Automate with BACNET
In the ever-evolving world of building automation and intelligent facility management, protocol BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) is a cornerstone. It facilitates smooth and interoperable communication between the various equipment, whether in the GTB (Technical Building Management) or in the GTC (Centralized Technical Management).
This article delves into the heart of BACnet, exploring its foundations, its growing importance in the era of IoT (Internet of Things) and its impact on the design of modern control and monitoring systems.
Whether you are an automation professional, a system integrator or simply curious about the latest trends in smart building technologies, discover how BACnet is shaping the future of connected, optimized and sustainable living and working spaces.
What is the BACnet protocol?
The BACnet protocol, a pillar of automation and BMS (building management systems), is a universal communication standard created in 1987 to enable interoperability between equipment from different manufacturers.
Here is some key dates :
1987 : Creation of the BACnet foundation, initiated to standardize the supervision and control of energy in buildings.
1991 : Launch of the first version of the BACnet protocol.
1995 : BACnet is adopted as ASHRAE Standard 135-1995 and also becomes a ANSI standard .
2003 : The protocol is recognized as ISO international standard .
2007 : Creation of BACnet France , marking the expansion and recognition of the protocol in Europe.
Designed to meet the complex requirements of building management systems, BACnet facilitates seamless and efficient integration of heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security, and more.
As an open standard, BACnet encourages innovation and ensures broad compatibility, making living and working spaces smarter, more connected and more energy efficient. Its widespread adoption by automation professionals is a testament to its ability to revolutionize modern infrastructure management, putting seamless communication and energy efficiency at the heart of building operations.
Why use BACnet?
The adoption of BACnet in building automation addresses a critical need for interoperability and unification of systems and devices that are often fragmented by a multitude of proprietary standards. By making these disparate elements interoperable, BACnet paves the way for centralized and seamless management, allowing building managers to monitor and control a variety of equipment and systems—such as climate control, lighting, security, and more—from a single interface, regardless of brand or manufacturer. This seamless integration facilitates more efficient management and optimization of building performance, while reducing operational complexity.
As an international standard supported by ASHRAE , BACnet enjoys global recognition and adoption, ensuring its continued relevance and evolution through regular updates. This diligent maintenance ensures that BACnet stays in step with technological advances and changing industry requirements, providing a solid and sustainable foundation for building automation systems.
BACnet support by major players in the sector, such as Honeywell, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Johnson Controls, is a testament to its reliability and value in the building automation industry. The commitment of these leading companies to the development and implementation of BACnet underscores its critical role in facilitating more integrated, flexible, and scalable building management solutions that meet the growing needs for energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and intelligent space management.
Use BACnet with our Lorawan gateways and sensors
Sparwan distributes Lorawan Milesight gateways that support the BACnet protocol.
The gateways support Lorawan which will allow you to connect your sensors to your BMS or GTB system via your BMS using the BACnet protocol
Here is a selection of gateways that we offer:
Lorawan BACnet UG65 Gateway
Lorawan BACnet UG67 Gateway
Mini Lorawan 4G Gateway + BACNet UG56
These gateways are compatible with all Lorawan sensors, regardless of the manufacturer. They have an embedded Network Server but also allow the use of third-party Network Servers such as Chirpstack Or TTN. The data from your sensors can therefore be managed by your BMS system but also communicated to other applications.
If you do not have Lorawan sensors, we invite you to discover the sensors that we offer:
Discover our Lorawan sensors
They cover a wide range of uses and application cases:
Air quality CO2 |
Detectors and sockets |
Temperature humidity |
Level sensors |
Lorawan Controllers |
Energy meters |
BACnet Use Cases
Here is a use case for smart lights. Does your BMS system have smart lighting? Do you also want to monitor the ambient air quality in your premises?
It is possible with BACnet support and thanks to the NodeRed tool available on the gateways (see our article on node red), to control your lights.
For this you will need:
A BACnet UG65 Lorawan Gateway
A Lorawan WS558 controller
No specific knowledge of development language, Node-Red being a low code tool
Node Red will allow you to create Low Code scripts to manage the processing of Lorawan data depending on the type of sensor. Data from an air quality sensor can be transmitted as a flat file to an FTP while a Lorawan controller will allow you to control your smart lighting connected to your BMS system via BACNet.
At Sparwan, a pre-sales team at your disposal
Whether you have ongoing automation projects or are considering expanding your IoT infrastructure, our team of experts is available to assist you in choosing the solutions that best suit your needs. Do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your projects and discover how our products can help you in your projects.
