TAC Formed From the Merger of TAC and TAC

Leading Canadian Blood Processing Facility Relies on TAC to Ensure Safe and Sufficient Blood Supplies 

Continuum^® CFR Compliance Pack^™ Provides Accountability and Traceability of Environmental Conditions at Héma-Québec Facilities 

DALLAS – December 21, 2004 – Héma-Québec, a leading Canadian blood processor, has installed new facility management systems at its headquarters, laboratories, and donor centers in Montréal and Québec City to ensure facility-wide accountability and traceability of the environmental conditions in the labs and donor centers. Héma-Québec selected the Continuum^® Facility Management System with CFR Compliance Pack™ from TAC, a world leader in building automation, security systems and energy solutions. The TAC system, installed by ACS Montréal, plays a critical role in verifying that Héma-Québec complies with both Canadian and United States regulations regarding the collection, screening, preparation, and delivery of blood components. The CFR Compliance Pack is an optional enhancement to the Continuum system that allows Héma-Québec to generate electronic records of environmental conditions at each facility 24 hours a day.

Created in 1998 as part of the reorganization of Canada’s blood management system, Héma-Québec collected more than 256,000 units of blood and provided blood products for more than 80,000 hospital patients in 2003. The Continuum Facility Management system plays a comprehensive role in the proper handling of blood at all Héma-Québec locations through monitoring and controlling the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) of their labs, cold rooms, donor centers, and offices. The system enables Héma-Québec to comply with requirements to collect extensive data regarding the environmental parameters at the blood collection and processing facilities with integrated supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) capabilities and fault alarms for critical lab equipment and room temperature monitoring. Because the Continuum system can integrate SCADA capabilities with control and monitoring, Héma-Québec was able to eliminate the need for a separate stand-alone data acquisition system.

“We were impressed not only by the amount of valuable experience ACS Montréal has in laboratory environmental controls,” comments Luc Pelletier, Héma-Québec’s facility director, “but also that Continuum could provide us with a single integrated system for HVAC control, cold room control and monitoring, and data acquisition.”

Continuum’s CFR Compliance Pack was developed by TAC to help regulated businesses meet the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 21 CRF Part 11 requirements which outline the electronic record and signature standards required to provide proof of overall regulatory compliance. These records include operational and environmental conditions that affect product safety, efficacy, and quality along with the details of the confirmed operator identity and explanation of actions taken. The CFR Compliance Pack software provides Héma-Québec with tracking, record keeping, archiving, and report generation capabilities, along with rigorous password management and operator prompting features for all system changes and alarm acknowledgments. In addition, trend logs, operator and alarm activity reports, and access events can be generated automatically from these electronic records and formatted as secure, read-only Adobe PDF files. After verifying a report’s information, a department supervisor at Héma-Québec can sign off on it by applying their digital signature to the document.

With TAC’s CFR Compliance Pack, chart recorders, stored reams of paper records, microfiche film archives, and other physical manifestations of a now outdated paper-based legacy, are obsolete,” says Clive Smith, TAC’ life sciences industry marketing manager. “The Compliance Pack’s feature set allows Héma-Québec to meet the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 electronic records and signature standards and derive all the advantages of electronic record keeping.

Schneider Electric Acquires Abacus Engineered Systems To Create Industry Leader in Energy Performance

Both Abacus and TAC Americas Energy Solutions division deliver energy performance and engineering solutions to education, state and local governments, health facilities, the telecommunications industry and the military. TAC Americas Energy Solutions has a strong market presence in the Southwest, Midwest and the Southeast United States that is very complementary to the positions of Abacus in the Northwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. Abacus will be merged into TAC Americas Energy Solutions division.

“Combining Abacus and TAC Americas Energy Solutions creates the fastest growing and most innovative company in the energy performance industry”, said Arne Frank, Chairman & CEO of TAC/TAC. “Both companies share a commitment to delivering topnotch long-term solutions for managing their customers’ energy needs, enabled by their technical expertise and very strong experience. Abacus will benefit from the resources of TAC and Schneider Electric, while TAC will gain from the engineering and marketing expertise of Abacus.”

