Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What should be considered when prepairing for upgrading to Niagara 4.10? What known issues should I be aware of when upgrading to Niagara 4.10 and how can I prepair for them? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4 Enterprise Server I/A Series N4 Jace 8000 Cause Define potential issues with an N4.10 upgrade Resolution The following details a set of upgrade considerations and known issues and their workarounds regarding Niagara 4.10. Please review prior to upgrading to Niagara 4.10. Niagara 4.10 and Default NRE Memory Changes: The increased size of some core libraries in Niagara 4.10 required changes to the default NRE Memory Pool settings for use on a JACE-8000. MetaSpace memory needed to be increased to allow applications to run without issue.   Note: any previous custom memory configuration applied to the JACE-8000 will be reset upon upgrade to 4.10. Prior to upgrading your JACE-8000, please review Default NRE Memory Pool Configuration Changes In 4.10.     Niagara 4.10 System DB Upgrade: In Niagara 4.10, we upgraded SystemDB from Orient v2 to v3, and as a result of that change, any customers that are utilizing SystemDB on their Supervisor stations will need to re-index accordingly upon upgrading to 4.10.   Please note, re-indexing can take a considerable time upon upgrade, and the DB will not have accurate information when queried until the index is complete accordingly. Prior to upgrading your Supervisor, please review System DB Must Be Re-indexed for Upgrades to Niagara 4.10+ from Earlier Niagara.     Niagara 4.10 and Third-Party Modules Keeping your Niagara installations safe and secure is our highest priority. In Niagara 4.10, ALL third-party modules must be signed with either a trusted valid certificate or a self-signed certificate to successfully run on a station. This new policy greatly increases the security posture of Niagara installations by making administrators aware of any modules that may have been tampered with, compromised or derived from untrustworthy sources.   Niagara's new signature enforcement feature is being rolled out over multiple Niagara releases. The first iteration was built into release 4.8 to give developers adequate time to make the transition to always signing any third-party modules.   Niagara 4.8 produced console and Security Dashboard warnings about unsigned modules but allowed them to run on a station. As of Niagara 4.10, unsigned modules will not execute.   For more information, please review the Niagara documentation on Third Party Module Signing   Niagara 4.10 Updated Operating Systems, Browsers, and Databases For the latest information on supported operating systems, please refer to Supported OS and other software in the Niagara 4 Framework Installation Guide.   Tridium remains focused on keeping pace with advancing IT infrastructure to enable more efficient, long-term support of each release version. This policy enhances the security posture of a Niagara installation by ensuring that only the most robust, secure operating systems and enterprise applications are compatible with the framework. The list below provides information on what we will be supporting with Niagara 4.10.   OS, Browser, Database Version Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.1 (64 bit), 7.7 Windows Server 2019 (64 bit), Server 2016 (64 bit), Windows 10 (64 bit) VMWare ESXi 6.7 Oracle Database 19.3, 18.3, ... 12.2/12.1 MySQL Database 8 MS SQL Database 2019, 2017, 2016 Browsers Chrome, FireFox, Microsoft Edge Mobile Browsers Safari (iOS 12, 13), Chrome (Android 8, 9, 10)   As with all software products, we must also deprecate support for some operating systems and enterprise applications.  Nevertheless, you can be confident that the above list will handle your needs moving forward.   Using Web Launcher with Niagara 4.10 Web Launcher 20.4.2 was recently revamped for Niagara 4.10 to include essential software dependencies updates along with critical defect fixes. This version of Web Launcher has Java version 8 update 275 and certificate management has been updated to work with Niagara 4.10 along with any legacy or prospective release.   Prior to using Web Launcher with Niagara 4.10, the customer should update Web Launcher accordingly (see steps below). Updating WebLauncher Web Launcher has a feature to check for updates over the internet and prompts the user when a new version is available in the cloud. However, the existing version of Web Launcher has a bug that prevents a smooth update. Users will be required to perform a fresh install by downloading the latest version from the cloud via the station web Login page.   Click on the Niagara Web Launcher Installer link on the station's Web Launcher Web Page, which can be reached via the link on the Login page itself. Once the download is successful, click on the msi file and follow the installation wizard. You do not have to uninstall the older version. The new installation will automatically update to the latest version.

