Increase of BMS cables sale

Increase of BMS cables sale

The global IBMS market is highly fragmented with the presence of several global and local vendors. Global vendors mostly operate as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), catering to the requirements of the end-user through distributors/dealers or system integrators. Technical knowledge and ability to customize based on end-user requirement by vendors will hold the key to a strong foothold in the market.

Building management system cables also commonly known as BMS cables, intelligent building cables or automation cables are used to automate all of the systems in place within a building or home. Research suggesting the BMS market will reach $19.25 million by 2023; it’s even more of an opportunity for electrical contractors to capitalize.

The global IBMS market will continue to grow at a healthy pace throughout the forecast period. Apart from energy and cost savings, other important drivers are the degree of flexibility provided by open IBMS solutions, the high degree of productivity it provides, and a higher return on investment along with enhanced security. These factors are attractive to many businesses, thus driving the market growth.

An advance Building Management System can control the safety in homes and offices, monitoring doors and windows for alarm systems and detect floods and fires. Equipment and installations are designed for the control, monitoring and optimization of various functions and services provided in a building that includes: heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting, security systems and the operation of electric / electronic applications. 

A shielded cable that is not grounded does not work effectively. Any disruptions in the path can raise the impedance and lower the shielding effectiveness. Firstly make sure you have a cable with sufficient shielding for the application's needs. In moderately noisy environments, a foil alone may provide adequate protection. screened cable (plural screened cables) Wire for the transmission of electricity or electronic signals, protected by an enclosing web of earthed wire mesh to avoid electromagnetic interference from (or to) other signals. Grounding: a point in contact with the ground, a common return in an electric circuit and a arbitrary point of zero voltage potential. It also provides personal safety and protects the equipment. Control the voltages developed on the ground when the earth-phase short circuit returns through a near or distant source. Provide a stable voltage reference to signals and circuits. Minimize Electromagnetic Emission (EMI) effects.

Shielding: The shield must be connected to the signal reference potential of what is being protected. When there are multiple segments keep them connected, ensuring the same reference potential. The shielding is only efficient when it establishes a low impedance path to the ground. A floating shielding does not protect against interference. The use of non-magnetic metals around conductors does not shield against magnetic fields.

The cabling of the industrial communication systems (Modbus RS485) is different in some ways from the cabling used for power cabling and the electrician may experience some difficulties if he is not an expert in Modbus communication networks. A Modbus RS485 connects a Master device to one or more Slave devices. Henceforth, we shall consider Slave devices to be measuring instruments with serial communication, even if the cabling is similar for all Modbus devices.

Cable Selection

You should consider the following:

·         How many conductors do you need?

A minimum of three conductors, but the shield may be used as the common conductor, so shielded two conductor cable may be used. If you do not use shielded cable, then at least three conductors are required. Some RS-485 devices do not use a common connection, but we recommend always connecting common for reliable performance and to avoid damage due to surges.

·         What wire gauge do you need?

·         For unterminated networks, the current will generally be less than 10 mA and any gauge should work; we recommend #24 AWG to 18 AWG.

·         For terminated networks, the current can be 60 mA or higher, so heavier gauge wire may be needed for very long runs.

·         We recommend #22 to #20 AWG for runs up to 1000 ft. (~300 m).

·         We recommend #20 to #16 AWG for runs up to 4000 ft.(~1200 m).

·         What should the cable impedance and capacitance be?

Cables suitable for use in an RS-485 network should have an impedance of between 100 and 130 ohms, a capacitance between conductors of less than 30 pF per foot (100 pF per meter), and a capacitance between conductors and shield less than 60 pF per foot (200 pF per meter).

·         Do you need shielding?

Because RS-485 is differential, it is less susceptible to interference, so shielding is not always necessary. However, we recommend shielding for long runs and if there is electrically noisy equipment nearby like variable speed drives. If you use shielded cable, connect the shield to earth ground at one end (generally the PC or RS-485 master).

·         Do you need twisted wires?

Yes, especially for non-shielded cable.

·         What voltage rating do you need?

We recommend wire or cable rated for the highest voltage present. So if you are monitoring a 120/208 Vac panel, you should use 300 V rated cable. If you are monitoring a 480Y/277 volt circuit, use 600 V rated cable. If you have the WattNode in a separate enclosure and there is no way the mains wires can contact the Modbus output cable, then you could safely use lower voltage rated cable, such as 150 V or lower. Long runs of 300 V or 600 V rated cable may be expensive, so it may be more economical to use lower voltage rated cable and use a protective jacket in the regions where the cable is in the vicinity of dangerous voltages.

·         Can you run the RS-485 network cable adjacent to or in the same conduit with mains wires?

We strongly recommend against this. There may be interference from the high voltages and currents present on the mains wires, and if there is any insulation fault, arcing, etc. on the mains wires, it could put dangerous voltages on the low-voltage RS-485 network cable.

