Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue In some projects, there is demand for consuming application with the existing access control system. I/NET can realize simple consuming function through existing controller and specific card reader for consuming application. In this simple consuming system, one card has only one consuming chance in a specific period of time. For example, this application can be used in the canteen of the plant or company for lunch or supper. Environment Consuming system I/NET Cause In some cases this application is needed. Resolution We can use Anti-passback/Anti-tailgate features of I/NET. The following steps should be followed: Select a separate card reader specific for consuming use. Open the Door parameter in I/NET. Check the Anti-passback and Anti-tailgate options in the Door setting. Set one zone number for the "Entry zone" and "Exit zone". Open the ATS window to set the automatic time schedule. Add an APB Reset time schedule for this door. This step is to set the reset time for the consuming accumulation time period. For example, if just for lunch, one APB reset schedule can be added after the lunch time. And if for additional supper, one more APB reset schedule can be added after supper time. Connect a LED indicator to the DO point of the current door. It is used to indicate that whether this card swiping is valid for the current consuming period. Then the simple consuming application is finished. During each consuming accumulation time period, one card can only have one chance for consuming, which is indicated by the LED. More tries will receive deny information and the LED will not light up.

Issue Are DDC Controllers Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified? Environment Site wanting Green Building Council Certification Cause Are DDC Controllers Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified? Resolution The USGBC does not certify particular devices or controls systems such as I/NET, Continuum, or Xentas. LEED focuses on the design of the building and not on its actual energy consumption, and therefore it has suggested that LEED buildings should be tracked to discover whether the potential energy savings from the design are being used in practice. Five basic categories make up the design points system. Totaled together, these points determine your certification level. The level of certification depends upon the total number of points. As you can see, energy and atmosphere along with indoor environmental quality factors make up half of the available basic points. Five categories for accumulating points 1. Sustainable sites.... 26 Points 2. Water efficiency ....14 Points 3. Energy and atmosphere ....35 Points 4. Materials and resources.... 10 Points 5. Indoor environmental quality.... 15 Points 6. Innovation and Operations.... 6 Points 7. Regional Priority.... 4 Points Subtotal: 100 Points LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance 100 base points; 6 possible Innovation in Operations and 4 Regional Priority points Certified 40–49 points Silver 50–59 points Gold 60–79 points Platinum 80 points and above The U.S. Green Building Council is a national, non-profit organization that works to “promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work” (USGBC Mission Statement). The USGBC created the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design® (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED was fashioned to provide a standard of measurement for defining a “green” building. It takes a whole building approach that encourages and guides a collaborative, integrated design and construction process. The program evaluates and recognizes performance of your buildings in accepted green design categories—Energy & Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality and Sustainable Sites. Buildings are given a certification rating based on the number of points they receive in their evaluation. The four levels of LEED certification include: Certified Level, Silver Level, Gold Level, and Platinum Level. By becoming certified, building owners are given third-party validation of their contribution environment; qualify for various state and local government incentives; contribute to the growing knowledge base; receive a LEED certification plaque and official certificate; and receive marketing exposure through the USGBC website, case studies, and media  

Issue The need to verify the proper wire positions on a Xenta Server device Environment Vista XBuilder Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause Installing a Xenta Server device on a network Resolution Table 2.1: Connections on the Xenta device Position Description 1-2 Power supply. Minimum cross-sectional area 0.75 mm2 (AWG-19). 1 (G) - 24 V AC (or DC+) 2 (G0) - Ground 3-4 LonWorks TP/FT-10 connection 3 (C1) 4 (C2) 5-8 Internal port A RS-485 A connection 5 (RX/TX+) 6 (RX/TX-) 7 (RX+) 8 (RX-) Note that the interface RS-232 A (position 21) and interface RS-485 A (position 5-8) are internally connected to port A on the processor. Only one should be connected. 9 Ground 9 (G0) 10 Fail-safe Note Jumping these pins together while cycling power will flash the device and load the minimum amount of drivers necessary for communication. If an IP address has already been assigned fail-safe will NOT remove it. 11-15 Unused 16-17 Ground 16 (G0) 17 (G0) 18 Unused 19-20 Internal port C RS-485 C (SDLC) connection 19 (RX/TX+) 20 (RX/TX-) 21 Internal port A RS-232 A connection. Note that the interface RS-232 A (position 21) and interface RS-485 A (position 5-8) are internally connected to port A on the processor. Only one should be connected. 22 Internal port B RS-232 B console connection 23 Ethernet 10Base-T connection 24 Service pin Caution G0 equals GROUND. Only G0 may be connected to protective ground.

