Building Automation Knowledge Base

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 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 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.

Issue Is the I/A Series product line compliant with federal regulations on being "American-made"?  Is there documentation to support it?  This must include the MNB and MNL controllers, the Niagara UNC and ENC models, and field devices like valves, actuators, and sensors.  Environment I/A Series Cause Government buildings specification Resolution The "schedule" links below provide a list of all products in the I/A Series line that are American-made.  The third link provides a signed statement of declaration. Schedule A Schedule B Declaration

Issue What are the details in getting MNL and MNB controllers pre-loaded with applications from the factory? Environment MNL controllers MNB controllers Workplace Tech Cause Large order of controllers for a job that will require the same application program in each. Resolution The files available on the links below will provide ordering information including part numbers and process. Announcement with part numbers Ordering details

Issue In an existing Niagara G3 ENC-520, version 3.3.22, a station will not load after a reboot.  Prior to the reboot, it was functional.  The error in the Application Director Output is:   "javax.baja.xml.XException: InValid LonFloat: '2.788969984E9'. The only way to get the station started is to modify it offline and remove the logic for a LON integration to an ONICON flow meter.  Then, the modified station gets installed and, once the station is started, the same logic that was removed is added back. Environment Niagara G3 version 3.3.22.5 Cause A bug in the lonworks.jar file for version 3.3.22.5 Resolution Installed the lonworks.jar file from version 3.3.34 which is available below (password=niagara). lonworks.jar

Issue Is there a way to dynamically adjust the “Earliest Start Time” and "Earliest Stop Time" parameter of the I/A Series G3 Optimized Start Stop object? Environment I/A Series G3 Cause The I/A Series G3 Optimized Start Stop object “Earliest Start Time” and "Earliest Stop Time" parameters are accessible via the property sheet view.  A program object is required to allow dynamic interface by the user. Resolution Download the ProgramChangeTime program object and save to a known location on the computer. Copy the ProgramChangeTime object into the station database. Expose the "Earliest Start Time" and "Earliest Stop Time" by pinning the slots to the Optimum Start Stop object.  Right click on the Optimum Start Stop object and select Pin Slots.   Select "Pin" the Earliest Start Time and Earliest Stop Time and Select OK to expose the slots of the object. Link the time output of the ProgramChangeTime object to the Earliest Start Time or Earliest Stop Time input as required.  The Actions (changeTime) of the ProgramChangeTime object allows the user to present a dialog box to dynamically enter a new time.

Issue How to clear all block programming and set the device EEPROM back to factory-default condition. Environment Network 8000 GCM, LCM, LNC or SIM controller including all 84xxx series, 85xxx series or 86xxx series devices. Cause It is sometimes necessary to manually clear the controller EEPROM. Resolution Clear the controller's EEPROM. This is accomplished by pushing the reset button and the EE CLR button and holding both for at least 20 seconds before releasing. The reset process is complete when the top two red LEDs on the right edge of the controller begin blinking in their normal sequence (second LED blinks twice as fast as top LED). This process will clear the user programmable memory (including all block programming), returning the controller to its original factory condition. The procedure above is excerpted from Technical Bulletin 99-27 , steps 1 and 2.

Issue Unable to key in a 'plus' sign (+) in the SMS recipient's Phone Numbers field Environment I/A Series G3 Cause The SMS recipient's phone numbers is required to be entered in international format. The international phone numbers format for sending an SMS is different for different countries. Example (using United Kingdom country code '44'): 00441403740290 or +441403740290 The following I/A Series G3 versions do not allow the 'plus' sign (+) to be entered in the SMS recipient's Phone Numbers field. I/A Series G3 version 3.4 and below I/A Series G3 3.5 versions lower than 3.5.36 I/A Series G3 3.6 versions lower than 3.6.36 Resolution Starting in build 3.5.36, 3.6.36, and 3.7 or later, a phone number may contain a ‘plus’ sign, for example: +441403740290. If you are running I/A Series G3 version 3.4 or below, you can download the updated SMS module here. If you are running a version of I/A Series G3 version 3.5 that is below version 3.5.36, upgrade to the latest version of 3.5 which is 3.5.39. If you are running a version of I/A Series G3 version 3.6 that is below version 3.6.36, upgrade to the latest version of 3.6 which is 3.6.31. These can be downloaded from https://ecobuilding.schneider-electric.com.

Issue In the LON Flow Balance program the k-factor calculated by the balance process can be displayed at the end of the procedure.  I cannot determine how to read it in the BACnet Flow Balance program.  The value is needed so that the application file can be updated so that if the controller needs to be re-downloaded, it will not need to be balanced again. Environment BACnet  MNB-V1 or MNB-V2 controller WorkPlace Tech Tool software release 5.7.2 or newer  (Optional, for backup) Cause The BACnet Flow Balance process uses a procedure that results in a more accurate flow calibration process. As a result of this process the rate box flow value does not get re-calculated during the balance process. Resolution The BACnet MNB-V1 & MNB-V2 controllers do not rely on a calibration constant (k-factor) stored in the application.  The Flow Balance calibration data is stored separately from the application data so that a revised application file can be downloaded to a controller without losing any of the recorded air balance calibration data.  The Flow Balance data is also saved as part of the file produced by the controller backup function of the Workplace Commissioning Tool.  Refer to the WorkPlace Tech Tool 5.7.2 release notes for more information. The Flow Balance calibration data can be displayed after balancing the BACnet MNB-V1 or MNB-V2 controller by clicking on "Balance Data" in the menu on the left side of the Flow Balance screen.  The Flow Balance Data screen shows the data entered and produced as a result of the flow balance process.  Refer to the figure "Flow Balance Reporting -- Flow Balance Details" in the Air Balancing chapter (Chapter 5) of the "MicroNet BACnet Commissioning Tool / Flow Balance Users Guide", F-27358 for more details.  In addition to being able to manually display the balance data for a single controller, both the BACnet Flow Balance program and the WorkPlace Commissioning tool can generate a flow balance for any or all of the BACnet VAV controllers on the jobsite. Refer to the section "Flow Balance Reporting" in the Air Balancing chapter (Chapter 5) of the "MicroNet BACnet Commissioning Tool / Flow Balance Users Guide", F-27358 for more details.  The resulting report is automatically saved when it is generated and the HTML version can be displayed / printed without the need to reopen it in the BACnet Flow Balance program. In addition to being able to manually re-enter the balance data into a replaced controller, Release 5.7.2 of the WorkPlace Tech Tool software introduced a software function that allows the complete application including COV subscription data and flow balance calibration data to be backed up.  Should it be necessary to replace a controller, the WorkPlace Commissioning Tool can be used to restore the backup into the new controller.  Refer to the "WorkPlace Tech Commissioning Tool Backup and Restore feature" section on page 10 of the release notes (F-27526-3) for more information.  The release notes are available here.

Issue Compatible GSM Modem for use with the I/A Series G3 SMS Driver Environment I/A Series G3 Cause An externally purchased GSM modem is required to be used for sending out alarms in an I/A Series G3 system via the G3 SMS driver. Resolution The SMS driver has been tested with Siemens MC35 GSM modem. Technically the driver should work with any GSM modem providing the GSM standard has been implemented properly by the manufacturer. Product Support have tested the Siemens MC35 equivalent modems from Cinterion with the G3 SMS driver (https://www.gemalto.com/m2m). The Cinterion devices, MC35i and MC55i have been used on several sites with no issues reported.