Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Unable to delete some folders within Continuum, could the database be corrupt? Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause This is a Default Class Folder that is being viewed. Resolution The Folder object in the screenshot is a Default Class Folder for the Folders in this tree. It is a system object automatically created by Continuum to help sort objects in folders into each object class. It is not actually duplicating the objects but just filtering them into a single view, you are unable to delete these default class folders but can delete all of the contents within this class folders...which are the original objects. Unless you actually want to delete the original objects then do not do this. If you look at the Root of Continuum, you should see a list of different networks, folders, objects,etc. At the bottom of the tree view you will see a list of the default class folders for each of the classes of objects contained in the Root folder - this is just a filter. All Default Class Folders can be identified by the "infinity" symbol shown on the folder icon. This indicates that these are not actually Folder objects in the database but are filters showing a specific object class.

Issue How can Email notifications be configured so that notifications are delivered only at certain times of the day? Environment Versions 1.5 and older Email Notification Schedule Cause Email notifications are required to go out only during non work hours. Resolution Verisons 1.5 and older SmartStruxure versions up to 1.4 cannot filter Notifications based on Time of Day alone (i.e. time without a date component) because it is built on a platform that does not parse out time of day without date. In short, it evaluates time relative to an epoch or specified point in time.  However scheduled notifications can be done in the following way below.   Create a User named Email Delivery. Create an Automatic Assignment to assign Email Delivery to the alarm. Add a schedule to the Automatic Assignment object that controls when the assignment is made. 5. Set up the Notification Alarm Filter to look for alarms that are assigned to Email Delivery.

Issue Unable to read the Analog Inputs / Universal Inputs values in StruxureWare Building Operation. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Xenta I/O Modules Xenta  421A, 422A, 451A, 452A as standalone LON nodes StruxureWare Building Operation (SmartStruxure) Cause When using the Xenta Input Output modules 421A, 422A, 451A, 452A as stand alone Lonworks node, the UCPTConfiguration must be set to the necessary integer value for the required input, by default the values are set to zero so can not be configured. Resolution Please see the supporting documentation for the TAC Xenta 421A/422A and TAC Xenta 451A/452A that gives each nci value for the needed input type. To configure each input to the correct type please follow these steps: Navigate to the node in your Lonworks network Expand the controller to view all of the inputs, outputs, and configuration properties. Find the Universal Input module for the input you need to configure, and locate the nciInput(x) variable within that module Set the value of Absolute count to one of the following : 1 = 1.8 kohm thermistor 2 = DI with green indication 3 = 0-10 vdc 4 = 0-20 mA 5 = 10 kohm thermistor 6 = DI with red indication 7 = DI with green inverted indication 8 = DI with red inverted indication   Up to SBO Version 1.7.x     SBO Version 1.8.x and on in the "Variable Fields" tab overwrite the string "Min" with for example 6 

Issue I/A Series G3 BACnet Server (Export) Operation Environment I/A Series G3 Cause Integration to I/A Series G3 from a 3rd party BACnet system Resolution If the I/A Series host (ENS or ENC) is licensed as a BACnet server, you can export any number of selected types of objects in the station (regardless of location) to appear as BACnet objects. As such, these objects can service client requests from any networked BACnet devices. Exporting of Niagara schedules and calendars is included. Histories can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects.  The following I/A Series G3 objects can be exported as BACnet objects (extracted from the Niagara Ax BACnet Guide).    You use the Bacnet Export Manager to export Niagara objects for BACnet. To access the Bacnet Export Manager, go to 'BacnetNetwork' > 'Local Device' and double click on the 'Export Table' under the Local Device.  You can find details on using the Bacnet Export Manager on pages 4-57 to 4-71 of the Niagara Ax BACnet Guide. The Niagara Ax BACnet Guide is installed with G3 and can be found in \niagara\niagara-3.x.xx\docs.   can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects. from any networked BACnet devices. Exporting of Niagara schedules and calendars is included. Histories can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects. (regardless of location) to appear as BACnet objects. As such, these objects can service client requests from any networked BACnet devices. Exporting of Niagara schedules and calendars is included. Histories can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects.

