Hardware

Can Fixsus hardware also be used without TIBA3?

Yes. Fixsus hardware has been developed to work optimally with TIBA3, but it is not exclusively tied to TIBA3.

Open communication

Fixsus field devices communicate via standard Modbus RTU. As a result, they can also be used in other building management systems or automation platforms that work with Modbus.

Central intelligence

The devices do not contain closed, project-specific logic. That intelligence is organized centrally within the system in which the hardware is integrated.

Integration by third parties

An external integrator can include the devices in their own central control system and is then responsible for the programming, addressing, and functional integration.

Fixsus can provide the necessary technical documentation, communication data, and product support for this purpose.

Can the installation be tested without special tools?

Yes — that is a deliberate design principle of the Fixsus architecture.

Multimeter and screwdriver

The architecture is easy to test with a multimeter and screwdriver: standard signals, standard terminals, no closed diagnostic tools required.

Accessible to every technician

Because no special software or licenses are required to check the installation, your own technical department or installer can easily perform measurements and checks.

Does the platform support DALI lighting?

Yes. DALI and DALI-2 are standard components of the architecture.

One DALI line per zone

A DALI line runs from each zone to the fixtures and emergency lighting. This ensures that lighting is fully controlled on the same platform as the other technical systems.

Other lighting controls can also be connected

Controlling lighting via other systems is also possible, for example, linked lighting controls via BACnet. This allows existing lighting infrastructure to be included in the management system.

How accurate are the sensors?

The room sensors are digitized and measure temperature with an accuracy of ±0.2 °C.

Why that precision matters

This accuracy is necessary to achieve true demand-driven control per room instead of controlling based on an average. Otherwise, small measurement deviations lead to unnecessary heating or cooling.

Complete measurement per room

In addition to temperature, relative humidity, eCO₂ (CO₂ from 2027), VOC, and light intensity are also measured. This provides the control system with a complete and reliable overview for each room.

How is the power supply for the field devices handled?

The field devices operate on 24 VDC, with secondary grounded power supplies.

Shared power supply per environment

The power supply can be shared across devices in the same environment, within the current limits of the bus cable used. This keeps the installation simple and well-organized.

How long does a Fixsus installation last?

A Fixsus installation is designed for a lifespan of 25 years without mandatory platform upgrades.

Long lifespan as a core principle

The central architecture, industrial Beckhoff hardware, and open technology are selected with long-term availability, maintainability, and replaceability in mind.

No mandatory upgrade cycle

With traditional building management systems, customers are often forced to renew controllers, software, or licenses after just a few years to maintain support.

TIBA3 is designed to continue functioning throughout its intended lifespan without mandatory, paid platform upgrades being imposed.

Replaceable components

When an individual part fails or reaches the end of its technical lifespan, that component can be replaced without automatically renewing the entire installation.

Expandable during its lifespan

New rooms, technologies, and functions can also be added to the installation at a later stage. This allows the installation to grow alongside changes in the building and its use.

Lower total cost of ownership

The long lifespan, the avoidance of mandatory upgrade cycles, and the replaceability of individual parts help to limit the total cost over the entire period of use.

How long will the hardware remain available?

The availability and lifespan of the platform are aimed at 25 years.

Widely available components

Beckhoff components are widely available, including through regular electrical wholesalers. Consequently, replacement parts do not pose a problem, even in the long term.

No forced replacements

Because the hardware remains available for a long time and the installation is designed for 25 years without mandatory upgrades, you avoid the forced replacement cycles that are common with traditional systems.

How reliable is the hardware itself?

It concerns industrial automation components from Beckhoff, built for continuous operation in production environments.

Industrial standards

Production environments place heavier demands than a building. The components are designed for that level of reliability and have proven themselves in the industry for decades.

Spare parts remain available

The long-term availability — with a horizon of 25 years — further guarantees that spare parts remain available throughout the entire lifespan of the installation.

Is the hardware suitable for demanding or critical environments?

Yes — these are industrial automation components that also operate in production environments.

Industrial as a starting point

The components are built for continuous operation in industrial conditions — a more demanding regime than what a building typically requires.

Options for critical applications

For critical applications such as server rooms, cold storage, -80 °C monitoring, or healthcare environments, monitoring and redundancy options are available, ensuring that issues are reported before damage occurs.

What are the components of a typical Fixsus installation?

A typical Fixsus installation consists of a central industrial controller, distributed I/O islands, and field devices connected to each other via open communication.

Central Beckhoff PLC

The central PLC forms the technical heart of the installation. This is where the project-specific control intelligence, the integration between technologies, and the link to the visualization are located.

EtherCAT backbone and I/O islands

I/O islands are placed throughout the building. These read signals from sensors and contacts and control installations, valves, motors, and other components.

Communication with the central controller takes place via a high-speed EtherCAT backbone.

Bus lines to the field devices

Open bus systems extend from the I/O islands to the various devices in the building, such as:

• Modbus RTU for room controls, sensors, and controllers;
• DALI for lighting;
• M-Bus or Modbus for energy meters;
• other open protocols for integrated technologies.

