Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Integration of the Rayleigh Instruments CT-2EA kilowatt-hour meter with the Xenta 5xx\Xenta7xx Xenta 913 and Modbus RTU Environment Xenta 511, 527, 55, 701, 711, 721 (5.1.5 up) Xenta 731, 913 (all versions) XBuilder Rayleigh Instruments CT-2EA kilowatt-hour meter Cause Disclaimer:  This device template is intended to provide a starting point for an integrator and is not meant to be a mandatory points list for your integration project. Product Support Services has written this device template in an effort to give our customers a solid example of how to develop a device template for the above product.  The integrator will be responsible for any additions or modifications to this device template.   Please report any problems with this template to Product Support, via the Contact link at the top of this page. Resolution Please use the following dev file as a starting point and a guide to the integration.  This .dev file contains all of the registers in the device published by the manufacturer.  If any other data is required please see the latest Rayleigh Instruments documentation to make the necessary changes.   To use these files in XBuilder please follow these steps: 1.  Extract the .dev file from the .zip file in the link above and place it in a convenient location on your harddrive. 2.  In XBuilder, right-click on the Modbus Master device and choose 'Add Device'. 3.  Browse to the extracted dev file and choose 'Open'. 4.  Rename the newly added device to a unique name within the Modbus Master network.

Issue Is it possible to view web pages from an Xenta server using an iPhone or Android telephone? Environment Xenta Server 5.1.X Xenta 511, 527, 711, 731 Apple iPhone, iPad or Android smart phone mobile app Cause An increasing demand from customers to be able to monitor a site via a smart phone web browser. Resolution Whilst there are no official apps for iPhone or android smart phones, it is possible to create some static HTML pages which can be viewed in a smart phone web browser. There does however appear to be some restrictions is some web browsers, so try a number of different web browsers before determining if a web page works or not. The steps below outline how to create a simple variables page that can be viewed with a smart phone. An example is also attached as well as 2 copies of the HTML page that needs to be edited to increase the number of variables on the page. 1. Create a new Xbuilder project with the desired controller. 2. Create the folder structure for mobile users. a. Add a folder to the tree structure and name it "Mobile pages" or another appropriate name. b. Right-click on the page and select New\Page\HTML Variable Page. c. Select the tmpl1form.html template when prompted. d. 5 variables will be created in the folder under the HTML page. These are called SignalTag_1 - SignalTag_5. e. If more variables are required, right-click on the folder and select New\Object\Signal. Rename the signal "SignalTag_X" (in the example project SignalTag_6). f. Rename the variable page if required. g. Connect the signal tags to the appropriate signals e.g. LON/Modbus etc. 3. Generate the project. 4. Locate the Xbuilder project in windows explorer. Note the folder structure! 5. Locate the HTML variable page created under Project Name\Target Image\www\info\your folder name\your folder name\ 6. Edit the HTML variable  page that was created in Xbuilder (either notepad.exe or Microsoft front page or another appropriate HTML editor). The editing is to connect the extra variables created. In this example SignalTag_6 a. Locate the TAC_validateForm function at row 39. The original file contains 5 signals (as per the template): 'memsignal.4' to 'memsignal.8' Copy the complete text for one of the signals eg. for a boolean signal ,'memsignal.8','b','RinRange0:1' and then paste the text just before the closing bracket for the function. Rename the signal to memsignal.9 (or whatever the next number in the sequence is). b. Locate the paragraph tr bordercolor = "#000000# that contains the signal memsignal.8. c. Copy the entire paragraph and paste it in the document between the /tr of the previous paragraph and the tr bordercolor of the memsignal.8 paragraph. d. Remove the line containing "input type="submit" name="Submit" value="Submit" from the paragraph containing memsignal.8 e. Add the text: " " f. In the last paragraph containing "input type="Submit"...", change the memsignal.8 text to memsignal.9 and select the correct data type. Save the changes. 7. Copy the edited HTML page from ...\TAC XBuilder Projects\PSS Smart Phone\TargetImage\www\info\PSS Mobile Friendly Site\Mobile Pages to ...\TAC XBuilder Projects\PSS Smart Phone\UserTargetImage\www\info\PSS Mobile Friendly Site\Mobile Pages This creates the folder structure in the Xenta server when downloading the project. a. Download the project to the Xenta server (select "All files" when downloading). b. Browsing the Xenta server should result in a page similar to that shown below. 8. Configure a mobile user and grant the appropriate access levels. a. In the web interface go to Configuration\User Administration\User Administration and create a new user similar to the example below. b. Configure the user's access so they can only access the mobile folder and the pages contained within. 9. Log in with the newly created user and check that the view is similar to that shown below. The values should be able to be updated and submitted using the submit button. This is a very simple example, but this can easily be built upon with a little knowledge of HTML programming. For example, the home page can be adapted by using FTP to retrieve the intro731.html (or introXXX.html if you're using another Xenta server). Open the file and edit the following paragraph: You'll see that the text has been changed to "Mobile users, click here" and referred to a page PSS_HVAC/Mobile.html. This mobile.html page can be created and saved in the correct folder under user target image.  Link to Xbuilder project and before and after variables page.

