Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue There is no indication that a card has been read when being presented at a Security Expert Smart Card Reader. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Security Expert Smart Card Reader (SX-DRD-??, SX-DRK-??, SX-RD-??, SX-RK-??) Cause Reader is configured but there is no LED activity or beep when a card is presented at the reader. Resolution If the Security Expert Smart Card Reader does not blink or beep, then the reader cannot read the card for one of the following reasons. Wrong technology, e.g. trying to read a 125khz card on a 13.56mhz reader will not work and vice versa The card is encoded with a proprietary format/encryption The card is encrypted and the encryption keys are not programmed into the reader (note that this is different from the above case; there are many scenarios where cards are encrypted but not proprietary and therefore if the encryption keys are programmed into the reader it can be read) If you get a single beep/short flash of the reader ports reader LED but no event/data in Security Expert it means that the reader can read the card but the format at the reader port is not able to correctly interpret the data which is why no events are being logged. Another format should be selected from the Reader Format list to suit the card type, if no suitable format exists in the list a custom format must be created.

Issue Security Expert Evaluation License is no longer working. New Evaluation License is not working. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Licensing Cause The policy for Security Expert Evaluation Licenses has changed since July 2020. Now, only one Evaluation License can be tied to a specific email address. If there were multiple Evaluation Licenses assigned to an email address, all but one of those licenses have been deleted and are no longer usable. Resolution Contact your local support channel with your known Evaluation License SSN's and email address to have the valid license identified. If the license period needs to be extended or transferred to a new machine this can also be accomplished, see Transferring Security Expert licenses from one PC to another Please note: Support cannot alter the registered email address.  A new Evaluation License Request will have to be made for each required license.   

Issue SpaceLogic IP device is located in a remote subnet and EcoStruxure BMS server can't discover it. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Edge Server - Standard Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) Building Operation IP-IO Cause BACnet broadcast messages, such as Who is/I am that are used for device discovery, will not be forwarded between the two IP subnets. BACnet Broadcast Management Device (BBMD) is required to allow BACnet to operate through IP routers. Resolution Scenario 1: SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device is located in remote subnet with no EcoStruxure BMS server or BBMD located in same subnet. EcoStruxure BMS server will be configured as BBMD, and SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device will be configured as foreign device and register itself with BBMD (which is the AS-P in our example).    The following video will illustrate how to: Configure SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device located in foreign IP subnet as a foreign device. Configure an EcoStruxure BMS server as BBMD. View foreign device registration on the EcoStruxure BMS Server. Discover and host the SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device.   Scenario 2: SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device is located in remote subnet with a 3rd party device that can be configured as BBMD. In the other subnet, EcoStruxure BMS server will also be configure as BBMD. SpaceLogic IP device will not be configured as foreign device as there is BBMD device in the same subnet. This BBMD will redistribute the essential broadcast messages to it. Once configured, EcoStruxure BMS server will be able to discover and host the SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device and other BACnet deviced located in the remote subnet.   The following video will illustrate how to: Configure SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device located in a remote IP subnet. Configure an EcoStruxure BMS server as BBMD. Configure Broadcast distribution table (BDT) in EBO. Use BACnet browser to check and verify the BDT configuration of a 3rd party BACnet device. Discover and host the SpaceLogic BACnet/IP device and 3rd party BACnet devices located on remote subnet.

Issue Valid cards occasionally fail to read when being badged at Card Readers enabled for both 125KHz and 13.56MHz technology. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Multi-Technology Card Readers (SX-DRD-SB, SX-DRK-SB, SX-DRK-SB-BT, SX-DRK-SW-BT, SX-DRD-XB, SX-DRK-XB, SX-DRK-XB-BT, SX-DRK-XW-BT ) Cause This issue arises when Dual Technology readers and Dual Technology cards are used together on the same site. When any card is presented to the reader, it activates both the 125KHz and 13.56MHz card technologies. While this is usually fine for single-technology cards, Dual Technology cards can result in missed reads at the controller as both technologies may respond simultaneously. Resolution Dual Technology readers are ideal for sites with both older 125KHz cards and newer 13.56MHz cards. Dual Technology cards are ideal for sites with both older 125KHz readers and newer 13.56MHz readers. To prevent issues, avoid using Dual Technology cards on Dual Technology readers. Disable one technology on the readers or revert to single-technology cards.

