User Manual

1 Brief introduction to TABS Control

Thermally activated building systems (TABS) refers to heating and cooling

transmission systems taking advantage of large surface areas and integrated in the

building structure. These type of systems take advantage of a building's mass,

usually structural floors and slabs to thermally condition a building. Either TABS

alone, or TABS supplemented by auxiliary systems, heats or cools the space. The

concept required to thermally condition rooms places the highest possible

demands on control technology. Siemens has recognized this fact and conducted

intensive research together with renowned Swiss scientific institutions (EMPA, part

of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lucerne University of Applied

Sciences and Art). Comprehensive simulations under real-world conditions were

conducted to research and develop new control strategies.

DESIGO TABS control meets these challenging requirements using a patented

process and controls TABS zones for year-round fully automated operation.

Innovative control functions including cyclical operation, i.e. where TABS controls

thezone water circulation pump, deliver even greater benefits; including savings of

up to 60% on the electricity required to operate such pumps in a typical office

building.

The innovative application is modular in design. The base control strategy can be

extended by optional modules to improve comfort and/or energy efficiency

depending on given requirements and TABS plants.

Figure 1-1

Rough diagram of a TABS plant – the TABS Control application is responsible for controlling the TABS

zone(s)