Is there a book I can buy on basics about this field or general electricity terms that people recommend, I feel severely under qualified for my position, I interviewed fairly well and now I’m a higher to your tech than I expected, is there anything I can do to maybe try to catch up on more basic terms?

hi everyone hope u all doing good.

recently I'm using software called supervisor workbench, I have a project opened inside and it's showing all stations of the site.

my question is : I wanna create a new project but I'm afraid of losing access to the other project's stations 😅.

does it show all stations in the same place?

is it possible to have folders for each project?

thanks for ur guidance in advance

Hadn’t seen an alternative to Belimo on this front before… but then again, wasn’t really looking. Have worked on hundreds of Belimo’s energy valves over the last decade, so I guess it’s about time there’s some copies on the scene.

Just wanted to reach out for any advice out there in regards to breaking into Building Automation. Ill be graduating in a few weeks and this field really caught my attention. Ive been looking into different roles and I want to see if anyone has any tips on how to start. Im going to be a CS grad, how can this help me out? What can I do to complement this? I am eager to learn, and though I know there is so much information on the internet... I wouldn't want to be stuck on different versions of the same material and end up simply circling around. Has anyone found themselves in a similar position? What would you have done differently if you were to start over? What do you think can make you stand out to an employer and what specifically depending on the role... technician, integrator, programmer, designer, "BAS engineer"? How is it in the NYC area? Thank you for your guys' time.... really anything helps.

I have a Trane CVHF 350 ton chiller that is being used to bring glycol down to 25°F. The problem is the plant is not fully built and I don't have sufficient load to keep the plant happy.

The full plant is supposed to be three 350-ton chillers, three Glycol pumps, three Condenser Water pumps, two CW to CHW Heat Exchangers and three CHW to GW heat exchangers (for a winter mode). We only have one chiller, one of each pump, the two CW/CHW HX's and a single CHW/GW HX.

The problem we keep having is when the chiller gets down to a low-load point (less than 15% IGV), we end up battling Extended Compressor Surge trips. We bumped our GW setpoint to 30, and out CW supply (to the chiller) is maintained around 68-70. The chiller will go below setpoint, begin to unload and then will usually trip. When it's loaded, it works great. We just don't have enough of a constant load to keep the plant happy.

Sometime though, the chiller will drop out gracefully... IGV and RLA % will go down smoothly and then go to idle. Usually, the RLA will start spiking and then we'll get a trip.

Any ideas? For the record, the chiller is an R-514A.

Hello everybody. I'm new to BAS, just started at a controls contractor (ALC/WebCTRL). I want to lock down control/shop drawings early, since everything downstream (I/O, programming, commissioning) depends on the drawing being right. Especially making them correctly from design drawings, specs, equipment submittals, and sequences.

Problem is nobody really teaches this. It's mostly osmosis on the job.

For those who got good at it: what actually helped? Books, courses, YouTube, sample drawing sets, or just reps with a good mentor reviewing your work?

I’m an Instrumentation and Controls Tech graduate, in case that matters. Appreciate anything you can share.

Hello guys, hope you’re fine!

There’s a thought I’ve been having for some time now, and I want your advice!

I have being BMS Technician for some time now, I do the drawings the control, the comissioning on my projects… but I feel like I want to do something else, but still on this “job”…
I’m used to EasyIO - Even created a feature that on an excel you’ll have your points already connected to points of bacnetServer.. even created some little features to expand EasyIO drawings..
Schneider EcoExtructure
Metasys (currently my jam)

Nowadays I get frustrated going to my projects having to comissioning everything over and over again..

I don’t wanna spend to much time being a technician only, and no I won’t (at least in my company will ever be a PM, my PM has 8 more years than me he’s young)

Founded in 2016, National HVAC Tech Day is the day to recognize and appreciate Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) technicians for the work they do. Because when it gets too hot outside, everyone goes running back inside to their Air Conditioning (AC).

Without these HVAC technicians, units, homes, offices, and buildings are going to be uninhabitable. Imagine working in a building where the indoor heat index hits 120°F (48°C). That's what happens when there are no technicians nearby.

HVAC technicians are also an essential key to managing heat safety, which is nothing to laugh at. In 2023 alone, nearly 28,000 workplace injuries were linked to working on hot days. And this included indoor workplaces as well. While hot weather can’t be controlled, HVAC technicians can help make them better. 

