What are Extra-Low Voltage Systems (ELV)?
Extra-Low
Voltage means the voltage of electricity supply is in a range that is low
enough that it does not carry any high risk of any high voltage electrical
shock(s).
The range
of voltage that can be classified as Extra-Low Voltage is alternating current
not exceeding 50 V AC and direct current not exceeding 120 V DC (ripple free).
This is based on the standards as per EN 61558 or BS 7671.
The
term extra-low voltage ("ELV") means an operating
voltage not exceeding 50 Volt alternating current (a.c.) or 120 Volt ripple
free direct current (d.c.) as defined in Australian / New Zealand Standard
AS/NZS 3000.
Therefore, Extra-Low Voltage Systems are any electrical systems that can operate on a low voltage with the voltage criteria as per above.
Key
Characteristics
·
Low
Voltage:The most
defining feature is their safe, low-voltage operation, which reduces the risk
of electric shock.
·
Non-Core
Systems:ELV systems
are separate from the building's main, high-voltage electrical power
system.
· Integrated Technologies:They are the "smart" components of a building, connecting devices and managing data.
In this article, we are going to share more about different components of ELV systems.
Components
of ELV Systems
Video Surveillance System:
Video-surveillance systems, also more commonly known as Closed Circuit Television, in short "CCTV", is made up of a network
of cameras and recording systems that are connected to each other. This system
would be classified as a ‘closed’ system as the system operates independently,
unless it’s part of an ELV integrated system. A CCTV system is an effective way
to monitor and secure any sensitive area(s).
Currently, cameras can be connected either wired or wireless to a CCTV system. CCTVs are an effective deterrence to any threats or area(s) that require constant offsite monitoring.
The key
points in installing CCTV cameras is the positioning of the camera, to ensure
that the camera can monitor the required area in its scope of view as well as
the clarity of the video footage to ensure usability of the footage if
necessary.
Access
Control System – ACS:
Access
control systems are a key feature of any security system hub that can secure,
monitor and manage the access of staff in any type of building. With this
system, staff can either be given access cards or using
fingerprints(biometric), they are able to be granted access to various areas of
the premises.
Nowadays,
these systems ‘speak’ to each other wirelessly and usually connected to the
local area network to reduce hard wiring cost and flexibility of the
positioning of the system itself. At times, the access control system might be
a part of a bigger integrated ELV system which allows central control of
multiple different systems.
Public
Address Voice Alarm System – PAVA:
A public
address system is a system that allows an amplification of your voice through
microphones and loudspeakers. Its purpose is to enhance the volume of human
voice or any other sound for that matter.
The
general alarm system allows remote control of alarms and flashing
lights(beacons).
Combined, this system would serve a general use of relaying information or be used in the case of any emergency evacuations.
Fire
Detection & Alarm System - FDAS:
Fire Alarm
Control Panel is the brain of the system. Receives input
from detectors, Manual call points & sends output to sounders/bells.
ELV fire
alarm systems can provide early warning of fires in public and state
facilities, allowing for prompt evacuation and reducing the risk of injury or
death. These systems can also be integrated into building management systems to
provide automatic fire suppression, such as sprinklers or fire extinguishers.
LAN
and IP-BX System:
LAN stands
for local-area network and is basically an interconnected computer network that
usually covers a small area. This network of computer/devices can be connected
to each other via physical wires called LAN cables or wirelessly (radio waves).
A telephone system is a group of interconnected telephones connected either via telephone lines or via LAN cables which then communicate using ‘Voice over Internet Protocol’ or in short VoIP.
Intrusion
Alarm System - IAS
An
intrusion alarm system — also known as a burglar alarm system — is an important
security measure that can protect your business from unwanted intruders, theft,
vandalism, and property damage.
Intrusion alarm systems provide several key benefits for businesses, such as increased safety for building occupants, faster response times to breaches, and lower insurance premiums. By investing in an intrusion alarm system, you are taking a proactive approach toward the safety and security of your property.
Nurse
call system - NCS
A nurse
call system is a healthcare technology solution in hospitals and nursing
homes that allows patients to request assistance from staff by pressing a call
button or using a pendant. These systems feature call buttons, receiving
units at the nurse's station, and often wireless devices like pagers or watches
to notify nurses in real-time. The primary goal is to ensure timely
patient care, improve safety by reducing response times, and enhance staff
efficiency through features like real-time alerts and reporting.
Trunk
Radio System – TRS
A trunk
radio system is a system whereby all available radio channels are placed in one
single pool. When for example person A requires to transmit, a channel is
automatically picked from the pool and used for person A’s transmission. Once
the transmission is completed, the channel that person A was using will be
placed back into the pool for others to use.
