Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Need for a custom report for the customer, client, user. How to create custom reports. Product Line TAC I/NET Environment I/NET Seven system with the need for Reporting Cause Reports which come with I/NET Seven software preloaded reports may not give the desired report needed or wanted Resolution Clients or Customers often come up with specific reports needed for their site. PSS does not support custom reports, make custom reports for clients, or assist in the development or production of custom reports. You can understand, the report's clients are endless and we simply would be covered up with requests and changes at every site worldwide. It is recommended to take a look at TCON301 (TAC INET Seven Database Connectivity and Reporting) beginning on page 4-1 which explains SevenReports. It is also suggested to look at and compare the different tables and what information they contain. Here you can get a better understanding of reports and take a canned report.  the reports which are available on the install CD and change to fit the needs of your client. This is the fastest and best approach to the manufacturing of custom reports.

Issue Configuring Daylight Savings Time. What is the proper way to do this? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Cause There are two different ways to setup the Daylight Saving Time in I/NET. Daylight Saving Time DST is not observed in Queensland, the Northern Territory or Western Australia, South Africa, and other parts of the world. The document below shows how to set 0 in the DST settings. If using a revision of I/NET prior to 2.21 be reminded that the DCU time sync problem in the ReadmeSeven.txt is not just pertaining to the error generated by not having DST settings for the controller. 2.21 is referring to the version where this was fixed. Also note that when upgrading a site, go all the way to 2.31 at least because it solved problems which were in the previous revisions. Resolution Option #1: Using Windows time and NO controller time synch Set Windows Time for daylight savings changes. Remember to change the time zone for you location. In my example I am in the Central time zone. Set the Inet Host settings to do Time Sync. Function for all the controllers you wish to time sync with the PC. Enable the Daylight Savings settings using the "Setup" button. This is the correct settings for the controller configuration. Note if you set the daylight settings in this format you will get a 2 hour shift up or back. The daylight setting must be set to zero (0)   Option #2 Using Windows time and controller time synch Set Windows Time for daylight savings changes Set the Inet Host settings to NO Time Sync. Function This the correct setting for this controller configuration using the controller to shift the daylight saving time   The Daylight Savings times were set by the Congress of the USA in 2004 The beginning was to be the second week of March on a Sunday. This comes out in I/NET as being Month = 3 Week = 2 Day = 1 (Sunday is always day 1 Thus Saturday is day 7) The ending was to be the first week of November on a Sunday This comes out in I/NET as being Month = 11 Week = 1 Day = 1 (Sunday is always day 1 Thus Saturday is day 7)

Issue Error message when starting SigmaX, says "Failed to Create Object", once accepted SigmaX works correctly. Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma SigmaX Tools Utilities Cause Sigma Graphics has not correctly registered in the system registry. Resolution This issue is rectified as detailed below. 1 - Close SigmaX if running. 2 - Start the Sigma server and client. 3 - Open the Sigma graphics editor, and either open an existing graphic, or start a new one. 4 - Modify the graphic and then save the changes. 5 - Shutdown the Sigma client and server, Start SigmaX and confirm its operation.

Issue Can Strings be used in all controller types? Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment All Continuum Controllers b3, i2 Controller (EcoStruxure Building Operation) Cause Some Controllers do not support strings Resolution The String class of object are supported in the following products: CX series (including all Netcontrollers), bCX series, CMX series, ACX series, i2 series (except i2885, i2887), BACnet series (except b3885, b3887), DCX 250, CyberStation.

