Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The WorkPlace Tech application drawing contains a hardware tag that is outlined in red and displays this error message when viewing the right-click Display Errors option for the tag Product Line TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Building Operation Workstation (WorkPlace Tech Editor) Microsoft Visio Cause The issue may be caused by incorrect copying and pasting of objects inside or between drawings.  An absolute cause has not been determined  Resolution Open the application in WorkPlace Tech or Editor.  Don't open the .vsd or .vsdx file in Visio alone. Enable the Developer in the Visio ribbon. File/Options/Customize Ribbon/check "Developer"  The Developer must be enabled to have the Show ShapeSheet option available  Right-click the Input object and select Show ShapeSheet In the ShapeSheet:  Step 1. Select the corrupted string for the Connection Points Step 2. Delete the string Step 3. Click the green check mark to save Unlink and Relink the connector between the previously corrupt object, UI01 in this case, and the Analog Input object.  Note, that this could be a Binary Input object as well.  This will add the correct string to the Connection Points.  

Issue What is the impact of the network traffic at the TCP/IP level when running a TAC Vista system?  Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Cause The system architecture of a TAC Vista system consists of two layers: the TCP/IP layer and the field bus layer. For the TCP/IP layer, the TAC Vista system typically resides on a customer’s intranet. The field bus is twisted data cable using the LonTalk® protocol at 78 kilobits per second.   Connected to the TCP/IP layer will be the primary workstation (referred to as a server by TAC, but not by IT professionals), operator workstations, web servers, web clients, IP to LON® gateways (with routing capability) and in some cases, hardware-based web servers (TAC Xenta™ 511/527). Resolution Please download the following PDF document for details: Download   So what is the load on the intranet as a result of a TAC Vista system? It depends on the number of TAC Vista Servers and the number of TAC Vista workstations that are in use simultaneously.   What is certain is that the individual contributors to intranet bandwidth use are all very small in comparison to the capacity of a 10 or 100 megabit per second intranet

Issue Unable to use the “Contact Open” nor the “Battery Low” statuses of a SED-WDC-G-5045 on EBO.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause The SED-WDC-G-5045 points (Contact Open, Battery Low and others) are not exposed individually but in a string of 10 points, bit 0 to bit 9.     Resolution 1. Add a: New object / Program / Script program. 2. Rename it to identify it, in this example it has been renamed Script program SED 3. Right-click on it, click on Edit, Script Editor window will open 4. Paste the below 4-lines script 5. Save 6. Change the “Type” from “Floating” to “Boolean” 7. Save 8. Close Script Editor window   Numeric input IASZone Numeric output ContactOpen, BatteryLow ContactOpen = (IASZone Bitand 2 ^ 0) > 0 BatteryLow = (IASZone Bitand 2 ^ 3) > 0       9. Right-click on “Script Program SED”, click on “Edit bindings” 10. Drag the “IAS Zone” point and drop it on the “Input / IASZone” bindingSave     12. Create a Digital Value 13. Bind it to the Contact Status point from the” Script Program SED” output. 14. Save      

Issue When launching Workplace Tech or Workplace Tech Editor (EBO), the Workplace Tech ribbon does not appear or displays an error indicating it has not executed. Product Line TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation (Workplace Tech Editor) I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Cause Smartware Studio 360 release 5.1.540 and later contains a 64-bit version of the Microsoft Access database.  It was modified to allow for installation with either Office 32-bit or 64-bit.  Workplace Tech and Editor requires a 32-bit version of Visio.  Microsoft normally does not allow 32-bit and 64-bit applications to be installed on the same OS.  Because of this, the COM Add-in for the Workplace Tech ribbon can fail. Resolution The Microsoft Access DataBase engine can be uninstalled in the Programs and Features of Windows.  For Studio 360 to function properly, it will need to be reinstalled.    

