Knowledge Base

Building Automation Glossary

Clear definitions for the protocols, devices, and project terms used in BACMOVE building-control systems.

Building Automation

BMS: Building Management System, the supervisory platform used to monitor and control building services.
Building automation: The coordinated control of systems such as lighting, HVAC, access, and energy monitoring.
Controller: A device that runs control logic and exchanges data with field devices and supervisory systems.
Gateway: A device that translates or connects two different communication systems, such as BACnet/IP and DALI.
Commissioning: The process of configuring, testing, and documenting a control system before handover.

BACnet/IP: BACnet communication carried over an Ethernet/IP network for building automation systems.
BTL Listed: A certification indicating that a BACnet product has passed BACnet Testing Laboratories testing for interoperability.
Device instance: The unique numeric identifier used to distinguish a BACnet device on a network.
PICS: Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement, a document describing the BACnet services and objects supported by a product.
COV: Change of Value, a BACnet service used to report a value only when it changes, reducing network traffic.

DALI: Digital Addressable Lighting Interface, a digital lighting-control protocol for addressing, monitoring, and dimming luminaires.
DALI-2: The expanded and independently certified version of DALI, including standardized control devices and improved interoperability.
DALI bus: The two-wire communication and power bus connecting DALI control gear and input devices.
DT8: DALI device type 8 for colour control, including colour temperature and RGBW applications.
Daylight harvesting: A control strategy that adjusts electric lighting in response to available natural daylight.
Scene: A stored set of lighting levels that can be recalled as one coordinated command.

Art-Net: An Ethernet-based protocol used to transport DMX lighting data over IP networks.
DMX512: A digital lighting-control protocol commonly used for entertainment and architectural lighting.
Modbus TCP: The Modbus protocol transported over TCP/IP for connecting automation devices and software.
REST API: A web-based interface that allows software to read data and issue control commands using HTTP.
sACN: Streaming ACN, an IP-based protocol for distributing DMX lighting data across a network.

Field device: A device installed in the building, such as a sensor, push button, actuator, or luminaire controller.
Interoperability: The ability of products from different manufacturers to exchange data and operate together reliably.
Retrofit: An upgrade that improves an existing installation while preserving as much of the current infrastructure as possible.
System integrator: A specialist who designs, configures, commissions, and supports integrated building-control systems.
Topology: The physical or logical arrangement of devices and communication paths in a control network.