Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How to reset an NC2 9680 model controller Environment CX 9680, NCII, NC2 Cause While upgrading/downgrading the controller firmware, communications was lost and the controller was not able to communicate afterwards.   Resolution Reset controller and re-commission. Please click here for document on how to reset the CX9680 controller.

Issue Trying to find the IDISC Reader Part number IDISCWAND Environment I/NET IDISC Cause The model IDISCWAND tool is no longer an active product with Schneider Electric. Resolution The model IDISCWAND tool is no longer an active product with Schneider Electric. The following information describes how you can acquire the necessary components to form the IDISCWAND. The IDISCWAND is comprised of two component devices as follows - The hand held wand (602063-0002) the hand probe used to contact the IDISC buttons for reading and enrollment of the access control credential into the system. The wand requires an Adapter to allow system communications to the IDISC. The wand can be purchased from Maxim Integrated Products using the Maxim part number DS9092GT#. The second component is the RS232 communications port “Adapter” (602073-0010). The cable from the wand (shown above) plugs into the RJ11 port on the Adapter. The other end of the Adapter is a standard D-subminiature 9-pin RS232 connector. The D-sub end of the Adapter mates with the 9-pin RS232 communications port of the PC workstation (TAC I/NET Seven Host), or the RS232 port created with a USB to Serial port adapter. The Adapter can be purchased from Maxim Integrated Products using the Maxim part number DS9097U-S09#. The “#” symbol at the end of the two part numbers designates RoHS compliance and is the only version currently listed on the web site referenced below. Parts without the “#” would be functionally equivalent. The part number DS9092GT# Wand and DS9097U-S09# Adapter can be purchased from Maxim Direct at - https://www.maximintegrated.com/en.html Enter the part number in the “Price and Availability” search window to see price and lead time on the item, and place an order. View PDF document here.  

Issue Is there is an application that will display the duress (panic) button alarm to the operator, when pushed, along with sound. Product Line TAC I/NET Environment I/NET Seven Automatic Page Display, Event Definitions & Sequences, User Defined Button  Cause Sample application / guide to program duress alarms in I/NET. Resolution I/NET provides various functions that allow it to provide a pop-up duress alarm, one feature is to use one (or many) graphic page(s) which automatically appear (pop-up) on activation of an alarm. Along with this, it is also possible to generate a sound either PC based or, the more preferred option, to an externally wired Buzzer / Siren at the same time.  The attached document shows a few steps as a guide to make a start on your own application using the following features: Automatic Page Display AMT Audible Alarm Event Definition / Sequences User-Defined Tools and Buttons If you are not familiar with these items you should refer to the TCON documents mentioned in the attachment.