Issue Switching between LON communication methods within WorkPlace Tech may require a WorkPlace Tech and a LON tunnel client service restart. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech 5.9.3 and previous Cause When dynamically switching between LON communication methods within WorkPlace Tech (i.e. LON interface card to LON tunnel client), WorkPlace Tech communications may not initiate communications through the tunnel client properly. Resolution When this condition occurs, restart both WorkPlace Tech and the LON tunnel client as follows.   Save and close any open WorkPlace Tech applications and projects. Shut down the WorkPlace Tech tool. Restart the LON tunnel client service (Niagara LON Tunnel) within the Windows operating system services.  Verify the Niagara App Tunneling settings in Windows Control Panel. Please note, that any changes to the LON Port Name require a reboot of the computer. Start WorkPlace Tech and verify the WorkStation Communications Settings (i.e. network interface device driver and VLon device check box). Note: This does not apply to WorkPlace Tech 5.9.4 and newer encrypted tunneling in N4 Jaces.

Issue Proper handling and preparation of existing .vsd files help eliminate the crashing and lockup of the Visio application. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series Environment Workplace Tech Editor EcoStruxure 1.9.x - 3.2.3 Workplace Tech 5.9.1 - 5.9.4 Visio 2013, Visio 2016 Note: This does not apply to Workplace Tech Editor EBO 2022 (and newer) and Workplace Tech 5.10.x Cause The product is affected by the version of Visio in use as well as the file size and unused objects in the drawing. Resolution When using Workplace Tech 5.9.x with Visio 2013 or 2016, the file has to be opened in "Compatibility Mode." DO NOT CONVERT. Illustration 1 While the .vsd file is open in Visio, not in Workplace Tech, use the "Reduce File Size" option and select the boxes in Illustrations 1&2. Illustration 2 In Visio 2016, after opening the "Inspect Diagram," (Illustration 3), select the first 3 boxes in the "Reduce File Size" option (Illustration 4). Illustration 3 Illustration 4 Save the file for use in the Workplace Tech Project or to be imported into your AS-P as a .vsd. Add the "cleaned" file to your project or import it to Workplace Tech Editor. Make sure the Visio 2013 or 2016 is at the most recent version and build. You can find this under the file/account/About Visio. If Version 1802 is available in your Microsoft Office update Channel, use it. Version 1801 was used in testing. For Visio 2013 Build 15.0.4971.1000 MSO 15.0.5007.1000 was tested (Illustration 5) Illustration 5

Issue Procedures to purchase and unlock a permanent copy of WorkPlace Tech Tool (Asia Pacific customers) Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Tool software version 5.x. Cause WorkPlace Tech unlock code request should not be sent directly to Customer Care since orders in Asia Pacific are placed through Hub Asia.  Resolution 1. Install WorkPlace Tech. 2. After installation, generate the codes required to request an unlock code. 3. Complete the Unlock Code Request Form or output it to the file (InVueOrder.txt). Submit the form or the file together with the purchase order to your local orders processing team.  The procedure to generate the order codes can be found in the WorkPlace Tech Tool Installation Instructions. 

Issue Need to upgrade sites with Report Server to EBO 2022 or higher. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation Report Server Building Operation Timescale Database Cause WebReports/Report Server isn’t supported in EBO 2022 (V4.0) or higher. Resolution Since WebReports/Report Server isn’t supported in EBO 2022 (V4.0) or higher, there is a Data Migration Assistant (DMA) tool available which read data from a WebReports 3.x and write it to External Log Storage. You use External Log Storage feature to store historical data from EcoStruxure BMS. The amount of stored data is limited only by the equipment you use, and not by the capacities of the feature.  When the External Log Storage feature is activated and configured, WorkStation and WebStation display the historical data in the event and trend views from the External Log Storage. Any server in the system can be configured to write historical data to the TimescaleDB database.   Data Migration Assistant (DMA) Tool can be downloaded from here. License required: External Log Storage requires license, refer to Software and Features that Require Licenses and Part Number Summary and Hardware Software Matrix  Hardware and Software requirement for External Log Storage: Ensure that the hardware and software requirements for TimescaleDB (www.timescale.com) and PostgreSQL (www.postgresql.org) are met. High-performance SSD storage is required and additional CPU/RAM capacity is required for larger EcoStruxure BMSs. As an example, at least 64 GB of RAM is recommended for systems with 100 EcoStruxure BMS servers. Refer to: Information Technology System Planning Guide (se.com) Merging Log data: External Log Storage decreases the amount of extended trend logs retained on the EcoStruxure BMS servers. You can merge log data from an extended trend log to the source log in External Log Storage. For more information, see Merging of Trend Log Data. Enhanced Reporting (XLSX Report Templates): The EcoStruxure BMS servers (3.2 or higher) provide built-in functionality for basic reporting that can deliver reports in any text format and XLSX, without any dependencies to other external software. Reports for XLSX can be enriched by using advanced functionality such as formulas, conditional formatting, charts and sparklines. If External Log Storage is configured and connected (PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB), then historical report data can be fetched from there. Refer to: Examples for the new native EBO Notification Reports - Communities (se.com)  