This system is highly beneficial as radio channels are limited by nature as for example, if all radio channels are taken up, we can’t physically or manually ‘create’ new channels. By using a trunk radio system, it’s more efficient in a sense there is a higher chance a user will get access to an available channel when required.
Home
Automation System - HAS:
Fence
Intrusion Detection System – FIDS
A fence
intrusion detection system or FIDS for short is a security system whereby the
key purpose of this system is to be able to detect any breaches that occur on
any perimeter fences.
There are multiple sensors installed on different parts of the fence so whenever an intrusion is detected in a certain fenced area, if there is a CCTV nearby, the security personnel would be able to angle the CCTV to view the intrusion if possible. If necessary, a physical check on the fence is needed as well to ensure the security and integrity of the perimeter.
Building
Management System - BMS:
Building
Management Systems (BMS) that integrate and control various building
functions. There are multiple sensors installed on different parts of the
utility system. BMS Engineer control all utility system from single room. Building
Management System also known as IBMS and BAS in
Americas and the European countries.
IO Points are further categorized into analogue & digital, with suitable field devices. & sophisticated third party devices fixed in a building ranging from grounding an elevator to monitoring the water level of a sump to monitoring & controlling the properties of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) equipment that is the Temperature, RH, Pressure.
Water
Leak Detection (WLD) system:
Early
Water Detection is essential in a lot of businesses, for example, data
centers, industrial sites, offices, hotels, residential buildings, and
more. With the right detection of water and early alert, costly water
damage can be avoided. HW group offers several products that provide ideal
solutions for Water Leak Detection (WLD) that are developed
to protect your facility against any water damage that might
threaten you.
Water Leak Detection uses a sensing cable that detects water along the entire cable length and a WLD device (WLD2 / NB-WLD / ...) that can communicate an alarm in case of water occurrence (a few drops anywhere on the cable is enough).
Master Clock System – MCS:
A master
clock system is an interconnected system of clocks whereby slave clocks would
take reference of time from a reference clock, also known as a master clock.
These slave clocks would synchronize their time with the master clock. In this
way, the time across both the master and slave clocks would be the same.
The use of master clock systems can be used in a variety of industries such as for the IT sector and military or anywhere that requires an extremely high degree of time accuracy.
Rodent
Repellent System:
Rodent
repellent is a device unit that emits ultrasonic sound waves to create an
acoustically hostile environment that repels rodents. This helps to keep your
Data Center free form rodents. Frequency of sound will induce rodents to move
away from Data Center premises. As per research by University of Nebraska,
Rodent Repellent is a proven device. Rodents under test could either leave the
buildings or move to alternate non-ultrasonically treated areas.
As Data Center is the important business premises, we need to protect it from many risks.
Exit
Stopper Door Alarms:
The highly effective Exit Stopper can serve as an inexpensive security device and help stop theft by alerting you to any unauthorized exits or entries through emergency exit doors. Standalone fire exit stopper alarm with one relay for integration with fire alarm system.
Professional
Display & Signage
Professional
display screens are high-quality, commercial-grade screens specifically
designed for continuous use in business settings. Unlike consumer-grade TVs,
they’re engineered to operate reliably for extended hours, often supporting
24/7 use without compromising on display quality or durability. Professional
displays come with advanced features like remote content management, high
brightness, and enhanced connectivity options, making them ideal for business
environments.
ELV digital signage systems can provide real-time information, such as maps, directions, and event schedules, for tourists. This can improve convenience and enhance the overall experience by providing accurate and up-to-date information.
GRMS
System:
Operates light management (on, off, or dimmer), automatic curtain openings (including blinds and rolling shutters), HVAC, TVs, and “do not disturb” or “make up room,” alerts based on the presence or absence of the guest in the room.
Mobile
Phone and Wireless Distribution:
Seamless connectivity, accessibility, and communication throughout a building.
Vehicle
Tracking System
The GPS based Vehicle Tracking System comprises of an in-vehicle tracking system that consists of a GPS receiver unit, CDMA/GSM Modem, on-device Data Storage unit, other peripherals, and a web-based application. Through this system, the users will have the facility to monitor the movement and gather entire information of any vehicle.
IoT:
The IoT
provides the connectivity that enables real-time monitoring and control of
building systems, both on-site and remotely. With IoT-enabled BMS, building
operators can monitor and control systems from anywhere, anytime, through a
single user interface. This allows for greater efficiency, cost savings, and
improved building performance.
