IfcDistributionControlElement

Natural language names
Komponente der Gebäudeautomation (allgemein)
Distribution Control Element
Élément de circuit de distribution
Change log
ItemSPFXMLChangeDescription
IFC2x3 to IFC4 4.0.0.0
    IfcDistributionControlElement
      OwnerHistoryMODIFIEDInstantiation changed to OPTIONAL.
      ControlElementIdXDELETED
IFC4 Addendum 1 4.0.1.0
    IfcDistributionControlElement
      HasCoveringsADDED
IFC4x2 Candidate 4.2.0.0
    IfcDistributionControlElement
      PositionedRelativeToADDED
IFC2x3 to IFC4 4.0.0.0
    IfcDistributionControlElement
      OwnerHistoryMODIFIEDInstantiation changed to OPTIONAL.
      ControlElementIdXDELETED
IFC4 Addendum 1 4.0.1.0
    IfcDistributionControlElement
      HasCoveringsADDED
IFC4x2 Candidate 4.2.0.0
    IfcDistributionControlElement
      PositionedRelativeToADDED
Semantic definitions at the entity
Entity definition

The distribution element IfcDistributionControlElement defines occurrence elements of a building automation control system that are used to impart control over elements of a distribution system.

IfcDistributionControlElement defines elements of a building automation control system. These are typically used to control distribution system elements to maintain variables such as temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, power, or lighting levels, through the modulation, staging or sequencing of mechanical or electrical devices. The three general functional categories of control elements are as follows:

Since IfcDistributionControlElement and its subtypes typically relate to many different distribution flow elements (IfcDistributionFlowElement), the objectified relationship IfcRelFlowControlElements has been provided to relate control and flow elements as required.

The key distinction between IfcDistributionFlowElement and IfcDistributionControlElement is whether it is internal or external to the flow system, respectively. For example, the distinction between IfcFlowMeter (subtype of IfcDistributionFlowElement measuring a flow quantity) and IfcFlowInstrument (subtype of IfcDistributionControlElement measuring a flow quality), is based on this principal. A physical device that connects within the flow system in which it measures (having inlet/outlet pipes for the measured substance) follows the IfcDistributionFlowElement hierarchy (and therefore IfcFlowMeter which measures the flow internally). Otherwise, if it monitors/controls but does not connect inline within the flow system (it is external or is a component of another device), then it follows the IfcDistributionControlElement hierarchy (and therefore IfcFlowInstrument which may display various attributes through connected sensors).

HISTORY  New entity in IFC2.0.

IFC4 CHANGE  Attribute ControlElementId attribute deleted; replaced by classification usage. Ports are now primarily defined using IfcRelNests to enable definition of ports at type definitions (both forward and backward compatible), provide a logical order, and reduce the number of relationship objects needed. The relationship IfcRelConnectsPortToElement is still supported, however is now specific to dynamically connected ports.