Issue How to Discover devices on the LonWorks network. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Cause When adding LonWorks devices to the network, it is possible to let the SmartX server scan the LonWorks network. Resolution Open Workstation and locate your SmartX server. Left-click on the SmartX server to select it. Select the "Discovery Devices" tab. In the "Select device Type" drop-down list, click to expand the options and choose "Lonworks". Right-click on the "Devices" folder. From the context menu, select "Scan network for devices". Drag from the discovered devices and drop them into your Lonworks network under the SmartX server. Commission the devices. Following these steps should initiate the device scanning process and help you discover Lonworks devices on the network.   This video will show how to discover lonworks devices on a lonworks network.   At the end of this session you will be able to: Discover devices on the LonWorks network Add the discovered devices to your system  

Issue Which Ethernet port speeds are supported by Sigma controllers? Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma controllers Ethernet New Hardware. ARM 7(S-696, S-x96CPU-AE, S-796, S-x796CPU-AE, S-DNN3, S-DNN3-DT, S-632-E, S-632-AE and S-IC3's) Old Hardware V53  (S-ETH, S-496, S-596, S-532, S-DNN and S-IC's) Cause The newer ARM-7 controller hardware supports more Ethernet connection speeds than the older V53 controller hardware. Resolution Most Ethernet hubs or switches autoscan to find the best connection speed.  For Sigma device hardware types, the supported Ethernet speeds are as follows: ARM-7 (New hardware): 100Base-T (and supports port auto-scanning on connection) 100M Half Duplex 10M full/half duplex V53 (Old hardware): 10Base-T (does not support port auto-scanning) 10M half Duplex Additionally, for direct connections to a Sigma controller: ARM-7 Ethernet connection supports both straight and cross-over Ethernet cables. V53 hardware only supports cross-over cables.

Issue What is the benefit in having separate MPM monitor and coordinator? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment MPM Cause In smaller networks, it is acceptable to have the monitor function as the coordinator. However, in larger networks, the monitor becomes occupied with managing the traffic of all the remote MPMs, resulting in significant CPU usage. This applies to zigbee, UDP, and CANbus networks. Making the monitor a coordinator does not provide any advantages; it only introduces disadvantages. Resolution In smaller networks, it is acceptable to have the monitor act as the coordinator. However, in larger networks, the monitor's workload increases as it manages the traffic of multiple remote MPMs, consuming a significant amount of CPU resources.

Issue Licenses are becoming damaged repeatedly over time and/or licenses are going in to a disabled state. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment SmartStruxure License Administrator Virtual Machine Cause Damaged Licenses: If the license server / license administrator is installed on a virtual machine, the common reason for damaged licenses is that the MAC address of the virtual machine is not set to be static. Every time the MAC address changes, the license will become damaged. Disabled Licenses: This is usually caused when the license fails to complete a process such as a return or repair. This could be due to an intermittent internet connection or the process timed out while trying to communicate with the license server. Resolution Repair License with License Administrator The first step to take with a damaged or disabled license is to use the repair function in license administrator. Follow the steps from WebHelp topic Repairing an EcoStruxure Building Operation Software License. If the repair function does not work, then the license server will need to be reset.  Reset License Server (Unable to Repair License) Below are the steps to remove the damage or disabled licenses before reactivating the permanent licenses again: Put a SBO demo license on the site to get it back up and running right away. Locate the Entitlement ID and/or activation ID of the impacted licenses. Open a case with your local BMS support group and provide them this information. This information will be used to release the licenses to prepare them to be rehosted. There are then two potential methods to  reset the license server: Download and run the SBO License Server Reset tool from the Community Manually reset the License Server Stop the License Server. In the License Server application folder, remove all files:                 - File path for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and WIndow 10: \ProgramData\FLEXnet                 - File path for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012: \ProgramData\FLEXnet   Start the License Server Reactivate the returned network licenses.   Note: When you reactivate all returned network license, new License Server .data files are created together with the activation of the first license. For more detail, reference WebHelp: Resetting the License Server.

