Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue A GCM / LCM stops working and displays the error message "Insufficient System RAM".  It no longer responds to information requests via the front panel keyboard/display nor via XPSI software connected on either of the available serial ports. A power cycle restores functionality but only for a limited amount of time (ie: hours or days). Environment Network 8000 GCM-84000 series GCM-86000 series LCM-84000 series LCM-85000 series LCM-88000 series Cause Free system ram drops below minimum requirements: Any GCM with sys ram below 18k Any LCM with sys ram below 10k Resolution The amount of free system ram must be kept above minimum requirements. Use Tech Bulletin 95-33 for troubleshooting the GCM / LCM.  It is a comprehensive guide providing both hardware and software suggestions that will increase free system ram.

Issue DC1100 / DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller Alarm LED is illuminated. Environment Stand alone discrete Controller in Alarm mode. DC1100 Optimiser / Compensator Controller. DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller. Cause DC1100 / DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller Alarm LED has been triggered by the occurrence of one of the following conditions: Sensor Input is short circuit or open circuit and / or out of range. Boiler Temperature at least 10 deg C above Boiler High Limit value. Boiler Temperature below Boiler Low value after one hour. Compensated Flow Temperature below Flow Low value after one hour. Resolution DC1100 / DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller Alarms may be viewed and / or cleared using the following procedures. VIEW ALARMS DC1100 / DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller Alarms may be viewed as follows :- Turn Front Panel Selector to SET Using Up and Down Arrow Keys move Screen Display Arrows to SYSTEMS MENU Using Up and Down Arrow Keys move Screen Display Arrows to TEMPS & ALARMS Using Up and Down Arrow Keys move Screen Display Arrows to VIEW ALARMS CLEAR ALARMS DC1100 / DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller Alarms may be cleared as follows :- Turn Front Panel Selector to SET Using Up and Down Arrow Keys move Screen Display Arrows to SYSTEMS MENU Using Up and Down Arrow Keys move Screen Display Arrows to TEMPS & ALARMS Using Up and Down Arrow Keys move Screen Display Arrows to CLEAR ALARMS Using Up and Down Arrow Keys Select Pass Number (0112) and ENTER In the event that an Alarm is not cleared by the above procedure and the Alarm LED does not extinguish then the Sensors and / or installation in general should be checked further. DC1100 Optimiser / Compensator Controller overview may be viewed here DC1100 Optimiser / Compensator Controller details and menus may be viewed here DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller overview may be viewed here DC1400 Optimiser / Compensator Controller details and menus may be viewed here

Issue Customers wanting to use a Barcode Reader for door access Environment Access Control site wanting to use Barcode Readers Cause Barcode Readers often are a higher  Resolution I/NET The SCU is the best you could have so that makes it easier with memory requirements and so forth. Since you have the SCU, set it up for 26-bit Wiegand (2 parity bits and 24 data bits). It would look like this: e eeeeeeee eeeeooooooooooooo o That is a 1-bit starting bit, even parity, 8-bit facility code, site number, card number, 16-bit segment, and the 1-bit ending parity (26 bits all together). That is how many data bits the reader normally takes. 26-bit Wiegand is typical and most common. The true bits are the facility code, site and card number. The beginning and end is the parity. For more information, see TCON300, beginning on page 9-59. This is the key card translations section, and may be valuable in figuring out the solution to the bar code reader. Lastly, one idea is to contact a company called RFIDeas.com. They make a bar code reader that may be a solution. If the bar code reader is outputting a card number larger than 16 digits, convert it to 26-bits of Wiegand data (it can handle up to 64-bitWiegand). If it goes over 64-bit, they have a special firmware which allows up to 254 bits of wiegand data. With the SCU, the 26-bit is the standard. Code 128 is used to barcode INET products. The Cypressworld CVX-1300 is an alternate solution for connection between the I/NET SCU and the Barcode Reader. Continuum Code 39 is used to barcode the serial number on Continuum and Pelco boards.  Most readers can auto switch between these and other code types.  

