New Smart Valves Offer Precise Control, Integrated Diagnostics and Energy Savings

Facility managers will benefit from more precise hot water flow in their zoning reheat systems using the new OptiPoint^TM smart valves from Automated Logic Corporation (ALC). The valves feature communicating actuators that allow ALC terminal unit controllers to manage reheat valve positions directly using serial commands. This communications technology offers more precise control than conventional zone valves, as the actuator is capable of modulating to any position as directed by the controller and provides exact position feedback for diagnostic purposes. Automated Logic, a leading provider of innovative building-management solutions, is a part of Carrier, a leading global provider of innovative heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security and building automation technologies.

Designed in partnership with Belimo^®, a leader in the development and production of actuator solutions, the new OptiPoint smart valves join Automated Logic’s fast-growing family of communicating peripherals. They offer seamless connectivity to the WebCTRL^® building automation system, providing operators with access to valve performance data from anywhere at any time and quick error detection with integrated fault detection and diagnostics. Operators are automatically notified if a valve has failed, becomes stuck, or is cycling or leaking.

“We are proud to add communicating valves to our building automation portfolio,” said Mead Rusert, president, Automated Logic. “Our strategic partnership with Belimo has enabled us to combine innovative valve technology with the powerful control and analytics of our WebCTRL platform, helping operators ensure occupant comfort and efficient operation of their building’s HVAC zoning systems.”

The new smart valves are available for both pressure dependent and pressure independent applications, and feature a compact design for easy installation in tight spaces. The valve bodies snap directly to the actuator, allowing operators and technicians to install valves quickly, easily, and without the use of tools. This reduces labor costs and also makes retrofitting traditional valves a snap. The valve actuator is capable of providing fail open, fail close, or fail last position to meet project requirements.

The valves are also easy to commission. Up to two valves can be connected to the actuator sub-network on each ALC terminal unit controller, minimizing wiring and eliminating the need to use the controller’s physical I/O to manage the valve. Each valve is pre-addressed and supports local or remote access through the WebCTRL system. A field-adjustable maximum flow capacity setting helps technicians ensure that necessary design requirements are met. “The new OptiPoint smart valves are amazing,” said David Larson, a Field Engineer for the Automated Logic branch office in Chicago. “This is a much-needed technology that I think will quickly become the norm in our industry. I hope I never have to install conventional control valves again.”

The new smart valves are also more energy efficient than typical valves. They feature a patented brushless DC motor that runs at only 0.3 W, maximizing energy savings. The actuator also uses 95% less energy than classic digital output actuators that require constant power while a ball valve design with zero leakage also eliminates energy loss. The new OptiPoint smart valves for the WebCTRL building automation system are available for order in the United States only, beginning on Nov 18, 2019. For more information, please contact your local Automated Logic field office.