Issue Microsoft Visual Studio causes Just-In-Time Debugging Environment Windows Operating System Cause Visual Studio is installed on the PC and when attempting to perform a task, an error appears claiming Just-In-Time Debugging.  Resolution To disable Just-In-Time debugging: On the Tools menu, click Options. In the Options dialog box, select the Debugging folder. In the Debugging folder, select the Just-In-Time page. In the Enable Just-In-Time debugging of these types of code box, select or clear the relevant program types: Managed, Native, or Script. To disable Just-In-Time debugging, once it has been enabled, you must be running with Administrator privileges. Enabling Just-In-Time debugging sets a registry key, and Administrator privileges are required to change that key. Click OK.

Issue How to find the MAC address / Physical Address of a computer. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Other, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment All computers Cause The MAC address of a computer may be required when working on licensing issues. MAC stands for Media Access Control and is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. Resolution Go to the Start > Run.   Type "cmd" into the Open field. In the CMD window, type the command "ipconfig /all". Locate the connection that the computer is currently using (For this example it is the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection). You will find the Physical Address (MAC address).

Issue Need to perform autosensing on an ethernet port but do not have a cross over cable. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Ethernet connection to an Automation Server Xenta device ACX BCX Auto-Sensing, Auto Sensing direct connect Auto uplink and trade Universal Cable Recognition Cause Need to direct connect with a straight through or normal patch cable from a computer or laptop to the AS, Xenta, BCX, ACX  Resolution Since 1998, the distinction between uplink and normal ports and manual selector switches on older hubs and switches are obsolete. If one or both of two connected devices has the automatic MDI/MDI-X configuration feature there is no need for crossover cables. Now you can plug your laptop right into the Ethernet port of the device with just a regular patch cable. 

Issue Telnet does not come enabled on Windows 7 PCs Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Other, Pelco, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Windows 7 OS Cause This feature does not come enabled in Windows 7. Resolution Click on the Start Icon and type Programs in the Search Window Click on Programs and Features Click on Turn Windows features on or off When the window becomes populated, check the box for Telnet Client   Click on Ok to apply change, exit Programs and Features window Type Telnet at the prompt and start your session

Issue Can not see or access the I/NET I/O Server (INet7IoSrv) in the system tray (taskbar) How do we access the Archive Configuration Editor when the I/O Server (INet7IoSrv) icon is not visible. Environment I/NET Seven 2.40 and above Windows 7 Cause When you run the I/O Server (INet7IoSrv.exe) application as a service in the Windows 7 operating system the service must be configured correctly so that the icon is displayed in the taskbar.   Resolution As a workaround for the icon not showing, uncheck “Allow service to interact with desktop” on the INet7IoSrv service as shown in the image below: The system tray icon will appear only when I/Net is running.

Issue Need to distinguish between 0-10 V output and 4-20 mA output types Environment 7716 Cause Several options are available for use as the 7716 expansion board. Resolution P8UI4AOC is the 4-20 mA output board and can be identified by the part number listed on the boards label. PN 330400-01A P8UI4AOV is the 0-10 V output board and can be identified by the part number listed on the boards label. PN 330400-03 Here is a list of all 7716 boards and their part numbers Here is a picture of P8UI4AOV  0-10 V output board with the PN 330400-03 shown.

Issue Determine the correct conversion coefficients for a Slide Stat Environment I/NET Software Station Parameters Cause Programming a Slide Stat to read the correct input values. Resolution Go to the Controller > Station Parameters > Conversion Coefficient Option.   Add the M of 1 and a B of 0. Doing this will give the "Count" of the parameter.   Once you determine the counts at both end of the slide position. Then calculate the actual M & B for the side.   Once the "Counts" in Step 2 are determined, place these values in the "Counts Low" and "Counts High" slots. In this example, a 5 degree range from the low slide to the high slide is desired. Use -2.5 for the "Units low" and +2.5 for the "Units high" setting. Then select the OK button to give the actual M&B for the Slide coefficient.  

