A modular controller for different input signals, an assembly method of the said controller and a method for energy management using the said controller

The modular controller according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that expansion cards in arbitrary combinations inside the controller perform the following tasks:

• relay operates as electronically controlled switch for turning on different devices such as heaters, lights and similar;
• digital output operates as a low-energy electrical signal for turning on smaller burdens;
• analogue output enables continuous control of certain devices, most commonly electrically powered valve for heat conduits, wherein the continuous control is enabled with a definition of voltage or current in a particular range, which in turn means a particular state of the valve (open, close, and values in-between);
• digital input is for reading electrical signals of lower voltage, particularly for reading meters of different energy sources;
• optically separated input for reading voltage presence, which gives an information about device status, pump status or device error;
• reading a current signal from 4 to 20 mA for reading different industrial sensors, such as reading pressure, moisture, temperature values, etc.;
• reading a temperature sensor enables reading ambient temperature or water temperature.

The modular controller according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following components:

• relay, with switching option at 230 V at 3 A, operates as electronically controlled switch for turning on different devices such as heaters, lights and similar;
• digital output, which functions as a low-energy electrical signal for turning on smaller burdens;
• analogue output for setting output voltage from 0 to 10 V DC or current from 4 to 20 mA, which enables continuous control of certain devices;
• digital input for reading electrical signals of lower voltage, particularly for reading meters of different energy sources;
• optically separated input for reading of voltage up to 230 V AC, 24 V DC or 12 V DC for reading voltage presence such as control of operation;
• reading a current signal from 4 to 20 mA for reading different industrial sensors, such as reading pressure, moisture, temperature values, etc.;
• and
• reading a temperature sensor PT1000 or PT100 for reading ambient temperature or water temperature, etc.

The modular controller according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it controls individual functions or a combination of the following:

• usage or manufacture of gases by reading data from gas meters;
• and/or
• usage or manufacture of electricity by reading data from electric meters;
• and/or
• usage or manufacture of heat by reading data from calorimeters.

An assembly method of the controller according to any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps:

• to at least one, preferably each of the nine empty slots in the upper part of the controller a selected expansion card is inserted, wherein the said expansion card is used for control and management of a particular electrical signal, wherein the cards may also be inserted modularly in the bottom part of the controller into connectors, which are primarily intended for communication cards and serve as connection into the control system via the mobile network and for transforming electrical signals for different communication protocols;
• all cards are inserted into the controller by simple pressing of the expansion card into the base plate;
• and
• the identity of cards and their function is programmed in the online system.

A method of energy management with the modular controller according to any claim from 1 to 10, the said method comprising the following steps:

• assembly of the modular controller with selected expansion cards with regards to connected devices, which will be controlled with the controller;
• programming of the controller;
• following different signals and sensors, via which the controller obtains information regarding the current state of energy consumption;
• adjusting operation of devices with regards to pre-set parameters and/or pre-set schedules and/or environmental conditions.