Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What Techniques can be used to troubleshoot Modbus TCP/IP X Driver? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Modbus TCP/IP X Driver Cause Advice/ tips required to help isolate & determine Modbus IP communications problems. Resolution The first thing to check is that you are using the latest release of the driver and manual, also that it is the correct one for the controller model you are using, currently V2.00002 for the 1st Generation controllers (e.g. Netcontroller CX9900 etc) and V2.00018 for the 2nd Generation controllers (e.g. Netcontroller II and bCX1). Download Modbus TCP/IP xDriver. Ensure you are using only 1 XDriver for all your Modbus IP comms, if say you are using Comm1 as your X Driver enabled port then all of the Modbus IP points must be under Comm1, you cannot have 2 X Driver ports loaded with this X Driver (See Can multiple Modbus TCP/IP XDrivers be installed on a single 2nd Generation NetController?). The following points should be checked with reference to the Modbus TCP/IP X Driver Manual downloaded with the software: Set the X Driver accordingly for Client or Server mode (Client mode and will be polling the 3rd party devices, server mode responds to requests for data). Check that your Configuration point has been setup correctly as a Infinity String and the parameters are correct for the mode you are using. For Client mode check that Param 1 is set to a polling rate that the 3rd party devices can cope with also that Param 3 is long enough for the devices to respond between 20 and 60 seconds. Use Parameter 4 to enable the error logging in an appropriate date format, this will then put the errors into the String array behind this point, ensure you have set the log size to say 50, automatic log and the interval to be 0 (a semi automatic log See How to log data only when a point changes). This will then log the error in the string each time they occur, you can view these errors with a function that loops for the log size printing out each line to the Message Window, or put a number of lines of the error log array lines on a graphic as lines of text. Create a Remote Device Status point to monitor the state of the remotely connected Modbus IP servers, again this can be put on a graphic to show which devices are on/offline. By selectively disabling or removing some of the X Driver points you can limit the polling to certain devices, that way each device can be tested in turn. Another tool that can help debugging Modbus IP comms is Wireshark as it allows you to monitor the IP comms between the Client and the Servers. Check the correct addressing and function codes are used in the polls and that the servers are responding correctly. As per the Compatibility Matrix check that your NCII has a compatible firmware loaded for the Cyberstation software used (2.0x or 2.1x) In Client Mode, ensure the 3rd party system does not poll the driver too fast, see Typical data throughput rates for Modbus XDrivers. Ensure the Xdriver Objects (usually Numerics) have correct details within the Parameter Fields. An incorrectly formatted IP address can cause the Controller to Cold Start following a download. The quickest way to check the Parameters is to load the Controllers with all the objects apart from the Xdriver Configuration String, then create a listview with parameters 1 to 6.  

