Capture was developed from a simple idea: could the capabilities of Smart Actuators be used to create a practical monitoring solution for HVAC systems?
That idea began to take shape in the autumn of 2023, following several meetings with Danfoss about the NovoCon actuator.
There are several manufacturers of Smart Actuators on the market, but NovoCon stood out because of its additional data port connections. This made it particularly suitable for the development of monitoring solutions and became an important part of the thinking behind Capture.
Looking Beyond The Traditional
The use of Smart Actuators within the HVAC market has been relatively limited, largely because application knowledge around control products is also limited.
In many cases, the decision to use Smart Actuators is made by systems houses. These companies have the controls knowledge to determine suitable applications and the skills needed to integrate the actuator into a Building Management System (BMS).
To increase the use of NovoCon, there was a need for already configured solutions that could make use of its capabilities without requiring the same level of controls knowledge.
One option was a solution that connected NovoCon through modular wiring to dedicated, preconfigured Edge controllers capable of providing data logging and actuator adjustment.
Understanding What Novocon Could Offer
During a series of meetings, Danfoss explained the operation and design of NovoCon in more detail.
Through those discussions, it became clear that NovoCon was different from existing Smart Actuators and had more to offer users who were less familiar with controls.
It also became clear that combining a Pressure Independent Control Valve, NovoCon actuator, modular cabling and an Edge controller could create opportunities for a number of applications.
These included commissioning and problem solving, system verification through monitoring and introducing controls into areas that had previously been neglected within BMS coverage.
These ideas helped shape the development of Capture.
Accessing The Information
The next step was finding a way to access the information being generated by the sensors and actuator.
A small Edge controller was needed that could read the information within the Smart actuator.
A suitable product already existed within the development portfolio of Contemporary Controls. It had originally been developed in response to a similar requirement, although it had not previously been taken to market.
Developing Capture
Over the last two and a half years, work has been undertaken to better understand the market and the potential for a monitoring product using Smart Actuators alongside a data logger controller.
The data logger is designed to be mounted within an insulated plastic box and supplied with the necessary wiring to allow straightforward connection.
This became the basis of Capture.
The complete solution can be used across a variety of applications. It can be moved from one terminal unit to another, used as a permanent solution or form part of a much larger system.
What began as a closer look at the capabilities of NovoCon developed into Capture: a monitoring solution combining Smart Actuators, modular cabling and data logging for use across a range of HVAC applications.