Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The user of OpenLDV and Echelon U10 USB adapters with their Engineering Laptops are concerned that Niagara 4.9 does not have a 32-bit installation option. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4 4.9 and later Windows 10 64 bit Cause OpenLDV 5 runs as a 32-bit application on both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows. It cannot be called from a 64-bit client application. In order to use OpenLDV on 64-bit Windows, the OpenLDV client application must be compiled and run as a 32-bit application. Prior to Niagara 4.9, some customers used the Niagara 32-bit installer exclusively, which no longer exists, so that they could use OpenLDV.  Resolution The 64-bit Niagara 4.9 Windows install includes a 32-bit daemon application that, without any extra configuration, provides a bridge between 64-bit Niagara and 32-bit OpenLDV. This means that technically, the Echelon U10 USB adapter should work in 64-bit Niagara version 4.9 and newer, on a Windows host (Tridium cannot guarantee operation). There is no longer a need to install 32-bit Niagara, and in fact, it is no longer available. 

Issue For various reasons, it is sometimes necessary to change a b3's mac ID. For example, a b3 that is removed from a site and will later be used at a different site needs to have its mac id reset to factory default to avoid the possibility of introducing a duplicate mac id. NOTE: To set the MAC ID to the factory default you need BACnet Service Tool version 1.110004 or newer.   Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum b3 Controller Continuum Service Tool RoamIO2 BACnet Service Tool Cause The MAC ID needs to be set or changed on a b3 controller. Resolution IMPORTANT: If the b3 has previously been assigned a valid mac id then proceed to step #1. If the b3 has factory default slave mac id then see  CHANGING MAC ID ON A BRAND NEW B3 FROM THE FACTORY below Make sure the b3 is disconnected from the MSTP network then connect the RoamIO2 directly to the b3 using the service port. Launch the BACnet Service Tool and de-select the 'By Networks' and 'BACnet only' menu options in the view menu. Click the green icon to make the RoamIO2 sync to the baud rate of the b3 and discover it. In the 'Tools' menu select 'Set Offline B3 Mac Id' as shown below.  In the 'Modify MAC Id' window enter the b3's serial number and the new mac id to be set then click Apply. (NOTE: To set the MAC ID to factory default enter 172, DO NOT USE ZERO) To set the MAC Id to the factory default you need BACnet Service Tool version 1.110004 or newer. Tested working on beta version 1.119903). This beta version is attached. Download it and remove the .txt at the end to make it a zip file, unzip then see the readme.txt. A feedback message 'Success! will be returned if the MAC id was changed EXCEPT when setting the MAC Id to factory default (172) When setting the MAC Id to the factory default you will NOT get SUCCESS feedback, this is because the default id of 172 is a slave id (chosen because in hex it is AC for Andover Controls). Slave Ids are not allowed to initiate communication on the MSTP network. So, as a result of that, the b3 is unable to report to the RoamIO2 that the id was successfully changed. A visual sign that the ID was changed to 172 is that the TD led on the b3's RS485 port will shut off. Disconnect and re-connect to have the RoamIO2 communicate with the b3 using the new MAC id (unless you changed it to the factory default of 172). CHANGING MAC ID ON A BRAND NEW B3 FROM THE FACTORY The RoamIO2 can also be used to assign a mac id to a brand new b3 which has a factory default mac id of 0xAC (172 decimal) but the steps are a little different. In order for a RoamIO2 to be able to send communication packets to the b3, it first has to sync up with the baud rate of the b3, it does by listening and analyzing the packets sent by the b3 until it is able to determine the baud rate. As mentioned before, the factory default mac id of a b3 is slave id 172 which prohibits the b3s from sending out packets and makes it impossible for the RoamIO2 to determine the baud rate. There are several ways to work around the baud rate issue... Set the baud rate manually. Click on the green icon to attempt to connect the RoamIO2 to the b3. You will get an error that the baud rate could not be determined, click YES to proceed anyway From the 'Tools' menu select 'Set B3 Baud Rate' and set the baud rate to what you believe the last baud rate was for the b3. (The factory default baud rate is 19200) You should now be able to set the mac id per the steps above. NOTE: You may have to try all the baud rates until you find the one the b3 is operating at.

