5.2 Shade Control

The Shade Control screen, shown to the right, allows the user to specify the type of shade control for each window/skylight treatment zone in the model. The treatment zones were previously defined on the Geometry Input page when entering each window. A treatment zone is a group of window/skylight shades or blinds that will be controlled together. On the right side of this page is an isometric and floor plan diagram. Any photosensor locations defined in the treatment zone table will show up on these diagrams to assist the user in proper placement.

The Treatment Zone control table allows the user to define the type of controls to use for each treatment zone. Each zone can either be assigned auto, manual or fixed control. These control algorithms are discussed in more detail here.

An auto control ties the shades to a defined photosensor location and setpoint which determines when the shades will be drawn or retracted. Auto-generating the shade position, by pressing the Position button, will place the photosensor on the exterior of the wall or roof that contains the shades for the given zone. Auto-generating the shade sensor setpoint, by pressing the Setpoint button, will set the setpoint just above the brightest cloudy day, ensuring that the shades will be retracted under overcast conditions but drawn during most instances of direct sunlight.

The Advanced Setpoints button activates the Advanced shade control settings window which can be used to optimize the control of an automated shade control using an exterior photosensor.