Issue No door transactions coming into AMT Transactions are not been sent by only one door. RX and TX lights on DPU / SCU are not flashing as per other DPU's Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET SCU / DPU Cause If you have the AMT masking set correctly and the Door Editor has transaction defined for the reader entry or exit and there are no transaction messages showing up in AMT. Then one of the issues might be the Quick Poll (QP) is turned off for that DPU.  Resolution Go to Edit > Controller > MCU Configuration Select the Station in question Is QP checked for all DPUs? Here is an example where this is not properly configured: QP needs to be checked, however, it is not possible to check or uncheck this column if the controller site is already set as DPU. Change the controller type from DPU to MR, then select OK. Go back to the Communication Statistics editor and put a checkmark in the QP box for this controller, then select OK. Go back to MCU Configuration and change the controller type back to DPU, then select OK. If the site is ever edited by any earlier version of I/NET, check Quick Poll.

Issue In the SmartX Server, there is a system alarm "Shadow update failed" which will not reset What is the procedure to get rid of this alarm? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Cause The SmartX Server subscribes to the global security settings in the ES, this alarm indicates that there is something wrong with that subscription.  Resolution To reset alarm Navigate to the ES control panel->Document policy. Remove .vsd extension. This should reset the alarm in the SmartX Server  Once the alarm is reset, you can acknowledge it to clear it off the alarm view. Then add the extension .vsd back to the document policy on ES if it is relevant for the customer.

Issue Unable to connect to the detected RPCs using Engage app v1.2.1 or later and RPC 3.02.01 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) (all types) v3.02.01 Building Operation Engage Application Cause EFR32 BLE chip needs to be upgraded to fw3.01.00.00012 but looking at the device report you see there is a Failure to upgrade EFR32 error. Resolution From workstation open the control panel and select the Firmware upgrade view. Right-click the RPC from the list of available SmartX controllers > Device> Upgrade Firmware>Select Device Firmware Select 3.01.02.00046 Firmware package Wait for the RPC to fully upgrade and return to an online state before going to the next step. This may take 6 to 9 mins which is normal. Right-click the RPC from the list of available SmartX controllers > Device> Upgrade Firmware>Select Device Firmware Select 3.02.01.00247 Firmware package Wait for the RPC to fully upgrade and return to an online state before going to the next step. This may take 6 to 9 mins which is normal Once the RPC is online Right Click the RPC > Device> Download All Objects If not upgraded in this order, the Bluetooth Chip isn't correctly upgraded and will fail.    

Issue b3 i2 going offline and logging multiple 0x1408s in its error log. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment b3 Controllers i2 Controllers Cause Excessive traffic on the network causes controller to run out of message buffers. Every time a controller receives a communication packet it has to allocate a block of memory (a buffer) to place the packet until it can be processed. Under normal network conditions the packets are processed at a rate that exceeds the rate at which they are coming in, in some cases typically associated with network configuration issues or malfunctioning nodes on the network, (i.e. broadcast storms) the firmware in the controller is unable to keep up with the amount of packets being received which exhausts message buffers available and renders the controller unable to communicate properly. In many cases the condition is temporary and does not result in a major problem, it is not unusual to see sporadic 0x1408s in the error log but when the condition persists for longer periods it will have an impact on the ability of the controller to communicate properly on the network. Resolution Use LAN captures to identify and remove the root cause of the excessive traffic.  Take steps to reduce the occurrence of many concurrent trend data requests being made of the b3 i2 controller such as staggering trend collection times, varying log-intervals or configuring some logs as COV (interval = 0).   Adjust the configuration to collect fewer trend records more frequently. 

