The Metasys® system Field Equipment Controller (FEC) family controllers and network sensors communicate using the standard BACnet® protocol, based on the ANSI/ASHRAE 135-2008. The BACnet protocol is a standard for ANSI, ASHRAE, and the International Standards Organization (ISO) for building controls.
VMA16, VMA18 controllers are BTL-listed as BACnet Application Specific Controllers (B-ASCs).
The Controller Configuration Tool (CCT) can be used to switch the Field Bus communications protocol in supported FEC, FAC, and VMA controllers to be either the standard BACnet MS/TP or the N2 protocol. All new controllers use either BACnet MS/TP as the default communications protocol, or BACnet/IP. Switchable communications protocols in the MS/TP models provide a cost-effective upgrade and modernization path for customers with existing N2 controllers.
- have the input and output (I/O) quantities and characteristics of the FEC Family Controllers
- must be programmed with CCT, which has similar, but not identical programming capabilities as HVACPro, GX9100, GPL, and other legacy tools
- support SA Bus devices
- support WRZ wireless sensors from the controller using the WRZ-7860 receiver (most models)
- are available in Buy American versions (most models)
- do not support Zone Bus (for example, TMZ sensors and M100 actuators) or XT-Bus (System 91) devices (for example, XT, XTM, and XP modules)
- do not support a wireless connection to the N2 bus
- do not support NxE passthrough