Issue New and updated Users do not have access at Doors. Performing a Force Download on the controllers does not download new updates. The Security Expert Download Service is started and running, however browsing to the controllers Download Server Diagnostic Window shows a blank window with no entries. Blank Download Server Diagnostic Window Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Controller Security Expert Download Server Cause The Security Expert Download Service fails to start up properly after a Windows restart under certain conditions. Resolution 1. Set the Security Expert Download Service to Automatic (Delayed Start). Download Service Delayed Start 2. Restart the PC.

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source.   Issue STC300 terminal detail is different to Specification Sheet and Installation Sheet and there are several versions of the same device. Product Line Field Devices Environment STC300 Cause STC300 terminal detail is different to Specification Sheet and Installation Sheet and there are several versions of the same device.   Example of incorrectly wired device. Two versions of the STC300 device are shown.   Resolution On each version of the devices, there is a printed termination legend adjacent to the terminals, follow this.   24Vdc from the power supply is wired to 24V Loop+ on the device. Signal to controller is wired to Loop- on the device.   On the controller, the RET is wired back to the 24Vdc supply using the GRD or RET terminal, see power supply specific wiring detail.    

Issue The SP-C Controller was deleted and recreated with the Controller wizard to create default objects. The Controller had previously been online and downloads were successful. After being recreated with the wizard, downloads are failing with a failed loading dat file error message seen in the Controllers Download Diagnostics Window. Failed to load DAT file. Path = 'C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric\SecurityExpert\Download\13.dat' , Error code = 80070002 Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Client SP-C Cause The Controller still had configuration settings from the previous setup that were causing a conflict. Resolution Clear the Controller by factory defaulting it, then reconfigure. For instructions on how to default a controller, refer to the Hardware Configuration section Defaulting a Controller in the SP-C Installation Manual - System Controller.

Issue Seeing “Fail to get the next controller step 2 – 0” in the Download Server Diagnostics Window (or similar message) when attempting to download to controller. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause There is a problem with the encryption between the client and controller. It's possible only one end of the connection is encrypted and the controller may have been defaulted. You can tell this by looking in the Event Server Diagnostic Window which will usually show entries similar to "Encrypted Packet Received". Resolution Remove encryption by selecting Disable Controller Encryption and attempt to download the controller.

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 for assistance. Issue Download Service fails to start after an upgrade to v.4.2.251 Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server v4.2.251 Cause Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86) - 12.0.30501; (VC++ 2013 Redist v12.0.0.30501.0) is not installed. This package is a pre-requisite to installing Security Expert v4.2.251. It was needed for extending the Suprema integration but did not get added to the installer for that version. This is now packed with the Security Expert installer. Resolution There are two options to resolve this; 1. [Preferred Option] Install the current release of Security Expert. This required package is now included in all new versions of the Security Expert installation file. 2. Install the package from Microsoft before installing Security Expert 4.2.251. Locate the file on the Microsoft site https://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/download/details.aspx?id=40784. Download and install vcredist_x86.exe, the 32 bit version (because Security Expert is a 32 bit application), before performing the upgrade.

Issue Downloads to the Controller are failing. When reviewing the Download Server Diagnostic Window, numerous Failed to load DAT file error messages are seen. Failed to load DAT file. Path='C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric\SecurityExpert\Download\5.dat". Error code = 80070002 ***** Invalid Controller (5) version 0 Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert SP-C Cause The Firmware version in the Controller is not compatible with the version of Security Expert being used. Resolution Upgrade the Firmware in the Controller to the latest Firmware build. From the main menu, select Sites | Controllers. Right click on a controller, and select Update Firmware. Click the [...] button and browse to the supplied firmware (.bin) file. Choose which controller(s) to update by selecting the Include option. Only the selected controller(s) will be updated. Click Update to commence the firmware update procedure. The update can take up to 10 minutes per controller to complete. Once complete, the controller is automatically restarted and normal operation resumed.