Schneider/TAC Press Release

TAC Formed From the Merger of TAC and TAC

New Company Offers Open, Integrated Solutions for Building Automation, Security and Energy Management

Boston, Mass. — November 16, 2004: TAC and TAC have combined to form TAC, a new leader in the building automation industry. The companies were merged by Schneider Electric, a worldwide leader in electrical distribution, power and controls, which purchased TAC in June 2003 and acquired TAC in August 2004. The new name draws from Tour & Andersson Controls, an earlier identity of TAC, and leverages the brand and name recognition of TAC in the United States and the United Kingdom, and of TAC in northern Europe.

TAC, with projected revenue of nearly $700 million in 2004, employs more than 2,700 people worldwide, with offices, partners and affiliates in 70 countries. Arne Frank has accepted the role of chief executive officer of the new company.

Frank has served as CEO of TAC, based in Malmö, Sweden, since 1999. Previously, he was a global business area manager for Schneider Electric based in France and held numerous executive positions within Schneider Electric's Nordic organization. Under Frank’s leadership, TAC experienced a 600 percent growth in revenue and an 800 percent growth in profits.

“Built on the merger of TAC and TAC—two industry leaders with over 100 years of combined experience—TAC brings to the marketplace the most integrated and innovative solutions for building automation, security, and energy management,” said Frank. “TAC is the fastest growing company in the industry as well as the largest company with a sole focus on building controls and environmental solutions. With the combined resources of TAC and TAC, as well as our parent company, Schneider Electric, we offer our customers comprehensive building solutions that are second to none. ”

TAC is a leading provider of open integrated solutions, offering complete integration of facility systems, including HVAC, power, access control and security, video, lighting, and fire and life safety. Web integration allows remote monitoring and control of facilities through Web browsers and PDAs. To provide solutions for business problems, TAC’ products also integrate with enterprise business systems.

Frank noted that, like its predecessor companies, TAC is dedicated to meeting customer needs. “We are committed to delivering the full value our customers expect when they invest in our solutions. And when we introduce new products, we believe in providing backward compatibility so that initial investments are not lost and upgrade costs are minimized.” This commitment is one reason, according to Frank, that the company’s customer list includes such notable facilities and customers as The Kremlin, Petronas Towers, Rockefeller Center, Sprint and the Swedish Parliament.

“Schneider Electric has identified building automation and security as a major growth area, with TAC as the foundation for this growth,” said Frank. “Coupled with Schneider's complementary building automation products, TAC offers customers a complete power, security and building management solution for the entire building.”

Corporate headquarters for the combined companies are in Malmö, Sweden, and North Andover, Mass., with significant personnel in Västerhaninge, Sweden. European headquarters is in Malmö; Asia-Pacific headquarters is in Sydney, Australia; Americas headquarters is in Dallas.

TAC Moves Manufacturing Operation to North Andover, MA

Larger Manufacturing Space will Increase Production Capabilities for Newly Acquired Schneider Electric Subsidiary

Andover, Mass. — TAC, a leading manufacturer of “Smart Building” facility management systems, announced today that the company has moved their entire manufacturing operation from their Brickstone Square, Andover, Massachusetts location to the Schneider Electric facility at 1 High Street in North Andover, Massachusetts.

TAC was acquired by Schneider Electric in July 2004, and will merge with TAC AB, also a strong building automation company recently acquired by Schneider. The combined company is the foundation for Schneider Electric’s growth platform to become the leader in the Building Automation industry. The acquisition by Schneider Electric has allowed the company to expand their production capabilities and become part of the TAC North America World Logistics Center.

The North Andover facility features greater square footage and a purpose-built open floor plan on a single level. Two new continuous flow printed circuit board assembly lines, the system assembly area, and the test area are laid out in a straight-line configuration, providing a streamlined and more efficient product manufacturing process. The additional square footage compared to their old facility will allow the company to expand their production capacity by more than 30% in the near future.

“The new manufacturing space, with the additional capacity, will play a major roll in helping Andover and TAC reach a production goal of 1,000,000 assemblies and sales of $1.5 billion in 2005,” notes Charlie Manahan, Vice President of North Andover Logistics and Production.

TAC has been manufacturing microprocessor-based building management and security control products in Brickstone Square, a restored mill building complex, since the company’s founding in 1975. The move to North Andover was complete with no disruption in product shipments to TAC’s worldwide customer base.

TAC honored its commitment to its employees to stay in the Merrimack Valley, so as to keep disruptions in employees’ commutes to a minimum. The new facility is just three miles from the old facility. TAC’s 107 Operations personnel have been moved to North Andover, with the remaining 150 TAC employees to move over to newly renovated office space in the same facility in the upcoming months.