Issue Using a Door's Card Reader to Inhibit and Enable Alarms Product Line TAC I/NET Environment I/NET Cause Access Initiated Control (AIC) can be used to trigger points based on reader entry.  This is triggered regardless of if the door is open or closed. Also, when using multiple commands, such as inhibit/enable alarms, one would need multiple readers to trigger the points.  The following process allows you to use the same reader to trigger both the enable, and inhibit alarm function. Resolution Create Points: If you have not done so yet, build a point for the Door Status.( These directions assume that 1= Open and 0 = Closed) Build an internal point called AIC Trigger. Create a calculation that keeps this point in the off state Configure AIC Create an AIC that will turn the AIC Trigger point on with a reader entry Assign this AIC to the appropriate door Create Event Sequences Create an event sequence called Enable Create an event sequence called Inhibit Modify the Inhibit event Sequence Add lines that will Inhibit each alarm For the last line, set a delay equal to the strike duration and the type as Skip if non-Zero Set the point as the Door Status and the Sequence as the Enable Sequence # Click OK Modify the Enable sequence Add lines that will Enable each alarm Click OK Click close Select Edit>Controller>Point Extensions>Event Definition Double Click on the AIC Trigger Point Set the Event type to Specified State Select "Sequence" and set the sequence number as the Inhibit sequence Select the State/Value as On Click OK Results Entering the door with a valid card read will cause all alarms to go to an inhibit state After exiting the door and allowing it to close, one can scan a card to enable the alarms. This will take effect after a delay equal to the strike duration. This process is based on the door position switch being open or closed as the strike duration expires. So that arming the system will only occur if the door is closed. There is a potential flaw if someone is able to scan a card, enter the room, and close the door before the strike duration expires.  If this happens the system will re-arm itself as the strike duration expires. For this reason, it is important to have as short a strike duration as possible.

Issue When opening a BACnet AnalogInput  from (the Blue) BACnet device side, the value of the object displays as 3 decimal digits by default. The format can be changed in the format field as desired, however when clicking the "Apply" button, an error prompt box pops up with the message "An attempt has been made to write a property defined as inaccessible through the BACnet  protocol write services". if the "Apply" buttonis clicked again, the error disappears and the format is been changed successfully. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum BACnet BCX1 B3s Cyberstation V2.02 and earlier. Cause Format is not a standard BACnet property, it is a Continuum attribute and when the format is changed Cyberstation sends a command to change the "present value" of the point in the controller. The present value of AnalogInput cannot be written so the error occurs. When clicking "apply" or "OK" for the second time Cyberstation only writes the attribute of the point in the database rather than the controller. Therefore we can get a successful change of format for AnalogInput by clicking "Apply" twice. For AnalogValue, the "present value" of  AnalogValue can be written in BACnet, so there is no error when changing the format of an AnalogValue. Resolution Ignore the error when making the change, click the "Apply" button twice after updating the "Format". Or upgrade to V2.03 where this issue has been resolved.

Issue DPU Restore, when and what information is downloaded to the Door Controllers Product Line TAC INET Environment TAC I/Net Seven site with DPU or SCU 7910, 7920 1284, 1280 door controllers, download Cause A variety of errors with door access can be attributed to download individual information to the door controller(s). Resolution When changes are made to any one of the following, a download is triggered to each of the DPU/SCU controllers. Name Group Issue Level Card Number If using DPU Restore, remember that during the DPU\SCU restore, these are the items that are being downloaded. Cold Start signal - followed by point data from the SLI Tamper Parameters (SCU Only) Translation parameters Tenant information Floor Mapping\Personnel data for each Elevator\Door Secondary Time Schedules End of the Cold Start process After the Cold Start ends, then the Big Card Numbers (HEX) are restored from the SLI to the DPU\SCU controllers

Issue After downloading application and parameters to a TAC Xenta from TAC Vista, get an error message "OUT OF MEMORY (RAM)" When trying to edit a Xenta trend in TAC Vista Workstation get an error message "Could not save the object: OUT OF MEMORY (RAM)" Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Workstation TAC Menta Cause The error message means that a trend log definition exceeds the capacity on the TAC Xenta unit. Resolution In Menta: Select the "Option" menu, and click on "Trend Logs". In the Select Trend Log dialog box, double click on the trend log that need to be edited. In the "Trend Log Definition" window, under "Signal" section: Increase the "Log Interval" time Decrease the "Log Space" time In TAC Vista Workstation: Right click on the Xenta log that needs to be edited. Select "Properties". Under the "Signal" Tab: Increase the "Log interval" time. Decrease the "Log space" time.

