Fit for the BACnet market with certificate and BTL logo
To ensure that the components of a building automation system communicate smoothly, more and more operators are using BACnet as an effective communication protocol. A certificate and the BTL logo indicate that this interaction actually works. This certificate identifies products that have successfully passed our accredited test laboratory.
Certified products set standards
There is no legal obligation for manufacturers to have their BACnet products certified. However, only devices with the BTL label (BACnet Testing Laboratories) are often approved in tenders for public properties. This is the joint quality seal of BACnet International and the European BACnet Interest Group. It is practically indispensable for keeping pace with other market players. For tenders in Germany and in some cases also in Austria, a certificate from the Working Group for Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of State and Municipal Administrations (AMEV) is often required. Proof of conformity from an accredited BACnet test laboratory is an integral part of this from the outset.
It is therefore fair to say that manufacturers can improve their competitive position if their appliances are certified as complying with the ISO 16484-5 standard. It is no coincidence that the well-known German manufacturers can boast the BTL mark - and in turn set market standards.
Consider innovations
Technical reasons - such as new developments, innovative features or updates to the standard - can also result in a visit to the test laboratory. The certificate is generally valid for five years. If the hardware is improved or its software revised during this period, the associated new functions must be tested again. However, devices that have not been revised must also undergo a retest at the end of the five-year period.
In each case, the product is handed over to one of the three test laboratories worldwide, where it undergoes the conformity test. The entire functional range is covered, from simple sensors and actuators to application-specific controllers (B-ASC, B-AAC), freely programmable DDCs (B-BC), gateways (B-GW) and routers (B-RTR) through to operating devices, BMS and workstations (B-OD, B-OWS, B-AWS). The test process is based on the official BACnet test package, consisting of the BTL test plan and the ISO 16484-6 test standard.
In Germany, the German Accreditation Body DAkkS regularly checks that laboratories comply with the laboratory standard and its quality requirements. It confirms the competence of the laboratories to carry out the conformity test as a prerequisite for the certification of the devices.
Unconditional quality
Testing is usually carried out using the BACnet Test Framework BTF, which was developed by MBS GmbH. This software automates large parts of the test procedure, which can still take several months despite automation, depending on the functional scope of the device. If this seems time-consuming and tedious at first glance, you should take a second look. Because the benefits are considerable.
Firstly, the conformity test ensures quality. A manufacturer can assume with a clear conscience that their product functions in accordance with the standard and works with other BACnet devices. Secondly, a successfully tested device communicates out of the box with other devices (which also have the BTL brand) once it has been installed in a building automation system. Thirdly, this significantly reduces support costs, making system failures or disappointed customers a thing of the past.
Choose the optimal service provider
In principle, any company can have its products assessed by any accredited test laboratory, regardless of its own location. This is always based on the official BACnet test package and, if successful, ends with the BTL mark and entry in the BTL certification listing, the international register of all products with proven BACnet conformity.
It makes sense to choose the service provider that best suits your needs. MBS GmbH maintains its own test laboratory with ten experienced employees, which has been accredited by the DAkkS since 2012. Here, the company contributes its extensive experience as a device and software manufacturer for building automation as well as its twenty years of involvement in international committees - MBS not only has BACnet in its blood, but in its DNA. As a result, customers benefit from numerous services that can also be bundled into a complete package. These include development support for newcomers, training on the details of the standard and assistance with product development and implementation.
Partner for certification - and beyond
If there is any doubt about the conformity of a device, there is also the option of pre-testing. These are also based on the BTL test package, but are considerably cheaper than having to complete several runs in the laboratory due to a fault, for example. And, of course, the official conformity tests are also carried out in the MBS test laboratory.
As the right address for all BACnet matters, the experts can also help with error analyses or the evaluation of log files. And should there ever be a need for clarification with the certification institutions, MBS can also be a reliable partner.
Checklist: Before going to the BACnet test lab
With three test laboratories worldwide, lead times may be longer. Do not let yourself be put off, but compare different deadlines.
Request a detailed fixed price offer for the first round of testing with specific information about the planned process to avoid unexpected additional costs.
Rely on automated processes. These not only guarantee high-quality results, but also make these results reproducible.
Testimonials
Brück Electronic GmbH
"MBS-Solutions has supported us right from the start with valuable advice and expert guidance on the BACnet certification process. Thanks to the certification of the Router-DALISYS-BACnet-REG, the door to the IoT world is now open for our in-house development B.E.G. DALISYS."Dieter Walz
Product manager for networked systems
DEOS AG
"In cooperation with the MBS test laboratory, we have completed all tests in preparation for the BACnet certification of our OPEN EMS controller family. The new BACnet certification enables us to offer our customers state-of-the-art BACnet functions. The MBS test laboratory has supported us throughout the entire testing process as an extremely competent partner. We particularly appreciate the fast and uncomplicated contact with MBS contact persons as well as their reliability and fast processing of the test order."M. Klinger
Product management
Phoenix Contact GmbH
"International standards such as BACnet (Building Automation and Control Networks) are extremely important for us as a provider of industrial automation, as we need data of all kinds in order to create added value for operators and users of buildings with our solutions. We appreciate the good, reliable and professional cooperation with the test laboratory at MBS and are pleased that we have now been able to obtain certification for our Building IoT Controller ILC 2050 BI with the test report."Bernhard Tillmanns
Director Global Industry Management Building Technology
PRIVA B.V.
We appreciate the efficient and reliable cooperation with the MBS test laboratory. We are very pleased that we have now recertified our Priva Blue ID S10 and C4 products with the test report from MBS."Patrik Niklasson
Product Owner at Priva, De Lier.
We are delighted that our software solution has received BACnet certification. As an international standard, BACnet certification confirms the quality and performance of our product in building automation. We particularly appreciate the speed and reliability of the MBS laboratory that carried out the testing process.
Paul Furtak
Managing Director
This is the second time that the MBS test laboratory has worked for us and we have found them to be serious and reliable. The processing of our order on the way to certification of our BACnet MS/TP components is carried out conscientiously and on schedule. The MBS laboratory is our first port of call when we need it again.
Oliver Jehlitschke
Head of Development Center at METZ CONNECT TECH GmbH
Sauter Controls GmbH
What we particularly appreciate about the test laboratory at MBS is the reliability and fast processing of our test order. We are delighted that the test report from MBS has now enabled us to obtain certification in accordance with Revision 18 for our Sauter Vision Center 6.3 product. By certifying our web-based building management solution in accordance with the ISO 16484-5 standard, we are setting market standards.Peter Schönenberger
Head of Marketing and Product Management
We greatly appreciate the knowledgeable and professional support of the MBS test team during the recent BTL certification of our EcoStruxure Building Operation Enterprise Server and Automation Controller. BTL certification is an important part of our products as it demonstrates to our customers that we are compliant with the BACnet standard and ready to interact with other BACnet devices. The latest version of our product implements BACnet/SC, a new standard with new tests and challenges, and thanks to the effective collaboration with the MBS team, these challenges have been overcome.
Chris Howard
Head of the interoperability campaign for buildings, Schneider Electric
WindowMaster International A/S
At WindowMaster, we always strive for the highest standards when developing our products and solutions. Our aim is to keep installation, maintenance and service costs as low as possible. This benefits our customers and ultimately WindowMaster. For this reason, we choose accredited testing laboratories such as MBS when we want to have our products and solutions officially tested by third parties. We are pleased that we can now obtain certification for our WCS3xx product with the test report from MBS.Nicolaj Rasmussen Shabtai
Chief Product Officer