Most modern buildings now incorporate some form of BMS, focusing primarily on energy efficiency and saving costs. Whether that’s through proximity sensor lighting, climate control, door entry or security, they all work to achieve the same goal.

Efficient lighting control in a BMS system is just one way of reducing energy and saving costs for building owners. Using BMS, lighting can be automatically adjusted, depending on natural light detected or amount of people in the building. These cables are available in Low Smoke Halogen Free (LSHF), meaning they give off minimal smoke and toxic fumes. This is ideal for installation in public buildings such as schools, hospitals or airports where evacuation may be difficult in the event of a fire.

Unlike what happens in many energy distribution systems, the manner in which the devices are connected in parallel is important. The RS-485 system used for Modbus communication provides a main cable (Bus or backbone), to which all the devices have to be connected with branches (also known as stubs) that are as short as possible. The branches must be no longer than 1200 mtr.

Maximum distance and maximum number of devices. The main cable must be no longer than 700 m! This distance does not include the branches (which must nevertheless be short). The maximum number of devices that can be connected to a main cable is 32, including the Master.

In order to increase the extent of the Modbus network, repeaters can be used; and signal amplifying and regenerating devices provided with two communication ports that transfer to each what they receive from the other.

The cable shield must be earthed only in one point. Normally, this connection is made at one end of the main cable.

In order to avoid signal reflections, a 120 Ohm termination resistance must be fitted on each end of the main cable. The end resistance must be used only at the ends of the main cable. If the total length of the main cable is less than 50 m termination resistances can be avoided at the ends of the main cable.

Fire safety is another major reason why owners may consider installing a BMS system into their building. High performance fire survival cables provide an excellent solution for connecting BMS with fire systems. The data and coaxial ranges are designed to carry on functioning in the event of a fire and provide vital signals to voice alarm, CCTV and allow systems to be shut down in an orderly fashion. Meeting specific fire resistance requirements.

Video Auditing and False alarm issue

Video Auditing and False alarm issue

False alarms are a major problem plaguing the intrusion alarm and remote monitoring services industry. Between 90% and 95% of alarms reported to the central monitoring stations turn out to be false.

Most large organizations depend on triggers/alarms raised by video analytics/ICCC/ PSIMs. It is a known fact that a high percentage of these alarms are ‘false’, leading to false reporting, frustration and disbelief in the alarms, eventually leading to turning them off (‘cry-wolf effect’). In fact, according to a recent news report, the CISF (a para military force in India) who monitor New Delhi's IGI Airport are plagued with over 100 false alarms on a daily basis. Experts say that this leads to an absolute waste of time, and this is a major concern, because a real threat could go unnoticed whilst dealing with false alarms.

Link: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-over-100-false-alarms-a-day-at-igi-airport-keep-cisf-on-its-toes-2340896

In fact, according to a recent news report, the CISF (a para military force in India) who monitor New Delhi IGI Airport are plagued with over 100 false alarms on a daily basis there.

The origin of false alarms can vary, but many can be attributed to the following causes.

·         Faulty equipment is cited as the cause of 20% of false alarms.

·         Poor installation comes in at 20% of the reason for false alarms.

·         Inadequate employee training leads to 40% of false alarms.

·         Other culprits (20%) include sensitive motion detectors, sensors set off by the wind, leaves, etc…., and human error.

These false reports cost service providers, as they must send out a response team to verify each and every alarm. It also strains local police resources unnecessarily and could even increase the financial burden on end users, depending on local alarm response regulations and potential fines. Video verification solves these issues, offering an undisputed remote confirmation of the nature of the alarm in the shortest possible time, which helps speed the operator’s response process. Video images can be transferred in real time to the operator, so it can be assessed almost immediately, and so a response team or police forces can be sent with a much shorter delay.

In countries like Spain, alarm verification became mandatory by regulation, aimed at reducing police response costs.

Video Auditing services use a low-frame-rate camera, typically with battery backup, in order to verify the source of a triggered alarm. The video verification device incorporates a PIR sensor to trigger the alarm and will capture a short video or set of images when the alarm is triggered to send to the monitoring station. This allows the monitoring station to better evaluate the cause of the alarm and coordinate an appropriate response from law enforcement or other responders. The presence of video verification classifies the call as a “crime in progress” for responders and as such will receive higher priority than other alarms, resulting in much faster response times, which in turn increases the chance of apprehending the intruder. Customers and their insurers place a high value on this service and customers are often willing to pay an increased monthly fee for the addition of video verification services.

Traditionally this concept has been driven by central monitoring stations (CMS) and has been adopted in the residential market where single-direction wireless systems were installed. Video verification has become required because of the wireless systems adopted did not have a way of confirming alarms in a reliable manner. For example, when there is an alarm in the single-direction wireless detectors, they activate once and then enter the battery-saving mode. This will not give enough information to the CMS to confirm the alarm.

