Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How to identify what ports are being used on a PC. Product Line All product Lines. Environment Any Windows OS Cause Running multiple applications on the same PC without managing TCP/UDP port assignments can lead to conflicts. Resolution TCPView will help you identify all ports and services to each application. Download from Microsoft's website http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897437.aspx Detailed instructions are available at the site.

Issue Opening the Vista SmartStruxure Interface setup, found in the status box, message "service not found" is displayed. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Vista server Vista SmartStruxure interface Cause Some dll may be missing causing the service could not start. Resolution Manually run the VistaInterface execution file. By default TACVistaSmartStuxureInterface.exe file is stored in C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric\TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface 1.0.5. Double click on the TACVistaSmartStuxureInterface.exe file, if the service could not be started, it will pop out an error message window. If it is a dll file missing, can find the corresponding dll on the internet, and solve this issue. If the error message shows some other error, please make a copy of the error message and contact the local support team for further assistance.

Issue When opening an OGC graphic using Vista Webstation as a window inside StruxureWare Webstation, the OGC graphic shows "Loading..." with a small cross in the upper left corner, and the graphic never loads. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Vista Webstation Building Operation Webstation   Cause The authentication in the communication between the browser and Vista Webstation is based on sessions and cookies. Due to a security setting on some sites, the initial cookie can not be set in the browser, and the authentication between the OGC graphic page showed in the browser and the web server therefore fails. If the graphic is opened in full screen (see below) or in a new window it will load, and subsequently all OGC graphics will work until the browser is restarted. Button to open the graphic in full screen Resolution On each PC that needs to access the OGC graphics using StruxureWare Webstation do the following: 1. Open Internet Explorer settings by clicking the gear in the upper right corner 2. Click "Privacy" and then "Sites" 3. Write the address of Vista Webstation (e.g. http://ip_address/webstation), click "Allow" and "OK" 4. Restart Internet Explorer   Note: This solution also applies to following issue; After clicking  a Vista Webstation url (direct link to a TGML graphic) in SBO Webstation from a Windows Server 2012 PC using Internet Explorer 11, Vista Webstation is expanding to fill the entire screen (it doesn't stay in the right hand window of SBO Webstation)

Issue Is it possible to upgrade TAC Xenta 401 and TAC Xenta 300 HW1 to latest system version? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation  Environment TAC Xenta 401 TAC Xenta 301 TAC Xenta 302 Cause Whenever possible, upgrading to the latest system version will give you all of the latest product fixes and enhancements. Resolution You can upgrade TAC Xenta 300 as well as TAC Xenta 401 to any system version BUT you cannot use HW1 in EcoStruxure Building Operation. All HW versions can be upgraded for use in TAC Vista Classic system.

Issue A TAC Xenta programmable controller has issues, and more information is needed to analyze what is happening in the controller. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Xenta 280 TAC Xenta 300 TAC Xenta 401 XentaErrorLogViewer Cause The TAC Xenta 280, 300 and 401 series has an internal Error Log, that in some cases could give more information about the way the device is acting, storing restart reasons etc. Resolution The XentaSystemErrorLogViewer is used to read out the internal error log file from a TAC Xenta 280, 300 or 401 device. The XentaSystemErrorLogViewer is a program that runs in your PC, and you have to connect to the TAC Xenta device by the use of a serial cable. You must have at least the same version number of the XentaErrorLogViewer as the device you want to read the information from. Please note that the XentaSystemErrorLogViewer program only works with released version of the TAC Xenta 280, 300 or 401 devices. 1. Download XentaSystemErrorLogViewer 2. Install the program 3. Connect the TAC Xenta to the PC using the TAC Xenta programming cable. Refer to the cable guide for further information. 4. In "Preferences", select the COM port to which you connected the serial cable 5. Check "Write System Error Log to file" 6. Click "Get new information" 7. The information is written to "C:\Windows\Temp\XentaSystemErrorLogg.txt"

Issue The network card is not working on the PC.  Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Access Expert, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Security Expert, Satchwell BAS & Sigma, Satchwell MicroNet, TAC IA Series TAC I/NET, TAC Vista Environment PC Network Interface Card Cause Require a method to test the network card. Resolution Assuming you have the correct protocols loaded:- Open up a command prompt and type ‘ipconfig’(1) then press enter to get a list of the available network cards. Find the specific network card by name (2) Record the IP Address (3) assigned to the card, e.g. 192.168.5.90 If the card is unplugged (4) connect a network cable and start back at step 1 If the network card does not appear in Device Manager check the drivers are correctly installed for the card and when installed correctly start back at step 1. If the network card still does not appear it could be disabled.  In Network Connections right click the adaptor and select Enable (5) and start back at step 1. After these steps if the network card still does not appear when running ipconfig it is most likely damaged. If/when an IP Address is successfully obtained open a Command Prompt and type ping followed by the IP Address of the card, for example ping 192.168.5.90 (1). A functioning card will respond with 4 successfully replies (2) and the associated statistics (3) As additional information a good first step would be to "ping 127.0.0.1". This will not test a network card but indicates that the TCP/IP protocol is installed and functioning on the host PC.