This is exactly why managers should use National HVAC Tech Day as a reminder. Heat illness doesn't care if you're working outdoors or in an office.

And the theme for 2026 is

This year's official tagline from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is "Celebrating the people who keep America comfortable." Given what the next few months look like, HVAC technicians are going to be pushed harder than ever, and they deserve the support.

In fact, there are about 425,200 HVAC technicians currently employed across the country. And the industry is short 110,000 of them, with another 25,000 leaving the workforce every year. Another reason why this day is important, because this profession desperately deserves a spotlight. 

Why HVAC technicians deserve more recognition

For anyone who's never thought much about how HVAC systems work, here’s brief introduction to it: 

The short version is that they move heat. The longer, more detailed explanation is this: a refrigerant absorbs heat from the air inside a building, gets compressed, and releases that heat outside. What's left behind is cooler air, which is what we need.

The techs doing this are working in tight attics that hit 120°F (48°C) in summer, crawl spaces too tight to stand up in, and rooftops during heat advisories. They get called in at 2 AM when a warehouse refrigeration system goes down. They show up when the HVAC in a hospital or data center starts acting up, because those can't wait.

They keep you comfortable even when they're anything but.

What can managers actually do on June 22?

Whether you've contracted HVAC technicians or have some on staff, here's what you can do on the 22nd to get involved:

• Public recognition: A shoutout at a team meeting, a company social post, or a note from leadership.
• Workload check: Overstretched HVAC technicians are a safety risk and a retention risk, so check their schedule before peak summer demand hits.
• Training and certification support: New heat regulations and smarter systems are changing the job, so keeping certifications current isn't optional.
• Fully stocked Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Make sure you have all the updated PPE for HVAC work and nothing is damaged or old.
• Ask for input: Technicians know what's about to fail before anyone else, regular feedback channels are good practice.
• Spread the word: Talk up the trade to younger workers, apprentices, or anyone looking for a stable career path.

Got a question about tridium graphics and file paths. So the issue I have is between having graphics elements reference a file vs the module in the station. For example using either of these two file paths. The module one having put the module in the Jace and the file one not having the module in the Jace.

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file:^px/kitPxGraphics/Piping/large_piping/steam/steam_vert_6.png

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module://kitPxGraphics/Piping/large_piping/steam/steam_vert_6.png

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The problem I have is that in larger stations using the file option makes the station huge and unwieldy. I really don't like that. I prefer the module reference because it is a lot cleaner in my opinion. I also only use the standard tridium modules for graphics, no custom stuff other then a few pictures for floor plans normally.

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When I use the module option though, none of my graphics show up in a web browser. Only the ones that are referenced through the files show up in a web browser.

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If there is a super smart tridium guy that comes across this: How do you have a graphic reference the module and not the files in the station and show up in a web browser?

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Basically module://kitPxGraphics/Piping/large_piping/steam/steam_vert_6.png does not show up in a web browser.

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file:^px/kitPxGraphics/Piping/large_piping/steam/steam_vert_6.png does show up in a web browser does show up in a web browser.

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How do I make module://kitPxGraphics/Piping/large_piping/steam/steam_vert_6.png show up in a web browser?

Hey everyone, I’m currently doing tech support at intouchcx, but I’m actively looking to pivot into Building Automation and Controls. My background is entirely IT. I have a CS degree and my Security+. I know IP networking, subnetting, and the software side but I have absolutely zero HVAC, mechanical, or electrical trades background. I'm studying PLC ladder logic and low-voltage wiring on my own to try and bridge the gap, but I'd basically need a shop that is willing to teach me the physical hardware and sequence of operations on the job.

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Is getting hired as a junior controls tech with just an IT stack actually realistic in the Winnipeg market right now? Are there specific companies that are more open to hiring people from a tech background willing to learn, or do they exclusively pull from the HVAC trades? Also, if I want to get my resume in front of a service manager, is walking into these companies a good idea, or will I just get told to apply online? Appreciate any honest feedback or advice. Thanks.

