Gridpoint Glossary
Table of Contents
This is a auto-generated Article of all your definitions within the glossary.
Glossary
This is a auto-generated Article of all your definitions within the glossary.
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Actuator
devices that cause a machine or other device to operate.
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AC Voltage
AC or Alternating Current voltage is continually changing between positive (+) and negative (-). The standard for delivering electrical power changed from Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) because Alternating Current (AC) delivers electrical power more efficiently over long distances.
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Adaptive Tuning York BACnet
The Adaptive Tune needs to be “On” and set to 1.1 or lowest setting. If this is not done the units can drift between 3 to 6 degrees off setpoint before making the call for heat or cool. It has to do with the Adaptive Tune and our Algorithms, such as load curtailment/setback and overrides, not working well together. Per Tim the impact seems to be greater on single stage units vs. two stage units. I do not know the reason for this but in Tim’s conversations with York the fix is changing the Adaptive Tune setting on the JCI boards. Cooling/Heating Manual Tune > from 1.4 to 1.1 or lowest setting and hit enter.
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Air Circulation
In a building air is moved through the ductwork to improve air quality and maintain comfortable temperatures. Warm or cool air travels through a specific set of ducts (called supply ducts), to an area or Zone. Air travels back to the roof top unit through another set of ducts called return ducts or returns.
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Algorithms
An algorithm is a finite set of instructions designed to perform a specific task. One of the most obvious examples of an algorithm is a recipe.
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Ambient Light
also known as available light, includes natural light or pre-existing lighting built in and around a location.
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American Wire Gauge (AWG)
the standard way to denote wire size in North America. In AWG, the larger the number, the smaller the wire diameter and thickness.
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Amperes/Amps
Electrical current is measured in Amperes (Amps) as the amount of charge flowing through the circuit over a period of time. Ampere is the rate of electron flow.
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Antennas/Frequency
antennas for wireless communications, the two that we use at GridPoint are Dipole and PCB antennas. Both perform the same function, which is to transmit and receive wireless signals. Frequency (commonly measured in GHz) is how quickly the signal oscillates. What’s important for our discussion is that we operate at 2.4 GHz, many other common devices operate at 2.4 GHz including WiFi, baby monitors, wireless security cameras, etc. If there are too many devices at the same frequency, interference can occur. Frequency determines the size and shape of an antenna.
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API Application Programming Interface
API is the acronym for Application Programming Interface, which is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Each time you use an app like Facebook, send an instant message, or check the weather on your phone, you're using an API
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ARP Tables
This is a searchable list of the devices on a network. If the tech says “I do not see the device in the ARP Tables” it usually means our device has been disconnected from the network, is powered off or having issues with the rabbit.
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ASHRAE
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers is an American professional association seeking to advance heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems design and construction. ASHRAE establishes standards and guidelines for members and industry professionals for the design and maintenance of building environments. ... ASHRAE standards are created to establish a benchmark for performance criteria to guide the industry and for methods of measurement or testing.
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Atrius Lighting Solutions
Bluetooth low energy (BLE) sensors installed with LED lighting. Senses and corrects lighting levels based on customer shopping paths
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BACnet
Building Automation and Control network - for GridPoint purposes, we will treat BACnet capable HVAC as smart units designed to operate as standalone EMS systems. As such, they require additional interface to work within GridPoint EMS - they may need special control boards, specific firmware and configuration changes.
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BCI-R cards
BACnet Communication Interface for Reliatel controllers
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Biscuit jack
A biscuit jack is a small, slightly raised, rectangular telephone or Ethernet jack that you can mount without cutting into your walls.
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BOH
Back of House -refers to non customer access areas, kitchens, stockrooms etc...
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Cable testing or toning
Testing a LAN cable – To test a LAN cable, the tech will need to connect a continuity tester or toner. The tech will connect the tester to one end of the cable and second part of the tester to the other end. Depending on the type of tester, they will see lights indicating if the cable is good or not. It is possible to get a false reading if the cable is only partially broken and making a good connection at the time of the test.
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Call for heat/Call for cool
When the thermostat is sending a 24 volt signal for the unit to heat or cool.
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Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide also is released when organic matter burns (including fossil fuels like oil or gas). Carbon dioxide acts as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere. Plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen during photosynthesis, the process they use to make their own food.
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Chain Broiler
Chain Broilers are commercial broilers with a mechanical, ladder-type conveyor chain that transports a hamburger patty over gas broiler tubes that provide a gas flame. The underside of the meat patty directly contacts the flames as the meat is conveyed through the broiler enclosure. For GridPoint purposes, Chain Broilers are attached to Load Control Panels (LCP, LCP 2.0 with IOM or IOM with contactors) so they are only set to "ON" during Site Occupied hours. Follow LCP or LCP 2.0/IOM troubleshooting guidelines.
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Circuit breakers
These control how the power is distributed throughout the site.
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COI
Certificate of Insurance - these requests should be forwarded to Installation Management queue
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Common wire (C)
The Common wire (landed on the C termination block) allows a constant flow of 24volts AC to a thermostat in an alternating current setting- this allows the touchscreen and/or led lights to stay on and provides stable communication from thermostat to controller.
