Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Unable to send out emails using Gmail SMTP server (smtp.gmail.com) with the following error messages in the station's standard output. "javax.mail.MessagingException: 530 5.7.0 Must issue a STARTTLS command first." Authentication has been enabled in the system.properties file as per Mail Service in a Niagara R2 UNC station configured correctly but e-mails not being sent to the SMTP server. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series R2 Cause As with most public SMTP servers, like Gmail, the outgoing mail SMTP server requires TLS (Transport Layer Security) or SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) which I/A Series R2 does not support. Resolution Use an SMTP server that does not require TLS or SSL.

Issue “IP_ADD_MEMBERSHIP failed” appears in the Application Director output during reboot of the Jace and in the Station Discovery on the Niagara Network after a failed discovery attempt Product Line TAC IA Series Environment ENC 520, 410, Jace 6E, 645, 700, 8000 controllers using G3/AX. The second Ethernet interface only applies to the Jace 6E, 700, 645 and 8000 Cause Incorrect or no default gateway assigned in the TCP/IP Configuration or Interface 2 is enabled and set for DCHP with no DHCP server available to that interface. See the notes on the illustration for possible configuration faults. Resolution Make certain you have a valid IPV4 or IPV6 (schema dependent) Gateway entered for the Interface 1 IP configurations. If set to DHCP, ensure there is a DCHP server available on the interface. Disable all unused interfaces and IPV6 if not applicable. If there are problems accessing or configuring the interfaces, you may need to use the System Shell of the ENC/Jace and correct the configurations there. Need to correct invalid IP address or subnet mask entered into an ENC or JACE

Issue Both BACnet MS/TP and Modbus typically provide a robust and reliable communications channel allowing the Automation Server to effectively manage a large collection of equipment over extended distances. When the system does not come up operating as expected due to the communications integrity, considerable effort can be consumed troubleshooting or working-around the fault observations. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Other, TAC IA Series Environment Automation Server with BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RS485 networks connected to Port A or Port B. Cause The configuration of the RS485 network can create conditions that reduce the tolerance for EMI noise on the bus, electrical ground differences, transmission signal loss through the cable and/or component performance. Resolution A collection of application notes and Quick Start Best Practices Guides are available on the subject of BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RS485 network connections to the StruxureWare Automation Server.  These application notes and quick start guides provide recommendations in the areas of – BACnet MS/TP & Modbus RS485 Network Termination Network Biasing Options and Techniques Unit Load and associated Maximum Node Count Recommendations Isolated RS485 Interfaces and related Expanded Unit Load Cable Specifications and Suggested Cable Selections Cable Routing and Recommended Lengths The documents describe configurations of cable, network length, node counts and bias arrangements providing compliance with the EIA/TIA-485 Standard and TSB-89-A Guidelines with the objective of optimizing system tolerance for noise, grounding and transceiver component variations.  Most of the application notes and quick start guides target specific product families which include the Andover Continuum b3 Family, TAC I/A Series MNB Family, Legrand Power Meters and the Viconics VT7000 series sensors. There is also an application note and quick guide directed toward other “Generic” RS485 MS/TP and Modbus devices where the user is guided through a sequence of information collection steps to determine the appropriate recommendations.  The collection of application notes and guides are available on the Schneider Electric download center. The list of links below will take you to the applicable download page. AN01-RS485-Generic Application Note – General MS/TP & Modbus I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-Generic Best Practices Guide - General MS/TP & Modbus AN02-RS485-B3 Application Note – Continuum B3 I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-B3 Best Practices Guide - Continuum B3 I/F AN03-RS485-MNB Application Note – I/A Series MNB I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-MNB Best Practices Guide – I/A Series MNB I/F AN04-RS485-Legrand Application Note – Legrand Meter I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-Legrand Best Practices Guide – Legrand Meter I/F AN05-RS485-VT7000 Application Note – VT7000 Series I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-VT7000 Best Practices Guide – VT7000 Series I/F Note:    If using the download center for the first time, you will need to register. See Register for The Exchange Download Center for more information. The Download Center requires the use of Internet Explorer (version 8 or higher), Google Chrome or Firefox browsers. Additional information is available in the Hardware Reference Guide Access the StruxureWare Building Operation Web Help. Also check out the SmartStruxure-RS485-Controller Unit Load Quick-Help video on the Exchange.

Issue If an application hangs or crashes, Windows systems are sluggish or have problems, or new software fails to install properly one of the first places to look for information on what may be happening is the Windows Event Log. Product Support personnel may ask to see a copy of the Windows Event Log. Product Line TAC INET, TAC Vista, Andover Continuum, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, Field Devices, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Other, EcoStruxure Building Expert, Access Expert, Security Expert Environment Windows Operating System Cause If an application hangs or crashes, Windows systems are sluggish or have problems, or new software fails to install properly one of the first places to look for information on what may be happening is the Windows Event Log. Resolution   Open the Event viewer by one of the ways below: Start Event Viewer by pressing Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box and type eventvwr. Right-Click on "This PC" and select "Manage" then navigate to Computer Management (Local) > System Tools > Event Viewer. Select the type of logs the need to be exported. Application, Security, and System logs in the Windows Logs and Schneider Electric Security Expert logs under Applications and Services Logs (for Security Expert cases) are required.  For each log, view recent messages then click the "Action" menu and select "Save All Events As". Enter the log name, include the log type (Application, Security, or System) in the log name, and location the click "Save". For non-English Windows, make sure to select English (United States) in "Display information" then click OK. 

