Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Object Transfers are not working after upgrading Vista. The devices are online and the values are updated when viewed, but the values aren't transferred via the object transfer objects. Environment Vista 5.1.X that has been upgraded. Cause The vista server is in engineering mode. Resolution Go to the $System object under the TAC Vista root object in workstation and check the  Status-Operating check-box is checked.

Issue How to extract the status of DI 01 from a Viconics thermostat for plotting on a web graphic in Niagara. Environment Niagara R2 Cause Integration requirement Resolution In the Se76PIR shadow object, use nvoSccStatus, bit 18 (see illustration below).   Link to a DynamicDemux object (located in the lonworks jar file, conversion folder) to gain access to bit 18.  Now it can be used in the Niagara station for graphics or logic programming.

Issue It takes a lot of time to test each node in a database to verify that they are all truly online. Environment NL220 Cause Instead of checking each node in NL220 one at a time, a test can be performed that will check all nodes at one time. Resolution Right click on the subsystem in the network tree of NL220 Click on Nodes Make sure that "Recursive commands on subsystem" is checked Click on Network Click Test NL220 will now go through the entire database and perform a test on each node.

Issue tam32 Error: "Max limit if number of in- and outlets is reached, this application cannot be generated." Environment Xenta 7xx Xenta 700 series programmable controller. Cause Too many inputs and/or outputs in a Menta Object will cause generation to fail.  Resolution Reduce the amount of inputs or outputs in the program to < 500 total. This can be accomplished by splitting the faulty program into multiple Menta Objects (programs) in the controller.

Issue Niagara R2 hosts in a Microsoft Windows Server Environment Environment Niagara R2 Cause Replacing a UNC-6x0 with a UNC-520 reduces the feature set available when connected to a Windows network. Resolution Summary table listing the features of Niagara R2 hosts on a Windows network.  A JACE-NP is a UNC-6x0.  A JACE-5 is a UNC-520.  A JACE-4 is a UNC-410.  This table can also be found in the Network Connectivity Guide, Chapter 3, Table 3-1, page 3-5.

Issue Is there a limit to the number of S-Cables which can be used when connecting additional rows of I/O modules? Environment S-Cables I/O modules Rows extending Cause SmartStruxure is being installed into an existing building and the current controllers are split into several rows. Resolution A maximum of 5 cables can be used on an IO back plane. You can serially connect up to 2 S-cables in a row to extend the length. This information was located in StruxureWare Building Operation Help – Installation Instructions - Terminal Base TB-PS-W1

Issue Different Windows Users see the Pinpoint buttons differently. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation Pinpoint Cause Continuum uses the information from the Windows profiles to define the system appearance. Resolution In the Windows Display properties you can select the "Windows and Buttons" style for your profile, this will change the appearance of the standard buttons used within Pinpoint graphics. For example: Selecting Windows XP Style will look like: Selecting Windows Classic Style will look like: Windows 7 also has other styles available.

Issue When browsing to graphics file directory on shared drive the following error is generated. Environment WebClient IIS Cause When specifying the virtual directory physical path in IIS DO NOT use a mapped drive. In the example below 'Y' is a mapped drive to ABEPSSZ4002\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles The 'Test Settings" results in an authentication error Resolution Use remote folder path only specifying the remote computer either by name or IP address follow be the name of the share. If the example below, the Program Files\Continuum|NewGraphicsFiles folder on the remote computer that will host all the graphic files has been shared with the proper permissions using the share name NewGraphicsFiles.  

Issue Sending BACnet alarms to a third party BACnet device (from bCX or b3 controller) Environment Continuum BACnet Cyberstation, B-OWS Cause Clarification required on the best way to send BACnet alarms to a third party BACnet device (from bCX or b3 controller). Resolution There are two main methods that can be used. The Event Notification Delivery tab should be set up using the Continuum discovered BACnet address or the NET:MAC method see below. Both methods generate the same packet and should give the same results. It is normally recommended to use Guarantee Delivery Method 1 Method 2 NOTE BACnet Global Broadcast is not often used

Issue Several Viconics LON thermostats are installed on a job.  Only one won't communicate properly.  What do the different conditions of the Status LED indicate? Environment Viconics all LON thermostats Cause One of many installed is not communicating properly Resolution Different possibilities with the Status LED behavior for the LON thermostat