Issue Are 64-bit operating systems supported on the Andover Continuum product line? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation webClient Cause Compatibility requirements for Andover Continuum with 64-bit operating systems Resolution Release 1.93 and earlier: For all machines with CyberStation or webClient software installed, only operating systems running in 32-bit environments are supported. 64-bit environments are not supported.  However, for the Database Server on a LAN system where no Cyberstation or webClient software is installed, a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2008 (SP2) or Windows Server 2008 R2 may be used on systems running V1.92 and above. These will also require Microsoft SQL 2008 running in 64-bit mode. Release 1.94 and later: Release 1.94 supports 64-bit Operating Systems, however, Microsoft recommends the 32-bit version of Office 2010 because it prevents potential compatibility issues with other 32-bit applications, specifically third-party add-ins that are available only for 32-bit operating systems. Please refer to the release notes for compatibility notes in specific versions.

Issue Can a Remote Client run I/NET Reports (SevenReports) from the I/NET Seven Server's SQL database? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven SevenReports Cause In a Remote Client configuration, the local SQL database is not used and is typically blank.  To enable the local SevenReports engine to connect to the I/NET Server the ODBC data source must be configured to successfully connect to this server workstation.  Resolution To download more detail instructions please Click Here Remote Client: The following procedures describe how to configure the local I/NET Seven ODBC data source to communicate with the SQL server on another I/NET Seven workstation. Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator editor. (Control Panel / Administrative Tools) In the ODBC Data Source Administrator editor, click the System DNS tab, highlight the Seven ODBC data source, and click Configure.... In the DSN Configuration editor, use the Server field to specify the name of the I/NET Seven workstation and SQL Server instance that will be used as the server for this workstation. Click Next and enter the third-party Login ID and Password appropriate for the selected server. If the server is using the default settings for these parameters, the Login ID will be INetThirdParty and the Password will be passinetdb3p_SE. Click Next two more times and then click Finish. In the resulting window, review the summary of settings. If necessary, you can use the Back button to return to previous screens and make changes to the configuration. Click the Test Data Source... button to test the connection. Click OK to close the Test Results window. Click OK to close the DSN Configuration editor. Click OK to close the ODBC Data Source Administrator editor. Third-Party Applications Use the following procedures to create a new ODBC data source on a PC that is not running I/NET Seven. The purpose of this task is to allow local third-party applications to communicate with I/NET Seven running on another PC. Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator editor. (Control Panel / Administrative Tools) In the ODBC Data Source Administrator editor, click the System DNS tab and click Add.... In the resulting window, scroll through the list and highlight the driver appropriate for the version of SQL Server installed on your PC:  - For MSDE/SQL Server 2000, select SQL Server. - For SQL Server 2005, select SQL Native Client. - For SQL Server 2008, select SQL Native Client 10. Click the Finish button. In the DSN Configuration editor, make the following settings:  - Define the data source Name as “Seven ODBC”.  - Define the Description as “ODBC Connection for I/NET Seven”.  - Use the Server field to specify the name of the I/NET Seven workstation that will be used as the SQL server for applications on this PC. Click Next and make the following settings:  - Select the With SQL Server authentication using a login ID and password entered by the user option. - Near the bottom of the editor, enter the third-party Login ID and Password appropriate for the selected server. If the server is using the default settings for these parameters, the Login ID will be INetThirdParty and the Password will be PassInetDb3p_SE. Click Next two more times and then click Finish. In the resulting window, review the summary of settings. If necessary, you can use the Back button to return to previous screens and make changes to the configuration. Click the Test Data Source... button to test the connection. Click OK to close the Test Results window. Click OK to close the DSN Configuration editor. Verify that the new ODBC data source has been added to the list of System Data Sources. Click OK to close the ODBC Data Source Administrator editor. More detailed information is also available on Extranet in TCON301 Chapter 2 - ODBC Driver Interface section.