Issue Need to bind program objects and as detailed in Deploying a Function Block Program to a Server it is not possible to interact (eg. bind its objects to the EcoStruxure BMS objects) with a saved program outside of Builder until it is deployed.  After creating a Builder for Function Block program it saves successfully but generates an "Undefined Problem" error when trying to deploy. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Project Configuration Tool (PCT) Building Operation Builder for Function Block Cause Program execution is not enabled on the specific server within PCT Resolution Follow the steps to enable program execution: In the PCT Client select the server containing the program Expand the Properties on the right hand side Check the "Enable Program Execution" box Save the changes Stop and Start the server as per the message to restart for the changes to apply Clear the message after restart Finally, back in Workstation observe when trying to deploy the program it is successful

Issue Which SpaceLogic Sensors could be used with the TAC Xenta 100 series controllers? Product Line TAC Vista Environment ZBuilder Xenta 122 Cause The STR100-series sensors will be withdrawn, and SpaceLogic Sensors have been identified as suitable replacements. Resolution Only TAC Xenta 122 controllers can be configured to use 10K Type 3 Thermistor.   To integrate SpaceLogic Sensors with the TAC Xenta 122 controllers, follow these steps in ZBuilder: Access the Configuration tab. Navigate to the Room unit settings. Locate the checkbox labeled "Use STR-5xx series" and select it.   Please note that only the SLASXXX, SLABXXX, and SLAWXXX models are compatible with the TAC Xenta 122 controllers. These sensors, however, do not feature buttons for setpoint adjustment or fan control.  

Issue What is the minimum pulse duration for the digital inputs (X1 - X3) on the TAC Xenta 121-FC? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Xenta 121 Cause The device requires a certain pulse duration to be able to register the feedback signal from another device, such as a fan running signal. Resolution The minimum pulse input duration is 250ms. Click here to open the datasheet for Xenta 121-FC

Issue TAC Vista Error Codes in Plain Text Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Vista Workstation Cause Vista will sometimes give an error code. This list decodes the TAC Vista Family Error Codes. Resolution For a list of TAC Vista Error Codes in plain text click here.

Issue nvoSpaceTemp from TAC Xenta 100 series used with the room unit STR150 does not read temperatures greater than 33.4 °C (92.3 °F). Product Line TAC Vista Environment ZBuilder Xenta 121 Xenta 122 STR Sensor Cause The STR150 and the Xenta 100 line of controllers are capable of displaying temperatures greater than 33.4 °C (92.3 °F) or less than 8 °C (46.4 °F). However, the communication protocol between the STR150 and the Xenta 100 series is limited and thus restricts the temperature that the TAC Xenta 100 can read from the STR150 device. Resolution The STR150 data sheet states that temperature range transferred to a TAC Xenta 100 device is limited to 8 °C through 33.4 °C (46.4 °F to 92.3 °F). If temperatures outside of that range are needed an STR100 (simple 1.8k thermistor) or an STR-350 (communicating Lon stat with display) could be substituted. The ranges of those devices connected to a TAC Xenta 100 device are as follows: STR100: –10 °C to +50 °C (14 °F to 122 °F) STR350: 5 °C to 45 °C (41 °F to 113 °F)

Issue Error message in Platform Application Director; SEVERE [00:25:32 08-Feb-21 EST][sys] Cannot boot Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4.9 and later I/A Series N4 Enterprise Server I/A Series N4 WorkBench Cause In 4.9.1.30 and later, the JDK distributed with Niagara was upgraded to 8u271. Starting in JDK 8u261, the target Visual C++ version was changed. While the updated libraries are available in the jre/bin folder, this folder is not on the PATH for NRE binaries. This can cause Niagara to fail to launch on Windows if another copy of the Visual C++ Redistributables is not present. Resolution Install the Visual C++ 2017 Redistributables. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads At the time of this article, Microsoft packages the 2015, 2017, & 2019 redistributables together. Select and install the x64 version.      https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe    

