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Solutions Anwendungen

Phased VAV Modernization without Replacing

the LON Trunk

Schrittweise VAV-Modernisierung ohne

Austausch des LON-Strangs

How wireless BACnet enabled a phased
LON-to-BACnet migration in a multi-story
office building. The objective was to replace
failing VAV controllers while avoiding
a costly, building-wide infrastructure
upgrade.
Wie Wireless BACnet eine schrittweise
Migration von LON zu BACnet in einem
mehrstöckigen Bürogebäude ermöglichte.
Ziel war es, ausgefallene VAV-Controller
ohne eine kostspielige Modernisierung
der gesamten Gebäudeinfrastruktur zu
ersetzen.

In this project, building automation specialist
Conserv Smart Buildings worked with property
manager Cushman & Wakefield to modernize
an aging control system at a three-story office
building. By implementing LumenRadio’s Wireless BACnet enabled a gradual LON-to-BACnet migration at a three-story office building
Wireless BACnet (W-BACnet) solution, Conserv Wireless BACnet ermöglichte eine schrittweise LON-zu-BACnet-Migrationin einem dreistöckigen Bürogebäude
Smart Buildings enabled a phased upgrade © shutterstock.com/g/jimmartin
approach that allowed failed VAV controllers
to be replaced individually while retaining the Both options required substantial capital By eliminating the need to pull new
existing communication infrastructure. investment – funding that was not available at communication wiring across all floors, Conserv
the time. enabled a phased migration strategy. Devices
The result was a cost-effective modernization can now be replaced gradually as they fail,
strategy that restored reliability, reduced upfront The objective was not a full system upgrade. It rather than forcing a complete system overhaul.
investment, and provided a flexible path toward was to replace failed devices while preserving as As Jim Deckard, Service Manager at Conserv
a future BACnet-based system. much of the existing infrastructure as possible. Smart Buildings, explains: “The main benefit
for choosing wireless in this case was that the
LON protocol failures: the VAV upgrade How Wireless BACnet enabled a phased customer gets the flexibility to choose service
challenge VAV replacement providers and brands of controls to replace
devices as they fail.”
The property Woodland Corporate Park VII, To avoid replacing the entire trunk infrastructure,
a 119,000-square-foot, three-story office Conserv Smart Buildings implemented The Wireless BACnet backbone now allows the
building, was equipped with Honeywell Spyder LumenRadio’s W-BACnet wireless solution. building owner to select from any BACnet MS/
VAV controllers operating on the LON protocol. TP-compatible controller brand moving forward
As controllers began to fail, the building faced Failed Honeywell LON Spyder controllers – eliminating protocol lock-in and expanding
a significant challenge: LON is a legacy protocol were replaced with JCI F4-CVM BACnet MS/ service provider options.
with limited adoption in new building automation TP controllers, connected wirelessly using
projects. Additionally, Honeywell T1L controllers W-BACnet nodes. The original LON network Installation also proved straightforward and
cannot coexist on the same communication bus remained in place, while new BACnet devices reliable: “Installation and configuration of the
as LON devices. were integrated via wireless communication. LumenRadio W-BACnet devices was very
simple. The range and performance were much
This meant the customer traditionally would The three-story office building required: one greater than expected.”
have had to either: replace all devices on the centrally located W-BACnet gateway per floor,
trunk with T1L controllers, or replace the entire and 5–10 W-BACnet nodes per floor at each By using wireless, Conserv Smart Buildings
communication bus with BACnet MS/TP or IP. VAV box above the dropped ceiling. delivered a cost-effective modernization that

20 BACnet Europe Journal 45 09/26