Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Changing a value from a WebStation. Environment Web Changing a value Changed value returns to its original value Cause The value appears to have been changed correctly, but when the page is refreshed, or changed and returned to, the original value is shown. Resolution There are two ways to change a value as shown below; 1 - Using the edit option. -  Select "Edit" which is located on the right-hand side of the current value.   The "Edit" box is displayed.     Enter the required value and select "OK". Now go to the lower right-hand side of the window and select "Apply".   2 - Typing over the current value -  Wipe over the current value to highlight it, and enter required value. Now go to the lower right-hand side of the window and select "Apply".  

Issue Licencing error in RAM log Environment Sigma RAM Micronet Vista Cause The following error is seen in the RAM log when Sigma is installed. Resolution In Sigma, RAM licensing is done using the Sigma dongle. In the "Remote Alarm Manager Computer Configuration Wizard" Select: Start > Licence Scheme and ensure that the "Legacy Licence Schemes" is checked.

Issue What is the Continuum 1.94 feature 'Editable SQL Admin Credential' as stated in the release notes? Environment Continuum Cyberstation v1.94 Cause No explanation in the Release Notes or Product Announcement to explain what this new feature actually does. Resolution This new feature, is a change that allows a system to use an SQL admin account other than the SA account (built-in SQL system administrator account) to create a Continuum Database. In older version of Continuum this could only be accomplished with the SA account. Now in Database Initialization, you have the option to select the SQL Admin user that you wish to use with the added Admin Username field. As per the image below.  

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 How do you access BACnet MS/TP devices under an ENC without making a direct connection to the MS/TP bus?  Tunneling is supported with LON and ASD devices but there is no tunnel client for BACnet. Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool release 5.7.x or 5.8.x ENC with BACnet MS/TP devices Cause Want to connect WPT through the ENC to access the MS/TP network attached to the ENC. Resolution Tunneling is not required to access MS/TP devices under an ENC. Since the ENC is already a BACnet device because it has BACnet MS/TP devices connected to it, you can enable BACnet-IP or BACnet-Ethernet on the ENC.  Once either of these protocols have been enabled, the ENC then acts as a BACnet router allowing BACnet communications to the MS/TP devices directly via the ethernet connection to the ENC. To use the BACnet-IP interface via the ENC, you need to enable the BACnet IP port and enable routing in the BACnet Work Layer properties.  You also want to have "Poll Enabled" in the MstpPort properties.   Make sure that you have defined a different BACnet network number for the BACnetIP network and the BACnet MS/TP network.  To enable the BACnetIP interface you need to expand the BACnet communications tree and enable the port as shown in the following image.

Issue When attempting to access the Lon Flow Balance "Help Topics" from the Lon Flow Balance Help menu, the message "Failed to launch help." is displayed: Environment Microsoft Windows 7-32 operating system Micronet Lon Flow Balance 3.0 Cause Microsoft has removed the Windows "WinHlp32.exe" program from the Windows 7 operating system. Resolution See the Microsoft Knowledgebase article 917606 (click here) to download the appropriate Windows update..