Attribute definitions
#AttributeTypeCardinalityDescription G
AssignedToFlowElementIfcRelFlowControlElements
@RelatedControlElements
S[0:1]Reference through the relationship object to related distribution flow elements. X
Inherited definitions from supertypes
Entity inheritance IfcActuator IfcAlarm IfcController IfcFlowInstrument IfcProtectiveDeviceTrippingUnit IfcSensor IfcUnitaryControlElement IfcDistributionElement IfcElement IfcProduct IfcObject IfcObjectDefinition IfcRoot
Attribute inheritance
#AttributeTypeCardinalityDescriptionG
IfcRoot
1GlobalIdIfcGloballyUniqueId Assignment of a globally unique identifier within the entire software world. X
2OwnerHistoryIfcOwnerHistory? Assignment of the information about the current ownership of that object, including owning actor, application, local identification and information captured about the recent changes of the object,
NOTE  only the last modification in stored - either as addition, deletion or modification.
IFC4 CHANGE  The attribute has been changed to be OPTIONAL.
X
3NameIfcLabel? Optional name for use by the participating software systems or users. For some subtypes of IfcRoot the insertion of the Name attribute may be required. This would be enforced by a where rule. X
4DescriptionIfcText? Optional description, provided for exchanging informative comments. X
IfcObjectDefinition
HasAssignmentsIfcRelAssigns
@RelatedObjects
S[0:?]Reference to the relationship objects, that assign (by an association relationship) other subtypes of IfcObject to this object instance. Examples are the association to products, processes, controls, resources or groups. X
NestsIfcRelNests
@RelatedObjects
S[0:1]References to the decomposition relationship being a nesting. It determines that this object definition is a part within an ordered whole/part decomposition relationship. An object occurrence or type can only be part of a single decomposition (to allow hierarchical strutures only).
IFC4 CHANGE  The inverse attribute datatype has been added and separated from Decomposes defined at IfcObjectDefinition.
X
IsNestedByIfcRelNests
@RelatingObject
S[0:?]References to the decomposition relationship being a nesting. It determines that this object definition is the whole within an ordered whole/part decomposition relationship. An object or object type can be nested by several other objects (occurrences or types).
IFC4 CHANGE  The inverse attribute datatype has been added and separated from IsDecomposedBy defined at IfcObjectDefinition.
X
HasContextIfcRelDeclares
@RelatedDefinitions
S[0:1]References to the context providing context information such as project unit or representation context. It should only be asserted for the uppermost non-spatial object.
IFC4 CHANGE  The inverse attribute datatype has been added.
X
IsDecomposedByIfcRelAggregates
@RelatingObject
S[0:?]References to the decomposition relationship being an aggregation. It determines that this object definition is whole within an unordered whole/part decomposition relationship. An object definitions can be aggregated by several other objects (occurrences or parts).
IFC4 CHANGE  The inverse attribute datatype has been changed from the supertype IfcRelDecomposes to subtype IfcRelAggregates.
X
DecomposesIfcRelAggregates
@RelatedObjects
S[0:1]References to the decomposition relationship being an aggregation. It determines that this object definition is a part within an unordered whole/part decomposition relationship. An object definitions can only be part of a single decomposition (to allow hierarchical strutures only).
IFC4 CHANGE  The inverse attribute datatype has been changed from the supertype IfcRelDecomposes to subtype IfcRelAggregates.
X
HasAssociationsIfcRelAssociates
@RelatedObjects
S[0:?]Reference to the relationship objects, that associates external references or other resource definitions to the object.. Examples are the association to library, documentation or classification. X
IfcObject
5ObjectTypeIfcLabel? The type denotes a particular type that indicates the object further. The use has to be established at the level of instantiable subtypes. In particular it holds the user defined type, if the enumeration of the attribute PredefinedType is set to USERDEFINED. X
IsDeclaredByIfcRelDefinesByObject
@RelatedObjects
S[0:1]Link to the relationship object pointing to the declaring object that provides the object definitions for this object occurrence. The declaring object has to be part of an object type decomposition. The associated IfcObject, or its subtypes, contains the specific information (as part of a type, or style, definition), that is common to all reflected instances of the declaring IfcObject, or its subtypes.
IFC4 CHANGE  New inverse relationship, change made with upward compatibility for file based exchange.
X
DeclaresIfcRelDefinesByObject
@RelatingObject
S[0:?]Link to the relationship object pointing to the reflected object(s) that receives the object definitions. The reflected object has to be part of an object occurrence decomposition. The associated IfcObject, or its subtypes, provides the specific information (as part of a type, or style, definition), that is common to all reflected instances of the declaring IfcObject, or its subtypes.
IFC4 CHANGE  New inverse relationship, change made with upward compatibility for file based exchange.
X
IsTypedByIfcRelDefinesByType
@RelatedObjects
S[0:1]Set of relationships to the object type that provides the type definitions for this object occurrence. The then associated IfcTypeObject, or its subtypes, contains the specific information (or type, or style), that is common to all instances of IfcObject, or its subtypes, referring to the same type.
