Room air control

5.0
Chapter 5.0

LabSystem
Room air control in laboratories

Table of contents
Section Title Page
1.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2 Laboratory controller LCO500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.3 Group controller GC10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Room control module RAM500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 High-speed variable volume flow controllers (VAV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.6 Quick selection LabSystem products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.1 Room air control in laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1.1 Rapid changes in volume flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.1.2 Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2 High-speed variable volume flow controller, analogue, VAV-A . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 High-speed variable volume flow controller, LON, VAV-L . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 High-speed variable volume flow controller, slave, VAV-S . . . . . . . . 6
2.5 Constant volume flow controller (CAV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.6 Switchable consumer loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.7 Energy savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

3.1 Room air balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.2 Actual values and setpoints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3 Conventional wiring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.4 LON network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.5 Defined room air balance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.6 Negative pressure in the laboratory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.7 Balancing of several laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.8 Easy set-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

4.0 Laboratory ventilation examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.1 Laboratory ventilation without additional extraction units . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.1.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4.2 Laboratory ventilation taking into account the room pressure
and the temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 10
4.2.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 Laboratory control with a variably operated
fume hood and constant floor extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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Room air control
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Table of contents
Section Title Page
4.3.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
4.4 Laboratory control, low cost, with several variably
operated fume hoods, analogue and RAM500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.4.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
4.5 Complete laboratory control with several variably
operated fume hoods, analogue and GC10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.5.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
4.5.2 Room air balancing with the group controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.5.3 Suitable for medium-sized to large laboratories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4.6 Complete laboratory control, LON connected, with
several variably operated fume hoods, analogue and LCO500 . . . . . 15
4.6.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4.7 Complete laboratory control, LON connected, with
several variably operated fume hoods, analogue and LCO500 . . . . . 16
4.7.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
4.7.2 Laboratory controller with field bus connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.7.3 Advantages of field bus connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.7.4 Inputs and outputs via the LON network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.7.5 Room operating device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.7.6 Room air balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.8 Terminal diagram LCO500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.9 LON connected laboratory control with several variably
operated fume hoods, LON connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.9.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.9.2 Room air balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4.10 Complete laboratory controll, LON connected, with several
variably operated fume hoods, LON connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.10.1 Functional description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4.10.2 Advantages of the LON network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.10.3 Router for max. 64 nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.10.4 Free inputs and outputs of the LON controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.10.5 Room setpoint and room temperature actual value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.10.6 Room operating device for daytime/night-time switching and
for switching on the room differential pressure sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
4.10.7 Room air balancing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

5.1 Product overview room ventilation controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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 Room air control
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1.1 Introduction

As a competent partner, SCHNEIDER offers the entire

system solution for room supply air and room exhaust air
control in laboratories from a single source. The advan-
tage for the user is that the entire system functions without
compatibility problems.

The following SCHNEIDER LabSystem products are used

for ventilation control:

 Laboratory controller LCO500

 Group controller GC10
 Foom control module RAM500
 High-speed variable
volume flow controller, LON VAV-L
 High-speed variable
volume flow controller, analogue VAV-A
 High-speed variable
volumen flow controller, slave VAV-S
 Constant volume flow controller,
mechanical, without auxiliary power CAV-xxx
 Damper for shut-off function,
open/shut DK-xxx
The individual area of application determines which pro-
duct is used, taking into account what gives the best value
for money.
1.2 Laboratory controller
The LCO500 laboratory controller is specially developed
for network applications and can be upgraded for BACnet,
LON or Modbus at any time. In addition to room ventilation
control, it controls and regulates entire laboratory appli-
cations, including external alarms (gas alarm, fire, etc.).
The laboratory controller is ideally suited for connection to
the building services management (BSM). The integrated
router functionality physically separates the BSM network
from the internal room connection of the laboratory fume
hood controllers and thus prevents bus overload.
1.3 Group controller
For rapid, demand-related room supply air and room ex-
haust air control together with several variable supply air
and exhaust air units and constant loads. The GC10 group
controller calculates the room balance and regulates the
laboratory at negative or positive pressure. The optional
LON network offers maximum flexibility and safety.
Figure 5.1: Laboratory controller LCO500
1.5 High-speed variable volume flow
controller (VAV)
Fast-running, variable volume flow controllers are primari-
ly used for controlling room supply air and room exhaust
air in laboratories. SCHNEIDER produces the entire spec-
trum in the usual dimensions in PPs and in galvanised
sheet steel. Depending on the controller model, setpoint
actuation is either analogue 0(2)...10V DC or via the LON
network.
Three different controllers types are available, which can
be used depending on the size of the project.
The VAV-A analogue controller (xxx stands for the nomi-
nal width NW in mm) is actuated by an analogue setpoint
0(2)...10V DC, which is generated by room air balancing
devices (LCO500 laboratory controller, GC10 group cont-
roller, RAM500 room control module).
The LON controller VAV-L automatically calculates the
room air balance by receiving the exhaust air actual va-
lues of the extraction units that are to be balanced (fume
hoods, switchable consumer loads, etc.) as a standard
variable type (SNVT) via the LON network. This of course
requires that the entire system is connected via the LON
network.

1.4 Room control module

The RAM500 room control module is attached to an FC500

fume hood controller and offers a cost-efficient alternative
to the group controller, with reduced functionality. A maxi-
mum of 5 analogue inputs as exhaust air actual values can
be balanced and a variable volume flow controller for the
room supply air can be actuated. Network connection via
a field bus is not possible.

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Room air control
Chapter 5.0

1.6 Quick selection table

Table 5.1 gives a quick overview of the configurations of
SCHNEIDER's various room ventilation products.
Table 5.1: Quick selection table
Technical data sheets, further information and tender
specifications for the LCO500, GC10, RAM500, VAV-A,
VAV-L, CAV and DK products are available for download
on the Internet at www.schneider-elektronik.de.

LabSystem ● Products
Function Laboratory Group con- Room Variable Variable
controller troller control volume flow volume flow
module controller, controller,
LCO-300 GC10 RAM500 LON analogue
VAV-L VAV-A
Analogue inputs 0(2)...10V DC 10 10 4 + internal 1 1
Extension of analogue inputs through Yes Yes No No No
cascading
Analogue outputs ( 0... 10V DC) 8 4 2 1 1
Digital inputs (switchable consumer loads) 8 8 4 2 2
Relay outputs (potential-free) 8 No No 2 2
Network BACnet
LON LON No LON No
Modbus
Integrated router functionality Yes Yes No No No
Maximum balancing of consumer loads 10 + casca- 10 + casca- 5 - -
with analogue exhaust air actual values ding ding
Maximum balancing of consumer loads 16 16 - 16 -
with LON interface

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 Room air control
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2.1 Room air control in laboratories 2.2 High-speed variable volume

flow controller, analogue

Laboratories with multiple fume hoods and extraction units
have complex room supply air and room exhaust air con-
trol requirements.
The room air change is defined in DIN 1946, Part 7 and
can be calculated with the following rule of thumb:
25m³ per hour exhaust air volume
25m³ /h x m² flow, multiplied by the laboratory
main floor space in m².
The VAV-A variable volume flow controller with analogue
input 0(2)...10V DC can be used for room supply air and
room exhaust air applications. The setpoint that is to be
regulated is balanced in the LCO500 laboratory controller,
the GC10 group controller or the RAM500 room control
module and is available as an analogue value 0(2)...10V
DC).

With this formula the prescribed 8 room air changes can

be achieved. During night-time operation the reduced figu-
re of 4 room air changes is sufficient.

