IfcDistributionControlElement

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:

Impart control over flow control elements (IfcFlowController) in a distribution system such as dampers, valves, or relays, typically through the use of actuation (IfcActuator).
Sensing elements (IfcSensor) that measure changes in the controlled variable such as temperature, humidity, pressure, or flow.
Controllers (IfcController) typically classified according to the control action they seek to perform and generally responsible for making decisions about the elements under control.

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

#	Attribute	Type	Cardinality	Description	G
	AssignedToFlowElement	IfcRelFlowControlElements @RelatedControlElements	S[0:1]	Reference through the relationship object to related distribution flow elements.	X

Inherited definitions from supertypes

Entity inheritance

Attribute inheritance

#	Attribute	Type	Cardinality	Description	G
IfcRoot
1	GlobalId	IfcGloballyUniqueId		Assignment of a globally unique identifier within the entire software world.	X
2	OwnerHistory	IfcOwnerHistory	?	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
3	Name	IfcLabel	?	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
4	Description	IfcText	?	Optional description, provided for exchanging informative comments.	X
IfcObjectDefinition
	HasAssignments	IfcRelAssigns @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
	Nests	IfcRelNests @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
	IsNestedBy	IfcRelNests @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
	HasContext	IfcRelDeclares @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
	IsDecomposedBy	IfcRelAggregates @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
	Decomposes	IfcRelAggregates @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
	HasAssociations	IfcRelAssociates @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
5	ObjectType	IfcLabel	?	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
	IsDeclaredBy	IfcRelDefinesByObject @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
	Declares	IfcRelDefinesByObject @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
	IsTypedBy	IfcRelDefinesByType @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
	IsDefinedBy	IfcRelDefinesByProperties @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
6	ObjectPlacement	IfcObjectPlacement	?	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
7	Representation	IfcProductRepresentation	?	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
	ReferencedBy	IfcRelAssignsToProduct @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
	PositionedRelativeTo	IfcRelPositions @RelatedProducts	S[0:1]		X
	ReferencedInStructures	IfcRelReferencedInSpatialStructure @RelatedElements	S[0:?]		X
IfcElement
8	Tag	IfcIdentifier	?	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
	FillsVoids	IfcRelFillsElement @RelatedBuildingElement	S[0:1]	Reference to the IfcRelFillsElement Relationship that puts the element as a filling into the opening created within another element.	X
	ConnectedTo	IfcRelConnectsElements @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
	IsInterferedByElements	IfcRelInterferesElements @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
	InterferesElements	IfcRelInterferesElements @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
	HasProjections	IfcRelProjectsElement @RelatingElement	S[0:?]	Projection relationship that adds a feature (using a Boolean union) to the IfcBuildingElement.	X
	HasOpenings	IfcRelVoidsElement @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
	IsConnectionRealization	IfcRelConnectsWithRealizingElements @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
	ProvidesBoundaries	IfcRelSpaceBoundary @RelatedBuildingElement	S[0:?]	Reference to space boundaries by virtue of the objectified relationship IfcRelSpaceBoundary. It defines the concept of an element bounding spaces.	X
	ConnectedFrom	IfcRelConnectsElements @RelatedElement	S[0:?]	Reference to the element connection relationship. The relationship then refers to the other element that is connected to this element.	X
	ContainedInStructure	IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure @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
	HasCoverings	IfcRelCoversBldgElements @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
	HasPorts	IfcRelConnectsPortToElement @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
	AssignedToFlowElement	IfcRelFlowControlElements @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.

HasType	RelatingType
	IfcDistributionControlElementType

Table 219 — IfcDistributionControlElement Object Typing

Object Classification

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

Name	Description
BACnet	32-bit decimal BACnetObjectIdentifier indicating type ID and instance ID (e.g.'12.15' for Digital Input #15).
IPv4	32-bit decimal address for an IPv4 network (e.g.'192.168.1.1').
IPv6	128-bit hexadecimal address for an IPv6 network.
MAC	48-bit hexadecimal form of MAC address.
OPC	Hierarchical ItemID in alphanumeric form (i.e. 'B204.Tank2.Temperature)
Insteon	24-bit hexadecimal instance address.
LonTalk	48-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.

Figure 267 — Distribution control classification

Product Assignment

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

Type	Description
IfcTask	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.
IfcProcedure	Indicates procedures used to operate the element. If the element has a type, available procedure types are assigned to the element type.
IfcEvent	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.

Table 221 — IfcDistributionControlElement Product Assignment

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

IfcDistributionSystem (IfcRelAssignsToGroup): Indicates a system containing interconnected devices, where control elements are typically part of a control system having PredefinedType=CONTROL.
IfcPerformanceHistory (IfcRelAssignsToControl): Indicates realtime or historical infomation captured for the device.

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

#	Concept	Template	Model View
IfcRoot
	Identity	Software Identity	General Usage
	Revision Control	Revision Control	General Usage
IfcObject
	Object User Identity	Object User Identity	General Usage
	Object Predefined Type	Object Predefined Type	General Usage
	Property Sets with Override	Property Sets with Override	General Usage
IfcProduct
	Product Placement	Product Placement	General Usage
	Product Geometric Representation	Product Geometric Representation	General Usage
IfcElement
	Product Local Placement	Product Local Placement	General Usage
	CoG Geometry	CoG Geometry	General Usage
	Box Geometry	Box Geometry	General Usage
	FootPrint Geometry	FootPrint Geometry	General Usage
	Body SurfaceOrSolidModel Geometry	Body SurfaceOrSolidModel Geometry	General Usage
	Body SurfaceModel Geometry	Body SurfaceModel Geometry	General Usage
	Body Tessellation Geometry	Body Tessellation Geometry	General Usage
	Body Brep Geometry	Body Brep Geometry	General Usage
	Body AdvancedBrep Geometry	Body AdvancedBrep Geometry	General Usage
	Body CSG Geometry	Body CSG Geometry	General Usage
	Mapped Geometry	Mapped Geometry	General Usage
	Element Voiding	Element Voiding	General Usage
	Element Projecting	Element Projecting	General Usage
	Linear Placement	Product Linear Placement	General Usage
IfcDistributionElement
	Property Sets for Objects	Property Sets for Objects	General Usage
	Quantity Sets	Quantity Sets	General Usage
	Spatial Containment	Spatial Containment	General Usage
IfcDistributionControlElement
	Object Typing	Object Typing	General Usage
	Object Classification	Classification Association	General Usage
	Product Assignment	Product Assignment	General Usage

	Komponente der Gebäudeautomation (allgemein)
	Distribution Control Element
	Élément de circuit de distribution

Item	SPF	Change	Description
IFC2x3 to IFC4 4.0.0.0
IfcDistributionControlElement
OwnerHistory		MODIFIED	Instantiation changed to OPTIONAL.
ControlElementId	X	DELETED
IFC4 Addendum 1 4.0.1.0
IfcDistributionControlElement
HasCoverings		ADDED
IFC4x2 Candidate 4.2.0.0
IfcDistributionControlElement
PositionedRelativeTo		ADDED
IFC2x3 to IFC4 4.0.0.0
IfcDistributionControlElement
OwnerHistory		MODIFIED	Instantiation changed to OPTIONAL.
ControlElementId	X	DELETED
IFC4 Addendum 1 4.0.1.0
IfcDistributionControlElement
HasCoverings		ADDED
IFC4x2 Candidate 4.2.0.0
IfcDistributionControlElement
PositionedRelativeTo		ADDED

IfcDistributionControlElement

Semantic definitions at the entity

Inherited definitions from supertypes

Definitions applying to General Usage

Formal representations