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 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 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 After installing the Niagara AX Serial Tunnel client, the service fails to start and Windows displays the following error: Could not start the NiagaraAX Serial Tunnel service on the Local Computer. Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3 ENC I/A Series G3 Enterprise Server Microsoft Windows operating systems (any) Cause The selected, virtual COM port is in use by another application or is in conflict with another service running on the Windows host computer. Resolution Modify the COM port used by the Serial Tunnel Client. On the Windows host, go to Control Panel and double-click Niagara AX Serial Tunneling. Change the Serial Port to another selection that is not being used by other applications or services and click OK (see below). Reboot the computer

Issue WorkPlace Tech application was created with constant tags for writing test values to the application.  After uploading a previously downloaded application that contains constant tags with a [NA] value, none of those constant tags are drawn on the regenerated application drawing. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Tool version 4.x (any release) I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Tool version 5.x.x (any release) Cause The default input value for any unused control object input is a value of [NA].  Since all unused inputs have the implied [NA] constant, they are not drawn on a regenerated WorkPlace Tech application drawing. Resolution This action is by design.  By design, a constant tag can be added to any previously unused control object input and a value written to the controller via that constant tag using the Write to Ram function.  When adding constant tags to inputs, it is not necessary to recompile and download the application unless you desire that the new "Non-NA" value be saved in the application hex file.  With this in mind, remember that constant values are written to an installed application using the "Write to Ram" function will be lost when the controller is rebooted.

Issue The file linked below details a model of the MicroNet sensors with carbon dioxide sensing.  Are these available for purchase? MN-Sxxx CO2 sensors Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series MN-Sx sensors Cause Sales literature with reference to Schneider-Electric Resolution The MicroNet sensor models with carbon dioxide are a product of another company - Barcol-Air. The standard MicroNet sensors from Schneider-Electric were modified by Barcol-Air to include carbon dioxide sensing. Visit http://www.barcol-air.nl for more information. In the United States, contact Alpha Controls and Services to order these sensor models. Alpha Controls & Services 4104 Charles Street Rockford, IL 61108 Office:  815-227-4000 www.alphaacs.com  

Issue Using BQL query to extract data from a G3 station How to display data from the BMS system on their custom / third party application. Environment I/A Series G3 Cause A requirement to display data from the BMS system on their custom application. Resolution You can query for data using a BQL (Baja Query Language) query. The Baja Query Language (BQL) is an SQL-like query language that provides a mechanism for identifying various sets of data. It provides an ad hoc way to search for data based on some criteria. 3rd party applications which is capable of running a web query can be used to query data from a G3 station. One such application is Microsoft Excel. The Niagara BQL Query Examples PDF provides several examples of BQL queries as well as an example of using Excel web query. Most data in a station can be queried including point values etc. For detailed description of BQL usage, refer to the Niagara Help in Workbench ( as shown below).

Issue NRE default configuration and RAM disk removal Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4.11 Jace 8000 Cause In Niagara 4.10u1 and earlier, the RAM disk was used to temporarily store alarm and history data. During station save, this data was copied from the RAM disk and zipped up, and stored on Flash. In Niagara 4.11, the RAM disk has been removed entirely. This data is now written directly to the Flash. Resolution A change to the JACE-8000 file system has been introduced with the release of Niagara 4.11. The RAM disk was used to store alarm and history data. During station save, this data was copied from the RAM disk and zipped up into a single file that was stored on flash. In Niagara 4.11, the RAM disk has been removed entirely. This data is now written directly to the flash memory. This change has enabled ~384MB of RAM to be freed up to improve performance. Some of the space has been reallocated to code cache, metaspace, and heap space in the 4.11 NRE default settings. Any additional memory space is now available as general free memory. JACE-8000 NRE Memory Default for (older) Niagara 4.10 - sizes in MB: System Reserve Size:          0 Heap Space Size:              360 Meta Space Size:              56 Code Cache Size:              16 RAM Disk Size:                384 Free Memory:                  ~16 JACE-8000 NRE Memory Default for (newer) Niagara 4.11 - sizes in MB: System Reserve Size:          0 Heap Space Size:              384 Meta Space Size:              64 Code Cache Size:              32 RAM Disk Size:                Not present (cannot be created) Free Memory:                  ~352   These changes should be transparent to most users and will provide moderate performance improvements on the JACE-8000.

