Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Xenta 7xx stuck in continuous reboot loop. If connected to Hyperterminal while booting may see error that says "Wrong number of IO's in <Menta file path>". Environment Xenta 701 Xenta 711 Xenta 721 Xenta 731 Cause Downloading Xenta 7xx with Menta files that contain test probe blocks will cause this error. Test probe blocks are for testing code only and should not be left in Menta programs once an XBuilder project is going to be downloaded. Resolution Locate all test probe blocks and replace with the appropriate programming. Search Menta programs for any test probe blocks (TPAI, TPDI, TPAO, TPDO) and delete all of them before attempting to download the device again.

Issue System does not respond correctly to "Off Duty" and "On Duty" messages. Environment RAM 1.2 Ram 2.0 Duty Roster Cause When a reciprocator’s Mobile sends an “Off duty message” to the RAM interface, a duty exception is created on the RAM console, but when the same reciprocator’s Mobile sends an “On duty message” to the RAM interface the duty exception is not cancelled. Resolution This issue will not be addressed at this time as a "Work Around" is available. To enable users to remotely issue an "On or Off duty" commands, their Local access needs to be set to ‘Privileged User’ or above. This is on the Users ‘Access page’ as shown below.  

Issue If the pull-up resistor is disabled falsely, the sensor value or status that connects with this input may be wrong. For example, sensing temperature value has a great deal of error with the actual temperature value. Environment I2 controllers B3 controllers Cause If the pull-up resistor selection is wrong, the right value can not be gotten. Resolution The following is a schematic representation of the switch and its associated pull-up:   To measure temperature, the pull-up resistor switch associated with this input must be enabled. To measure voltage, the pull-up resistor switch associated with this input is usually disabled (OFF). To sense contact closures (Digital signals), the pull-up resistor switch associated with this input must be enabled. To count Pulsing signals or contact closures, the pull-up resistor switch associated with this input must be enabled.

Issue In Niagara G3, the ProView wizard does not recognize folders that exist in the station under the Lon Network. Environment Niagara G3 Cause The wizard cannot identify 'regular' folders. The wizard also does not identify a folder with a space character in the folder's name. Resolution Use Device folders as created from the Lon Device Manager.   Use an underscore character instead of a space character for the folder name.

Issue A new Niagara R2 UNC is installed with a license. The license installs correctly. After a reboot, the station fails to start. The standard output window displayed a fatal error as illustrated below: Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara R2 Cause Certain foreign characters are not recognized by Tridium's License Generator.  In this case, a French character (with a symbol above the letter) was used in the customerSite name.  When the license was generated, the French character converted to a question mark (?): customerSite=Rotondle des S?urs The ? symbol is not recognized by Niagara.  So, when an UNC is rebooted, it will read the license file and stop when it comes to the customerSite name. Resolution Contact the factory to have the license modified. After correction by the factory, the customerSite line in the license example above reads: customerSite=Rotondle des Seurs

Issue Just installed  WorkPlace Tech (WPT) 5.8.2 on a Windows 7, 32-bit laptop,  but cannot start it. Received an error,  "The program cannot start because WPTUtility.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem."   Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool, Revision 5.8.2 Cause The software installer was not able to install the  WPTUtility.dll. Resolution 1. Uninstall WPT 5.8.2 2. Make sure user is logged in as administrator 3. Turn off UAC (User Account Control)  until WPT is installed, then turn it back on when finished.       a. Go to the Windows Control Panel and select User Accounts       b. Select Change User Account Control Settings                c. Slide the selector to "Never Notify".  You may want to change this back to your original setting after installing WPT. 4. Install WPT 5.82 as admin, there's a r-click option for it   5. If  steps 1-4 don't work, you might need to disable anti-virus on the laptop, then repeat  steps 1-4.  