Issue Remove the Routing tables from I/NET and Xenta 527 devices Host conflict or station conflict error messages displayed at the I/NET Host. Incorrect Links, Hosts and IP addresses that do not exist in your Network are shown when penetrating Network Configuration. Product Line Other, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment I/NET IP Routers Xenta 527 Cause Host or station conflict errors can be caused by old information stored in a routing table. From time to time, it may be necessary to purge that information and allow the tables to be rebuilt automatically. The only way that routing tables can become corrupted is if a laptop was used to connect to the system from a different Network or from the Outside. Once connected, its IP table is broadcasted to the other devices like PCs and NPRs, thus populating the table with entries that does not belong or is non-existent for this location or system.  Resolution Managing I/NET Routing Tables   I/NET Host Workstation View the I/NET Routing Table See Viewing the routing tables on a PC using I/NET Seven for complete instructions. Delete a Single entry in the I/NET Routing Table Go to Start > Run Type Telnet and hit Enter Type open, hit the space bar, then enter the IP address of the PC Press Enter When the login comes up, type csi, hit enter Type LA  and hit enter to list all routing table entries Type ipdel xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx with xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx being the IP address of the device you wish to delete Press enter Clearing the I/NET Routing Table Shutdown the I/O Server Open Windows Explorer Browse to C:\INET Seven Data (or C:\Program Files\INET Seven) Delete the .dat files (you may want to save a backup to another location) Delete the routing table from any device listed as a Reference Host or the table will repopulate Start I/NET Other Method: See Bogus Links, Hosts and IP's in Netcon for instructions on using the delall command in Telnet     Xenta 527-NPR; Xenta 913; Xenta 527 Web Server (See Clear the IP routing tables of a Xenta 913)  Viewing the I/NET Routing Table View Connecting a serial cable to a Xenta 5/7/9xx controller to configure HyperTerminal to communicate to the Xenta Device. Log into the Xenta Device as the root user At the dsh/> type “inet ip” Press enter Deleting a Single entry in the I/NET Routing Table View Connecting a serial cable to a Xenta 5/7/9xx controller to configure HyperTerminal to communicate to the Xenta Device. Log into the Xenta Device as the root user At the dsh/> type “inet ipdel” then the IP address of the device you wish to delete Press enter Clearing the I/NET Routing Table View Connecting a serial cable to a Xenta 5/7/9xx controller to configure HyperTerminal to communicate to the Xenta Device. Log into the Xenta Device as the root user At the dsh/> type “inet delall” Press enter Type “inethost” and press enter Verify or set the Reference Hosts Clear the routing table from any referenced device to ensure old data is not repopulated Restart the Controller to re-populate the routing table   You can also realize this through the web page of Xenta device. Open the web page of Xenta controller, browse to Utilities-I/NET-I/NET Command Line, and type the command below or above. The result is the same as using HyperTerminal, which is also an easier way. Typing “inet help” or “inet” gives every I/NET option within the controller inet - I/NET Help ip - Display IP table list ls - Display Link/Station table list cp - Display Compressed table list gp - Display Global Point table list mm - Message masking all - Display all lists ipadd - Add an IP address to the tables ipdel - Delete a single ip record delall - Delete all ip records   NPR-2000 Viewing the I/NET Routing Table Go to Start>Run then type “Telnet” and hit Enter Type open hit the space bar then enter the IP address of the NPR Press Enter When the login comes up, type csi hit enter Type “LA”  and hit enter to list all routing table entries Deleting a Single entry in the I/NET Routing Table Go to Start>Run then type “Telnet” and hit Enter Type open hit the space bar then enter the IP address of the NPR Press Enter When the login comes up, type csi hit enter Type “LA”  and hit enter to list all routing table entries Type “ipdel xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx” with xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx being the IP address of the device you wish to delete Press enter Clearing the I/NET Routing Table (See Bogus Links, Hosts and IP's in Netcon)  Go to Start>Run then type “Telnet” and hit Enter Type open hit the space bar then enter the IP address of the PC Press Enter When the login comes up, type csi hit enter Type “LA”  and hit enter to list all routing table entries Type “delall” and hit enter to clear the table   Appendix A: I/NET Telnet Commands Glossary: Help – Displays all available commands in the NPR or I/O Server.  Note there are some differences between the NPR and I/O Server. ipadd a.b.c.d – Adds the IP to the routing tables. ipdel a.b.c.d – Deletes the IP from the routing tables. gpadd LLSSPPBBTT XX | a.b.c.d – Adds a global point link or global point IP to the routing tables. delall – Deletes “all” local routing table entries. setpass password – Change the telnet login password (6 characters max). +cpdel LLLL SS – Deletes the specified link/site address from the CP table. +debug gp on|off – Turns global point debugging on or off. +reboot – Reboots the NPR. +wdog – Reports watchdog errors. +wdogrst – Clears the watchdog errors. +Dx – Toggle debug output to COM3.  x=0/1; 0 = off, 1=on.   List Commands: +LR – IP Stack routing table. LI – IP routing table. LM – IP routing masks. LL – Link/Station routing table. LG – Global point routing table. +LC – Compressed routing table. +LS # - Compressed routing table: station to site maps for the specified link #. LA – All routing tables. LU – System metrics. *LD – Dial maps.  + = NPR only * = Host PC only   Appendix B: Method for Clearing Routing Tables at a Large Site See Possible solution to doing a Telnet session with a system wide firewall setup.   Appendix C: Suggested Reference Host Settings   Click here to be linked to the TAC INET Seven Getting Started. Click here to be linked to the TAC INET Seven Operator Guide.   A Reference Host is any TAC I/NET workstation, NPR, or Xenta 527/527-NPR that will serve as a source of IP addresses. Any of these devices attached to an Ethernet LAN can be used as a Reference Host. Each time I/O Server is started on a workstation, it provides the workstation’s IP address to each remote host designated as a Reference Host. I/O Server also requests and receives a list of all host IP addresses that are known to the remote host at that time. I/O Server must be running on the remote host for this address exchange to occur. I/O Server compiles and maintains a list of all the remote hosts that it learns about. Ultimately, all hosts in the network will know the IP addresses of all the other hosts. Ideally, you should determine 1 or at most 2 devices to serve as your Reference Host.  This device would ideally be a Xenta Server or an NPR, but a Host workstation that has I/O Server running 100% of the time will work as well.  All devices on the system will use this as a single Reference Host. No others are needed.  When the device comes online it will contact the Reference Host and get the site’s Routing Table.  The Reference Host can have an empty routing table.  Once the Routing Table is shared, Reference Hosts are no longer needed.  You can leave the single entry in place. This will allow a quick recover, in the event of a critical system failure. Here are a few reasons for using multiple Reference Hosts: Temporarily add a new device as a Reference Host on the Sites Reference Host or a workstation to aid in bringing it online A large site may desire to have 2 Reference Hosts in case one is offline when a device comes online. An I/NET site that spans multiple locations may wish to declare a local Reference Host for each building and a network Reference Host  

Issue The License server cannot be seen by either the Workstation or Enterprise Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation License Administrator Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause When attempting to log onto a system using Workstation, or start an Enterprise Server, the license is not seen on a remote License Server. Resolution Make sure your firewall setting is not blocking the license system. For more information read SmartStruxure Workstation or editors can't get license when using firewall (errors -15 or -96) The system consisted of a PC running the Building Operation License Server. The license on the PC had been generated from an entitlement for an Enterprise Server, Workstation and program editing tools. A second PC was running the Workstation and Enterprise Server programs. Confirming that the correct licenses are available on the License server. On the License Server, select Internet Explorer and enter http://localhost:8888 in the address bar. Select the "Concurrent View" Below shows the page displayed, confirm that the expected licenses are shown. Check that the License administrator has the correct address of the license server. Open the license administrator and select the "License Server Address" tab. NOTE: the @ symbol before the IP Address must be used.