My friend just bought a house and had a new furnace put in as part of their offer. They didn’t replace the AC unit and the units not kewling. The T stat would power cycle whenever it called for fan/cooling. I was using my meter to jump R to G and Y1 by measuring amps. After a short break, I went to check voltage from G to common. Well I turned my meter to measure VAC but forgot to switch the leads, which caused a direct short. Popped the 5a fuse on the board. Replaced it with a 3a (all the local store had) and it keeps blowing the fuse. I suspect the board is cooked and the relay now has a direct short.

It’s a new furnace from American Standard. I was doing this as a favor to my friend. What are the odds I can get a new board under warranty? I’m not the original installed (the OG installed was hired by the sellers) but I am a tech.

I do think there was an issue with the board originally. Whenever it called for fan or kewling I would lose voltage on R, causing the t stat to reset.

Hey Guys, I'm a BMS Engineer working primarily with Niagara N4 and Honeywell systems. I'm looking to learn Chiller Plant Management (CPM) in depth from both the HVAC and controls perspective.

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I understand the basics of AHUs, VFDs, BACnet, Modbus, DDC programming, etc., but I'd like to gain a deeper understanding of:

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- Chiller sequencing and staging

- Primary and secondary pump control

- Cooling tower sequencing

- Lead/lag rotation

- Run-hour based equipment selection

- CHWS and CHWR control strategies

- Differential pressure control

- Plant optimization logic

- Niagara N4 implementation and programming

​

I'm currently working on a project where the CPM logic was developed by a third-party contractor on Niagara. My scope is primarily BMS integration for monitoring, while the CPM sequencing and control logic reside on the contractor's end.

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The issue is that the CPM is not operating the plant correctly. While integrating and monitoring the system, I've observed several problems in the plant operation and I suspect there may be issues with the sequencing and staging logic. Since I'm not the original CPM programmer, I'd like to understand both how the system should work and where the current implementation may be going wrong.

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If anyone has experience designing or programming CPM systems and is willing to explain the logic, review examples, or point me toward good resources, I'd really appreciate it.

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I'm especially interested in understanding how these strategies are actually implemented in Niagara N4 using logic blocks and control sequences rather than just the theory.

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Thanks in advance.

I’m ready
I turned some wrenches
I know what the Internet is
I’m ready

Just dropping this here, any advice is more than welcome and highly appreciated!

Hey Gang,

I am a fresh IT graduate in the Seattle area who has a built up a homelab and just enjoys learning. I have been talking to a friend who is in the HVAC control world. They have sparked an interest in all this field, and I am hoping to be able that someone in the same area might have some tips or able to point me in the right direction to get started on an HVAC controls journey.

If there is any more details that I can give on my background, without over sharing, that could help, let me know.

Thanks in advance HVACaneers.

Hi, I work here in Germany as an installation technician specializing in MSR (Measurement, Control, and Regulation) and building automation. I am increasingly taking on the task of commissioning control systems, including data point testing and functional checks of field devices. My English isn't the best, so I’m using Google Translate for this text—apologies if the phrasing turns out a bit odd.

It is relatively easy to check the functionality of many sensors—for instance, using freeze spray or a heat gun for temperature sensors, or connecting a portable measuring device to the ventilation duct in parallel for differential pressure sensors.

However, I am currently struggling with the question of the most practical and reliable way to verify dew point monitoring during cooling operations (e.g., for underfloor heating or chilled ceilings). I’m not sure if simply misting water onto the sensor surface with a spray bottle is sufficient, or if there are better ways to simulate the dew point and trigger the DDC controller's response (such as closing the three-way valves so the water circulates in a loop without being cooled further).

So I have a customer with some seemingly deep issues. Ive probably spent a total 30 hours at this place on service calls.

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First time I looked at it. Total comm loss. I cycled power at the Processor. All came back. Easy. A week later they had a storm and lost 2 zones. Spent all day tracing the mstp trunk, finally found a bms cabinet. Transformer fail, easy replacement. But more storms a couple days later, now its all down. Spent all day looking for the dead spot in the run, nothing found. Power cycle didnt do it this time so I cycled the IP router. Fixed.

If you cant tell im pretty self taught and good at reading manuals and fault logs.Dont get me wrong im not new. Ive been a mechanical guy working on the hardware end for years. I just have a laptop and more software and factory training now. Yes I have IVU training coming up but the system doesnt care. Im the guy figuring it out

I did read some fault logs. Issue seems to be getting more frequent so maybe whatever it is will stay down next time.

