Intelligent Room Controller

The Intelligent Room Controller maintains a set room temperature and automatically switches between heating and cooling.
Optionally, various heating or cooling sources such as Heating and Cooling Controllers and Room Ventilation Controllers can be configured.

The block offers a Comfort mode with various adjustable temperatures for heating and cooling, which can also be changed via the User Interface.
A timer is available for scheduling the set temperatures.

Outside the scheduled Comfort temperature times, the Eco temperature is active to save energy, automatically adjusting the setpoint to a lower room temperature for heating (Eco Min) and higher room temperature for cooling (Eco Max).

Table of Contents


Inputs

Abbreviation Summary Description Unit Value Range
Mode Mode 0=Automatic according to schedule: Heating or cooling based on current temperature and target temperatures.
1=Automatic according to schedule: Heating only if required; cooling outputs deactivated.
2=Automatic according to schedule: Cooling only if required; shading outputs active, heating outputs deactivated.
3=Fixed setpoint: Target temperature set by input (ϑt), heating or cooling based on current temperature and target temperatures.
4=Fixed setpoint: heating only; target temperature set by input (ϑt); cooling and shading outputs deactivated.
5=Fixed setpoint: cooling only; setpoint temperature specified by input (ϑt); cooling and shading outputs active; heating outputs deactivated.
- 0...5
ϑt Target temperature Target temperature in fixed setpoint mode °
ϑc Current room temperature °
Dwc Door / window contact 0 = closed, 1 = open;
For automatic modes (0-2) only!
If the current outdoor temperature is lower (while heating) or higher (while cooling) than the current room temperature, the system switches to "Off" (Building protection) after delay according to parameter (Ddwc) for as long as the window remains open.
The input is only considered closed if all connected windows are closed.
- 0/1
C Comfort Starts "Comfort" when ON (rising edge) and activates the timer (Cet) when OFF (falling edge). After time (Cet) expires, the set automatic mode will continue.
The temperature is kept at (ϑch) when heating, or (ϑcc) when cooling.
The presence button in the app starts "Comfort" until the next schedule entry, but for a maximum of 48 hours.
- 0/1
E Eco Start "Eco" when ON (rising edge) and activates the timer (EBpet) when OFF (falling edge).
After timer (Et) expires, the set automatic mode will continue. If timer (EBpet) is 0, the timer runs until the next change in the schedule.
The temperature is kept at ϑch-ϑeh (Eco Min) when heating, or ϑcc+ϑec (Eco Max) when cooling.
- 0/1
Bp Building protection Starts Building protection when ON (rising edge) and activates the timer (EBpet) when OFF (falling edge).
Heating/cooling is only used to keep the temperature above ϑfp (frost protection), or below ϑhp (heat protection).
After timer (EBpet) expires, the set automatic mode will continue.
If (EBpet) is 0, the timer runs until the next change in the schedule.
- 0/1
P Presence Extends Comfort when ON and activates the timer (Pet) when OFF (falling edge).
If Eco is currently active, a comfort timer is started after 30 minutes of continuous motion / presence.
After (Pet) expires, the set automatic mode will continue.
- 0/1
Off Off Pulse: Timers started by inputs (C), (E), (Bp) or (P) are cancelled. Timers started via the user interface remain active.
On = Block is locked and all heating and cooling outputs set to 0.
The name of the connected sensor is used in the user interface.
- 0/1
DisP Disable presence Disables input (P) when 1. - 0/1
ϑo Outdoor temperature Used by input (Dwc).
If this input is not connected, the system variable "Outdoor temperature" is used.
If variable "Outdoor temperature" is not available, the value -1000 is displayed.
°
CO2 CO2 Current Co2 Level. Value is not used for calculations, but forwared as Information to app and linked climate controls. ppm
H Humidity Relative Humidity. Value is not used for calculations, but forwared as Information to app and linked climate controls. %
Rtd Reset to default Resets parameters and settings of the block to the default values as specified in the block preset. - 0/1




Outputs

The outputs used affect the display in the user interface.