Issue When TAC Vista and the SmartStruxure Enterprise server are installed on the same machine the EcoStruxure web service object will not connect to the Vista Server. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista SmartStruxure Solution EcoStruxure Web Services TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface 1.0 Cause The default ports used by the SmartStruxure Enterprise server are HTTP 80 and HTTPS 443. These are the exact same ports used for the communication between the TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface and EcoStruxure Web Services Resolution TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface settings change the HTTP and HTTPS ports to something that is available and not in use on the machine. In the example below HTTP 8181 and HTTPS 8191 are used. After these ports are changed click apply and stop and restart the TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface service. After these port changes are made login to the Enterprise server and select properties on the TAC Vista web services object. Change the service URL to the localhost address and the proper port that was chosen in the TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface settings. In the example below http://localhost:8181/EcoStruxure/DataExchange was used. The local IP address could also be used in place of the localhost if needed. Another point needs to be kept in mind is that only the user in the default System user group can be used. Don't try to create other System group. And all the letters in the password need to be in capital in the password field of the window above. This is a defect that will be addressed in the next release of TAC Vista to SmartStruxure interface. For how to create Vista interface in SmartStruxure, refer to How to Create TAC Vista Interface to SmartStruxure.

Issue Setting up the override value to show the damper feedback on an i2/B3 866-v Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment i2/B3 866-V Plain English Script Cause Activate the damper position feature in the 866-V. Resolution SBO: See this video on creating a program that calculates damper feedback position.  Also reference the article How to show damper feedback for an i2/b3 866-V which describes what needs to be done to show damper position and calibrate the damper. Sample objects, code and images showing configuration are supplied.   Continuum: There is a description in the 866-V installation manual on how to activate the damper position feature, but there are some additional pieces of information that this article has been created to address. This was initially to just get the feature working as mentioned in the next section below. Getting the damper feedback operational: Once the end stops are determined initially during the Learn process, the controller can then determine the position of the damper. Create a PE program to set the DamperOutput LCDState = Disabled and back to Enabled in the next line. This will run through its stroke to determine the end stops. ‘Example program named "damperstate" Fall thru, auto start ‘a 2 line program to initialize the stops Line 1 Set damper LCDstate to disabled goto 2 Line 2 Set damper LCDstate to enabled stop To run from the command line Run damperstate Note that the Feedback will not start working until the Damper has gone full stroke in both directions. This will take several minutes. Set the damper point to on or –on depending on the position so it will move Print Damper OverrideValue from a command line or display it on a listview of the damper output after adding the overridevalue column Self Calibration - The LCDState toggle actually activates the "self calibrate" process. It doesn't just enable the feature. It is necessary to know this because you will need to activate the self calibration again whenever the damper is manually moved using the red actuator clutch release button. Using the clutch can cause the damper position to be reported incorrectly. Periodic re-calibration should be as a part of normal procedure for the controller. Once the clutch is used, the damper position will still report, but the value may be incorrect. Re-calibrate recommendation- Use a PE program that recalibrates the damper (i.e. LCDState as mentioned in Section A) on manual command by the service technician on a power cycle or at the end of an occupancy period. Note: For controlling the Damper motor output create an Infinity Output point of type Triac on Channel 1. It can then be opened / Closed like any other Triac output with the use of On, -On or Off commands