In addition to the room air change requirements specified

by DIN 1946, Part 7, air flow balance and maintenance
of protective pressure (negative pressure in laboratories
and positive pressure in clean rooms) as well as comfort
criteria such as temperature, humidity and air movement
must be taken into account.
Figure 5.2: Variable volume flow controller, analogue
0(2)...10V DC, steel,
2.1.1 Rapid changes in volume flow VAV-A-200-S-0-0-MM-0-0

Rapid changes in the volume flow of variable consumer

loads (fume hoods and extraction units) must be recognis-
ed immediately and the necessary room supply/exhaust 2.3 High-speed variable volume
air must be quickly regulated accordingly. When selecting
flow controller, LON
volume flow controllers for room supply air, it is essential to
ensure that the control time of 5 seconds is not exceeded
The VAV-L variable volume flow controller with LON field
(for a 90 degree damper adjustment). At a control speed of
bus module can be used for room supply air and room ex-
> 5 s maintenance of protective pressure in the laboratory
haust air applications. The exhaust air actual values of up
for the various operating states cannot be guaranteed.
to 16 fume hoods can be balanced and automatically re-
gulated. All programming is done via the LON network. As
During the entire system planning, the focus is on protec-
well as room positive pressure or room negative pressure
ting the operating personnel from hazardous substances
control, an additional room exhaust air control can also be
and ensuring their safety.
implemented. Thus a constant room air exchange rate can
be achieved, even for variable exhaust air units.
The SCHNEIDER room control products LCO500, GC10
and RAM500 provide all ventilation functions that are re-
quired to ensure a defined room balance. The room supply
air and room exhaust air control is dependent on the sash
position of the fume hoods and the switchable consumer
loads (demand) and takes place without pressure fluctua-
tions or draughts.

2.1.2 Programming

The system parameters of all SCHNEIDER products can

be configured by users on-site in accordance with their
specific needs using an SVM100 service module or a lap-
top with the PC2500 software. Via a serial interface, va-
lues such as setpoints, actual values, face velocity and
volume flow (even for each individual fume hood) can be
displayed and configured.
Figure 5.3: Variable volume flow controller, LON with
balancing function, PPs,
VAV-L-250-P-0-0-MM-0-0

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 Room air control
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2.4 High-speed variable volume flow

controller, slave

The slave variable volume flow controller only works in

connection with a master controller and is a cost-efficient
solution. The master controller can be a VAV-L (LON),
VAV-A (analogue) variable volume flow controller or an
FC500 fume hood controller. The slave controller has only
a static differential pressure transmitter and a fast servo
motor as well as a control body with a measuring system
and damper. Control takes place in the master controller
while the sensors and actuating elements are mounted on
the slave controller.

Figure 5.5: Constant volume flow controller,

mechanical, without auxiliary power,
steel, CAV-160-S

2.6 Switchable consumer loads

Source capture exhaust arms and exhaust chimneys,

which can be switched off and on electrically as needed,
are among the switchable consumer loads.

Constant volume flow controllers (mechanical or electro-

nic), coupled with an OPEN/SHUT damper, are switched
on or off with a motored drive unit and an electric switch.

Figure 5.4: Variable volume flow controller, slave, Connection to the room balance is done via a potential-
rectangular, steel, VAV-S-500-400-S-K-0-0 free contact on the switch as a switched offset value.

The control time for all SCHNEIDER variable volume flow

controllers (VAV) is < 5 seconds over a 90 degree dam-
per adjustment, which ensures that the protective pressu-
re (depending on the case of application, room negative
pressure or room positive pressure) is maintained at all ti-
mes, even for fast extraction units. The control time for the
extraction units (fume hoods, switchable consumer loads,
etc.) is < 3 seconds. Through the selection of different con-
trol times, oscillation can be avoided to a large extent.

2.5 Constant volume flow controller (CAV)

CAV constant volume flow controllers are used in conti-
nuous extraction units. Storage cabinets, base extraction
units or floor extraction units must be continuously extrac-
ted with a constant air volume. Mechanical (without auxili-
ary power) and electronic constant volume flow controllers
regulate a predefined volume flow independent of the duct
pressure. Mechanical constant volume flow controllers
are available in two-component finish and PPs. Electronic
constant volume flow controllers are available in PPs.
Connection to the room balance is in the form of a fixed
offset value.
Figure 5.6: Switchable consumer load, with servo
motor, PPs, DK-160-P-MM-3
2.7 Energy savings
Demand-related volume flow control of the required room
supply air and exhaust air means a considerable reduction
in energy consumption and at the same time maximum
safety for the operating personnel.
European and American standards in which room air ex-
change is defined, e.g. British Standard, DIN, DIN EN,
Norm Francaise, ASHRAE, etc., can easily be implemen-
ted.

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 Room air control
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By making full use of the diversity factor, smaller dimensio- These setpoints are available as analogue outputs
ning of the entire system is possible without performance 0(2)...10V DC and actuate the corresponding variable vo-
loss. Demand-related system planning achieves a consi- lume flow controllers and/or frequency inverters for room
derable reduction of the operating costs. supply and exhaust air control.

In addition to energy savings, the comfort of the laboratory

personnel is an important factor. When planning a labora- 3.3 Conventional wiring
tory, the following criteria must be taken into account:
The following plan shows conventional room wiring of fume
 Temperatur hood controllers with a GC10 group controller. This type
 Humidity of wiring (star topology) is easy to implement. Compared
 Room flow behaviour to connection via the LON network, conventional wiring is
 Room air flow balance (for supply air and maintenance more cost-intensive and limited in functionality.
of protective pressure)
 Room air exchange (in accordance with national stan-
dards)
FC500 FC500 FC500

The SCHNEIDER LCO500 laboratory controller takes +/-A1 +/-A1 +/-A1

all these measurement data into account and has seve- HOOD #1 HOOD #2 HOOD #3

ral independent control circuits in order to fulfil the above GND2

criteria. In addition to room supply air and room exhaust +/-A1

air control, heating/cooling and humidity control is possib- 1

+/-E3
le. At the same time the room air flow conditions and the +/-E2
+/-E1
room pressure can be recorded and compared with the +/-E4
+/-E5

calculated room balance as redundant values. Supply air VAV GND1 GC10

This also contributes to safety and energy savings.

LAB-
ROOM #1

3.1 Room air balancing FC500 FC500 Connection to Building

+/-A1 +/-A1 management system

The SCHEIDER LCO500, GC10 and RAM500 room con-
trol products calculate the room balance of the laboratory
depending on the variable, switchable and constant con-
sumer loads (fume hoods, extraction units, etc.) and provi-
de a setpoint as a control variable for the variable volume
flow controller (room supply air).
In order to maintain the required minimum room air ex-
change, a variable volume flow controller (room exhaust
air) can also be actuated.
Laboratory specific requirements such as night-time ope-
ration, daytime operation and maximum operation (emer-
gency) can also be integrated.
HOOD #4 HOOD #5
3.4 LON network
The room control products LCO500 and GC10 can be
connected to the LON network. In addition to processing
exhaust air actual values for room balancing, remote sig-
nals, such as reduced operation (night-time reduction) and
setpoints, can be sent via the LON network. This results in
a considerable increase in flexibility and a reduction of the
effort required for cabling.

