10462336Building Automation Systems
Course Information
Description
Develops skills required to analyze, modify, and calibrate HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) control systems. The fundamentals of control systems will be studied and applied to common control strategies most often found in commercial HVAC systems.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Practice shop safety
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Lab Performance
    Criteria
    Describe basic shop safety rules
    Perform lockout/tagout procedures
    Choose the correct personal protective equipment for given tasks
    Identify potential safety hazards that can be minimized by shop cleanliness
    Describe safe practices for lifting and transporting heavy objects
    Handle tools and chemicals appropriately

  2. Apply control terminology and theory to HVAC control systems
    Assessment Strategies
    Written objective test
    Criteria
    Explain building management control theory
    Related psychometrics to building comfort and control.
    Define control terms
    Describe the characteristics of automatic control systems
    Use correct terminology to describe basic processes
    Identify power supplies and their components

  3. Diagram a simple control loop including the flow of information
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Drawing
    Criteria
    Identify the components required in a basic control loop
    Describe the flow of information through the control loop
    Draw a block diagram of a simple control loop
    Identify basic control loop components, power supplies and control agents
    Identify control loop and component fail-safe conditions
    Summarize the design and operational characteristics of microprocessor-based control systems

  4. Apply formulas and graphing to determine system unknowns
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    Define a transfer function
    Describe the purpose and characteristics of various mathematical elements that make up a transfer function
    Apply transfer functions to determine system unknowns
    Apply graphing to determine system unknowns

  5. Diagnose basic control loop problems
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use test instruments
    Test and calibrate controllers, sensors, controlled devices, and software
    Assure proper connection of control devices
    Locate control devices for a specified control loop
    Identify the control agent for a specified control loop
    Identify fail-safe conditions of final controlled devices

  6. Evaluate sensors
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Written Objective Test
    Criteria
    Describe the construction and operational characteristics of a sensor
    List the purpose of a sensor
    Define the parameters used to select a sensor
    Describe the proper location requirements for HVAC sensors
    Demonstrate proper installation of sensors
    Demonstrate the proper wiring of various sensors

  7. Evaluate controllers
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Project Work
    Criteria
    Describe the construction and operational characteristics of a controller
    List the purpose of a controller
    Define the primary characteristics of the different controller modes
    Describe the characteristics of the different gains used in modulating controller transfer functions
    Associate basic HVAC applications response criteria with the proper controller mode

  8. Evaluate controlled devices
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Written Project Work
    Criteria
    Describe the construction and operational characteristics of a controlled device
    Explain how pressure drop effects the response of a flow control device
    Describe the adverse effects of improperly sized devices on loop operation
    Locate the proper placement of controlled  devices
    Explain the installation considerations for various controlled devices
    Demonstrate proper installation techniques
    Test operation of various devices through complete range of operation

  9. Evaluate HVAC systems and their control loops
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Written Project Work
    Criteria
    Describe how the controlled medium is affected as it flows through the system
    Describe how the controlled medium would be affected if the system were not operating properly
    Analyze the response and interactions that occur between individual control loops that make up a control system

  10. Select control system components
    Assessment Strategies
    Formal Demonstration
    Criteria
    Size and select control valves
    Size and select control dampers
    Select appropriate sensors for given applications
    Determine best controllers for given applications
    Match control strategies with correct components based on the application specifications
    Reviews typical sequences of operation and parameters for various applications
    Identify components of various types of air distribution systems
    Identify components used in various types of humidification, exhaust, and heat recovery systems

  11. Analyze common control strategies
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration-Diagram
    Written Project Work
    Criteria
    Identify operational and equipment requirements of building specifications
    Break down various sequences of operation
    Identify features of various types of heating and cooling systems
    Identify the control loop components and how they can meet application specifications
    Describe individual zone controls by application
    Compare typical control strategies as they may apply to application

  12. Analyze system diagrams and written descriptions
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration-Diagram
    Written Project Work
    Criteria
    Break down a diagram into individual control loops
    Dissect a written description into sub categories
    Associate written descriptions with diagrams
    Diagram a system given a written description
    Describe a system given a system diagram

  13. Document control processes
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Written Project Work
    Criteria
    Describe the characteristics and uses of a system drawing and flow chart
    Describe the characteristics and uses of a sequence of operation
    Write a sequence of operation
    Draw a single line drawing of a simple control loop
    Draw a flow chart of a simple control loop

  14. Diagnose HVAC systems and their control loops
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Articulate a diagnostic procedure
    Analyze the system as a whole
    Analyze individual control loops of the system
    Diagnose system problems

  15. Perform an install on a building automation control system
    Assessment Strategies
    Project Analysis
    Skills Demonstration
    Criteria
    Use tools associated with installing control systems
    Select anchoring systems, accessories, and methods for installing building automation components
    Identify requirements needed for the proper installation of communication networks
    Diagnose system problems