Issue Licenses are becoming damaged repeatedly over time and/or licenses are going in to a disabled state. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment SmartStruxure License Administrator Virtual Machine Cause Damaged Licenses: If the license server / license administrator is installed on a virtual machine, the common reason for damaged licenses is that the MAC address of the virtual machine is not set to be static. Every time the MAC address changes, the license will become damaged. Disabled Licenses: This is usually caused when the license fails to complete a process such as a return or repair. This could be due to an intermittent internet connection or the process timed out while trying to communicate with the license server. Resolution Repair License with License Administrator The first step to take with a damaged or disabled license is to use the repair function in license administrator. Follow the steps from WebHelp topic Repairing an EcoStruxure Building Operation Software License. If the repair function does not work, then the license server will need to be reset.  Reset License Server (Unable to Repair License) Below are the steps to remove the damage or disabled licenses before reactivating the permanent licenses again: Put a SBO demo license on the site to get it back up and running right away. Locate the Entitlement ID and/or activation ID of the impacted licenses. Open a case with your local BMS support group and provide them this information. This information will be used to release the licenses to prepare them to be rehosted. There are then two potential methods to  reset the license server: Download and run the SBO License Server Reset tool from the Community Manually reset the License Server Stop the License Server. In the License Server application folder, remove all files:                 - File path for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and WIndow 10: \ProgramData\FLEXnet                 - File path for Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012: \ProgramData\FLEXnet   Start the License Server Reactivate the returned network licenses.   Note: When you reactivate all returned network license, new License Server .data files are created together with the activation of the first license. For more detail, reference WebHelp: Resetting the License Server.

Issue Which SpaceLogic Sensors could be used with the TAC Xenta 100 series controllers? Product Line TAC Vista Environment ZBuilder Xenta 122 Cause The STR100-series sensors will be withdrawn, and SpaceLogic Sensors have been identified as suitable replacements. Resolution Only TAC Xenta 122 controllers can be configured to use 10K Type 3 Thermistor.   To integrate SpaceLogic Sensors with the TAC Xenta 122 controllers, follow these steps in ZBuilder: Access the Configuration tab. Navigate to the Room unit settings. Locate the checkbox labeled "Use STR-5xx series" and select it.   Please note that only the SLASXXX, SLABXXX, and SLAWXXX models are compatible with the TAC Xenta 122 controllers. These sensors, however, do not feature buttons for setpoint adjustment or fan control.  

Issue What is the minimum pulse duration for the digital inputs (X1 - X3) on the TAC Xenta 121-FC? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Xenta 121 Cause The device requires a certain pulse duration to be able to register the feedback signal from another device, such as a fan running signal. Resolution The minimum pulse input duration is 250ms. Click here to open the datasheet for Xenta 121-FC

Issue TAC Vista Error Codes in Plain Text Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Vista Workstation Cause Vista will sometimes give an error code. This list decodes the TAC Vista Family Error Codes. Resolution For a list of TAC Vista Error Codes in plain text click here.

Issue nvoSpaceTemp from TAC Xenta 100 series used with the room unit STR150 does not read temperatures greater than 33.4 °C (92.3 °F). Product Line TAC Vista Environment ZBuilder Xenta 121 Xenta 122 STR Sensor Cause The STR150 and the Xenta 100 line of controllers are capable of displaying temperatures greater than 33.4 °C (92.3 °F) or less than 8 °C (46.4 °F). However, the communication protocol between the STR150 and the Xenta 100 series is limited and thus restricts the temperature that the TAC Xenta 100 can read from the STR150 device. Resolution The STR150 data sheet states that temperature range transferred to a TAC Xenta 100 device is limited to 8 °C through 33.4 °C (46.4 °F to 92.3 °F). If temperatures outside of that range are needed an STR100 (simple 1.8k thermistor) or an STR-350 (communicating Lon stat with display) could be substituted. The ranges of those devices connected to a TAC Xenta 100 device are as follows: STR100: –10 °C to +50 °C (14 °F to 122 °F) STR350: 5 °C to 45 °C (41 °F to 113 °F)