The SCHNEIDER VAV-L variable volume flow controllers

3.2 Actual values and setpoints
Every FC500 and iCM fume hood controller and every
variable consumer load has an analogue actual value out-
put 0(2)...10V DC. The room-specific LCO500, GC10 or
RAM500 group controller is supplied with the individual
actual values.
Via the software, the group controller adds up the actual
values, as direct reference values for the individual volu-
me flow (0...1000 m3/h), and calculates the corresponding
setpoints for the room supply air and room exhaust air,
taking protective pressure maintenance into account.
with LON interface retrieve the data they require directly
and decentrally via the standard variables (SNVT). The
functionality of the entire system is defined in a binding.
The LCO500 laboratory controller and the GC10 group
controller also support heterogenous systems, i.e. the
measurement values can also be supplied as an analogue
signal. Thus this product is particularly suitable for mixed
systems, i.e. conventional components can be connected
to LON networked products. Retrofitting and connection to
existing systems can be easily implemented.

LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories 7 

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

With defined room balance control, the focus is on protec-

LON-network ting the operating personnel from the escape of contami-
Connection to Building
management system nants and ensuring their comfort.

The SCHNEIDER product range fulfils these criteria and

FC500

+/-A1
FC500

+/-A1
offers a high level of comfort without draughts and pres-
sure fluctuations. Constant reading and checking of the
HOOD #6 HOOD #7 control variables ensures very fast, stable and demand-
LAB-
related control of the supply air volume flow, taking protec-
Supply air VAV
ROOM #2 tive pressure maintenance into account.
GC10

FC500

+/-A1
FC500

+/-A1
3.7 Balancing of several
laboratories
HOOD #8 HOOD #9

Overall balancing of several laboratories is also possible

with the GC10 and LCO500 products.

The actual value outputs of the individual room group

3.5 Defined room air balance
The corresponding freely programmable defined room
balance is automatically calculated by the addition unit
(group, laboratory or LON controller). The proportion of
room exhaust air volume flow to room supply air volume
flow can be freely configured with the SVM100 service
module or a laptop with the PC2500 software installed.
controller 0(2)...10V DC are routed to the corresponding
central group controller. This type of cascading is easy to
implement with the analogue signals. It is even easier to
calculate the overall balance via the LON network.
The central group controller calculates the required set-
points for the central supply air and exhaust air motors
(building supply air and building exhaust air) and actuates
these via the corresponding frequency inverters.

3.6 Negative pressure in the laboratory
To ensure a defined pressure ratio, approx. 10% less sup-
ply air is fed in than exhaust air is extracted. The supply air
value is calculated using the following formula:
Connection to the building services management (BSM) is
guaranteed by standardised interfaces.
Connection to the LON network is possible and conside-
rably reduces the mounting and installation costs while at
the same time improving system performance.

3.8 Easy set-up

VSUPPLY AIR = VEXHAUST AIR x C
All project-specific control parameters, setpoints and pa-
rameters can easily be displayed, changed and monitored
on-site with the SVM100 service module or a laptop with
the PC2500 software installed.
Example: 10 % difference in pressure
All actual values and setpoints necessary for set-up can
be read off on the service module display. Thus expensi-
C = 0.90 ve and time-consuming measurements are not necessary
and set-up of the system is easy, fast and cost-effective.
Constant Pressure ratio of the laboratory and
All control parameters can also be printed for documenta-
corridor
tion purposes with the PC2500 set-up software.
C<1 The laboratory is in a state of negative
pressure SCHNEIDER offers all the necessary control and moni-
C=1 No difference in pressure toring components for planning your entire system. The
benefits for users: a competent partner for all their needs.
C>1 The laboratory is in a state of positive This also applies to later retrofittings.
pressure

The constant C is freely programmable and determines

the protective pressure maintenance factor.

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 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.0 Laboratory ventilation examples

The following examples describe various laboratory ven-
tilation concepts. Taking into account the specific require-
ments of the laboratory, the focus is always on the ideal
control strategy.
Constant consumer loads can be added at any time, since
they are taken into account by the room balancing as con-
stant exhaust air volumes.
The sensor is a static differential pressure transmitter and
is thus not susceptible to dirt. The damper is driven by a
fast-running constant servo motor (0...10V DC).
The VAV-A master controller (1) follows the VAV-S slave
controller (2), taking into account the required room pres-
sure ratios. The analogue input enables seamless control
of the air volumes. Thus it is very easy to implement, for
example, reduced operation (night-time reduction).

4.1 Laboratory ventilation without

additional extraction units Control diagram

Supply air 2
Exhaust air

V [m3/h]
p VAV-S
M
VAV-A 800
M p

1
600
Exhaust air volume

400

200

Day operation Night operation

= Room exhaust air volume
= Room supply air volume

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 1 VAV-A-200-S Variable volume flow controller, round, analogue input, DN200, galvanised
steel
2 1 VAV-S-200-S Variable volume flow controller, round, slave, DN200, galvanised steel

4.1.1 Functional description

The VAV-A-200-S exhaust air controller (analogue input)

automatically regulates the room exhaust air volume flow
and compensates fluctuations in the duct pressure. The
desired or prescribed room air exchange rate is defined by
the analogue control variable (setpoint).

The room supply air is fed in through a second control

circuit which is also located in the VAV-A exhaust air cont-
roller (1). The VAV-S slave controller (2) only provides the
sensors and actuating elements and is thus a cost-effec-
tive solution.

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 Room air control
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4.2 Laboratory ventilation taking into then increases the room supply air volume flow until the
account the room pressure and the room negative pressure has reached the required value
temperature again.

If, for example, the laboratory door is opened, the room

Supply air 2
Exhaust air negative pressure drops, which results in a reduction of
the room supply air volume flow. This ensures that the re-
VAV-A
p
M
VAV-A

quired supply air flows in from the corridor mainly through

M p

1 the laboratory door, with the result that the room negative
pressure is maintained.

The sensors of the controllers are static differential pres-

sure transmitters and are therefore resistant to dust par-
ticles or contaminated air. The dampers are driven by fast-
running servo motors.

If the room pressure differential pressure sensor is not

installed, the room negative pressure can also be ensu-
4 3 red by a master (1) - slave (2) connection (dotted line).
p T The supply air controller then follows dependent on the
+ -
exhaust air controller. Room negative pressure is achie-
ved by supplying only approx. 90% (programmable) of the
room exhaust air as supply air to the laboratory.

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 1 VAV-A-200-S Variable volume flow controller, round, analogue input, DN200, galvanised
steel
2 1 VAV-A-200-S Variable volume flow controller, round, analogue input, DN200, galvanised
steel
3 1 RT-PT1000 Room temperature sensor, PT1000, active, 0...10V DC
4 1 RDT±50Pa Room differential pressure sensor, ±50 Pa, 0...10V DC

4.2.1 Functional description

Control diagram
The VAV-A-200-S exhaust air controller (analogue input)
automatically regulates the room exhaust air volume flow
and compensates fluctuations in the duct pressure. The
desired or prescribed room air exchange rate is defined 800
by the setpoint. At the same time the additional analogue
V [m3/h]

command variable of the PT1000 room temperature sen- 600

sor (3) "pushes" the volume flow to such an extent that
the exhaust air volume flow controller (1) opens or closes,
Exhaust air volume

400
within certain limits, in order to regulate the laboratory tem-
perature.
200

The room supply air is regulated by its own, additional

control circuit (2), which, as a command variable, takes the
room negative pressure (4) into account. Thus, for examp- 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30
le, -10 Pascal room negative pressure is automatically fed Roomtemperature [OC]
in, independent of the room exhaust air.
= Room exhaust air volume
= Room supply air volume
If the exhaust air volume flow is increased in order to
maintain a constant room temperature, the room negative
pressure also increases. The room differential pressure
sensor (4) signals this to the supply air controller, which

10 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.3 Laboratory control with a variably increase in exhaust air volume flow brought about by ope-
operated fume hood and a constant ning the sash and the reduction in exhaust air volume flow
floor extraction unit caused by closing the sash or by external switching to re-
duced operation (night-time reduction or work-free time).