Issue The following error occurs on startup following upgrading of Niagara Station to  4.10.   SEVERE [20:42:01 23-Oct-20 UTC][nreconfig] invalid nre memory configuration values, 832 > 816   Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Jace 8000 N4.10 Cause The default NRE memory pool settings are incorrect after an N4.10 upgrade and need configuration to function correctly. Resolution Niagara 4.10 and Default NRE Memory Pool Changes The increased size of some core libraries in Niagara 4.10 required changes to the default NRE Memory Pool settings for use on a JACE-8000. MetaSpace memory needed to be increased to allow applications to run without issue.   Note: Any previous custom memory configuration applied to the JACE-8000 will be reset upon upgrade to 4.10. The overall size of the pool of memory available to the NRE installation has decreased.  T As the overall size of the pool has decreased, customizations based on the old total pool size are invalid and cannot be maintained.   If a custom memory configuration is required, the user will need to manually adjust the platform administration menu after a device is upgraded. A longer-term approach to address this issue is in development and should be available with the Niagara 4.11 release.   NRE Memory pool default settings for Niagara 4.9: Changes to the default configuration: Heap Space size 4.9 value: 384 MB 4.10 value: 360 MB Meta Space size 4.9 value: 48 MB 4.10 value: 56 MB System reserve 4.10: allocated additional 16MB NRE Memory pool default settings for Niagara 4.10:

Issue Upon presenting valid credentials at the door and physically entering thru it, the event reported for the transaction is "Valid Access No Entry" instead of the normal Valid Access event. The door is properly configured with a door switch but the controller does not see the door switch open. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum CX Gen 1 Continuum Net Controller II Cause For unknown reasons the door's entry and exit IOU are set to the same value, typically the GUI will not allow such invalid configuration. Resolution Edit the door and set the Exit IOU to zero (for a single-sided door) or to the appropriate IOU number associated with the AC1/AC1Plus on the exit side of the door. 

Issue How to create a proper XLSX/Excel template under Alarm Triggered Notification of EcoStruxure Building Workstation, in order to receive the Multi trend logs report in the XLSX/Excel format. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Workstation Cause Additional information is needed to create a template for presenting multi-trend log information in Excel XLSX format.    Resolution Below screenshot shows where users can select the Report format and XLSX template.   The multi trend log containing four Interval Trend Logs 1 to 4 with their time stamp is shown as below as an example   In order to get the XLSX multi trend log report in XLSX/Excel format upon receiving a trigger, the following XLSX template needs to be used containing two rows: The first header row contains the column headers from the trend log. The second row include the <Multi Log List> command   Here is final report in Excel/XLSX format:  

Issue Notification Report Template creates blank data if External Log Storage is enabled Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Notification Report Template External Log Storage PostgreSLQ TimeScale Cause The default timeout for a Notification Report Template is 5s. If External Log Storage is enabled and logs are being added to the report, the timeout may need to be increased. Resolution The screenshot below shows a Notification Report Template where the default timeout of 5s caused an empty Report to be created (both an email and csv file were seen to be empty). Increasing the timeout to 20s resolves the issue.    

Issue In the Security Expert v4.3.285.42 (current release), there is an issue assigning an OSDP Reader to an Elevator. With the reader expander port Network Type set to RS485, when configuring the Smart Reader record to use the OSDP reader, the option to assign it to an elevator is not available.   Product Line Security Expert Environment Elevator OSDP Security Expert Smartcard Reader Security Expert Server Cause The configuration steps are not obvious and a temporary workaround is required until the issue is fixed. Resolution This is a temporary workaround as the issue is fixed in a future version. Change the reader expander port network type to Third Party Generic and click save Navigate to the Smart Reader record and change the reader mode to the elevator and assign the elevator, click save Then change the reader expander port back to RS485.   *Note* The saved elevator settings on the Smart Reader’s Reader tab will not be visible but the settings you saved will be properly downloaded to the controller.

Issue What is "Verbose" within Vista Server Setup? Documentation refers to "certain dialogs and messages." What are these certain dialogs? Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Server Setup TAC Vista Workstation Cause The documentation states that this setting: "Enables or disables the display of certain dialogs and messages for operator communication."  Resolution Verbose turns on questions that ask if you really want to do something. An example, "Do you really want to quit?" when closing Vista server.