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Compressor
The compressor is the heart of the cooling function of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The air conditioner component of a building's HVAC system essentially is a type of refrigerator that cools and dehumidifies the air in the building
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Contactors
Lighting contactors are relay switches that control the flow of electricity through a circuit powering the lighting in a given area. They exist remotely and control circuits with higher voltages which can be dangerous to the operator, if controlled directly. In your HVAC system, the “contactors” are the components that control the flow of electricity from one part of your furnace to another. The contactor sends a voltage into either the heat pump compressor, or air conditioning condenser to inform the system how to operate, and what kind of temperature should be output.
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Contrast Screw or dial
Tiny screw mounted on a blue plastic block used to brighten/darken the LCD screens of BASIC, 1204 and 3612 controllers
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Cool Setpoint
Temperature at which the system will maintain the cooling in a zone. If the zone temperature is higher than the CSP or Cool Setpoint, the thermostat will send a "call for cool."
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Crossover Cable
A crossover cable connects two devices together without a switch/hub. This is usually only used when verifying if there is a rabbit issue by connecting the crossover cable from our device to the rabbit.
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CTI Board - Conventional Thermostat Interface
CTI boards are used to connect Trane HVAC units that do not have conventional thermostat controls (G, Y1, Y2, W1 and W2) to the GridPoint system. The Trane units in question have Low Volltage Terminal Board (LTB) with numbers. Refer to Trane CTI Board Installation document
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Current Transformers (CTs)
Device placed around wires to measure how much power is flowing through or how much energy is being used by that particular device or asset.
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Daisy Chain
Connecting two or more of the same model devices back to single controller by wiring the devices together
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DC Voltage
DC or Direct Current is used to refer to power systems that use only one polarity of voltage or current. Often used in rechargeable devices.
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Dead Band
Temperature range between the heat and cool set points. On thermostats that automatically control both heating and cooling systems, a deadband is a temperature range in which neither system turns on.
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Demand Response
Demand Response reduces electricity demand during brief periods of time in response to grid stress, instability or extremely high prices. Demand Response improves electric grid reliability, helps maintain energy prices and supports the development and implementation of renewable energy.
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DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) v Static IP
When our devices are setup for DHCP, they will pull an IP address from the network equipment it is connected to. When the device is set for a static IP address (e.g. 10.25.25.70) in the configuration, then that is the IP address assigned to us from the customer’s IT or Network Operations Center (or NOC).
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DipSwitches
Dual In-line Package switch) A set of tiny toggle switches built into a dual in-line package (DIP), which is mounted directly on a circuit board.
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Dongle
a small device able to be connected to and used with a computer, especially to allow access to wireless broadband or use of protected software.
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Duct Sensor
A sensor that measures air temperature in the ductwork. Located in the supply or return ducts. Duct probes are mounted inside the building, as close to the plenum(distribution box) as possible.
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Duct temperature
The temperature in the supply duct ( the air that blows into the zone) you may see this referred to as supply or duct temp. This is usually measured in the building but as close to the roof top unit as possible. We want to measure hot hot or cold the HVAC unit is getting the air before blowing it into the zone.
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Dynamic Setpoint
"A manipulation of setpoints based on outdoor temp, setpoints, limits and scale configurable. Radiometric manipulation of occupied heating/cooling setpoint based on outdoor temperature
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Economizer or Free cooling
An economizer is a part of the outdoor system, most often mounted on the roof, of an HVAC system for commercial buildings. The economizer evaluates outside air temperature and even humidity levels. When the exterior air levels are appropriate, it uses the outside air to cool your building. HVAC economizers use logic controllers and sensors to get an accurate read on outside air quality. As the economizer detects the right level of outside air to bring in, it utilizes internal dampers to control the amount of air that gets pulled in, recirculated and exhausted from your building. Economizing means the compressor is not running, the zone is cooled by the blower/fans pulling in outside air that is cooler than the zone. This process is often called "free cooling"
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Electrical Current
An electric current is a flow of electric charge in a circuit. More specifically, the electric current is the rate of charge flow past a given point in an electric circuit. The charge can be negatively charged electrons or positive charge carriers including protons, positive ions or holes.
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Electrical Resistance
Resistance is a measure of the opposition to current flow in an electrical circuit. Resistance is measured in ohms, symbolized by the Greek letter omega (Ω)
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Electric Heating Unit
Unit uses "heat strips" that are electrically warmed, air is propelled past them by the fan, through the supply duct and is circulated to the zone.
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EMaaS
"Energy Management as a Service. GridPoint rolls the cost of installation, which would come from site/customer's capital expenditure budget, into a Service contract period of several years, during which we (Hopefully, if they listen to our suggestions) are saving them AT LEAST the cost of the install. The defined warranty period is determined by the client contract.
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Emergency Heat
The Emergency Heat or Auxiliary Heat setting is the second stage of your heating system that is used when the temperature is too low for the heat pump to be able to remove heat from outside, typically below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. ***We will see this as an HVAC mode if the first and second stages of heating have not resulted in Zone temperature meeting set point*** (this may even appear in our system for HVAC that does not have an emergency heat strip set up)
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Energy
Energy is defined as power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.
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Energy Management
The process of continuously optimizing, measuring and analyzing a facility’s energy usage and sources. The process of controlling the use of energy-consuming resources in a building. The process of educating site personnel about the importance of energy conservation to the organization, to the customers, and to the community.
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Enthalpy control
passive dehumidification process
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ESM
Emerging Store Manager (Walgreens)--- Manager Trainee or Assistant Store Manager
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ESS
Energy Storage System/Battery integrations --future use as of 5/13/2022
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Facility Management
Facilities management can be defined as the tools and services that support the functionality, safety, and sustainability of buildings, grounds, infrastructure, and real estate
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Fan/Blower
The function of the blower is to produce air movement to the space that is being conditioned.
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Firewall
Basically, a firewall, working closely with a router program, examines each network packet to determine whether to forward it toward its destination. A firewall also includes or works with a proxy server that makes network requests on behalf of workstation users. A firewall is often installed in a specially designated computer separate from the rest of the network so that no incoming request can get directly at private network resources
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FOH
Front of House - refers to customer accessible areas, especially of restaurants - bar, dining room, restrooms
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Foot candles
"Foot candles measure intensity of light. One foot-candle is defined as enough light to saturate a one-foot square with one lumen of light.For example, a foot-candle relates to the amount of light that is on the ground surface beneath a parking lot light as opposed to the output of the parking lot light. GridPoint solutions with lighting control use foot candle measurements to operate photo sensors. Microlite uses 2 photos sensors for exterior lighting one set for 20 FC and the other for 100FC "
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Gas Unit (HVAC)
Unit uses gas and burners to produce heat which is circulated to the zone.
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Greenhouse Gas
any gas that has the property of absorbing infrared radiation (net heat energy) emitted from Earth’s surface and reradiating it back to Earth’s surface, thus contributing to the greenhouse effect. Carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor are the most important greenhouse gases
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GridPoint Intelligence
GridPoint's state-of-the-art platform for building monitoring and controls.
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Ground Lug
a positively-joined device to a major piece of equipment for the purpose of allowing the equipment to be positively electrically grounded through use of a copper cable to a stable and suited grounding device.
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Ground or "earth ground"
Grounding offers excess electricity the most effective and safest route from an appliance back to the ground by way of an electrical panel. One of the most important reasons for grounding electrical currents is that it protects your appliances, your home and everyone in it from surges in electricity.
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Hamburger Menu
is the three horizontal lines you see at the top of many browser screens, either on the far left or the far right.
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Heat Pump
Type of Heating/Cooling system which uses the same elements to produce cold air in summer and heat in winter. A valve, called a Reversing Valve controls the direction of refrigerant flow in a compressor system. If cool air is needed in the zone, the warm air produced will be blowing off the outdoor unit, but when the warm air is needed in the zone, the colder air is released into the outdoors.
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Heat Setpoint
Temperature at which the system will maintain the heating in a zone. If the zone temperature is lower than the HSP or Heat Setpoint, the thermostat will send a "call for heat."
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HFAPI (high frequency application programming interface)
Our High Frequency API Service allows a customer to send electronic requests for raw data to our system. The service will return to customers:Site Metadata for the site(s) included in their API request; Information such as site names is included in this metadata to help customers sort & associate their data appropriately. Interval Data:Interval data is returned to customers for all of the VALID channels associated with Valid sites which they have been granted access to.VALID channels vary by user:Some users are only approved to receive main-load channel data, Other users are approved to receive all site channel data, All site data includes both main-load as well as other peripheral data such as lighting & HVAC, etc. Some types of channels which are NOT valid for HFAPI include:channels hidden from graphs and system channels
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High voltage
Work on greater than 600 volts must include the use of permits, knowledgeable qualified high voltage electrical workers, appropriate tools, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and safety observers.
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Hot wire (R)
The "HOT" wire (landed on the R termination block) is 24 volts of ALTERNATING current so it cannot provide a constant power source to our thermostats. That is why if we see a thermostat with no "common" wire landed on the C termination- we may be experiencing intermittent communications loss.
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HVAC Condensor Coil
The evaporator coil contains cold refrigerant that absorbs heat from your air. The condenser coil is where the refrigerant goes to get rid of this heat so it can can come back to absorb more.
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HVAC Evaporator coil
An evaporator coil is the component in your AC system that absorbs the heat from the air inside your home. It is often either attached to your furnace or located on the inside of your air handler. It works with a condenser coil to complete the heat exchange process that produces cool air.
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HVAC Package Unit
A unit is an all in one heating and cooling system.
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HVAC Split System
Consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit.
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HVAC stages
The high setting and the low setting. The high setting is for extreme climate conditions and the low setting is for moderate climate conditions. With the low setting of the Two Stage HVAC system, the temperature of the room or any controlled environment will decrease or increase gradually.
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Intelligent Recovery
Efficiently transitions cooling and heating setpoints from unoccupied to occupied
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Intelligent Setback Entry
Efficiently transitions cooling and heating setpoints from occupied to unoccupied
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IOM
Input/Output Module used to monitor temperatures, CO2 levels, water pressure levels using the Input Sensors. The Output actuators are used to CONTROL relays for lighting or other devices
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IP Configuration
For our purposes, this configuration will consist of an IP address, Subnet Mask and a Default Gateway. The IP address consists of four octets. So when you hear some say the last octet is 126, the IP address would be XX.XX.XX.126. This also true for the Subnet Mask and the default Gateway address.