Issue Some sensors such as the SCR110-H CO2 produce a noisy signal even when wired according to the documented instructions. The following is a trend chart of the unfiltered raw signal from the sensor. Environment Automation Server Continuum controllers TAC Xenta Cause Noisy signal is typically caused by common ground wiring of AC power. Resolution SOLUTION #1 Signal noise can usually be eliminated by using an isolated transformer to power the sensor separately as opposed to using a common transformer that powers up several pieces of equipment. SOLUTION #2 For sensors that support  AC and DC input voltage, signal noise can usually be eliminated by using DC instead of AC power source to power the sensor. SOLUTION #3 Implement a Slew Rate to filter out the noise. As of version 1.7.1, StruxureWare Building Operation does not have a built-in slew rate functionality. Nevertheless, a custom slew rate can be implemented using Script programming. See HowToDebounceANoisySensorSignal.pdf SOLUTION #4 Add a filter (FILT) in a Function Block program after the signal input Description: The function block is a discrete time first order software filter. The filter time constant is specified in seconds with the Time Const parameter. The initial block output value is zero. The filter algorithm is y(k) = y(k-1) + 1 / 1+T/h (u(k)-y(k-1)) where y(k) and u(k) are the filtered and unfiltered values at time k, respectively,h is the sampling interval (i.e. the application program cycle time), and T is the filter time constant. If the time constant is less than or equal to zero, no filtering is done. To obtain a good filter function, the time constant should be set significantly greater than the application program cycle time. This filter algorithm is based on a straightforward backward difference approximation of the continuous time derivative operator. SOLUTION #5 Ensure you are not using older versions of the IO Firmware. As detailed in TPA-SBO-17-0006.00 the firmware should be at least V2.015 in the modules and is available on the Download Center.

Issue What NEMA or IP rating is a specific product? Environment All devices Cause Is a product protected against water and access by foreign objects? Resolution The Degrees Of Protection document details both the IP rating and NEMA Enclosure charts. The IP rating is made up of 2 digits, the first is the level of protection to foreign objects, the second is the level of protection to water. If a product does not specify any rating for water ingress in it's datasheet then the the second digit will be 0. The first digit relates to the size of a foreign object that can be inserted into the product. Typically many Buildings products will not allow the insertion of a finger (12.5mm approx' 1/2") and offer no water protection, so they would be rated as IP20, however it would be IP10 should they have holes of up to 50mm (approx' 2").

Issue Webstation static graphic viewer no longer works in Chrome, FireFox or on smart phones. The "Loading..." image never goes away. Environment Webstation Cause The file "xmlHttpImageLoader.js" located in "C:\inetpub\wwwroot\TACVistaWeb519\Modules\Graphics\ImageLoader" (519 being the version of TAC Vista installed) uses the name "status" for a variable in the script. This variable name is a reserved word. The name is actually not a reserved JavaScript word, but a reserved Windows word: http://www.w3schools.com/js/js_reserved.asp Resolution As only Internet Explorer is supported, this is not going to be fixed. There is however a workaround that will enable viewing graphics in static mode. 1. Rename the file C:\inetpub\wwwroot\TACVistaWeb519\Modules\Graphics\ImageLoader\xmlHttpImageLoader.js 2. Paste this corrected file to the same location

Issue On rare occasions you will get an error during the installation of Echelon OpenLNS Server on Windows 8.1 64 bit saying that the installer can't create specific registry keys. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Other, TAC Vista Environment OpenLNS Windows 8.1 64 bit Cause The user does not have permission to access those registry keys. Resolution Add the registry keys manually. Alternatively, run OpenLNS on Windows 8.1 - Registry paths.zip reg file that will add the keys. Run the installer again.

