New panel extends room control capabilities

Siemens continues to expand the offering from its KNX Gamma building control range with the release of the second generation of the KNX Touch Control TC5 panel.

Building on its predecessor, the new version retains the elegant and modern design but offers a number of new features, further improving the aesthetics and operating concept of the product.

The 5in aluminium and glass panel device is available in a black or white finish and can be mounted in portrait or landscape orientations, making it suited to an even wider range of applications.

With its updated firmware, the TC5 offers the potential to operate as an all-in-one KNX room control device, with multiple pages to enable configuration of all desired room functions through the ETS software, including the display of data gathered by external sensors. This software also allows numerous settings, such as the three different options for temperature display on the homepage, internal sensor, external sensor or alternating every five seconds.

The room temperature controller supports a range of HVAC applications, from heating and ventilating to fan coils, VRF (variable refrigerant flow), chilled ceiling and floor heating. Comprehensive lighting functionality is provided for switching and dimming, as well as the capacity for human centric lighting and solar protection through shading control. It also optimises indoor air quality, providing alerts for even the smallest of harmful particles such as PM2.5, PM10, CO2 and VOC (volatile organic compounds).

Up to five different alarm functions can be configured, with the option for acoustic and/or visual signalling. Security is enhanced through the device’s password protection, with window contact and proximity sensors also adding to its integrated automatic capabilities.

Recognising the importance of controlling a room’s conditions in achieving a productive and healthy working environment, the TC5 has also been designed with building performance and optimised energy use in mind as part of the move towards smart buildings. While it is characterised by its capacity to customise a wide range of room comfort contributory factors, the ETS configuration can be used to lock various HVAC functions so that they cannot be over-ridden by the end user.