Issue What is NIC709-IP's IP address How to use a NIC709-IP in TAC Vista Classic network Environment Tested with Windows XP SP3, Windows 7 computers. LConfig version is 4.2 Cause NIC709-IP looks similar to L-IP, however its configuration is totally different. The NIC709-IP's configuration is similar to NIC709-USB which requires the LConfig software. Resolution Scenario 1 If NIC709-IP address is know. Can change its IP address on its Webpage. Open the NIC709-IP webpage. Select the Config tab in the left menu bar. Select Port Config tab under the Config tab. In the main panel, choose the admin account, and type the password: loytec4u. Then click Login. Select the Ethernet tab on the top. Will need to enter the password again. In the IP Address field, type the desired the IP address. In this example, type 169.254.8.100. Then, click Save Settings.   Scenario 2 For brand new NIC709-IP, its IP address is 0.0.0.0. Please follow the steps below to set the IP address: Change the computer IP address to 169.254.8.X. X is any number between 1-255. In this case, the computer IP address to 169.254.8.1, and the subnet mask is 255.255.0.0.   Go to Start->All Programs->LOYTEC Network Interface->Lconfig.  Then Select NIC-IP/RNI tab. If the software is not listed, please go to LOYTEC website and download the most recent release version of Network Interface.     Check the Enable Device checkbox. Click on the Assignment & Config button. Device should be automatically found. If not click on the Restart Search button.   Select the device, then  click the Assign/Add button. Make the change to the IP address under IP/NAT  Address or DNS Name field if necessary. Then click on Assign Button.   Click OK button. Note, the IP address should be changed from 0.0.0.0 to the address just assigned. In this case, the IP address has been changed to 169.254.8.100.   Click the Test Device/Serial Number button to the connection. The pop-up window as shown below should be displayed.   The NIC709-IP device should be configured at this point. For testing, can type the NIC709-IP address in the browser. 

Issue After upgrading Remote Alarm Manager 1.2 to 2.0 none of the settings site specific configuration is carried over and Remote Alarm Manager can't detect the license. Environment Sigma 4 Remote Alarm Manager 2.0 Cause The site has upgraded Remote Alarm Manager through several iterations over time, versions of Remote Alarm Manager prior to version 1.001 stored site configuration data with the source system data. For example in the C:\Sigma\Data\Remote Alarm Manager\ folder, current versions typically store the data by default in:- For Windows XP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Schneider Electric\Remote Alarm Manager. For later operating systems - C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric\Remote Alarm Manager. Resolution There are two possible ways to resolve the issue:- After installation of the software run the Computer Configuration utility (this runs by default) and deselect (uncheck) the Windows Common Application Data checkbox on the "Data Location" tab and enter the path to the current Remote Alarm Manager data location. After Installing the software and running the Computer Configuration utility copy the setup.mdb and log.mdb files from the current location to the default location used by the software:- For Windows XP - C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Schneider Electric\Remote Alarm Manager. For later operating systems - C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric\Remote Alarm Manager.

Issue How to reconfigure the IP address of a L-IP if not knowing its IP address? Environment LNS Turbo Lonmaker turbo Lonworks Network Interfaces Loytec L-IP Cause In order to use a L-IP, its IP address need to be known for configuration, otherwise this L-IP cannot functioning at all. Resolution Please follow the steps below to retrieve a L-IP’s IP address. 1. At first prepare a RS232 serial cable of which two sides are 9-pin female connector, or one side is 9-pin female connector and another side is 9-pin male connector. Then one side of the RS232 cable connects to the L-IP’s Serial port (See the red ring of the Figure 1) and another side connects to the PC Serial port (if PC is no Serial Port, the MOXA RS232 USB-to-Serial Adaptor can also be used).                                                         Figure 1：L-IP and PC Connection   2. Use a PC Hyperterminal with the communication settings set to 38,400 bps / 8 data bits / no parity / 1 stop bit / no handshake. On the L-IP use a serial cable (1:1 male-female or female-female cable) to connect COM port (like comm1) on the PC to the Console on the L-IP. Power up the L-IP or press Return if the L-IP is already running. The following menu (See the Figure 2) should appear on the HyperTerminal:                                                                                                                                    Figure 2:Main L-IP menu 3. Select 5 and press Enter, then the following menu (See the Figure 3) would appear on the HyperTerminal. The current IP Address, IP Netmask and IP Gateway of L-IP would be displayed in this menu.   Figure 3: IP Configuration Menu 4. If modifying the IP address, select 2 and press Enter, type in the new IP address behind Enter new IP address and press Enter button (See the Figure 4). Figure 4: Enter new IP address 5. If modifying the IP Netmask, select 3 and press Enter, then type in the new IP Netmask. 6. If modifying the IP Gateway, select 4 and press Enter, then type in the new IP Gateway. 7. After finishing all modifications, select X and press Enter, then save your modifications and return to the main L-IP menu. Please refer to the L-IP user manual for more detailed information.

Issue Using the SQL database upgrade program for Vista is it possible to connect to a "real" SQL server without a instance name which is installed on the same computer ? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7 and later. TAC Vista SQL Database upgrade. Cause When specifying the server name the default is .\TACVISTA, the . is the PC name and the TACVISTA is the instance name. Resolution So if the SQL server is installed on the same computer and have no instance name just type .\ on the Server path.  