Issue Vulnerability affecting certain versions of OpenSSL. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment OpenSSL Cause Software vulnerability Resolution Information and Customer Statement located at the following link on the community: Schneider Electric Security Statement Regarding the Heartbleed Vulnerability. A corporate statement on this can also be found here: Schneider_Electric_Heartbleed_Customer_Statement_APR_15_2014.pdf.

Issue When using a web browser to change the SMTP port number from 25 to, for example 465, and save, if leaving the page and navigate back to that page, the changed port number reverts back to 25. Environment Xenta 555 Cause When using a web browser to change the SMTP port number from 25 to, for example 465, and save, if leaving the page and navigate back to that page, the changed port number reverts back to 25.  Resolution Change the port number to something other than 25 in the Xbuilder project then upload the Xenta's project again. For example: From.   To: Now, in the future, you will be able to change the SMTP port number using a browser, if changes are required.

Issue MBus to Modbus TCP Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell Sigma, TAC Vista Environment Mbus Modbus Cause How to read MBus devices into a BMS System using Modbus TCP Resolution There are different methods, but these are generally using a Modbus RTU / Mbus gateway and then converting it to Modbus TCP. The following ADFweb solution allows Mbus to be read directly into a Modbus TCP device. Click here for the datasheet.

Issue Need information on securing a building automation system. Environment Best practices Cause End user has requested assistance for their IT department to secure the building automation system. Resolution Click here to get a copy of Best_Practices_for_Securing_an+IBMS_WP.pdf,  a white paper written by Schneider' Electric's Buildings BU IT Security Group. This also located on the Download Center here

Issue Need a M-bus device template for Multical 602 to use in Xbuilder Environment Vista 5.1.8 Xbuilder 5.1.8 Cause an Xbuilder device template for Multical 602 is required to integrate it with a Xenta Server (such as Xenta 913) Resolution Here is a M-bus device template for the Multical 602

Issue How do you get the Modbus register list and communication values from a ICP7188 (SP7040) project. Have extracted files from ICP7188 (blue turtle) want to upgrade this to a Xenta 731 or 913, how can I read the current register configuration from this device. Environment ICP 7188 Cause Want to replace a ICP7188 "blue turtle" device with a Xenta 731 or 913 and need to now what the current Modbus configuration / registers are in the ICP7188 device. Resolution To retrieve the Modbus values from the ICP7188 (SP7040) project you will need two text files Cfg9100.txt and MAP9000.txt. from the original project. and the following files contained in this ZIP file SP7040. Note:  If you need to extract these files you can follow the instructions in the "ILink Commissioning Guide" PDF which is contained within the above ZIP file.  If you don't have the LinkTerm application detailed in this document you can download and install it from here. N.B: After extracting this LinkTerm.zip file there are two files with the extension '.rename', ISDEL and SETUP.  Both these extension must be renamed to '.EXE' and then you can follow the instructions is the above mentioned guide. After extracting the SP7040 ZIP file to a drive on your PC along with the two text files into the directory proceed with the following steps: 1. Open the TGT9100.xls file. Make sure you have Macros enabled in Excel. 2. Then select the Device Editor button.   3. This will move you to the System Device summary with a message indicating there is a mismatch of the configuration files. Select Yes too load the configuration files   This will populate the Table from the txt files copied earlier. 4. Now you can select the + button next to the Type heading 5. Then select the + button next to the Type heading to show the Modbus values for that device.   6. To view the communication setup select the + button next to the System heading as seen in the step 4 image.

