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A PR IL 2017 | 39 Electrical & Communication Systems PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY HOULE ELECTRIC Technological advancements and energy standards are reshaping the world of electrical and communication systems by STACEY MCLACHLAN Fully Charged T hough it may not be as dramatic or glamorous as a stunning staircase or win- dow wall, the electrical system is what truly makes or breaks an architectural project. A well-designed and up-to-date system that manages the distribution of power and lighting, conserves energy and provides secure information net- works is a building's backbone. And thanks to constant updates and advancements, creating the ideal system is easier than ever. "The future is bright for the field of electrical engineering," says Brad Currie, partner at SMP Engineering. "Solid state technology has revolutionized building lighting and control systems. Power dis- tribution advancements necessary for renewable energy source integration is on the horizon." While buildings previously had standalone electrical systems that didn't neces- sarily communicate with the mechanical or security systems, these components are increasingly becoming integrated. "There is a shift, especially from developers that operate their buildings after construction, to having all of these systems on a sin- gle platform and for maintenance managers to receive updates via text or email on the whole system if there's a problem," explains Ian Grannary, electrical team lead for Williams Engineering Canada. Ultimately, integrated systems – that one single backbone for mechanical, electrical and security – make life easier for everyone, eliminating crosstalk between the different units and simplifying maintenance. It's actually a bit analogous to the "working together" BIM system. "It incorpo- rates all the trades and systems into one drawing where you can visualize it," says Duane Besse, president of Bridge Electric Corporation. "Architects are pushing for it; BIM will be more prominent in the future." Steve Nemetz, CEO of Nemetz (S/A) & Associates, believes these sorts of tools will benefit the next era of designing electrical engineering and integrated communica- tion systems. "3D programs provide more accurate co-ordination and more effec- tive wireless solutions," says Nemetz. E F F I C I E N C Y I S E C O N O M I C A L "The buzz word in the electrical design of institutional, commercial, industrial or multi-unit residential building is 'sustainability,'" says Currie. Photovoltaic systems, computerized lighting controls and the increased use of LED for both interior and exterior applications are all contributing to increasing efficiency. Efficiency is a particularly pressing issue as the utility rates rise – but handily, as that's happening, the cost of solar panels has been decreasing. In the past, especially in B.C., it's too inexpensive for solar to be an investment for many building opera- tors, but as utility rates increase and the cost of solar panels decrease, that's likely to change. Already, solar power generation has been gaining traction in Western Canada over the last few years. Technology in the automation sector is constantly evolving, but it's also the building code and ASHRAE requirements that affect these changes. "More and more it's about efficiency, PowerSmart and going green," says Besse. These demands for energy efficiency require constantly playing catch-up with training and making sure staff is up to date with the changes and methodology. Overall, though, it's an exciting time in the industry. "Within the next 30 years we need to bring all buildings to net zero and energy efficiency can take us halfway there. Future advancements in electrical engineering will be to design buildings that generate as much energy as they consume." L I G H T I T U P Lighting is one of the key changes happening out there in "electrical land" says Besse. "LED industry standards have crept up, so we're paying more attention to lighting control, dimming requirements and auto shut-off." There are plenty of options when it comes to increasing the efficiency of electri- cal systems to comply with the new ASHRAE standards. For office buildings, occu- pancy sensors or ones on a time function can be useful for both lighting and plug controllers. "These systems are taking control out of the hands of the independent user," says Doug Vincent, owner of PR Bridge Systems. Lighting manufacturers are producing more products that detect vacancy or even daylight, but ultimately, "in a time with rising electrical costs, it's important to be aware and control against waste," adds Vincent. Outside of buildings, engineers can now replace halogen lamps with 50W LEDs, which give just as much light but last for 15 years; providing both energy and cost savings in the long run. And with integrated controls on these lamps, lights can come on with sensors or at a certain hour. Another benefit to LEDs is they can turn on and off instantly, unlike old halogens that often would need five or 10 minutes of cool-down time. Advancements in LED lighting are giving designers incredible new opportuni- ties to experiment – no longer are they restricted by the shape of a lamp. Some are even integrating lighting into the T-bar, says Grannary. He's also seeing an increase in personalized controls: "Occupants of office spaces will be able to control individ- ual lights above their work spaces as LEDs replace fluorescents." LEDs also offer the opportunity to direct light much more intentionally, using lamps and reflectors, as uniformity in lighting is starting to be viewed with as much importance as illumi- nance. "This allows for a much more even spread of light and results in spaces and areas that can be lit with lower, even lighting levels that appear to be brighter than spaces that may have higher average illuminance, but many more bright and dark spots," says Grannary. It's all a lot of change, but "the old dogs need to learn new tricks," says Vincent. He notes that the younger generation, who grew up in a computerized era, are quick learners on how to operate these controls, which are often software driven or on a programmable clock that can calculate daylight savings.

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