Overview
Natural ventilation control panels are used to operate compatible electric window drives for day-to-day ventilation, purge ventilation, high-level window access and automated façade openings. They receive inputs from switches, sensors or control interfaces, then open and close connected windows or louvres according to the selected control strategy.
EBSA NZ supplies D+H GVL natural ventilation control panels for residential, light commercial and commercial window automation applications. The correct GVL panel depends on the number of window drives, total drive current, required control groups, switching arrangement, sensor inputs, field cabling and project-specific ventilation strategy.
GVL panels are intended for natural ventilation and general automated window operation. They should not be used as a substitute for a smoke ventilation control panel where the window opening forms part of a smoke control or fire safety system.
Explore GVL natural ventilation control panels
Use the GVL panel range below as a starting point for selecting a suitable natural ventilation control panel. Final selection should be confirmed against the connected window drives, current draw, number of operating groups, sensor requirements and project-specific wiring arrangement.
| GVL panel | Typical positioning | Common applications |
|---|---|---|
| D+H GVL 8301-K V2 Natural Ventilation Control Panel | Compact natural ventilation control panel for small single-zone systems. | Small window automation applications using compatible 24 V DC window drives, local switching and optional weather protection. |
| D+H GVL 8304-K Natural Ventilation Control Panel | Natural ventilation control panel for small to medium systems requiring higher drive capacity than the GVL 8301-K V2. | Automated windows or louvres requiring a simple natural ventilation control strategy with additional available drive current. |
| D+H GVL 8408-M Natural Ventilation Control Panel | Natural ventilation control panel for larger or more flexible grouped ventilation systems. | Grouped window or louvre control where multiple ventilation groups, higher drive capacity or more control flexibility is required. |
What natural ventilation control panels do
A natural ventilation control panel provides the power and control logic required to operate connected window drives during normal building operation. Depending on the selected panel and system design, the panel may receive commands from local wall switches, key switches, sensors, timers, BMS inputs or other approved control interfaces.
Typical natural ventilation functions include opening high-level windows, closing windows during rain or wind events, providing local occupant control, supporting purge ventilation and allowing automated façade openings to form part of a wider building ventilation strategy.
Choosing the right GVL panel
The GVL panel should be selected to suit the connected drive load, number of operating groups, required control inputs and expected user operation. A small single-zone system may only require a compact panel with local switch control. A larger project may require additional drive capacity, grouped operation or more input options for sensors and building controls.
Panel selection should be coordinated with the selected window drives before installation. The drive type, voltage, current draw, number of drives, cable routes and desired operating sequence all affect the correct control panel selection.
GVL 8301-K V2
The D+H GVL 8301-K V2 is suited to compact natural ventilation systems where a small number of compatible 24 V DC window drives need to be operated as a simple control group. It is typically used for smaller automated window or louvre applications where the system does not require smoke ventilation control.
This panel is best considered where the project requires a straightforward natural ventilation solution with local switching and optional weather-related input, subject to the selected system configuration.
GVL 8304-K
The D+H GVL 8304-K is used where a compact natural ventilation panel is still suitable, but the project requires greater available drive capacity than the smallest GVL option. It is typically considered for small to medium natural ventilation systems using compatible 24 V DC window drives.
The GVL 8304-K may be suitable where the design requires simple natural ventilation control, external control input or weather sensor coordination, depending on the final system arrangement.
GVL 8408-M
The D+H GVL 8408-M is suited to larger natural ventilation applications where multiple windows, louvres or operating groups need to be coordinated from a natural ventilation control panel. It is generally selected where higher drive capacity or more grouped control flexibility is required.
The GVL 8408-M should be considered where the project requires a more capable natural ventilation control platform but does not require smoke ventilation control. Where smoke control operation is required, an RZN or CPS-M solution should be reviewed instead.
Switches, sensors and interfaces
Natural ventilation systems may use a range of input devices depending on the project requirements. These may include local wall switches, key switches, rain sensors, wind sensors, room temperature inputs, timers, external control inputs or BMS signals.
The input strategy should be confirmed during design so the correct control panel, field wiring and commissioning approach can be allowed for. Weather protection should also be considered where automated windows may be exposed to rain or high wind conditions.
When a GVL panel is not suitable
A GVL natural ventilation control panel should not be selected where the window opening is required to operate as part of a smoke control or fire safety system. In those applications, the panel selection must be coordinated with the project fire strategy, required fire interface, standby power requirements, monitoring requirements, commissioning process and approval pathway.
A GVL panel may also be unsuitable where the natural ventilation system requires automatic close on loss of mains power. Without this function, an open window, louvre or skylight may remain open during a power failure. This can be a significant issue for high-level windows, skylights, night purge ventilation and weather-exposed openings.
Where smoke ventilation operation or automatic close on loss of mains power is required, EBSA NZ will typically review an RZN or CPS-M control panel solution rather than a GVL natural ventilation-only panel.
RZN panels are typically used for dedicated smoke and natural ventilation control, while CPS-M is used for larger, modular or project-specific systems requiring greater flexibility, integration or control logic.
Drive and panel compatibility
A natural ventilation control panel should not be selected in isolation. The panel must be compatible with the selected window drives, total current draw, cable length, number of control groups and required operating sequence.
Some systems require simple open / close operation only. Others may require grouped operation, weather protection, external control input, BMS coordination or integration with a wider façade automation strategy. These requirements should be confirmed before final panel selection.
Technical notes for specifiers
- Confirm that the system is for natural ventilation only and does not require smoke ventilation control.
- Confirm the selected window drive family, voltage and current draw.
- Confirm the number of window drives connected to each control group.
- Confirm the required number of ventilation groups.
- Confirm whether local wall switches, key switches, rain sensors, wind sensors, temperature inputs, timer inputs or BMS inputs are required.
- Confirm cable routes, cable lengths and control panel location before installation.
- Confirm whether weather protection is required for automated windows exposed to rain or wind.
- Do not use a GVL natural ventilation control panel as a substitute for an RZN or CPS-M smoke ventilation control panel where smoke control operation is required.
- Coordinate access for installation, commissioning, maintenance and future testing.
EBSA NZ support
EBSA NZ can assist with natural ventilation control panel selection, compatible window drive coordination, wiring strategy, sensor selection, interface planning and commissioning coordination. For commercial projects, EBSA NZ can also prepare project-specific specification content covering the selected GVL panel, window drives, control strategy, sensors, interfaces and coordination requirements.
