I am looking for a PLC that has the best tradeoff between price/performance and reputation for building automation applications.
Also i require monitoring the devices under the PLC control. so please mention the best choice of software and hardware for monitoring PLC and devices under control too.
Dear Behrad,
Please check GE intelligent platforms, link:
http://www.cimtecautomation.com/parts/c-39-versamax.aspx?gclid=CNe5wvLSgLsCFYlF3godzjMAkg
They have a wide range of PLC as well as modules that allow you to connect various peripherial devices for monitoring.
I have used Twido PLC from Schneider Electric successfully. It has built in ethernet that comes handy for networking and Computer based access and control. Its programming software is freely available.
@Behrad, I do think any SIMATIC from Siemens is a good choice for serious home automation. Beside, maybe the following link will help! Regards!
http://www.buildingtechnologies.siemens.com/bt/global/en/buildingautomation-hvac/home-automation-system-synco-living/Documents/synco_living/all/en/index.html
Generally it's difficult to answer your question without any information about amount of inputs and outputs of the system. I don't agree that Siemens is a good choice, mainly because of the fact of high price and usually a weak support (in Poland !). PLCs from GE are much cheaper (mainly VersaMax Micro type) and in case of connection with any touch panel using RS485 are useful in a small building control system. Unfortunately they have a weak opportunity of creating a distributed I/O, what is important in a household system.
In my opinion every system based on a OPLC (a PLC and TouchPanel in a one device) and with opportunity of creating a disturbed I/O system is a good choice e.g.:
1. Unitronics - small system
2. Horner - small system
3. Bernecker&Reiner - large system
Anyway : one of my student build successfully his own house automation system based on Fatek PLC... Everything is related to the budget
thank you Stawomir,
Actually in my case the building is 6 stages with a data-center the lowest floor. about 300-400 output and 50 input is required. actually since the building is a governmental department, we need high level SCADA and HMI. I don't know what exactly distributed IO is, however I guess it is for the case that devices are geographically distributed on a large area that is our case. because there are too many rooms that the lighting and heat and cooling system should be controlled. with a web based HMI and SCADA in addition to computer based SCADA and HMI. now this information might help you to further suggest the best choice for me.
In my opinion the best solution is Power Panel 500 from Bernecker&Reiner. PP500 has a webserver and an OPC server on its board and enables of creating a disturbed I/O system based on X2X standard. Apart of that you can create HMI system based on OPC tags using any SCADA software e.g InTouch. Trace etc.
Important is that you can load original webserwer from any computer included in the intranet system of the building and any wireless device e.g. smartphone, tablet etc.
A support from Bernecker&Reiner is important as well.
You should use Micro or Pico PLC. Youl'll find lot of help on the Internet if you choose Siemens (Logo ie.) and it's price is also good. The software ) TIA portal) is not the best ( my oppinion), but you can make everything in it.
If you need better performance and flexiblity, you should use modular PLC. OMRON, Schneider ot Siemens.
There are cheaper ones, but there reliability is certenly not as good.
We are using Ape' Narrowband PLC products for home automation, energy monitoring, IoT based Fire Alarm control systems, Access Control and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) management. Quite mature product line with two patented designs from Innovative Smart Solutions - www.smarthome.lk.
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