System Parameter Links

Each parameter in the dialogs is either coupled directly to one or more components or controllers or is used in a calculation within the dialog—i.e., to derive a value for a component or controller. The coupling is provided by unique system parameter links that are set with the individual component and controller edit dialogs.

 

Selecting a particular link within a component or controller determines which values will be assigned to it from the System Parameters dialog. Changing the link or clicking ‘Re-apply’ immediately refreshes the linked values.

 

The list of available links is context-specific, with its content determined by the component or controller type and, in the case of controllers, by the ‘Controlled variable’ selection in the controller dialog.

 

In the System Parameters dialog, parameters are grayed out and disabled when the required link or links are not present within the system frame. Hovering over any parameter that is disabled for this reason provides a ToolTip listing the required links and type of component or controller that they apply to. If a parameter is disabled and there is no such ToolTip, this is because the parameter must be enabled by other means (a checkbox in the dialog, a particular system configuration, or another parameter upon which it depends).

 

For all prototype systems from the HVAC library, these links are pre-set; however, they can be changed if needed and can be set as desired when adding a new component or control. It is acceptable to completely revise any pre-defined managed system to set up a fully custom system using the links as desired; however, it is recommended that you start with existing prototype system of similar configuration both as an illustrative example and to minimize the additional time and effort required to build the system from scratch.

 

To facilitate use of the System Parameters dialog for editing of component-level values for an HVAC network, HVAC zone components and all other associated zone-level components and controllers within a managed system must be contained in a multiplex, as shown above.

 

Data can still be directly edited at component level via individual component and controller dialogs, overriding settings passed down from the associated system parameters dialog. This may be necessary for departures from system prototypes or to edit parameters not included/editable within the System Parameters dialog. Direct component-level edits to any parameters that are editable in the System Parameters dialog will be overwritten by subsequent ‘Assign’ operations in System Parameters dialog.

Setting the system parameter link  to ‘None <Select>’ will preserve any user edits of this nature, preventing them from being overwritten. Selecting any system parameter link or retaining the default link and clicking the ‘Re-apply’ button will override component-level edits.

Where links are active, clicking ‘Re-apply’ will refresh the linked values within the component or controller dialog, turning them green to indicate that they have been passed down from the System Parameters dialog. A small fraction of the available links, such as those for Room/Zone components, will not be coupled to any data until associated features and capabilities are added in a subsequent release. Until then, they function only as an informative label for the component or controller. Additional links will be added over time, as part of the evolution of the complete System Parameters interface.