Issue After connecting a new Optimum Living Space Sensor, the LCD is blank other than being backlit. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation SmartX Living Space Sensor Optimum Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV fw 2.00.03.02000 or older Cause Only Living Space Sensor bases running application version 1.0 or later can read the Optimum cover models Resolution Upgrade EBO to v3.1.x or later and SmartX controller to fw v3.01.x or later. At the time of this being published, firmware revisions prior to 3.01.x are not compatible with the Optimum Living Space Sensors (SXWSCDPSELXB, SXWSCDPSELXW, SXWSCDXSELXB, SXWSCDXSELXW).

Issue When multiple Vista servers are networked up each Vista server displays all of the alarms. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 5 and greater Cause Each Vista server is set up to look and synchronize to the Master Server alarms by default. Resolution In each node object, there is an option to send and receive alarms. Here are the steps to stop a slave server from receiving alarms from the master. From the Master Server locate the slave node that the alarms are to be local only. The slaves' node name will look like this format.   $lan."servername" Right-click on that slave node and select properties. Uncheck the receive alarm option and select OK. This stops that slave receiving alarms form that server. The send alarm option can be used in a similar way to stop alarms being sent to the master if required.

Issue How many messages are buffered on a Door Controller 7910A and 7920 DPU? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Door Controllers: DPU 7910A, DPU 7920, and SCU 1284 Cause Even though every device in the system contains a message queue, only a few of the devices will successfully buffer the queued messages for later distribution. All controllers and Taps distribute messages out of their RS485 port even with the absence of any LAN communication. This is due to the fact that there is no requirement for an acknowledgment to be received at the generating device. The RS485 LAN is for both solicited and unsolicited message traffic. The only devices that perform extended buffering are the ones that directly communicate to polling devices such as the 7801 Taps, 7803 Taps, 7804 Taps, and all DPUs/SCUs. The MRs, ASCs, and UCs do not generate messages; messages relating to these devices are generated by the relevant MRI, MCI, etc. Resolution Refer to the Database Caching in the Door Controller Chapter 9-11 in TCON 300-05/17 for full details. For the 7910A and 7920 see the following details:  Controller software before v.2.20 = 100 messages Controller software for 2.20 and later = based on the number of resident individuals (see table below).