Issue Is it possible to edit a document object like a text file from WebStation? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WebStation Cause From WebStation, it is only possible to view a document. Resolution No it is not possible to change a document object from WebStation.   For other differences between WorkStation and WebStation, see the online help topic WebStation and WorkStation Differences

Issue "Software file not found: 7797**.bin" when downloading bin on a 7797 ICI Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site with 7797 Cause Error Message in software file not found: 7797**.bin when downloading bin on the 7797 ICI Resolution The reason the Software Restore command is looking for a 7797**.bin file during the download is due to one of two reasons. The ICI has not been configured in the Edit->Controller->Configuration screen to specify the ICI type. Example: 12 for BacNet, 15 for Modbus. Copy corresponding bin file under /Support/Bin/ in the installation CD of I/NET to the Data directory. The download should be OK now.

Issue EBO can't overwrite notification report file. "System alarm: File access error: sharing violation:" Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation Workstation Cause Notification file is used by another program and "Uniqueness" paramter is set to "None" so EBO can't write on it, ex, Microsoft Excel opens the notification report.  Resolution Make sure that notification report is not used be another program, ex. Microsoft Word or Excel. If the program locking the notification file is not known, Windows Resource monitor can be used to know which process is locking the file, as below: Press Windows key+R to open "Run" dialog box. In "Run" dialog box, write “resmon” and pres Enter. In Resource Monitor "CPU" tab, expand "Associated Handels"  In "Search Handels" box, write the notification file name. In "Image" tab, note the process name. To end the process which is locking the file, Right-click on the process and then click on “End Process”. It is also possible to append or prepend a timestamp to the file name, so EBO can generate a new file each time.

Issue Attempt to download license and see the below error. Failed to request license Error: Failed to store licence file Exception HRESULT:0x8007051B) (0x0000051B)   Failed to request license Error: Failed to store licence file Exception HRESULT:0x8007051B) (0x0000051B) Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause This error could be caused by a folder permissions issue. Usually occurring when Security Expert was installed without proper permissions to edit the folder or parent folder of where the license is stored. Alternatively it can be caused by a domain user account and local user account having identical names since Security Expert doesn’t know which user to check the permissions of when trying to save the license file. Resolution The possible solutions are shown in the order that they should be attempted: Right click the Security Expert license folder, (usually "C:\ProgramData\SchneiderElectric\SecurityExpert\License")and ensure that the Windows user has permissions to modify and view the contents of the folder. Ensure that the there is no local windows user with the exact same name as a domain windows user (e.g. LOCALHOST\admin, as well as ACME\admin). If this is the case change the name of one of the windows users so it doesn’t exactly match the other.  Perform a manual registration. Generate the .req file, go on the Licensing page, fill the form and download the license file. Then use the Browse button to import you license in Security Expert.

Issue When the time is changed on any TAC Xenta unit using the TAC Xenta OP, all TAC Xenta devices in that group will have their time changed by the same amount. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Xenta Programmable Controllers TAC Xenta Group TAC Xenta OP Cause The time parameters will be considered during this broadcast. This occurs when you change ANY controller, not just the group master. Resolution For example, the time is changed on one controller. It will add the minutes in its time zone field and broadcast the time as GMT. The other controllers in the group will receive the message, subtract their time zone minutes, and change their own time. 

Issue Depending on the environment of installation, IP classification of products is a prerequisite for the choice of the enclosure where TAC Xenta products are mounted. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Xenta TAC Xenta OP Cause In some older versions of product documentation, the IP class was stated to be IP30, which was incorrect. Resolution All TAC Xenta products are, due to their hardware design, IP20. TAC Xenta OP is also IP20 unless cabinet mounted which then makes it IP43. See each product's data sheet for more information and details.