Issue In EBO 2022 or higher the "Semantic Engineering View" button is grayed-out in EBO WorkStation and "Semantic DB authentication failure" is shown in Alarm View. "Semantic Engineering View" button is grayed-out and "Semantic DB authentication failure" alarm   Semantic db authentication error   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause  EBO user that connects to the Sparql database has the wrong username and/or password. Resolution Make sure that the user configured in EBO semantic settings matches the user created in the GraphDB web interface. In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, select the EBO server. Click the Control Panel tab. Click Navigate to Sparql database, this will open the GraphDB web interface. Login with the admin user account.  In the top right corner, make sure that correct repository is selected, default name is "nsp".  Go to Setup -> Users and Access. Edit user "nspService". Set a password for the "nspService" account and make sure it has access rights to the "nsp" repository then click save. In EBO WorkStation control Panel, open Semantic Settings. Set the password for username "nspService" to match the password set in the GraphDB interface. For more information, please refer to the GraphDB help: Secure GraphDB — GraphDB SE 9.10.0 documentation (ontotext.com)

Issue The port range used by the Project Configuration Tool is incorrectly documented. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool Cause Documentation and web-help states the port range is 49152 to 65535, this is incorrect. Resolution The correct port range used, for the engineering ports, i.e. the ports that the EBO servers are listening too, so that it is possible to log on with WorkStation is 32768-61000.

Issue Understand methods for integrating Security Expert with Active Directory for creation and management of Operators and Users. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Active Directory SX-AD-OPR SX-AD-USR SX-DB-SYNC Cause Security Expert Active Directory Integration provides synchronization and authentication for Active Directory users enabling organizations to leverage on the user management and security policies that Active Directory provides. This article looks at the details between each integration option. Resolution There are four options for Active Directory Integration. 1. Default Windows Authentication option. This allows for logging in to Security Expert with the Windows User account credentials which could include AD users if on a Domain. Operator object must be created in Security Expert and configuration of windows authentication option has some specific steps to be followed for it to work. Unable to login to Security Expert using Windows Authentication Remember to use syntax "<domain>\<username>" for the username when configuring the Operator for a Windows user ON a  Domain. Remember to use syntax "<computername>\<username>" for the username when configuring the Operator for a Windows user that is NOT on a Domain. No extra license is required for this. 2. SX-AD-OPR : License for adding Security Expert Operators from AD. Security Expert Operators will need to be added manually using the following steps: Navigate to Operators and click Add. Check the Windows Authentication box. Click the ellipsis adjacent to the User Name. Use the Active Directory Users window to search for the AD credentials you wish to use. Once the Operator has been added, you may check the Windows Authentication option when logging in. 3. SX-AD-USR : License for adding Security Expert Users from AD. This will allow an active directory domain windows group to be periodically polled for updates that will in turn update the Users in Security Expert. Individual options for importing users, disabling user if AD user is disabled, disabling user if AD user is deleted. Only user names are imported, other than this only action can be disabling of users in Security Expert. No other details can be updated or added. See application note AN-141 Security Expert LDAP User Import Configuration. 4. SX-DB-SYNC : Data Sync Service with Powershell script. Powershell script pulls user details out of AD and writes to a CSV file that the Data Sync Service then imports into Security Expert. Can perform more functions than SX-AD-USR as any attribute from AD users can be mapped to any attribute in Security Expert users. Will require use of powershell experience as the sample script will likely need to be tweaked. Here is a really good video Using Data Sync to Transfer Information from Active Directory to ProtegeGX on using Windows Active Directory as a source of Users/Operators for the Data Sync Service. It provides a good overview of how this is accomplished and how easy it can be to setup. See Security Expert Data Sync Service and sample Powershell script SXFetchADUsers.zip attached  

Issue Error while logging into Security Expert Server from Web Client using windows authentication Error - Invalid Username / Password Security Expert Web Client operator login only works for operators not configured for Windows Authentication.  None of the operator accounts configured for Windows Authentication work on Security Expert Web Client. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Security Expert Web Client Microsoft Windows Authentication Cause Older versions of Security Expert Web Client did not support Windows Authentication. Resolution Use a version of Security Expert Web Client that does support Windows Authentication. See AN 299 Security Expert - Using Windows Authentication Web Client - Integration for further details on this.   Also see How to integrate Active Directory with Security Expert and AN 288 Security Expert - Using Active Directory - Integration Guide for details on Windows Active Directory support in general.