Issue Using the LANMON 3 tool with a 78010 TAP with a MIP01 board attached Environment I/NET Controller LAN 78010 TAP with a MIP01 Board Cause The EPROM is an obsolete item and therefore is not available anymore. Because of this, the 78010 with a MIP01 board must be used instead. The modified special 7810.bin (LANMON binary) is intentionally set to not retained in memory through a power cycle. Once the LANMON binary is installed into a MIP, there is no longer any way to communicate with it as a "downloadable device". Power cycling is the only way to bring the MIP back to the boot state. So basically you have to leave the 'DIP SW' the way the Mip Document states. Because if you power down the 7810 TAP to change the 'DIP SW' per the TCON 310-0305, you will lose the program in the TAP. Resolution List of material that will be used for the LANMON 3 operations. Click here to download a .zip file containing all of the necessary executables, bin files, and manuals. The Custom 7810.BIN file (Modified Printer Tap BIN) The LANMON 3 Master Program “EXE” file (LanMon 300.exe) TCON 310-0305 PDF Manual for the LANMON program. A black 78010 TAP or a base mounted 78010 TAP, with it’s associated Power Transformer A Memory Interface Processor (MIP01) Board Cable – CBL071 (606105-0035) – TAP to 9 pin (Female) Serial You might have to provide a USB to 9 pin (Male) Serial Adapter Setup Process If the 78010 TAP (either the “Black” or Base-mount unit) has never had a MIP01 installed before, some items on the Motherboard must be removed prior to installing the New MIP01 board. Remove power from the base unit. For those units that do not have a power switch, remove the power connector. Remove the base unit parts as shown in Table 3 below. Orient the MIP01 with the negative end of the battery (unmarked end) pointing upward (toward the notched end of the white outline of the base unit processor). Insert the MIP01 into the processor socket. Note, the MIP01 must be set up as a “Printer TAP”. The Steps to set this up are as follows: With the power OFF of the unit set all the DIP switches (1 to 😎 to the UP position. Cycle the power ON then cycle the power OFF Then set up the "Printer TAP" using the DIP switch settings defined below: Once this is unit set up with DIP switch setting below, it will work as a LANMON 3 Unit. Please note that the LanMon TAP does occupy a node on the CLAN. So this unit requires an address that is not already used in the System. The Address range is 0 to 62 (63 is not a valid address) DIP Switch settings: Switch 1 -- DN Switch 2 – DN Switch 3 -- DN Switch 4 -- DN Switch 5 -- DN Switch 6 – UP = Tap Address 32 Switch 7 – DN = 19200 baud CLAN (Choose one or the other) Switch 7 – UP = 9600 baud CLAN Switch 8 -- DN   The first 6 DIP switches are used for the addressing of this TAP on the CLAN. In my example above, my unit is set to address of 32 (SW# 6 is up) Switch  1 – UP = 1 Switch 2 – Up = 2 Switch 3 – UP = 4 Switch 4 – Up = 8 Switch 5 – UP = 16 Switch 6 – Up = 32   Go into the following I/NET Editor – Edit > Host Computer > Network Configuration. Make sure the “Lanmon 3 TAP” is saved.   A special BIN file must be loaded into the MIP01 board. There are several steps in doing this process. Go to the following location and Rename the existing file from 7810.bin to 7810.org. Then copy the special 7810.bin that is the “LanMon 3” BIN   Go into the following editor and do software restore to the LANMON TAP: Edit > Host Computer > Software Restore   During the software download to the LANMON TAP, an error message will appear at the end of the download that says, "Software not loaded." This is expected. Click "OK" on the message.   The LANMON 3 program may be started now. The file to use is the LanMon 300.exe file. Double click this file and that will start the LANMON program. Please note the comments in the capture below. The chosen Com port will be the port the CBL071 is connected to on the PC. The Output TXT file will be located in the same directory where the LANMON program (LanMon 300.exe) is stored on the hard drive. The Capture code should be set to this format -- B E1 M N O And "Enter stroke" now will start the LANMON program. Please note the TAP LED pattern in the LANMON mode is as follows: Port “A” the Red LED only flashes. Port “B” the Green LED only flashes The modified special 7810.bin (LANMON binary) is intentionally set to not retained in memory through a power cycle. Once the LANMON binary is installed into a MIP, there is no longer any way to communicate with it as a "downloadable device". Power cycling is the only way to bring the MIP back to the boot state. Leave the 'DIP SW' the way the Mip Document states. If the 7810 TAP is powered down to change the 'DIP SW' per the TCON 310-0305, it will lose the program in the TAP.

Issue The IP address can be entered into a UNC-410 using the Admin Tool but after rebooting or power cycling the device, the IP address is reset back to the factory default. Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 UNC-410-2(-N) with serial number greater than 36218 Cause The newer UNC hardware manages stored OS configuration data in a different manner than the older UNC-410 devices.  Because of this change, the factory default operating system has the capability to read, but not permanently change the device IP address. Resolution You must use the Admin Tool Installation Wizard to install the r2.301.527 (or newer) version of the OS and NRE (system software) before you can save any new Ethernet address information to the UNC. Follow the procedure in the UNC-410 installation manual (F-27391) section "Upgrade, License and Configure the Host" to install the OS and NRE system software and to configure the required software modules.  Click here to see the referenced page of the manual.

Issue The controller displays dashes instead of showing the expected temperatures. Environment CSC CSC5252 CSC5352 Temperatures are not displayed. Dashes displayed Cause Controller has the incorrect sensor type selected, or has not correctly cold started. Resolution If none of the sensors display the correct temperature, then reloading the controller defaults, is the way forward. To reload the controller defaults and to re-initialise the controller, carry out the following; Switch off the power to the controller. Press and hold in the controller enter key. Switch on the power to the controller, whilst continuing to hold the enter key in. Release the enter key after 3-4 seconds. The sensor temperatures will now be displayed correctly. To access the controller data sheet, please click HERE.