This example is always suitable (e.g. for smaller labora-

tories) when the required minimum level of room air ex-
change is achieved by the the extraction units. The re-
Supply air Exhaust air quired minimum exhaust air volume flow for laboratories
VAV-A
p
stipulated by DIN 1946, Part 7 is 25m³/h x m² in relation to
M
2
M
CAV

3
the main floor space (8 room air changes).
p FC500

1 During reduced operation (night-time reduction), 4 room

air changes are sufficient. In all events the minimum room
air exchange should be defined for the changed operating
Exhaust
conditions, which results in optimal energy considerati-
ons.
Fume hood

Room supply air is compensated based on the room ex-

haust air. Negative room pressure is achieved by supplying
only approx. 90% (programmable) of the room exhaust air
as supply air to the laboratory. Due to the direct actuation
of the supply air volume flow controller VAV-A (2), cost-ef-
ficient implementation is possible.

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 1 FC500-V-A Fully variable fume hood controller, analogue output 0...10V DC
1 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo
motor 3 s
2 1 VAV-A-200-S Variable volume flow controller, round, analogue input, DN200, galvanised
steel
3 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish

4.3.1 Functional description Control diagram

Day operation Night operation

With this version the entire laboratory exhaust air is ex-
tracted via the FC500-V-A variable fume hood controller
V [m3/h]

(1) and the CAV-80 constant floor extraction unit (3). The 800
room supply air is fed in via the VAV-A-200-S volume flow
controller with analogue input (2). Control of the variable
600
Exhaust air volume

exhaust air, the variable supply air and the addition of the
constant exhaust air is taken over completely by the vari-
able fume hood controller (1). 400
Room exhaust air
Room supply air
The variable fume hood controller (1) seamlessly regula- 200
tes the exhaust air volume flow depending on the sash
Additional exhaust air
position. When the sash is shut, the required containment
of the fume hood can be achieved with reduced exhaust shut open

air volume flow, which results in considerable energy and Fume hood (sash)
cost savings. The monitoring system for the ventilation
functions of the fume hood stipulated by DIN EN 14175
is an integral part of the FC500-V-A fume hood controller.
The operating terminal is mounted on the fume hood or The control diagram shows the effect of a closed and open
fitted in the lesene. fume hood sash on the variable exhaust air and the sup-
plied variable supply air during daytime and night-time
High-speed variable exhaust air control (< 3 s) requires operation (reduced operation).
high-speed room supply air control (< 5 s). Due to the
different control times, oscillation is eliminated as far as The constant floor extraction unit is included in the room
possible and at the same time the defined room negative balancing calculation as a constant value (e.g. 80m3/h).
pressure is always guaranteed. This applies both for the

LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories 11 

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.4 Laboratory control, low cost, with several variably operated fume hoods, switchable
bench extraction unit and constant floor extraction unit

Supply air 3
Exhaust air
VAV-A
p

M CAV
1 1 1
4
M M M M
FC500 FC500 FC500 VAV-A 5
p
p 2 p p
RAM

Switchable
canopy exhaust

Exhaust
Fume hood 1 Fume hood 2 Fume hood 3

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 3 FC500-V-A Fully variable fume hood controller, analogue output 0...10V DC
3 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo motor 3 s
2 1 RAM500 Room addition module for max. 5 fume hoods
3 1 VAV-A-315-S Variable volume flow controller, round, analogue input, DN315, galvanised steel
4 1 VAV-A-100-P Switchable volume flow controller, round, analogue output, DN100, PPs
5 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish

4.4.1 Functional description Control diagram

With this version the entire laboratory exhaust air is extrac- Day operation Night operation
ted via three FC500-V-A variable fume hood controllers
(1), a switchable bench extraction unit (4) and a CAV-80
V [m3/h]

constant floor extraction unit (5). The room supply air is 800
fed in via the VAV-A-315-S (2) volume flow controller. The
room balancing is done by the RAM500 room addition mo-
600
Exhaust air volume

dule (2), which calculates the setpoint 0(2)...10V DC for

the supply air controller depending on the variable labora-
tory exhaust air. 400
Room exhaust air
Room supply air

The RAM500 room addition module is an additional cir- 200

cuit board which can be attached to any FC500-V-A fume Additional exhaust air
hood controller. A maximum of 5 variable consumer loads
with 0...10V DC analogue output can be connected. Thus shut open
Fume hood (sash)
smaller laboratories can be cost-effectively equipped with
0...10V DC analogue technology.
The control diagram shows the effect of a closed and open
Control and monitoring of the fume hoods as well as main- fume hood sash on the variable exhaust air and the sup-
tenance of the room pressure correspond to the functional plied variable supply air during daytime operation. During
description 4.3.1 on page 11. night-time operation a minimum room air exchange is re-
gulated.

12 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.5 Complete laboratory control with several variably operated fume hoods, switchable
bench extraction unit, constant floor extraction unit and additional laboratory exhaust air,
taking into account the room temperature and the redundant room pressure measurement

Supply air 4 Exhaust air

VAV-A
p
Room exhaust air
M
1 1 1 CAV
2
M M M M M
3
FC500 FC500 FC500 VAV-A VAV-A
p p p p p

Switchable
Canopy exhaust

Exhaust
Fume hood 1 Fume hood 2 Fume hood 3

GC10
6
7
8
p
+ - T

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 3 FC500-V-A Fully variable fume hood controller, analogue output 0...10V DC
3 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo motor 3 s
2 1 VAV-A-100-P Switchable volume flow controller, round, analogue output, DN100, PPs
3 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish
4 1 VAV-A-315-S Variable volume flow controller room supply air, round, analogue input, DN315,
sheet steel
5 1 VAV-A-200-P Variable volume flow controller room exhaust air, round, analogue input, DN200,
PPs
6 1 GC10 Group controller for room balancing for n x 10 fume hoods 0...10 VDC and
n x 4 switchable consumer loads (on/off) (n = number of GC10 group controllers)
7 1 RDT±50Pa Room differential pressure sensor, ±50 Pa, 0...10V DC
8 1 RT-PT1000 Room temperature sensor, PT1000, active, 0...10V DC

4.5.1 Functional description

With this version, part of the laboratory exhaust air is ex-
tracted by three FC500-V-A variable fume hood controllers
(1), a switchable bench extraction unit (2) and a CAV-80
constant floor extraction unit (3). In order to ensure con-
stant room air exchange (e.g. 25m³/h x m²) the laboratory
exhaust air is also extracted via its own VAV-A-200-P vo-
lume flow controller (5). The laboratory supply air is fed in
via the VAV-A-315-S volume flow controller with analogue
output (4).
The entire room balancing for the supply air volume flow
controller (4) and the calculation of the difference for the
exhaust air volume flow controller (5) is done by the GC10
group controller (6).
The GC10 group controller can balance a maximum of 10
fume hoods (optionally this can be extended) or other va-
riable consumer loads and in the standard version has 10
analogue inputs 0(2)...10V DC. The exhaust air actual va-
lues of the connected consumer loads (m³/h) are provided
to the group controller as an analogue signal (0...10V DC).
Wiring is done with standard cables (e.g. I(ST)Y 2*2*0.8)
using conventional technology.
The group controller also has 4 analogue outputs, which
serve as setpoints 0(2)...10V DC for volume flow control-
lers (supply air, exhaust air) and/or as direct actuation for
frequency inverters. Wiring is also done with standard ca-
bles using conventional technology.

LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories 13 

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

In addition, a room differential pressure sensor RDT±50Pa
(7) for redundant room pressure measurement and an RT-
PT1000 room operating device (8) with room setpoint de-
vice and room sensor (Pt1000) are each connected to an
analogue input of the group controller.
With the room operating device, the laboratory room tem-
perature can be regulated via the volume flow displace-
ment and additional control valves for the static heating
elements. The required room air exchange rate is always
maintained and may not be underrun.
4.5.3 Suitable for medium-sized to large
laboratories
The example described is suitable for medium-sized to
large laboratories when a specific minimum level of room
air exchange must be maintained, but which cannot be
fully achieved by the extraction units. An additional volume
flow controller for room exhaust air (5) always regulates
the difference between the technically induced exhaust air
of the extraction units and the required minimum exhaust
air volume flow.

The room differential pressure sensor (7) is used for red-
undant room pressure measurement. The group controller
(6) compares the calculated value with the measured va-
lue and can thus recognise and signal any problems that
arise in good time.
If the laboratory door is opened, the room negative pres-
sure of the laboratory drops. The group controller registers
this condition and decreases the supply air volume flow
to a minimum. This ensures that the required supply air
flows in from the corridor mainly through the laboratory
door, with the result that the room negative pressure is still
maintained.
The required minimum exhaust air volume flow for labo-
ratories stipulated by DIN 1946, Part 7 is 25m³/h x m² in
relation to the main floor space (8 room air changes).
During reduced operation (night-time reduction), 4 room
air changes are sufficient. In all events the minimum room
air exchange should be defined for the changed operating
conditions, which results in optimal energy considerati-
ons.
Room supply air is compensated based on the room ex-
haust air. Negative room pressure is achieved by supplying
only approx. 90% (programmable) of the room exhaust air
as supply air to the laboratory.

4.5.2 Room air balancing with the

group controller

The variable fume hood controllers (1) seamlessly regu- Control diagram
ate the exhaust air volume flow depending on the sash
Day operation Night operation
position. When the sash is shut, the required containment
of the fume hood can be achieved with reduced exhaust
air volume flow, which results in considerable energy and
cost savings. Total exhaust air
V [m3/h]

Total supply air

The monitoring system for the ventilation functions of the

fume hood stipulated by DIN EN 14175 is an integral part Exhaust air Labroom
Air volume

of the FC500-V fume hood controller. The operating termi-

nal is mounted on the fume hood or fitted in the lesene. Exhaust air fume hood and
switchable canopy etc.

The switchable bench extraction unit (2) can be operated,

for example, with three switching levels with the settings Additional exhaust air (constant)

Off, I and II, whereby setting I switches on low extraction shut open
and setting II switches on high extraction (freely program- Fume hood (sash)
mable). The individual exhaust air actual values are also
provided to the group controller as an analogue signal.

The constant loads (3) are included in the room balance

calculation as a fixed value (offset).

High-speed variable exhaust air control (< 3 s) requires

high-speed room supply air control (< 5 s). Due to the
different control times, oscillation is eliminated as far as
possible and at the same time the defined room negative
pressure is always guaranteed. This applies both for the
increase in exhaust air volume flow brought about by ope-
ning the sash and the reduction in exhaust air volume flow
caused by closing the sash or by external switching to re-
duced operation (night-time reduction or work-free time).

14 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.6 Complete laboratory control, LON connected, with several variably operated fume
hoods, switchable bench extraction unit, constant floor extraction unit and additional
laboratory exhaust air, taking into account the room temperature and the redundant room
pressure measurement including recording of the fire dampers (BSK)

9 9

Supply
Exhaust air
air
VAV-A
p
Room
M
exhaust air
4 1 1 1 CAV
2
M M M M M
FC500 FC500 FC500 VAV-A 3 VAV-A
p p p p p

Switchable
Canopy exhaust

Exhaust
Fume hood 1 Fume hood 2 Fume hood 3

LCO500
7

8
p
+ - T

Fieldbus: BACnet, LON or Modbus

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 3 FC500-V-A Fully variable fume hood controller, analogue output 0...10V DC
3 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo motor 3 s
2 1 VAV-A-100-P Switchable volume flow controller, round, analogue output, DN100, PPs
3 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish
4 1 VAV-A-315-S Variable volume flow controller room supply air, round, analogue input, DN315,
sheet steel
5 1 VAV-A-200-P Variable volume flow controller room exhaust air, round, analogue input, DN200,
PPs
6 1 LCO500 Laboratory controller for room balancing of 10 fume hoods (optionally this can
be extended), 8 switchable consumer loads (on/off) via digital inputs and 8 relay
outputs, field bus module, LON, FTT-10A
7 1 RDT±50Pa Room differential pressure sensor, ±50 Pa, 0...10V DC
8 1 RT-PT1000 Room temperature sensor, PT1000, active, 0...10V DC
9 3 BSK Fire damper (BSK) with status notification via contacts (not a SCHNEIDER pro-
duct)

4.6.1 Functional description

The example described is suitable for medium-sized to lar-
ge laboratories when a specific minimum level of room air
exchange must be maintained, but which cannot be fully
achieved by the extraction units. Control and monitoring of
the fume hoods as well as maintenance of the room pres-
sure and the control diagram correspond to the functional
description 4.5.1 on pages 13 and 14. This system is par-
ticularly suitable for mixed systems, i.e. conventional tech-
nology and the LON technology can be used together.
The LCO500 laboratory controller (6) can also record the
status notifications of fire dampers (BSK) and can be up-
graded for connection to a field bus (BACnet, LON or Mod-
bus) at any time. Thus status and malfunction notifications
of the fume hoods as well as all exhaust air actual values
and BSK status notifications are available, for example,
on the LON network as standard variable types (SNVT)
and can be included in the overall decentralised functio-
nality. The fume hoods can also be switched to reduced
operation (night-time reduction or work-free time) via the
LON network.

LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories 15 

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.7 Complete laboratory control, LON connected, with several variably operated fume
hoods and switchable bench extraction unit, analogue, constant floor extraction unit and
additional laboratory exhaust air, taking into account the room temperature and the
redundant room pressure measurement, including recording of the fire dampers (BSK), with
room operating device for daytime/night-time switching and additional inputs and outputs

9 9

Supply
Exhaust air
air
4

VAV-A
p
Room
M
exhaust air
1 1 1 CAV
2
M M M M M
FC500- FC500- FC500- VAV-A 3 VAV-A
p p
p LON p LON p LON

Switchable
canopy exhaust

Exhaust
Fume hood 1 Fume hood 2 Fume hood 3

LCO500 Digital relay output

Light, actuator etc.
10
7 Digital input
Button, relay contact, alarme etc.
8
Day p
Roomcontrol + - T

Fieldbus: BACnet, LON or Modbus

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 3 FC500-V-A Fully variable fume hood controller, analogue output 0...10V DC
3 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo motor 3 s
2 1 VAV-A-100-P Switchable volume flow controller, round, analogue output, DN100, PPs
3 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish
4 1 VAV-A-315-S Variable volume flow controller room supply air, round, analogue input, DN315,
sheet steel
5 1 VAV-A-200-P Variable volume flow controller room exhaust air, round, analogue input, DN200,
PPs
6 1 LCO500 Laboratory controller for room balancing of 10 fume hoods (optionally this can
be extended), 8 switchable consumer loads (on/off) via digital inputs and 8 relay
outputs, field bus module, LON, FTT-10A
7 1 RDT±50Pa Room differential pressure sensor, +-50 Pa, 0...10 VDC
8 1 RT-PT1000 Room temperature sensor, PT1000, active, 0...10V DC
9 3 BSK Fire damper (BSK) with status notification via contacts (not a SCHNEIDER pro-
duct)
10 1 RBG-1T1L Room operating device with daytime/night-time button and daytime/night-time
operating mode display

4.7.1 Functional description

This example shows an entire laboratory control system The control and monitoring of the fume hoods has not
at its maximum configuration with the LCO500 laborato- changed and has already been described in detail in the
ry controller (6) and is suitable for medium-sized to large previous chapters.
laboratories with additional room exhaust air (5). The ad-
ditional room exhaust air (5) is always necessary when
a specific minimum level of room air exchange must be
maintained, which cannot be fully achieved by the extrac-
tion units alone.

