Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What determines haw many active animations a graphic can have? Environment Cyberstation Pinpoint graphics. Cause Graphic updates will slow down if an excessive number of animations are configured. Resolution 50 Animations on a graphic is a good limit that should give a reasonable update rate on most systems. In the Pinpoint editor you can change the polling rate of each animation from the default 1000mS allowing less important points to be polled less, thus allowing the important points to be polled more. In Edit mode; go to Configuration, Object List to see the polling rates listed, each animation allows you to change its polling rate. It is generally better to have more graphics with fewer animations for faster updates. The rate at which you can poll for updates will also depend on your system layout, a system with many animations being polled from large slow MS/TP of Infinet field bus network will update much slower than a system with NetcontrollerII and IO modules with all points connected at the Ethernet level. No Pinpoint animations poll from the SQL database, all data is polled directly from the controller that holds the Animated object. When a graphic is opened the Workstation goes to the SQL Server to get the background file and the location of all polled objects, it will then directly poll the field controllers with no further need to connect to the SQL database.

Issue Cannot find manual service pin location Environment Schneider Electric SE76xx, SE73xx and SE72xx Viconics VT76xx, VT73xx, VT72xx Ready7 Commissioning Neuron ID Lonworks ID Service Pin message Cause The Service PIN is used to identify the device at commissioning. There is not a visible service pin button located on the Viconics device. Resolution A Service Pin will transmit the program ID and the Neuron ID (LonWorks Unique ID) contained in the device to the commissioning or service tool. The Status LED will blink when the device accepts the Service PIN command. VT7600 device - Press simultaneously the “Yes” button and the “No” button located on the keypad interface VT7300 and 7200 device - Pressing simultaneously the “Up” button and the “Down” button located on the keypad interface.       Additional Information on Viconics VT7600 series can me found in this Viconics Lon Integration Manual. Additional Information on Viconics VT7300 and VT7200 series can me found in this Viconics Lon Integration Manual.

Issue In what positions can Continuum controllers be mounted? Environment Continuum Product Line Cause Not sure if the controllers can be mounted on both the vertical and horizontal plane. Resolution There may be some specific mounting instructions for some of the controllers, but for the most part they can be mounted in any direction in the vertical plane. Controllers with relays should not be mounted with the edge the outputs are on facing down. Consult the installation instructions (found here) for each controller for any specific mounting requirements.

Issue Previously the BACnet Device Id of the controller would default to the devices serial number, this is no longer possible due to the maximum BACnet Device Id being 4,194,303. Serial numbers greater than 800xxx can give an error 'Device Node id is out of range' (1 to 4,194,303) Environment Continuum BACnet Controllers Cause Concern about what the default BACnet Id will be set to a value higher than what is supported or to a value that has already been set to a previous controller. Will this conflict with existing controllers on a site when adding new controllers when all are using the default BACnet Device Id? Resolution There is an internal calculation done that uses the Serial number as a seed to then calculate the BACnet Device Id so that it falls within the 4,194,303 max. This calculated value will be unique to every other Continuum BACnet Devices default BACnet Device Id so you should be fine when newer controllers are being added to existing sites. If you want to ensure there are no address conflicts though you may want to set the value yourself when commissioning the controllers through creating the Device object manually and setting the BACnet Device Id at that time or if the device is already configured delete it from the BACnet side and then edit it from the Infinity side and enter a new and unique device id, then perform a find BACnet devices to bring the device back on the BACnet side with its new device id.

Issue Adding Web.Client to an existing site that has Continuum installed with the CFR compliance option. Environment Continuum with CFR Compliance Cause Can't find any part numbers for Web.Client with CFR compliance or an option to add it. Resolution We do not have an option for Web.Client with CFR. One of the requirements for CFR is the inclusion of operator text when performing certain actions; there is no way to prompt for, or supply, this operator text when using a Web.Client browser client.