Issue How to connect and configure current inputs to a UI module? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation I/O Module 16 Ch UI (UI-16) Building Operation I/O Module 8 Ch UI/4 Ch DO (Form C) (UI8-DO-FC-4) Building Operation I/O Module 8 Ch UI/4 Ch AO (UI8-AO-4, UI-8/AO-V-4) Building Operation MP-C, MP-V, RP-C, IP-IO Cause How are Current inputs connected and configured? Resolution To connect and configure a current input to a SmartX device no additional external resistors are required, the internal resistor in the SmartX device is automatically put into the circuit by selecting "Current Input" when creating the input object, there are no DIP switches to change as in some other products. An external Power supply will be required to provide the current in the circuit through the sensor and into the UI input. 24V DC supplies are usually used to power the sensor & provide the current drive. Further information regarding the SmartX device's internal resistor can be found in the Hardware Reference Guide. Example Circuit: The input point configuration allows you to define the top and bottom or the current scale (usually 4-20mA or 0-20mA) and the engineering units this corresponds to i.e. 0-100% or 0 - 400 DegC. The following screen shot example shows the configuration for a 4-20mA input signal represented as 0-100%

Issue In a G3 station, BACnet Device Manager, not able to Discover any MSTP devices. Environment ENC with a BACnet MS\TP trunk under it, all revisions Cause There are multiple settings that must be made before BACnet communications will be enabled on the MS/TP trunk. Resolution 1. The Object Id of the BACnet Local device must be set to a value other than -1. 2. The BACnet Network must have the Enable flag set = true 3. The MSTP port itself must be enabled. Right-click on the MstpPort in the tree, select Actions / Enable. 4. Verify that the MSTP port Enabled flag is "true", and the port is enabled. 5. Verify that the Port Name (COM3 in this example) is an active RS-485 port on the ENC. 6. Verify that the Baud Rate (19,200 in this example) matches the baud rate of the MSTP controllers. In the case of MNB- series controllers, the network baud rate is established by the WorkPlace Tech Commissioning Tool. 7. Remember that the MSTP Network number must be unique on the BACnet internetwork.  In this case, the MSTP network number  = 7966, which is not a likely default value, so minimizes the possibility of being duplicated by another vendor.

Issue On a Niagara R2 UNC, a DNS server will be used. What is the 'node' name or 'computer' name for the UNC on the Microsoft network? Environment Niagara R2 Cause End customer requirements Resolution The Computer Name on the Network Settings tab in Admin Tool will appear as the node name on the Microsoft Network.  See image below. The Computer Name is modifiable.

Issue A specification for a power meter states that it provides KYZ pulse outputs. What is a KYZ pulse output? Product Line All Product Lines Environment Utility Meter with KYZ pulse outputs Cause Some meter specification sheets may state that the device outputs KYZ pulses. Resolution KYZ is a designation given to a relay used to create pulses for electrical metering applications. It is commonly a Form C relay (SPDT). The term KYZ refers to the contact designations: K for common, Y for Normally Open, and Z for Normally Closed.

Issue StruxureWare Building Operation WorkStation crashes randomly while working in it. The following error message is displayed. Environment Building Operation WorkStation Cause The "Value cannot be null. Parameter name: d" crash is caused by a Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) application defect. Resolution To resolve the issue: Go to the following link http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2461678. This link will provide additional information on the defect and how to fix the problem.   Apply the hotfix that is provided underneath the section titled "Resolution".

Issue Sometimes the report templates in Seven Reports are not enough to meet the requirement of the customer. Specific filtering is required to make the report more efficient for specific information that the customer needs Environment I/NET Seven Reports Cause This kind of application is required for some projects. Resolution Open the report template that needs to be filtered. Click the "Design" button to enter the design mode of the report. Right click on the database item that needs to be filtered. For example, only a specific door needs to be reported, and then right click on the [DeviceName] item. Choose "Select Expert", and "is equals to" in the dropdown list. Entering the name of the door in the column besides, and click OK. If more complex filtering is needed, click on the “Show Formula” to realize using different formulas. Click "Preview" to check whether the filtering is working.