TAC Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Security Project With Verizon

TAC’s Global Accounts Group will provide Integrated Card Access Control and Alarm Monitoring for Verizon Sites across California

Andover, Mass. — TAC, a leading manufacturer of “Smart Building” facility management systems, announced today that the company has been selected by Verizon Communications to provide a fully integrated access control and alarm monitoring system for 527 sites across California. 

A Fortune 20 company, Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services, with approximately $68 billion in annual revenues. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States. 

Several local TAC Facility Automation Representatives will install Andover Continuum® card access control with full alarm monitoring in Verizon Central Offices, Administration spaces, and remote switching facilities all across California. All sites will be networked to an existing central database at Verizon’s Alarm Response Center in Irving, Texas via Verizon’s IP backbone. At many of the sites, the new card access control system will be added to an existing TAC environmental control and alarming system or will serve as a platform to add environmental control and alarming at a later date for a fully integrated facility management solution. The state-wide project is expected be completed in 18-24 months. 

TAC’ Global Accounts Group will manage and engineer the Verizon California project. Global Accounts creates partnerships and provides engineering solutions for many of TAC’s larger customer accounts with multiple facilities worldwide. TAC is able to provide their Global partners with reduced up-front engineering and system operating costs, accelerated project implementation, and lower maintenance and training costs long-term.

“TAC’s long-term strategic partnership with Verizon combines the benefits of corporate engineering services and standards with local installation and support,” says Rod St. Amand, TAC’s Global Accounts Manager. “TAC has partnered with Verizon for similar projects in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic, as well as throughout the United States.”

TAC Receives Excellence Award from New Jersey Energy Company

Public Service Enterprise Group Recognizes TAC for Superior Service in Upgrading Security Systems at Several PSEG Locations

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading high-tech manufacturer of “Smart Building” control systems for HVAC, security management, and digital video surveillance applications, was recently presented with a “Supplier Excellence Award - Strategic Alliance” by Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG). PSEG presented this award in recognition of superior service TAC’ System Integration 
Services (SIS) Group provided to their company, while at the same time reducing costs and achieving measurable performance results for PSEG. 

TAC’ SIS Group entered into a partnership with PSEG in 2002 to provide consulting services, supervision, labor, and equipment in order to upgrade the security at several PSEG sites. These sites included critical unmanned sites in New Jersey, power generation plants in New Jersey, Ohio, New York, and Indiana, and an Enterprise Security Command Center in Newark, New Jersey. The solution included the use of the Andover Continuum® access control system, CCTV, digital video recording, two-way voice, and intrusion detection systems. In addition, all sub-systems were integrated to the Continuum® system, and an intelligent video motion detection system was developed.

“TAC’ SIS Group has become an integral part of our security team,” says Howard Leitch, Supply Chain Management, PSE&G. “They have done an excellent job assisting PSEG with developing specific plans for security upgrades at many of our locations. From planning stage through installation, system commissioning and start-up, TAC has provided us excellent service. They have proven to be a valued partner to PSEG throughout the process.”

“Working with PSEG has been challenging and rewarding for our entire team,” comments Barton Kartoz, Business Development Manager, TAC SIS Group. “PSEG’s security team challenged us to be our best. Both parties have a lot to show for it.”

System Integration Services (SIS) Group is the US-based turnkey engineering and construction division of TAC Corporation. Founded in 1975, Andover has over 100,000 systems installed in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. 

SIS focuses primarily on mission critical projects for environmental, process, and security automation in vertical markets including pharmaceutical, bio-technology, energy and infrastructure, semiconductor, and campus environments. SIS has operation centers in Andover, MA, West Greenwich, RI, Somerset, NJ, North Wales, PA, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Singapore.

Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG) is a diversified energy company with $28 billion in assets and $11.1 billion in revenues. In 2004, it ranked 176 on the Fortune 500 list. Among its major subsidiaries are: PSE&G, the largest New Jersey regulated gas and electric utility; PSEG Power, one of the most diversified independent power producers in the US (13,000 MW of generation); and, PSEG Holdings, which invests in 
international power and distribution companies. 

