Controls Fundamentals: Understanding Control Points

By Danny Richardson, PE

Have you ever walked into a building and wondered what the building automation system was actually doing? You’re not alone.

Whether you’re an engineer, architect, owner, or facilities professional, a working understanding of control points can fundamentally change how you approach building systems. Control points determine what a system can sense, what it can command, and how effectively it can respond to real-world conditions.

A clear understanding of control points helps project teams:

• Define clear inputs and outputs early in design
• Align control intent with actual system capabilities
• Reduce ambiguity during controls programming and commissioning
• Improve troubleshooting and long-term system diagnostics

In Danny Richardson’s first installment of his Controls Fundamentals series, we focus less on theory and more on practical understanding. Starting with the basics, real examples, and a healthy dose of industry perspective.

For the full article, click the link below.