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Jumper
A jumper is a short length of conductor used to close, open or bypass part of an electronic circuit. We often use jumpers to test for wiring problems.
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KE2 API
integrator that allows KE2 to work with GPEC equipment
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kW load
A kilowatt is simply 1,000 watts, which is a measure of power. The Kw load is one tool that GridPoint uses to measure energy efficiency and evaluate asset performance. KW loads should ALWAYS be positive . EXCEPTION: Target Solar loads where the energy is being PRODUCED, not expended, will show negtaive kw so they can tell what they are NOT paying the utility company to provide.
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Line voltage
120 volts is the standard voltage supply for American homes. This is the voltage that travels to your home from your local utility substation. 120 volts is commonly referred to as “line voltage” by electricians and other industry experts.
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Load Curtailment
Turns off equipment or limits energy use to meet target demand. Runs on a 7 day rolling average to determine peak energy usage target. Example: on a 95 degree day after a week of 70 degree days, the site will be trying to limit energy usage all day but on the first 70 degree day after a week on 90+ degree days, the units will already be running less so there will be no need for Load Curtailment.
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Low voltage
50 volts or lower is considered low voltage
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MAC Address
Each one of our rabbit cards will also have a unique identifier called a MAC (or Media Access Control) address. This is expressed in hexadecimal (numbers 0-9 and letters A-F). The MAC address is used to identify devices connected on a network. So if you are looking for a particular device (in this case a controller) on a customer’s network, you can usually supply them with the MAC address so they can look up the device.
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Main Disconnect Switch
Also called the Main Breaker, it is where the power enters the site and controls the power for the entire site. It is typically located at the very top or bottom of the Main Distribution Panel (MDP) and is larger than the other circuits.
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Main Load
Is the sum of all power being used at a site. Most GridPoint client sites are 3 Phase loads (A, B, C) and are either 120V Black, Red and Blue wiring OR 277V using Brown, Orange, Yellow wiring for the A, B, and C phases respectively.
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Managing Partner
Managing Partners are general managers who are personally (financially) invested in a site. they absolutely can make changes since they are paying the bills AND getting less savings if they go too far out of bounds. -Pulled this from Bloomin Brands website: As a managing partner, you have a partial stake in the restaurant. Your duties include reporting performance and financial figures to corporate ownership or silent partners and implementing their strategies and improvement plans in the restaurant.
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Masterbilt API
integrator that allows Masterbilt refrigeration to work with GPEC equipment
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MAT (Mixed Air Temperature)
Mixed Air Temperature (average of Outdoor air and Return air temps) mixed air temp is the space in a RTU where the return duct enters and outside air damper is, so it's where the duct temp and outdoor air temp mix together.
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Mechanical Cooling -HVAC
lowering the temperature within a space using refrigerant compressors or absorbers, desiccant dehumidifiers, or other systems that require energy from depletable sources to directly condition the space. GridPoint common usage is for any time the compressor is engaged -- so the unit is not economizing/using "free cooling" by just pulling in cool outdoor air and using blowers/fans to cool the zone
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Mechanical Cooling -Refrigeration
lowering the temperature within a space using refrigerant compressors or absorbers, desiccant dehumidifiers, or other systems that require energy from depletable sources to directly condition the space. GridPoint Walgreens specific meaning is that we installed door switches and cooler probes not KE2 or Masterbilt systems
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Mesh Network
mesh network on the other hand routes all communication to a central Coordinator, but these connections are not point to point, they distributed like a spider web, if nodes are close enough to connect, then they do. All traffic runs through the entire web, they therefore can bounce, or hop between routers till it reaches the coordinator. We are configured to be able to hop between a maximum of 5 routers before reaching the coordinator. Mesh networks are self-healing. If a node goes down, communications will be routed through other nodes to get back to the coordinator.
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Mesh Network Coordinator
Coordinator (GP Controllers) Every mesh network must have one and only one coordinator at the heart of its operation. All communication makes its way back to the coordinator.The coordinator can also send signals to a specific device, like a firmware update to a thermostat for example. For us, these are our GP controllers. Our controllers take, store, and send data from all connected devices back to our servers (not part of the mesh network).
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Mesh Network End Device (WSMs, ZigBee switch/plug)
End devices are the last in the communication chain. They only send and receive messages about themselves, they cannot pass along info to other nodes. They are not typically on all the time either, they usually will wake and transmit their necessary data, check to see if there are any messages waiting for it, and then go back to sleep. For WSM’s the wake/sleep timing can be configured. For us, these devices are WSMs in regular mode, and off-the-shelf ZigBee switches and plugs (possibly more to come later).
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Mesh Network Hops
Because ZigBee is a mesh network, hops are when communication is passed along multiple nodes to reach the coordinator. Our system is configured to have a maximum of 5 hops.
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Mesh Network-Max Connections per node
In order to not overload a particular node, we have limited the maximum number of connections to a single node to 20 devices. In most circumstances, this will be more than enough.
