BACnet in Enture¶
BACnet/IP is the standard protocol of building automation. It is used by air handling units, chillers, VAV controllers, pumps, energy meters and the building management systems that run them. The Enture BACnet connector reads values from BACnet/IP controllers and can send values back to the points that allow it, such as setpoints and on/off commands.
How Enture uses BACnet¶
- A BACnet Device represents one controller, identified by its IP address, port and BACnet device instance number.
- BACnet Parameters map individual points of that controller to data points in Enture. In BACnet, a point is called an object — for example "Analog Input 3" might be a supply air temperature.
Once configured, the Enture edge device at your facility reads each point at the interval you choose and streams the values to the platform. Points that are set up for writing can also be sent values from the platform.
What you can read and write¶
| Object type | Typical use | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Analog input | Temperatures, pressures, flow, power | Read only |
| Analog output | Valve positions, damper positions, setpoints sent to the controller | Read, write |
| Analog value | Setpoints and calculated values held in the controller | Read, write |
| Binary input | Run status, alarms, switches | Read only |
| Binary output | Start/stop and enable commands | Read, write |
| Binary value | On/off flags held in the controller | Read, write |
| Multi-state input | Operating mode or state reported by the controller | Read only |
| Multi-state output | Mode or speed commands | Read, write |
| Multi-state value | Mode selections held in the controller | Read, write |
Enture reads the present value of each point.
Network requirements¶
- The edge device reaches each controller directly by its IP address, so the controller must be reachable from the edge device — normally on the same network.
- BACnet/IP normally uses UDP port 47808. If a firewall sits between the edge device and the controller, allow this port in both directions (or the port you set on the device).
Not available in this version¶
- Controllers on a serial MS/TP network, or on a different network that the edge device cannot reach directly by IP.
- Finding controllers automatically — every device and point is added by hand.
- Importing points from a file.
- BACnet alarm and event notifications. Values, including binary alarm points, are read like any other point.
Typical setup workflow¶
- Add a BACnet Device — assign it to a workspace and enter its IP address, port and device instance — see Adding a BACnet Device.
- Add BACnet Parameters — for each point you want to monitor or control, add a parameter with its object type and number — see Adding BACnet Parameters.
- Write values if needed — see Writing a value or releasing control.
Data flows automatically once the edge device picks up the configuration (within approximately 30 seconds).