Issue How to decode the Week Chart Hexadecimal Value in Vista.   Point Name TSCHED.TS09 Channel Name DMAVISTA-LNS-DMA-Channel4-LTG_04_09 Object Name Time Chart - TAC Xenta Week Chart Value 00006270^00001C20^7F~00001D4C^00006270^7F Interpretation [7:00:00 AM - 2:00:00 AM, SMTWTFS] [2:05:00 AM - 7:00:00 AM, SMTWTFS]     Environment Time Schedules Cause  A Hexadecimal Code is generated upon creation or modification of a time schedule. Resolution The Hex code represents seconds after midnight and days of the week, and days of the week that the schedule is on.  An Excel spreadsheet to perform the conversion for you can be downloaded here. In this Example: [7:00:00 AM - 2:00:00 AM, SMTWTFS] [2:05:00 AM - 7:00:00 AM, SMTWTFS],  Is coded to be: 00006270^00001C20^7F~00001D4C^00006270^7F Break down each bracket into parts, here is the first bracketed time elapse: 00006270^00001C20^7F 00006270 =7:00:00 AM 00001C20 =2:00:00 AM 7F=SMTWTFS To decode 00006270 which represents 7:00:00AM: 00006270 (Hex seconds) =25200 (Decimal seconds) 25200/60 (seconds in a minute)= 420 minutes 420 /60 (minutes in an hour) = 7 hours 12AM midnight plus 7 hours is 7:00:00AM  To decode 00001C20 which represents 2:00:00AM: 00001C20=7200 7200seconds = 120 minutes 120 minutes = 2 hours 2:00AM To decode 7F which represents SMTWTFS 7F (Hex days of the week) =127 (decimal) =1111111 (binary)  = SMTWTFS Each bit of a 7 digit binary value is used to represent the day on in the schedule… S=1000000 M=1 T=10 W=100 T=1000 F=10000 S=100000   Here is another example: 0000003C^00000078^04 [12:01:00 AM - 12:02:00 AM, ---W---]  3Ch=60, 78h=120, 04h=0001000

Issue It is possible to use Thermistor Inputs in Xenta 281 Environment Xenta 281 Thermistor Inputs Cause The Xenta 281 does not have any special thermistor inputs. Resolution Yes, it is possible to use the Xenta 281 Universal Inputs for Thermistor Inputs. Click HERE to see the procedure.

Issue Can a BS5308 part 1 type 1, 2 pair individually screened cable be used for M-Bus communications? Environment M-Bus Communication Cables Cause A BS5308 part 1 type 1 cable was installed for Modbus communications, but it was then found that the communications were M-Bus Resolution The correct cable to use for M-Bus is J-Y(ST)Y.  These indoor telephone cables transmit analogue or digital signals; Aluminium-laminated plastic foil static screen with tin-plated drain wire minimises the interference of high frequency, electromagnetic field;TP structure minimises crosstalk. For the datasheet please click HERE. The BS5308 part 1 type 1 cable can be used, and the chart below shows the calculations used to establish this. For the cable datasheet, please click HERE. For the Excel spreadsheet please click HERE.

Issue Loading or upgrading new firmware into a 102-AX VAV controller that resides under a Jace controller Environment Jace Vista Xenta 102-AX Firmware Cause Updating firmware in a 102-AX VAV controller that has previously been commissioned into an existing network Resolution Please click here to see a step by step procedure document on the recommended procedure for this task.

Issue The TA210U controller is obsolete since many years, but the manual is sometimes still requested Product Line Field Devices, TAC Vista Environment TAC210U TA210U 2107030QRW 2107030QRT 0844427005 0844428005 Cause Old controller Resolution The (Swedish-only) manual can be found here: TA210U Controller User Manual (L3238001.pdf).

Issue Need Menta programming that can be used to monitor a pulse signal coming from a water meter, electric meter, or gas meter. Environment Menta Vista Cause A Menta program that can be used to monitor water, electric, or gas metering. Resolution The program below is set up to receive a pulse signal for three different meters. Click the picture of the Menta macro below to download the source file.

Issue Is it possible to connect a number of Vista servers to the same SQL server instance? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X in a multi server environment. Cause Customers with larger sites may wish to collect the log data from TAC Vista on one SQL server for ease of maintenance and security reasons.  Resolution There are a couple of conditions to observe when doing this: Each Vista server must have it's own database (ie. taclogdata1, taclogdata2, taclogdata3 etc). The SQL server machine must be able to handle the increased load. There must be sufficient space for all the databases. A maintenance plan must be put in place - regular defragmentations and rebuilds (See White Paper - SQL Server Best Practices).

Issue The tod_event SNVT is a structured SNVT that uses three fields; current state, next state, and time to next state. Environment  Vista Menta Cause When creating a tod_event SNVT in Menta, it is necessary to create the three separate fields. Resolution Here is an example of how a tod_event SNVT needs to be created. Click the picture of the Menta macro below to download the source file.