The operational costs involved in attending unverified alarms by monitoring stations or police are enormous. Due to ever-increasing competition, monitoring stations are making all possible efforts to reduce operational costs, hence adding alarm verification capabilities to the alarm monitoring centers.

The popularity of video verification solutions is boosted by the influence from the DIY security market, smart home market and consumer video market, as follows:
• DIY: Consumer video cameras are typically high-resolution IP cameras and allow users to check on their home and review footage of past events at their convenience. All this can be done through a dedicated intruder alarm mobile phone application, which adds to the peace of mind.
• Smart home: Smart home/building automation systems are becoming more popular with end users in all sectors. Cameras are usually advertised alongside smart plugs or smart lights, which gives users an extra level of control over what is happening in the house. Some cameras also offer smoke detection features, to support traditional smoke detectors, while providing surveillance of self-monitoring and auditing to users. With alarm monitoring stations increasingly offering smart home monitoring services, the video verification market will receive a boost from this side of the industry.
• Consumer video: The number of consumer video devices available on the market is growing rapidly, providing a much broader choice of solutions at various price points. End users can add an IP camera to their home systems and enjoy low-cost self-monitoring and self-verification functionality.

Many central monitoring stations now offer video verification for an extra fee added to their basic monitoring services. Adding video verification to the monitoring package reduces the likelihood the subscriber will cancel their contract or choose another provider offering more comprehensive services. Video verification can also benefit installers and dealers that want to offer a broader range of services to their customers. Cloud hosting and support for video self-monitoring delivers greater value to end users.

Reduction in cost of equipment and improvements in automation through software has decreased the end user cost to a point where it is affordable as an upgrade to alarm monitoring services for small commercial businesses and residential customers.

Installers may also find themselves closer to their customers than some remote monitoring companies, which makes it easier to increase customer awareness about new offerings. In any case, partnerships between installers and remote monitoring stations can increase revenue per user and provide a more stable annual income. Subscriptions generated by installers could offset normal attrition rates experienced by remote monitoring companies.

A few tips to help reduce false alarms:

·         Be sure all alarm systems use standard and up-to-date equipment.

·         Ensure proper installation by reputable companies or technically good technician.

·         Install video cameras that can visually verify an alarm.

·         Engage an outside security company to monitor the establishment through video surveillance. 

Barriers to Broad Adoption
The main barriers to broad adoption of video verification are the following:
• Cost: The current challenges are mainly the costs involved with the video alarm detectors/cameras and the fact that most alarm vendors do not have a proper visual verification solution triggered by the alarm system. Even though the benefits of including video verification with intruder alarm systems are clear, many end users – particularly those in the residential sector – may struggle to afford video devices. Passive infrared (PIR) camera detectors can be three times more expensive than non-video-based PIR detectors.
• Privacy and cybersecurity: Residential users’ concern about privacy of video verification and video cameras is high. The main worry is that a hacker will use the device to watch and listen to the private lives of residents. There have been media reports of attackers successfully compromising consumer video IP cameras, and these kinds of reports can delay the decision to buy these kinds of devices. Another concern is that alarm-monitoring operators could be watching residents in their homes, outside of the authorized time. Providers of video verification solutions must make sure their systems are designed with privacy protections built into the system set-up, giving the user the ability to restrict access to video devices, whenever they want to.
• Self-monitoring: Increasing availability of consumer video devices, and DIY security systems that incorporate video products into the offering, have led to the emergence self-monitoring and self-video verification. Such systems usually come pre-configured to handle video files, which makes adding a consumer video camera much easier and lowers the barriers to adoption related to the complexity of the system set up

Benefits to Video Auditing 

With video verification capabilities, businesses can reap the following benefits:

1.      Ensure police and/or fire departments are dispatched to a "real" alarm.

2.      Prevent the assessment of heavy fines for false alarms.

3.      Prevent being on the "suspended" list for police or fire response.

4.      First responders typically respond quicker when they know an alarm has been verified. This may help limit the losses incurred by unwanted incidents.

5.      Use as evidence for a legal case or proof of claim for an insurance report.

6.      Every day Video observation / auditing is help to reduce false alarm.

7.      Correct & certified product should be used for CCTV, Fire Alarm and Intrusion etc.

8.      Correct & certified installer required for system installation.

9.      Protect employees, customers and property using the best technology available. 

Who Can Use This?:
- Multi-tenant residential communities
- Planned unit development (PUD)communities
- Public recreation facilities
- Elder care and assisted living facilities
- Hospitals and clinics
- Corrections facilities.

We solve so many of your pain points,

• We make it easy for you to ‘see’ what the cameras ‘saw’
• We make it easy for you to report and share with ease
• We help you create data redundancy with huge storage savings
• We make it easy for you gain business intelligence from standardized reports
• We help you take corrective and preventive action based on hard data.