TAC Receives BACnet Testing Laboratories Listing 

Company’s BACnet Devices Receive BTL Mark as BACnet-Advanced Application Controllers after Rigorous Testing

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation announces that their entire line of BACnet devices have been BTL-listed by the BACnet Testing Laboratories as “BACnet-Advanced Application Controllers (B-AAC).

The BTL, which is part of the BACnet Manufacturers Association (BMA), tests the BACnet functionality of a product to a set of requirements that are based on ASHRAE Standard 135.1P. Only products that meet these stringent requirements are eligible to receive a BTL listing and to display the prestigious BTL Mark.

As B-AAC devices, TAC’s BTL-Listed controllers support all BACnet objects and services necessary for event and alarm initiation, scheduling of actions, data sharing, and several device management functions, in strict accordance with ASHRAE standard 135-2001. When BTL-listed BACnet B-AAC Devices are selected for a BACnet project, the customer is assured that the controllers are highly interoperable with other BTL-listed products. No special protocol converters are needed, saving users valuable system configuration time and ongoing maintenance costs.

TAC’s BTL-listed controllers offer a broad range of HVAC control components, including the b4920 System Controller/BACnet Router, designed for large air-handling units and other large equipment; the b3865, a terminal controller designed for the full range of VAV applications; and the b3867, a low-cost, general purpose controller, perfect for fan coil and heat pump applications. 

TAC Provides “Smart Room Control” Solution at New Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel

Houston’s Largest Convention Hotel Expected to be One of the Most Energy-Efficient in the World

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading high-tech manufacturer of “Intelligent Building Systems” for HVAC, security management, and digital video surveillance applications, announces the recent completion of a building management installation at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel. The Hilton, Houston, Texas’ largest convention hotel, opened its doors in time to host 2004 NFL Super Bowl fans and media this January. 

Local TAC Partner, Enco Systems, Inc. of Houston, won the bid to provide the Hilton’s Building Management System based largely on the “Smart Room Control” solution they proposed to the Hilton’s owner, the City of Houston.

Enco installed an Andover Continuum® system, which interfaces with the Hilton’s Room Management System. Using a custom programmed three-mode sequence of fan coil operation, the Continuum system automatically adjusts the heating and cooling set points and the outside air intake and bathroom exhaust damper in each guest room, depending on whether it is currently not rented; rented, but not occupied; or rented and occupied. 

To ensure quality, fresher room air, the Hilton uses outside air handling units to pre-treat the outside air before introducing it into the guest rooms. In addition, an TAC Smart Sensor™ user interface in each room allows hotel guests to adjust their personal comfort levels ± 3 degrees from set point. 

This unique “Smart Room Control” scenario not only provides the Hilton’s guests with a more comfortable stay, but is expected to substantially reduce energy consumption and provide a rapid return to the hotel’s initial system investment.

TAC Offers Free White Paper on BACnet’s Expanded Capabilities in Today’s Facilities

Paper Outlines the Benefits of Integrating Safety and Security Functions with a BACnet-based HVAC Control and Monitoring System

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, today announced publication of a free white paper, “BACnet without Limits."

For facility managers, the comfort of their building occupants is a primary concern. The White Paper proposes expanding the definition of occupant comfort to include safety, and outlines the benefits of integrating safety and security functions (access control, CCTV, fire alarm, smoke control, intrusion detection) with HVAC and environmental monitoring into an overall building management system.

Download the free BACnet White Paper

The publication also addresses the strengths and limitations of the current BACnet standard, and compares BACnet to LonMark and other open protocols being used in the automation industry today. The role of “multi-lingual” control systems is also discussed as a technique to achieve full system interoperability.

TAC Takes Leadership Role in BACnet Interoperability
Developed over a fifteen year period within ASHRAE committee SSPC 135, BACnet has become a mature protocol adopted by the major building automation and control system producers, as well as becoming an ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO standard. 

TAC, an active member of the BACnet Manufactures Association (BMA), has taken a leadership role in BACnet interoperability. 

“TAC is the first manufacturer to combine BACnet temperature control with security/card access, badging, power and lighting, even digital video, as well as other vendors’ BACnet and proprietary devices,” notes Jon Williamson, TAC’s Product Marketing Manager. 

Designed in strict accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE standard 135-2001, TAC’s native BACnet hardware can interoperate with other BACnet devices without the need for gateways. In addition, TAC’s dedicated BACnet front-end workstation provides users with true single-seat control of their entire facility while managing multiple systems and vendors.