Issue A more in-depth description of each of the Direct Digital Control (DDC) modules in I/NET Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET DDC DCUs, PCUs, MRs Two Position Module (2POS) PID Controller (PID) Float Module (FLT) Reset Module DDC Hi/Lo Module (HI/LO) Relay Module (Single Pole Double Throw Relay) Calc Module Cause DDC is a system that measures a variable, compares the variable with a known value to determine the error, processes the error using a specific software algorithm, and then produces an output to modify the controlled variable. Resolution Most of these modules are discussed in both TCON 083 or  TCON 299 System Operator Guide for more details. (The System Operator Guide is installed by default on your I/NET Host Workstation) DDC Two Position Module (2POS) This module is used where the final control element is in either one state or another opposite state (ON/OFF, OPEN/SHUT). This type of control will commonly be used for simple heating or cooling systems, starting and stopping motors, controlling water sprays for humidification, etc. This module is available in our PCUs and DCUs; and you can customize it for your needs.  DDC PID Controller (PID) In Proportional (P), Proportional + Integral (PI), and Proportional + Integral + Derivative (PID) control, the control element moves linearly to a position that is proportional to the deviation and the rate of deviation of the controlled process variable from a prescribed setpoint. This type of control, in any of its three modes, or combinations thereof, is commonly used for the control of modulating valves, vanes or modulating motors where a proportional output control point is used. The proportional output control point may be either an analog output (voltage, current, resistance) or a pulse width output where the duration of the pulse is proportional to the error variation. This module is available in our PCUs and DCUs; and you can customize it for your needs.  DDC Float Module (FLT) Traditionally, floating control actuates a control device when the error, i.e. the difference between the controlled process variable and the setpoint, exceeds a deadband and maintains the control until the error is within the deadband. The floating controller is based on the same principle however it has been enhanced to include PID control without the requirement for analog output or pulse width position feedback. The output of this controller may be directed toward either a pair of variable pulse width discrete outputs to control a bi-directional drive motor or dual EP value arrangement which is generally described as a "pressure-vent" controller. This type of control is commonly used for the same applications as the PID controller where positive feedback is either unnecessary or economically unsound. This module is available in our PCUs and DCUs; and you can customize it for your needs.  DDC Reset Module (RESET) Reset is used to develop a setpoint output in an inversely or directly proportional relationship to one or two analog inputs and one or two operator-specific reset schedules. This module is available in our PCUs and DCUs; and you can customize it for your needs.  DDC Hi/Lo Module (HI/LO) This module is used to provide the highest and/or lowest value from two or more measured variables, most commonly temperatures. HI/LO can be cascaded to accommodate virtually any number of inputs of similar nature. Typically the lowest space temperature would be the most logical to use to directly reset the heating water setpoint. The HI/LO modules provide the control engineer with a convenient alternative method for making the selection. The HI/LO modules may also be used as an OR/NOR selector by using the state(s) of various monitored discrete points. This module is available in our PCUs and DCUs; and you can customize it for your needs.  DDC Relay Module (Single Pole Double Throw Relay) This module provides a mechanism for selecting one of two values or states based on conditions within the controlled environment. The actions of the relay are controlled by one discrete input and control which of two input states or values is directed to the output. The inputs and output may be either discrete or analog. The actions of this relay are analogous to its electric/electronic counterpart in its simplest form. This module is available in our PCUs and DCUs; and you can customize it for your needs.  DDC Calc Module This module functions similarly to calculations added to a point through the calculation extension editor. This module is only available in Micro Regulators (MR). It is not available in Application Specific Controllers (ASC). 

Issue Security Expert and Security Expert Data Sync Service are running and operational. After a while, the Data Sync Service stops synchronizing. Reviewing the Data Sync Service log file indicates that the connection was lost and that the operator username or password are incorrect. [WARN ] [0 ] - Failed to get Operator where ID = 6. Error Code: 8 (Connection lost/not logged on) [ERROR] [0 ] - Incorrect username or password, or the operator does not have access. Error Code: 0 (Error). Restarting the entire system or the Security Expert Data Service resolves the problem. Product Line Security Expert Environment Multiple Security Expert Clients Security Expert Data Sync Service Cause The number of concurrent clients has exceeded the licensed limit.   The Data Sync Service will make a connection each time it synchronizes and then close that connection when finished. If there are no client licenses available for it to use when attempting to connect then it will fail and present the following events in the log file. [INFO ] [0 ] - Verifying product license information... [WARN ] [0 ] - Failed to get Operator where ID = 6. Error Code: 8 (Connection lost/not logged on) [ERROR] [0 ] - Incorrect username or password, or the operator does not have access. Error Code: 0 (Error). [INFO ] [0 ] - Next sync will begin at 24/07/2019 9:42:59 AM Each Security Expert Client connection will take up a client license. If the SSN is enabled for three concurrent client connections this will allow for two Security Expert Clients and one Data Sync Service. Resolution Purchase more client licenses (SX-CLNT) for the sites SSN. Ensure that no more than [one less than the maximum concurrent clients number] Security Expert Clients are running when the Data Sync Service is also running.

Issue Is it possible to trigger a manual Battery Test in a SP-C or SP-C-Web? Product Line Security Expert Environment SP-C SP-C-Web Cause The SP-C Web Security Expert - Programming - Reference Guide refers to indication of when the SP-C-Web passes or fails its Dynamic Battery Test, but what if a user wishes to manually perform or trigger such a battery test. Resolution The Dynamic Battery Test is a purely automated process and cannot be manually forced or triggered, however these tests are performed every ten minutes when mains power is present.