Issue Unable to upgrade SQL log database from a pre-5.1.7 database to the new Version 2 format that is used (for new installations and optional as upgrade) in 5.1.7. Get the error message: Test of connection successful. Connecting to TAC Vista SQL database. Checking SQL server version and database size. SQL Server Version: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (SP1) . SQL Server Edition: Developer Edition (64-bit). Data Allocated Space: XXXXXMB. Data Used Space: XXXXMB. Log Allocated Space: XXXMB. Checking TAC Vista SQL database schema version. Checking user access. Upgrading TAC Vista SQL database from version 1.0.0.15 to version 2.0.0.0. Failed to execute SQL upgrade script. Error : Error 9002, line 585: The transaction log for database 'taclogdata' is full. To find out why space in the log cannot be reused, see the log_reuse_wait_desc column in sys.databases Environment Vista 5.1.7 SQL log database - either upgrade when installing Vista or using the SQL Database upgrade tool. Cause There is insufficient space for the transaction log to grow during the upgrade process. It is important to make sure that there is enough disk space available before upgrading the TAC Vista SQL database layout. During the upgrade procedure the database will increase its size with approximately 40%. If a SQL database is upgraded in a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express environment the database cannot exceed 2GB in size; the upgrade will not allow it. It is possible to upgrade to a Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express environment where the database size limit for the upgrade is 5 GB. After the upgrade is completed, this additional storage space is not consumed by any data; the additional storage space will be allocated for future data entries in the TAC Vista SQL database. The actual data in the SQL database will decrease with approximately 30% after the conversion is completed. Do not shrink the SQL database size after a conversion; doing so will cause major fragmentation. Resolution Firstly, confirm that there is enough disk space (at least twice the size of the log database) for the database to grow during the upgrade. Secondly, changes the file settings for the database to allow for the increase in size during upgrade Open SQL Management Studio (download here if required) and locate the taclogdata database. Connect to TACVISTA (default) SQL instance. Expand the menu-tree and then expand the databases tree. Locate the taclogdata (default) database. Right-click on the taclogdata database and select properties. Go to the sub-property menu Files. Change the autogrowth settings for the database log file. Go to the list of database files and identify the log file (file type Log). Click the button in the field Autogrowth. Check the size given in the Restricted file growth (MB) field. Either increase this to roughly twice the size of the database to be upgraded or Click the Unrestricted File Growth radio button. Upgrade the database to Version 2 layout.

Issue Is it possible to get a offline alarm in Vista if  the communication with a LON device is lost? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7 Cause Vista doesn't have a built-in online/offline detection for LON devices. Vista will set the device offline if it  can't read a value from the device.   Resolution Set the "Watch setting" on one of the values in the LON device to "alarm" or "watched", then Vista will continuously poll the value and set the device offline if it can't read the value from the device.

Issue Can I add the group bindings manually as the option to create group binding in the System Plug-in takes time and controllers are taken offline for the period of the process Environment Lonmaker Vista Cause This is  possible to do and works very well and effectively if you understand the process  Resolution Follow these steps to add TAG 0 system bindings and TAG 1 Xenta bindings to your new Xenta controller. In Lonmaker find the source of the TAG 0 binding buy finding any TAG 0 existing binding. Then right mouse click on the tag number and select Go to reference. This will take you to the source of the TAG 0 bindings. If a list of controllers appear then you are already at the source controller. Then Carry out a connection as normal in Lonmaker on that function block. Right click on the Virtual function block with the TAG 0 source and select the connect option. Select the TAG 0 option under the Hub tab then select the target tab and add the new Xenta controller to the system with the Add FB/SNs button. Then select the TAG 0 in the virtual function block of the new Xenta and click on the Add button. The select the OK button. This will add the TAG0 binding to the new Xenta device with the correct binding type. The next step is similar to the TAG 0 but for the TAG 1. You need to locate the TAG 1 Xenta group that you are adding the new Xenta controller into. Once you have located the TAG1 source use the same connection method as TAG0 but use the TAG1 in the virtual blocks. The final step is to download the added controller and the group master.

Issue Getting the following error when trying to create the Continuum database. Environment CyberStation SQL Server Management Studio Cause SQL server authentication not properly configured. Resolution In the SQL server properties, set the authentication mode to mixed (SQL and Windows)

Issue The process of merging two Index files. Environment BAS 2800+ BasFiles Merging Indexes Cause BasFiles in it's basic form cannot be used to merge Index files. A switch is required. Resolution When starting BasFiles normally the options presented are as follows; To merge two BAS site Index files together, BasFiles needs to be used in a different mode, this mode is not normally available, and a switch is required. To start BasFiles in the mode that enables merging, carry out the following.. From the Windows "Start" button select the "Run" option. Browse to where BasFiles is located and select it. To BasFiles.exe add the extension "space"scs as follows  - BasFiles.exe scs When run a new menu option is now available. Having selected the "Merge" option, you will be presented with the window below. Note - The directory structure used must be present before merging takes place..

Issue Lookup table downloads. Environment Lookup tables AI Objects Downloading Cause Analogue valve is not correctly displayed, due to a missing lookup table in the controller. Resolution When a lookup table is assigned to a Sigma object, it is not automatically downloaded with the object. The lookup table must be downloaded via "System Diagnostics" and "Download Files" where Lookup.rec is selected from the options.  