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Mesh Network Router (GP Thermostats, WSM in router mode)
A router not only sends it’s own data back to the coordinator, but it also passes along data from other nodes connected to it back to the coordinator. To use the spider web analogy, Router nodes are anywhere the web intersects itself. Routers are always on by default, they are always passing on data to the coordinator. For us, a router is a GP thermostats or a WSM in router mode. It generates it’s own data (sensor readings, relay statuses, etc) and passes that on to the next node or to the coordinator. It also passes info along to nodes further extending from the web
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Mesh Network - Self Healing
Mesh networks are self-healing. If a node goes down, communications will be routed through other nodes to get back to the coordinator.
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Metering
GridPoint meters are used in conjunction with CTs or Current Transformers to measure how much power is being consumed (or produced by solar panels) at a site. We can use the kilowatts used to determine if an engine (such as HVAC) is running when we call for cool or electric heat. Some customers, like Target, use GridPoint monitoring of energy consumption/production to qualify for savings programs as well as to confirm billing by their utiilty provider.
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Microlite Communication Cards
lighting integration works with Microlite panel to allow communication from Microlite lighting to GridPoint controller
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MOD
Manager on Duty
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Modbus
Modbus is a communication protocol used for transmitting information over serial lines between electronic devices. The device requesting the information is called the Modbus Controller and the devices supplying information are Modbus Peripherals . GridPoint uses Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) transmission modes designed to be used with serial devices supporting the RS485 protocols. GridPoint uses RS485 communication devices/ports.
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Motor Protector
monitor for phase loss or imbalances, provide real-time alarming with option to shut down loads
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Network Range
Network range is determined by the distance and placement of the nodes in the network. Technically, with 5 hops it is possible to have a maximum indoor range of about 750ft (150ft x 5 hops)
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NOC
Network Operations Center
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Normally closed contactors
Is a contact that flows current in its normal state. Energizing it and switching it on will open the contact, causing it to not allow current flow. (Normally closed will cause lights to be ON if the communications are interrupted.
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Normally Open contactors
Is a contact that interrupts current in its normal state. Energizing it and switching it on will close the contact, causing it to allow current flow. (Normally open will cause lights to be OFF if the communications are interrupted.
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NRO
New Retail Outlet -- seen on Service Channel orders particularly for Chipotle new builds
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NTE
Not to Exceed- this is the maximum amount of time/money alloted for a specific work order. On parts orders, this will include equipment, taxes and shipping. On a dispatch will include all of the above plus the cost of technician travel and labor.
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OAT
Outdoor Air Temperature
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Occupied Hours
The time frame during a 24 hour period when people are in a building.
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OCPP Open Charge Point Protocol
Protocol for Electric Vehicle Charger integration --future use as of 5/13/2022
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Ohms
An ohm is a unit of measurement specifying how much resistance your coil has to electricity. The more resistance your coil has, the less electricity will flow through the atomizer when the same amount of power in volts is applied to the wire.
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OI (Operating PAN ID)
OP and OI are basically the names of the network, you will see them as numbered (not names) on the Peripherals screen of the controller as Extended Address (OP) and Network Address (OI) networks. The Mesh Network Coordinator (GridPoint Controller) generates these numbers. These numbers are unique to the controller that created the network. If a new network is created, or if the controller is swapped, these numbers, and thus a new network is generated. It’s similar to a WiFi network name, except the ZigBee protocol generates these ID numbers automatically.
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OP (extended PAN ID)
OP and OI are basically the names of the network, you will see them as numbered (not names) on the Peripherals screen of the controller as Extended Address (OP) and Network Address (OI) networks. The Mesh Network Coordinator (GridPoint Controller) generates these numbers. These numbers are unique to the controller that created the network. If a new network is created, or if the controller is swapped, these numbers, and thus a new network is generated. It’s similar to a WiFi network name, except the ZigBee protocol generates these ID numbers automatically.
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Patch Cable
A patch cable connects our device to a hub/switch or patch panel. We use the B-standard cable configuration. The A-standard will work in a pinch but the B-standard helps reduce interference which can result in lost data.
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Patch Panel
Is a panel, typically rack mounted, that houses cable connections. One typically shorter patch cable will plug into the front side, whereas the back holds the connection of a much longer and more permanent cable.
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Peripheral Communication - NOT Validated and NOT Responsive
Controller has never been able to communicate with the peripheral from the last boot up. This means that since gpec has started (or controller reset), it has been unable to communicate with the peripheral at all
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Peripheral Communication - NOT Validated and Responsive
Controller has sent out test at boot up (after every reset) and unexpected peripherals responded. Example: The controller sent out a call for TS-101 at adrress or modbus port number 1 and what answered is NOT a TS-101. This means that there is something responding to gpec on the modbus address configured, but that something is not a peripheral of the type that is configured.
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Peripheral Communication - Validated and NOT Responsive
Controller has sent out test at boot up/reset and the expected peripherals responded but since then, some peripherals have stopped answering the test. This means that since gpec has started,between the last controller reset and now, it has been able to validate that a peripheral matching the configured type has been communicated with in the past, but is currently not responding to messages after at least 3 consecutive communication failures
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Peripheral Communication - Validated and Responsive
Ideal state -- controller has sent a test out and all peripherals have responded as expected. This means that the peripheral has validated as being the same type of peripheral as what is configured and there is currently good communication with the peripheral
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Phase Angles
Phase angles are used in metering : we use phase angles, power factors, kilowatts and amperage to confirm correct power phases and distribution. For our purposes, we just need to know that phase angles greater than 60 are not acceptable.
