Echelon®, creators of LonWorks networks, has proven to be a soaring success at San Diego’s Lindbergh Airport. Quark Communications Inc. recently deployed LonWorks networks for HVAC monitoring as part of the airport’s expansion. Airport officials praised the technology because of its ability to work with legacy systems and help cut costs.
The LonWorks system, due to its open standards technology, works seamlessly with the existing Siemens controls system, which airport officials wanted to keep in place. “I think the turning point … was the ease of adding features and the flexibility of an open system,” says Adam Guzik, president of Quark Communications Inc.
Quark Communications installed several Echelon LonPoint® modules to monitor some of the points on an older air-handling unit. They also fitted new Trane air-handling units and VAV boxes in the new addition with Echelon’s FTT-10A free topology interface.
With the fresh installation of a LonWorks network, the airport enjoys the benefit of remote access to all buildings. “Thatwas the biggest selling point for me,” says John Kampe, airport maintenance supervisor in the buildings section. “I’ll be able to access the system from my office, about a mile and a half away from the airport … Now, when I’m paged, I won’t have to run over there constantly to fix something.”
Moreover, the savings are adding up. Already, LonWorks makes it possible to provide total building automation system control from the physical plant without the need for additional costly wiring, or the installation of software packages on client workstations. LonWorks network by Echelon Corp., Sunnyvale, CA
