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2800 Laura Lane • Middleton, WI 53562
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800.288.9383
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www.tcsbasys.com
Building Automation Systems
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Installation
Glossary of Terms
Astronomical Time Clock/Time:
Timekeeping settings based on the sunrise and sunset at the geographical location of
the unit.
Baud Rate:
The speed with which a device communicates over a network connection.
BTU:
British Thermal Unit. A measure of the quantity heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water
one degree Fahrenheit.
Cellular Modem:
A type of modem that allows a personal computer or a router to receive Internet access via a mobile
broadband connection instead of using telephone or cable television lines.
CLI:
Command Line Interface. A shell for interactive access to operating system functions or services.
Cloud/Cloud-based:
The “cloud” refers to servers that are accessed over the Internet, and the software and databases
that run on those servers. By using cloud computing, users and companies don’t have to manage physical servers or run
software applications on their own machines.
CT Value: Current Transformer Value. The value of the current wired to the meter, usually expressed in amps.
Current Transducer:
A device which converts current into a proportional industrial standard electrical signal.
DHCP: Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A network management protocol used on Internet Protocol local area
networks. A DHCP server must be present on the network.
DNS:
Domain Name System. A hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers, services, or other resources
connected to the Internet or a private network.
Dry Contact:
A secondary set of contacts of a relay circuit which does not make or break the primary current being
controlled by the relay.
EEMS:
Enterprise Energy Management System. A system of computer-aided tools used by operators of electric utility
grids to monitor, control, and optimize the performance of the generation or transmission system.
Firewall:
A technological barrier designed to prevent unauthorized or unwanted communications between computer
networks or hosts.
Gateway: The node in a computer network that passes traffic from a local network to other networks or the Internet (router).
IP:
Internet Protocol. A set of rules for sending data across a network
kW: Kilowatt. A unit of electrical power. This unit equals 1000 watts. The kW is typically used to express the output power
of electric motors, tools, machines, and heaters.
kWh:
Kilowatt-hour. A unit of energy equal to 3600 kilojoules. The kWh is commonly used as a billing unit for energy
delivered to consumers by electric utilities.
LAN:
Local Area Network. A network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a residence, school,
laboratory, university campus or office building.[
LED: Light Emitting Diode. A semiconductor light source that emits light when current flows through it.
MAC Address: Media Access Control Address. A unique identifier assigned to a Network Interface Card (NIC) for use in
communications within a network segment.
Modbus:
A standard data communication protocol for use in programmable logic controllers, thermostats, and similar
devices connected to the same cable or Ethernet network.
NIC:
Network Interface Card. A circuit board or chip, which is installed on a computer so that it can connect to a network.
Polling: The process where a computer or controlling device waits for an external device to check its readiness or state.
Proxy/Proxy Server:
A server application or appliance that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking
resources from servers that provide those resources.