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Photo Sensor
aka Photo cell or diode measures the amount of ambient light and determines whether exterior lights need to be turned on or off
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Plenum
Plenum boxes are used to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the site's zones. After producing heated or cooled air, the HVAC system must move that air through the ductwork. Plenum boxes take in this air so that it can be pumped into the ductwork and, therefore, distributed to each zone.
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PML/PMT
Property manager leader/Property Manager Technician-- building maintenance familiar with electrical rooms, server rooms and usually main GridPoint contact. They often work 6AM-2PM so you will need to call early
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PM or Preventive/Preventative Maintenance
Preventive maintenance (PM) is the regular and routine maintenance of equipment and assets in order to keep them running and prevent any costly unplanned downtime from unexpected equipment failure. A successful maintenance strategy requires planning and scheduling maintenance of equipment before a problem occurs.
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Point to Point Range
Here we define point-to-point range as the distance between two nodes that successfully connect. Point-to-point range is primarily dependent on the power of the radio used in the device, and the environment they are installed in. If there are lots of RF absorbent and reflective objects/surfaces at the installation site, the range will be decreased. Most of our devices have an indoor range of about 150 ft, but again that is dependent on the amount of interference. Off the shelf ZigBee devices may vary, but should be similar.
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Port Speed
This references the speed at which the device connected to a specific port, communicates. We usually use 100/Full or auto negotiate. Most switches communicate at 10/100 or 10 to 100 Mbit/s or megabits per second. Some communicate up to 10/100/1000 or up to 1 gigabit per second. Our device does not communicate over 100 Mbit/s.
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Power Factor
The power factor of an AC circuit is defined as the ratio of the real power (W) consumed by a circuit to the apparent power (VA) consumed by the same circuit. For our purposes, we need to know that the Power Factor needs to be postive and as close to 1 as possible. (EXCEPTION - Target Solar CTS will have a negative Power factor and a phase angle of approx -180)
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Powerlink G3
lighting integration works with SquareD panel to allow communication from SquareD lighting to GridPoint controller
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Power Supply
A device that supplies DC power is a Power Supply. In almost every case for GridPoint 120VAC is the input. So, a power supply will take 120VAC and output 5VDC, 12VDC, 24VDC, etc.
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Range
Wireless range can be broken down in terms of point-to-point (node-to-node, device-to-device) range and also system range as a whole when considering mesh networking.
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RAT
Return Air Temperature -the temperature being pulled back into the HVAC system via the air intake duct -- this air is pulled from the zone back up to the unit for heating/cooling
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Raven Modem
When installing a Raven, our controller needs to be set for DHCP and the IP configuration (IP, Netmask and Gateway information) needs to be set for all zeros. You will run an ethernet patch cable from the Raven to the controller’s rabbit. The device should start heart beating in shortly after if everything on the Raven has been configured correctly.
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Refrigerant
Cooling substance that is circulated in a compressor system to generate cooling (and heating in a heat pump system) which is circulated to the zone.
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Refrigeration condensor coil
"The condenser is a unit with multiple components including condenser tubes and fins, a fan, the compressor and copper tubing as well as switches and valves. travels outside via a copper tube to the condenser unit. Here, the low-pressure, warm refrigerant gas enters the compressor. The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, turning it into a hot, high-pressure gas. This gas leaves the compressor and flows into the condenser coils. This is where the refrigerant releases much of the heat that was absorbed in the evaporator. The fan blows air over the condenser coils so the refrigerant inside loses heat. There are many condenser coils, so there is plenty of opportunities to release the heat carried by the refrigerant, while it changes from a gas back to a liquid. From there, it flows through a copper tube back into the expansion valve to absorb more heat in the evaporator."
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Refrigeration Evaporator Coil
Refrigeration evaporator coil absorbs heat when warmer air is passed through a walk-in refrigeration system, thereby cooling the inside of the unit. Moisture from the air freezes onto the refrigerator evaporator coil—the cooling coils inside the freezer—and helps form a barrier that insulates against heat transfer. Airflow is also minimized as the passages inside the refrigeration evaporator tend to narrow because of build-up of ice. Each walk-in freezer evaporator also features a defrost cycle that helps melt the frost or ice that gradually builds up in the refrigerator evaporator coil. Water that results from the melted ice is then drained from the freezer.
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Relays
Relays are switches that open and close circuits electromechanically or electronically. Relays control one electrical circuit by opening and closing contacts in another circuit. GridPoint equipment uses relays for Lighting and HVAC operation. In thermostats the small black contactors act as relays to send messages from the thermostat to the roof top unit. Load control panels old contol boards have similar relays or contactors. Newer (LCP2.0) use Input/Output modules with the Output terminals acting as contactors to open/ close the circuits. Some clients/techs will use contactors/relays interchangeably and some of our older paperwork may refer to contactors in lighting as K1,K2, K3 etc. based on position in the LCP.
