5.2.2 Advanced Automatic Shade Control Settings

The Advanced Setpoints button will initiate a more complex shade control sensor calculation and bring an advanced shade control setting chart to the forefront. Initially, a DOS calculation window will pop-up and will take approximately 1 minute to 10 minutes to complete depending on the projects settings. This DOS has to be complete before you can continue in SPOT. Once it is complete, a sensor signal chart will appear, as seen to the right.

The chart shows the sensor signal for the selected treatment zone for the annual design day set of daylight conditions. The green line on the graph indicates the current setpoint for the given sensor. Times of the year that are below this threshold will have no window treatment and times of the year above this threshold will have the window treatment. This chart is useful for determining a shade sensor signal setpoint for optimal annual shade control. As seen in the example chart to the right, this is for a west facing sensor and it can be seen that up until noon there is no direct sunlight on the facade and the signal is at 2000 or below. Setting the shade sensor signal just above this level will be more optimal in keeping the shades open for longer periods of time.

The Get Default button allows the user to retrieve the default sensor setpoint setting. The default is setting is based on the brightest overcast sky condition ensuring the shades are open under overcast conditions but drawn for most sunny conditions. The default setpoint calculation finds the brightest overcast condition and sets the setpoint just above this condition. The advanced shade setpoint chart allows you to refine the setpoint beyond this default.

The Treatment Zone pull-down menu selects the treatment zone to view in this window. To adjust the sensor setpoint, remember the signal you want to use for the setting and press the Hide button to enter the new setpoint in the Treatment Zone table.

The Max mA field and Change mA button can be used to change the maximum Y-axis of the chart. This can be useful in getting a better resolution of the sensor signal.