Issue Where can you obtain the Database Schema for the EBO WebReports / Report Server Database Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Report Server Cause From EBO version 3.2.x WebReports/RS is no longer being developed as we move to External Log Storage with Postgres and Timescale DB.    To allow our customers to continue to work with existing WebReports/RS databases if they so wish, it may be helpful to provide the DB Schema. Resolution An inbuilt Report already exists within WebReports call 'Database Schema' which allows you to select which Tables you would like to see in the WebReports / RS Database Running this will produce a .pdf Report detailing the RS Database Schema tables, to aid with 3rd Party integrations and other DB manipulation. A full database schema report is attached for reference (Version 3.2.3) 

Issue How to create custom reports in Building Operation WebReports Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WebReports up to version 3.2.  Note: WebReports is no longer included in Building Operation 2022 and above. Cause Custom reports are typically created by modifying another report and then saving these changes. Typically used are the factory-supplied reports as the base for a new report then enter the filtering criteria that are required to be used in the new report. Assign a unique name to the custom report and save the new report as a dashboard or prompted report.  There may be a need to create a report not based on any of the standard reports provided in these Report Packs, this article covers this process. Resolution To create a non-factory-supplied report within WebReports it is necessary to use an editor.  Since WebReports use Microsoft Reporting Services it is recommended to download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Report Builder 3.0 or MS MSQL Server 2012 Report Builder.  This is a free tool provided by Microsoft that provides an intuitive report authoring environment for business and power users. This download provides a stand-alone installer for Report Builder 3.0.  Please note that Product Support does NOT provide support for Report Builder.  After downloading and installing the Report Builder application, the steps are as follows:  Each of these steps is also located on the Building Management System WebHelp site, a link for each of these steps is provided for additional reference and guidance. Start Report Builder and create a new blank report, see Creating a Basic Report for the steps.  After Creating the report create a data source that connects this report to StruxureWareReportsDB, see Creating a Data Source for these steps Then create the Data set, so add to the report which tables, views, stored procedures, and fields from the StruxureWareReportsDB are required to use in your report, see Creating a Dataset for these steps. This data can then be added to the custom report as required.  See Setting Up a Report for an example of setting up a report. See Adding an Image to a Report  on how to add images to the report  The new report now must be deployed to the Reports Server where it can be accessible to WebReports. To complete this procedure use SQL Server Reporting Services Report Manager. See Deploying a New Report to the Reports Server to view these steps in detail.  Finally, the report must be synchronized in WebReports to be deployed and therefore appear in the WebReports Reports Tree. Use WebReports with a Web browser to complete this procedure.  See Synchronizing WebReports with a New Report for the steps to complete this. Once all these steps have been completed successfully the new Report should be visible in the tree - the placement of these reports will depend on where they have been uploaded in step 5 above.  See the image below:

Issue The Zenitel integration to Access Expert provides the ability to add Zenitel ICX-500 controllers and stations for interaction with intercom devices and monitoring Zenitel events. In the Access Expert Windows Client, Zenitel Exchanges are accessible from the Intercom tab within the Hardware Provisioning section. The associated list of stations will appear when selecting and opening an Exchange. Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software Cause While trying to integrate a Zenitel intercom system to Access Expert there are some very specific steps that need to be followed Resolution Zenitel Exchanges Exchanges are used to group together and connect a specific set of Zenitel Stations. Through the Exchanges list, the following functionalities and properties are accessible: Add an Exchange: To add an Exchange, navigate to the Exchanges list and click “Create Exchange” in the upper left-hand corner. A dialogue will appear, prompting for a Display Name and MAC Address. Additional properties and information are available for viewing on the Exchange document once it’s been added. Note: It is important that the MAC address is valid. This is how the stations connect and populate in the instance. Note: The MAC address is not editable in the Exchange document after creation. Stations List: Each Exchange document has a read-only list of Stations connected to it. The system automatically populates the list based on Stations with a connecting MAC Address. This list is automatically updated with the most current available stations.   Zenitel Stations Stations are used to make calls. Stations can be accessed via the Exchange to which it’s connected, the global search bar, or the hardware tree. The Station contains the following properties: Display Name (Editable): This is the editable display name associated with the station. Connected To (Read-Only): Display name of the connected Exchange Configured Name (Read-Only): This is the non-editable original display name of the station configured by the ICX-500. Exchange Number (Read-Only): Number of the associated Exchange. Directory Number (Read-Only): Number to dial to reach this station. Connected Reader (Editable): Reader associated with the Station. Users may specify a reader in case they need to perform actions on surrounding hardware. Cameras/Views (Editable): Multiple cameras and views may be added via the Cameras tab. Reader functionality: Within the Stations form, users may specify a connected reader. Associated functionality to the reader is accessible directly through the “Actions” dropdown list or in the context menu when right-clicking a station that has a connected reader attached.   Functionalities for the associated readers include: Pulse Connected Reader Turn Connected Reader to Online Mode Unlock Connected Reader Lock Down Connected Reader Reset Connected Reader Floor Plans Edit Floor Plan: Stations may be added to floor plans. In the left-hand list of Available Hardware, all stations within the current instance will appear and may be added using the plus button to the right. At the top of the available hardware, a station icon exists for filtering.   View Floor Plan: When viewing a floor plan with connected stations, the station's alarm status will appear in real-time. The appropriate statuses and line states of the stations are also displayed and changes occurring with the stations are updated on the floor plan accordingly.   Hardware Tree Stations can be accessed via the hardware tree and can be filtered from the top of the list via its icon. The color of the Station object is used to determine its state (Green for Online, Red for Offline). Status is also viewable via an icon that appears on the Station (Black “X” indicating that a station is busy, grey phone symbol indicating that a station is in a call). Since a standalone list of all stations is not available via the Windows client, the hardware tree is the only place all stations within the current instance can be viewed at once.   Licensing Licensing of the Zenitel integration is based on the number of stations. Instances may be licensed for any number of specified Stations and thus, the system will not allow Stations within the instance to exceed the amount in which it’s licensed. If the instance is not licensed for any stations, the “Intercom” section in the Hardware Provisioning tab will not be visible.

Issue The room controller is replaced on-site, and you need to copy the same configuration of the faulty Controller. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server SSL SE8000 SSL SE7000 Cause The wrong file format might have been used Resolution This Video explains detailed steps to copy the configuration to a new or a replacement controller:   Please note that the older controller will probably have an older firmware version, and thus, you might have to downgrade the new controller to the same version. Also, note you can’t downgrade to below 2.0.0. If the older controller has a version before 2.0.0, this solution will not work and will have to configure the new one manually. Only After the configuration has been transferred successfully you can upgrade the controller to a new firmware version.

Issue Does Niagara R2, G3 (AX), and N4 support IPv6?  Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series R2 I/A Series G3 (AX) I/A Series N4 Cause Network planning questions from an end customer's IT department Resolution Niagara R2 does not support IPv6 (by design). Niagara G3 version 3.5 supports IPv6 but only on Windows-based platforms like an Enterprise Network Server or a soft Jace. Niagara G3 version 3.6 added support for IPv6 in embedded platforms like the ENC-520-2 and ENC-410-1.  Hotspot JVM required.  It is not supported by the J9 platform. Niagara N4 supports IPv6

Issue A new feature in EBO 3.2.X where the value is grayed out when the binding on the priority of a BACnet object matches the BACnet Default priority level Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Cause Missing Release note documentation about the new feature added to EBO 3.2.X. Resolution In EBO versions prior to 3.2.X, when a bind in Priority matches the Default BACnet Write Priority, the values can be changed without forcing. From EBO 3.2.X, users need to force the value, let it change, and then un-force it. The following screenshots show this feature in more detail. The following image shows the Default BACnet write priority has been set to 16. Now, for example, if a program output is bound to Priority 16 of an analog value: The value property would be greyed out and has to be forced if changes are needed.   This is a new feature in EBO 3.2.X which is not mentioned in the Release Notes documentation.   Hint: A defect # 45570 has been documented in Release Notes 3.2.X about “Webstation - BACnet analog value's value property is not greyed out when there is a bind to the default priority.”. This issue has been fixed in EBO 4.0.X.