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Return duct
A conduit through which air flows from the zone back to the unit.
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RIB Relays
The only difference between a RIB® relay and a light switch that you see on your wall is the means of turning either one on. With a RIB® relay, the internal contacts are switched via the electromagnetic coil that pulls the contacts closed. With a light switch, someone would physically use their finger to close the contacts. RIB = Relay in a Box RIB Relays are commonly used to allow GridPoint control of existing lighting at a site that has used time clocks to control the lighting prior to GP installation. Rib Relays are installed with IOM at sites with Normally Open Contactors to function as "Normally Closed Contactors" which means if GP loses comms with lighting, lights turn/remain on.
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Router
A router is a device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect, and are the critical device that keeps data flowing between networks and keeps the networks connected to the Internet.
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RSM Remote Sensor Module
12v power, has LED power indicator (green flashing) can act as humidity sensor, reads onboard, will also allow 2 other temperature probes sometimes for outdoor air temps or supply temps. Address in config begins with 22
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RTD Real Time Data
Current readings at site available in GridPoint Energy Management. Includes HVAC, refrigeration, lighting and metering
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RTU (Roof Top Unit)
refers to the physical, mechanical unit that provides air conditioning. This is customer HVAC equipment, GridPoint does not service the RTU- we are responsible for thermostats/integration communication methods connected to the RTU
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Satisfied
When the zone temperature is in the deadband and there is no heating or cooling.
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SAT Supply Air Temperature
The temperature in the supply duct ( the air that blows into the zone) you may see this referred to as supply/discharge or duct temp. This is usually measured in the building but as close to the roof top unit as possible. We want to measure hot hot or cold the HVAC unit is getting the air before blowing it into the zone.
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Schedule or Showtime Integration
Schedule or Showtime Integration at AMC Theatres is designed for maximum energy efficiency and cost savings. It is a fully automated process which allows GridPoint to pull showtimes from AMC each morning and upload to each enabled site. Each Auditorium HVAC schedule is based on the first showtime of the day, if no show(movie) is scheduled, that auditorium remains in Unoccupied set points.
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Setpoint
Temperature level a thermostat tries to maintain.
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Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) wiring
Shielded twisted pair (STP) is a special kind of copper telephone and local area network (LAN) wiring used in some business installations.
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Siemens KNX
lighting integration works with Intesis box to allow communication from Siemens lighting to GridPoint controller
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Signal attenuation
Signal attenuation (loss) is a major consideration when installing wireless devices. If we use our lightbulb analogy, some materials absorb some of the wireless signal, or reflect it away. Be especially vigilant when installing in an area with large amounts of metal or concrete that obstruct signal. If a unit is installed in a less than ideal environment, expect less than 150 ft range.
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Single Phase Power
Single Phase power is a two wire Alternating Current (AC) power circuit. Most people use it every day because it’s the most common household power circuit and powers their lights, TV, etc. Typically there’s one power wire and one neutral wire and power flows between the power wire (through the load) and the neutral wire.
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Solenoid
Solenoid valves are used for controlling refrigerants in liquid or suction lines or in hot-gas lines. In the pump-down cycle application, the solenoid valve is installed in the main liquid line and wired so that it closes whenever the thermostat is satisfied. Refrigeraant flows until the set point is reached, then the valve closes until unit calls for cool again.
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SOW (Scope of Work)
The complete description of what the technician is expected to diagnose or repair while onsite. Different technicians have different abilites (Electricians, HVAC, low voltage techs)
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Split System HVAC
A split system is an HVAC system that has both indoor and outdoor units that are connected with copper tubing. There are many different types of split systems, which can include either a heat pump or air conditioner installed outside your home, paired with either a gas furnace or a fan coil located inside your home.Split-system HVAC can be ducted or ductless. Ducted split systems use ductwork to circulate the warm air generated from your furnace, fan coil, or heat pump, and the cool air generated by your air conditioner, heat pump, or fan coil. Ductless split systems use small air handlers located in specific areas in your home to heat or cool that individual space.
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Step down
to decrease voltage by using a transformer. Utiltiy steps down voltage before it enters a site. Within a site, there may be high voltage (227V) panels that "step down" to lower voltage 120V panels because the equipment connected requires less voltage. Lighting, network switches, electrical outlets use 120 panels.
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Submetering
What is Electrical Submetering? ... Submeters (also referred to as power meters, electrical meters, and energy monitors) are installed after the master meter to measure individual electrical load. Submeters can measure energy use for tenants, departments, building equipment, or any other electrical load.
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Supply duct
The conduit through which air flows from the HVAC unit to the zone being serviced.
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Swamp Cooler
A swamp cooler uses moisture to cool air. A swamp cooler (which is also called an evaporative air conditioner) works by taking warm outside air through wet evaporative cooler pads, effectively cooling the air. The cold air is then blown into a home by a blower motor through a vent.
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Switch
A switch is used in a wired network to connect Ethernet cables from a number of devices together. The switch allows each device to talk to the others. Switches allow control of who has access to various parts of the network. Switches keep traffic between two devices from getting in the way of your other devices using the same network
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Thermostat
A thermostat is a device that monitors the indoor temperature and automatically adjusts your heating or cooling system to maintain the desired level.