Issue Managing communication between I/NET and StruxureWare Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment I/NET Enterprise server level integration I/NET Automation server level integration StruxureWare Building Operation 1.6.1.5000 and above. Cause Users should manage data flow on the controller LAN in order to maintain efficient communication. Any binds to objects under the I/NET interface follow the settings for the INET Global device scan rate (min) and the INET Global point scan rate (s). By default, this is set to 60 minutes for device status and 5 seconds for point bindings. The INET Global device scan rate (min)  is used to monitor online devices. A device will show offline sooner than the configured setting as all points would show offline.  The  INET Global point scan rate (s) is applied to all binds between StruxureWare and I/NET.  Opening a graphic or watch window will ignore this rule and immediately request values. After that, the scan will update according to the configured setting. A controller can either follow the Global scan rates as by default or use its own setting.  When a controller has the property DCU scan rate or point scan rate set to 0, it will follow the scan rate configured for the I/NET interface. An I/NET 19200 speed Controller LAN will handle a maximum of 10 token cycles per second. Each cycle allows a single packet of information to be passed from a single controller to the server. 1 Packet can contain all data for up to 18 points on a single controller. This means binding to manual, value, and PvControl for 18 points on a single 7718 will take one packet. Binding only the value of 5 points on 5 different controllers will take 5 packets. Adding devices to the controller LAN and adding additional polling will slow down the number of cycles per second on the controller LAN. Resolution All active binds will poll every scan interval. Graphic binds are only active when the graphic is open. Trend Logs will poll every scan interval regardless of the log configuration options.  Whenever possible, use the I/Net Alarm and Trend objects rather than creating separate StruxureWare alarm and trend objects. Trend Log Best Practices: Use the I/NET Trend Extension as outlined in Using I/NET trends in StruxureWare Building Operation please refer to the online help guide for complete information. Create Extended Trend Logs of this information for long term storage. I/Net Alarm Best Practices: Use the I/NET point extension to configure the alarm to be triggered by logic within the I/NET controller. I/NET Alarms have 3 priority options which are Routine, Priority, and Critical. This can be globally assigned to any priority using the I/NET interface messages tab. Other StruxureWare Alarm enhancements are available to I/NET objects as well. Scheduling and programming I/NET from StruxureWare Whenever possible, bind values to a single I/NET controller per controller LAN and then create I/NET Global/Indirect point relationships to distribute this value to other devices on the controller LAN. Using a single controller allows more information to be sent per packet. I/NET Global points will only broadcast on change. In this scenario, the server is polling a single controller ever scan interval and then on change all other controllers are updated. Increase the Point scan rate Using the information above you should be able to calculate how many packets are required for your system for each token pass. If this number increases to the point that more packets are required than are possible in the default 5 seconds, increase the scan rate. You can increase it on specific over loaded controllers or on all controllers together.

Issue Does Continuum support Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2010 as the client for emailing alarms? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation (v1.93 and above) Microsoft Outlook 2007 (32-bit) Microsoft Outlook 2010 (32-bit) Cause Sending out alarms as emails using Microsoft Outlook. Resolution Outlook 2007(32-bit) and Outlook 2010(32-bit) have been tested by QA with Continuum for emailing of alarms. This is mentioned in the Cyberstation Installation guide. Outlook Express does not work and is not supported. MS Outlook/Exchange 64-bit is not supported across all versions.  For specific information on how to set up emailing of alarms on your Cyberstation please refer to the Continuum Help available on your Continuum Cyberstation or see Creating an EventNotification Email and Page Distribution List. Note: Outlook 2013 and above has not been tested by SQA, but reports from the field are that it does work. In the new versions of Outlook, they have changed the name of the "Personal Distribution List" to the new name of "New Contact Group" Please see How to create a distribution list from your contacts in Outlook for info on how to set up these groups,

Issue TAC Xenta Server webpage does not work smoothly. A typical example is when you try to change a value. The small dialog that should pop up to change a value might pop up and immediately disappear. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment TAC Xenta Severs Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 TAC Vista 5 Webstation Cause Using unsupported version of Java may cause various issues. For example, Xenta server webpage does not display smoothly, time schedule does not show up or can not be edited, etc. Resolution Below is the Java compatibility matrix of TAC Vista 5.   5.1.9 5.1.8 5.1.7 5.1.6 5.1.5 5.1.4 5.1.3 5.1.2 5.1.1 5.1.0 5.0.3 5.0.2 5.0.1 5.0.0 Java 1.5 update 06               X X X X X X X Java 1.6 update 11           X X               Java 1.6 update 17            X 1                 Java 1.6 update 20 X X X X X                   Java 1.7 update 51 X                           1  TAC Xenta Server 5XX/7XX/913 SP1. Log into The Exchange and then click here to download the full Vista Compatibility Matrix. To uninstall an unsupported version of Java and install the supported version, refer to Xenta Server webpage automatically logs out while waiting for Java to load.

Issue Receive "Initialization error" when trying to start I/NET with SQL 2008 When we installing SQL Server 2008 Standard for I/NET Filemaster, what are the main components we should include? When editing / adding a new I/NET Configuration Profile the Database Server section is blank DBCreate does not start.  Appears in task Manager but no user interface is shown. Within DBCreate the restore option is grayed out Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.4x Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 families of operating systems. (both 32 and 64 bit) Microsoft SQL 2008 Standard or Express Editions Microsoft SQL 2008 R2 Standard or Express Editions Cause I/NET must have the SQL 2005 Backward compatibility file installed.  If this is not installed I/NET will not locate the SQL Server and hence will issue an “initialization failure” error.  This is can also be identified in either the DBCreate or I/NET Configuration application editors which will show no entries in their "Database Server" settings. The document also details information that is necessary for a Standard or Express editions of SQL 2008 / SQL 2008 R2. Resolution Follow the instructions below extracted from the document called "SQL2008 Expr Install Inst.pdf".  This document is found on I/NET Seven CD under the 'SQLExpress' folder.  For SQL 2008 R2 installations refer to the following document SQL2008 R2 Expr Install.pdf, also found in this same folder .  Installing SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility SQL Server 2005 backward compatibility must be installed for SQL 2008. To install SQL Server 2005 Backward Compatibility Navigate to the SQLBcm directory on the TAC I/NET Seven installation CD. Launch the SQLServer2005_BC.msi file. Follow the prompts on each screen and accept all defaults. After the install check the SQL Server Services SQL Server Browser is RUNNING SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) is RUNNING Check the SQL Server Network Configuration Protocols Enable Named Pipes Enable TCP/IP Completing the Installation Proceed with the installation of TAC I/NET Seven on your PC. For installation instructions, refer to TCON298, TAC I/NET Seven Getting Started. Note: Run Inetcfg.exe before starting TAC I/NET Seven for the first time. This is necessary to attach TAC I/NET Seven to the database and avoid an “Initialization failure” error. Note: Before file equalization will operate, the system must be rebooted or the INETEQZMERGE service must be manually started.   Also refer to Installing I/NET 2.42 or higher and Vista 5.1.7 or higher on a 64-bit operating system for additional details on installing I/NET with SQL 2008 R2.

