Building Automation System

Abstract

A building automation system is provided in which a controller is connected to remote modules through a zone enclosure using RS-485 cables. Branches of modules extending from the zone enclosure are connected together by removable jumpers at the zone enclosure. Sets of branches of modules using different protocols are isolated from each other. Shorts in the RS-485 cables can be determined by disconnecting and reconnecting the branches from the network. The zone enclosure has a patch panel that contains modular RS-485 connectors. An RS-485 cable from the controller and pulled through the building along with other data cables is connected to the RS-485 connectors at the back of the patch panel. The modules are connected to the RS-485 connectors at the front of the patch panel through RS-485 cables.

1 . A building automation system (BAS) comprising:
 a controller;   a plurality of modules;   an intermediary logically disposed between modules and the controller; and   RS-485 cables connecting the controller, the intermediary, and the modules.   
     
     
         2 . The BAS of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary comprises a patch panel disposed within the zone enclosure, the RS-485 cables connected to the patch panel. 
     
     
         3 . The BAS of  claim 1 , wherein the modules are connected to the intermediary in branches. 
     
     
         4 . The BAS of  claim 3 , further comprising jumpers that connect the branches. 
     
     
         5 . The BAS of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary comprises modular RS-485 connectors to which the RS-485 cables are connected. 
     
     
         6 . The BAS of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the modular RS-485 connectors comprises:
 a plug having a substantially L-shaped body and a back, the back having apertures configured to receive wires of an RS-485 cable, the plug body containing a short leg and a long leg; and   a housing having a substantially L-shaped body, the housing body including a short leg and a long leg, the short leg containing a front face of the housing body and the long leg containing a bottom face of the housing, each of the bottom and front faces having an opening,   wherein the opening in the bottom face in the housing of the modular RS-485 connector retains the plug such that the plug is accessible through the opening in the front face in the housing of the modular RS-485.   
     
     
         7 . The BAS of  claim 6 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 an extension that extends from the front face substantially parallel with the bottom face; and   a tab on an inner side of the bottom face, the tab disposed between the front face and the opening in the bottom face, the tab configured such that: when the plug is mounted in the housing, the plug is positioned between the tab and the extension to automatically position the body of the plug in the opening in the front face of the housing.   
     
     
         8 . The BAS of  claim 7 , wherein the housing comprises a plurality of tabs disposed symmetrically around a center of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The BAS of  claim 6 , wherein the housing further comprises a tongue disposed in the opening in the bottom face, the tongue directed towards the front face of the housing, the tongue engaging the short leg of the plug. 
     
     
         10 . The BAS of  claim 6 , wherein the plug comprises male terminals extending in a direction of the long leg of the plug and surrounded by the body of the plug. 
     
     
         11 . The BAS of  claim 1 , wherein the modules comprise sets of modules configured to communicate using different protocols, different sets of modules isolated from each other. 
     
     
         12 . The BAS of  claim 11 , wherein the intermediary comprises sets of RS-485 connectors, each set of modules connected to a different RS-485 connector of the set of RS-485 connectors. 
     
     
         13 . The BAS of  claim 12 , wherein the connectors in each set of the RS-485 connectors are connected together if more than one connector exists in the set. 
     
     
         14 . The BAS of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediary comprises a zone enclosure to which the RS-485 cables are connected.