TAC Releases New Low-Cost, Programmable Terminal Controller

RS-485 and BACnet-Compatible Models Available for Immediate Ordering

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of “Intelligent Building Systems” for HVAC, security management, and digital video surveillance applications, announces the release of a compact and low-cost fan coil/heat pump controller. 

The Continuum® 887 Terminal Controller, although low in price and small in size, is fully programmable, easy to install, and has power and flexibility for the most challenging control applications.

The 887 is ideal for direct control of fans, staged heating and cooling and monitoring of room temperatures, outside air temperature, return air temperature, or occupancy status. The controller offers a unique mix of three universal inputs, five digital outputs, and an additional input to support TAC’s Smart Sensor, or any standard room temperature sensor. 

The 887 is available for immediate ordering.

Offers Increased Reliability with Flash Memory
The 887 stores both the operating system and application program in non-volatile Flash memory. In the event of a power loss, your application will be restored when power is returned. In addition, the Flash memory allows for easy upgrades of your operating system in the field.

Three Line Voltages Models Available
The 887 Terminal Controller is available in three models: the standard model uses 24 VAC input power; two 887-L models accepts incoming line voltage at 115 or 230 VAC, has an on-board transformer, and the same versatile I/O configuration.

Standard RS-485 and BACnet Versions Available
The Continuum 887 is available in two different protocol versions. The i2887, part of the TAC’s Infinet II product line, can be used on an TAC RS-485 field network. The b3887 version, a member of TAC’s new BACnet product line, is a native BACnet Advanced Application Controller (B-AAC) that communicates with other BACnet devices on the MS/TP network, in strict accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE standard 135-2001.

BACnet Manufacturers Association to Increase BACnet Promotion in 2004

BMA Elects Jon Williamson of TAC to Marketing Chairman Post

Anaheim, CA — The BACnet Manufactures Association (BMA), a non-profit corporation organized to encourage the successful use of the data communication protocol "BACnet" in building automation and control systems, elected Jon Williamson of TAC Corporation, the BMA Marketing Chairmen for the 2004 year. Williamson will be responsible for coordinating BMA marketing objectives.

Developed over a fifteen year period within ASHRAE committee SSPC 135, BACnet has become a mature protocol adopted by the major building automation and control system producers, as well as becoming an ASHRAE, ANSI, and ISO standard. Williamson's plans as BMA Marketing Chairmen include working closely with BACnet Interest Groups worldwide to promote the benefits of BACnet. "The creation of BACnet was initiated by the end-users of controls systems — they have fed its growth throughout its entire evolution. End-users should be kept informed and involved with the continued advancement of BACnet and know how to use it successfully," says Williamson. 

As an open protocol, BACnet enables HVAC, life safety, lighting, and security systems from a variety of manufactures to work together, share data, and provide rich services to one another, such as alarming, trending, and scheduling. Going forward, BACnet devices will communicate to other information systems by using XML and web services to link BACnet systems with utilities, weather data, and human resource systems. "BACnet has grown beyond the interoperable needs of 1986, yet the original spirit remains,” says Williamson. “Those who have implemented BACnet in their facilities have realized the goal of BACnet's founding fathers — choice!"

The BACnet Manufacturers Association (BMA) is an organization that encourages the successful use of BACnet in building automation and control systems through compliance and interoperability testing, educational programs, and promotional activities. For information about the BMA, please call +1 617-426-6959 or visit www.bacnetassociation.org.

Don’t Miss Free On-line Seminar on Risk-Based Approach to Qualification of Facility Automation Systems for Life Sciences Industries

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading manufacturer of smart building solutions, will team up with Facility Diagnostics Incorporated to co-host an important one-hour web seminar entitled “Commissioning and Qualification of Facility Automation Systems for the Life Sciences Industries ─ a Risk-Based Approach.” 

This free seminar will be conducted live via the Internet on Thursday, February 26 at 1pm EST. Attendees will need only a PC with internet access and a phone to participate in what is sure to be an interesting discussion followed by a lively Q&A session.

TAC Life Sciences Industry Marketing Manager, Clive Smith, will be joined by Ken Kolkebeck, President of Facility Diagnostics Incorporated, to present the tools and methodologies used to identify and classify the impact levels and the critical components within typical regulated industry facility automation applications. This “Risk-Based Approach” focuses qualification efforts on where they are really needed while reducing overall validation costs and ensuring fulfillment of regulatory expectations. The presentation will also include an update on the scope and application of 21 CFR Part 11.