Issue When connecting to Web Client using a secure HTTPS connection and logging in, the web page updates very slowly. When browsing between menus, lists of objects and/or details will update slowly or not at all.  Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Web Client Cause The Maximum Worker Processes parameter in the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager is set too low to service Web Client. It has been seen in some instances that this was set to a value of 1 which will impede the performance of the client. Resolution The Maximum Worker Processes parameter must be set to a value of "10". Open the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager by searching for "IIS" in the Windows search bar. Internet Information Services Manager Navigate to Application Pools, right-click DefaultAppPool, and select Advanced Settings. DefaultAppPool Scroll down and change the Maximum Worker Processes to "10". Maximum Worker Processes

Issue Scenario 1 Attempting to log in to Web Client you are presented with an error message "Error - SOAP connection failed". SOAP-ERROR: Parsing Schema: can't import schema from   Scenario 2 Upon successfully logging in to Web Client you are presented with "Thank you for logging in" and then immediately presented with another message saying "Log out successful".   This continues in a circuit until it may allow you in but displays a partially populated page with no data showing. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Security Expert Web Client   Cause The option "Use HTTPS to communicate with SOAP service" was enabled in the Web Client Installation Wizard and antivirus was dropping the connection because of this.   Resolution Uninstall and re-install Web Client without the  "Use HTTPS to communicate with SOAP service" enabled or Browse to the soap.connect.php located at C:\inetpub\wwwroot\SecurityExpertWebClient\include. Edit it using e.g. Notepad and change HTTPS to HTTP and change the port to 8030 so the Web Client uses HTTP to communicate with the SOAP service.

Issue An XLSX report is created using a triggered Notification in EBO. When the report should be opened in Excel an error appear "Excel cannot open the file ..." and the report can not be opened. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Excel for Microsoft 365, Excel 2021, Excel 2019, Excel 2016, Excel 2013 Office for business Cause Formatting cells on your worksheet can make the right information easy to see at a glance, but formatting cells that aren't been used (especially entire rows and columns) can cause your workbook's file size to grow quickly. This can slow down not just Excel, but the overall performance of your computer when you have an excessively formatted worksheet open. Excessive formatting can also cause printing problems in Excel. Resolution Use the Clean Excess Cell Formatting command, available on Excel's Inquire tab in Microsoft Office 365 and Office Professional Plus 2013. Important: You may want to make a backup copy of your file before cleaning the excess cell formatting because there are certain cases where this process may make your file increase in size, and there is no way to undo the change. If you don't see the Inquire tab in Excel, do the following to enable the Inquire add-in: Click File > Options > Add-Ins. Make sure COM Add-ins is selected in the Manage box, and click Go.   In the COM Add-Ins box, check Inquire, and then click OK. The Inquire tab should now be visible in the ribbon.   To remove the excess formatting in the current worksheet, do the following: On the Inquire tab, click Clean Excess Cell Formatting. Choose whether to clean only the active worksheet or all worksheets. After excess formatting has been cleared, click Yes to save changes to the sheets or No to cancel. See Microsoft support topic:  Clean excess cell formatting on a worksheet 