Issue If the STR 350 plug-in is missing, then the STR 350/351 setup needs to be performed manually in NL220, LonMaker, TAC Vista Workstation, or TAC Menta. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.4, TAC Vista 5.1.5 Windows 7, Server 2008 Cause Not all plug-ins in the TAC ToolPack can run on Windows 7 or Windows 2008. Read details in TAC ToolPack plug-ins are not showing up. Resolution If the STR 350 plug-in is missing, then the STR 350/351 setup needs to be performed manually in NL220, LonMaker, TAC Vista Workstation, or TAC Menta. NL220 STR 350/351 setup steps are shown below: Use the STR 350 device template to create a new node on the channel. Note: the device template is located at C:\LonWorks\import\TAC\IO Modules (Default location) Double click on the STR 350/351 device and make necessary changes to any signal under “NVs” tab. TAC Workstation STR 350/351 setup steps are shown below: Expand the tree structure in the left panel. Select the desired signal to change in the right panel. If a STR 350/351 is connected to a programmable controller (Xenta 280/300/400), then the STR 350/351 can be added in the Menta file similar to an IO module. Setup steps are shown below: Under “Options/Device Specification” select “Add STR Module…" Under “Type” Select “STR350/351” and Under “Bit(s)”, choose the desired bit(s). Note: hover over each bit, there is a short description about the selected bit. If a STR 350/351 is connected to a Xenta Server (Xenta 7XX), then the STR 350/351 can be added in the Xbuilder project similar to an IO module. Setup steps are shown below: In Network panel,  under “LON", right click and select “Add IO Module->STR35X". Right click on the STR35X model just added, and select "Configure". A configuration pop up window will be displayed.  Make any desired changes. Note: Neuron ID can be manually typed in the Xbuilder or get from service pin in the Workstation. If choose to service pin, need to create and commission a LNS network in Workstation. Save and download the project. Below is a table of each bit in nciOption1 and nciOption2 and its brief description. nciOption1: Bit 0, 1: Fan type 00: No fan (Default) 10: On/Off fan 01: 2 speed fan 11: 3 speed fan Bit 2: Fan auto state 0: Not allowed (Default) 1: Allowed Bit 3: Fan off state 0: Not allowed (Default) 1: Allowed Bit 4: Fan speed 1 0: Not allowed (Default) 1: Allowed (On/Off fan type needs to be activated) Bit 5: Fan speed 2 0: Not allowed (Default) 1: Allowed (2 speed fan type needs to be activated) Bit 6: Fan speed 3 0: Not allowed (Default) 1: Allowed (3 speed fan type needs to be activated) Bit 7, 8 ,9: Not used   Bit 10: Temperature presentation 0: °C (Default) 1: °F Bit 11: Temp. normally displayed 0: Setpoint temperature (Default) 1: Room temperature Bit 12: Setpoint temp. presentation 0: Absolute temperature (Default) 1: Offset temperature Bit 13: Bypass button usage 0: Bypass (Default) 1: On/Off Bit 14: Not used   Bit 15: Supported protocols 0: Standard LonTalk protocol only 1: Standard LonTalk protocol and TAC proprietary protocol (Default) nciOption2: Bit 0, 1: Sunblind - Switch 1 00: On/Off (Default) 10: Up/Down 01: On/Off/Up/Down 11: Not used Bit 2, 3: Sunblind - Switch 2 00: On/Off (Default) 10: Up/Down 01: On/Off/Up/Down 11: Not used Bit 4: Light - Switch 1 0: Disable (Default) 1: Enable Bit 5: Light - Switch 2 0: Disable (Default) 1: Enable Bit 6, 7, 8: Local sensor 000: None (Default) 100: CO 2 010: RH 001: Occupancy Bit 9: CO 2 /RH value 0: Hidden (Default) 1: Display Bit 10-15: Not used  