Issue .DAT files and what their purpose is. Another good practice for the Removal of the "DAT" files is this:  Anytime a Tech goes to a site, it is wise to remove all the "DAT" files Prior to attaching a Laptop to a new site. This way you will not corrupt this site routing tables with bogus IPs and Links.  Environment I/NET site with profiles, DLA or non DLA architecture DAT, .dat, profile,  Cause Profile corruption or Reference host issues can be resolved by renaming and then recreating the .DAT file. Resolution .DAT files contain the routing table that the Netcon gets the data from. Profiles: The I/NET Configuration program allows you to specify and save more than one set of configuration specifications. These specifications are called profiles. The majority of host workstations only require one profile. However, multiple profiles are useful if you work with several different TAC I/NET Seven environments, because you can change system parameters simply by selecting a different profile. Most of the configuration parameters are saved in the system registry and IP routing information specific to each profile is stored in a .DAT file. Note: There may be differences in the routing data for each configuration profile; consequently, you should not change configuration profiles in a stable TAC I/NET Seven network. Reference Hosts A host workstation, NPR, or Xenta 527/527-NPR must have knowledge of the other devices on the network in order to communicate with them. This knowledge is stored in what is commonly called a routing table. A routing table will contain the IP address of the devices known to the host workstation. When the host has data to route to another TAC I/NET Seven device, it uses the addressing information contained in the routing table to determine the destination path. I/O Server stores the routing table in a .DAT file.

Issue File Equalization, what passes between the Filemaster and Equalized Client Environment I/NET with Filemaster and Equalized Client snapshot, equalize, tables Cause What transpires between the Filemaster and Equalized Client Resolution File equalization is essential in TAC I/NET Seven systems where multiple host workstations will be used to manage access control or TAC I/NET Seven’s network configuration. It allows host workstations connected to an Ethernet LAN to share certain database information while still maintaining their own TAC I/NET Seven database. File equalization is a function of the SQL server that is installed on TAC I/NET Seven workstations. The SQL server ensures that each individual workstation has up-to-date copies of equalized information. The equalized information includes: Network configuration (links, sites, stations, etc.) Host passwords Controller passwords Tenant data User-defined tenant field labels Individual records Group door assignments Elevator floor assignments Trend plot data The following tables are equalized: Tenants Individuals IndivCustomData IndivImages IamUser DoorsGroups Groups SecondaryGroups XRefTenantDoor XRefGroupDoor XRefIndivGroupDoor Cards CardTrans Floors FloorPoints Visitors Operators OpWindowPosition XRefOperatorDoor PwdHistory AmtFilters MultiPlot MultiPlotPnt PwDCU DpuRestore DoorScheduleTypes DoorSchedules PerSchedNames PerScheds GlobalOptions DispatchStrings Tools UserButtons NetConLink NetConSite NetConDCU NetConMCU NetConDoor

Issue When I restored this database to the workstation (PC) it took a very long time and the following error came up: An error occurred while creating InetDb: Could not allocate space for object "(SYSTEM table id: -xxxxxxxx)' in database 'InetDb' because the 'PRIMARY' filegroup is full. Continue?  Selecting YES, it appeared to complete correctly Environment I/NET Seven SQL 2000 Desktop Edition (MSDE) Cause Key words in the error message refers to "could not allocate space".  When using MSDE the size limit is 2GB, with very large databases the size is very close to this limit, so usually both backups and restores occur correctly.  The problem arises when you attempt to perform an upgrade, during this upgrade the database may exceed the limit imposed by Microsoft and hence the error may appear. Even though the process has appeared to have completed correctly and selecting "Continue?".  It should NOT be assumed the database has completely been restored. Resolution To successfully use this database you can look at the following solutions: Upgrade the version of SQL to a version of that supports a larger database size.  Note that if you are using File Equalization, the file master must be using either Standard or Enterprise version of SQL Server 2005 / 2008. Restore the database back to the same version of I/NET that it was original installed on and perform an Archive (via Archive Configuration editor) so that the database is reduced in size allowing it to be successfully upgraded.

