Energy Efficiency Information for the

Facility Manager

Quarterly Issue – August 2002 (Extra Issue)

Direct Digital Controls (DDC)

Sensors measure controlled temperature, and outputs the data.
The Energy Observer mediums or other controlled inputs The controller processes the data
summarizes published material in an accurate and repeatable and sends the output to the
about proven energy
technologies and practices, and
manner. Sensors can measure controlled devices causing the
encourages users to exchange (but are not limited to) required action. Controlled
experiences with generic energy temperature, pressure, relative devices may include but are not
products and services. This humidity, time of day, electrical limited to valve operators, damper
quarterly bulletin also identifies demand condition, airflow, fluid operators, electric relays, fans,
informational sources and energy flow, electrical current, fire, smoke, pumps, compressors and variable
training for facility managers and and high/low limits. speed drives.
staff. The Energy Observer is a
service of the Energy Office, The controller compares the input Data types are digital, analog and
Michigan Department of from sensors with a set of accumulating. Digital (binary) data
Consumer & Industry Services.
instructions such as set point, is an integer, a 0 or 1, and usually
throttle range and required action. represents a state or condition
DEFINITION Then the controller produces an such as on or off. Analog data are
Direct Digital Control (DDC) is a output signal that will cause the represented by a numeric or
type of energy management required action to satisfy the decimal number defining a varying
system. DDC is a form of closed condition. electrical input that is a function of
loop control. A loop is a sequence
of instructions, which are executed
until a condition is satisfied. The
term “Direct” means a micro-
processor is directly in the control
loop. The control is accomplished
by digital electronics that read or
control both digital and analog
signals.

The three main benefits of DDC

are improved operation, improved
control effectiveness and
increased energy efficiency.

CONTROL BASICS Diagram was supplied by Iowa Energy Center

Control in a HVAC system

involves measuring and collecting
data, processing the information
and causing a control action. The
components of system control
include the sensors, the controller,
the control loop and the data
types.
A control loop is the interaction
between the sensors, the
controller and the controlled
devices. An example of a HVAC
control loop would be indoor air
temperature regulation. The
sensor measures the indoor air
some variable. Accumulating data
is also represented by a numeric
or decimal number that is the
resulting sum of some function.
This type of data is sometimes
called a pulse input.
SOFTWARE access/security control systems, compared to pneumatic systems.
fire control systems, lighting Pneumatic systems require
CHARACTERISTICS control systems, maintenance constant monitoring and
Three common approaches are management systems and indoor recalibration due to drifting.
used to program the logic of DDC air quality monitoring systems. Drifting, or falling out of calibration,
systems. They are line occurs in pneumatic equipment
programming, template or menu- Strategies such as electrical because of the interaction
based programming and graphical demand monitoring and limiting between air and mechanical
or block programming. can be more easily implemented devices. Drifting will not occur in
with DDC systems. The overall DDC systems because digital
Line programming systems use electrical demand of a facility can signals, which are more accurate
Basic or FORTRAN languages be monitored and controlled by and reliable, have replaced the old
with HVAC subroutines. Being resetting various system set points pneumatic controls. System
familiar with computer based on differing demand levels. maintenance savings can be
programming is helpful in This could be accomplished by estimated at 40% or better.
understanding and writing logic for decreasing the requirement for
HVAC applications. cooling on a zone-by-zone basis. FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Menu-driven database or
template/tabular programming use Operational capabilities show the Iowa Energy Center:
templates for common HVAC greatest opportunity for efficiency DDC-Online provides unbiased
logical functions. These templates improvements with DDC. The information on Direct Digital
contain the detailed parameters ability for a system to signal an Controls (DDC) and an easy
necessary for each logical alarm if there is a problem searchable guide to DDC
program block to function. Data detected is very useful. Many manufacturers. www.ddc-online.org
flow, or how one program block is systems have the ability to route
connected to another, is the alarms to various locations
programmed into each template. within a network for immediate Visit the Energy Office website for
In this type of software, less information on current programs,
response. Data and alarm
services and for past issues of
programming experience is histories can be stored and the Energy Observer and grant
required. analyzed for trends in equipment information. Currently our website
performance over time. By storing is being migrated to a new
Graphical or block programming is trends, energy consumption statewide format. However, all
an extension of template/tabular patterns can be analyzed. These information from our former site is
programming. Graphical trending capabilities allow a still available. The new URL is
representations of the individual diagnostic technician or engineer www.michigan.gov/energyoffice
function blocks are depicted using to troubleshoot for system and
symbols connected by lines that control problems. Equipment can
represent the data flow. The also be centrally turned “on” or If you have experience or data
process is depicted with symbols “off” in applications where that you would like to share on
as on electrical schematics and schedules frequently change. this topic or if there is a topic that
pneumatic control diagrams. you would like to see discussed in
a future issue of The Energy
Graphical diagrams are created
Observer please contact Brandy
and the detailed data is entered in DDC technologies
Minikey (contact information
background menus or screens. can reduce electric and/or below)
This programming is very user gas costs by 20% to 50%,
friendly and virtually anyone and maintenance costs by
familiar with HVAC systems can 40% or more. For more information on this
understand this type of issue or past issues of The
programming. Energy Observer, please
contact:
CONTROL CAPABILITIES SAVINGS Brandy Minikey
DDC gives a building owner or Staff Engineer EO/DCIS
With a DDC system, the savings in PO Box 30221
operator many options for gas and electrical consumption Lansing, MI 48909
controlling the inside environment can range from 20% to 50%. e-mail: bjminik@michigan.gov
as well as the equipment operation or call (517) 241-8235.
in their buildings. DDC systems Savings are also achieved in the
can be integrated with maintenance of DDC systems