Issue How to enable Continuum site for use with Endura DVRs and cameras. Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Continuum V1.91 and above Pelco Endura DVR See the Video Compatibility matrix for supported Pelco Endura products on the various Continuum versions, Cause Want to enable Continuum for use with Endura but unsure which security keys support the addition of the option and what the option provides. Resolution Why is this option required? The Endura -E option for Continuum security keys is required to be able to: Configure VideoServer objects in Continuum to use Endura DVRs. Use VideoAdministrator and VideoMonitor to configure and view Endura cameras. It is not required to be able to configure and view cameras from DigitalSentry DVR's or to view Endura cameras using VideoLayout objects that have already been configured. Which Workstations can have the option added? SU and LAN Cyberstation security keys can be enabled with the Endura -E option. This option cannot be added to the WEBC key for WebClient Servers. If configuring Endura cameras is required, a Cyberstation with the -E option must be used. WebClient browser users are able to use the VideoLayout to view DigitalSentry and Endura cameras. The Endura option is only available through the upgrade process through Repairs. There is no part number to specify to enable Endura at the time of ordering the security key. Once you have the serial number of the key, contact Repairs below. Email:  upgrades.continuum@schneider-electric.com How to tell if the option is enabled? If the system is operating normally (not in Demo Mode), open up a Video Server object. If the key is video enabled it should look like this: If it is not enabled, the Pelco Endura option is not available:

Issue When Vista reports are opened in Microsoft Excel, various columns show trend log values as times.  The columns above in green are correct, they are formatted correctly. The column in red is in a time format instead of the expected percentage format. Environment Vista 5.1.7 Microsoft Excel Cause There is a formatting incapability between Vista 5.1.7 and Microsoft Excel. Resolution The formatting issue will be corrected in Vista 5.1.8. If using Vista 5.1.7, Hotfix 18 will correct this issue and can be downloaded here. The work around for this problem is to reformat the affected column(s) before saving or printing the report. To reformat a column in Microsoft Excel, following these steps: Open the Vista report. Select the entire column that has been formatted incorrectly. Right click on that column and go to Format Cells... Under the Number tab, select the format that is desired for these values. Click OK. Now print or save the report. Note: Once this change is made and saved into Vista, the issue may still occur in the future. This is just a way to correct the problem temporarily to view the correct values.

Issue Binding a PVR module in the Function Block Program directly to a "Value" object? Environment Function Block Program FBP PVR module Cause The PVR module is not available to bind in the binding window. Resolution To enable the PVR module to be bound, it must first be made "Public", this is selected when editing the module.     Having saved the Function Block Program, the PVR module can now be bound in the normal way.  

Issue I/A Series G3 ENC-SW (Soft JACE) warning - Database resources exceed licensed capacity. Station may not restart. Environment I/A Series G3 ENC-SW (all versions) Cause The I/A Series G3 ENC-SW (Soft JACE) operates with a capacity limit based on Java Resource Units (kRU).  The base ENC-SW-1M includes 10 Million resource units (10,000 kRU).  ENC-SW-2MU can be added to increase the resource units by 20 Million for a total of 30 Million resource units (30,000 kRU). Upon station start, the software will analyze the database and calculate the current resource requirements.  This includes resources used for steady state runtime as well as resource allocation required to archive records (histories, trends, alarms, etc.). The software compares the calculated resource value against the license and generates a warning if the total exceeds the licensed limit.  The warning states "Database resources exceed licensed capacity. Station may not restart. Contact your vendor to acquire additional capacity." When a resource limit is specified in the license, exceeding the limit will result in the station failing. The entry in the I/A Series G3 ENC-SW license unique to a Soft JACE is the “resource.limit” number found in the “station” section.         expiration="never"         resource.limit="10000"         parts="SJ-1M-AX"/> In this license example, any station running on the Soft JACE is limited to a maximum of 10 Million resource units (10,000 kRU).  A station operating above this will generate a yellow highlighted warning in all views of the station, including wire sheets, property sheets, and Px views even when accessed via the browser. ENC-SW resource limit exceeded warning (seen in any view of its station) Furthermore, as the warning informs, the ENC-SW station may not restart. ENC-SW station restart failure example. You can check the current resource unit count of any running station currently opened in Workbench. To do this, right-click the station node in the Nav tree, and select Views > Resource Manager.  Resource Manager reports resource limit and current total Resolution If the existing ENC-SW is licensed for 10 Million resource units (10,000 kRU), purchase additional resource units (ENC-SW-2MU) to increase the total to 30 Million resource units (30,000 kRU).  Otherwise, review the "steady state" resource count and decrease the Capacity (Record Count) of trends and alarms to reclaim resources used for record allocation and maintain a safety buffer below the resource limit.  Note: History information may be lost is the limit is exceeded.

Issue Cannot adjust the setpoint up or down on STR-250, STR-202 or M/STAT that is connected to Xenta 102-AX. Also, effective setpoint may not be changing when device goes from unoccupied to occupied modes. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 102-AX Plug-in STR-250 M/STAT STR-202 Cause This problem is most often caused by a scenario similar to the following example: A 102-AX is in cooling mode with an effective cooling setpoint of 70°F. An STR-250 stat is connected to the 102-AX and has a stat adjustment range (nviSetpoint.SCPTmaxRnge) of 6°F. This allows the occupant to adjust the setpoint ±3°F from the stat. The occupant is hot and adjusts the stat down to its minimum of 67°F. (3°F less than the cooling setpoint) The building operator decides that ±3°F is too much adjustment range and changes nviSetpoint.SCPTmaxRnge to 4°F (±2 degrees F) from the front end. The effective setpoint is still 3°F less than the cooling setpoint but now the stat cannot adjust the setpoint up or down since it steps in .1°F increments and both 66.9°F and 67.1°F are outside of the adjustment range. Since the stat adjusted setpoint offset is not a visible point and cannot be adjusted from the front end, the setpoint offset will be stuck until the stat adjustment range is expanded to include the effective setpoint and the setpoint offset is changed from the stat. Resolution To correct this problem the nviSetpoint.SCPTmaxRnge should be set high enough to include the effective setpoint. This can be done from Vista and can be found in the VAV_Controller object of the 102-AX or it can be done from the 102-AX Plug-in where it is called Stat Adjustment Range and is found on the Operating Parameters page. The setpoint should be changed at the stat to match the setpoint of the mode in which the 102-AX controller is currently operating. (eg occupied cooling setpoint) The stat adjustment range can then be returned back to its previous setting and the occupant can adjust the setpoint up or down and it will stay within the limit.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue Is there a way to globally change the path of active animation controls so that each control does not have to be edited manually? Pinpoint graphics will be very slow to open if the image file is on a network drive that is no longer available. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause A method to make the change globally in one operation is required system the design does not provide a way to do it. Resolution As of version 1.94 Continuum does not provide a mechanism to globally change the path of image files in active animation controls in Pinpoint. This can be a problem when a large number of active animation controls have been created using a given path and the image files then need to be moved. If the image files must be moved, every effort should be made to retain the path that was used in the controls, otherwise the path to the files will have to be manually changed in each active control that references the path in the graphic panel. With the above said there is a way to go in the Graphic PIN file and change the path, it requires a hex editor such as HxD. Using a hex editor the path for a control like this Can be found and changed in the PIN file itself, like this... *** Warning *** Please note that the length of the new path string must be the same length (i.e. take up the same number of characters) as the original path string, otherwise the file may become corrupted. As an example the following cannot be used replacing C:\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles with E:\Graphics, but the following could replace C:\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles with E:\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles   Notes: If a system is upgraded (new PCs) or a network drive that contains the image files is no longer available, then the graphics can be very slow to open.

Issue After upgrading SQL Server from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, unable to restore SQL 2005 Database to the server. Get an error in SQL Management Studio that states "The backed-up database has on-disk structure version 611. The server supports version 539 and cannot restore or upgrade this database." Environment SQL Server 2000 SQL Server 2005 Continuum Cause Both SQL2000 and SQL2005 versions of the SQL service were installed and running on the server. When restoring the database it was trying to restore an SQL2005 database to an SQL2000 server, which is not supported by Microsoft. Resolution Un-install SQL2005 Un-install SQL2000 Re-install SQL2005.

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.