Issue A Niagara G3 Microsmart driver is being used to integrate an existing system of Microsmart controllers. Mode control points are used to command heating stages at different setpoint values.  How can the stage setpoints be modified (identified as the PVALU element) from the Niagara G3 station?  They are learned into the Niagara G3 station as Numeric Points and do not have the option to be writable. Environment Niagara G3 Microsmart driver Microsmart controllers Cause Modification of stage setpoints to be provided to the customer on the system graphic. Resolution 1.  Add the PVALU element for the specific Mode Control point to the database:     2. Add text to the Command String and modify the Index value to match the specific PVALU element to be changed (ie: Index = 6 maps to PVALU,6 in the Mode Control point):   Now, a right-click on the numeric point provides an action item and the ability to change the PVALU element for the Mode Control point down in the Microsmart Driver.

Issue During initial setup, the incorrect ethernet IP address or subnet mask was entered. Now when rebooting the ENC/JACE, I cannot reconnect to it using the I/A Series G3 Workbench. How can the incorrect information be corrected? Environment ENC-520-x, ENC-410-x, JACE-600, JACE-600E, JACE-7 Cause Network connectivity cannot be established if the IP address or subnet mask was entered incorrectly. Likewise, if an invalid subnet mask is entered, the ENC/JACE may not boot completely (or at all). Resolution The following information is provided in more detail in the section "About JACE serial shell mode" subsection of the "JACE Niagara AX Install and Startup Guide", provided with the G3 software. This document is provided with and installed with the I/A Series (Niagara) G3 software. This document can be displayed by selecting "Doc - JACE Startup" from the documentation index. Required hardware: Serial Cable Terminal Emulator software on computer (such as "Hyperterminal" or "Putty") Procedure: Configure the Terminal Emulator.  ENC-410 and ENC-520 at 57600 baud, 8 bits, one stop bit, no parity, hardware flow control.  JACE-6xx and JACE-7xx at 115200 baud, 8 bits, one stop bit, no parity, no flow control.  Jumper the upper two pins of the Console "MODE" connector,  located in the upper right corner of the ENC410 and 520 circuit board (See photo at right).  JACE-6xx and JACE-7xx remove cover and configure serial mode select jumper as labeled. For ENC-410 and ENC-520, connect the terminal emulator via a UNCC-405 serial cable to port COM1 on the ENC and power-cycle the ENC.  For JACE-6xx and JACE-7xx, connect the terminal emulator via a standard DB-9 null modem cable to port COM1 on the JACE and power-cycle the JACE. Wait for the ENC/JACE to complete its bootup process (do not break out of the boot process). At the login prompt, enter the platform user name and at the password prompt, enter the platform password.  The JACE System Shell menu will then be displayed. Select option 2 to display and, if needed, update the ENC/JACE's network settings. The network parameters will be displayed, one at a time.  To change a value type in the corrected value and press the key.  To keep an existing value, just press the key. When all parameters have been displayed, a confirmation screen will be displayed.  Press to save the changes.  When the information has been saved to the ENC/JACE a prompt will be displayed. press the key to continue. Press 7 to reboot the ENC then press to confirm the reboot request.. Disconnect the serial cable and remove the jumper installed in step 2.

Issue Is it possible to recover the block programming database from a failed GCM-84000 series controller? Environment Network 8000 GCM-84000 series controller (1) failed CPU board, GCMA-112 (1) replacement CPU board, GCMA-112 Cause A GCM-84000 series CPU board has failed, and a backup of the GCM block database cannot be found to install in a replacement controller. Resolution It MIGHT be possible to extract the block database from a failed GCM-84000 series controller, as long as the PROM chips on the CPU board (GCMA-112) were not damaged by the "event" that damaged the rest of the CPU board. Assuming the PROM chips are not damaged, the procedure is as follows: Note: When changing the PROM chips, be sure to wear a well-grounded ground strap to help prevent static electricity from damaging the sensitive chips. 1. Remove the chips labeled PROM-22-300 and PROM-22-400 from the "old" CPU board.     2. Install them on the spare CPU board. Do not interchange the PROM chips, and maintain their original orientation. 3. Replace  the CPU card into a working GCM. If the original PROM chips were undamaged, the GCM will reboot successfully, and the block database from the original GCM will now be transferred to the replacement GCM.  4. Backup the GCM database immediately.

Issue Metric vs. Imperial Units as displayed Using Webstation Regional Settings Any device, will by default, show configured units. Regional settings must be applied to normalize all devices. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Webstation TGML Graphics SNVT values Cause Incorrect Units will appear in webstation if webstation regional settings are not configured correctly. Resolution Log into Webstation Select Settings > Change Regional Settings   Select the desired Language Select the desired Measurement system Click Ok NOTE: Settings are preserved via a cookie stored on the local PC. Any time cookies are deleted this will return to its default setting.