Abstract: An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device. An external network resource such as at least a virtual private network server is configured to enable communication with the automation controller. The automation controller is configured, such as by executing virtual private network software, to establish and maintain a secure data link with the virtual private network server and to enable oversight and/or control of the automation controller via the virtual private network server.

Abstract: An automation system including a plurality of peripheral devices, each configured to perform at least one function relating to energy consumption in a facility and an automation controller in communication with the plurality of peripheral devices and providing for the control of the performance of the function by each device. An external network resource such as at least a virtual private network server is configured to enable communication with the automation controller. The automation controller is configured, such as by executing virtual private network software, to establish and maintain a secure data link with the virtual private network server and to enable oversight and/or control of the automation controller via the virtual private network server.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing the counter of an electronic control device with the zero position, defined by a mechanical stop, of a pointer in an indicating instrument. The pointer is driven via a step-down gearing by a stepping motor having two windings perpendicular to each other and a two-pole rotor. The two windings are connected alternately to a source of voltage and to a measuring mechanism for determining the voltage induced in a winding not traversed by current. The pointer moves stepwise up to the mechanical stop, and the counter is set to zero in the absence of an induction. The method is substantially less expensive than prior methods. Upon an assembling of the stepping motor and the indicating instrument, a given alignment of the two-pole motor is associated with the zero position of the pointer, and the rotor is brought into this given alignment each time upon the start of the method.

Abstract: A method of producing an input variable for a cross-coil indicating instrument from a measurement signal is disclosed in which the frequency of the measurement signal is converted into a frequency-proportional input current for the cross-coil indicating instrument (11). Furthermore, a circuit is disclosed in which an input terminal for the measurement signal is connected to a period measuring device (3, 4, 5) the output of which is connected to a divider (6). The output of the divider feeds a control variable which is proportional to the frequency of the measurement signal (f.sub.M) to an input (13) of a processing circuit (8, 10). The known method and the known circuit have the disadvantage that, in case of a low frequency of the measurement signal, a jerky movement of the pointer of the indicating instrument (11) can be observed.