BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) Working Group Releases New BTL Test Package

Latest Version 20.0 includes testing for most new functionality, including BACnet Secure Connect

The BACnet Testing Laboratories' Working Group (BTL-WG) has released BTL Test Package v20.0, which contains updated tests and procedures to be used by manufacturers to pre-test products for BACnet compliance, and to test devices qualifying for BTL Certification. The BTL-WG was formed by BACnet International to oversee the establishment of the BACnet conformance certification and listing program.

With this release of the BTL Test Package added, test coverage has been extended to include most functionality up through BACnet Protocol Revision 20, along with some functionality from later Protocol Revisions, including BACnet Secure Connect (135-2016 plus addenda: bd, be,bi, bk, bl, bm, bn, bp, bq and BACnet/Secure Connect addendum bj).

"Testing and Certification of products is crucial to the BACnet standard’s success,” stated Andy McMillan, president & managing director of BACnet International. "Interoperability is facilitated by BTL testing and that is essential to maintaining BACnet’s broad utilization and user satisfaction."

With Test Package 20.0 now available, BTL testing has entered a Transition Period. Test Package 20.0 replaces Test Package 18.1.4 as the current test package. The BTL Working Group has set the Transition Period to end March 18, 2022. During the Transition Period, vendors may choose to have their product tested with either test package for those products having Protocol Revision 18 or lower. Products with Protocol Revision 19 or higher must use Test Package 20.0. Any product currently in BTL Testing will continue with Test Package 18.1.4.

To see all BTL Listed products, please visit bacnetinternational.net/btl. For more information on the BTL, or to obtain the BTL Test Package v20.0 visit bacnetlabs.org/test_documentation.

About BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL)

BACnet Testing Laboratories was established by BACnet International to support compliance testing and interoperability testing activities and consists of the BTL Manager and the BTL Working Group (BTL-WG). Its general activities include publishing the BTL Implementation Guidelines document, awarding worldwide BTL Listings to qualified BACnet devices, publishing and maintaining the BTL Test Package, approving Testing Laboratories for BTL Testing, providing testing services through its managed BACnet laboratory, and organizing the annual PlugFest Interoperability Workshop. 

About BACnet International

BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Labs (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products. The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication. 

Voting Member of BACnet Testing Laboratories Working Group Announced

Chris Howard, of Schneider Electric, starts new five-year term as voting member

BACnet International is proud to announce that Chris Howard will continue as a voting member of the BACnet Testing Laboratories Working Group (BTL-WG). Howard was inducted during a BTL-WG virtual meeting on June 24, 2021, and will begin a new five-year term on July 1, 2021. The BTL-WG operates under the auspices of BACnet International.

The BTL-WG provides technical oversight and guidance for the global BTL testing and certification program for BACnet products. The primary goal of the certification program is to improve BACnet interoperability among building automation products. Voting members are selected from knowledgeable experts in the BACnet community and serve 5-year terms.

“Chris has been an active and contributing participant in the BTL Working Group,” stated Andy McMillan, BACnet International president and managing director. “We are very happy to see him continue in his role as a voting member and look forward to his future involvement.”

Howard is a Senior Test Expert and principal tester for Schneider Electric's building management products. In his role, Howard also acts as a technical advisor for other development teams throughout Schneider Electric that don't have a dedicated team for BACnet. He provides the much-needed technical expertise across all phases of a product, including implementation guidance, achieving and maintaining the BTL Certification, and assisting in the identification and resolution of field issues.

About BACnet International

BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Labs (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products. The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication. 

BACnet International announced the launch of the BACnet Remote Interoperability Test Environment (BRITE). BRITE provides a confidential, supplier-independent environment for remote interoperability testing of BACnet devices. The focus of BRITE is BACnet Secure Connect (BACnet/SC) product interoperability testing and it utilizes BACnet/SC to achieve secure connections over the Internet.

For more information on BRITE, visit bacnetinternational.org/BRITE

BTL Working Group Releases New BTL Test Package

Latest Version 18.0 includes testing for BACnet Secure Connect

The BACnet Testing Laboratories' Working Group (BTL-WG) has released BTL Test Package v18.0, which contains updated testing procedures to be used by manufacturers to pre-test products for BACnet compliance, and to test devices qualifying for BTL Certification. The BTL-WG was formed by BACnet International to oversee the establishment of the BACnet conformance certification and listing program.

With this release of the BTL Test Package, test coverage has been extended to include most functionality contained in BACnet Protocol Revision 18, along with some functionality from later Protocol Revisions, including BACnet Secure Connect.

"Tested and listed products are crucial to the success of the BACnet standard,” stated Andy McMillan, president & managing director of BACnet International. "Advancing BTL testing ensures BACnet will remain vital, and assists in BACnet’s adoption and user satisfaction."

With Test Package 18.0 now available, BTL testing has entered a transition period. Test Package 18.0 replaces Test Package 16.1.3 as the current test package. The BTL Working Group has set the Transition Period to end February 1, 2021. During the Transition Period, vendors may choose to have their product tested with either test package for those products having Protocol Revision 16 or lower. Products with Protocol Revision 17 or higher must use Test Package 18.0. Any product currently in BTL Testing will continue with Test Package 16.1.3.