Issue Using Xenta Controllers with a Tridium Jace Product Line TAC Vista, TAC IA Series Environment Xenta programmable controllers Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Tridium AX / N4 Jace Cause By default, the Tridium Jace acts as a network manager which will disrupt controller addresses, SNVT bindings, and Group bindings previously set up in LonMaker. Resolution  To disable this feature provide these steps to a Tridium Integrator: Use Niagara WorkBench Connect to Jace Under the Services Folder, find "LonNetwork" Go to  "Local Lon Device" Set the "External Config" property to "true" Hit "Save"  

Issue Unable to create a file with a certain name such as "x". Get a message that the object already exists. The object does however not exist in the Vista database when viewed in Workstation. It seems that there are invisible objects in Vista. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Workstation/Server 5.1.X Cause This has been seen in older databases that have been created or edited using older editing tools such as TAMain. These system objects should disappear automatically but if they don't they will cause the error described under "Issue". Resolution This can be removed by starting the TAC Vista Database generator tool from workstation (Tools\TAC Vista Database Generator). Once started, do the following: Select Database\Export from Database. Click on the browse button in the Object field. In the field "Current object ID" type "x" (or the name of your invisible object" and the buttons on the right of the tool should be activated. Click on delete, and the object will be deleted. After this, you can check in workstation that the object has been removed by creating a new folder named "x".  

Issue The reconfiguration of the log database (run from TAC Vista Server Setup) times out. Configuring the settings, for the first time after upgrading Vista, on the SQL server tab of TAC Vista Server Setup an then clicking on apply makes the following message appear: "Log database found but needs to be reconfigured. Reconfigure Log database?". After clicking yes the reconfiguring process starts, but times out. The message states the following:  Lock request time out period exceeded. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 1222) Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X SQL server  Cause The SQL server is busy. When a reconfigure of the database layout (or schema) is done, all connections to the database must be stopped to prevent corruption of data. If a number of applications/clients are trying to write data to the database, the request to lock the database will time out. Resolution Close the open connections to the database and try again. Generally speaking this shouldn't occur with just Vista running. It is when 3rd party clients access the SQL data directly that this problem can occur. To help identify the problem, the Activity monitor in SQL server management studio can be used.

Issue Temperature Sensor Resistance Charts Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Temperature Sensors Cause Temperature (°C) to Resistance Charts (ohms). Upgrading the site BMS, but retaining the existing sensors and the sensor resistance values are not known. Resolution The resistance of a sensor at a specific temperature can be downloaded below, there are a number of tables collated from different sources for a number of Schneider Electric sensors and other BMS suppliers.   In EBO, the thermistor selection in the IO module or controller does not represent the thermistor bead type, an example is the Continuum Type I in EBO, but the bead is a Type 3,. For further information regarding this see the KB article  Thermistor type selection in EBO.   The document All Sensors covers the following:   Satchwell DxT sensors are replaced by STR600, STP660, STD600, STO600 type T with shunt, and use the Satchwell T range chart Drayton DC1000, DC1100 30K6A1 is now known as STR600D, STP600D, STO600D Andover 10K4A1 TAC Inc. Vista 1.8KA1 I/A series 10K3A1 with 11K shunt INET 10K2A1 (10k Dale) BALCO 1000 ohm RTD   Older Satchwell ranges: Satchwell DW1204, DW1305, DWS1202 Satchwell DO Satchwell DD/DR Other manufacturers included: Allerton 3K3A1 Ambiflex 2012, Honeywell Aquatrol, Jel/Thorn, Trend, York 10K3A1 Schlumberger (air) 5K3A1 Schlumberger (immersion) 100K6A1 Automatrix, York, Sibe 10K4A1 Honeywell 20K6A Landis & Gyr PT100A, PT1000A   Further information regarding INET, IA, the document Thermistor Types Tables (Veris Industries) is available.  The 1k Balco resistance chart is also available.   Further information for the Continuum ACC Temp 10K Type 3 also known as 10K4A1, the document Thermistor Temp Resist Chart (Precon Thermistors) is available.   TC900 series TC900 RS-03 sensor chart   For I/A Series Controllers (MNL/MNB) Compatible sensors that have a built-in 11k shunt resistor include the TS-5711-850 TS-57011-850 TS-57031-850 TSMN-90110-850 Series Any sensor that matches resistance to temperature curve for a 10K Thermistor Type G (U.S. Sensor), Type 9 (Dale/Vishay) or Type III (ACI Series AH) can be used with the I/A Series MNL and I/A Series MNB series controllers, provided that a 11k ± 0.1% 1/8 watt resistor is wired in parallel with the sensor. The input has a range of -10 to 135 °F (-23.3 to 57.2 °C) with an accuracy of ±1% of span. Temperature / Resistance Reference Values Temperature Deg F (Deg C) Resistance Resistance Incl. 11k Shunt 32 (0) 25490 8,012 68 (20) 12,260 5,798 75 (25) 10,000 5,238 104 (40) 5,592 3,707 140 (60) 2,760 2,206 The full temperature/resistance table for the US Sensor 10K Thermistor R-T Curve Type G sensor. Please note that the controller may not be able to use the full temperature range shown in the table.  