16 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories


The main difference between this and the previous examp-
les is that the LCO500 laboratory controller (6) takes over
the entire control of the laboratory, including all alarms and
status notifications (e.g. gas alarm, CO2 measurements,
lighting control, etc.).
The system described here is ideally suited to mixed sys-
tems, i.e. conventional technology can be used internally
in the laboratory and field bus technology (BACnet, LON
or Modbus) can be used for connection to the building ser-
vices management (BSM), which means that the entire
functionality can be implemented cost-effectively.
4.7.2 Laboratory controller with field bus
connection
The laboratory controller physically only occupies one
node on the field bus. In addition to reducing data traffic,
this means that fewer routers are required in large projects.
A laboratory controller monitors, controls and regulates an
entire laboratory and, for example, a maximum of 64 LON
nodes (laboratory controllers) can be connected to a LON
network before a router has to be installed.
The number of nodes can, of course, be increased at any
time using additional routers, whereby here too, a maxi-
mum of 64 nodes (LON nodes) can be connected to a
subnet (e.g. LON network).
4.7.3 Advantages of field bus connection
The key advantage here is that the building services ma-
nagement (BSM) has full access via the field bus (e.g. LON
network) to all laboratory status notifications and alarms.
Thus all exhaust air actual values of the fume hoods or
other extraction units as well as their status and malfunc-
tion notifications are available as standard variable types
(SNVT) and can be included in the overall decentralised
functionality. The fume hoods can also be switched to re-
duced operation (night-time reduction) via the field bus.
Remote maintenance and diagnostics via the BSM or the
Internet are also possible.
4.7.4 Inputs and outputs via the LON
network
The LCO500 lab controller (6) has 8 relay outputs and 8
digital inputs, which can be set, reset and read out via the
LON network. Thus, for example, the laboratory lighting
can be switched off via the BSM when the laboratory is not
in use or it can be cooled or heated. All laboratory alarms
and status notifications (e.g. gas alarm) are also available
via the LON network.
The contacts of the fire dampers (BSK) installed in the la-
boratory are also available via the LON network, which
makes it possible to visualise the status of the BSK on the
BSM.
LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories
Room air control
Chapter 5.0
4.7.5 Room operating device
The example shows an RBG-1T1L room operating device
(10) connected to the LCO500 laboratory controller (6).
Reduced operation (night-time operation) can be switched
on and off locally, i.e. within the laboratory, with the Day/
night button. Of course, these local functions can be enab-
led or disabled via the BSM. It is even possible to enable
the functions within a specific time period (e.g. 5 p.m. to
7 a.m.).
Similarly, night-time operation that has been switched on
by the BSM can be switched off with the room operating
device if, for example, experiments also take place at night
in this laboratory. An operating mode display (LED) shows
the user the current laboratory status. The BSM is infor-
med of all manual interventions and can thus visualise the
current laboratory status.
4.7.6 Room air balancing
Control and monitoring of the fume hoods as well as main-
tenance of the room pressure correspond to the functio-
nal description 4.5.1 on pages 13 and 14. Like the GC10
group controller, the LCO500 laboratory controller works
automatically and decentrally. It balances the required
room supply air (4) and calculates the difference for the
additional room exhaust air (5) in order to ensure the re-
quired minimum exhaust air volume flow.
The control diagram has not changed and is the same as
the graphic displayed in the functional description 4.5 on
page 14.
Control diagram
Day operation Night operation
Total exhaust air
V [m3/h]
Total supply air
Exhaust air Labroom
Air volume
Exhaust air fume hood and
switchable canopy etc.
Additional exhaust air (constant)
shut open
Fume hood (sash)
17 
 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories 18
Digital input 5 … 8 X14
Optocoupler inputs.
X101

DIn5 - + DIn5 DIn1 1.1

Non DC-isolation (Jumper = ON) DIn5 DIn1 1.2
-

DIn6 - + DIn6 DIn6

+

Shown with GND intern and DIn7 DIn2 2.1

+ +

DIn7 - + DIn7 2.2

Jumper = ON.

DIn2
-

+24V DC intern. Maximum cable DIn8

JP1

DIn8 3.1
DIn3
66 68 70 72
65 67 69 71

length < 5m. DIn8 - +

+

3.2
Non DC-isolation.

DIn3
-

DC-isolation with corresponding 4.1

JP2 and JP3

JP2
JP3

DIn4
4.2
- PE

DIn5, DIn6, DIn7, DIn8

configuration of JP2 and JP3 (see

+

DC DC DC DC

DIn4
-
24V 24V 24V 24V

terminal picture right).

X10

IOM500

X14
Digital input 5 … 8 DIn5 - + DIn5 DIn5
JP1

Optocoupler inputs. DIn5 +

DIn6 - + DIn6 DIn6
DC-isolation (Jumper = OFF). DIn6 + DIn7 DIn7
DIn7 - +
Max. 8 x 6 W = 48 W

DC-isolation.

DIn8 DIn8
DC-isolated.

External voltage 24VDC/50mA.

24V DC (+) and (-) for
X101 till X108

DIn7 +
Jumper = OFF.
24VDC/50mA.

66 68 70 72
65 67 69 71

Maximum cable length < 1000m DIn8 - +

DIn8 +
voltage supply VAV 1...8
External voltage

JP2
JP3
JP2 and JP3
DIn5, DIn6, DIn7, DIn8

X15
DIn1, DIn2, DIn3, DIn4

28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54
Jumper not connected

Analogue output AOut5 + GND1

29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55

AOut5 GND1
AOut5...AOut8 AOut6 + GND1
AOut6 GND1
GND1
LCO Connector

0(2)...10V DC/10mA AOut7 +

AOut7 GND1
Maximum cable length < 1000m

74 76 78 80
73 75 77 79

DC-isolated! AOut8 + GND1

1 2

AOut8 GND1
AIn1 + GND1
JP4

AIn1 GND1
AIn2 + GND1 Power Connector
Inputs

AIn2 GND1
AIn3 + GND1
AIn3 GND1
connected!

AIn4 + GND1
AIn4 GND1
Input current
JP4

GND1
Voltage range

AIn5 +
AIn5 GND1
AIn6 + GND1
for RS485.

(0 … 10V DC/1mA)

AIn6 GND1
AIn7 + GND1
AIn7 GND1
AIn8 + GND1
AIn8 GND1
1, 2 Jumper = ON.

GND1
Terminal resistor R

AIn9 +
AIn9 GND1
81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99

AIn10 + GND1
82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98100

< 1 mA
Analogue inputs DC-isolated!