If the setting "Enable PWM Outputs" is used, the outputs H, C, and HC are switched on/off according to Parameter (Pwm).
For source outputs, PWM can be activated in the Configure sources dialog of the block.

Abbreviation Summary Description Unit Value Range
H Heating Output for valves or actuators that can only heat. - 0...10
C Cooling Output for valves or actuators that can only cool. - 0...10
HC Heating/Cooling Output for valves or actuators that can heat and cool. - 0...10
H1-3 Heating source 1-3 Source outputs for valves or actuators that can only heat, for use with a heating source provided by the Heating and Cooling Controller block. This output is only visible in certain configurations. - 0...10
C1-3 Cooling source 1-3 Source outputs for valves or actuators that can only cool, for use with a cooling source provided by the Heating and Cooling Controller block. This output is only visible in certain configurations. - 0...10
HC1-3 Heating/Cooling source 1-3 Source outputs for valves or actuators that can heat and cool, for use with a heating and cooling source provided by the Heating and Cooling Controller block. This output is only visible in certain configurations. - 0...10
Shd Shading demand Can be connected to the input Sps of the Automatic Shading function block for cooling support:
- On as soon as the current temperature is above (ϑsc) while in cooling mode.
- On as soon as the current temperature is above (ϑsh) while in heating mode.
- 0/1
HCm Heating / Cooling mode Current mode:
1 = heating mode, -1 = cooling mode
-
Error Error Active as long as one of the following errors are present:
- The temperature exceeds the temperature of frost (ϑfp) / heat (ϑhp) protection.
- The current temperature differs from the target temperature by at least 2.7°F after heating or cooling. The Miniserver program must be running for at least 20 minutes to allow this output to be active.
- 0/1
TxErr Error text Provides a description for the error occured. - -
ϑt Target temperature °
Om Current operating mode Current operating mode ID of the schedule. -
Boost Boost Output is active during preparation phase or when difference between actual and target temperature is greater than 1.5°C/2.7°F - 0/1
Os Current temperature mode Current active Temperature Mode. 0=Eco, 1=Comfort, 2=Building Protection, 3=Manual Target Temperature, 4=Manual Calendar Temperature -
AC API Connector Intelligent API based connector.
API Commands
- -




Parameters

Please note:
Some default values vary, as they depend on the type of room set.

Abbreviation Summary Description Unit Value Range Default Value
ϑch Temperature comfort heating Absolute Comfort temperature in heating mode.
This parameter is only visible in certain configurations.
° 21
ϑcc Temperature comfort cooling Absolute Comfort temperature in cooling mode.
This parameter is only visible in certain configurations.
° 23
ϑchc Temperature comfort heating and cooling Absolute Comfort temperature for heating and cooling
This parameter is only visible in certain configurations.
° 22
ϑd Allowed Deviation Allowed deviation between target and actual temperature in comfort mode
If this range is exceeded for more than 1 minute, switching between heating and cooling is required
This parameter is only visible in certain configurations.
° 0.5...5 1.5
ϑeh Temperature eco heating Temperature Eco heating relative to temperature Comfort heating.
Target temperature (Eco Min) = ϑch - ϑeh.
° 0.5...∞ 2
ϑec Temperature eco cooling Temperature Eco cooling relative to temperature Comfort cooling.
Target temperature (Eco Max) = ϑcc + ϑec.
° 0.5...∞ 2
ϑe Allowed Deviation eco mode Temperature Eco heating and cooling relative to comfort temperature ° 0.5...∞ 2
ϑsh Temperature shading heating Above this temperature, shading is activated while in heating mode. ° 25
ϑsc Temperature shading cooling Above this temperature, shading is activated while in cooling mode. ° 22
ϑfp Temperature frost protection Absolute frost protection temperature.
Value must be at least 3° lower than (ϑch).
° 5
ϑhp Temperature heat protection Absolute heat protection temperature.
Value must be at least 3° greater than (ϑcc).
° 28
Vs Valve standstill Maximum actuator standstill in days.
If the valves have not operated in set time, they will be moved automatically.
Time should be set as specified by the manufacturer!
d 14
Cet Comfort extend time When input (C) is 0 (falling edge), the comfort temperature is extended for set time. s 3600
EBpet Eco / Building protection extend time When input (E) or (Bp) is 0 (falling edge), the Eco / Building protection is extended for set time. s 3600
Pet Presence extend time When input (P) is 0 (falling edge), the comfort temperature is extended for set time. s 1800
Hs Heating up speed Time required to raise the room temperature by 1°C/1.8°F. If the value is 0, the value learned by the room controller is used. min 120
Cs Cooling down speed Time required to lower the room temperature by 1°C/1.8°F. If the value is 0, the value learned by the room controller is used. min 60
Pwm PWM interval Time for On-Off cycle when an output is configured as PWM.
Value 0: automatic determination of the interval based on the current heating rate.
In this case the PWM interval will equal between 10 minutes (1°/min) and 60 minutes (0.1°/min and slower).
The interval is a complete on/off cycle. With a calculated opening of 80%, the PWM output will be ON for 80% of the PWM interval.
The minimum duration is 1 minute.
min 0...1440 0
Ddwc Delay door/window contact Delay until activating building protection after opening a window / door. s 0...∞ 300
ϑExc Temperature offset Excess Heating/Cooling When Excess Heating or Cooling is signaled by Heating and Cooling Controller, the target temperature is adapted by this value. Parameter only applies when using single comfort temperature or a fixed heating or cooling mode (1,2,4,5) is set.
Allowed Maximum is (ϑcc - ϑch)/2 or (ϑd-0,5) when using single comfort temperature
° 0...∞ 1