Issue If an upgrade fails or a database becomes corrupt the model number or system variables may not match, what is the System Variable count for the various controller types? Environment All Continuum controllers System Variables. Cause For troubleshooting purposes it is often useful to know the number of System variables a controller has. If the numbers differ between on and offline states there is a mismatch or corruption in the database. Resolution The following list shows the default number of System Variable objects each model type should contain: Controller type # Objects bCX1-Inf (9640) 47 bCX1 (4040) 36 bCX1-R (4000) 36 Netcontroller II (9680) 58 or 61 Netcontroller (9900, 9940) 54 CX9400 (Eclipse) 38 CX9200 54 CMX9924 27 CX9702 41 ACX II (5740, 5720) 63 All i2 & b3 Controllers 35 DCX250 21 ACX700 25 ACX780, ACX781 26 i1 Controllers with LCD display support (SCX, LCX810) 19 i1 Controllers without display capability (LCX800, TCX) 18 * Note the Netcontroller II can have 58 or 61 variables depending on firmware version (V2.1x has 61).

Issue At some point the Infinity controller object for a BCX4040 lost all it's owned objects, yet those objects still appear under the BACnet controller. Environment Save to Database BCX4040 Cause Empty controller was sent to database on the Infinity side.    Resolution Must either rebuild the controller from scratch, or restore an older backup that has this object on another PC and export the controllers contents for importing into the existing controller.

Issue What is SiteStat and where can I find documentation on this product? Is the SiteStat hardware supported by the Schneider Electric repair department? Environment SiteStat Cause SS-SCI controller has failed and a repair or replacement is needed. Resolution While the SiteStat product line is no longer sold or supported by Schneider Electric, a compatible replacement for the SS-SCI controller is the SS-NT-SSA16/CLK which is available on iPortal. https://ecobuilding.schneider-electric.com/search#keyword/SiteStat/tab/documents

Issue Program going disabled when trying to write to infinity string Environment Continuum 1.9X Windows XP, 2008 server, Windows 7. Cause Simple program tries to do a data transfer like this:   KWH_Count_Str = KWH_January Program disables. Resolution The program should use the keyword:  numtostr   so the program should be like this: KWH_Count_Str = numtostr (KWH_January)

Issue Ordering a specific controller with the options required seems complicated. What do each of the options mean and how do I build the part number for the controller I want? Environment ACX57xx Netcontroller II Cause The parts list is huge and there does not seem to be detailed information on how to organize each character in the part number to get the controller with the options that you want. Resolution ACX Series Part Numbering Scheme ACX Series part numbering has been structured to make it easier to choose and find the right corresponding part number. All part numbers consist of 13 characters. Configurable options use unique letters so that features cannot be confused. A zero, specifically a "0", is used when a feature is not enabled in the desired configuration. To order an ACX Series controller, follow the scheme described in the PDF here to determine the appropriate part number. (Note: you MUST login to Buildings Download Center to view/download the document)   NetController II Part Numbering Scheme NetController II part numbering has been structured to make it easier to choose and find the right corresponding part number. All part numbers consist of 15 characters. Configurable options use unique letters so that features cannot be confused. A zero, specifically a "0", is used when a feature is not enabled in the desired configuration. All NetController II units are configured to support 32 IOU modules, and will come standard with Ethernet and full use of 128 MB of memory. There is no need to specify this in the part number. To order a NetController II, follow the scheme described in the PDF here to determine the appropriate part number. (Note: you MUST login to Buildings Download Center to view/download the document)

Issue Badge printing was working, but when trying to print now the error is shown. The Windows user has full admin privileges Environment Continuum EpiBuilder Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Layouts are contained within files and the path can be specifically selected Resolution Ensure that the path to the layout is correct Ensure that the layout is the correct layout. Test with multiple layouts as it could be one particular layout that is corrupt.

Issue Explanation and detail required for Client Access License (CAL). Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment Windows  SQL Server Cause Information on Client Access License (CAL). Resolution Server licensing and Client Access Licenses (CALs) for the MS Server or MS SQL can become complex. It may be worthwhile to research further through Microsoft resources. SQL Server 2008 is available under three licensing models: Server plus device client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each client device. Server plus user client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each user. Processor license. Requires a single license for each CPU in the operating system environment running SQL Server. This license includes unlimited client device access. SQL Standard will normally come with 5 CALs. If more than 5 connections exist, then ore SQL CALs need to be purchased. See Microsoft Volume Licensing for more information. Note: MS Server CALs are separate and are also required. EcoStruxure Building Operation does not check CAL Client Access Licensing. EcoStruxure Building Operation Reports Server can be run using Microsoft SQL Express.  