IFC4 CHANGE  New inverse relationship, the link to IfcRelDefinesByType had previously be included in the inverse relationship IfcRelDefines. Change made with upward compatibility for file based exchange.
X
IsDefinedByIfcRelDefinesByProperties
@RelatedObjects
S[0:?]Set of relationships to property set definitions attached to this object. Those statically or dynamically defined properties contain alphanumeric information content that further defines the object.
IFC4 CHANGE  The data type has been changed from IfcRelDefines to IfcRelDefinesByProperties with upward compatibility for file based exchange.
X
IfcProduct
6ObjectPlacementIfcObjectPlacement? Placement of the product in space, the placement can either be absolute (relative to the world coordinate system), relative (relative to the object placement of another product), or constraint (e.g. relative to grid axes). It is determined by the various subtypes of IfcObjectPlacement, which includes the axis placement information to determine the transformation for the object coordinate system. X
7RepresentationIfcProductRepresentation? Reference to the representations of the product, being either a representation (IfcProductRepresentation) or as a special case a shape representations (IfcProductDefinitionShape). The product definition shape provides for multiple geometric representations of the shape property of the object within the same object coordinate system, defined by the object placement. X
ReferencedByIfcRelAssignsToProduct
@RelatingProduct
S[0:?]Reference to the IfcRelAssignsToProduct relationship, by which other products, processes, controls, resources or actors (as subtypes of IfcObjectDefinition) can be related to this product. X
PositionedRelativeToIfcRelPositions
@RelatedProducts
S[0:1]X
ReferencedInStructuresIfcRelReferencedInSpatialStructure
@RelatedElements
S[0:?]X
IfcElement
8TagIfcIdentifier? The tag (or label) identifier at the particular instance of a product, e.g. the serial number, or the position number. It is the identifier at the occurrence level. X
FillsVoidsIfcRelFillsElement
@RelatedBuildingElement
S[0:1]Reference to the IfcRelFillsElement Relationship that puts the element as a filling into the opening created within another element. X
ConnectedToIfcRelConnectsElements
@RelatingElement
S[0:?]Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element to which this element is connected to. X
IsInterferedByElementsIfcRelInterferesElements
@RelatedElement
S[0:?]Reference to the interference relationship to indicate the element that is interfered. The relationship, if provided, indicates that this element has an interference with one or many other elements.
NOTE  There is no indication of precedence between IsInterferedByElements and InterferesElements.
IFC4 CHANGE New inverse relationship.
X
InterferesElementsIfcRelInterferesElements
@RelatingElement
S[0:?]Reference to the interference relationship to indicate the element that interferes. The relationship, if provided, indicates that this element has an interference with one or many other elements.
NOTE  There is no indication of precedence between IsInterferedByElements and InterferesElements.
IFC4 CHANGE New inverse relationship.
X
HasProjectionsIfcRelProjectsElement
@RelatingElement
S[0:?]Projection relationship that adds a feature (using a Boolean union) to the IfcBuildingElement. X
HasOpeningsIfcRelVoidsElement
@RelatingBuildingElement
S[0:?]Reference to the IfcRelVoidsElement relationship that creates an opening in an element. An element can incorporate zero-to-many openings. For each opening, that voids the element, a new relationship IfcRelVoidsElement is generated. X
IsConnectionRealizationIfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements
@RealizingElements
S[0:?]Reference to the connection relationship with realizing element. The relationship, if provided, assigns this element as the realizing element to the connection, which provides the physical manifestation of the connection relationship. X
ProvidesBoundariesIfcRelSpaceBoundary
@RelatedBuildingElement
S[0:?]Reference to space boundaries by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelSpaceBoundary. It defines the concept of an element bounding spaces. X
ConnectedFromIfcRelConnectsElements
@RelatedElement
S[0:?]Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element that is connected to this element. X
ContainedInStructureIfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure
@RelatedElements
S[0:1]Containment relationship to the spatial structure element, to which the element is primarily associated. This containment relationship has to be hierachical, i.e. an element may only be assigned directly to zero or one spatial structure. X
HasCoveringsIfcRelCoversBldgElements
@RelatingBuildingElement
S[0:?]Reference to IfcCovering by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelCoversBldgElement. It defines the concept of an element having coverings associated. X
IfcDistributionElement
HasPortsIfcRelConnectsPortToElement
@RelatedElement
S[0:?]Reference to the element to port connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the port which is contained in this element.
IFC4 CHANGE  The inverse attribute is deprecated. Relationship to ports, contained within the IfcDistributionElement is now realized by the inverse relationship NestedBy referencing IfcRelNests.
X
IfcDistributionControlElement
AssignedToFlowElementIfcRelFlowControlElements
@RelatedControlElements
S[0:1]Reference through the relationship object to related distribution flow elements. X
Definitions applying to General Usage