Issue Choosing a terminator, found there were several choices (Loytec and TAC). Which one should I choose? What are the differences between them? Environment Vista LON physical network FT-10 Cause There are several types of terminators for different use in the LonWorks network. Resolution TAC terminators One TAC terminator has 4 wires, however, only need to connect two wires (red or green). Red wires are used for bus topology Lon structure. And, green wires are used for free topology Lon structure. TAC terminators can only be used in FT-10 (78kbps) LonWorks network. In addition, one TAC terminator can only connect to ONE end of a channel. Which means, a channel without a repeater, you need TWO TAC terminators, and a channel with a repeater, you need FOUR TAC terminators. Note: To test an end of the line resistor (EOL), take a reading of the capacitance across the leads (either the two green or two red leads). You should read somewhere around 50 uF.  LOYTEC terminators (L-term) For LonWorks networks, Loytec has 3 different types of terminators: LT-03, LT-13, and LT-33. LT-03: One network terminator for TP/FT-10 channel (bus or free topology), similar to TAC terminators.  LT-13: One network terminator for TP/FT-10 channel (bus or free topology), and one network terminator for TP/XF-1250 channel (bus or free topology). Barely used in TAC Vista system. LT-33: Two network terminators for TP/FT-10 channel (bus or free topology).  One connection is on the top, and one is at the bottom.  Since you cannot separate two connections, most likely it is used before and after a repeater.

Issue Setpoint in TAC Xenta OP can't be changed to a value above 100. Workstation does not have this limitation. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation Vista Server Xenta OP Cause The default changing range of an analog value in the TAC Xenta OP is from 0 to 99.9. If the value needs to be changed beyond this range, the default property needs to be modified. Resolution In TAC Menta, click Tools, OP Configuration, to open the OP configuration window. Navigate to the value that needs to be changed, and choose property. Modify the minimum and maximum value of this value. Then this value can be changed in the TAC Xenta OP freely.

Issue When downloading the SmartStruxure evaluation license from the Buildings Business Extranet it saves as an XML file rather than the correct ASR file type. Environment Internet Explorer Buildings Business Extranet Cause When Windows Internet Explorer downloads a file, it goes through several steps to ensure that the type of the file matches the MIME type declared by the HTTP server. This is known as MIME handling. Internet Explorer performs a "MIME sniff," scanning the first 200 bytes of the file to determine if the file structure matches any known MIME types. If the MIME sniff detects a MIME type known to Internet Explorer, and the file has not been loaded by a mimefilter already, Internet Explorer sets that file name extension before placing the file in the local browser cache. Since the content of the SmartStruxure evaluation license is XML a MIME sniff determines the file type as XML despite it's extension being set as .asr For further information on MIME handling in Internet Explorer see this MSDN article Resolution MIME sniffing can be disabled for certain internet zones from Internet Explorer options: 1. In Internet Explorer select Tools> Internet options 2. Select the Security tab and click Custom level   3. Scroll down and locate the "Enable MIME Sniffing" entry and set it to "Disable" 4. Press OK twice to close the dialogue boxes.

Issue Importing an MSTP network. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Importing Import MSTP Network Cause Customer had made some identification mistakes in the BACnet Interface configuration, and decided the export the MSTP network, recreate the BACnet interface, and then import the MSTP network back in again. Resolution If the MSTP network is exported, deleted from the tree, and then imported back again, all controllers will show offline. When an MSTP network (and thus the b3 devices underneath it) is exported, we don't export the device ID, MAC ID, or serial number of the devices (they cannot be copied, therefore are non-exportable). When the object set is imported back in, these values are empty. After importing, go to the properties of the MSTP network and put back the Network ID if found to be blank. The simplest way to regain these values is to drag/drop the physical device from the hardware folder to the logical device under the MSTP network. You may need to run a discovery on the MSTP network first to make sure the hardware folder's view of the world is current. Assuming the association of the physical and logical devices is successful, you should only need to download from the AS to the devices, to make them fully operational.

Issue While upgrading to StruxureWare Building Operation 1.4, the upgrade fails due and the following error occurs. Backup should include historical data! Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Upgrade Backup Historical data 1.4 Cause A Configuration Only backup was done to the AS prior to upgrading the database.  Resolution The upgrade workflow process described at StruxureWare Building Operation Web Help calls for the AS or ES to be backed up at the beginning of the upgrade process.  A note at the end of section 10.2.1 of the release notes for 1.4 state the following: Automation Server will now upgrade in a two stage process where the first step copies the backup file from the Automation Server to the PC running Device Administrator and does all of the necessary activities to upgrade the database. In order for this to be accomplished the backup that is kept in the Automation Server must include historical data. If the backup stored in the Automation Server is Configuration only, the upgrade will fail. The workaround is: Run another backup and include historical data Remove and re-add, from the Device Administrator, the AS with the failed message. Re-run the upgrade.

Issue When a User logs on to Sigma, the text does not align correctly in the start up graphic. Environment Sigma 4.05 SEB Cause When a user logs on and the start up graphic is displayed, the text does not align correctly. When the graphic is clicked on, the text jumps into place. Resolution The issue appears occasionally and only in the start up graphic immediately after logging on and only with Sigma 4.05 SEB build 3.41.18. The easiest way to resolve is to upgrade Sigma to a later version.

