The opportunities and options in an FFU interface can be assimpleasmanual controls to sophisticated stand-alone systemsoreveninterfaces that will tie into building managementcentralcontrolrooms. With smart FFU products being more readilyavailable,theutilization of these units in “smart systems” isthelogicalprogression.

A major factor to consider is the platform provided bytheFFUhardware choice. Certain platforms and solutions inhibit useofanyplatform other than a prescribed customsoftware/hardwareplatform.The total system cost including both theFFU and thesystemintegration costs provide a clear valuation ofthisoption.Assuming the solution choice has not boxed you in, whatarethe keyconsiderations when deciding on a system purchase?

If cost and ease-of-deployment are theprimaryobjectives,distributed control systems will often bethecost-effectivesolution. Low initial investment costs along withanequally lowcost of system expansion make the distributedsystemboth flexibleand cost-effective. Unique functions/featuresareeasier toincorporate in a custom package than inanout-of-the-boxdistributed node. Reducing initial investmentpushesone toward anout-of-the-box system. A check-list of yourkeyrequirements willquickly provide clarifications if the smallsystemsolution can beconsidered for your installation.

The small system allows control of either AC-or EC-basedFFUsystemsand can also provide control of the lighting systemsaswell. Thesesystems are designed for small cleanroomconfigurationsbut readilyexpandable to large systems. Flexibilityis providedthrough thechoice of FFU control scheme, consolefunctionality aswell asPC-based based GUI system levelcommunication and control.Costeffective and reasonably flexible, asystem like this would behardpressed to incorporate featuresalready not designed-in.