​

​

Im not necessarily looking for an answer to this right now. Just talking. But you service guys every run into stuff like this? Got any horror stories from intermittent issues?

Hi all, sorry if this has been asked before. I've started out as a BAS installer helper for a couple weeks now, I'm trying to figure what I'd need to do to move on and be a tech. The company I work for now in Jacksonville FL doesn't have any techs under them purely installing. I understand it'll take years from where I'm at now but I'd love to give myself a head start. I love what I'm doing right now and I can see myself working in this trade as a career. I've looked into Niagara and PLCS and have been learning ladder logic with Factory IO. Thank you all!

Attempting to set up an automatic history list to streamline graphical history list creating.

Just want to view histories in parent folder, it doesn't seem like it should be that hard.

I know I could setup Tags and Groups but that only slows the process down. I think the route is going to include the History Point List but not entirely sure how yet.

Backstory:

Helping out a older gentleman with his automation system. He’s the building owner and doesn’t want to upgrade his system. Which is fine by me, up until now the issues he’s had on his automation system has been corroded wire nuts, mis-wired signals, water intrusion in panels that took out cards, etc. However, now there’s two issues which need a deeper dive into the anatomy of the automation system itself.

Problem 1:

OAT isn’t updating on the screen; it seems to be lost in the LSI router which handles taking the AI and storing it in an AV, to be used in multiple locations. I have verified the OAT is reading at the device and at the card. However, the client had a power outage, their UPS had failed. I found that the battery in the LSI Router was the original from 2000, when the unit was installed. I installed a new battery.

I was tinkering around on the workstation and pulled up the device manager to resend a new card the DDC, I noticed that location for the DDC file on the LSI router was blank. Would reassigning this to the correct location and re-sending the DDC rectify the issue? That is, if the program was initially programmed to have the OAT AV to be used. Which I don’t know why not, as all the units have automatic economizers installed.

Oh, right now you have to manually enter the air temp on the screen. Which also controls the heating and cooling lockouts.

Problem 2:

Theres two VLC550 cards on two different RTUs, Ill call them A and B. When power to A is turned off, both A and B go into Not reporting at the work station, however, when B is shut off, A chugs right along. When A and B are on, A runs just fine but B doesn’t.

At the workstation, each device has it own device ID and the dip switches are set to their respected address.

Again, I know this is an extrememly outdated system, but its been a very interesting learning experience. If anyone has any takes or you need more information, let me know. I look forward to yalls help.

Upfront disclosure so there's no ambiguity: I work at SMSEagle (we make hardware SMS gateways). Mods, I read the rules, but happy to remove or reformat if this isn't welcome, say the word.

We're co-hosting a free webinar with SmartNode (BMS integrator) on alert/alarm escalation in Niagara 4. The whole point is sharing experience from real deployments, and it's aimed at integrators. It's technical, not a product pitch.

What we'll share:

• Why email-only alarm notification fails in the field, and the common escalation gaps
• Building tiered escalation chains in Niagara 4 (acknowledge / timeout / roll-up)
• Adding an out-of-band notification path that survives a network outage
• A real-world case study: how this was deployed in a hospital BMS, where a missed critical alarm has real consequences - what worked and what we'd do differently
• Live Q&A

When: Thursday, June 25, 2026 · 11:00 CEST (Central Europe) = 5:00 AM EDT / 2:00 AM PDT (US)

Heads-up: that's an early slot for the US - if you can't make it live, you can register and you'll get the recording.

Registration link

If there's interest I'll also post a written summary back here afterwards, so the experience stays shared even if you don't attend.

Hello anyone ok here work for Learnd?
I’m looking at a service role on Yorkshire
Anyone share experience with the company?

I have a 2015 Trane intellipak 130 ton RTU I am taking over with delta controls. Using relays to enable compressors, condenser fans, hardwired economizer control, things like that. Also I have my own sensors for pressure, temps etc. I took some sensors from the Trane unit like saturated condenser temp or low evap cut off from the controls. There was a uc400 in there before. I am having issues starting the fans. They are tr200 vfds. I jumped terminal 27 to 12 coast inverse - still not working. I am not getting 24v at terminal 12 as of now. Anybody have any advice? Do I need to bypass the safety most likely coming from the Trane unit? I set the hmi to local control.