To see all BTL Listed products, please visit bacnetinternational.net/btl. For more information on the BTL, or to obtain the BTL Test Package v18.0 please visit bacnetlabs.org/test_documentation.

About BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL)

BACnet Testing Laboratories was established by BACnet International to support compliance testing and interoperability testing activities and consists of the BTL Manager and the BTL Working Group (BTL-WG). Its general activities include publishing the BTL Implementation Guidelines document, awarding worldwide BTL Listings to qualified BACnet devices, publishing and maintaining the BTL Test Package, approving Testing Laboratories for BTL Testing, providing testing services through its managed BACnet laboratory, and organizing the annual PlugFest Interoperability Workshop.

About BACnet International

BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Labs (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products. The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication. 

New Voting Member of BACnet Testing Laboratories Working Group Announced

Steve Karg, of Legrand, starts five-year term as newest voting member

The BACnet Testing Laboratories Working Group (BTL-WG) is proud to announce the addition of Steve Karg as its newest voting member. Karg was inducted during the BTL-WG Meeting in Kansas City on June 20, 2019, and will begin his five-year term on July 1, 2019.

The BTL-WG provides oversight and guidance to the BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL). The BTL is responsible for the technical aspects of BACnet International's testing and listing activities, the central goal of which is to improve BACnet interoperability between building automation products. 

“Steve has been a very active participant in the BACnet community, including co-chairing the BACnet International Education Committee, participating in BTL-WG meetings from the beginning, and producing articles for BACnet publications,” stated Andy McMillan, BACnet International president and managing director. “We are thrilled to have him join the voting members and look forward to him having a greater role in the BTL Working Group.”

"I started working with BACnet late (1998), and have been a member of the BACnet committee since 2001, including two terms as a voting member,” stated Karg. “I've been a member of the BTL-WG since its inception. It will be an honor to serve the BTL Working Group with voting member responsibilities, and I hope to take a more active role in its activities, especially as it relates to automated testing of BACnet devices, allowing the cost of testing to be reduced."

About BACnet International

BACnet International is an industry association that facilitates the successful use of the BACnet protocol in building automation and control systems through interoperability testing, educational programs and promotional activities. BACnet International oversees operation of the BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) and maintains a global listing of tested products . The BACnet standard was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and has been made publicly available so that manufacturers can create interoperable systems of products. BACnet International complements the work of the ASHRAE standards committee and BACnet-related interest groups around the world. BACnet International members include building owners, consulting engineers and facility managers, as well as companies involved in the design, manufacture, installation, commission and maintenance of control equipment that uses BACnet for communication.

All they have to do to use the BTL Mark is apply for BTL Certification. To apply, have them go to the link below and complete the online BTL Certification Application:

https://BACnetTestingLaboratories.formstack.com/forms/btl_certification_application_form

They will be asked to provide the following in the application:

• A copy of your Final Test Report (PDF and Excel File, if applicable) for the product they buy from you
• A copy of the PICS - Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement for the product they buy from you
• Product Image – For Member Companies ONLY
• Product Description – For Member Companies ONLY

The completed application form will be automatically sent to BTL for processing upon submission.

In addition to the BTL Certification Application, they will need to supply two other documents, which will be forwarded to them once BTL processes the application:

     1) BTL Distributor Listing and Certification Agreement, if not already on file

     2) BTL OEM Product Attestation Form

Note that on the BTL OEM Product Attestation Form, signatures by both the company submitting the request for BTL Certification and the company referenced in the Final Test Report are required.

All of the required documentation is available upon request. If you would like to review the documents ahead of time, or have any other questions about this opportunity, send an email to info@bacnetinternational.org. Please use ‘Third Party Manufacturer’ in the subject line.

BACnet International Announces New BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) Certification Program

Merging of two programs provides easier certification and product research

Atlanta, Ga. – January 2, 2017 – BACnet International announces that beginning today there is a new BTL Certification Program, formed by the merger of the previous BTL Listing and WSPCert Certificate programs. In this new program, a single application to the BACnet Testing Lab will provide companies with a Certificate of Conformance, a BTL Listing and the right to use the BTL Mark.

The BTL Mark is a mark of distinction and has come to represent a high level of quality and conformance based on rigorous independent testing. The BTL Certification Program provides suppliers with a way to highlight products that have successfully completed this testing, while it provides users with assurance that these products have been independently tested and have passed industry standard BACnet testing. The tests are designed to validate that the product correctly implements a specified set of BACnet features. The rigorous testing associated with obtaining the right to use the BTL Mark is a powerful methodology for finding and eliminating implementation errors before a product reaches the market.

Combining the current BTL Listing and WSPCert programs makes it easier for suppliers and users since there is now one integrated global process for BACnet Certification and Listing. Suppliers will only have to submit one application and all new products will have a formal certificate. Users and integrators can now look in one place to find information on all tested products. For many this listing will be a primary research tool for BACnet product information.

“We’re very excited to announce this new BTL Certification Program,” stated Andy McMillan, president and managing director of BACnet International.  “The BTL website and product listing has been a great research tool for users and suppliers alike for over 10 years.  With the new, more robust and streamlined Certification process we expect more products will join the over 700 BACnet products already listed on the BTL website.”

For more information on the program visit the BTL website's BTL Certification Program page.

About BACnet International