Natural ventilation controls

Natural Ventilation Control Panels

Compare compact controllers, power supplies and enclosed control panels for automated windows, louvres and roof openings.

Natural ventilation controls provide the power and operating functions required to open and close compatible 24 V DC window drives during normal building operation.

The appropriate solution depends on the connected drive load, number of operating groups, wall switches, weather sensors, external interfaces, field cabling and the required ventilation sequence.

EBSA supplies and supports D+H compact controllers, PS-VE power supplies and GVL natural ventilation control panels for projects throughout New Zealand.

Product selection

Choose the right control format

Products with similar current ratings can provide very different control functions. Selection should begin with the required system operation rather than output capacity alone.

Compact controller

The PS-VFM1 combines drive power and single-group ventilation control within a compact module installed in a suitable junction box.

It accepts an open and close wall switch and can support an optional rain sensor or wind and rain sensor.

View the PS-VFM1 product

Compact power supply

PS-VE units provide 24 V DC drive power in a compact IP66 surface-mounted enclosure.

They require a separate 230 V AC operating device and are suited to straightforward ventilation applications.

Compare PS-VE2, PS-VE4 V2 and PS-VE6

Enclosed control panel

GVL panels combine drive power and natural ventilation control within an accessible enclosure.

They suit applications requiring integrated switching, weather sensors, increased capacity, operating groups or external interfaces.

Compare GVL control panels

Range comparison

Compare natural ventilation controllers and power supplies

Product Output and format Best suited to
PS-VFM1 Single-group controller
24 V DC / 0.7 A rated
1 A short-duration maximum
Small local ventilation systems requiring compact control, wall-switch operation and optional rain or wind and rain sensing.
PS-VE2 Surface-mounted power supply
24 V DC / 2 A
IP66
Straightforward ventilation systems using a separate 230 V AC operating device to control compatible 24 V DC drives.
PS-VE4 V2 Surface-mounted power supply
24 V DC / 4 A
IP66
Small to medium ventilation systems requiring increased drive capacity and simple external switching.
PS-VE6 Surface-mounted power supply
24 V DC / 6 A
IP66
Higher-load ventilation systems using external switching without requiring an enclosed GVL control panel.
GVL 8301-K V2 Enclosed natural ventilation controller
24 V DC / 1 A
Compact single-group systems requiring an enclosed controller with integrated ventilation functions.
GVL 8304-K Enclosed natural ventilation controller
24 V DC / 4 A
Small to medium systems requiring increased drive capacity within an accessible control-panel enclosure.
GVL 8408-M Enclosed higher-capacity controller
24 V DC / 8 A
Larger or grouped natural ventilation systems requiring increased capacity and greater control flexibility.

Use this page to compare the available control formats. Select an individual product page for model-specific specifications, downloads and enquiry.

Final selection must be checked against the connected drive models, nominal and starting current, cable lengths, operating groups, control inputs and required operating sequence.

Compact control

PS-VFM1 compact ventilation controller

The D+H PS-VFM1 is a compact natural ventilation controller for one operating group. It is the current replacement for the previous D+H VCM 05U controller.

The PS-VFM1 is installed within a suitable junction box and operates compatible 24 V DC window drives from a 230 V AC supply.

D+H PS-VFM1 natural ventilation controller for 24 V DC window drives
D+H PS-VFM1 compact controller for one natural ventilation group.

Control functions

  • One natural ventilation group
  • Open and close wall-switch operation
  • Optional rain sensor connection
  • Optional wind and rain sensor connection
  • External control input
  • Compact junction-box installation

Key technical information

  • 230 V AC supply
  • 24 V DC output
  • 0.7 A rated drive current
  • 1 A maximum for less than 10 seconds during one operating cycle
  • IP30 for indoor installation
  • 50 × 48 × 28 mm

The PS-VFM1 is a controller, not simply a power supply. Its connected drive load should be assessed against the 0.7 A rated output. The 1 A capacity is available only briefly during one operating cycle.

Compact power supplies

PS-VE2, PS-VE4 V2 and PS-VE6

D+H PS-VE products are compact surface-mounted power supplies for operating compatible 24 V DC window drives.

They provide electronic overload protection but do not provide the same integrated control functions as the PS-VFM1 or a GVL panel. A separate 230 V AC operating device, such as a compatible ventilation switch or external control arrangement, is required.

D+H PS-VE compact natural ventilation power supply enclosure
D+H PS-VE compact surface-mounted natural ventilation power supply enclosure.
Model Output Enclosure
PS-VE2 24 V DC / 2 A IP66 surface-mounted enclosure, 180 × 130 × 77 mm
PS-VE4 V2 24 V DC / 4 A IP66 surface-mounted enclosure, 180 × 130 × 77 mm
PS-VE6 24 V DC / 6 A IP66 surface-mounted enclosure, 180 × 130 × 77 mm

The PS-VE range is suited to simple ventilation applications where the switching and operating strategy can be provided externally.

Where integrated wall-switch inputs, weather sensors, grouped operation or broader control functions are required, a PS-VFM1 or GVL controller may be more appropriate.

Enclosed control panels

GVL natural ventilation controllers

D+H GVL controllers combine drive power and natural ventilation control within an enclosed panel.

They are used where automated windows, louvres or roof openings require integrated local controls, weather-related inputs, increased drive capacity, grouped operation or coordination with external building controls.

The range extends from compact single-group control through to higher-capacity applications.

D+H GVL 8304-K natural ventilation control panel
D+H GVL enclosed natural ventilation control panel.

GVL 8301-K V2

Compact enclosed controller for small single-group natural ventilation systems using compatible 24 V DC drives.