Issue When editing a personnel object an error is received "Input string was not in a correct format" using 1.82 or 1.90. Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Microsoft released .Net 2.0 SP2 which caused an issue with our code in the personnel area. Resolution The version of Continuum you are using will determine the solution you need to use. 1.82 - Uninstall .net 2.0 SP2 1.90- Install the following hotfix  Click here to download The issue was corrected in 1.91.

Issue Are any of the Schneider Electric access software products FIPS compliant? Environment FIPS compliant access control Cause New U.S. Government access control regulations. Resolution FIPS Compliance information The Federal Information Processing Standard 140-1 (FIPS 140-1) and its successor FIPS 140-2 are United States Government standards that provide a benchmark for implementing cryptographic software. They specify best practices for implementing crypto algorithms, handling key material and data buffers, and working with the operating system. Both IPSec and the Encrypting Files System (EFS) in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP use the FIPS-140-1 evaluated Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module to encrypt the traffic packet data and file contents respectively if configured appropriately with the selections of FIPS compliant algorithms. The FIPS-compliant, kernel-mode, crypto module lets organizations deploy FIPS 140-1-compliant, Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) implementations using: L2TP (Layer Two Tunneling Protocol)/IPSec VPN client and server. L2TP/IPSec tunnels for gateway-to-gateway VPN connections. IPSec tunnels for gateway-to-gateway VPN connections. IPSec-encrypted, end-to-end, network traffic between client and server, and server to server. Currently, I/NET Seven is not FIPS Compliant. There are not any plans to make I/NET Seven FIPS Compliant. The Continuum product line is FIPS Compliant. Click here for a PDF with more information. FIPS 140-2 Validation Certificate http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140crt/140crt1355.pdf Schneider Electric Continuum Network Security Module http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140sp/140sp1355.pdf

Issue Why are many BACnet controllers sending out Who-Is requests for a Cyberstation that is Offline and been removed from the Database? Environment Continuum BACnet Cause Even though the Cyberstation Device object has been removed from the database, there are probably still references to it in the various controllers in the field. If this Cyberstation was the recipient of BACnet alarms from these controllers then they may still have its Device ID as a delivery recipient and send out the Who-Is packets to locate this device.   Resolution There are a couple things that can be done to fix this problem, basically the reference to this device needs to be removed from every controller. Make sure to perform a global teach, this should fix up most of the routing tables. The next thing to do is to reload any and all affected controllers. (You can use Wireshark to determine which controller are sending the who is requests, see details below.)   In the attached packet capture here, you'll find details of the Who-Is packet and the NPDU layer that show the details that you will be looking for to identify the source of the packet. A filter of "bacapp && (bacapp.unconfirmed_service == 😎 && (bacapp.who_is.low_limit == 199)" was used in this example to focus on the Who-Is packets being directed to device 199.

Issue IDisc Wand is no longer available from Schneider Electric Environment Any I/NET Software Program and Access Control Cause Customer cannot get the IDisc Wand from Schneider Electric Order Entry Resolution There is a third party supplier that handles a direct replacement unit. Click here for a PDF of the part number and cut sheet.

Issue Calculate the Memory usage of an MR controller Environment MR55 MR88 Any other MR that allows DDC development Cause Since the MRs have a limited memory allocation, you need to determine if you are getting close to the maximum allowed. Resolution Click here to download a zip file of an Excel spreadsheet that will help determine the memory used in the DDC system.

Issue Personnel Manager lacks Access Event built in report like Personnel Editor, this article outlines a procedure for adding similar functionality to the Personnel Manager via a list view that can be invoked from a Personnel Manager's application button. Environment CyberStation Cause Add Access Event report functionality to Personnel Manager. Resolution Click here for a pdf document that outlines the procedure.