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkPlace Tech Editor Supported Microsoft Visio Versions The following error context is encountered when trying to run WorkPlace Tech Editor to edit a program: WorkPlace Tech Editor returned errorClass not registered 0x80040154 REGDB_E_CLASSNOTREG Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC I/A Series Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkPlace Tech Editor I/A Series MNL, MNB Controllers (MNB - from SBO v1.8.1 and newer) Cause Only the 32-bit versions of Microsoft Visio is supported for use with WorkPlace Tech Editor. The error is seen when a 64-bit version of Microsoft Visio 2010 is installed. Resolution Currently, only 32-bit versions of Microsoft Visio is supported for use with WorkPlace Tech Editor. SBO 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 Microsoft Office Visio 2010 SP1, 2007 SP2, 2003 SBO 1.8 Microsoft Office Visio 2010 SP1 (32-bit), 2007 SP2, 2003 SBO 1.9, EBO 2.x, 3.x Microsoft Office Visio 2016 (32-bit), 2013 (32-bit), 2010 SP1 (32-bit) EBO 2022 Microsoft Office Visio 2021 (32-bit), 2019 (32-bit), 2016 (32-bit), Microsoft Office Visio Plan 2 (32-bit) EBO 2023 Microsoft Office Visio 2021 (32-bit), 2019 (32-bit), 2016 (32-bit), Microsoft Office Visio Plan 2 (32-bit)

Issue What are the proper configurations in the network Poll Service to balance the BACnet packet traffic for better data handling? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series Enterprise Server I/A Series ENC and Jace 8000 Cause Improperly defined poll rates, and poll groups in the Poll Service. Resolution This video demonstrates the Poll Service configurations in a Jace (MS/TP and IP) and an Enterprise Server (IP)   About Polling  Polling Statistics  Polling Rate Tuning  About Polling Components   

Issue Using Xenta Controllers with a Tridium Jace Product Line TAC Vista, TAC IA Series Environment Xenta programmable controllers Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Tridium AX / N4 Jace Cause By default, the Tridium Jace acts as a network manager which will disrupt controller addresses, SNVT bindings, and Group bindings previously set up in LonMaker. Resolution  To disable this feature provide these steps to a Tridium Integrator: Use Niagara WorkBench Connect to Jace Under the Services Folder, find "LonNetwork" Go to  "Local Lon Device" Set the "External Config" property to "true" Hit "Save"  

Issue How can the AS-P be used as an LPA interface? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium. Cause Working with Loytec LPA in  Building Operation and needing a remote interface for connectivity. Resolution To configure the AS-P as an interface in Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA), follow the steps below: Ensure that you have the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software installed and licensed. Activate the AS-P as an LPA interface: Access the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software. Locate the settings or configuration section. Enable the option to "Activate AS-P as LPA" to designate the AS-P device as the interface. Add AS-P as a remote network interface in LPA: Within the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software, navigate to the network interface settings. Look for the option to "Add AS-P as Remote Network Interface" and select it. Keep in mind that by using the AS-P as the LPA interface, you will only be able to capture and analyze the traffic addressed to or from the AS-P device itself. Network traffic between other devices on the LonWorks network may not be captured using this configuration.   It's important to have the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software installed and properly licensed to perform these steps.  

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. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue Making up battery cables and need to know the part number of the 2-pin battery connector. 2-pin battery connector Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert SP-PSU-4A SP-PSU-8A Cause Parts not listed in documentation. Resolution The part number for the 2 pin connector is: 2114H-02 The part numbers that make up each of the battery cable types are: CABLE-BATT-SINGLE 2114H-02 x 1 2114T x 2 D70400BS-2 x 2 CABLE-BATT-DUAL (This is an extender for the single cable) D70400BS-2 x 2 A27740CT-ND x 2

Issue The Conversion Settings guideline is not documented. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum Conversion Tool Infinet i2 BACnet B3 Cause Lack of information on "Conversion" column in Conversion Settings for B3 and I2 Resolution The Conversion column has the highest priority in the setting. If a formula exists then the setting below will not affect the Value.   Example The ElecValue is set to 10 for the following examples. 1. The Conversion field is empty, the ElecValue = 10 which corresponds to 100 on the Engineering scale. The Input Value = 100. 2. The Conversion field is set to ElecValue, and the ElecValue = 10. The Input Value = 10. 3. The Conversion field is set to ElecValue - 7. The Input Value = 3.