Issue Alarm DB View Filter only works for timestamp. Other filter properties do not work. Below is an example of filtering the Source to find any alarms with the '1' in the source name. However, the results still include alarm with source names that do not contain '1'.  Environment I/A Series G3 version 3.5 and 3.6 Cause This is a known issue in the above versions of I/A Series G3. Resolution This issue is fixed in I/A Series G3 version 3.7.10 and above. Schneider Electric has released I/A Series 3.7.46 and 3.7.106 and they are available for download from The Exchange Download Center. It is recommended that you use the latest release version which is 3.7.106 as it includes many fixes for other issues. 

Issue The icon in device administrator used to launch the PuTTY console is no longer on the toolbar. Environment Device Administrator Cause Starting in SmartStruxure version 1.4, the PuTTY console is no longer used to change the IP settings of the automation server. Resolution In order to change the IP settings of an automation server, follow these steps below. Add the automation server into the Device Administrator. Select the controller and go to the View menu > Network settings. You can also right click on the controller and click "Network settings". In the Properties window under the Network tab, all of the IP settings can be entered for the automation server. You can still access the PuTTY console by holding down the shift key and right clicking on the automation server. You will have the option to open 'Console'.

Issue System tree pane not working in webstation Get failed "Unable to locate path /your/path/../ Either the path is invalid or the location is currently offline" Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Webstation Cause If the root path is changed in a workspace then the issue below occurs. Webstation is trying to locate the system pane in the folder indicated in the Root path. Resolution Go to Server > System > Domains > Your domain > Workspaces Click on the workspace that us used Click on the content tab Change the root path back to ~

Issue I/A Series R2 BACnet IP Device addressing Environment I/A Series R2 BACnet integration Cause When you manually add a BACnet IP shadow device object to a station, you will need to enter the BACnet IP addressing information for communications to work.  Resolution Right click on the BACnet IP device and go to its properties. Go to the 'Config' tab and set the following.  - The objectIdentifier > Instance Number. This is the BACnet instance number of the device (1 - 4194302).  - The address > Network Number. This is the BACnet network number of the device (1 - 65534). - The address > MAC Address. This is the IP address and BACnet UDP port of the BACnet IP device in HEX format.  Example: C0:A8:01:23:BA:C0 corresponds to 192.168.1.35:47808. 

Issue Although the current time is correctly displayed in a UNC, the Enterprise Server, and WorkPlace Pro, it is incorrect in the R2 Schedule Editor. The error in time is a multiple of one hour. Environment I/A Series R2 (Niagara), all versions. Cause The correct Time Zone is not synchronized in the Schedule Editor, which defaults to timezone=America/New_York. Resolution 1. Close WPPro 2. in Windows, go to Niagara / build / nre / lib /time.properties, open with a text editor 3. If it reads timezone=America/New_York, change it to timezone= (timezone corresponding to your location. Copy from Niagara / build / nre / lib /timezones.txt) 4. Save the change 5. Start WPPro, check the time in the Schedule Editor, should be correct.  

Issue When changing IP settings, the change needs to be activated, before the RP-C uses the new settings. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Room Controller (RP-C) Cause RP-C configured with static IP goes off-line or has an unexpected IP address after restart. Resolution If the RP-C is hosted as Dynamic but it is required to be provided with a static IP address. RP-C IP settings can be changed to Static and saved. However, this doesn’t save the new settings to the RP-C controller, they are only saved at the automation server level. Therefore, if a power cycle is carried out, the RP-C is still set to Dynamic and gets an IP from the router, although it shows as static in workstation and the Ecommissioning tool. Note: If the router is not setup as a DHCP server, the RP-C may not come back on-line, because the RP-C is looking to be provided with an IP address by the DHCP server.   Any changes to the IP settings of an RP-C made in the workstation, need to also be activated in the RP-C controller. This is done by right mouse clicking on “IP Network Settings” selecting “IP Commands” then “Activate changes” Now when seen in device discovery window the IP address is the static IP address configured and not the one collected from the DHCP server. If changes are made to the IP settings using the Ecommissioning tool, prior to hosting the RP=C, the same applies, activating the changes must be done by selecting “Device restart” and selecting “Activate IP Changes” followed by “restart”.   Additional information is available by logging into the Ecostruxure Building Help page. https://ecostruxure-building-help.se.com/bms/Topics/show.castle?id=12275&locale=en-US&productversion=3.0&a=1

Issue RP-C address dial is difficult to see in poor light Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Room Controller (RP-C) Cause The controller modbus address setting dial is difficult to see in poor light conditions. Resolution By default, the dial is set to address '1' (there is a small arrow on the cross head dial) and the dial is numbered 1....9,0 clockwise.