Issue An error has occurred, please try the operation again later when opening a Digital Sentry video layout on a browser PC using Webclient 1.91 Environment Digital Sentry 4.3 or 7.x Webclient 1.91 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Cause There are 2 updated hotfix files necessary for video display in a browser with 1.91. Resolution Click the link below and follow the instructions for installing the DSConneX_VideoPatch contained in the file Click here to download the file

Issue Significant changes and improvements were introduced with firmware revision 11.2P, including a streamlined "Flash clear" procedure. For Ethernet NIMs with firmware revisions prior to 11.2P, the procedure was documented in Technical Bulletin 99-56 (see below). The procedure in bulletin 99-56 was a revision of the procedure in the original NIM Networking and Configuration Practices manual, F-25955, which is no longer available. The current version of the manual, F-25955-4, applies only to NIMs with firmware  revisions 11.2P and 11.2T. Environment Ethernet NIM for network 8000; GCM-ETH-001 with firmware revision prior to 11.2P. Cause "Flash clear" procedure was changed in firmware revision 11.2P Resolution Follow the "Flash clear" procedure per Technical Bulletin 99-56.

Issue Distinguishing whether an xDriver-enabled commport on a controller is set for Modbus RTU or Modbus TCP/IP. Environment CX9900, CX9940 CX9680 bCX4040 Cause How does one know if the xDriver-enabled commport on a controller is for Modbus RTU or Modbus TCP/IP? Resolution Open the controller editor and go to the Options tab. At a minimum the Modbus RTU XDriver, like all Xdrivers, requires Bit 0 for the commport be Xdriver enabled. The most common example would look like this: Xdrvr Commx: 00000001(####). In the above example x = commport number. The four digit number in parentheses indicates whether an Xdriver file is loaded into the port. If it is 0000 then no Xdriver file is loaded into the port. A number such as 4767 corresponds to "Xdriver Valid" line at the end xdriver XDR file. You can edit the XDR file with a text editor and go to the bottom to see this.   In addition to Bit 0 being enabled for the commport, the Modbus TCP/IP Xdriver requires Bit 3 to be Xdriver enabled.  A common example of this would look like this: Xdrvr Commx: 00000009(####). The 00000009 is in hexadecimal format -  converting this to an 8-bit binary number you get 00001001. The furthest right bit is Bit 0 and the 4th from the right is Bit 3. Both are set to 1 which means they are Xdriver enabled. For a further explanation see page 15 of the linked Modbus TCP/IP Xdriver User Guide.   Note: Since Bit 0 is enabled in both of the above examples, the Modbus RTU Xdriver will work on either. But only the second example will load the Modbus TCP/IP Xdriver.      