Issue General questions and best practices for RS-485 protocol including cable length and terminating resistors Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment MSTP Cause Understanding best practices for installing, cabling, and terminating RS-485 networks can avoid a lot of problems with communication and hours of troubleshooting communication problems. Resolution MS/TP MS/TP stands for Master Slave Token Passing. Each device on the link is considered the master when it has the token. If it does not have immediate need to use the token, it is required to pass the token along to the next device. This is the token passing part. All devices on the link which do not currently have the token are regarded as slaves, and are expected to listen to any messages the current master may have for it. Because all devices take turns being master, the link is effectively peer to peer. Electrically, MS/TP adheres to standard RS-485, physically wired using two-conductor shielded twisted pair cable. RS-485 Cable Specifications Cables used to form the RS-485 network should conform to the following specifications: Wire Size: 22-24 AWG Cable Type: Twisted-pair, copper wire, tinned Shield: Braid Nominal Impedance: 100-120 Velocity of propagation: 78% Capacitance: <12.5 pF/ft between conductors and <22 pF/ft between the conductor connected to ground and the next conductor. Topology Daisy chain bus topology. Star topology can be achieved using Infilink/B-Link repeaters. Maximum Cable Length Cable lengths of up to 4000 ft (1220m) daisy chained from controller to controller on one arm of a star are supported. After 4000 ft (1220m), a signal repeater (b-Link) is required to add more nodes to the network or further extend the cabling. Using a b-Link fiber repeater allows you to extend the length of RS-485 with fiber optic cable, recommended for running cable between buildings and through noisy environments. Maximum Number of Devices TAC's MS/TP RS-485 supports a maximum of 127 nodes overall. Each controller represents a single node on the network. RS-485 Termination The MS/TP field bus requires a 120 ohm terminator resistor at both ends of a daisy chain segment. The following diagram illustrates the connection of the terminator: Also check out the SmartStruxure-RS485-Network Installation Quick-Help video on the Exchange.

Issue Can the red crosses (that indicate that a signal is offline) in Vista or SmartStruxure Workstation/Webstation be disabled? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment SmartStruxure TGML Graphics (Workstation, Webstation) Vista TGML Graphics (Workstation 5.X, Webstation 5.X) Cause When a signal which is bound to an object in a TGML graphic is offline, this is indicated by a red cross when viewing the graphic in Vista or SmartStruxure Workstation or Webstation. Resolution This can easily be disabled in TGML by adding a script to the OnSignalChange event: function signal(evt){   evt.preventDefault(); }  Note, this script will only disable the red X when a point is offline. This does not address any issue that might cause points to be offline. A short video is available on this process, to review, please see SmartStruxure - Graphics - Removing Red Crosses.mp4.

Issue Internet Explorer on Windows Server 2008 (R2) gets "Incorrect User or Password, please try again" or "web.Client only supports Internet Explorer 32 Bit version 8.0 and greater" when logon to the Webclient server. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Webclient 2.0 Windows Server 2008 / 2008R2 Internet Explorer 9, 10, 11 Cause Internet Explorer security issue and the compatibility issue. Resolution Change the setting of the IE 11 on Server2008 as below: When Webclient logon from IE gets error "Incorrect User or Password, please try again": Set the Webclient server a Trusted site : From IE menu, select Tools -> Internet Options -> Security tab -> select the Trusted sites and click the Sites button -> add the Webclient to the Trusted Sites list. When Webclient logon from IE gets error "web.Client only supports Internet Explorer 32 Bit version 8.0 and greater" : Set the Compatibility View: From IE menu, select Tools -> Cmpatibility View settings -> add the Webclient name or IP address to the Compatibility View list. Also refer to:  Do we support 64-bit Internet Explorer for use with WebClient? HTTP Error 500.21 Internal Server Error logging into WebClient. or ASP.NET setup custom has stopped working when trying to register .NET 2 using aspnet_regiis.exe Invalid user name or password dialog when logging into webclient with acc that works in Continuum Error: "Unable to load the .Net control for this page." when trying to open a schedule or trend log in WebClient