Field devices in the rooms

Depending on the project, the installation may include:

• room controls;
• temperature and air quality sensors;
• motion detectors;
• Room Controllers;
• badge readers;
• fire damper controllers;
• components of Fixsus Cura for nurse calls;
• switches, valves, and other technical actuators.

Visualization and secure access

The installation is completed with the TIBA3 web visualization and, where provided, secure remote access via TIBA Secure.

Project-specific configuration

Not every building has the same structure. The installation is tailored to the available technologies, the number of rooms, the desired functions, and the potential reuse of existing components.

What does the Fixsus room controller do?

The room controller acts as the local controller per room or zone: it reads local sensors and controls, and manages local functions.

Local control

The room controller manages lighting, valves (VAV), climate ceilings, sun blinds, and other local functions, based on measurements and controls within the room.

No project-specific logic

Important: the room controller contains no project-specific logic — this is located centrally on the PLC. This makes the device easily replaceable without the need for a programmer or configuration tool.

What does TIBA3 run on?

TIBA3 runs locally on an industrial Beckhoff PLC within the building itself.

Local central unit

The project-specific control logic is executed on the building’s central unit. As a result, basic operation is not dependent on an external cloud environment or a permanent internet connection.

Central functions

This central environment manages, among other things:

• control strategies;
• communication with building systems;
• local visualization;
• technical alarms;
• settings and operating parameters.

Autonomous operation

In the event of an internet connection failure, local control, operation, and vital building functions continue to function. Only services requiring an external connection, such as remote access, external notifications, or certain online data sources, may be temporarily unavailable.

Industrial technology

The Beckhoff PLC is developed for continuous automation applications and forms the technological foundation upon which Fixsus builds the TIBA3 programming, visualization, and integrations.

What happens if a field device such as a room controller fails?

Only the affected room is impacted; the rest of the building continues to operate.

Limited impact

A defective field device never affects the operation of the entire building: the central intelligence and other rooms continue to function normally.

Replace and ready

The device is replaced by an identical unit that works immediately — after all, the configuration is stored centrally. No programmer or configuration tool is required.

What is an EtherCAT island?

An I/O island is a collection point per zone or floor: an EtherCAT coupler with I/O terminals that connects the local inputs and outputs to the central PLC.

The link between the field and the central PLC

The island collects the inputs and outputs of, for example, the boiler room, air handling units, valves, and lighting, and connects them via the EtherCAT backbone to the central intelligence.

Together forming a ring for redundancy

The islands together form a ring: in the event of a cable break, communication simply continues from the other side of the ring, without interrupting operation.

What is measured in each room?

By default, five variables are measured per room:

• temperature;
• relative humidity;
• eCO₂ (CO₂ from 2027);
• VOC (air quality);
• light intensity (lux).

More than conventional systems

Conventional systems often only measure temperature and sometimes CO2. The broader measurement range provided by Fixsus forms the basis for more precise, demand-driven control per room.

What is the TP10 control panel?

The TP10 is the room control unit from Fixsus: a panel featuring a glass plate and ten capacitive buttons.

Control and measurement in a single device

The TP10 features built-in measurement of temperature, relative humidity, eCO₂ (CO₂ from 2027), VOC, and lux. A single device therefore combines room control with comprehensive room measurement.

The foundation for precise control

Because every room is fully measured, the central control system has the necessary data to provide demand-driven control per room — the foundation of comfort and energy efficiency.

Which communication terminals are available for special interfaces?

The Beckhoff range includes terminals and software functions for virtually every protocol common in buildings and industry.

A terminal for virtually every protocol

Available options include RS-232/485, KNX/EIB, M-Bus, DALI, LON, MP-Bus, EnOcean, BACnet, PROFINET, CANopen, OPC UA, and MQTT.

Customization is rarely required

Special interfaces therefore rarely require custom hardware: there is a high probability that a standard terminal or software function already exists for your application.

Which field devices does Fixsus manufacture in-house?

Fixsus develops and builds its own range of field devices, designed to integrate seamlessly into the TIBA3 architecture.

The proprietary range

The range includes, among others:

• the TP10 control panel;
• the Fixsus room controller (terminal unit controller);
• PIR motion detectors with lux measurement;
• room sensors;
• fire damper controllers;
• Fixsus Cura for nurse calls and room control;
• badge readers, remote and wall controls;
• DIN-rail I/O boards.

No closed logic

The devices do not contain project-specific logic and communicate via open standards. As a result, they are easy to replace and can also be used outside of TIBA3.

Which protocols do the field devices use for communication?

All communication takes place via open, documented standards.

The right protocol for every application

• Fixsus field devices communicate via Modbus RTU (RS-485);
• lighting operates via DALI;
• energy meters are read via M-Bus or Modbus;
• the I/O islands communicate via EtherCAT.

Open standards

Because these are all open standards, you are not tied to a single manufacturer, and devices from other brands can also be integrated into the architecture.