Properties

Summary Description Value Range Default Value
History Entries Number of entries in the control history.
0: History is disabled
Control history tracks relevant changes since program start.
0...100 20
Use all configured sources at the same time When this option is selected, the heating or cooling demand is sent to all linked sources. When not selected, the demand is sent to the first available source and all lower priority sources that have been defined as 'cheap'. - -
Enable PWM Outputs If checked, the outputs H, C, and HC are used as PWM outputs - -
Use single comfort temperature When enabled, the Intelligent Room Controller uses a single comfort temperature instead of separated heating/cooling comfort temperature - -
Allow surplus heating When enabled, the Intelligent Room Controller will adapt the target temperatures if an assigned Heating and Cooling Controller signals that surplus heating energy is available. - -
Allow surplus cooling When enabled, the Intelligent Room Controller will adapt the target temperatures if an assigned Heating and Cooling Controller signals that surplus cooling energy is available. - -
Schedule Temperature schedule for heating and cooling - -
Configure Sources Configure available Heating/Cooling sources.
Supported sources can be created, prioritized, and set per Heating/Cooling/PWM Source.
- -
Monitor Temperature When selected, you will be notified if there is a large difference between the room temperature and the target temperature, which could indicate possible errors in the heating/cooling system. - -




Application Example

The following example illustrates basic programming of the block:

The current room temperature is transmitted to the function block via input (ϑc). A window contact at (Dwc) allows the function block to respond to open windows. A presence sensor is connected to the (P) input to activate the comfort temperature without a schedule.

The actuators are connected to the (H) output, so this room can only be heated.
The output (Shd) can demand shading support on the Automatic Shading block, according to the temperatures specified in parameters (ϑsh) and (ϑsc).

In this example, the block does not influence the heating/cooling source; it only controls the room temperature with the valve actuators. By using additional blocks (Heating and Cooling Controller, HVAC Controller, Flow Temperature Calculator, Mixing Valve Controller or additional logic) a full integration of the heating/cooling system is possible.


Automatic heat up and cool down process

The controller starts the heat up and cool down process ahead of schedule, in order to reach the target temperature at the beginning of the set schedule entry.
The starting time depends on the difference between setpoint and actual temperature, and the time that is required for the room to reach the target temperature.

The block automatically learns the time required for the room to heat up or cool down during operation. The median of the last 8 heating and cooling operations is used.

If no heating or cooling operations have been recorded yet, the controller uses a value of 600 min/°C for heating and 120 min/°C for cooling.
The heating or cooling operation may therefore start too early or too late, depending on the type of system.