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 for assistance. Issue Both the STAT LED and the BEAT LED is off on the Jace controller and cannot successfully ping the JACE 8000 IP address Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series JACE 8000 Cause The STAT and BEAT LED remaining in an off state is an indication that no SD card is installed in the JACE card carrier.  When the Micro SD card is installed the STAT LED is solid Green, and BEAT LED is blinking Amber. Resolution Make sure to insert the SD card prior to startup commissioning of the JACE 8000. See JACE-8000 Install and Startup Guide

Issue What are VOCs and which ones are detected by our SLA/SLP sensor? Product Line Field devices Environment SpaceLogic SLA series and SpaceLogic SLP Series VOC Sensors Cause Unsure what substances are detected by the Space Logic SLA/SLP VOC sensors Resolution What are VOCs? Volatile organic compounds (VOCs*) are a wide range of carbon based (organic) chemicals (compounds) found in various man-made and naturally occurring solids and liquids. They evaporate easily at ordinary room temperature** which is why they are termed volatile. VOCs are numerous, varied, and ubiquitous. They include both human-made and naturally occurring chemical compounds. Most scents or odors are of VOCs. Some VOCs are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment. Respiratory, allergic, or immune effects in infants or children are associated with man-made VOCs and other indoor or outdoor air pollutants. Government regulations have prompted several companies in the paint and adhesive industries to adapt with VOC level reductions in their products. * VOCs play an important role in communication between plants, and messages from plants to animals. ** For example, formaldehyde, which evaporates from paint and releases from materials like resin, has a boiling point of only –19 °C (–2 °F). Typical Indoor VOC Sources There are over 600 VOCs that can be found in the air. The following are commonly encountered in buildings: Anthropogenic*** VOCs are regulated by law, especially indoors, where concentrations are the highest. Harmful VOCs typically are not acutely toxic (result in throat irritation and headaches) but can have serious compounding long-term health effects(damage to internal organs). Because the concentrations are usually low and the symptoms slow to develop, research into VOCs and their effects is difficult. *** Relating or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature   How Are VOCs Measured? VOC sensors normally present their measurement in Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) which corresponds to the sum of volatile organic compounds. VOC contamination is an established concept in regulatory and scientific literature. It is a practical method (time and cost-effective) of surveying indoor environments for contamination. The specific TVOC composition varies between different ambient indoor environments and indoor air is always composed of different volatile organic substances. Therefore, it is helpful to consider TVOC concentrations as statistical reference values which help to indicate indoor air quality.   The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for TVOC are shown below and these are in line with the AQI table published in our specification sheets. Indoor Air Quality Level Guidelines for Europe by the World Health Organization (WHO)   The sensing principle of the VOC sensor is based on a heated film of metal-oxide nano-particles. In clean air, donor electrons in tin dioxide are attracted toward oxygen which is adsorbed on the surface of the sensing material, preventing electric current flow. In the presence of reducing gases, the surface density of adsorbed oxygen decreases as it reacts with the reducing gases. Electrons are then released into the tin dioxide, allowing current to flow freely through the sensor. VOC sensors are normally calibrated while using only one VOC (Ethanol).   Summary There are over 600 identified VOCs that may be present in indoor air and the sensing element used by VOC sensors reacts to any of these compounds. Therefore it's not possible to state what VOC is responsible for a raised reading.

Issue Transferring an I/NET Seven system from one PC to another Product Line TAC I/NET  Environment I/NET Seven Site Cause Customer needs to transfer I/NET between two computers Resolution Perform the following steps: Install I/NET Seven on the new PC. Using DBCreate.exe, create a backup of the I/NET database. Copy the backup to the new PC and restore it using DBCreate. If the database needs to be upgraded it will prompt you.  Proceed with the upgrade.  Copy the save files, graphic pages, archives, any custom reports, custom symbols, and custom BIN files (ICI bin files) to the new PC using the same directory path as the previous PC to guarantee that graphic links will still work. The following are default paths for these files assuming it was not an upgrade from I/NET 2000. If it was an upgrade from I/NET 2000 please consult TCON298 the Getting Started guide which includes I/NET 2000 paths. Default location for Archives: C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Arch\ Default location for BIN Files: C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Data\ Default location for Reports: C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Reports\ Default location for Save Files: C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Sav\ Default location for Bin Files: C:\Program Files\INET Seven\Data\ Default location for Graphics: C:\Program Files\INET Seven\ Take a screen capture or write down the active configuration profile in I/NET configuration and manually fill this information into I/NET configuration on the new PC and make it the active configuration profile. Transfer the communication medium to the new PC (serial cable or Ethernet cable) and if communicating via NPR’s set the IP address of the new PC to match that of the old PC and remove the old PC from the network to avoid IP address conflict. Start up I/NET, login, and edit the Host Computer->Network Configuration to verify that the PC is communicating with the controllers.