Issue When swiping card, the access is denied. The message shown in AMT is "Bad Card Read". Environment I/NET Cause There may be two causes for this message: The tenant code isn't correct when using Wiegand 26 format in the door parameter. The digit of card number exceeds the setting in the setting of card reader type. For example, the card format is Wiegand 35, but in the door parameter, the card reader length is set to 36 digits. Resolution For cause 1, enter the correct tenant code in the Tenant Editor. For cause 2, set the correct card reader type and digit.

Issue 7718 and Expansion Modules Environment I/NET Site Cause What Expansion Modules come with the 7718 controller? Can those be bought separately? Can the ribbon cable or stand-offs be purchased separately from the P16UI expansion module also referred to as the P16UISO Resolution P16UISO 16 Point Universal Input Module 7718 PCU module, 8.6” x 3.4” (21.8 cm x 8.6 cm). Standoff mount. The Sixteen Point Universal Input (P16UI) expansion module provides sixteen universal (analog or contact) inputs. The expansion module card is 3.25"L x 8.60" W (8.25 x21.8 cm). It attaches on top of the 7718 with standoffs supplied with the module. Signals are passed from the P16UI through a ribbon cable type connection between the terminals of the two boards. The input points on the Sixteen Point E16UI Expansion Board occupy point addresses 0100 through 0107 and 0200 through 0207. Please find the 7718 Expansion board Input testing procedure below. Also here is the Datasheet Below is the part number from iPortal: This is the Model numbers and brief description:  Expansion Board Testing Procedure: 7718 Expansion board Input testing All 8 AIs (TBX1-1,4,7,10 and TBX2-1,4,7,10) come in thru the same analog multiplexer IC U3. The only components in front of the Mux is a .47uF capacitor on each input and a 100K resistor on each, and then the user plug-in resistors. I assume reference to TBX1 is associated with 1st input channel on pin 1 and 249 ohm is being plugged in to SIP socket RS3 position A1. Assuming no other resistors are plugged in to any of the Bx, Cx or Dx positions, there isn't much left that can be wrong. Get the specifics of what input signal level is causing what count to be seen. Use M & B of 1 & 0 to report straight counts. Make voltage measurements on the TBX1-1 and TBX2-1 terminals with signal being injected, and record the counts seen on the HHC, or PC, for a low medium and high level signal. An external power supply can be used in place of the sensor to easily set a 0V, 2.5V and 4.90V signal input. We want something less than 5V so we don't get the high end max count of 4095 which can mask a high end + error. If they don't have a supply, differing values of resistance can be plugged in to positions A1 (pull down) and B1 (pull up) with J10 set to B-C position so the B positions are pulling up to 5V. 1K in A1 position and B1 open produces 0V input. Measure and confirm volts and counts 1K in both A1 and B1 positions produces mid scale of approx 2.500. Measure and confirm volts and counts 10K in A1 and 1K in B1 positions produces high end of approx 4.545V Measure and confirm volts and counts This can be repeated on TBX2 using resistor positions A5 and B5 The A/D Counts should equal (measured volts / 5 * 4095) 2.500V = 2047 counts 4.545V = 3722 counts See what the above shows as a possible indication of where something is going awry. An A/D count that is correct on one input and wrong on another with only the specified resistances plugged in, or no resistances plugged and an external voltage source being used, would suggest a faulty multiplexer chip (on only specific selected channels) or a faulty capacitor. Return for repair.  

Issue When controlling I/NET DO point in Vista, for example changing the value from "0" to "1", the value of the point won't stay. It changes back to "0". Environment I/NET integrated to Vista (I2V) Cause There are several attributes of an I/NET DO point (shown below in Vista). Usually the "control" attribute is used to manually control the DO point, while "value" is used to monitor the current state of the DO. If the "control" attribute is changed from "0" to "1", the real DO point will be on, but value of this "control" property point will change back to "0". Resolution Use the "control" attribute to manually control the DO point. Use the "value" attribute to monitor the current state of the DO point.