Issue Rehosting is defined as the process of moving a license from one machine to another. Is there a limit to the number of rehosts allowed per year? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation,TAC Vista Environment Building Operation Licensing Cause Re-hosting means that the license bindings to the physical hardware or its substitutes on a Virtual Machine are moved i.e. the host ID is changed. This can be required if the license is moved to a new computer or Virtual Machine.  A maximum of 4 license re-hosts are allowed in 12 months. Resolution If the re-hosting limit is exceeded and further re-hosting is justified and necessary, the policy can be overridden by Product Support. When contacting support please provide the entitlement details so that the license policy can be overridden.

Issue How much ethernet bandwidth do lonworks systems consume using Loytec L-IPs, iLons, etc.? Environment TCP/IP ethernet network LNS System Cause IT professionals will sometimes hesitate to allow the control system to use the same TCP/IP network as the internet, phones, etc. They may ask what the expected bandwidth usage will be before granting access. Resolution It is impossible to explicitly state how much bandwidth a LonWorks system will consume on the ethernet. It depends heavily on the amount of LON traffic being sent by the controllers. The routers themselves do not produce traffic, they only pass the traffic onto and off of the ethernet. The traffic is created by the LON devices, Xenta controllers, Vista and LonMaker or other HMIs. Vista can create a maximum of 15 LON telegrams/second. This is very little traffic with respect to IP bandwidth. Unless you have made bindings into the LNS NI (which we never do in a Vista-scenario, since Vista cannot read these) there is basically nothing at all going out from LonMaker/LNS unless you are commissioning devices. Starting the LonMaker Browser also generates traffic. But this is also normally just in the design phase of the network, not in "operating mode". SNVT bindings or TAC network variables from one LON network to another over the IP channel also generate traffic. A typical Xenta can produce 2 SNVTs propagation/second and/or maybe 10 TACNV. This is not much (as IP-traffic), but if there are hundreds of nodes communicating simultaneously all passing through L-IP gateways, the amount of IP traffic will grow. If you are using a Loytec L-IP, it uses a protocol feature called "packet bunching". Before it sends out a packet on the IP side, it waits for an adjustable time (Aggregation Time, default = 16ms) if some packets are following, which have to be sent to the same IP addresses. If some packets are following, it puts the packets in the same IP frame and sends it all together in a single IP packet. The receiving node unpacks it and makes multiple EIA-709 (Lonworks) packets again.

Issue Is it possible to set/change the time for a time schedule in TAC Vista from a OPC client? Product Information TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Vista OPC Server Cause  In the OPC standard supported by TAC Vista time schedules are not included Resolution No it is not possible to set/change the time for a time schedule in TAC Vista from a OPC client?

Issue Extended LonTalk is supported In Vista 5.1.5 but it doesn't work, it is possible to read but not write to the device. Error message when writing: "Local network management failure" Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Cause When adding a Extended LonTalk device in to TAC Vista, TAC Vista will see in the xif file that this is a Extended LonTalk device and set a Extended LonTalk device flag for that device. It is possible to see the flag if hold down shift+Ctrl and click in properties for the lon device, it is called "EXTENDEDLONTALK".  If the xif file is imported to a TAC Vista with a version earlier than Vista 5.1.5 the Extended LonTalk will not work. Resolution Make sure the "EXTENDEDLONTALK" flag for the lon device is set, if not import the xif file again in Vista 5.1.5.  

Issue Nothing happens when starting the OGC editor Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Vista Workstation Cause The issue is with data execution prevention (DEP) not allowing the tacdraw application to run.  Resolution If DEP is not required on your system follow these steps: Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Data Execution Prevention Choose "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only" Reboot the computer and the editor should launch like normal.  If DEP is required on your system follow these steps: Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Data Execution Prevention Choose "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select" Then click the add button and navigate to: For Vista 5.1.4 and up: C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric\TAC Vista 5.1.4 and choose the tacdraw.exe file. For Vista 5.1.3 and prior: C:\Program Files\TAC\TAC Vista 5.1.X and choose the tacdraw.exe file. Reboot the computer and the editor should launch like normal.