Issue What sensors can be used in Clean Rooms  What sensors can be used outdoors for temperature measurement What sensor can be used in a swimming pool What sensor would be explosive proof What color is the wall sensor and are custom colors available Environment Building Automation System such as I/NET, Vista, or Continuum at a site containing a clean room, swimming pool, or outdoors Cause Questions concerning the uses of Schneider Electric sensors in Clean Room applications Questions concerning temperature sensors for Outdoor installations Questions concerning temperature sensors for swimming pools Questions concerning explosion proof sensors* Questions concerning color and custom colors for sensors Resolution All the Schneider Electric temperature sensors found in the HVAC Sensor Catalogue as well as on iPortal provide high accuracy and can be mounted on the wall, in ducts, or in a J-Box. Appendix A provides the accuracy for each of the temperature sensors. Color: STR series wall sensors are: Front Cover: White NCS S-0500 N Core Plate: White NCS S-0500 N and Gray NCS S-2500 N Base Plate: Gray NCS S 1502-R Manufacturing in custom colors in not available. One option could possibly to have the sensors locally custom finished to meet customer's requirements. While there is not a direct cross reference to RAL colors, our engineering team has found the closest alternates. Please see the attached pdf. Clean Room: Depending on the specified limits of the clean room, the variety of sensors offered by Schneider Electric are possible solutions. Thing you may want to research are the standards required for the site. Clean rooms are a controlled environment where products are manufactured. It is a room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to specified limits. Eliminating sub-micron airborne contamination is really a process of control. These contaminants are generated by people, process, facilities and equipment and must be continually removed from the air. The level to which these particles need to be removed depends upon the standards required. The most frequently used standard is the ISO 14644 Standards, which were first formed from the US Federal Standard 209E Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes in Cleanrooms and Clean Zones.  ISO 14644 is a document that establishes standard classes of air cleanliness for airborne particulate levels in cleanrooms and clean zones. Strict rules and procedures are followed to prevent contamination of the manufactured product. The only way to control contamination is to control the total environment. Air flow rates and direction, pressurization, temperature, humidity and specialized filtration all need to be tightly controlled. Outdoor:  Schneider Electrics selection of Outdoor Temperature Sensors are the STO100, 200, 500, & 600. These outdoor sensors are intended for outdoor wall mounting. Variants are available for Vista, I/NET, Continuum and Satchwell systems. The body has a 20mm conduit entry and the product is supplied with a conduit gland. Range -40 to +90 °C Accuracy See Appendix A: Table A, C, F in the attached HVAC Sensor Catalog.pdf Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO100 Order Code 5141100010 Part Number STO100 System Vista, Xenta Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO200 Order Code 5123246000 Part Number STO200 System I/NET Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO500 Order Code 5141104010 Part Number STO500 System Continuum Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO600 Order Code 5126060000 Part Number STO600 System Satchwell Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO600D Order Code 5126000000 Part Number STO600D System Drayton Outdoor Temperature Transmitters STO300 The STO300 transmitter is supplied as a complete unit, comprising a sensing element and an amplifier mounted in a housing which is resistant to ultraviolet light. The transmitter is intended for mounting on an outside wall, on the north side where possible. The transmitter is connected over a 2-wire cable, which serves both as power supply and signal transmission. The reading of the measured signal is made over an external load resistance. Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO300 -50/50 Order Code 006920501 Part Number STO300 -50/50 System All Note for each of these outdoor sensors, find the Description, the Order Code, Part Number, and the System it works with for the iBAS (intelligent Building Automation System) Please note the difference in Weatherproof and Outdoor. I put a lot of these outdoor sensors in at a university in Texas, and always installed in places that were a little protected. I found that under porches, up under the eves and out of the sun, or along a loading dock out of the rain and ice gave me accurate readings. Swimming Pool: In the piping system of a swimming pool is a corrosive environment with steadily harmful and gradually destructive minerals and chlorine in the water which present a challenge finding sensors able to withstand for extended periods of time. Schneider Electric makes several immersion temperature sensors. Beginning on page 12 of the above HVAC Catalogue, there is a variety of immersion sensors for the different iBMS lines.  One example is the STP660 is a Temperature Sensor for the European market, and intended for immersion mounting in pipe or the circulating systems. The stainless steel probe is a good solution but remember,  if the sensor is to be installed in pool water that contains chlorine, the best bet is to use a stainless steel pocket. I suppose it all depends on if sensor is in pipe associated with the secondary pool side of the system or the heating side of the system. If the sensor head is in an area exposed to Chlorine, then there may be an issue.  Chlorine may attack the solder connections of the wired joints inside the sensor. In the old days products from Satchwell used to produce special sensors for such applications where the wire connections were varnished in order to prevent corrosion. I think at the end of the day, our sensor would have a similar life expectancy to other devices in the plant that were no designed for use in such corrosive atmospheres. Explosion proof sensors: Schneider Electric does not manufacture explosion proof sensors. We do not partner with another manufacturer who provides such sensors. The closest is an 3rd party explosion proof enclosure with one of our available sensors. Our sensors are designed for building installations and if in extreme environments, we suggest enclosures.  