Registration is Simple!
To register for this free, on-line web seminar, go to Corporate/Seminars/registration.htm

About the Presenters
Clive Smith has more than 20 years experience in the facility, industrial, and aerospace automation businesses. As TAC’ Life Sciences Industry Marketing Manager, Smith has played a key role in launching TAC’s new 21 CFR Part 11 Compliance program aimed at FDA-regulated industries, including the Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Medical Devices markets. Founded in 1975, TAC has over 100,000 systems installed in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. 

Ken Kolkebeck has worked in the controls industry for 30 years. He was the founder and President of Tek-Air Systems for 15 years and formed Facility Diagnostics Incorporated in Harrington Park, New Jersey in 2001 to help owners of Research Laboratories, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facilities, and other complicated buildings get the most from their HVAC systems and controls. Kolkebeck has had extensive experience in the application of HVAC and control systems for validated liquid and solid dosage manufacturing facilities.

Enhanced Video Monitor Software Links BACnet Alarms and Access Control to Continuum® Video Surveillance Systems

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading high-tech manufacturer of “Smart Building Systems” for HVAC, security management, and digital video surveillance applications, announces their Video Monitor software package has been enhanced to include BACnet functionality. 

Video Monitor software provides a seamless interface between the TAC Continuum® CyberStation® front-end workstation and Integral Technologies Digital Video recording (DVR) units.

Now with the newly enhanced version of Video Monitor, alarms from third-party BACnet systems can be linked directly to specific video surveillance cameras, without additional drivers or programming, and in strict accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE standard 135-2001. Video will pop up immediately on the Andover Continuum front-end workstation using Video Monitor’s dual-window screen, allowing quick operator assessment of a possible security breach. Up to four cameras can be linked to each door or alarm input.

This new version of Video Monitor also includes support for Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras. CyberStation operators located anywhere on the network can control PTZ camera remotely and select presets with one click. 

The Video Monitor Plus option includes a Personnel Tracking feature, which allows operators to search for cardholders in the Continuum database and view motion video clips linked with their access events.

Company Partners with Inovonics® Wireless Corporation to Provide Complete Line of Wireless Building Management Solutions

Andover, Mass. — TAC Corporation, a leading high-tech manufacturer of “Smart Building Systems” for HVAC, security management, and digital video surveillance applications, announces a strategic partnership with Inovonics® Wireless Corporation of Louisville, Colorado. This partnership will allow TAC to integrate Inovonics wireless temperature devices, transmitters, receivers, and high-power repeaters with the Company’s Continuum® facility management systems and reduce installation headaches and wiring costs for their customers. 

Inovonics Wireless Corporation is an innovator in the field of wireless temperature measurement products. The Company’s long-life, battery-powered transmitters with integrated standard thermistors are used extensively to monitor temperature for food safety applications (HAACP compliance) and help facility managers monitor and control temperature in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications.

“Building owners are requesting wireless temperature sensors more and more and consultant are specifying them frequently for new and retrofit construction,” comments Greg Peterson, TAC’s Peripherals Product Group Manager. “Wireless sensors solve two of your biggest installation headaches: the high cost and the difficulty of wiring. With wireless, you can eliminate the wired infrastructure normally required to monitor temperature; i.e., the conduit, the wire, not to mention wire install labor. Plus, wireless sensors offer the flexibility of locating or relocating them anywhere to optimize system performance, increase customer comfort, adapt to evolving floor plans, and preserve original architecture.”

"We are excited that Inovonics is partnering with TAC to revolutionize commercial building automation with wireless sensors," said Mark Jarman, Director of Sales for Inovonics Wireless. "The integration of our 900 MHz wireless temperature control with TAC's building management system will offer customers an economical and flexible alternative to conventional hard wire installations." Jarman added. 

Four Wireless Sensor Choices
Along with a basic and a larger thermostat-style enclosure type, TAC will offer a model with a slider and override button that allows occupants to adjust temperature setpoint and/or switch occupancy mode; plus a transmitter-style model with terminal block for an external thermistor (for use with pipe, duct, and other external sensors for applications beyond room temperature sensing). All models operate on a lithium battery with a five-year battery life, and have an open-field range of 2500 feet.