Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Is there a list of activity action codes? Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Listview action code filters Resolution Click Here for the list of Activity Codes

Issue Under different circumstances, the comm port on infinet or bacnet devices will not be assigned and will show blank in their editor. The controllers may be controlling the equipment correctly, but they can't be reloaded and communication doesn't work to and from the device. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Webclient Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 10 Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016 Cause This issue can happen on an upgrade where a send to database is used if the controller didn't exist previously or under other unknown database circumstances Resolution 1. Click the link to download the following TPA1498  NOTE: the TPA indicates the following at the bottom Save the new .dmp file Right click the NetController to reattach the Infinet controllers to -> select Import Into Right click the NetController to reattach the Infinet controllers to -> select Send to Database Commports will be reattached.  (THIS SHOULD BE SEND TO CONTROLLER) (The previous line, Import into, brings the corrected comm ports into the db) 2. It may be necessary to make changes to the database in order to reassign the ports to the controllers. Backup the database and send a copy to PSS for assistance The objects can be reassigned, but the queries should be tested prior to updating in the field.

Issue Do I need an X Driver to send simple ASCII strings to a third party system? Environment Plain English Drivers PE Driver, Raw Mode CX Controllers Netcontroller II bCX ACX Cause Require the limitations of Plain English drivers Resolution It is possible to create a Plain English driver to print ASCII data out of a Comm port. Use the Open, Close and Print keywords to develop your program in a CX or bCX controller, if you go to the "Help, Contents" on Cyberstation Explorer you can enter these keywords and get full details on their use including example programs. You can also read responses from the 3rd party system with the "Read" keyword. The Plain English program would be able to print out any information that can be put into an InfinityString. The characters that a PE Driver cannot handle are the FFh (255) and 0H (null) characters, to use these would require the use of an X Driver or another form of gateway to an open protocol. If you have a first generation controller (CX9900, CX9400 etc) there is a Generic ASCII "X Driver Filter" that can be used to print/ read an ASCII string with no character limitations. If the port is X Driver enabled then download software X-Driver Filter The CHR keyword can be used to send "Non printable characters". The other thing is that a Plain English Driver will be dependent on the controller scan time so it would not be suitable for any protocols that are timing critical and the controller scan time must be kept low. As a general rule of thumb, if you can send the required characters out using Hyperterminal and the system accepts it, then a PE program should be able to send them too.  The attached document is an example of a Plain English driver that was written a while ago to communicate with a Video Recorder over an RS232 link, the principles and techniques used in this example show the use of the above keywords as well as some of the string manipulation keywords. Download it here. This also applies to the ACX57xx controllers but they only have a single half duplex RS485 port which may not be suitable for all applications.

Issue After loading Niagara G3 3.6 security updates released on August 9, 2012,  a web browser session times out after 5-10 minutes, requiring the user to login again. Environment Niagara G3 station web enabled Web browser; Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, etc. Cause From the Release Notes for the Niagara 3.6 Security Patch, "Changes to File Access": "The default Authentication Scheme for web access has changed from "Cookie" to "Cookie Digest", as specified in a station's Web Service. As a result, custom login templates may need to be modified to work properly." Note: The complete Release notes are contained in the securityPatches_3.6_083112.zip file on The Exchange Download Center website, Tech Zone, I/A Series G3 (ENC, ENS, etc) Conference, Release 3.6.47 Files. Click here to see the Release Notes. Resolution Increase the Cookie Digest Session Timeout. If you increase this timeout, but still notice that it is taking you back to the login screen well before the time should have run out on the session, then it is a different issue. In that case, upgrade your JAVA plugin to the newest possible version and install the Security Patch (both of which are recommended regardless). Be certain that it is not an issue with firewall, antivirus, internet security, etc.

Issue What is the Schneider Electric part number for the DIN Rail base used with the Echelon router LPR-10 (ECH-4210R)? Environment Echelon router LPR-10 (ECH-4210R) Cause Echelon router LPR-10 must be mounted on DIN rail. Resolution The Schneider Electric part number is ECH-48222R, as found on the iPortal. See the attached Data Sheet.

Issue Cannot find a wiring diagram for the ETR800 Temperature Sensors Product Line TAC IA Series Environment ETR-800 temperature sensors Cause Not available in the Publication Zone Resolution Click the link to view and download the wiring diagram:  F-27619 ETR800 Sensors Wiring Instructions Click the link to view and download the data sheet (also available in the Publication Zone):  F-27601 ETR800 Sensors Data Sheet

Issue Is there a Schneider Electric document detailing the process in upgrading a G3 ENC-410 or ENC-520?  There is no such document in the G3 installation zip file. Environment Niagara G3 Cause Product Marketing did not generate an upgrade document as was done with Niagara R2. Resolution Use Tridium's 'startup' guide for the ENC.  It is not an 'upgrade' guide but the steps are similar. Link to document:  docJaceStartup.pdf

Issue Can the xPBD4 be used with an i2 or b3. Environment xp Expansion Module Cause Is the xPBD4 compatible with an i2 or b3. Resolution No. The following note is from the xP Expansion Datasheet: The xPBA4 and xPBD4 Expansion Modules can only be connected to the bCX1 Controller/Routers and ACX Series Access Controllers. The other xP expansion modules do work with the i2/b3 controllers. See the attached data sheet for more info.