Issue The V321 globe valve is described as a "Mixing valve", but  a diverting application is required. Environment Valves Actuators Diverting application. V321 VTRE Cause The incorrect positioning of the V321 globe valve in the flow pipe work will lead to water hammer. Water hammer can lead to bad vibration and potential damage to the valve and pipe work. Resolution The V321 is a globe valve, and this style of valve must be fitted so that the water flows proportionally across the valve seats. This is achieved when the valve is fitted into the system return pipe work. In the above drawing, it can be seen that the valve is fitted in the system return with its common port (AB) connected directly to the main system. Port A of the valve is connected to the heat load, and port B of the valve is connected to the bypass connection. This means that water will flow through ports A - AB if the valve is open, of ports B - AB if the valve is closed. I must fit my valve in the system flow, what can I do? If the valve must be located in the system flow, then this valve type is not suitable, and a different valve must be chosen. The most logical choice of valve suitable for location in either the flow or return is the VTRE It must be noted that this valve only has a rating of PN6 as opposed to the V321 which is rated PN16. For the VTRE data sheet please click HERE. Suitable actuators for the VTRE are either the M9B or EM9. For the data sheet for the 24 volt / 230 volt M9B click HERE. For the data sheet for the 0-10v DC EM9 click HERE.

Issue Is there a wiring diagram available for the HOA BACnet Series Digital Output Override Cards for IA BACnet Controllers? Environment IA, MNB-300, MNB-1000, MNB-1000-15, BCS-HOA-3-BACNET, BCS-HOA-4-BACNET Cause Is there a wiring diagram available for the HOA BACnet Series Digital Output Override Cards for IA BACnet Controllers? Resolution A wiring diagram on the HOA card can be viewed in the attached document.

Issue A backup device is required for an IC3-Modbus. Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma IC3-Modbus Cause Is it possible to use two IC3-Modbus controllers to interrogate one Modbus slave device? Resolution This configuration is acceptable where TCP is used, it cannot be used for RS485 RTU communications. Each Modbus device on a TCP network must have a unique ID but everything else (such as register address, type, Gateway IP address) may be identical. In a RS485 RTU modbus environment, there can only be one master device. IC3-Modbus datasheet

Issue Drayton Theta Autotherm Controller requires replacement. Environment Stand alone discreet Drayton Theta Autotherm Controller applications. Cause Obsolescence of Drayton Theta Autotherm Controller. Resolution A.  Controller - Overview The Drayton Theta Autotherm Controller was manufactured primarily for use in domestic heating applications. The Drayton Theta Autotherm Controller combined the following functions in a single stand alone discreet Controller :- Heating System Compensator HWS Programmer.  There is no simple like for like replacement currently available but the two functions may be replicated as shown below. B.  Controller - Replacement 1.  Suggested replacements for Autotherm Heating System Compensator function and associated Sensors :-  Compensator Controller = CSC5252 or CSC5352, details of which may be viewed here. (The CSC5352 may be programmed to provide automatic Night Set Back) Outside Air Temperature Sensor = STO600, details of which may be viewed here. Clamp-On Temperature Sensor = STC600, details of which may be viewed here. (Use of a Clamp-On Temperature Sensor eliminates the need for any pipework modifications) N.B. The existing Drayton Theta Autotherm Heating System Actuator and Valve Body may be retained should these both be in working order. Alternatively, suggested replacements for the Drayton Theta Autotherm Heating System Actuator and Valve Body are :- Actuator = MD10B-24 or MD10B-230, details of which may be viewed here. Linkage Kit = LMD/AR-MB (914-1071-000), details of which may be viewed here. Valve Body = MB (select size from ½” to 2” size), details of which may be viewed here. 2.  Suggested replacement for Drayton Theta Autotherm HWS (Hot Water Service) Programmer function :- We do not offer an independent Programmer but such a product should be available from the Distributor supplying the S-E Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller and associated Temperature Sensors.  N.B. Any existing Relays that are currently installed may also be retained, in order to complete the replication of the Drayton Theta Autotherm control scheme.

Issue To clarify the configuration required, in terms of hardware and software. Environment Sigma RAM Remote Alarm Manager Multi-tone Multitone Pagers Paging ESPA Cause Configuration requirements to use the ESPA output driver. Resolution The Remote Alarm Manager ESPA 4.4.4 output driver allows messages to be passed to the Multi-tone paging system via an RS232 connection to a "Serial Interface" provided by Multi-tone. Configuring the Remote Alarm Manager ESPA 4.4.4 output driver. Please click HERE to upload the configuration document. Wiring details for the Sigma server to Multi-tone Serial Interface. Multi-tone can accept a 3 wire, 5 wire or 7 wire connection, but for ease, a 3 wire connection should be used. The screen shot below shows a 9-pin to 9-pin 3 wire connection.   For general information on the Remote Alarm Manager click HERE.

