Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Identifying the non-MicroSmart controllers in a DMS system. Environment DMS Cause Old installation of DMS with controllers not identified in any Niagara DMS/MicroSmart integration literature Resolution Controllers that were manufactured prior to revision 9.X do not have MicroSmart capability. These controllers are accessed through DMS programming only. It should be noted that it is not possible to add MicroSmart capability to these controllers. The controller model numbers are: Slave CO/CI Module N604-002, N604-012 Slave AI Module N604-003 Slave Pneumatic Motherboard N604-004 Slave AO Module N604-016, N604-017 General Purpose Slave Module N604-021, N604-025 The controllers listed above can reside on the same trunk with MicroSmart controllers that are revision 9.2, 10.X or 11.X. The only requirements are that the Slave controllers must have revision 9.0 firmware installed and the trunk must be a 2 wire design (not 4 wire). For more information about non-Microsmart controllers, review Tech Tip #350-95-03

Issue On December 13, 2012, the certificate verifying the authenticity of the Schneider Electric I/A Series G3 Workbench Applet (wbapplet) expired. Users will see the following error in their browser when accessing a station that is using a version of the wbapplet.jar with an expired code signing certificate: Environment Niagara G3 Cause When accessing an I/A Series G3 station through a web browser using a WbWebProfile, the web browser runs Workbench within a Java applet. To enhance security, this applet is 'signed' using a code signing certificate. This ensures that the applet has come from a reliable source and can be trusted to run with the proper permissions. Certificates used to sign applets are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA). Each code signing certificate issued by a CA has an established expiration date, with the maximum expiration being two years. Once this expiration date has passed, continuing to use a Java applet with an invalid certificate will result in warning messages within the browser. The applet will only be allowed to run after the user has acknowledged the warning and granted approval. Resolution An updated certificate is available in the new wbapplet.jar, available from The Exchange Download Center. This file will need to be added to the Enterprise Network Server, as well as on any ENCs that will be accessed from a browser. This file is for all released versions of TAC I/A Series G3 and is valid until March 30, 2015. Download wbapplet_March_2015.zip. Extract the wbapplet jar file  Click and Download The WbApplet Installation Guide. Note: Updated WbApplet files are available as part of upcoming Niagara 3.5 and 3.6 maintenance builds, as well as being from the Source website. In 3.7, wbapplet.jar is integral to the web.jar and contains an up to date certificate.;

Issue What is the pinout diagram for the interface cable connecting a computer to a Network 8000 LCM? Environment Network 8000 Cause cable not available for purchase Resolution Diagram available here.

Issue Unable to link an I/A Series R2 UNC to a McQuay Microtech III DAC or SCC to clear alarms via nviClearAlarms. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series R2 UNC-410 UNC-520 Cause The nviClearAlarms is used to clear faults, problems, warnings, etc. from a McQuay Microtech III controller.  The variable used by McQuay is a UNVT (user network variable type) and requires a combination of objects to connect and control. Resolution This article specifically details the interface to the newest Microtech III shadow objects as shown below.  The same general solution can be applied to other McQuay devices as needed. McQuay Microtech III Applied Air Unit Controller DAC - MtIIIAhuDac01B (80:00:25:56:0A:03:04:B2) McQuay Microtech III Applied Air Unit Controller SCC - MtIIIAhuScc01B (80:00:25:55:00:03:04:B2) Note: Update the lonMicrotechIII jar file to version 535b or higher.  An issue with UNVT definitions prevented the DynamicMux object from properly interfacing to the nviClearAlarms on the MtIIIAhuScc01B shadow object.  The lonMicrotechIII-2.302.535b.zip file can be downloaded from The Exchange Download Center Add a DynamicMux object from the tridiumx lonworks jar (conversion folder) to the workspace.  Connect the DynamicMux object to the nviClearAlarms input. Add a Program object to the workspace.  Edit the Program object and add the program text from the appropriate text file.  Compile the Program object and link to the DynamicMux. Download text file ... MtTIIIAhuDac01B_Alarm Download text file ... MtTIIIAhuScc01B_Alarm Add a Multistate Output object and configure the Visual stateText to the desired values shown below.  Link the Multistate Output object to the Program object. 0 = None 1 = ClearAllFaults 2 = ClearAllProblems 3 = ClearAllWarnings 4 = ClearAllAlarms default = Error

Issue How to configure an analog input on a DMS MicroSmart controller as a voltage input. Environment MSC-MPC (revision 10) and MSC-MPC-001 (revision 11) MicroSmart controllers Cause Adding new voltage sensors Resolution Click here for an explanation on how to configure an analog input as a voltage input

Issue Loading or upgrading new firmware into a 102-AX VAV controller that resides under a Jace controller Environment Jace Vista Xenta 102-AX Firmware Cause Updating firmware in a 102-AX VAV controller that has previously been commissioned into an existing network Resolution Please click here to see a step by step procedure document on the recommended procedure for this task.

Issue High and Low Setpoint Limits on MN-HPFC Controller do not appear to be operating properly.  The local high setpoint limit appears to limit only the high heating setpoint and the local low setpoint limit appears to limit only the low cooling setpoint.  What do I have configured wrong? Environment MN-HPFC with local setpoint control Cause As designed. Resolution As noted in the MicroNet Heat Pump / Fan Coil Controller reference manual, F-26174. the "Local Hi Lmt Spt" defines the Maximum value for the local heating setpoint and the "Local Lo Lmt Spt" defines the Minimum value for the local cooling setpoint for use when the heating/cooling setpoint is set through the MN-SDK deluxe sensor.  This operation is also documented in Technical Bulletin 01-01.