Issue How to disable UNC power monitoring Environment I/A Series R2 Universal Network Controller (UNC) I/A Series Niagara R2 version 2.301.318 or later Cause UNC that is installed with I/A Series Niagara R2 version 2.301.318 or later has power monitoring enabled. UNC-410 and UNC-520 have the following parameters monitored. Power Loss - alarm on AC power loss Battery fail - alarm if backup battery test fail There could be situations where the monitoring of these parameters needs to be disabled.  Resolution You can disable the UNC's power monitoring function by editing the UNC's driver.properties file.  To access the driver.properties file, in WorkPlace Pro Admin Tool, connect to the UNC and go to the 'Installation' tab. Click on the 'Edit drivers.properties' button.  The line 'power.enabled=true' enables the power monitoring. To disable power monitoring, change the line to 'power.enabled=false'.  After the change, save the changes (File > Save) and reboot the UNC.   For more details, refer to the Niagara System and Power Monitoring Engineering Notes. 

Issue Need replacement for AVUM4601 valve actuator Environment VEU, MEU, FEU, VZX, MZX Cause Need replacement for AVUM4601, AVUE4304, AVUE4354 or AVUX4202 valve actuator Resolution Use AVUM5601 actuator, this is the replacement for AVUM4601 230Vac actuator  Also AVUE4304 is replaced by AVUE5304 AVUE4354 is replaced by AVUE5354 AVUX4202 is replaced by AVUX5202 Click HERE for the datasheet Click HERE for the Installation Instructions

Issue What are the Low and High level security default passwords for the SMT 1201 controller? Environment SMT 1201 Low security password High security password Cause Customer is unable to access the controller. Resolution The "Default" passwords for the SMT 1201 are as follows; Low level security is "0000" High level security is "12345678" For the controller data sheet please click HERE. If the passwords are not accepted, then please contact Product Support by selecting the "Contact" option.

Issue Where can I download the latest version of SigmaX? Product Line Other, Satchwell Sigma Environment SigmaX Cause Satchwell Sigma 4.07 release notes states that it is compatible with SigmaX version 7.0.4. On Extranet, 'Products' > 'Satchwell' > 'Sigma' > 'Downloads' > 'Utilities' only links to the download location for SigmaX 6.0.x. Resolution Sigma X version 7.0.9 is the latest version. You can download SigmaX version 7.0.9 from the Schneider download centre (1). (1) https://ecobuilding.schneider-electric.com/search#documentUUID/15c25fb4-fa6d-4cb1-8d04-3bea0a287526/SigmaX Version 7.0.9 - Support Tool This version does not require unlocking and corrects the following areas: - 1. Doctor error Doctor could incorrectly report an illegal point number value if a page reference value was over 9999. Error number 2122, 2. Doctor error Doctor could incorrectly report that page location in pointer.bin files greater than index.rex size. Error number 2152. 3. Doctor error. Doctor could incorrectly report index page segment incorrect for point mnemonic. Error number 2150. 4. Sigma View Site summary could miss valid look-up tables. 5. Sigma View Sigma view help text was not included in installer. Doctor can also ignore up to 5 specified errors if required. SigmaX supports all valid versions of Sigma from 4.05. Note: - SigmaX version 7.09 no longer needs a PCID to be unlocked. Due to this change SigmaX 7.09 no longer unlocks Sigma. To unlock Sigma, install the SBO license server/administrator, with a temporary license added, needs to be used. Click here to view the TPA-SACH-16-0012.00 which provides more information on the software licensing for Sigma. SBO license server/administrator SBO Temporary license

Issue Panel layout. Environment  ERG-UNIV-ENC-1 ERG-UNIV-ENC-2 Cause Need to determine panel layout for a project using the universal enclosures. Resolution From the data sheet... Medium Enclosure: Andover Continuum Power Supply and NetController, and up to two I/O modules or up to six I/O modules or CX 9702 SiteController.   Small Enclosure: Up to three I/O modules or CX 9702 SiteController or NetController (without a Power Supply) or VS-8-4 Video Switch Module. Both units are designed to hold two standard 12 VDC 7AH lead acid batteries (not provided). See the full data sheet here.

Issue The .xif file for MZ09L and MZ18L is not available on the Extranet. Environment MZ09L 8455112000 MZ18L 8455102000 Cause The .xif file for MZ09L and MZ18L is sometimes necessary for use in projects. Resolution The current version (as of  Sept. 10 2012) is available for download here. Both actuators have the same Lonmark profile and the .xif file is common to both.

Issue Need Menta programming that can be used to monitor a pulse signal coming from a water meter, electric meter, or gas meter. Environment Menta Vista Cause A Menta program that can be used to monitor water, electric, or gas metering. Resolution The program below is set up to receive a pulse signal for three different meters. Click the picture of the Menta macro below to download the source file.

