The diagram to the left shows the Internet Energy Systems Automated Meter Reading and
Demand Control architecture.
Each IES gateway includes three 10-amp pilot relays; therefore each IES gateway can control
three appliances directly. These pilot relays are capable of controlling many low-voltage
circuits including central air conditioner circuits. For water heaters or other higher
voltage appliances, a separate 30-amp power relay box is used to control the circuit.
The 10-amp pilot relay controls the 30?amp power relay that performs the actual control
of the high voltage appliance. Any other appliance that can be controlled by either a
10-amp pilot relay or through an additional power relay can be controlled by the IES system.
Pool pumps, clothes dryers, and heating/cooling thermostats with serial interfaces or
setback features are examples of additional appliances that can be controlled.
Examples of appliances that can be controlled:
Water heaters via 30-amp power relay
Central air conditioner via pilot relay on compressor circuit (fan still operates)
Central heater via pilot relay breaking thermostat circuit (can control 3 of 4 heating elements)
Heat pump via pilot relay breaking compressor circuit (fan still operates)
Pool pumps and heaters via pilot relay and power relay if required
Clothes dryers by reducing heating elements to120 volts from 240 volts using power relay at breaker panel (saves 1.9 KW using 8 minute on, 8 minute off cycling)
Zoned resistance heating by breaking thermostat circuit on zone – control half of zones at any one time during load control periods
Any thermostat controlled heating/cooling device using serial thermostat
Each IES gateway also includes RS232 and RS485 serial interfaces. These interfaces allow the
gateways to interact with a variety of electronic devices and in-home communications mechanisms.
These devices include smart thermostats and electronic meters. Specific protocols for different
brands of devices and for new in-home communications mechanisms like X10 or Bluetooth can be
custom developed by IES and added to the gateway when a specific application presents itself.
Control commands are issued to each gateway from the server, based on the City’s desired control
strategy. The strategy can initiate control on a preset time schedule or according to specified
demand threshold levels. The system has many programmable features that allow control of each
appliance type to be highly customized.
Internet Energy Systems, Inc. Real Time. Real Energy. Real Savings.
www.InternetEnergySystems.com
Info@InternetEnergySystems.com
