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HVAC SystemsFeatured

Why the Frost Stat Is on the Extract Side of a Plate Heat Exchanger

On a plate heat exchanger AHU the frost protection reads the extract, not the incoming fresh air, and engineers rewire it believing it to be a mistake. Why the ice forms on the extract side, how pack frost protection differs from the coil frost stat, and what actually triggers a defrost.

11 Oct 20269 min read

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Latest Articles

HVAC Systems

What Is a Recuperator AHU, and How Does It Compare With a Thermal Wheel?

A recuperator AHU recovers heat through a static plate pack; a thermal wheel does the same job with a rotating matrix and moves moisture with it. What separates them, the efficiency figures the manufacturers actually publish, and the different point schedule each type lands on a controls contractor.

11 Oct 20269 min

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BMS Technical

AHU Controls: How Air Handling Unit Control Sequences Actually Work

A full guide to AHU control sequences: start/stop and optimum start, the damper sequence, fan control, coil sequencing through a deadband, CO₂ demand ventilation, heat recovery by device type, both frost protections, and what to prove at commissioning before you accept a unit.

11 Oct 202612 min

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Case Studies

24V Window Actuator Wiring After a School Roof Replacement

Royal Harbour Academy, Ramsgate: eight weather-damaged 24V window actuator feeds re-cabled in 4 mm² fire-resistant cable, AHU control cabling drawn back and re-terminated, and extract fans wired back to the BMS during a roof replacement.

2 Oct 20267 min

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HVAC Systems

VAV Installation: TROX VAVs & Sontay CO₂ on a Trend BMS

A real VAV installation on a refurbished office floor: four TROX TA-Silenzio extract VAVs and Sontay duct CO₂ sensors wired back to a Trend panel two floors up. Core-by-core terminations, the signal-range and mode checks that decide whether the floor works, and what good looks like at handover.

28 Sept 20269 min

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Hvac Integration14 May 202613 min

Indoor Air Quality Monitoring: How Your BMS Should Be Tracking CO2, Not Just Temperature

Most BMS installations treat ventilation as a fixed-rate system controlled by time schedules, ignoring CO2 levels entirely. Demand-controlled ventilation using CO2 sensors can cut ventilation energy by 20-40% while actually improving air quality — but only if the BMS is set up to use the data properly.

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Network & Data Cabling14 May 20269 min

Server Room Cabling Best Practices: How to Build a Clean, Scalable Setup

Messy server room cabling causes downtime, blocks airflow, and makes every change a gamble. Here's how to build it properly from day one.

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Bms Fundamentals14 May 202612 min

BMS Cybersecurity: Why Your Building Controls Are a Hacking Target

Most building management systems were designed for reliability, not security. Default credentials, unencrypted BACnet traffic, and flat networks mean 75% of organisations have exploitable BMS vulnerabilities — and most do not even know it.

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Network & Data Cabling14 May 20268 min

Cat6 vs Cat6a Cabling: Which Does Your Commercial Building Need?

Choosing between Cat6 and Cat6a for a commercial install isn't just about speed — it's about future-proofing, PoE capacity, and total cost of ownership. Here's how to make the right call.

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Maintenance Faults13 May 202613 min

Are BMS and HVAC Maintenance Contracts Worth It?

HVAC and BMS maintenance contracts range from essential to worthless depending on what is actually included. Here is how to tell the difference — and what a good contract should cover in a UK commercial building.

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Hvac Integration13 May 202615 min

Heat Pump Integration with BMS: The Controls Challenge Nobody Warns You About

Heat pumps are being installed across UK commercial buildings for decarbonisation. But if the BMS integration is wrong, the heat pump will underperform, cost more to run, and create Legionella compliance headaches. Here is how to get it right.

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BMS Maintenance13 May 202610 min

BMS Preventive Maintenance: The Schedule That Stops Breakdowns Before They Start

A structured BMS preventive maintenance schedule catches failing sensors, drifting calibrations, and outdated firmware before they cause breakdowns. Alpha Controls explains what to inspect, when, and why.

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Protocols Networking13 May 202616 min

BMS Vendor Lock-In: How to Escape a Proprietary Controls System

Stuck with a BMS vendor who charges what they like because nobody else can touch the system? Proprietary lock-in is the most expensive problem in building controls. Here is how to get out.

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Energy Compliance13 May 202613 min

MEES Compliance 2028-2030: What Your BMS Needs to Do Now

UK commercial landlords face EPC Band C by 2028 and Band B by 2030 under MEES regulations. Your BMS is the single biggest lever you have to hit those ratings without a full plant replacement. Here is what needs to happen now.

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BMS Commissioning12 May 20269 min

BMS Commissioning and Graphics: From Code to a Dashboard Your FM Team Will Actually Use

BMS commissioning and graphics development is where the system goes from wired hardware to a working building. Alpha Controls covers software strategies, alarm configuration, web dashboards, and handover.

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Building Management Insights

Why the Frost Stat Is on the Extract Side of a Plate Heat Exchanger

Latest Articles

More Articles

Indoor Air Quality Monitoring: How Your BMS Should Be Tracking CO2, Not Just Temperature

Server Room Cabling Best Practices: How to Build a Clean, Scalable Setup

BMS Cybersecurity: Why Your Building Controls Are a Hacking Target

Cat6 vs Cat6a Cabling: Which Does Your Commercial Building Need?

Are BMS and HVAC Maintenance Contracts Worth It?

Heat Pump Integration with BMS: The Controls Challenge Nobody Warns You About

BMS Preventive Maintenance: The Schedule That Stops Breakdowns Before They Start

BMS Vendor Lock-In: How to Escape a Proprietary Controls System

MEES Compliance 2028-2030: What Your BMS Needs to Do Now

BMS Commissioning and Graphics: From Code to a Dashboard Your FM Team Will Actually Use

Ready to Optimise Your Building?