 Instance diagram


Concept usage

Object Typing

The Object Typing concept template applies to this entity as shown in Table 219.

HasTypeRelatingType
IfcDistributionControlElementType

Table 219 — IfcDistributionControlElement Object Typing



Object Classification

The Classification Association concept template applies to this entity as shown in Table 220.

NameDescription
BACnet32-bit decimal BACnetObjectIdentifier indicating type ID and instance ID (e.g.'12.15' for Digital Input #15).
IPv432-bit decimal address for an IPv4 network (e.g.'192.168.1.1').
IPv6128-bit hexadecimal address for an IPv6 network.
MAC48-bit hexadecimal form of MAC address.
OPCHierarchical ItemID in alphanumeric form (i.e. 'B204.Tank2.Temperature)
Insteon24-bit hexadecimal instance address.
LonTalk48-bit hexadecimal neuron ID.

Table 220 — IfcDistributionControlElement Classification Association

In addition to general product and project classification (UniFormat, etc.), classifications may also be applied to indicate a device address or addressing scheme according to system-based device instance classification.

Figure 267 illustrates classification usage.

"Classification Use Definition"

Figure 267 — Distribution control classification



Product Assignment

The Product Assignment concept template applies to this entity as shown in Table 221.

TypeDescription
IfcTaskIndicates tasks used to purchase, install, renovate, demolish, operate, or otherwise act upon the element. If the element has a type, available task types are assigned to the element type.
IfcProcedureIndicates procedures used to operate the element. If the element has a type, available procedure types are assigned to the element type.
IfcEventIndicates events to be handled by the element, sequenced by procedures to be followed. If the element has a type, available event types are assigned to the element type.

Table 221 — IfcDistributionControlElement Product Assignment

The IfcDistributionControlElement may be assigned to the following entities using relationships as indicated:



mvdXML Specification
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<ConceptRoot xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" uuid="64f6e6b4-076f-40be-a6a7-6ce721fa62f2" name="IfcDistributionControlElement" applicableRootEntity="IfcDistributionControlElement">
 <Applicability>
  <Template ref="a7ace8e6-8a0b-4bde-bfa6-c3e2f41fc78f" />
  <TemplateRules operator="and">
  </TemplateRules>
 </Applicability>
 <Concepts>
  <Concept uuid="5cd3aa72-4b98-41cb-b719-4cedc4ab3526" name="Object Typing">
   <Template ref="35a2e10e-20df-40f4-ab2f-dacf0a6744f4" />
   <TemplateRules operator="and">
    <TemplateRule Parameters="RelatingType[Type]=&apos;IfcDistributionControlElementType&apos;" />
   </TemplateRules>
  </Concept>
  <Concept uuid="408c22ea-cc1d-44a9-bf92-ca33df2c3ca2" name="Object Classification">
   <Template ref="4a224609-6578-4c75-afcf-8affa86e5ef2" />
   <TemplateRules operator="and">
    <TemplateRule Description="32-bit decimal BACnetObjectIdentifier indicating type ID and instance ID (e.g.&apos;12.15&apos; for Digital Input #15)." Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;BACnet&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="32-bit decimal address for an IPv4 network (e.g.&apos;192.168.1.1&apos;)." Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;IPv4&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="128-bit hexadecimal address for an IPv6 network." Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;IPv6&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="48-bit hexadecimal form of MAC address." Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;MAC&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="Hierarchical ItemID in alphanumeric form (i.e. &apos;B204.Tank2.Temperature)" Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;OPC&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="24-bit hexadecimal instance address." Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;Insteon&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="48-bit hexadecimal neuron ID." Parameters="Name[Value]=&apos;LonTalk&apos;" />
   </TemplateRules>
  </Concept>
  <Concept uuid="fedbb132-1a6d-44c8-a2c2-fe1f579eeaa2" name="Product Assignment">
   <Template ref="ec9cfb04-adfe-4868-8168-d78fe995a913" />
   <TemplateRules operator="and">
    <TemplateRule Description="Indicates tasks used to purchase, install, renovate, demolish, operate, or otherwise act upon the element. If the element has a type, available task types are assigned to the element type." Parameters="Type[Type]=&apos;IfcTask&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="Indicates procedures used to operate the element. If the element has a type, available procedure types are assigned to the element type." Parameters="Type[Type]=&apos;IfcProcedure&apos;" />
    <TemplateRule Description="Indicates events to be handled by the element, sequenced by procedures to be followed. If the element has a type, available event types are assigned to the element type." Parameters="Type[Type]=&apos;IfcEvent&apos;" />
   </TemplateRules>
  </Concept>
 </Concepts>
</ConceptRoot>
Concept inheritance