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Thermostat Differentials
Thermostat Differentials determine at what temperature the thermostat relays the call for Cool/Heat to the HVAC unit. GridPoint thermostat differentials are by default set to .5 degrees **This does NOT apply to BACnet units, those differentials are set by HVAC manufacturer**
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Three Phase Power
Three Phase power is a three wire Alternating Current (AC) power circuit. Most US commercial buildings use a 3 Phase 4 Wire 208Y/120V power arrangement because of its power density and flexibility.
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TLS Temperature Logging Sensor
12V power, has a battery back up-- often used in coolers because if there is a power failure, the sensor continues to read and when controller is back online site will be able to tell if product reached an unsafe temperature. Address in configuration starts with 24
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TOC
Technical Operations Center
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Transformer
A device that supplies AC power is a transformer. A transformer will take 120VAC and output 12VAC, 24VAC, etc.
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Unoccupied Hours
The time frame during a 24 hour period when people are NOT in a building.
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Vectors
GridPoint uses the terms vector or vectoring in our metering calculations to confirm the electrical panel is on the correct phase. (we are NOT electricians so we just need to be sure that kw, power factors, and phase angles meet the parameters we have determined give the best measurement of power being consumed at the site.)
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VFD Variable Frequency Drives
Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are being used in the HVAC industry more frequently and in more applications. They can modulate the motor speed very smoothly within a wide range. Reduced motor speed provides a significant reduction in motor power.
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VLAN
Virtual Local Area Network is a way to configure a network to have only the access you want the devices connected to certain ports to have. An example would be to have one device connected to switch 1 and the port 1 is configured in VLAN 1. VLAN 1 gives full, unrestricted access to all internal resources but no access to the outside websites and devices. But also on that same switch, port 2 is configured for VLAN 2 and it has no restrictions and can access everything on the internal network and full access to all outside resources.
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Volt/Voltage
Voltage is what makes electric charges move. It is the 'push' that causes charges to move in a wire or other electrical conductor. Voltage is an electrical potential difference, the difference in electric potential between two places. The unit for electrical potential difference, or voltage, is the volt.
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Wall Wart Power Supply
A power adapter that contains the plug for the wall outlet.
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Watt
The watt is a unit of power used to quantify the rate of energy transfer. Refers to "real power" whereas Volt refers to "apparent power."
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WIC
Walk in Cooler
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WIF
Walk in Freezer
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Wireless Communication Basics
two primary components to any wireless system, 1) an antenna and 2) a radio/modem. Essentially, the radio generates the signal, and the antenna broadcasts it. This works for both transmitting and receiving information (Tx and Rx).
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Wireless Sensor Modules (WSM)
GridPoint’s WSM device is a highly versatile temperature and humidity monitoring sensor that eases many installation challenges. The Zigbee interface allows the WSM to communicate critical climate data back to the GridPoint controller. The WSM can be located in harsh operating environments like walk-in freezers and coolers. It’s long operating battery life allows for the interface to be completely wireless, just mount WSM in its desired location and start monitoring.
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Work order acknowledgement forms
Work order acknowledgement forms are required sign off sheets from Walgreens store managers to confirm that a GridPoint technician was onsite from arrival to completion time, has resolved the issue and the manager is satisified with the site conditions or aware of next steps to resolve it. Technicians MUST submit the signed WOA to be attached to Salesforce case BEFORE we can provide a close-out code.
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Work orders
For GridPoint purposes, a work order is a request for paid service from a client submitted in a third part facility maintenance system such as Maximo, Service Channel or Verisae. We handle each client's work orders according to their contract- specifics can be found in the Resource Center by searching the name of the vendor system
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Zigbee Outlet
GridPoint is starting to integrate off the shelf zigbee devices (as mentioned previous for the necessity to switch from Legacy to Home Automation network types).
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Zigbee Switch
Similar to the ZigBee Outlet mentioned above, a few different types of off the shelf ZigBee switches have also been added to GridPoint portfolio of peripherals
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ZigBee (xBee)
GridPoint uses the ZigBee wireless communications protocol to communicate between devices. It may help to think of it as similar to WiFi and Bluetooth. It operates at the 2.4 GHz frequency like some WiFi does, but it requires a discovery sequence which is similar to Bluetooth pairing. ZigBee networks are also mesh networks which will be covered in the next section.
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Zigbee (xBee) Legacy vs HA (Home Automation)
Due to us starting to use off-the-shelf ZigBee devices, it is necessary that we use a generic ZigBee communication protocol. Going forward, all wireless installs will use the ZigBee Home Automation protocol. Previous systems use a Legacy protocol.A device configured for one cannot connect to the other, so if a Legacy site needs service, then a peripheral configured for Legacy will need to be sent to the site, or else the site will need all wireless devices converted to Home Automation. The controller can be switched with just a few clicks, however thermostats and WSMs have to be switched prior to shipping.
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Zone Sensor - ZSM
A zone sensor is a device that monitors the indoor temperature and reports that temperature to a thermostat which may be located in a different area of a building. The thermostat in turn notifies the heating or cooling system to send warmed or cooled air as needed to maintain the desired level.