Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1394684
CONNECTED HOMES & INTELLIGENT BUILDINGS While both these systems initially emerged as hard-wired, they have been extended into wireless realms to provide connectivity in less accessible conditions. A vast majority of the commercial building systems remain wired though due to the simplicity of installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting such systems. Another factor in the steady reliability of commercial systems is that they are all professionally installed and designed in close communication among the building architect, general contractor, electrical contractor, and low voltage controls contractor. In some instances, even the building owner is involved in the decision process, since a building owner with multiple plants under its control almost always selects the same system. In this way, facility maintenance personnel have a common system to maintain, control, and troubleshoot if needed, creating a strong brand alliance in the commercial controls space. High demand for sensors The need for sensors is even more important in the commercial building space. Building managers need to know what is going on their buildings, including who is accessing the buildings and at what time, how much energy is being used, where the energy is used, what areas of the buildings are occupied, the temperature and how uniform environmental conditions are, and how efficiently the physical plant is being run (e.g., is a bearing going bad or a filter plugged). In addition to the sensors, there are far more actuators in a commercial building. A centralized control system may take readings from multiple airflow sensors in a building, and dynamically adjust airflow dampers to ensure equalized airflow and comfort throughout the building. From a safety standpoint, if a smoke or flame detector indicates a fire in one part of a building, the system may completely close the air dampers on the area where the fire is detected to starve the fire of oxygen, while at the same time activating the building fire suppression system through remote actuated valves. TE's Role in the Connected Building Market The connected buildings industry is made up of global players such as Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Siemens, Schneider, and United Technologies. Since systems tend to be heavily wired, TE claims a market advantage because of its wide range of connector products – particularly in the terminal block arena, since this is the I/O termination method used throughout the world. Wireless devices offer opportunities for TE products as well. All such devices have at least one switch used to reset and configure the devices, with many using multiple DIP style switches to hard-program various characteristics into the different devices. TE's heavy focus on the physical plant and equipment manufacturing means the company offers multiple connectors and sensors within the boilers, air handlers, and AC systems in commercial buildings. TE's connectors, relays, switches, and sensors are found in the main control units, satellite controllers, various sensor devices, and the actuators offered by commercial building device OEMs. The future will see buildings more heavily instrumented than ever before, with an increasing focus on environmental quality (including air, comfort, light) to maximize the efficiency and comfort of building inhabitants. Energy efficiency will continue to be a major market driver, as will the trend toward Zero Net Energy (ZNE) buildings. ZNE requires that a building be designed from the ground up to minimize energy use and maximize the use of renewable energy from sun, wind and other geo-sources. The features vary based on the climate zone in which the building is located, but could include placing adjustable awnings on the south side of the building to shade windows to minimize cooling loads during the summer; or more skylights and light tubes to use more natural light sources and minimize electrical use for lighting. Similar to what is seen in home automation devices, there will be significant miniaturization and intelligence in commercial building devices. TE's years of experience and product breadth interconnecting small, consumer devices positions the company well to address this trend. LEARN MORE ABOUT TE'S SOLUTIONS FOR THE CONNECTED HOME. www.te.com/connectedhome