Issue Customer wants to archive the BACnet controller backup images created through the Backup function of the WorkPlace Commissioning Tool. Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool software version 5.7.x or newer Windows XP Professional or Windows 7 Professional Cause The actual location of the Backup folder has changed between Windows XP and Windows 7 Resolution If the computer operating system is Windows XP, the specified backup project folder is in the following location: c:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\WorkPlace Tech\Backups If the computer operating system is Windows 7, the specified backup project folder is in the following location: c:\ProgramData\WorkPlace Tech\Backups Further information on the contents of the backup project folder can be found in the Release Notes documentation for WorkPlace Tech Tool 5.7.2, F-27526-2, pages 10-13.  Please note that the full file path shown in this document is based on the use of the Windows XP operating system.

Issue Using the EGL, EGRL, EGLL5 which are obsolete Environment Vista Cause temperature/resistance data of EGRL, EGRLL, EGRL5 temperature sensors, or customer needs data to calibrate the sensors. Resolution EGL is replaced by the STD100-250 EGRL - STR100 EGLL  (2 thermistors) was not really replaced, as the average temp calc nowadays is done in the controller. The room version was named EGRLL. All these are for the Vista series. For more information regarding sensors, please visit Exchange Extranet.    Click here for the temperature/resistance chart for the old EGL, EGRL, EGLL5 Click here for the original Product and Installation pdf.

Issue The engineer is unable to select the Lon communications option in Visisat. Environment Visisat Lon Communications Cause The Lon Plug and Play driver has not been installed. Resolution Install the Lon Plug and Play driver. This driver is available as part of the Visisat Installation process, but to upload this driver click HERE.

Issue Satchwell ALi series Linear Actuator requires replacement. Environment Satchwell ALi series Linear Actuator installed on Satchwell MJF, MZ, MZF, VJF, VSF, VZ or VZF series Plug and Seat Valve Body. Actuator type :- ALi series. Cause Obsolescence of Satchwell ALi series Linear Actuator. Resolution Replace Satchwell ALi series Linear Actuator with S-E M800 Linear Actuator and Linkage Kit :- ALi = M800 + L2SV (880-0124-000) Linkage Kit. N.B. Should the Satchwell ALi series Actuator include a wired Auxiliary Switch then the following Accessory should also be installed on the S-E M800 Actuator as appropriate :- S2 - Two independent 24 volt 4amp AC-1 rated SPDT Auxiliary End Point Switches. (880-0104-000)   Particular care should be taken when selecting an S-E Forta M800 Actuator to replace an existing Satchwell ALi series Actuator. The S-E Forta M800 Actuator may be used to replace an existing Satchwell ALi series Actuator but it should be noted that where an existing Satchwell ALi series Actuator has been connected directly to a Satchwell Controller, an independent Transformer rated to provide the greater level of power required by a single S-E Forta M800 Actuator (50VA) will also be required. (e.g. S-E Transformer Type TR60) Where an existing Satchwell ALi series Actuator has been connected via an independent Transformer, it is possible that the Transformer may have been rated to provide the level of power required by a single ALi series Actuator (16VA) only. In such circumstances the existing independent Transformer will also require replacement by another independent Transformer, rated to provide the greater level of power required by a single S-E Forta M800 Actuator (50VA) (e.g. S-E Transformer Type TR60) Details of the Schneider Electric M800 Actuator may be viewed here Details of the Schneider Electric TR60 Transformer may be viewed here Details of the Schneider Electric L2SV Linkage Kit may be viewed here

