Fort Wayne, IN –  The Aurora Universal Protocol Converter (UPC) is now available on Versatec Base, Versatec Ultra and Envision² Compact products from WaterFurnace International, Inc., the leading manufacturer of water source and geothermal heat pumps.

Designed to incorporate the advanced features, performance and controls of WaterFurnace Aurora-based heat pumps into commercial building automation systems (BAS), the Aurora UPC seamlessly communicates with Aurora boards and converts the Modbus protocol to BACnet MS/TP, LON or OpenN2 protocol. The module provides access to unit sensors, relay operations and faults and allows individual unit configuration – all without the need to manually access the heat pump. A portable touch-screen interface gives a technician full access to equipment status, parameter values, temperatures and humidity sensing, as well as access to alarm and trend history.

The Aurora UPC features a multi-protocol field selectable communication port that supports:

EIA-485 BACnet MS/TP @ 9600, 19.2k, 38.4k, 76.8k baud

Metasys OpenN2

LonWorks TP/FT-10 (requires optional LON plug-in communication card)

The controller includes an onboard CR2032 battery with a 10-year lifespan to provide 720 hours of cumulative power outage capacity. The Aurora UPC also features:

LEDs for status of power, network communication, processor operation and errors

Local laptop or Aurora Touch Interface connection for field service and configuration

Heating and cooling control from a remotely located zone sensor

In addition, the Aurora UPC includes an Rnet communication port that allows for up to five ZS Series Rnet zone sensors to be connected for space temperature averaging.

To learn more, visit http://www.waterfurnace.com/ddc-controls.aspx.

WaterFurnace International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional geothermal and water source heat pumps. Although it earned a reputation as a leader in geothermal heat pumps, WaterFurnace has worked in recent years to innovate new technologies, integrate key trends and grow the core business to represent a portfolio of clean and sustainable solutions. WaterFurnace (TSX:WFI) was founded in 1983, and the company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind.