Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue I/A Series G3 Office Demo laptop a dialog box indicating "This machine is now licensed" followed by an error "Workbench is not licensed to run on this machine". Environment I/A Series G3 (all versions) Cause The computer date is earlier than the license generated date. Resolution Run the Niagara Console program for the G3 version.  Type the following command to view the license information. c:\niagara\niagara-3.5.34>nre -licenses The results will provide information to assist in diagnosing the problem.  In this case, the Licenses indicates that the current date is earlier than the license generated date.   Correct the date and time on the computer.

Issue While attempting to activate a purchased license, the entitlement ID shows that it is valid, but there is no available licenses that can be activated, or less available than listed on the entitlement certificate. The entitlement ID or certificate is lost. Unable to return the license in order to activate it on another PC Getting "This Operation is not applicable for Trusted Fulfillments" Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation License Administrator Cause In order to activate a SmartStruxure license, it must be available and unused. If a license is already in use, it needs to be returned before it can be activated. Note that all handling of licenses are to be carried out using the License Administrator. Licenses are not returned or rehosted as it was done for TAC Vista. Resolution Refer to WebHelp article #6687 for instructions on how to return a license If you are unable activate a license because you don't have the entitlement ID or certificate, note the activation ID before you return the license, and send that to Product Support Services in order to get the associated entitlement ID Launch the License Administrator Go to the Diagnostics tab and click the refresh icon in the top left corner. The entry in the list that is labeled Entitlement ID is actually the Activation ID. In the case that the computer has crashed or you are unable to successfully return the license on your own, contact Product Support Services providing the following details: A copy of the entitlement certificate The site name An elaborate explanation of why you are not able to return the license yourself

Issue When creating Vista trend log or Xenta trend log, there are no data in it. The status on the trend log has already been on. And there are a lot of dump files in the $queues folder of the Vista database folder. Environment Vista Trend log Xenta Trend log Cause There is something wrong the SQL Server database so that the trend logs can’t be stored into the SQL Server and have to been stored in the $queues folder temporarily. Resolution Assign another SQL Server database for Vista. Open the Vista Server setup, and switch to the SQL Server tab. Choose the SQL configuration to Custom, and rename the Log database name to a new one, which is shown as below:   Pay attention that at that time TAC Vista integrated SQL backup/restore function will not be available in Custom configuration.

Issue The delay on and delay off functions do not work correctly inside of the 700 Menta alarm block. Instead of delaying the signal for the configured amount of time, the signal is delayed for a random amount of time before being passed on or turned off. Environment Vista XBuilder Menta Xenta Server 701, 711, 721 and 731 Cause Documented defect in 700 Menta alarm block. This defect has been confirmed in XBuilder 5.1.5 through 5.1.7. Resolution This 700 Menta issue has been corrected in XBuilder 5.1.8. If using a version of XBuilder 5.1.5 through 5.1.7 the following workaround can be used. Leave the delay on and delay off settings in the alarm block at zero. Add a delay block in front of the alarm block. Set the desired delay on and delay off values in the delay block.

Issue Vista user would like to search the network for property value settings on specific input and output points.  Including the ability to search for all physical points that have been forced by operator. Environment Analog Inputs Analog Outputs Binary Inputs Binary Outputs Physical Points Vista Search Function Cause User needs to obtain a list of physical points within a network to monitor values or to see a list of points that have been forced by operator. Resolution In workstation, select the search function icon in the taskbar located directly above the network pain. Select the browse button  located next to the drop down menu labeled "Types of devices and objects:" and a new search window will appear titled "Select Type"  In the "Select Type" window you will navigate through the tree to Points > Analog Point > Analog Input > Analog Input - RPU and check the box on the left. Repeat step 3 for Analog Output, Binary Input, and Binary Output To complete the search for ALL physical points in a network you will select "Search Now".  Once complete your points will appear in the lower view pain in workstation. NOTE: You will select "Forced by Operator" from the drop down picker under Property Value if you wish to search the network for all points that have been forced by operator (Typically, String: "*" and Equal to: "1"). You will select "Value" to get a list of points showing the live values of the points.

Issue SQL error: [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]The transaction log for database 'tempdb' is full. To find out why space int he log cannot be reused, see the log_reuse_wait_desc column in sys.databases Product Line Andover Continuum Environment SQL Server Cause Low disk space or unreasonably low maximum size for tempdb database growth. Resolution SQL Server allocates a database called tempdb, primarily for worktable / #temp table usage. Sometimes, you will encounter a transaction log full error   Causes    Usually, tempdb fills up when you are low on disk space, or when you have set an unreasonably low maximum size for database growth.    Many people think that tempdb is only used for #temp tables. When in fact, you can easily fill up tempdb without ever creating a single temp table. Some other scenarios that can cause tempdb to fill up:  any sorting that requires more memory than has been allocated to SQL Server will be forced to do its work in tempdb;    if the sorting requires more space than you have allocated to tempdb, one of the above errors will occur;    DBCC CheckDB('any database') will perform its work in tempdb -- on larger databases, this can consume quite a bit of space;    DBCC DBREINDEX or similar DBCC commands with 'Sort in tempdb' option set will also potentially fill up tempdb;    large resultsets involving unions, order by / group by, cartesian joins, outer joins, cursors, temp tables, table variables, and hashing can often require help from tempdb;    any transactions left uncommitted and not rolled back can leave objects orphaned in tempdb;    use of an ODBC DSN with the option 'create temporary stored procedures' set can leave objects there for the life of the connection.   Short-term fix    Restarting SQL Server will re-create tempdb from scratch, and it will return to its usually allocated size. In and of itself, this solution is only effective in the very short term; assumedly, the application and/or T-SQL code which caused tempdb to grow once, will likely cause it to grow again.      Long-term prevention    Here are some suggestions for maintaining a healthy tempdb:  Make sure that tempdb is set to autogrow -- do *NOT* set a maximum size for tempdb. If the current drive is too full to allow autogrow events, then buy a bigger drive, or add files to tempdb on another device (using ALTER DATABASE) and allow those files to autogrow. You will need at least one data file and at least one log file in order to avoid this problem from halting your system in the future. 

Issue Can not edit time schedules (time objects, TSCHI, time object page) in TAC Xenta Server Changes in time objects doesn't get saved No times shown in time object  (no schedules shown in time object) Environment TAC Xenta Server 731, TAC Vista Server 721, TAC Vista Server 711, TAC Xenta Server 701 Cause If there are a time object (time schedule) that has an corrupt definition all following schedules will not work. We suspect that the corruption comes from a upgrade. Resolution To check for corrupt schedules Log in to the TAC Xenta Server Go to Configuration-time objects-View definition. Here is an example of a correct definition and a incorrect definition of the same schedule Once you have identified any definition that looks suspect open Xbuilder Edit the time object that contains the definitions Right click and select "Show events" Take a note of the times you want to keep Delete all schedules Close the schedule editor Edit the time object again and add back the schedules Download the project again.

Issue Sigma - Delayed alarms. Environment Alarms Delayed alarms Cause When Sigma alarms are manually tested, they are displayed at the Sigma server normally. Sometimes, when an alarm occurs normally, this alarm is not displayed until other activities are carry out. Resolution This issue is caused by the Windows firewall. If the Sigma server is being used to communicate with the Sigma controllers, then the Firewall will be open, and any alarm messages from the Sigma controllers will pass through it and be displayed as normal. When the Sigma server is not being used, the Firewall will close, and no alarm messages will be allowed through. There are two options available; If the Sigma server is not connected to the Internet, then disable the Windows Firewall. Depending on the computer operating system the ways to achieve this will vary, but the help option will assist you in this process. The screen shot below shows an example on Windows XP.   The second option is to make an exception to the Firewall rules. This is achieved by opening the Windows Firewall, selecting "Exceptions", and choosing to "Add Port", the screen shot below demonstrates this. Please note that Sigma port 49152 is a UDP port number. The screen shot below shows this exception having been added.

Issue Trend chart settings aren't saved. The properties dialogue is opened by right-clicking on the open trend chart and then one or more of the settings are changed. After that OK is pressed and then the chart is saved using the save button. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7. Cause It appears that the new settings aren't being saved, but by clicking the save button before refreshing the trend chart the current "view" is saved - not the new settings entered in the properties dialogue. Resolution Change the settings as described Click OK when finished with the settings Refresh the trend chart immediately Save it. The view with the new settings will be saved. Another option in Windows 7: Right click on the chart object. Go to the "general" tab Uncheck Autoscale Enter the desired value.

Issue Can Extended Log data be removed from the Database by de-selecting the extended logging option in the point being logged or by deleting the point all together? Environment Continuum Cause Need to reduce the size of the Database by removing stored Extended Log data. Resolution Any point data logged as Extended Log data will only be removed from the Database during an automatic purge or manual truncation of the tables. This extended log data does not get removed when extended logging is disabled or the point is deleted from the database, this data remains until removed. To setup automatic purging you'll need to go to your Continuum General Preferences. Right-click Continuum icon in task tray and select General Preferences, you will find an entry for "Extended Log Automatic Purge Interval (days)". This needs to have a number assigned to it to determine how many days of ExtendedLog data is retained in the ContinuumDB. If this is 0 then nothing is deleted and all data is retained (the suggested value for this is somewhere around 30 -90 days depending on your DB size restrictions and retention requirements).

Issue I have a UNC-520-2 running Niagara 522 that is connected on a local network, with internet access. Alarm emails are not sent and I get the following error message: ERROR: Cannot send mail [/Dundee_2StClair/services/MailService] javax.mail.SendFailedException: Sending failed; nested exception is: javax.mail.MessagingException: Unknown SMTP host: smtp.broadband.rogers.com ; nested exception is: java.net.UnknownHostException at javax.mail.Transport.send0 (bytecode 611) at javax.mail.Transport.send (bytecode 9) at tridium.services.MailService.sendImpl (bytecode 29) at tridium.services.MailService.run (bytecode 44) at java.lang.Thread.run (line 5) Environment I/A Series R2 UNC (520, 410 or JACE-NSX/NXT) Cause Mail server address defined by name (smtp.broadband.rogers.com) No DNS server addresses defined in the IP address configuration of the UNC Resolution The error message indicates that there was no response from the SMTP server address specified.  In this case, since the SMTP server is specified by name instead of its IP address, it is necessary to provide one or more DNS (Domain Name Service) servers that can be used to resolve the address to its associated IP address. To enter one or more DNS addresses, access the UNC via the Admin Tool and select the Network Settings tab. On the lower part of the Network Settings screen, click the [Add] button and enter the IP address of the DNS server in the table.  Repeat this step if additional DNS servers are to be added.  Click the [Apply] to save the settings.  Here is what the screen looks like when two public DNS server addresses have been entered.

Issue Displaying a document from a Sigma graphic or Sigma object. Environment Pop-up commands Pop-up menus Opening documents from Sigma Cause Site requires access to related documents from the Sigma system. Resolution Viewing Sigma related documents can be achieved using the Pop-up Menus / Commands options within Sigma. To add this facility to Sigma proceed as follows. In the Sigma System Manager (SSM), select "System Setup", "General" and "Pop-up Menus Commands" Select a "New" command, and give it an appropriate name. Highlight "System Information" and then complete as shown in the screen shot below. Make sure that the command line is correctly entered as follows;  C:\Sigma\Data\System Information\Controller {Unc No}.txt Please note that the {Unc No} is entered by highlighting the Controller number format field and choosing "Select". Create the  C:\Sigma\Data\System Information\ folder with the appropriate files in it. Please note the file names must be Controller xxx.txt, where xxx is the correct controller number. The above configuration opens Windows Notepad, but other programmes can be used. Next, create a new  Pop-up menu. This is done by highlighting  "Pop-up Menus" and selecting "New", choose a suitable number and give it a name Select the newly created command and select it to go into the menu. The final section of this configuration is to allocate the new menu to an Object or Graphic reference, an object is shown below, where the Menu Id is set to 2. Testing the Pop-up command operation. RH click on the Sigma object and select the new menu. The correct file associated with the Sigma object selected, will open.

Issue Unable to log in to Vista workstation. Get error message "Failed to init session: Class not registered". Environment Vista 4.XX Cause This normally occurs after having downgraded Vista. The problem is that a number of files are stored in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\TAC Shared folder and a version compatibility problem occurs.  Resolution Uninstall Vista Locate the C:\Program Files\Common Files\TAC Shared folder Delete all the files in this folder Re-install Vista.

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 The values for programmable Xenta controllers display "Failed to Read Signal" in Vista Workstation. Environment Menta Vista Workstation Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Xenta Server 701, 711, 721, 731 Cause When Menta programming blocks that are specific to the 700 based menta are copied and pasted into regular menta, it will fail to complete a direct connect download. An error will pop up the reads "PARSER_CODE_ERROR". An example would be the RO output, that is a  700 based Menta programming block, being used in place of an AO output block in regular Menta. When performing a normal download through the system plug-in or workstation, the Menta will appear to download successfully. It is this situation that the value column will read  "Failed to Read Signal" for all points. Resolution The correct programming blocks must be used in its corresponding type of Menta. It is a wise practice to not copy and paste 700 based Menta programming into any other programmable Xenta controller. This will avoid accidentally adding a point that is not compatible.

Issue TGML Links or bindings disappear when upgrading to Vista 5.1.7 Environment Vista 5.1.6 or older that is upgraded to Vista 5.1.7 Cause Incorrect configuration of TGML graphic. The TGML editor and engine has been upgraded in Vista 5.1.7 and more checks are in place to detect user errors. There are now checks for both bindings and links without a name. Resolution Ensure that all links and bindings have a name. If a graphic is edited in Vista 5.1.7 a prompt will appear when saving the graphic if a link or binding doesn't have a name.  

Issue Connections between Menta function blocks not been allowed Environment Menta Cause If the rectangle (Dotted line) covers the pixel of the connection point of any function block / output, this stops the mouse from selecting the input connector to allow the connection to be made. This also occurs if you use any of the Comment, Line or Rectangle Menta features and overlay these too closely to the connection point. Resolution Select the rectangle (dotted line), (or overlaying object) and move it away from the connection point as shown below.

Issue Is it possible to pre-define Workstation log-in settings for each user that  logs on to windows on the PC? This would enable each user to be directed to the correct Vista server without any user input. Environment Tac Vista 5.1.X workstation. Cause On some sites it's desirable to restrict access to certain Vista servers. It can also be desirable to pre-configure the server details so the customer does not need to remember it. Resolution The short answer is that it's not possible to pre-define these settings. However it is possible to change the registry HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\TAC\TAC Vista Workstation\5.1.7\ODLoginMgr\Settings\CLoginDlg for each user (this requires that the user or IT dept log in with this user account). Access can then be restricted in Vista so that certain user can only access certain servers. Edit the registry 1. Open the startmenu and click on Run... 2. Type regedit and click on OK 3. Browse to the  HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\TAC\TAC Vista Workstation\5.1.X\ODLoginMgr\Settings\CLoginDlg. 4. Set appropriate values for CLOGINDLG:211 (show options - 0 = don't show; 1 = Show); CLOGINDLG:217 (server name); CLOGINDLG:5006 (Windows User or Vista User); CLOGINDLG:5016 (Domain if Windows User selected). 5. Attempt to login in to Workstation and confirm the settings are appropriate.

Issue Is it possible to redirect all offline alarms to a certain alarm control object in Vista? Environment Vista 5.1.7 Cause Using the "Configure alarm" function in the Vista server all offline alarms can be sent to a special alarm control object in Vista. Resolution Start with creating a new Change of state object in Vista To create a Change of State Right-click the Vista server node/object Point to New, point to Object, and then click "Change of State - System". Type the name. In the example, "Offline_Alarms". Right-click the newly created Change of State object. In the example, Offline_Alarms. Click Properties. Type a descriptive text. In the example, "Handles alarms for devices going offline". Change the priority. In the example, change the priority to 1. On the Alarm tab, in the Alarm processing control box, type the name of the alarm control object for priority 1 alarms. In the example, Alr_Cntrl1. Click OK. Filtering and Linking an Alarm We can now filter out system alarms ($EE_Mess messages) tripped by devices going offline. The alarm texts contain the word "Offline" and we use this as the filter. To filter and link an alarm On the Windows task bar, click TAC Vista Server. On the File menu, click Log in and log in. On the Configure menu, click Configure Alarms. Click Add. In the Text match box, type the filter mask. In the example, "*Offline*". In the Event object box, click Browse. In the Units list, browse to the Change of State – System object. In the Objects list, click the Change of State – System object. In the example, Offline_Alarms. Click OK. Minimize Vista Server. When a Xenta device goes offline, a priority 1 alarm appears. The alarm is handled by the Alr_Cntrl1 object