The speed can also be set manually via the parameters (Hs) and (Cs). In this case, the block continues to learn the actual speeds in the background, but does not use them.
If (Hs) or (Cs) are set back to automatic (value 0), the learned values are used again.


Configurable heating and cooling sources

Up to three heating / cooling sources can be configured. The module sends its requirements to these sources depending on the configuration. For each source, the ability to heat or cool can be configured. If the respective source is configured to heat only, no cooling request will be sent, even if required. For each mode, a freely configurable priority list is set. The module's requests are then sent in the respective order. The list will go to the first source which can be used to supply the desired energy (Heating / Cooling). If the parameter "Use all Sources Simultaneously" is set, the request is also sent to all subsequent sources, otherwise it is only sent to those that are configured as "Economy" for the respective operation. Available sources are cyclically checked in order to be able to react to changes in active operation.


Source outputs

For each source there are outputs for heating, cooling, and heating + cooling The source outputs only set the control value when the source is in the same mode, ie heating or cooling. In systems that can Heat and Cool (such as ventilation systems or heat pumps), this prevents temperature fluctuations from developing in the room. If the value falls below the switch-on threshold of the Heating and Cooling Controller, a minimum opening can be forced until the device has been switched off, after the minimum running time has elapsed.


Outside Temperature

The system variable for outdoor temperature is automatically used, if available. The function block only switches to building protection when a window is open and the outdoor temperature would affect the current heating/cooling process negatively.


Target temperature excess heat / cooling

If the Eh or Ec input (excess heating/cooling) is active on an assigned Heating and Cooling Controller, the target temperature is increased(heating) or reduced(cooling)

The default target temperature is the exact center between ϑcc and ϑch.

When using a single target temperature, or a mode which does not allow switching between heating and cooling (1,2,4,5), the offset is taken from parameter ϑExc

Excess heating/cooling is only applied in comfort- and eco-mode.


AC Unit Controller Integration in Intelligent Room Controller


Changes as of Release 12.1

In response to frequent requests and as a result of gained experience, the block has been revised with versions 12.0 and 12.1.
The following changes have been made compared to previous versions:

2 Comfort temperatures
The block now supports two comfort temperatures, one for heating mode and one for cooling mode. If the actual temperature falls below the heating comfort temperature, the room control switches to heating mode. If the cooling comfort temperature is exceeded, the room switches to cooling mode. The range between the cooling and heating comfort temperature is the "floating zone". The cooling comfort temperature must be higher than the heating comfort temperature. The parameter Td (allowed deviation) has been removed, the value is used to set the cooling and heating comfort temperature when converting existing blocks to the new version.

Heating/cooling deactivation
If there is a call for cooling but no source (HVAC Controller, Heating and Cooling Controller) is currently able to providing cooling, the room controller will no longer switch to cooling mode in automatic mode. If a source reports that cooling is available, the room controller will be able to cool.

Shading
There are two new parameters that are used to activate shading (Temperature shading heating, and Temperature shading cooling). These allow to specify the room temperature at which the shading output Shd is activated. The current mode determines whether the cooling or heating temperature is used. The 'Use sunshine' option was removed from the Room Controller and moved to the Automatic Shading block. The Shd output of the Room Controller now actives regardless of sunshine. Automatic shading on the Automatic Shading block via Sps is now only activated if the system variable Sunshine is also active (provided the option 'Use sunshine' is enabled).

Activate schedule entries by presence
It is now possible to have schedule entries activate only if there is presence/motion in the room. This option can be enabled for an entry with 'Activation by presence'. Schedule entries that have this option enabled are activated via the (P) input of the Room Controller.

Activating comfort mode by presence without schedule entry
If the room is currently in Eco mode and presence/motion is detected for 30min, comfort mode is automatically enabled for the time of presence/motion + parameter (Pet).

Naming
For temperature inputs and parameters, the symbol for temperature (ϑ) is now used to distinguish between temperature and time (T).


History

In the user interface, the history of the function block can be displayed.
A maximum of 100 entries are shown.
When you restart or save to the Miniserver, the history is cleared.