Issue Certain animations in graphics may cause StruxureWare Building Operation to inadvertently close. Crash Report A problem occurred in this application Exception message: NO_MODIFICATION_ALLOWED_ERR: An attempt is made to modify an object where modifications are not allowed. Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.0 Cause Creating a graphic animation page without specifying the visibility will cause the graphic to close the StruxureWare Building Operation program.  Resolution In the image below, showing the Graphics Editor in SmartStruxure, this is a simple graphic page with one Ellipse which alternates between hidden and visible depending on the state of a single digital value being True or False. The red arrow shows that we are viewing the Source code for the graphics page. The blue arrow is pointing out the Appearance and the Visibility being selected. The green line in the source code shows the text which is inserted upon selecting the visibility the blue arrow refers to. The key is, failure to select the visibility, which inputs the Visibility="Visible" causes StruxureWare to close without notice and produces the Crash Report shown in the Issue. Download this Graphics Test Folder, which includes the Graphic, and the Digital Value for import to your Graphics Folder Note: Close or Crash does not occur in StruxureWare releases greater than 1.0.0.173

Issue Satchwell CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator requires replacement. Environment Stand alone discreet Satchwell CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator Cause Obsolescence of Satchwell CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator Resolution Replace Satchwell CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator with Schneider Electric Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller, compatible Temperature Sensors and MD Series Actuator and Linkage Kit. Replace Satchwell CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator with Schneider Electric Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller. N.B. Two models of the Schneider Electric Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller are available :- CSC 5252 Compensator Controller without Time Clock CSC 5352 Compensator Controller with integral Time Clock  Details of the Schneider Electric Satchwell CSC Compensator Controllers may be viewed here. It should be noted however that the CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator had no integral Time Clock. Replacement of Air Temperature Sensors It should be noted that the existing Satchwell Outside Air Temperature Sensor associated with the CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator is obsolete and should be replaced. Similarly, it should be noted that the existing Satchwell Inside Air Temperature Sensor associated with the CD2201 Compensator Controller–Actuator is obsolete and should be replaced. Details of replacement Schneider Electric STO600 Outside Air Temperature Sensor may be viewed here. Details of replacement Schneider Electric STR600 series Inside Air Temperature Sensor may be viewed here. N.B. It should be noted that the CSC Compensator Controller will perform entirely satisfactorily without the connection of an Inside Air Temperature Sensor. Replacement of Water Temperature Sensor. It should be noted that the existing integral Satchwell Water Temperature Sensor associated with the CD2201 Compensator Controller – Actuator cannot be re-used and should therefore be replaced. In order to minimise mechanical work it is suggested that a Surface Mounting Temperature Sensor is installed on the pipework, rather than an Immersion Temperature Sensor installed in a Pocket in the pipework. Details of replacement Schneider Electric STC600 Surface Temperature Sensor may be viewed here. Replacement of Actuator. Whilst the existing Satchwell MB Valve Body may be retained, a new Schneider Electric Actuator and Linkage Kit will need to be installed on the MB Valve Body in order to permit control from the CSC Compensator Controller. Details of the Schneider Electric MD10B Actuator may be viewed here. Details of the Schneider Electric LMD/AR-MB Linkage Kit may be viewed here. Please be aware: since July 2016 the CSC compensator and other descrete controllers were withdrawn from service. To see "PA-00479 - Discrete Controllers - Notice of Withdrawal - Satchwell" click here.

Issue The FDA requires Building Automation systems to meet their standards which are outlined in Chapter 21 CFR and FDA Part 11. Environment Vista I/NET Andover Continuum TAC I/A-series Satchwell Sigma Cause Finding documentation on Schneider Electric Building Automation Systems which comply to The Food and Drug Administration rules. Resolution Vista 21CFRPart11 support in TAC Vista 5.pdf FL-VISTA-REGIND-A4 mod RO.pdf I/NET - currently unavailable Andover Continuum With the addition of the 21 CFR Part 11 compliance pack, Continuum can meets these requirements. Satchwell Sigma SoftwareOverview.pdf Advanced Security Module.pdf Note: Validation to 21CFR Part 11 can only be performed on whole operational systems and as such, a sub-system comprising the Satchwell Sigma building management system cannot be validated in it own right. Satchwell Sigma would normally be validated as part of a whole operational system. TAC I/A Series - currently unavailable