Issue What transport type should be used when setting up an ACX57xx, CX9702, or bCX9640? (UDP TCP Netcontroller) Environment ACX5720 ACX5740 CX9702 bCX9640 Cause What transport type should be used when setting up an ACX57xx, CX9702, or bCX9640? Resolution The definition on the transport type settings from our Technical Reference Guide states that: UDP - This controller will communicate with other controllers and Workstations primarily using the UDP protocol. TCP - This controller will communicate with other controllers and Workstations primarily using the TCP protocol. TCP/UDP - This controller will communicate with other controllers and Workstations primarily using the TCP protocol, but can also speak to controllers and Workstations that communicate primarily using the UDP protocol.   You can set the controller to use either or both transport types for communication with other devices depending on your specific network requirements. UDP is the preferred option for Continuum devices. See the Andover Continuum Network Ports document for details on what specific ports are required. Three things you need to be aware of with this: Make sure that both the transport setting in the device object and the controllers IE configuration webpage are the same. No matter what transport type you choose make sure that any network firewalls are setup to allow packets through on those ports. View this document for some reasons to use Continuum's reliability layer over UDP rather than TCP.

Issue Attempting to make programming changes to a Niagara R2 UNC-510 station.  After the changes are done, performing a backup fails.  The "save runtime db" does not complete. Environment Niagara R2 UNC-500, UNC-510 Cause The backup process (save runtime db command) requires free memory on the smart media card.  There must be enough free memory to (at least) equal the size of the .sns file. The smart media card (listed as '/sm' on the Summary tab of the Admin Tool) holds the station database (.sns file), graphic images, and other files accessible using the Remote Library. The table below summarizes flash drive volumes and usages by model.  Note that a jace in the table is a UNC. Refer to the Niagara Capacities Engineering Notes for more information. Resolution Access the Remote Library via Workplace Pro and delete unnecessary files.  As files are removed, monitor the Free File Space on the Summary tab in Admin Tool.  When the '/sm' increases a few kilobytes, try performing a 'save runtime db'.  If the command is successful, then the free file space created is adequate.  If it does not, repeat steps 2 and 3 until it is.

Issue IOU Modules power requirement Environment CX9900 CX9940 CX9980 ACC LON IOU Modules Cause Limit on AC power supply capacity. Resolution See "Maximum number of I/O modules' in the I-O System Reference Guide document.

Issue A MicroZone II (MZ2) indicates "cold reset" or "warm reset". What do these error messages mean? Environment MicroZone II (MZ2) controller Cause The error messages are in response to interruptions to the controller's  24 Vac power. Resolution For a detailed explanation of the "cold reset" and "warm reset" messages, see the MicroZone II Programmer's Manual, F-23118, "System Resets". Click here  to see an excerpt from the manual.

Issue What is the maximum MSTP cable length without a repeater? Environment Bacnet BCX B3 MSTP Cause Controller was not responding as online. Resolution Below is a document that explains the Maximum Cable Length for MSTP communications without a repeater. Click HERE for document.

Issue Drayton Theta ll EC Compensator Controller requires replacement. Product Line Field Devices, Satchwell Sigma Environment Stand alone discreet Drayton Compensator Controller :- Theta ll EC Cause Obsolescence of Drayton Theta ll EC Controller. Resolution Replace Drayton Theta ll EC Compensator Controller with Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller. N.B. Two models of the Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller are available. CSC5252 without programmer details of which may be viewed here. CSC5352 including programmer details of which may be viewed here. It should be noted that the Actuator / Valve Body assembly connected to the Drayton Theta ll EC Compensator Controller may be retained for connection to the Satchwell CSC Compensator Controller. It should also be noted however that the associated Drayton Theta ll EC Compensator Controller Sensors are also obsolete. These Sensors are not compatible with the Satchwell CSC range of Compensator Controllers and must also be replaced. Satchwell CSC Compensator Controllers are compatible with the following Sensors :-   STO 600 Outside Air Temperature Sensor, details of which may be viewed here. STR 600 Room Temperature Sensor.(Optional), details of which may be viewed here. STC 600 Surface Mounting Temperature Sensor, details of which may be viewed here. or alternatively :- STP 660 Immersion Temperature Sensor, details of which may be viewed here. plus DWA 0005 Immersion Temperature Sensor Pocket, details of which may be viewed here.