GVL 8304-K

Enclosed controller for small to medium systems requiring increased drive capacity and integrated natural ventilation controls.

GVL 8408-M

Higher-capacity controller for larger or grouped window and louvre systems requiring greater control flexibility.

Controls and sensors

Switches, sensors and building interfaces

The required controls depend on the selected controller and the intended ventilation strategy.

Local and automatic controls

  • Open and close ventilation switches
  • Key switches and authorised-user controls
  • Rain sensors
  • Wind and rain sensors
  • Temperature controls
  • Indoor-air-quality controls
  • Time schedules

External interfaces

  • External control contacts
  • BMS commands
  • Mechanical ventilation interlocks
  • Heating and cooling interlocks
  • Status or position feedback where supported
  • Project-specific control logic

The switching, sensor and interface requirements should be confirmed before the controller, field cabling and installation scope are finalised.

Mains power failure

Will natural ventilation windows close if mains power fails?

No. Standard PS-VFM1, PS-VE and GVL natural ventilation systems do not automatically close connected windows, rooflights or louvres when the 230 V AC mains supply fails.

Openings remain in their existing position because the controller no longer has power to operate the drives. A connected rain sensor also cannot close the openings while the natural ventilation controller has no operating power.

This is particularly important for skylights, roof openings, high-level windows, night-purge ventilation and other weather-exposed openings.

Where automatic close on loss of mains power is required, use a battery-backed D+H RZN or CPS-M control panel. The panel remains powered from its standby batteries and commands the connected openings to close.

System boundary

Natural ventilation control is not smoke ventilation control

PS-VFM1, PS-VE and GVL products are intended for normal natural ventilation and automated window operation.

They must not be used as substitutes for a smoke and natural ventilation control panel where openings must respond to a fire alarm, perform a smoke-control function or remain available from standby batteries during a mains failure.

D+H RZN and CPS-M control panels provide battery-backed smoke and natural ventilation control, including automatic close on loss of mains power.

Design information

Information needed for controller selection

EBSA can confirm the appropriate controller once the following information is available:

  • Window, louvre or roof-opening type
  • Window drive models and quantities
  • Nominal and starting current of each drive
  • Number of independently controlled groups
  • Required wall switches and authorised-user controls
  • Rain, wind and indoor-air-quality sensors
  • External controls and BMS interfaces
  • Cable routes, cable lengths and voltage drop
  • Controller and junction-box locations
  • Required behaviour during a mains power failure
  • Installation and commissioning responsibilities
  • Access for testing and future maintenance
Complete system

Natural ventilation systems

The controller is one part of the complete natural ventilation system. A complete installation may also include window drives, mounting brackets, switches, weather sensors, indoor-air-quality sensors, field cabling and building-control interfaces.

EBSA can assist with system design, actuator and controller selection, operating sequences, interface planning, documentation and commissioning coordination.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a natural ventilation controller and a power supply?

A natural ventilation controller supplies power to the window drives and accepts the control inputs used to operate them. Depending on the product, these may include a wall switch, weather sensor, external control contact or multiple operating groups.

A PS-VE unit is primarily a power supply. It converts 230 V AC to 24 V DC for compatible window drives but requires a separate 230 V AC operating device.

Is the PS-VFM1 a natural ventilation controller?

Yes. The PS-VFM1 is a compact single-group natural ventilation controller, not simply a power supply.

It accepts an open and close wall switch, operates one group of compatible 24 V DC window drives and can support an optional rain sensor or wind and rain sensor.

It is designed for installation within a suitable junction box and replaces the previous D+H VCM 05U controller.

Is the PS-VFM1 rated at 1 A?

Its rated drive current is 0.7 A. It can provide up to 1 A for less than 10 seconds during one operating cycle.

The connected drive load and actuator starting current must therefore be checked against the 0.7 A rated output rather than treating it as a continuous 1 A controller.

When should a PS-VE power supply be used?

A PS-VE power supply is suited to straightforward ventilation applications where a separate 230 V AC operating device can provide the required switching.

Where integrated wall-switch inputs, weather sensors, grouped operation or broader control functions are required, a PS-VFM1 or GVL controller should be considered instead.

When should a GVL natural ventilation control panel be used?

A GVL panel is suited to projects requiring an enclosed and accessible natural ventilation controller with integrated switching, sensor inputs, increased drive capacity, grouped operation or external interfaces.

Will windows close if mains power fails?

No. Standard PS-VFM1, PS-VE and GVL natural ventilation systems cannot operate the connected drives after the 230 V AC mains supply fails.

Open windows, rooflights or louvres remain in their existing position, and a connected rain sensor cannot close them while the controller has no operating power.

Where automatic close on loss of mains power is required, use a battery-backed D+H RZN or CPS-M control panel.

Can PS-VFM1, PS-VE or GVL products be used for smoke ventilation?

No. These products are intended for normal natural ventilation and automated window operation.

Where openings must respond to a fire alarm or perform a smoke-control function, use a suitable D+H RZN or CPS-M smoke and natural ventilation control panel.

How is the correct natural ventilation controller selected?

Selection depends on the window drive models, nominal and starting current, number of drives, operating groups, wall switches, weather sensors, external interfaces, cable lengths and required operating sequence.

Products should not be selected only by comparing their current ratings. A compact controller, power supply and enclosed GVL panel provide different control functions.

Talk to EBSA about natural ventilation controls

EBSA can assist with controller selection, drive-load calculations, operating groups, wall switches, sensors, field cabling, building interfaces and commissioning requirements.

Early coordination helps avoid insufficient controller capacity, incompatible drives, missing controls, unsuitable cabling or an incomplete operating sequence.

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