In smart
infrastructure, ELV systems, BMS, and IoT play a similar role in optimizing and
monitoring the performance of critical infrastructure systems, such as energy
grids, water supply networks, and transportation systems. These systems can be
monitored and controlled in real-time to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and
ensure reliability.
Role of
IOT in improving ELV systems
The
Internet of Things (IoT) can significantly improve ELV (Extra-Low Voltage)
systems. IoT technology can connect and monitor ELV systems, providing
real-time information, control, and automation capabilities.
Here are
some ways in which IoT can improve ELV systems:
1. Monitoring and Control: IoT devices, such as sensors and
actuators, can control ELV systems, such as lighting, HVAC, and security
systems. This can provide real-time information and allow for remote control of
these systems, improving efficiency, comfort, and security.
2. Predictive Maintenance: IoT technology can collect data from
ELV systems and analyze it to predict when maintenance is needed. This can
improve system reliability and reduce downtime, increasing efficiency and
reducing costs.
3. Energy Management: IoT technology can monitor and
control energy consumption in ELV systems, reducing waste and improving energy
efficiency. This can contribute to sustainability and reduce costs.
4. Integration: IoT technology can integrate ELV
systems with other building management systems, such as BMS (Building
Management Systems), providing a more comprehensive and integrated solution.
5. Real-time Analytics: IoT technology can collect and analyze real-time data from ELV systems, providing valuable insights into system performance and usage patterns. This can help to optimize system operation and improve decision-making.
Role of
AI in ELV systems
Artificial
Intelligence (AI) is playing an increasing role in ELV systems, including
lighting control, building automation, audio and video systems, security
systems, and more. AI can be used to improve the performance, efficiency, and
intelligence of ELV systems in several ways:
1. Predictive Maintenance: AI can analyze data from ELV systems
to predict when maintenance or repairs will be required. This can reduce
downtime and improve the overall reliability of the systems.
2. Energy Efficiency: AI can optimize energy consumption in
ELV systems, such as lighting control systems. For example, AI algorithms can
analyze occupancy patterns and adjust lighting levels accordingly to reduce
energy consumption.
3. Real-Time Monitoring: AI can monitor ELV systems in
real-time, providing early warning of potential issues and allowing for
proactive maintenance and repairs.
4. Automated Decision-Making: AI can automate decision-making
processes in ELV systems, such as lighting or HVAC control. For example, AI
algorithms can automatically analyze weather data and occupancy patterns to
adjust heating and cooling levels.
5. Improved User Experience: AI can improve the user experience of ELV systems, such as voice-controlled lighting control systems or personalized audio and video systems.
Role of
cyber security for ELV systems
Cybersecurity
is critical for ELV systems due to the sensitive nature of the systems and the
potential consequences of a security breach. ELV systems are integrated into
building management systems and often control essential functions, such as
lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and security systems.
Therefore, a breach of an ELV system can result in unauthorized access, loss of
sensitive information, or disruption of critical building functions.
Here are
some ways in which cyber security is essential for ELV systems:
1. Protecting Sensitive Information: ELV systems often contain sensitive
information, such as building plans, access codes, and security camera footage.
Cybersecurity measures are necessary to protect this information from
unauthorized access or theft.
2. Preventing Unauthorized Access: ELV systems can be vulnerable to
hacking or unauthorized access, allowing attackers to control or disrupt
building functions. Cybersecurity measures, such as firewalls, access control
systems, and encryption, are necessary to prevent unauthorized access.
3. Maintaining Building Functionality: A breach of an ELV system can result
in the disruption of critical building functions, such as heating, cooling,
lighting, and security systems. Cybersecurity measures are necessary to
maintain the functionality of these systems and protect against disruptions.
4. Compliance with Regulations: Many countries have regulations and standards for cybersecurity in buildings, such as the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the United States Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS). ELV systems must comply with these regulations to protect sensitive information and the security of building functions.
Conclusion
Now that
you understand more about ELV systems and their various components, SSA
INTEGRATE provides ELV system integration services for the telecommunications, security,
surveillance and oil & gas industries.
We have a
team of highly experienced engineers and technicians who would be able to
assist you in any challenging system integration issues.
Our
service is that we can design, supply and commissioned full ELV integrated
systems, complete with detailed testing and following the actual site condition
to ensure full functionality before handing over the project. Also we provide Information
Security Management System audit as per ISO/IEC 27001: 2022.
Due to our
experience in installing explosion proof systems, we are well versed in working
and installing ELV systems in hazardous environments.