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue An Energy Expert system is being moved to a new server and/or the virtual image is being upgraded. The historical records held in the SQL database of the Power Monitoring Expert (PME) system need to be backed up and properly restored on to the new server. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Energy Expert (formally Power Manager) Power Monitoring Expert (PME) Enterprise Server Cause The system administrator has deemed it necessary to upgrade the Windows server that the Energy Expert system is installed on for security and/or resource reasons. Resolution It is important to remember that an Energy Expert installation is really just two Schneider Electric offers, EcoStruxure Building Operation and Power Monitoring Expert, installed together and set up to pass information back and forth. This means that appropriate steps must be followed for each system to backup the historical data and properly restore it on the new server. For more detail regarding how the system is laid out, please see the Difference between EcoStruxure Energy Expert (Power Manager) and Power Monitoring Expert (PME). Steps to move an Energy Expert database Backup the Power Monitoring Expert (PME) SQL database, dashboards and reports. The Configuration Manager tool available on the Exchange can be used to back all of these items up automatically. Run the tool on the existing server and it will create a zip file to be used later on when restoring to the new server. See Migrating a PME 8.0 System to a New Server for more information. The Schneider Electric Technical FAQs website also contains many other helpful troubleshooting articles for PME including different versions of the product. Return the Energy Expert license(s) from the Floating License manager in order to move them to the new server. For more information see Video: Licensing Guide for Power Monitoring Expert (PME) 8.x and 7.2.x and ENM 8.3.x. If moving the Enterprise Server, make a historical backup of the EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO) ES from the existing server. See Backup of StruxureWare/EcoStruxure Building Operation AS and ES for more information. If the Enterprise Server and other EBO licenses are installed on the existing server, then they may need to be returned as well so they can be moved to the new server. See Removing a Local License or Returning a Network License for more information. Next the ETL project files must be retrieved and saved so they can be moved to the new server (if using architecture 1 in the Energy Expert offer). Go to the file location below and save all ETL project files that are needed on the new server. C:\Program Files > Schneider Electric > ETL X.X (SBO to PME) > Jobs If moving the Enterprise Server, install the EBO software on the new server, rehost the EBO licenses, and restore the EBO server backup(s). See Restoring the EcoStruxure BMS Server for more information. Install the Energy Expert software (the software includes PME, ETL and the integration utility). The information on how to download the Energy Expert software can be found on the Exchange. Once the software has been installed, the Energy Expert license can be hosted to the new server in the Floating License manager. Next, install the PME Configuration Manager tool on the new server. The zip file from step 1 can be loaded using this tool to restore the SQL database, PME dashboards and PME reports. Add the previously saved ETL project files to the same location on the new server C:\Program Files > Schneider Electric > ETL X.X (SBO to PME) > Jobs Since the server has changed, the configuration settings must be updated in the ETL projects to reflect the new server name. The settings in the EWS interface on the EBO server will also need to be updated as well. Note: It may be easier to delete the existing EWS interface in EBO and then use the integration utility to create a new XML import file to simply rebuild the interface.

Issue In WorkPlace Commissioning Tool, the following error message appears when browsing a BACnet/IP network: "A critical error occurred in the communication server rtmonitor.exe. Please shutdown this application and the communication server then try again." Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Windows 7 computer WorkPlace Tech Tool software version 5.7 or later Cause The WinPcap driver, used in WorkPlace Tech BACnet communications was configured to start on demand and the WPT module that is attempting to start WinPcap does not have the necessary Windows security rights.  Resolution NOTE 1:  Before using this procedure, please verify that the issue noted in WorkPlace Commissioning Tool UDP Port: "A critical error occurred in the communication server rtmonitor.exe" has been corrected, if present, and did not solve the problem. NOTE 2: If the computer is running Windows 7-64 bit, replace the following references to "Program Files" with "Program Files (x86)". To correct this issue, perform the following steps. Open Windows Explorer, i.e., "My Computer" or "Computer" from the Windows Start menu or computer desktop. Open the folder "C:\Program Files\WorkPlace Tech" For each of the following program files listed here, in turn: RTMonitor.exe, WPCT.exe, WPFB.exe and WPTech.exe Right click on the program name, Select Properties from the pop-up menu, Select the "Compatibility" tab. In the Compatibility display, click the button [Change settings for all users]. Locate "Privilege Level" section of the displayed window and check the box "Run this program as an administrator". (See snapshot below) Click the [OK] button to save the settings for all users. The window will close. You will see that the Privilege Level option is no longer selectable. Click the [OK] button to save the compatibility settings.   After setting the privilege option for each of the four programs in the Workplace Tech folder, repeat the same setting change for the Microsoft Visio program itself, VISIO.EXE. Depending on the version you are using, it will be located in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OfficeXX folder where xx is 14, i.e., Office14, for Visio 2010, 12, i.e., Office12, for Visio 2007 or 11, i.e., Office11, for Visio 2003. After setting these options, the computer should be shut down and restarted before using the WorkPlace Tech Tool software.  

Issue Where can I find standard Plain English programs for common HVAC and security applications? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Plain English Cause Schneider Product Support Services does not issue sample Plain English code.  Resolution There are a number of PE programs available on the Buildings Business Community. Plain English programmers can post samples of their code that may fit your application. Buildings Business Communities: Area 360 Documents

Issue Necessary steps to successfully install a "Stand Alone" versions of the Vista suite where a full Vista installation is not required. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Menta XBuilder Graphic Editor TGML MTA XBP Cause Sometimes a site may not require a full Vista package but will require the ability to edit associated Vista programs. This is the proper way to install only a portion of the Vista Software Suite. Resolution Create a account to the Download Center. Download the needed "stand alone" programs of the desired version, download here: Menta XBuilder Graphic Editor Download a matching version of the "stand alone" License Server, download here. Execute the downloaded programs on the host PC Order appropriate licenses using following program part numbers to validate the software (links to iPortal) Menta 000882401 XBuilder 000882411 Graphic Editor 000882221 (For an existing site requiring an upgrade from older Vista IV or Vista 5.0) Menta Upgrade Pricing 000883401 XBuilder Upgrade Pricing 000883411 Graphic Editor Upgrade Pricing 000883221 An Entitlement will be mailed which must first be Hosted to the PC. This is performed on the schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com website by following How to Host a Vista Site License. License the Software on the License Server (Stand-alone Licensing for Vista 5 Applications)

