited test agencies to prove their devices comply with the BACnet® standard ISO 16484-5/ANSI ASHRAE 135.

These laboratory tests are conducted uniformly according to the BTL Test Plan and the BACnet® test standard ISO 16484-6/ANSI ASHRAE 135.1. The BTL mark is protected worldwide – only products that have been successfully tested in a BACnet® test lab are authorized to carry the BTL logo as part of the listing process.

We meet special requirements of local markets, such as those of the AMEV certificate. If you have questions about tests or certificates, please contact us!

New Products

Retrofitting BACnet® Functionality

BACnet®/IP firmware extension for PFC200 and Touch Panels 600

BACnet® is one of the most commonly used communication protocols in building automation. Recognizing this, WAGO now offers a firmware extension for its range of PFC200 Controllers and Touch Panels 600; the extension can be used to activate existing devices through licensing for BACnet®/IP.

This allows you to automate a large number of BACnet® objects with just one PFC200 Controller or Touch Panel 600. With the powerful Linux®-based Touch Panels and BACnet® licenses, control and visualization of larger building automation projects can be implemented on a single device. The devices act as BACnet® Building Controllers (BBCs) per BACnet® Revision 14. The BTL listing means that our devices meet the typical requirements found within tenders. WAGO offers various types of licenses.

The Benefits for You:

  • Use existing products with BACnet®/IP
  • Automation of a vast number of BACnet® objects
  • Control and visualization in one device for cost-effective solutions
  • Scalability through different licenses

BACnet® Products from WAGO

BACnet®/IP Controller (750-8212/000-100)

The PFC200 Controller is a compact PLC for the modular WAGO I/O System. Besides network and fieldbus interfaces, it supports modules with digital and analog signals, as well as 750/753 Series specialty modules.

Two ETHERNET interfaces and an integrated switch enable line topology wiring. An integrated Webserver provides user configuration options while displaying PFC200 status information.

In addition to the processing industry and building automation, typical applications for the PFC200 include standard machinery and equipment control, e.g., packaging, bottling, manufacturing and metal processing machines and systems.

The Benefits for You:

  • Programmable via e!COCKPIT
  • Direct connection of WAGO’s I/O modules
  • 2 x ETHERNET (configurable), RS-232/-485
  • Linux® operating system with RT‐Preempt patch
  • Configuration via e!COCKPIT or Web-Based Management interface

BACnet®/IP Coupler (750-332)

BACnet®/IP coupler, the powerful fieldbus coupler: WAGO’s BACnet/IP Coupler not only records remote I/O signals, but also translates and forwards them. Most notably, it can handle other BACnet® functions such as timers, trend logs and alerts.

This fieldbus coupler – equipped according to BACnet® revision 12 – can manage up to 256 BACnet® objects. WAGO has made corresponding software tools available for simple configuration and fast commissioning.

The Benefits for You:

  • Records and provides I/O signals within BACnet® networks
  • Scheduling, trending and alarming
  • Configuration via the WAGO BACnet® Configurator, WAGO software tools and Web-Based Management
  • Up to 256 BACnet® objects

BACnet®/IP Controller (750-832)

Whether for rooms, lighting control systems or HVAC systems, WAGO’s high-performance, modular BACnet®/IP Controller is always the right choice for building automation applications. This controller supports the device profile of a BACnet® Building Controller (B-BC) with all major BACnet® objects and interoperability building blocks (BIBBs). Numerous interfaces, e.g., for DALI, KNX, EnOcean® and LON®, allow flexible fieldbus connections for building automation.

Another advantage is the SD card slot, which provides extra storage for Web visualizations, wallpapers and floor plans. An SD card can also be used to safely and conveniently save important data such as trend log data. In native mode, the controller automatically generates compatible objects for the digital and analog hardware data points of all the I/O modules to which it is linked. Another special feature is the integrated 2-port switch, making it possible to integrate an ETHERNET line topology.

The Benefits for You:

  • Freely programmable control unit
  • Device profile: B-BC (BACnet® Building Controller)
  • Highly modular I/O level
  • Slot for SD card
  • Integrated 2-port switch
  • Easy commissioning via WAGO BACnet® Configurator

BACnet® MS/TP Controller (750-829)

In addition to BACnet®/IP, the standard also defines BACnet® communication via 2-wire connections (BACnet® MS/TP). BACnet® MS/TP is often used in projects with HVAC applications.

WAGO’s 750-829 Controller offers BACnet® with the BACnet® MS/TP communication interface. Together with the controller and the 750 Series I/O Modules, you can easily integrate standard I/O signals (DI, DO, AI, AO) into existing BACnet® MS/TP networks, as well as technologies such as DALI, KNX, EnOcean® and LON®. The controller can be programmed as usual, allowing you to easily simulate complex controllers.

The Benefits for You:

  • Freely programmable control unit
  • Device profile: B-BC (BACnet® Building Controller)
  • Highly modular I/O level
  • Integrated Webserver via service interface (ETHERNET)
  • Easy commissioning via WAGO BACnet® Configurator
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BACnet® Configurator

WAGO’s BACnet® Configurator is a standalone application for commissioning, configuring and managing BACnet® projects. The software allows you to easily commission controllers in a heterogeneous BACnet® network. For example, the configuration interface allows you to create the logical network structure and perform controller addressing or client and server configuration.

In addition, a value browser lets you quickly query the properties of individual BACnet® objects and provides an interface to change the current values. The software also offers configuration options and a snapshot function for controllers of other manufacturers.

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Three Questions for Rainer Knodel

System Specialist for BACnet®

In a brief interview, Rainer Knodel, System Specialist for BACnet® and Building Management Systems (BMS) at WAGO, addresses questions about the role of BACnet® in building automation and planning:

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Mr. Knodel: It’s no longer possible to even imagine building automation without BACnet® Why?

Building automation with BACnet® improves operation of buildings and properties, making the process easier and more efficient. Harmonization and standardization can yield economies of scale.

Do you also see challenges related to BACnet®?

As a global standard, (EN ISO 16484 5), BACnet® offers an accepted communication protocol. Interoperability among different manufacturers allows a wide range of solutions. It’s important for planners and building owners to reign in the interpretive freedom this allows by providing concrete specifications. Building owners’ specifications should be based on the limits of BACnet®. Central specification of BACnet® properties helps prevent free interpretation. Proprietary elements should generally be eschewed in order to avoid proprietary lock-in.

What role does the digital twin play in building automation?

Today, real-world components (such as doors) can be modeled digitally and integrated into BIM (Building Information Modeling); in the future, this will also be true of building automation. The automation device itself will of course represented, but so will the function and the interfaces too. Thanks to its standard, BACnet® is ideal for this. Within the digital model, a digitally represented BACnet® interface represents the possibility of connecting to different devices and providing data in the model. The building automation functions can also be integrated into the model. At present, not everything is standardized for that yet. However, we support these efforts to offer a digital twin for building automation in the future and engineer it using our tools.

BACnet® Controller Setup

BACnet Controller Setup®

The BACnet/IP Controller (750-832) connects the WAGO I/O System with the BACnet® protocol. This controller corresponds to the BACnet B‐BC device profile according to DIN EN ISO 16484‐5. It communicates with other BACnet® devices via BACnet/IP.

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