Issue Trend logs that are stored in a Xenta Programmable must be uploaded to the Vista Server at certain intervals/when certain capacities of memory are reached. If there are many Xenta Trends all trying to upload to the server simultaneously, it can bog down the network and cause communication problems. This utility will help diagnose these situations by providing a summary of all trends and flagging any areas of concern. Environment Vista Server Xenta Programmable controllers Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Xenta Trend Logs Cause Setting a Xenta trend to log values too frequently Setting a Xenta trend to upload at too low of a memory capacity Resolution This utility was created by Benjamin Roswall at Schneider Electric Denmark. It is not an official release, nor is it supported by Schneider Electric. While it has been tested and used successfully, it should be used at your own risk. Click here to download the TAC Vista Check Log Utility. Run the .exe file Choose Open File on a .des file (instructions for generating the .des shown below) Choose Check Logs, evaluate any highlighted line items. Create a network description (.des) of Xenta Trends Open the Database Generator In Vista Workstation, click on Tools > TAC Vista Database Generator Or go to Start > All Programs > Schneider Electric > TAC Tools X.X.X > Database Generator Log in to TAC Vista Server   Select Database > Export Data from Database...   Click on Browse in the Object box   Select Device navigation and select the TAC Vista node you want to analyze. Click OK.   Click on Browse in the Object type box. Select "Trend Log - Xenta" in the drop down box. This is VERY important. The check log program will crash if you choose anything else.   Leave the text boxes in the Object data box as they are. This is also important. Click on OK.   Your export should be generated. Click on OK.   Save the .des file with File > Save As... You can now open the TAC Vista Check Log utility to analyze the trend logs.

Issue This utility, TAC Vista Check References, will check references (every binding and every link) on every graphic at once and provide a summary of any empty or invalid database paths. It will also allow you to correct these broken or missing links and bindings. Environment TGML Graphics Vista Workstation Links/Bindings Cause Viewing the bindings or links of a TGML graphic can traditionally only be done on individual graphics one at a time. In addition, to see if a network path is invalid, it must be clicked on and will turn red if there is a problem. Resolution This utility was created by Benjamin Roswall at Schneider Electric Denmark. It is not an official release, nor is it supported by Schneider Electric. While it has been tested and used successfully, it should be used at your own risk. Download the TAC Vista Check References Utility by clicking here. Unzip the file onto the harddrive, view extracted files Double click TAC Vista Check References.exe Make sure Vista Server is running, click Login and log in to the database Choose whether to check for empty paths, and whether to validate .[OBJECT] bindings Click Check A summary of the network can be viewed and saved by switching between tabs.

Issue MD5B, MD10B, MD20B and MD40B Increase / Decrease Actuator is required to be controlled by means of ON/OFF CONTACT ( S.P.S.T.) Control Device instead of CHANGEOVER CONTACT ( S.P.D.T.) Control Device. Environment MD5B Increase / Decrease Actuator installed on a Damper and wired to a ON/OFF CONTACT ( S.P.S.T.) Control Device. MD10B Increase / Decrease Actuator installed on a Damper or Valve Body and wired to a ON/OFF CONTACT ( S.P.S.T.) Control Device. MD20B Increase / Decrease Actuator installed on a Damper or Valve Body and wired to a ON/OFF CONTACT ( S.P.S.T.) Control Device. MD40B Increase / Decrease Actuator in stalled on a Damper and wired to a ON/OFF CONTACT ( S.P.S.T.) Control Device. Cause MD5B, MD10B, MD20B and MD40B Increase / Decrease Actuator is required to be controlled by means of ON/OFF CONTACT ( S.P.S.T.)Control Device instead of CHANGEOVER CONTACT ( S.P.D.T.) Control Device. Resolution Wire MD5B, as indicated in On/Off control wiring diagrams on Data Sheet shown here. Wire MD10B as indicated in On/Off control wiring diagrams on Data Sheet shown here. Wire MD20B as indicated in On/Off control wiring diagrams on Data Sheet shown here. Wire MD40B as indicated in On/Off control wiring diagram on Data Sheet shown here.