EBI Lon-Mark Configurations

Under these configurations, EBI (a software system) running in a Microsoft Windows 2000/2003/2008/2012 Server PC, reports control information from a system of controllers that follow or are compatibale with the Lon-Mark standards. The idea is to make the system capable of working with non-Honeywell controllers and indeed any controllers as long as they are compatible with the Lon Mark standards of operation and data communication. This way the user can purchase any controllers to configure on what may be called the 'echelon bus". For this a network device is used to interface the hardware controllers to communicate with the EBI server in a standard format. The bus database and the controllers are configured with proprietary software or the Lon Mark software by Echelon and then is downloaded to the EBI. It appears quite simple but in practice there aee a lot of engineering tasks involved and the process is not straight forward. The system indeed has a lot of flexibility and sales appeal but the downside is that multiple layers of configurations are involved and the system ends up heavily dependent on networks and at times controllers and even the entire bus can go offline for no apparent reason. Then there is the EBI front end programming for the Lon Mark points and the graphics to display the downline points from a multitude of controllers. The system may also have L1 and and other buses such as the BacNet buses or the E buses or all of them. The L1 buses can have Deltanet R70444 controllers on them and the F&S buses may have FS90 motherboards. The system may also have C-bus controllers and Excel 10 controllers. This system can be quite extensive and may be quite complicated in practice.

But under the configurations that we are considering here, only Lon Mark channels are assumed down line. The following controlers may be present at your site:

1.   Honeywell Exxcel 10 family of controllers.

2.   Johnson Echelon Controllers.

3.   There may be controllers from many other vendors also.

The front-end PC must have a high powered PC and does not need UL approved configuration if only HVAC controllers are downline. Alhough some listing may be helpful.

CITS can help you with all Echelon Lon Mark family of controllers, their hardware, software and the engineering/progrmmaing and commissioning, (651)442-9044.

This elaborate system is configured via a powerful complex of software packages and hardware configurations. This setup can be done in several different ways. Depending on your hardware a particular approach may be more suitable than any other.

It is importamt to realize that it is just not enough to take an EBI class or an Excel 5000/Echelon configuration class and then to be able to configure a complex site application. Even if you have all the documentation and engineering inforamtion, you still may have problems configuring this system. CITS does not advise configuring this system on your own.

Once the system is setup and fully operational and delivered, the system life takes on an altogether new character. Now, you have to deal with the problem of system maintenance. This is even worse than configuring the system in the first place. The biggest problem is the complexity of the site and just the sheer volume of hardware and the complex inter-relationships between different pieces of hardware that were setup in the first place. Let's give you an example:

Suppose a particular pointt such as a static pressure is causing no-response alarms and you need to replace it with a different one. You will need the downline database of the affected Lon mark controllers and will need to change the record for the affected point and then you will need to re-program the controller database and may need to downline its application. Then you may need to cahnge teh datarecord for teh affected point in the EBI point file. You may not even have the database for the affected controller as originally programmed. Even if you do, it is not possible to change it with ease. You need special programs to change that database.

So you see, it is not straightt forward to service this system. I am sure your site has some site documentaion but it is not easy to work through it. Is the documentation updated?

So the mainenance is going to be or at least may be a problem. That is universal and you will need outside help. CITS advises a service contract of some kind or other. CITS can put a very affordable contract at your site, in short order. Just click here, The Scalaeable Contract that you CONTROL!

You are also going to need parts and mechanical services for the site. CITS can supply/repair all electronic and even mechanical parts for this system and many others.

CITS has all solutions for this type of system, (651)442-9044.

Riaz Hussain

Automation/Fire Alarm Systems Engineering Specialist

Corporate Information Technology Services

1901 Lexington Avenue N

St Paul MN 55113

(651)442- 9044