Issue Java is no longer available or supported in most web browsers so accessing Niagara using the Java Applet is no longer possible Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3 Enterprise Server/Jace 3.8U4 I/A Series N4 Enterprise Server/Jace 4.4U3 and subsequent Cause Oracle announced the end-of-life of Java SE 8 (Standard Edition). As of January 2019, free public updates for commercial users are no longer available. Customers accessing Niagara with the Java Applet/Web Start are impacted by this change. Those who have upgraded to full HTML5 versions for your browser front-end will not be affected. For customers who use the Java VM and Java Web Start for their legacy systems, Tridium has developed a suitable alternative, the Niagara Web Launcher. Resolution The Niagara Web Launcher application is now available. You can download Niagara Web Launcher using the following link: 64-bit systems: Web Launcher for 64 bit, 32 bit OS 32-bit (-x86) systems: Web Launcher for 64 bit, 32 bit OS Niagara Web Launcher download links are also available from the Niagara station login page. Niagara Web Launcher support is included in Niagara versions: 4.4U3 –Included in (4.4.94.14). 4.7U1 - Included in (4.7.110.32) Subsequent releases of Niagara 4 will include Niagara Web Launcher support. A patch for Niagara 3.8 U4 can be downloaded from here.  Copy web.jar module version 3.8.403.1 into the modules folder of your Niagara AX 3.8 U4 workbench or supervisor station.  This module may also be installed on JACE platforms.  To use Niagara Web Launcher, Web Start must be enabled in the Web Service of the station.

Issue WorkPlace Tech Tool reports Database Error when attempting to link to the output of a copied custom object. The displayed error message shows the name and attribute of the object being connected along with the error "Exception error occurred during WriteProperty [0xE0330020]". Product Line TAC IA Series Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool Software Version 5.7.x or newer Workplace Tech application file containing a custom object copied from another WPT application. Cause Unknown, believed to be an internal Visio error. Resolution Open the application file in the WorkPlace Tech Tool software and select the page for the Custom Object that is reporting the error. Break the connection (disconnect the link) between the Custom Object output tag and the corresponding source object. When breaking the link, it is suggested that the wire link be dropped onto the drawing page before being re-linked. Select the link and reconnect it to the proper object. It may be necessary to perform this unlink and relink operation for all output tags within the Custom Object that had been copied from another WPT application file.

Issue The following Popup window is displayed when attempting to open WorkPlace Tech. WPTech Unable to load WorkPlace Tech Ribbon for Visio. There was a problem loading the WorkPlace Tech Fluent Ribbon for Visio, therefore, it will be unavailable. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Visio 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019 WorkPlace Tech Tool release 5.8 or later Cause If Visio crashes when a third-party ribbon bar function is in use, Visio may lockout that ribbon bar, believing that something on that ribbon bar caused Visio to crash.  In this case, a menu function, selected from the WorkPlace Tech (WPT) ribbon bar was being processed at the time Visio crashed, therefore Visio locked out the WorkPlace Tech ribbon bar. This is a system protection mechanism built into the ribbon bar handler in all Microsoft Office applications including Visio.   Resolution To re-enable the WorkPlace Tech ribbon bar, perform the following steps: Open Visio.  NOTE: Open Visio, not WorkPlace Tech. Select Options from the File menu. From the menu in the Visio Options window, select Add-ins At the bottom of the window, you will see a field that says 'Manage:' with a selection box after it, select 'Disabled Items' and then click the [Go] button. In the 'Disabled Items' window, select 'WorkPlaceTech.VisioRibbon' then click the [Enable] button. Close the open Visio windows and sub-windows. After closing Visio, the WorkPlace Tech ribbon bar will be available in WorkPlace Tech.  

Issue Documentation supplied with new UNC, ENC, or Jace 8000 was discarded.  Is there a way to determine the default, the factory-defined IP address, for the Ethernet port on the controller? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 UNC I/A Series (Niagara) G3 ENC Niagara N4 or G3 Jace 8000 Cause Lost or discarded document, shipped with the controller, that contained the configured IP address. Resolution The default Ethernet IP address for an I/A Series (Niagara) UNC or ENC is based on the serial number and type of device. For a UNC or ENC, the default address is 192.168.1.14X where X is the last digit of the device serial number.  The default serial number is found on a sticker on the controller circuit board.  This sticker has the full model number, date code, and the serial number of the controller.  The serial number is preceded with S/N:.The subnet mask is 255.255.255.0 in all UNCs, ENCs, and Jace 8000 The default address base address (192.168.1.140) is the same for all UNC-410, UNC-510, UNC-520, ENC-410, and ENC-520 controllers. The default IP address of a Jace 8000 for PRI (LAN1) is 192.168.1.140.  SEC (LAN2) is by default disabled.

Issue Strange characters are displayed in the display of a VT7000 and SE7000 Series thermostat. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server SSL SE7000 Cause The thermostat has experienced a brownout condition. Any time the power drops below 16-17Vac for a 1/10 of a second or so it will cause this condition. Resolution The thermostat still updates to the BMS correctly; it’s only its display that’s affected.  Cycling power to the unit will clear the issue. However, if the brown out condition is not addressed, it can happen again. If a repeated brownout issue at the site cannot be corrected, consider powering the controller with an UPS.