Issue Clarity is needed around exactly what additional Licensing is needed when using Secondary Download Servers in Security Expert. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Secondary Download Servers Licensing Cause With reference to AN-290 - Setting up a Secondary Security Expert Download Server:   The list of prerequisites includes: "One newly issued Security Expert Software Serial Number (SSN) with licensed items matching the existing installation"   This statement suggests that any additional Download Sever will require a new purchased SX-SRVR License in addition to the one originally bought for the SX Server, and that this new License will need to include ALL of the additional licensed features included in that original (i.e. Door licenses, Cameras, HLIs etc.)? Resolution Additional Download Servers do require the purchase of an additional SX-SRVR License (ONE PER SERVER), but additional Licenses only need to replicate the number of Doors licensed on the original. All the other add-ons such as Lift Integration etc. on the original SX Server License, will NOT be needed on Secondary Servers   It is also worth asking why the site is moving toward Multiple Download Servers at this time. The Latest SX Release (4.3.308.5) now offers the option of a 'Single Record Download Service' specifically designed to speed up new user data entry in the SX system. This should greatly reduce the need for additional Download Servers going forward.

Issue How can objects of a SmartStruxure™ Lite network be made available as BACnet points to third party BACnet building management system (BMS)? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure Lite BACnet Cause The BACnet protocol is always active, as long as the network cable is connected. However, two different BACnet options can be selected: IP or Ethernet. The default option is Ethernet and this will need to be changed if BACnet over IP is required. Resolution The BACnet protocol is always active, as long as the network cable is connected. However, two different BACnet options can be selected: IP or Ethernet. The default option is Ethernet. To verify or to change which BACnet protocol is currently in use, select the SmartStruxure Lite Manager that you want to configure from the left-side Network panel. Then choose the BACnet configuration list item. Define the Network Number (if the protocol selected is BACnet IP). Note: The Network number must be defined only on the monitor Manager. It shall be different then the Parent Network where the monitor is connected. A BACnet Device is uniquely located by a network number and a MAC address. Creating two or more B/IP networks, each with a unique network number, can be useful for limiting the propagation of local broadcast messages and for providing security by confining traffic to a particular geographic or logical area. Select the desired protocol type from the drop-down list between BACnet IP and BACnet Ethernet. Then choose an optional port number (if the protocol selected is BACnet IP). Default is 47808. Select the BACnet Priority of the BACnet write action of the SmartStruxure™ Lite's network monitor. Default is 10. Note: SmartStruxure™ Lite does not support BACnet Write Priority, per se. However, in Firmware version 2.4.x and newer, it is possible to assign the write priority for all SmartStruxure™ Lite BACnet points. Default value is 10, except if you upgrade a Manager using a version 2.3.x or older, BACnet priority will be 8, but can be changed. Click the Save button to apply the configuration changes. Click hit the Save All button to make the modifications permanent and reboot the Manager for the new options to enter into effect. Change the BACnet instance number of the Manager if required. IMPORTANT Each Manager must have a unique BACnet device instance number. A Manager device instance number can be changed by selecting the top-left icon inside the left-side Network panel.

Issue How can an IC-LON be replaced, does it require new bindings to be established in LonMaker for Windows? Environment LonMaker IC-LON IC3-LON Sigma Cause Faulty IC-LON or IC3-LON hardware is being replaced, the new hardware has a different neuron ID than the original. Resolution Lonmaker for Windows (LM4W) has a facility to replace an existing device without affecting existing bindings or requiring additional LNS credits, this procedure will be used to replace the IC-LON. 1. Install the replacement IC3-LON and configure it on the Sigma network using SDCU. 2. The new IC3-LON should coldstart and receive the required files from the Sigma server, if not initiate a coldstart to ensure it has the required files. 3. Connect to the LON and open the LM4W project used to engineer and commission the original IC-LON. 4. Open the LM4W project and select the IC-LON device (Note: select the device not it's function block) in the drawing and choose “Replace…” from the right click menu.     5. The Replace Device wizard will run. 6. Select use existing template. and click Next. 7. The next screen can be left as is, click Next. 8. Specify “Online” as the initial state as appropriate and select “new device values” as the source of Configuration Properties then click Next. 9. Select the desired method of entering the new service pin then click Finish. 10. The Service pin dialog will be displayed 11. Press the service pin on the IC3-LON LonWorks daughter card and the device should be commissioned and all bindings reasserted. 12. After the replace process is completed ensure that the NvConfig.bin file is uploaded to the Sigma Server so that binding information is retained after a coldstart.