Issue  A temperature input will not go into alarm when it's value falls outside of the temperature range specified in its associated Out of Range alarm. When changes are made to the input (requiring the input to be saved) either of the following errors is displayed. The object attribute specified is invalid. The referenced attribute for an out of range or floating limit alarm must be either a REAL or smaller numeric type. Environment Alarm Enrollment Event Notification Alarms Cause While the High and Low limit parameters appear to be whole numbers, one or more of the values are either corrupted or of an incorrect data type. Resolution Record the parameters specified in the Algorithms page of the Alarm Enrollment. Clear the values in the Out of Range parameters by changing the alarm type to Expression. Apply the changes. Change the Alarm Type back to Out of Range. Enter the alarm parameters recorded in step one. Apply the changes and test.

Issue There are a couple of part numbers available for the expansion module cables, which ones are for which devices? Environment xP modules Cause Not sure which cables are for which xP modules. Descriptions and documentation on iPortal is inadequate. Resolution There are three xP module cables available: The 01-0100-484 cable is a replacement for the xP-Display module cable and this is meant to be for the xP-Display only, not for any of the other xP I/O modules. The xP I/O modules such as xPDO4 require either the xP-Mod-Cable-3 or xP-Mod-Cable-10. Be aware that you will only be able to extend the xP network for a maximum of 10Ft. See this iPortal datasheet or on Exchange Extranet for details.

Issue When configure a door with both reader channels as 0, only want to monitor the status of door switch, when the door is opening for a long time, the door ajar alarm should be triggered if the alarm has been configured, but on this condition, the door ajar alarm will never be triggered. Environment Cyberstation ACX AC-1 Cause Maybe it is a design, the controller not consider is a door when the reader channel is 0 Resolution Set a valid channel number for EntryReader although it is not connected, then try again, that should be OK.

Issue Errors variable increasing rapidly and frequent 182a errors seen in the Controller Error Log. 0x0000182a - COMM_ERR_IV_IPADDR (Invalid Internet network address) Product Line Andover Continuum Environment All IP Level Controllers bCX ACX57xx Netcontroller Netcontroller II Cause The 182a error indicates that there is an issue with the controller IP Address settings. Some potential causes of this are: Duplicate IP Address, improper subnet mask, improper gateway, BACnet routing issues. It seems that it is logged when trying to change the IP address or use an encode id already used by another device. This error can be caused by misconfigured IP address information including mask and gateway addressing.  Can also be due to improper BACnet routing. In one specific scenario the issue was the default router setting in the Controller. This was set to a device that was not a router to the network. Confirming the configuration of all IP Devices on the network and getting a Wireshark capture can help to identify the potential cause.  Resolution Removed the invalid IP address from the Default Router field and the 182a errors stopped appearing in the Controller Error Logs.

Issue ACX781's are still installed on some older sites but the cabinet keys cannot be found. Can these be replaced? Environment ACX781 Cabinet Enclosure Cause No one has the cabinet key and it needs to be replaced. Resolution The ACX781 controller has been discontinued since 2007. The stock on the cabinet lock/key assembly has been depleted since then and there are no replacements available.

Issue ROAMIO2 fails to connect to Controllers using either the BACnet or Infinet service tool.  ROAMIO2 without batteries fails to power up when connected to Controller's service port. Environment NetController II, bCX 4040, bCX4690, i2 controllers, b3 controllers. Cause Incorrect RJ11 cable type.  If using an RJ11 cable that is not a straight thru cable then ROAMIO2 will not function properly. Resolution Troubleshooting: Check the RJ11 cable to verify that it is a straight thru cable.  If it is a reverse or crossover cable it will not work.  To test this issue you can connect the ROAMIO2 device (without batteries) to a controller's service port.  If the ROAMIO2 will not power on, this is an indication that the cable may be the wrong type. Solution: Replace with straight thru RJ11 cable.

Issue An error stating "Cannot change directory to Continuum" is thrown when trying to install Cyberstation. Environment Installation Cyberstation WebServer Cause This error usually occurs when the install executable is run from inside the compressed (Zip) file folder. Resolution Copy the contents of the compressed folder (zip file) onto the PC, then launch the setup application.

Issue Can't find AREAPURGE part number in parts list or iPortal. Environment Continuum Add-on Software from COE Cause The AREAPURGE is an Add-On application made, and supported, by the Security Center of Excellence (COE). It has also had the part number "AE-PURGE".   Resolution Unfortunately, COE has informed us that this product is discontinued and is no longer available for sale.