#ConceptTemplateModel View
IfcRoot
IdentitySoftware IdentityGeneral Usage
Revision ControlRevision ControlGeneral Usage
IfcObject
Object User IdentityObject User IdentityGeneral Usage
Object Predefined TypeObject Predefined TypeGeneral Usage
Property Sets with OverrideProperty Sets with OverrideGeneral Usage
IfcProduct
Product PlacementProduct PlacementGeneral Usage
Product Geometric RepresentationProduct Geometric RepresentationGeneral Usage
IfcElement
Product Local PlacementProduct Local PlacementGeneral Usage
CoG GeometryCoG GeometryGeneral Usage
Box GeometryBox GeometryGeneral Usage
FootPrint GeometryFootPrint GeometryGeneral Usage
Body SurfaceOrSolidModel GeometryBody SurfaceOrSolidModel GeometryGeneral Usage
Body SurfaceModel GeometryBody SurfaceModel GeometryGeneral Usage
Body Tessellation GeometryBody Tessellation GeometryGeneral Usage
Body Brep GeometryBody Brep GeometryGeneral Usage
Body AdvancedBrep GeometryBody AdvancedBrep GeometryGeneral Usage
Body CSG GeometryBody CSG GeometryGeneral Usage
Mapped GeometryMapped GeometryGeneral Usage
Element VoidingElement VoidingGeneral Usage
Element ProjectingElement ProjectingGeneral Usage
Linear PlacementProduct Linear PlacementGeneral Usage
IfcDistributionElement
Property Sets for ObjectsProperty Sets for ObjectsGeneral Usage
Quantity SetsQuantity SetsGeneral Usage
Spatial ContainmentSpatial ContainmentGeneral Usage
IfcDistributionControlElement
Object TypingObject TypingGeneral Usage
Object ClassificationClassification AssociationGeneral Usage
Product AssignmentProduct AssignmentGeneral Usage
Formal representations
XML Specification
 <xs:element name="IfcDistributionControlElement" type="ifc:IfcDistributionControlElement" substitutionGroup="ifc:IfcDistributionElement" nillable="true"/>
 <xs:complexType name="IfcDistributionControlElement">
  <xs:complexContent>
   <xs:extension base="ifc:IfcDistributionElement"/>
  </xs:complexContent>
 </xs:complexType>
EXPRESS Specification
ENTITY IfcDistributionControlElement
 SUPERTYPE OF(ONEOF(IfcActuator, IfcAlarm, IfcController, IfcFlowInstrument, IfcProtectiveDeviceTrippingUnit, IfcSensor, IfcUnitaryControlElement))
 SUBTYPE OF (IfcDistributionElement);
 INVERSE
  AssignedToFlowElement : SET [0:1] OF IfcRelFlowControlElements FOR RelatedControlElements;
END_ENTITY;

Link to EXPRESS-G diagram EXPRESS-G diagram

References  References: IfcRelFlowControlElements

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