Issue How to Lockdown your facilities using Continuum area/door lockdown functionality. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation CX9680 ACX5740/20 Cause Need a fast and efficient way to lock down multiple areas in one operation when a threat is perceived at a site. Resolution The Continuum Physical Access Control System supports an advanced feature that allows for quickly locking down parts of or an entire building or campus via the areas/doors that are under physical access control by the Continuum system. This functionality is available in second-generation access controllers such as the CX9680 (NC2) and the CX5720/5740(ACX2) In Continuum, lockdown of an area or door means that access to the area/door via the physical access control system is restricted in such a way that prevents the movement of individuals into the locked-down area/door as well as keeping individuals from leaving the area/door under locked down. Locking down an area automatically locks down all doors associated with the area; Continuum also allows doors to be locked down individually. When a door/area is locked down, all credential access attempts and exit requests are denied. The only way to gain access into the locked-down door/area is by the use of a credential that has been designated with ‘Executive Privilege’ in the system. Note though, that a person with executive privilege may gain access into a locked-down area/door via the credential reader but if the mode of egress from the area is via Exit Request then such person would not be able to exit the door thru the normal exit request mechanism as there is no way for the person to indicate her ‘executive’ privilege by any means other than presenting the proper credentials (card or PIN) at a reader. This document outlines several methods of implementing area lockdown for a building or campus such as a school, the methods outlined in the document are provided for illustration purposes only and are not to be taken as a complete solution but rather as general guidelines. On legacy controllers that do not support the Area Lockdown feature (CX99xx, ACX7xx), we can still secure the doors by setting their state to disabled which prevents the doors from processing credential access attempts as well as Request to Exit, please note that in this case, NO ONE (including executive privilege personnel) will be able to gain access to the door until it is re-enabled How to Lockdown your facilities using Continuum area lockdown outlines several methods of implementing area lockdown for a building or campus such as a school, the methods outlined in the document are provided for illustration purposes only and are not to be taken as a complete solution but rather as general guidelines.

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue ACX5740 controller randomly re-boots and restore from flash, the controller does not attempt warm start but instead jumps directly to cool start.  Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Continuum Net Controller II Cause Door striker creating an electrical spike that can travel back down the output wiring to the controller. When this happens, it generally will not damage any of the hardware in the controller but it could cause it to reset or cause its memory to get scrambled. The fact that the controller does not attempt warm start but instead skips directly to cool start is a strong indication that memory corruption is taking place, on startup, the controller verifies RAM memory is intact and will not attempt warm start otherwise. Resolution Install Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV ) to add voltage suppression to the controller's output driving the door striker. (Put the MOVs at the end device and not the controller end)   Another option is to add an isolation relay to keep the electrical noise from reaching the controller's output. 

Issue Want to add the RP-C devices to the PCT project by using Device Discovery Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Project Configuration Tool (PCT) Building Operation Workstation Cause All communication from the SmartX Servers is blocked when using the PCT. Resolution The Device Discovery command does not work in the PCT.  This can be done after the project has been deployed.

Issue Could we have 128 characters passwords in Struxureware?  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Workstation Cause In earlier versions of SBO (version 1.7), the password was limited to 100 characters.   Resolution In EBO version 2.0 and 3.0, 128 character passwords are allowed. Passwords have been tested with 500 characters.    

Issue Where are the DUI expander objects for the MNB-300 and MNB-1000 controllers in Workplace Tech? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech version 5.1 through 5.9.4 I/A Series WorkPlace Tech version 5.10.0 till current Cause The standard stencils do not include an object for Momentary SS or a DUI multiplexer.  Resolution The I/A Series BACnet controllers do not currently support the DUI object directly within the MNB-300 or MNB-1000. An application performing the same basic function was created and factory tested. This application was created as a custom object named "DUI_App". For support of these objects in Workplace Tech 5.1 until 5.9.4, log into The Exchange Download Center and download the file Application Objects_rev1.zip. There is also a detailed DUI_Application_Documentation_rev1.pdf that describes the operation of the "DUI_App". For support of these objects in Workplace Tech 5.10.0 until further notice, log into The Exchange Download Center and download the file Application Objects_rev2.zip. There is also a detailed DUI_Application_Documentation_rev2.pdf that describes the operation of the "DUI_App". Note: VAV box controllers do not have DUI expander objects available. See TB06-02 for additional details.

  Issue Replacing a SHR humidity sensor when set as  4-20mA loop powered (2 wire). Product Line Field Device Environment SHR100-T* SpaceLogic SLA**** Cause When replacing a SHR100-T* sensor, there are only 2 wires and the sensor is set to loop powered for measuring humidity. Resolution The SLA sensor when used for measuring humidity and is only available as a 3 wire device when used with both 24Vac or 24Vdc (20-30Vdc) for measuring humidity, these are: power, ground and signal.   Either use a 3rd wire if available or use an alternative device.   Download the SpaceLogic Sensor Installation Sheet        

Issue Selecting the appropriate IO system on a Continuum Net Controller (NC1 or NC2) Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CX9900 CX9940 CX9680 Cause Controller configuration Resolution Continuum Net Controllers can support three different IO systems, ACC-LON, LonMark XDriver and the legacy LBus. Only one IO system can be selected, the controller must be re-started after the selection is made. The document Selecting IO system in Continuum NetController has instructions on selecting the desired IO system for the controller.

Issue Valve V384 is obsolete, a replacement valve is requested. Product Line Field Devices Environment V384 7318421000 7318425000 7318429000 7318433000 7318437000 7318441000 7318445000 7318449000   V341 7314121000 7314125000 7314129000 7314133000 7314137000 7314141000 7314145000 7314149000   V311T 7311717000 7311721000 7311725000 7311729000 7311733000 7311737000 7311741000 7311745000 Cause Replacing obsolete valve V384  Resolution Depending on application, the V311T(nodular iron) or V341(bronze) are recommended as replacement valves. Both will require pipework modification and for V341 a connection kit will be required if internal threads are necessary.   

Issue Existing documentation for showing damper feedback and provide damper calibration is applicable only for Continuum and the same steps will not work in SmartStruxure. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure i2866-V b3866-V Cause Damper feedback and calibration for these controllers do not work the same in SmartStruxure as they do in Continuum. Resolution The correct damper feedback can be shown, but will require a script program to correctly calculate this and then write this back to an Analog_Value. Unfortunately, it is not possible to bind directly to the "LCD State" attribute to be able to toggle this (and the damper calibration feature) from within a Script Program. For now, toggle this attribute of the Damper Output manually from "enabled" to "disabled" and back. This will set the damper to drive closed fully, then open fully, then to about 75%. After this is calibrated properly the "Override Value" attribute in the Damper Output will update with likely a very large and strange-looking number. To convert this to something usable, multiply this value by 100 to give a percentage open value. See Zip file with XML code and screenshots of the configuration with notes. Either import supplied XML file into b3866-v or create below objects: Create DamperOutput as a multistate output. Assign to channel 1. Create DamperPos AnalogValue. Create Script Program Damper_Position and input code as shown in image. This will be a looping program. Bind DamperOverrideValue to the OverrideValue attribute of the Damper Output and DamperPosition to the DamperPos AnalogValue we created earlier. See image for details. After the points and program is created and the damper calibrated, you should see the DamperPos AnalogValue update with a live representation of the current Damper Position.

Issue AS-P that has infinet devices connected to it, crashes during the Spring time-change of daylight savings. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Andover Continuum, infinet devices Cause Infinet schedules are sent down to the controller on a weekly basis. Having changed from default to be on Sunday between the time of 2:00 AM and 2:59 AM causes issues during daylight savings time "spring forward" due to that hour time span not existing. This causes the AS-P to crash. Resolution If you have schedules being download differently from the default time interval, ensure that they are not being done on Sundays, between the time of 2:00 AM and 2:59 AM. If they are, update them forward or back an hour to avoid further issues.