Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a building automation controller and related method and storage medium including a processor configured, through at least execution of a distributed computer program, to: receive sensor data generated by a sensor, wherein the sensor data is indicative of a state of a defined space, identify an action to be performed by a device to affect the state in accordance with an operating characteristic for the defined space, determine that the device is attached to a second controller of a plurality of additional controllers, and transmit to the second controller, an indication that the action is to be performed by the device, wherein: the distributed computer program is configured to be distributed among the processor and the plurality of additional controllers and, the processor is further configured to apportion work to be performed by the computer program between at least the additional controllers.

A method for upgrading a portion of a process control system from a legacy programmable logic controller (PLC) to a non-PLC process controller is disclosed. A mounting rack sized to fit into a space occupied by legacy hardware is assembled and populated with replacement hardware that includes an I/O card, an I/O terminal block, and a custom interface module. The custom interface module is coupled to the I/O card via the I/O terminal block and to a plurality of process control field devices via a legacy wiring mechanism coupled to legacy wiring of the process control system, without requiring modification or re-termination of the legacy wiring. The legacy wiring mechanism is disconnected from the legacy hardware, the rack containing the legacy hardware is removed and replaced with the mounting rack, and the legacy wiring mechanism is coupled to the custom interface module.

A modular I/O device includes a terminal base with a terminal block that includes a plurality of wiring connectors. An auxiliary wiring device includes a plurality of auxiliary wiring connectors and is selectively physically connectable to the terminal base in an operative position and selectively physically removable from the terminal base. The terminal block and auxiliary wiring connector can be coupled to an I/O module. One or more of the I/O module terminal block and auxiliary wiring connector can include electrical or electronic components included converters, fuses, switches, etc.

A method of monitoring connection status of wiring within a marshalling cabinet includes generating, by a switch including a first portion and a second portion, a socket connection signal when the switch is closed. The switch closes when a wire harness including the second switch portion is inserted within a socket of a terminal block including the first switch portion by a predetermined amount. The wire harness includes wire harness pins in communication with factory wiring of an industrial control system and the terminal block includes terminal block pins in communication with field wiring of the control system. The method also includes receiving the socket connection signal and determining a socket connection status. The status is determined to be connected when the socket connection signal is received by the processor and determined to be disconnected status absent receipt of the connection signal. The determined connection status is also output.

A communication module for a communication or automation device includes a housing having a connection region that can be brought into contact with a base module of the communication or automation device, wherein centering pins of the connection region are insertable into corresponding receptacles in the base module, a fastening screw having a threaded section penetrates the housing between the centering pins, where the threaded section of the fastening screw is screwable into a threaded hole in the base module, and a passage for receiving the fastening screw is arranged substantially centrally in the housing and extends at right angles to the connection region, the fastening screw has a driver ring connected to it that surrounds a section of a shaft of the fastening screw and where, along the passage, a cutout is provided in the housing for the driver ring that is axially displaceable inside the cutout.

A carrier assembly for carrying an electronics housing includes: a base; a carrier element that locks to the base; a slot on which the electronics housing is put; and a locking element that is adjustably arranged on the carrier element, locks the base to the carrier element when in a locked position, and is blocked in the locked position when an electronics housing is put onto the slot such that the locking element cannot be moved out of the locked position.

A method for upgrading a portion of a process control system from a legacy programmable logic controller (PLC) to a non-PLC process controller is disclosed. A mounting rack sized to fit into a space occupied by legacy hardware is assembled and populated with replacement hardware that includes an I/O card, an I/O terminal block, and a custom interface module. The custom interface module is coupled to the I/O card via the I/O terminal block and to a plurality of process control field devices via a legacy wiring mechanism coupled to legacy wiring of the process control system, without requiring modification or re-termination of the legacy wiring. The legacy wiring mechanism is disconnected from the legacy hardware, the rack containing the legacy hardware is removed and replaced with the mounting rack, and the legacy wiring mechanism is coupled to the custom interface module.

An input/output (I/O) device for a distributed modular I/O system includes a base adapted to be connected to an associated support structure. A terminal block is connected to the base and includes a plurality of wiring connections adapted to be connected to field wiring of an associated controlled system. The I/O device further includes first and second I/O modules each including a plurality of removable single-channel I/O submodules that are each releasably connected to the base and each configured for a select I/O operation for input and output of data relative to the associated controlled system. One or more pairs of the single-channel I/O submodules can be configured to be redundant within or between the first and second I/O modules. Each of the single-channel I/O submodules is operatively connected to wiring connections of the terminal block through the base. The I/O device further includes first and second network switches connected to the base. The first and second network switches are adapted to be respectively connected to first and second backplane circuits. The I/O device further includes first and second system modules connected to the base and each respectively connected to both of the first and second network switches. The first and second system modules are also each respectively operatively connected to all of the removable single-channel I/O submodules of both of the first and second I/O modules such that the first and second system modules control communication of I/O data between the first and second network switches and the single-channel I/O submodules.

Tools and techniques are described to automate line testing when wiring devices (such as equipment and sensors) to controllers. Controllers have access to databases of the devices that are controlled by them, including wiring diagrams and protocols, such that the controller can automatically check that each wire responds correctly to stimulus from the controller. After testing, a reporting device rapidly shows the results of the line testing.

A method of monitoring connection status of wiring within a marshalling cabinet includes generating, by a switch including a first portion and a second portion, a socket connection signal when the switch is closed. The switch closes when a wire harness including the second switch portion is inserted within a socket of a terminal block including the first switch portion by a predetermined amount. The wire harness includes wire harness pins in communication with factory wiring of an industrial control system and the terminal block includes terminal block pins in communication with field wiring of the control system. The method also includes receiving the socket connection signal and determining a socket connection status. The status is determined to be connected when the socket connection signal is received by the processor and determined to be disconnected status absent receipt of the connection signal. The determined connection status is also output.