AIn10 GND1
X16
POWER

0(2)…+10V DC
SUPPLY

AIn1 GND1 till AIn10 GND1 are internal

230V AC

AIn1+ till AIn10+

POWER

N L

GND
N L

75 W

from fume hood controller and other VAV´s,

Analogue inputs for exhaust air actual value
IN: 230V AC

Analogue input AIn1…AIn10

OUT: 24V DC/

+24V DC
1
X107
X105
X103
X101

ON NO
Relay 1 ON/OFF
+
+
+
+

X4

Relay contact OFF NC

K1
2 3

Max.: 3A / 230VAC
PE

Relay 1

COM
- PE
- PE
- PE
- PE

ON NO
X109

Relay 2 ON/OFF
X5
X108
X106
X104
X102

Relay contact OFF NC

K2
+
+
+
+

Max.: 3A / 230VAC COM

Relay 2

Relay 3 ON/OFF ON NO
- PE
- PE
- PE
- PE

X6

Relay contact OFF NC

K3

Max.: 3A / 230VAC
Relay 3

COM
X110

X1
F2

Relay 4 ON/OFF ON NO
X7

Relay contact OFF NC

K4

Max.: 3A / 230VAC
COM
Relay 4
250V
T1,25 A

Power Connector
Relay 5 ON/OFF ON NO
X8

Relay contact OFF NC

K5

FC500
Max.: 3A / 230VAC
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

COM
Relay 5
JP6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

LON
26 27
Run

LCO Connector

LON A-IN
X9

LON A/B, FTT-10A LON A-OUT

IOM500

LON A-IN with A-OUT and B-IN LON B-IN

X14
with B-OUT internal connected! LON B-OUT DIn5 - + DIn5 DIn5
DIn1 1.1
+24V DC/DIn1 + 1.2 DIn6 - + DIn6 DIn6
Digital input 1 … 4 DIn1 - 2.1 DIn7 DIn7
DIn2 DIn7 - + DIn8 DIn8
Optocoupler inputs. Non DC-isolation. +24V DC/DIn2 + 2.2
JP1
66 68 70 72
65 67 69 71

Shown with GND intern and +24V DC DIn2 - 3.1 DIn8 - +

DIn3
3.2
JP2
JP3

intern. Maximum cable length < 5m. +24V DC/DIn3 + 4.1

Din3 - DIn4
DC-isolation with corresponding 4.2 X15
X20

configuration of JP1 (see terminal +24V DC/Din4 +

AOut5 + GND
Din4 -
picture left top). GND2 AOut6 + GND
1 2 3 4 5

AOut1 AOut7 + GND

Analogue output GND2
74 76 78 80
73 75 77 79

AOut8 + GND
1 2

AOut2
AOut1...AOut4
JP5

GND2
X10

0(2)...10V DC/10mA AOut3

AIn1 + GND
JP4

DC-isolated! GND2
AOut4 AIn2 + GND
GND AIn3 + GND
+24V DC, max. 100mA +24V DC/100mA AIn8
AIn4 + GND
GND
Analogue input A-In 0...10V DC AIn8 AIn5 + GND
RS485-A AIn6 + GND
SERIAL INTERFACE RS485-A AIn7 + GND
RS485-B
28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48 50 52 54

AIn8
X21

AIn8 + GND
29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55

RS485 RS485-B
AIn9 + GND
81 83 85 87 89 91 93 95 97 99

AIn10 + GND
82 84 86 88 90 92 94 96 98100

X16
NO
JP7

Relay 6 ON/OFF ON
1 2 3 4 5

OFF NC
X11
Relay contact
K6

Max.: 3A / 230VAC
Relay 6

COM
JP8

1 2
Relay 7 ON/OFF ON NO

X12
OFF NC

Industriestraße 4
Relay contact
K7

Max.: 3A / 230VAC COM

Relay 7
X 12

Relay 8 ON/OFF ON NO

Tel.: 0049 (0) 6171/884 79-0

OFF

X13
Relay contact NC

61449 Steinbach - Germany

K8
Max.: 3A / 230VAC
COM

56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64

SCHNEIDER-Elektronik GmbH
Relay 8

in pairs.

complete
www.schneider-elektronik.de Date: 03. Dec. 2008
Laptop

cable length < 320m.

minimum NYM 3 x 1,52

minimum NYM 3 x 1,52

Lab-Controller
Cable specification:
RS 232

Rev.: 1.1
Cable for analogue in-/outputs:
Cable for LON-network, LON A/B:
*
7
4
1

TERMINAL DIAGRAM
0
8
5
2

LCO500
,
9
6
3

Cable for voltage supply 24V DC/24V AC:

F1 F2 F3

Wires for LON A/B have to be drilled in pairs.

Service module

minimum IY(St)Y 2x2x0,8 Lg. Wires for AIn and

minimum IY(St)Y 2x2x0,8 Lg. Maximum network

Cable for voltage supply VAV 24V DC/24V AC:

GND1 as well as Aout and GND have to be drilled
Terminal diagram LCO500 4.8
Chapter 5.0
Room air control
 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.9 LON connected laboratory control with several variably operated fume hoods and
switchable extraction unit, LON connected, constant floor extraction unit and additional
laboratory exhaust air including recording of the fire dampers (BSK), with room operating
device for daytime/night-time switching

Supply Exhaust air

4
air
VAV-L
p Room
7
exhaust air
M
1 1 1 CAV
2 7
M M M M M
FC500- FC500- FC500- VAV-L 3 VAV-L
p p
p LON p LON p LON

Switchable
canopy exhaust

Exhaust
Fume hood 1 Fume hood 2 Fume hood 3

LON-network, FTT-10A

Day

Roomcontrol

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 3 FC500-V-L Fully variable fume hood controller, LON, FTT-10A
3 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo motor 3 s
2 1 VAV-L-100-P Switchable volume flow controller, round, LON, FTT-10A, DN100, PPs
3 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish
4 1 VAV-L-315-S Variable volume flow controller, room supply air, round, LON, FTT-10A, DN315,
sheet steel
5 1 VAV-L-200-P Variable volume flow controller, room exhaust air, round, LON, FTT-10A, DN200,
PPs
6 1 RBG-1T1L Room operating device with daytime/night-time button and daytime/night-time
operating mode display
7 3 BSK Fire damper (BSK) with status notification via contacts (not a SCHNEIDER pro-
duct)

4.9.1 Functional description

This example shows a LON networked laboratory control
system and is suitable for medium-sized to large labora-
tories with additional room exhaust air (5). The additional
room exhaust air (5) is always necessary when a specific
minimum level of room air exchange must be maintained,
which cannot be fully achieved by the extraction units alo-
ne.
The LON controllers (4) and (5) both have 2 digital inputs
and outputs, making it possible to record the status no-
tifications of the fire dampers (7) and to connect a room
operating device (6).
All digital inputs and outputs are available as standard va-
riables (SNVT) and enable, for example, access via the
building services management (BSM).

4.9.2 Room air balancing Control and monitoring of the fume hoods as well as main-
tenance of the room pressure and the control diagram cor-
An independent balancing LON controller (4) is used for respond to the functional descriptions 4.5.1 and 4.7.1.
volume flow control of the room supply air. For volume flow
control of the room exhaust air, an independent LON con-
troller (5) is also used, which takes over the calculation of
the difference value for the room exhaust air.

LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories 19 

 Room air control
Chapter 5.0

4.10 Complete laboratory control, LON connected, with several variably operated fume
hood controllers and switchable bench extraction unit, LON connected, constant floor
extraction unit and additional laboratory exhaust air, taking into account the room
temperature and the redundant room pressure measurement including recording of the
fire dampers (BSK), with room operating device for daytime/night-time switching

Supply
Exhaust air
air
4

VAV-L
p
Room
9
M
exhaust air
1 1 1 CAV
2
M M M M M
FC500- FC500- FC500- VAV-L 3 VAV-L
p p
p LON p LON p LON

Switchable
canopy exhaust

Exhaust
Fume hood 1 Fume hood 2 Fume hood 3

LON-network, FTT-10A

7
Day p
Roomcontrol + - T

LabSystem components
No. Amount Type Description
1 3 FC500-V-L Fully variable fume hood controller, LON, FTT-10A
3 MD-200-P-MM-1 Maintenance-free measuring device DN200, PPs, socket/socket, servo motor 3 s
2 1 VAV-L-100-P Switchable volume flow controller, round, LON, FTT-10A, DN100, PPs
3 1 CAV-80-S Constant volume flow controller, round, DN80, sheet steel, DD finish
4 1 VAV-L-315-S Variable volume flow controller room supply air, round, LON, FTT-10A, DN315,
sheet steel
5 1 VAV-L-200-P Variable volume flow controller room exhaust air, round, LON, FTT-10A, DN200,
PPs
6 1 RDT±50Pa Room differential pressure sensor, ±50 Pa, 0...10V DC
7 1 RT-PT1000 Room temperature sensor, PT1000, active, 0...10V DC
8 1 RBG-1T1L Room operating device with daytime/night-time button and daytime/night-time
operating mode display
9 3 BSK Fire damper with status notification via contacts (not a SCHNEIDER product)

4.10.1 Functional description

This example shows a complete LON networked labora-
tory control system at its maximum configuration and is
suitable for medium-sized to large laboratories with additi-
onal room exhaust air (5). The additional room exhaust air
(5) is always necessary when a specific minimum level of
room air exchange must be maintained, which cannot be
fully achieved by the extraction units alone.
The control and monitoring of the fume hoods has not
changed and has already been described in detail in the
previous chapters.
This example is functionally the same as example 4.7. The
LCO500 laboratory controller is not necessary here, since
all volume flow controllers are connected end-to-end in the
LON network.
The peripheral devices, such as the RDT±50Pa room dif-
ferential pressure sensor (6), the RT-PT1000 room tem-
perature sensor (7), the RBG-1T1L room operating device
(8) and the status notifications of the fire dampers (9) are
connected directly to the individual inputs and outputs of
the LON room supply air (4) and room exhaust air (5) con-
trollers.
All digital inputs and outputs are available as standard va-
riables (SNVT) and enable, for example, access via the
building services management (BSM).

20 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories


4.10.2 Advantages of the LON network
All exhaust air actual values of the fume hoods or other
extraction units as well as their status and malfunction no-
tifications are available as standard variable types (SNVT)
and can be included in the overall decentralised functio-
nality. The fume hoods or other LON connected extraction
units can also be switched to reduced operation (night-
time reduction or work-free time) via the LON network.
Connection to the BSM is possible without restrictions,
which enables remote maintenance and diagnostics via
the BSM or the Internet.
The system presented here enables cost-efficient project
implementation through easy connection of peripheral
components to the LON controller.
4.10.3 Router for max. 64 nodes
From a maximum of 64 nodes (subscribers) a router is re-
quired. In practice, each laboratory is physically separated
by a router every 20-30 nodes in order to limit data traffic
on the LON network and to avoid unnecessary increases
in reaction time of the entire system,
The number of nodes can be increased at any time th-
rough the use of additional routers and/or repeaters.
4.10.4 Free inputs and outputs of the LON
controller
The LON controllers (4) and (5) both have 2 digital inputs,
2 digital outputs, 2 analogue inputs (0...10 VDC) and 1
analogue output (0...10 VDC).
All inputs and outputs are available via the LON network
as standard variable types (SNVT) and can easily be in-
cluded in the overall decentralised functionality.
The contacts of the fire dampers (BSK) installed in the la-
boratory are also available via the LON network, which
makes it possible to visualise the status of the BSK on the
BSM. At the same time, it is also possible to specify via
the binding that the FC500-V-LON fume hood controllers
in the corresponding laboratory also receive the status in-
formation from the fire dampers and automatically close
the exhaust air dampers. This example demonstrates how
easily extended functionality can be implemented via the
LON network.
4.10.5 Room setpoint and room temperature
actual value
The RT-PT1000 room temperature sensor (7) is connec-
ted to both analogue inputs of the LON controller (5) and
thus provides the room temperature setpoint and the room
temperature actual value as SNVTs on the LON network.
Via the binding the functionality of the volume flow dis-
placement can be used for temperature control. In addi-
tion, LON control valves for regulating the static heating
elements can be connected.
LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories
Room air control
Chapter 5.0
4.10.6 Room operating device for daytime/
night-time switching and activation of the
room differential pressure sensor
The RBG-1T1L room operating device (8) is connected
to the digital inputs and outputs and the RDT±50Pa red-
undant room differential pressure sensor (6) is connected
to the analogue output of the LON controller (4) and also
provides the room differential pressure and daytime/night-
time switching as SNVTs on the LON network.
Reduced operation (night-time operation) can be switched
on and off locally, i.e. within the laboratory, with the Day/
night button. Of course, these local functions can be enab-
led or disabled via the BSM. It is even possible to enable
the functions within a specific time period (e.g. 5 p.m. to
7 a.m.). Similarly, night-time operation that has been swit-
ched on by the BSM can be switched off with the room
operating device if, for example, experiments also take
place at night in this laboratory. An operating mode display
(LED) shows the user the current laboratory status. The
BSM is informed of all manual interventions and can thus
visualise the current laboratory status.
4.10.7 Room air balancing
Control and monitoring of the fume hoods as well as main-
tenance of the room pressure correspond to the functio-
nal descriptions 4.5.1 and 4.7.1. The LON controller (4)
balances the exhaust air actual values of the fume hood
controllers and the switchable bench extraction unit and
automatically regulates the room supply air. Room supply
air is compensated based on the room exhaust air. Nega-
tive room pressure is achieved by supplying only approx.
90% (programmable) of the entire exhaust air as supply
air to the laboratory.
The LON controller (5) calculates the difference for the ad-
ditional room exhaust air and regulates the required mini-
mum exhaust air volume flow.
Control diagram
The control diagram has not changed and is the same as
the graphic displayed in the functional description 4.7 on
page 17.
21 
Room air control
Chapter 5.0

5.1 Product overview Room ventilation

controllers

The diagram shows an overview of the products that are
available from SCHNEIDER in the product group Room
ventilation controllers.
See Chapter 1, Section 6.1 for the full LabSystem product
overview.
Technical data sheets, further information and tender
specifications for the LCO500, GC10, RAM500, VAV and
CAV products are available for download on the Internet
at www.schneider-elektronik.de.

Product group Product Short description Chapter

Room balancing LCO500 Laboratory controller, 10 x analogue input, 8 x analogue output, 8 x 5.0
digital input, 8 x relay output, optional field bus module, malfunction noti-
fication, actuation of room supply and exhaust air volume flow controllers
GC10 Room group controller, 10 x analogue input, 4 x analogue aoutput, 4 x 5.0
digital input, 3 x relay output, optional field bus module, malfunction noti-
fication, actuation of room supply and exhaust air volume flow controllers
RAM500 Pluggable module for FC500, 4 x analogue input, 1 x analogue output 5.0

High-speed room VAV Volume flow controller for laboratory supply and laboratory exhaust air, 5.0
supply/exhaust air analogue input 0(2)...10V DC for setpoint, optional field bus module,
controller control speed < 3 s

Mechanical auto- CAV Volume flow controller for floor extraction units and safety cabinets, 5.0
matic volume flow mechanical, automatic, without auxiliary power
controller

22 LabSystem Planning Manual ● Air technology for laboratories