Issue User Definable Buttons and Tools Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven site Cause How to make user-defined buttons that will allow the user to set up shortcuts for reports and events Resolution Configuring User Buttons I/NET now has the ability to add a User-defined button that will allow the user to set up shortcuts to reports and events. I/NET displays this editor when you select Tools Define Buttons from the main menu. Use this editor to create up to 16 user-defined buttons. Configure user buttons as follows: Highlight one of the 16 user button entries from the list and select Modify. The system displays the User Tool Configuration editor. If the desired tool has already been configured, highlight it in the list and select OK. The User Tool Configuration editor closes and the selected tool is added to the user button. Skip the following step and proceed with step 4. If the desired tool has not already been configured, configure the user tool now (refer to User Tool Configuration). Then highlight the user tool and select OK. The User Tool Configuration editor closes and the selected tool is added to the user button. Select OK to accept these settings. The button is now available when you select Tools from the main menu. Configuring User Tools I/NET displays this editor when you select Tools Define Buttons from the main menu, or when you highlight a button entry in the User Button Configuration editor and select Modify. Use this editor to define tools that you can assign to any of 16 user-defined buttons, or that you can activate from live graphic pages. Two kinds of tools are available: Event – Use this tool to execute an event sequence defined in a controller. Shortcut – Use this tool to launch another application, open a file, visit a website, etc. Options The following options are available in the User Tool Configuration editor: Add – Use this option to create a new tool. The system displays the User Tool Type dialog. Delete – Delete a tool by choosing a tool from the list and selecting Delete. The system prompts you to confirm the delete request. Select Yes to delete the selected tool or select No to cancel the Delete request. Modify – Use this option to modify an existing tool. Highlight a tool in the list and select Modify. The system displays the User Tool Type dialog. Copy – Use this option to create a new tool by copying the selected tool. The system displays the User Tool Type dialog.

Issue When replacing a brand x valve with a Forta M800, a linkage kit may be necessary. Product Line Field Devices Environment Forta M800 VSB VSB4F VSB F AG52 8800129000 Cause Linkage kit requirement for application. Resolution Linkage kit required between Controlli VSB valve and Forta M800 is the AG52, part no 8800129000.

Issue VSB valves have been substituted by the Schneider Electric V211T valve VSB..F valves have been substituted by the Schneider Electric V211 valve VMB valves have been substituted by the Schneider Electric V311T valve VMB..F valves have been substituted by the Schneider Electric V311 valve Product Line Field Device Environment VMB VSB Cause The existing actuator is not compatible with the replacement valve as it is a different type. Resolution Schneider Electric  are no longer supplying VSB and VMB valves. They are replaced by a Schneider Electric Venta valve. Note: VSB and VMB valves are still manufactured by Controlli. VSB 2 ports are replaced by the V211T, VSB..F is replaced by the V211. VMB 3 ports are replaced by the V311T, VMB..F is replaced by the V311. The existing actuator will no longer fit on the new valve and needs to be replaced as well. If the actuator was a Controlli MVB22, MVB26 or MVB28, then replace with MV15B-230 actuator. If the actuator was a Controlli MVB46, then replace with MV15B-24 actuator. If the actuator was a Controlli MVB36, MVB52 or MVB56 then replace with M800 actuator. For compatibility: V211, V211T, V311 and V311T Venta valves are directly compatible with the Forta range of actuators e.g. M310, M400, M800, M1500, M3000, M700, MG900 and the MV15B-24/230 and no linkage kits are required.

Issue How many client licenses are currently used? Which host is using the licenses? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Licensing Cause Information about license usage is needed to ensure licensing is adequate. Resolution Information about current license usage can be found in the FlexNet License Administrator found on the server where the Building Operation License Administrator is installed. FlexNet License Administrator has a web interface accessed through a web browser. The address is the server address and port 8888. If on the license server go to: http://localhost:8888 If on a remote machine to access the FlexNet License Administrator go to: http://[license server ip address]:8888 Once accessing the FlexNet License Administrator, switch to the Concurrent licenses view by clicking on the Concurrent icon. Scroll down to the client.station in the Feature column. The column In Use (Available) shows the number of client licenses used. (The number of client licenses available is displayed in parentheses). (Click on Hosts to display a list of hosts taking client licenses.)

Issue 1. What is the specification (spec) for a Sigma PC?  2. Do I need to use Windows XP SP3 with Sigma? Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma Software Cause Minimum requirements for a Sigma PC. Resolution The highest PC specification should always be sought.   See the Download Center for the release note appertaining to the Sigma version in use. The release note will detail the minimum PC required and Windows version no. that can be used. For EBO transitions and Windows 10 compatibility, see the KB article Sigma and Windows 10 compatibility.