Issue How to create a push button to launch an external application. Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Not sure how to open an external application from the Continuum Menu pages. Resolution To setup a button to run an external application, you can create a hotspot on a Menu page that when clicked, runs the application. 1. On the menu you want to add the button; right-click and select Edit. 2. Click and draw a rectangle. 3. Right click the rectangle and select Properties. 4. Edit the hotspot by giving a name, selecting Control to be Execute, select the application you want to run using the Open field, then tick "Make hotspot look like a windows button", and type a display label in the Button field. 5. Hit OK, then save and run the page. 6. Test that it works by pressing the button you just created.  

Issue Checking COM port settings in SIGNAL. Environment SIGNAL (all versions) Cause Troubleshooting communications Resolution There are two locations to check COM port settings:  the main SIGNAL desktop and in Project Manager. The setting must be an exact match in both locations.  The example below is for a Direct Connection to a GCM (Network 8000) Main SIGNAL desktop Click on the Utilities pull-down menu and select Configure Communications. Highlight the computer COM port number to be used and then click the Configure button.  The following screen shows the required settings:     Project Manager From the main SIGNAL desktop, click on Project Manager. Double-click the Gateway Record and then the Communication button. Ensure the settings are as illustrated below:  

Issue The "Stop transmission of the Alarm Message" setting in an "Action" can be lost from the "What should be done when an alarm is acknowledged" menu. Environment RAM Remote Alarm Manager 2.0 Settings Actions Cause It is possible to lose the "Stop transmission of the Alarm Message" setting when reviewing, or changing the configuration of an action. Resolution There are two ways that an "Action" can be modified. 1. - Open the required "Action" and starting on the first page, step, using the "Next" button through the pages, to the "Finish" option. If reviewing an action, this method Work through the "Action" pages in sequence, select "Stop transmission of the Alarm Message" and then finish. If the process is then repeated again, the "Stop transmission of the Alarm Message" option is deselected. 2. - Open the required "Action" and using the boxes on the left-hand side of the page, directly select the required page. Note - If you are modifying an "Action" configuration and require the "Stop transmission of the Alarm Message" to be enabled, then be sure to check that it is ticked before selecting finish.

Issue If 3 rd party integration platform wants to use momentary release of door through Modbus, how to realize it? Environment StruxureWare Building Operation I/NET Cause Sometime this kind of application is needed. Resolution Here I/NET and SmartStruxure are used to realize this function. Follow the steps below: Create an I/NET interface in ES, and upload all the I/NET points into ES. Create a Modbus TCP Network, Modbus TCP device for momentary release to connect to 3 rd party integration platform. Create a Modbus point in the Modbus TCP device, named Momentary Release. 3 rd party software can access this point to control the door. Create a Script program, to type the sentence below:   Bind the "ModbusOut" to Value property of the Modbus TCP point, "Out" to the PvControl property of the door point, while bind Value property of the Modbus TCP point to the "Release", shown as the picture below:   Test the effect. When change the value of the Modbus point from "0" to "1", the door will open for five second, and return to lock status. The door lock time can be changed in the script program. Maybe there will be several seconds delay. After the door returns to locked, the Modbus point will return to "0", so there is no need to change the value back to "0" manually.

Issue An AS has failed and there is no backup. Can the SD card from the broken AS be used in a new AS Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server Cause AS has failed without any backup and there is a need to get the information to the new AS Resolution The SD card in each AS is encoded for that specific AS. The information on the SD card can only be read by that AS. AS's are now replaced by the AS-P, however if an AS can be obtained, then a backup can be recovered as follows:   It is possible to put the SD card from the damaged AS into a non damaged AS and do a backup. Then the backup can be restored into a new AS-P. The AS-P does not use a SD card. Important note: The version of the bad AS / SD card needs to match the donor AS used to make the backup. To remove the memory card push the metal retainer in towards the centre of the PCB The metal retainer will disengage its locking catches The metal retainer is hinged and can then be opened The memory card can then be lifted out for replacement Replacement is the reverse of the removal process.