Issue Unable to move graphics to a different drive. Environment I/NET Graphics Editor Cause When using the full path for links between I/NET graphics pages, the exact path must be preserved in order for the link to work.  If the graphics are every moved to a new PC or new location, the exact graphic path, including the drive letter must remain unchanged.  A simple process can prevent this extra work from being required, and allow graphics to be moved freely between machines and hard drives. Resolution Setup - Create a root graphics folder.  Label it "Graphics" or anything you like. Create a single layer of sub-folders to help you organize graphics. (i.e. "Floor Plans" "Building1" "bmp images" etc.) If you are working on an existing system, you obviously cannot move everything to a new location, but at least try to establish a root graphics folder moving forward. Linking Create a new graphics page called Home.gpg in the Graphics folder Edit Home.gpg Create a new link between pages by using the Page Marker tool and clicking Click on the "Select" button next to Destination page to choose the page you wish to link to A default absolute path will show up. For this example I'll link to C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Graphics\floorplan.gpg To use relative linking I have to know that both the graphic I am editing and the one I am liking to are in the same folder C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Graphics.  So in this case, I can change the link from "C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Graphicsfloorplan.gpg" to "floorplan.gpg" If I wanted to link to a page in sub-folder, for example C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Graphics\building1\VAVs.gpg, I would just change the link to "building1\VAVs.gpg" In order to link from VAVs.pgp to Home.pgp, I would have to edit the VAVs.gpg and use link with the text ..\home.gpg.  The ..\ tells the computer to look up one directory. In order to link from C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Graphics\building1\VAVs.gpg to C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Graphics\building2\AHUs.gpg, I would have to use the link "..\building2\AHUs.gpg". This tells the computer to look up one directory, then go into the building2 folder and find the AHUs.gpg Once all graphics are set to use relative linking instead of absolute, only the self contained folder structure within the graphic folder has to stay the same. Everything can be zipped and moved to any other drive.

Issue AMT Event Messages Environment I/NET Seven AMT Cause AMT messages are used to diagnose certain system problems. This table can be used to interpret data when an alarm comes in, or needs to be acknowledged, the user can easily reference what is going on. This table was taken from TCON300.  This TCON is updated regularly, so to view the version which works best with your release of I/NET, select START>All Programs>I/NET>Technical Reference Guide. Look on page 3-26. Resolution Note: Most AMT Message "Event Types" are appended with the I/NET Users initials as defined in the Host Passwords.  It is also possible to see the "root" user name appear here, this is when you are using a Xenta Server that is controlling points in the I/NET system.  For example you may see the term "Control root" under the Event Type column.  This indicates that the associate I/NET point has been control by a Xenta Server.   Use this table to interpret AMT messages  

Issue Datacard ID Works gives an ODBC error. Examples shown below: Microsoft SQL Server Login Connection failed: SQLState: '01000' SQL Server Error: 53 [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]ConnectionOpen (Connect()). Connection failed: SQLState: '08001' SQL Server Error: 17 [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]SQL Server does not exist or access denied. Data Source Error Data source name not found and no default driver specified State:IM002,Native:0,Origin:[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven all versions Datacard ID Works video badging software Cause The "IDWorksView" driver uses a ODBC Connection to allow the ID Works Software to communicate to the I/NET SQL Database. If for some reason this ODBC gets corrupted, you will get an error anytime you try to run the ID Works software. Resolution Go to Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools Select Data Sources (ODBC) Select the System DSN tab Highlight Seven ODBC SQL Server in the list and hit the Configure button Make sure the settings are as follows: Name: Seven ODBC Description: ODBC Connection for I/NET Seven Server: (local) Hit Next Before you actually login to this window, choose the Client Configuration button and make sure these settings are correct. Network libraries: TCP/IP Connection parameters: Dynamically determine port Note that the InetThirdParty password changed in I/NET Seven rev 2.4X to PassInetDb3p_SE. If you try to use this in this process it will fail on you. Instead of using the InetThirdParty and the password here, use the Username and Password that you use for the DbCreateEditor. Then select the Next button. Verify the settings below, then hit Next: Change the default database to: InetDb Verify the settings below, then hit Finish Perform translation for character data

Issue How to use door alarm to trigger buzzer, including "Door Open Too Long" or "Door Forced"? Environment I/NET Cause This is a normal application for access control system, which is needed for some customers. Resolution The following steps need to be followed: Set Event Definition for the strike point. Choose the Event type to "Door Open Too Long" or "Door Forced". If the buzzer needs to be reset automatically after alarm disappears, another sequence should be triggered by “Door Normal” event. Define the Event Sequence to trigger buzzer point. After setting, when there is door alarm, the buzzer will be triggered.