Introduction - GE AF-600 FP BACnet Operating Instructions Manual

1 Introduction

1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 About this Manual
First time users can obtain the most essential information for quick installation and set-up in these chapters:
Introduction
How to Install
How to Configure the System
Application Example
For more detailed information including the full range of set-up options and diagnosis tools please refer to the chapters:
How to Control the Drive
How to Access AF-600 FP Parameters
Parameters
Troubleshooting
1.1.2 Technical Overview
BACnet (Building Automation and Control Network) is an open data communications protocol, American National Standard (ANSI/ASHRAE 135-1995). BACnet
provides a means by which computer-based control equipment from different manufacturers can work together. BACnet is designed to handle many types of
building controls, including HVAC, lighting, security, fire, access control, maintenance and waste management. BACnet permits flexibility for expansion and different
equipment combinations.
Conformance Classes, Function Groups and the PICS: Evaluating the capabilities of a BACnet device is potentially a formidable task, given the great choice of
Objects, Properties and Services, which can be implemented, as well as the fact that it is not necessary for every BACnet device to have a full BACnet implementation
in order to carry out its task. ASHRAE's BACnet Committee recognized this problem and responded with aids to evaluation in the form of "Conformance Classes,"
"Function Groups" and the "Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement" (PICS).
The BACnet protocol defines six levels of Conformance Classes, each of which specifies the minimum subset of Services implemented on the device. The lowest
level, Conformance Class 1, requires only that the BACnet device contain a Device Object and that it be able to execute (respond to) a ReadProperty Service request.
Each successive Conformance Class level adds Service Requests that must be executable by the device, as well as the Service Requests it must be able to initiate.
Conformance Class 6 requires 21 types of Service Requests (of the 32 overall) to be implemented, of which 20 must be initi able and 17 executable. Conformance
Class thus provides a measure of the device's ability to communicate.
Function Groups specify a combination of Objects and Services necessary to carry out certain building automation functions. They are specified independently
of Conformance Class, though the implementation of some of the Function Groups automatically confers some Conformance Class higher than 1.
AF-600FP BACnet
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