Issue SEZ7000 Commercial zoning systems Environment Need for commercial application with zone controlling Cause What does the SEZ7000 series unit provide? What would be a comparable replacement for an obsolete Trend IQ222 Resolution The SEZ commercial zoning system has been specifically designed to bring a simple scalable solution to mid-market commercial applications without the cost associated with a typical DDC zoning system. Models include roof top and heat pump units controlling analogue heat, CO2 levels, and indoor air quality. Zoning controllers that provide floating and analogue damper control are also available. A single central controller unit can support up to 64 individual zone controllers. All zoning system controllers can be ordered with an on-board passive infrared (PIR) occupancy sensor cover that allows for advanced occupancy strategies, enabling greater energy savings to zones during scheduled events when no occupants are present.

Issue The vertical scale (y-axis) in an R2 chart/log is limited to the range of 0 - 0.2, but the values in the log/ table are of a much wider range; e.g. 0.66 - 87.33. Environment R2 chart/ log data Cause Initial testing shows that the y-axis scaling issue is caused by data value of NA in the log table. Resolution As a work around, backup the station, export the .xml file. Search it for data = NaN.  Edit the line in the file so the data no longer shows NaN.

Issue How can a link be added to a Niagara R2 graphic that will display a pdf file? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Easy access to documentation via the graphic Resolution Here are the steps: Create a new folder within the running station's folder:  \niagara\ \stations\ .  Label it "Documents" (any name is fine). Paste a copy of the desired pdf file to this new "Documents" folder. Open the desired graphic in Workplace Pro, and create a new GxText object. In the Local Library, navigate to the "Documents" folder.  The pdf file should be listed below it. Right-click > Copy, the pdf file. In the Properties > Visual tab of the GxText object, place the flashing cursor in the 'hyperlinkURL" box and press + V.  This will paste the SWID of the pdf file in the box. On this same screen, for the "hyperlinkOnClick" setting, choose URL. Apply all changes. Note:  The pdf file will not actually display if viewing the graphic in Workplace Pro.  It will appear when viewing the graphic in a web browser.  

Issue TC300 Series & accuracy Environment BMS Site Cause TC300 Series & accuracy Resolution The TC300Series-HotelApplication Stand-alone Digital FanCoil Thermostat specifications are as follows: There are two sensors possible for the unit. An embedded sensor is NTC100K, and for the external sensor as (below picture) it is NTC10K (3950). This chart defines the NTC Sensor accuracy (not the Control Accuracy which is in the specifications above):   The RS-03 10k NTC Remote Sensor-3m (Meters). Sites that want to extend further than the 3m, should know that the maximum length is 20m, we don't suggest more, but doesn't mean >20m have issues. The problem depends on the Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Compatibility (EMC) in the field. Every site is different, and it is suggested to try in the field and see if it works fine. (When a remote sensor is connected (terminals S1 & S2) this remote sensor is automatically used. The internal sensor is ignored.) Note: TC300 thermostat supports Modbus RTU only. If you require LON, consider the SE7000 series controller. TC300 series replaces the DEGA 006905432 which is obsolete as of March 2004.  To control multiple fan coils with one ST300, a connection called the ST-2 is required. This expands the control up to 4 fan coils simultaneously but is not recommended since it may lead to uncomfortable temperatures in building area. For more info, visit The Exchange with search keywords TC300. The TC300 is only listed in the EMEA and AsiaPAC market. They are not UL approved.  

Issue When creating a third party device template with a given XIF file, NL220 displays an error LN#12. Environment NL220 Given XIF file Cause Echelon explanation: The file containing the external interface information of the device has been corrupted, or is missing. The device manufacturer should be contacted to provide a valid XIF file, or the file should be re-built using the Neuron C compiler and linker. Alternatively, the device could be installed using an "Ad-Hoc" installation scenario, in which XIF files are not required. This requires the device to be available, online, functioning, and not having the self-documentation features disabled. Resolution Trying to get the XIF file from the device In the device template panel, creating the template From Network.   If step one failed, in the subsystem try Create Node from Network.   NOTE: when trying to upload the XIF file from the device, the device need to be connected and be online. If all steps above failed, please contact product support and provide the XIF file for investigation.