
Johnson Controls
Metasys BMS and York chillers with BACnet/IP for KNX commercial building integration
Johnson Controls (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, founded 1885) is the world's largest building automation company — Metasys BMS is installed in over 10 million commercial buildings globally. York chiller brand (YVAA, YVAZ, YMC2) integrates via BACnet/IP with KNX gateways.
Role in our panels
How we use Johnson Controls
Metasys is Johnson Controls' flagship building management system — the platform spans field controllers (FX/FC series), supervisory controllers (NCE), and enterprise server software (Metasys System Configuration Tool, Metasys UI). The legacy N2 bus (proprietary serial, 9600 baud, RS-485 physical) is the foundation of millions of existing Metasys installations. Migration to BACnet/IP is achieved via the Metasys Software Engine (MSE): the MSE acts as a BACnet/IP device presenting all legacy N2 devices as BACnet objects. Modern Metasys FX-PC and FC field controllers are natively BACnet/IP and MS/TP without N2 migration requirements. York YVAA variable-speed air-cooled chillers support BACnet/IP via an optional BACnet module (factory-installed or field-fitted). Key BACnet objects: Analog Value AV-0 (Chilled Water Setpoint, read/write, DPT 9.001 equivalent), Analog Input AI-1 (Leaving Water Temperature), Binary Input BI-0 (Chiller Run Status), Binary Input BI-1 (Fault Active), Analog Input AI-5 (Compressor Power kW). These objects are browseable via any BACnet/IP client including LOYTEC LGATE-952 or Intesis INBACKNX gateways. LOYEC LGATE-952 gateway configuration for Metasys/KNX integration: add Metasys NCE or FX-PC as a BACnet/IP device in LGATE web configurator. Browse the BACnet object tree — Analog Inputs for measured temperature and power values, Binary Outputs for chiller start/stop commands, Analog Values for setpoint writes. Map BACnet objects to KNX group addresses: York YVAA chilled water setpoint (BACnet AV-0) → KNX GA with DPT 9.001 (2-byte float), chiller status (BACnet BI-0) → KNX GA with DPT 1.001, fault active (BACnet BI-1) → KNX GA with DPT 1.005 (alarm), compressor power (BACnet AI-5) → KNX GA with DPT 9.001. For projects where KNX is the primary room control system (lighting, blinds, room temperature) alongside a Johnson Controls Metasys HVAC plant, two integration architectures are available: (1) LOYTEC LGATE-952 at field level — real-time bidirectional KNX/BACnet mapping with sub-second response, suitable for setpoint control and alarm annunciation; (2) Metasys OPC UA server (v11+) with KNX Virtual OPC UA client — supervisory-level integration for energy dashboards and setpoint scheduling without real-time requirements. Architecture (1) is recommended for KNX room panels in hotels and offices where the chiller setpoint is adjusted from the KNX BMS visualisation or from a KNX room controller.
Johnson Controls Metasys N2 (legacy serial bus) converts to BACnet/IP via Metasys Software Engine (MSE). Modern Metasys FC/FX/NCE field controllers natively support BACnet/IP. LOYTEC LGATE-952 connects as BACnet/IP client: add Metasys device, browse object tree (Analog Inputs for measured values, Binary Outputs for commands), map to KNX GAs. York YVAA chiller BACnet: AV-0 Chilled Water Setpoint (read/write), AI-1 Leaving Water Temperature, BI-0 Chiller Status, BI-1 Fault Active, AI-5 Compressor Power kW. Map to KNX: setpoint GA DPT 9.001, status GA DPT 1.001, fault GA DPT 1.005, power GA DPT 9.001.
Used in these project types
Johnson Controls products
Key components we install
Metasys N2 MS/TP
Legacy N2 supervisory bus used in millions of existing Metasys installations. RS-485 physical layer, 9600 baud, Johnson Controls proprietary protocol. Devices: N2 Open controllers (DX-9100, DX-9200 series), VAV controllers, equipment interfaces. Migration to BACnet/IP: Metasys Software Engine (MSE) presents N2 devices as BACnet objects on LAN. Required knowledge for retrofit and upgrade projects involving existing Metasys N2 infrastructure.
York YVAA
Variable speed air-cooled screw chiller, 200-2100 kW. R-134a or R-513A refrigerant. Variable speed compressor and fan drives for part-load efficiency (IPLV). BACnet/IP option card (factory or field-installed) for building integration. Key BACnet objects: AV-0 CHWS setpoint (read/write), AI-1 leaving water temperature, BI-0 chiller status, BI-1 fault, AI-5 compressor kW. LOYTEC LGATE-952 reads these objects and maps to KNX GAs for BMS integration.
Metasys FX-PC
BACnet/IP DDC field controller for plant equipment (AHU, chiller, boiler plant). Native BACnet/IP (no N2 migration needed). Up to 256 BACnet objects. JAVA-based Metasys programming via Metasys System Configuration Tool. KNX integration via LOYTEC LGATE-952 connected to same BACnet/IP network as FX-PC. Used for large commercial plant rooms requiring BACnet/IP protocol for commissioning and building management compliance.
NS8000
Enterprise building supervisor for large Metasys installations. Web-based Metasys UI. OPC UA server (v11+) for third-party SCADA and KNX Virtual integration. Trend, alarm, and schedule management across multiple sites. Active Directory integration. 10-year software support lifecycle. Hosted on Windows Server (VM-compatible). For KNX integration at supervisory level: OPC UA client (KNX Virtual, EATON xComfort) reads Metasys trends and writes setpoints via OPC UA.
York YVAZ
Magnetic bearing variable speed air-cooled chiller, 300-1200 kW. Oil-free compressor (no lubrication oil, lower maintenance). Ultra-high IPLV. R-134a. BACnet/IP standard (magnetic bearing control requires BACnet for precise speed commands). Very low vibration — suitable for rooftop in hotels and office towers where structure-borne noise is a concern. Used in European flagship commercial projects and luxury hotels.
Johnson Controls FAQ
Does Metasys require a separate BACnet/KNX gateway?
Yes — Metasys is BACnet/IP-native but not KNX-native; a LOYTEC LGATE or Intesis gateway is required. The LOYTEC LGATE-952 acts as a BACnet/IP client connecting to Metasys FX-PC or NCE controllers and maps selected BACnet objects to KNX group addresses. For supervisory-level integration only (no real-time control), Metasys OPC UA server with KNX Virtual OPC UA client is an alternative.
Can Metasys be replaced with KNX for new builds?
KNX is better suited to lighting and room control; Metasys/BACnet suits large HVAC plants. The two systems complement each other. KNX excels at room-level control (dimming, blinds, temperature setpoint override) where 450+ certified devices provide flexibility. Metasys excels at central plant control (chillers, AHUs, cooling towers) where complex sequences, alarm management, and equipment lifetime monitoring are required. PanelCraft designs hybrid panels combining both systems via LOYTEC gateway.
What York chiller models support BACnet/IP natively?
All modern York YVAA, YVAZ, YWAA, and YMC2 series have BACnet/IP option card (factory-installed or field-fitted). Older York YK, YT, and YST centrifugal chillers require the York iPanel BACnet option card for BACnet/IP — check factory order confirmation or field controller serial number plate for installed options. York YST screw chillers (pre-2015) may require N2 migration via Metasys N2 Open controller.
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