Issue Alternatives to the FOI1 and FOI2 product which is discontinued and possible replacement using the Westermo ODW-730-F2 Environment Site using a Fiber Optic Interface on LAN (CLAN) or SCU Network (SubLAN) Cause Discontinuation of the FOI1 and FOI2 products which have been available for a number of years. Resolution The ODW appears to provide a very cost effective and versatile fiber optic interface for RS485 networks. The ODW is one of only a few RS485/Fiber interfaces that provide the redundant fiber network capability. Some notable features on the ODW-730-F2 include – -Dual Fiber Bus Configuration or Dual Fiber Redundant Ring Configuration -Local status contact output indicates fiber fault detection -LED indication of Local fiber fault condition (FL L) CH1 and CH2 LEDs indicate if failure is on incoming or outgoing fiber -LED indication of Remote fiber fault condition (FL R) Here the LED indicates when there a fault anywhere in the system. A summary of controller status points monitoring the Local fault detection would be reviewed to identify location of a fault. Current system operation is probably operating on the basis of the redundant ring. A second fiber fault will disable the ring system. In a bus configuration, you currently have lost some portion of the system communications. -Supports Asynchronous (SubLAN) and Synchronous (CLAN) protocols In the case of the synchronous CLAN interface, it is not reconstructing RS485 data quality. Any accumulated distortion on the copper cable segment is passed on to the data through the fiber and will arrive at the other fiber drops in the same condition, although amplitude will be replenished. You must insure you do not exceed copper cable distances and maintain compliance with recommended grade of cable while avoiding stubs and the distortion they produce. -Alternate Fiber Interface Options are supported two receptacles for plug-in fiber transceiver module purchased separately The lowest cost and most common interface is the MLC2. Each of the ODWs in this evaluation were configured with 2 of the MLC2 modules - MLC2 Multimode 62.5/125um or 50/125um 2km Fiber Length - SLC20 Singlemode 9/125um 20km Fiber Length - SLC120 Singlemode 9/125um 120km Fiber Length The ODW also supports the option of bidirectional fiber interface modules. These are more expensive options and currently used infrequently and are not discussed/evaluated here. -Powered by 24VAC (48-62hz), or 12 to 48VDC (supporting redundant DC) Power input is isolated from RS485 and Status port signals -RS485 port is isolated from power AND local ground The RS485 will take on the ground reference of the incoming RS485 signals. An oscilloscope examination of the RS485 data pins with no connection to other RS485 devices will show AC voltage on the RS485 pins (leakage to isolated circuit). A scope should only be examined with the RS485 port connected to the CLAN or SubLAN. Please find the attached pdf ODW FOI EVAL 120824.pdf for review. It proceeds through a sequence of differing configurations with the synchronous controller LAN and the asynchronous SubLAN.

Issue Poor or unreliable ground connection of IO modules can cause controller failure, inputs to stop updating and communications to be poor. Environment Netcontroller IO modules Cause Strings of IO modules were installed on each DIN rail in a panel. One IO module per row had directly landed ground wires, but each of the other modules on the row relied on contact between a metal clip on the back of the module and the DIN rail.  Observed an average of two I/O modules per panel with inadequate earth ground (where this clip was not making an electrically sound connection). In some cases, resting a hand on one of the modules caused a wide variance in the grounding quality. Resolution After installing a panel (not just in the panel fabrication shop), measure each IO module's ground terminal to ground. Do not just assume that each IO module is properly grounded  to the DIN rail via the clip on the back. And do not just assume that the DIN rail is properly grounded - some DIN rail is plated to reduce corrosion and this can increase resistance. If there is (or will be) any vibration or moisture, or there are any other concerns that site conditions may negatively effect grounding of the IO modules in the future, consider grounding each IO module's ground terminal via a conductor to ground.   There is a Technical Product Advisory here that will provide further detail on this.

Issue Object level security using SecurityLevel Environment CyberStation Cause Documentation Resolution Click -> Continuum Security Levels explained.

Issue Some actuators manufactured by Belimo are also available from Schneider Electric Environment Various Belimo Actuators: AF 230 AF 230-S AF 24 AF 24-S AF 24-SR LF 230 LF 24 LM 230 A LM 230 A-S LM 24 A LM 24 A-S LM 24 A-SR NM 230A NM 24A NM 24A-SR SM 230A SM 24A SM 24A-SR Various Schneider electric actuators, part no: 875-0000-010 875-0010-010 874-0000-010 874-0010-010 877-0000-010 875-0003-000 874-0003-000 875-1001-000 875-1003-000 875-1005-000 875-1007-000 875-1009-000 875-1011-000 875-1015-000 875-1019-000 875-1021-000 875-1025-000 875-1029-000   Cause Cross reference between various actuators of Belimo and Schneider Electric Resolution A cross reference table for these actuators can be found here (.xls).

Issue Dimension comparison when replacing MZF valve with VG311 or V321 Environment MZF V321 VG311F Cause Replacing Satchwell MZF valves, the new valve is a different size, i.e. larger. Resolution The Satchwell MZF valve is a physically smaller valve when compared to other manufacturers valves of the same DN. The only solution is to modify the pipework. For the valve datasheets click on the relevant valve type MZF VG311F V321 The table below details the differences.