Enhance Energy Efficiency for Your Building Automation Using Secure BACnet Gateways

Currently, there is a widespread focus on environmental sustainability by both individuals and organizations. When it comes to building automation, optimizing energy usage is of utmost importance.

A building management system (BMS) serves as a centralized system that oversees and manages the operations of building facilities. These functions encompass heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and lighting control, all aimed at creating a comfortable environment. Additionally, operational aspects include access control and surveillance systems for ensuring personnel safety, as well as power management to guarantee a continuous power supply for the building’s daily operations.

To enhance energy efficiency, it is crucial to monitor power consumption through a BMS. However, gathering power usage data from HVAC systems and the power facility requires extra meters and connectivity solutions. In this article, we will delve into the connectivity obstacles and solutions that can facilitate reliable power monitoring through a BMS.

Connectivity Hurdles

Upon establishing connectivity for your HVAC systems and power facilities, such as switchgears, you may encounter disparities in communication protocols between the power facilities and BMS. Most power facilities and certain HVAC systems are designed for industrial applications that typically utilize Modbus protocols. Conversely, a BMS commonly employs BACnet protocols – a data communication protocol utilized for building automation and control networks as defined by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. Bridging the gap between these different protocols requires translation to ensure mutual understanding. Depending on the system’s scale and programming needs, you might consider employing a computing platform or an independent BACnet gateway.

Regardless of the chosen solution, establishing and maintaining communications between Modbus and BACnet protocols can be challenging without user-friendly utilities. While selecting your BACnet devices, ensure they offer user-friendly functions and tools for device configuration and protocol troubleshooting. This can save significant time during the initial setup and routine maintenance activities.

Security Challenges

The process of collecting power data from building facilities grants you a better grasp on energy usage to optimize the operational efficiency of your building. However, this also expands the potential attack surface for intruders as you connect more devices. When deploying BACnet devices, it is imperative to configure them securely to mitigate potential threats. For example, change the default passwords of your BACnet devices and deactivate unused ports and services to reduce potential entry points. Continuously monitor the security status of your BACnet devices and conduct vulnerability scans to pinpoint possible threats, allowing you to take appropriate measures to minimize the risk of cyber attacks.

Moxa’s Advanced Secure BACnet Gateways

Our MGate 5217 Series Modbus-to-BACnet gateways are certified by BACnet. These gateways have undergone interoperability assessments at a reputable BACnet testing organization and are recognized as BTL-listed products, ensuring smooth establishment of communication. Additionally, our standalone BACnet gateways come equipped with integrated configuration and troubleshooting tools that enable engineers to promptly establish communication and easily identify issues when communication errors arise.

To address the rising security concerns at the edge, our BACnet gateways are designed in compliance with IEC 62443 standards. These gateways not only incorporate security embedded functions but also provide straightforward guidance through security hardening guides to help users enable secure communication.

Furthermore, BACnet gateways deployed in close proximity to power facilities and HVAC equipment must withstand harsh conditions, such as fluctuating temperatures and high electromagnetic interference. Moxa’s Modbus-to-BACnet gateways are engineered for industrial applications, ensuring stable communication even under severe conditions.

If you are interested in our Modbus-to-BACnet gateways, you can request a quote today.