Issue What's a functional equivalent to the SHM-001 or SHM-002 Short Haul Modems used primarily with DMS control systems? Environment DMS Cause Failure of the SHM-001/002 short haul modems Resolution Use the Model 1000SM from Patton Electronics:  http://www.patton.com/products/product_detail.asp?id=98 Original data sheet for the SHM-001 and SHM-002

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 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 Installation instructions for the Echelon communication adapter for UltiVist (F-25845).  Part number UVIS-ECH-ISA. Environment UltiVist Cause Documentation no longer in circulation Resolution Click here for installation instructions.

Issue Is there an I/A Series G3 Modbus object that converts a PM820 three register date and time format value? Environment I/A Series G3 - all versions Cause The Schneider Electric (Square D) PM820 Power Meter provides date and time in a 3 register (6 byte) compressed format. The three registers provide a single timestamp consisting of month, day, year, hour, minute, second.  For example, if the date was 01/25/00 at 11:06:59, the Hex values would be 0119, 640B, 063B. Hexadecimal High Byte  Low Byte 0119 01 = month 19 = day 640B 64 = year  0B = hour 063B 06 = minute 3B = seconds Note: Date format is a 3 register (6 byte) compressed format.  Year 2001 is represented as 101 for the year value. Resolution Program object PM_ConvertDateTime.bog decodes and converts the register values to date and time.  The object will split the bytes and decode to individual outputs as well as provide a dateTime output.  Connect the three sequential registers to in, in1, and in2. Download object: PM_ConvertDateTime.bog  

Issue Can the I/A Series G3 kitControl Average object be configured to not output an NaN whenever any one of the inputs is NaN? Environment I/A Series G3 (all versions) Cause The Average object in kitControl checks the input to see if the input is valid (Returns true if the associated value is not disabled, fault, down, stale or null.).  However, the NaN value has no affect the status of the control point.  The point status remains 'ok' causing the Average object to process the input NaN value which in turn causes the output to indicate NaN. Resolution The object performing the average will "drop out" the value from the calculation if the input is null versus NaN.  One workaround is to create a program object with a matching input and output of BStatusNumeric type, intercept the NaN, and replace with a null whenever the input NaN condition occurs.  The following program object contains four inputs that can be linked between the active input signals and the inputs of the Average object. Download the nan2null (nan2Null.bog) program object and save to a known location on the computer. Copy the nan2null program object into the station database and link as required.

Issue Micronet LON (MNL) controller digital output turns off when the LON communications to the UNC / ENC fails. Programming a MNL controller so that the digital output will not turn off when the LON communications fail. Environment I/A Series R2 / G3 LonWorks integration I/A Series Micronet LON (MNL) controllers Cause LON input SNVT is used in the MNL controllers to bind to a command in an UNC / ENC. When the LON communications between the UNC / ENC and MNL fails, the SNVT in the MNL controller will default to the value 'NA'. The digital output (Binary Output object in WorkPlace Tech) turns off because it has received a 'NA' value. Resolution The programming logic in WorkPlace Tech for the MNL controller needs to have this factored in so that the digital output will not turn off when the LON communications fail. You can view an example of one such logic here. This has been created for an UNC LON integration to a MNL-800. The last command from the UNC will hold until the LON communications recover.

Issue What are the pulse input ratings for a Niagara G3 Jace-6? Environment Niagara G3 Cause Job site has pulse meters which require termination to the Jace-6. Resolution The universal inputs support both pulse contacts and normal dry (equipment status) contacts. Pulse contacts may have a change-of-state (COS) frequency of up to 20 Hz with a 50% duty cycle.  Note: Minimum dwell time must be > 25ms. (Contacts must remain open at least 25ms and be closed at least 25ms.) Standard dry contacts must have a 1 Hz. (or less) COS frequency, with minimum dwell time > 500ms. (Contacts must remain open at least 500ms and be closed at least 500ms.) Both types of dry contacts support 3.3 Vdc open circuits or 330 μA short-circuit current. Click here for more information.

Issue In Niagara G3, the SNMP driver reference manual refers to three MIB files required so that the SNMP Point Manager can "discover" and "add" SNMP points as needed.  The filenames are: TridiumR3-MIB.my RFC1155-SMI.mib RFC1213-MIB.mib Where can they be found? Environment Niagara G3 Cause The three files are not easily located. Resolution The TridiumR3-MIB.my file is installed with the version of Niagara G3 installed on the host computer. The other two files (RFC1155-SMI.mib & RFC1213-MIB.mib) can be found on the World Wide Web by searching using their specific filenames. All three files are available here:  SNMP_Files_for_G3

Issue What are the jumpers labeled TERM3 through TERM6 used for on the I/A Series R2 UNC-520 and G3 ENC-520? Environment I/A Series R2 UNC-520 I/A Series G3 ENC-520 Cause Hardware communications bus bias resistor pairs. Resolution The UNC-520-2 and ENC-520-2 hardware circuitry includes a set of bias resistors that can be individually enabled as pairs, one set for each of the four RS-485 ports. These jumpers change the default bias resistor set for each RS-485 COM port from a device level bias to a “pull-apart” level bias. These are NOT end-of-line terminators. In most cases, the bias resistors should remain enabled. Reference technical bulletin (TB06-09) for more details.