Issue Additional information for creating Lonworks networks in ES, not covered by the StruxureWare Technical Guide. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.3 SP1 Cause Additional information for creating Lonworks networks in ES, not covered by the StruxureWare Technical Guide. Resolution Setup of the NIC852 network interface for the ES is covered in the StruxureWare Building Operation Technical Reference Guide, chapter 37.9 L-IP router setup is covered in the StruxureWare Building Operation Technical Reference Guide, chapter 37.10   Here are some additional points not covered in the Reference Guide: To use the NIC852 as a network interface for the ES, you must configure the Loytec LConfig software to run as a service.  See Not able to get Service pin from LON devices connected with Loytec NIC from ES for more details. The L-IPs must be used in Smart Switch mode in StruxureWare.  There are two Smart Switch modes: 1.  Smart Switch Mode 2.  Smart Switch mode with No Subnet Broadcast Flooding. Only use the first of these modes.  This should be the default, out of the box.  See the L-IP User Manual for details of the DIP switch positions for each mode. The ES version 1.3 can host up to 100 Xenta devices + 100 LON devices in total. These can be divided across 5 logical networks (different domains). It is possible to have multiple L-IPs in the same network if needed - but the limit of 100+100 is per ES, not per network or L-IP. Loytec recommend that in Smart Switch mode an IP channel should have no more than 10 L-IPs and packet rates no more than 500 packets/s. If additional Xenta/LON devices are needed you can add them to one or more AS, below the ES. Observe the standard Lonworks guidelines when creating your network topology e.g. maximum number of devices per network segment, maximum length of runs for the chosen cable type.  Group your devices so that network traffic across channels is minimized. StruxureWare is unaware of your physical network topology - it just sees it as one big channel.  It will reserve a different subnet for each Xenta group you create, starting at subnet 253, but each Lonworks device you create will just be assigned the next available subnet/node address, starting at subnet 254 node 1.  This means that devices with the same subnet address will most likely appear on multiple physical channels. The Loytec L-IP in Smart Switch Mode can still provide effective routing in this situation as it builds its routing table based on the physical location of subnet/node addresses, not just subnets.  Other manufacturers' routers, even in learning mode, may not be so forgiving.

Issue Getting the error "The RPC server is unavailable" when attempting to write to a Vista Database.  This error can also be shown in the plug-ins output pain as "Error: Failed to access object xxxxxxxxxx." Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista System Plug-in Cause Incorrect DCOM or Firewall settings. This often occurs when installing a new system or restoring an existing Vista Database to a new PC. Computer is running out of memory. Resolution If it is cause due to computer memory shortage, please restart the TAC Vista Server. If the restart does not solve the issue, please follow the steps below. Install the DCOM utility located in Helpful Vista Utilities - Configure DCOM instantly, Register ASP.NET. or manually set the DCOM settings as instructed in the TAC Software Installation Unzip and execute the utility. If the problem persists and Vista Server is not on the local machine, ensure there is not a Firewall preventing a connection. If steps above does not resolve the issue, please reinstall TAC Vista software.

Issue What are the intervals for Trends when using StruxureWare Building Operations Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server or Automation Server Cause Questions regarding what the interval in time is for trending Resolution Intervals can be in Days, Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Milliseconds. . Trend logs can be of different types and used for different purposes. All logs in StruxureWare use circular storage. The interval trend log collects data at a specific time interval. Each logged value is stored as a record in the trend log. Use this trend log when the logging interval is less than 1 hour. You create interval trend logs using WorkStation or WebStation. In WorkStation, you configure the properties of the interval trend log to meet the specific needs of your site. The interval trend log does not record the values between the intervals. An interval log checks the monitored value at each interval and records the new value if it differs from the previously recorded value by more than the delta. Delta is the difference between the current variable value and the last log value. To log a variable according to the time interval, use a delta of zero. You use an extended trend log to transfer records from a trend log. An extended trend log can be connected to a trend log or connected in a series to another extended trend log. Only one extended trend log can be connected to a trend log. You create and configure extended trend logs using WorkStation. The extended trend log is often saved on a higher server level with more storage capacity than the server of an ordinary trend log. This extra storage capacity enables the server to store more records before it overwrites old ones. The extended trend log can be viewed in a trend log list or a trend chart. Trend log lists and records can be exported in two different formats: CSV (Comma separated values) is a standard file format for digital storage of data structured in a table of lists form. The CSV format can be used by Excel and in databases such as SQL. XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a standard file format for structured data and can be use with a lot of different tools. One last suggestion is the number of records, depending on how many records you want to store is important. For example: a single one minute interval Trend Log, and for 66 day, that would be 99,792 records. The maximum is 100,000 on an AS, so take this into account when configuring. This is why Extended Trend Logging is important. Check out Maximum number using StruxureWare Building Operation (Scalability and Capacity) for information on trends and extended trendlogs.