Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When using Advanced Display and logging in to Webstation, it startups in kiosk mode with limited functionality. Example:   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Advanced Display Cause When running Webstation in Advanced Display it is by default started in kiosk mode Resolution Open SmartX HMI Kiosk in Advanced Display In "Webstation setup" delete the part ?kiosk# Example: https://192.168.42.116/?kiosk#  Webstation be started in kiosk mode https://192.168.42.116/  Webstation will start normally

Issue Need to replace discontinued Erie actuator model AH13U020-Z but unsure if the current model AH13U020 can be used as a direct replacement Product Line Field Devices Environment Erie actuators Cause Unable to find any documentation for the AH13U020-Z Resolution The '-Z' models for the Erie actuators indicates it is the Made in China version of the actuator. We have since stopped manufacturing the actuator in China.  The AH13U020 can be used to replace the AH13U020-Z

Issue Controller fails to backup to flash. See error message "Unable to backup objects to flash ..." ACCStatusFlash variable should be ACCFlashValid not ACCFlashFailure Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Controllers NetController 2, bCX9640, bCX4040 Cause A Program or Function in the Controller is corrupt and cannot be compiled or is blank and does not have any Plain English code in it. Resolution Go to the config page (Controller Configuration) Clear database backup Fix up or delete the offending programs Re-attempt to save the database to flash

Issue Cannot delete personnel. A personnel object will not be deleted due to distribution failures. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation Cause If a person has an area assigned and the controller or door has been deleted, the distribution to remove that person from that controller cannot be accomplished successfully. Resolution First, remove all areas from the personnel object before deleting the object. This is by design. The reasoning behind this is to allow a person to be removed from the network before disabling access. Other things to check if distributions are failing: If running MSDE or SQL2000: Check to make sure the Agent is running. Check for duplicate tables and make sure they're all DBO Check Security Continuum DB make sure there is only one DBO linked to Andover97. If using SQL 2005: Look at the jobs under the Agent. They trigger every 5 minutes and are responsible for the task of deleting the personnel objects marked for deletion. At times there are errors for why the jobs are not running properly. If the above steps do not correct the issue then it could be an issue with the database. The PSS engineer may request the database to perform analysis to reproduce what is happening and offer suggestions to correct the problem.

Issue An error message is displayed when trying to save changes to a Programmable Xenta in Menta Editor. The error message is: Tam32 Save Error Index was out of range. Must be non-negative and less than the size of the collection. Parameter name: index (E) Error message trying to save changes in Menta Editor Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation 3.0.2 or earlier Xenta 281 Xenta 301 Xenta 401 Cause A defect in Menta Editor causes this error to be displayed when a SNVT name in the Menta application is identical to the programmable Xenta device name.  An example of this is shown below: Resolution This problem has been fixed in Hotfix 3.0.2.2500 and the fix is included in version 3.1. For earlier versions there are two ways to resolve this problem; Either a) rename the Xenta device, or b) rename the SNVT. a) Renaming the Xenta device In Workstation right click the Xenta device and choose Rename Click OK Now you can edit the Xenta in Menta Editor without getting the error message b) Renaming the SNVT Right click the Xenta device and choose Edit In Menta Editor double click the block with the SNVT binding to edit the block Click the Bind... button to edit the binding Change the name, click OK to close the dialogs and Save the changes

Issue MNB controllers do not have internal trend log capability.  Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series MNB controllers I/A Series R2/G3/N4 Jace Building Operation Automation Server Cause The MNB family of controllers does not have internal trend log capability.  To log these internal calculated values, a different method must be used to allow the values to be logged in an EBO Automation Server or a Jace Resolution The BACnet objects "Analog Monitor" and "Binary Monitor" in the Workplace Tech tool may be added to an MNB controller application program. When connected to internal data values in the application, the values can be uploaded to an EBO Automation Server or a Jace for trend logging.

Issue Alarm code, configuration code passwords for DC1100 and DC1400 Product Line Field Devices Environment DC1100 controller DC1400 controller Cause Configuration Resolution Passwords are: 0112 for configuration mode 0402 for fast run mode

Issue Configuring a SetPoint in EcoStruxure Building Operation so that the set value of the SetPoint is retained after a Warm or a Cold Start rather than defaulting to zero. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause The value retention configuration is not held in the initial properties page of the Analogue Value when used as a SetPoint. Resolution Navigate to the actual value within the properties page of the Analogue Value. On the right hand side of the GUI there is a Configure button. Pressing on this button then takes the user to a sub menu where the Retain level option can be enabled. Once enabled it is then possible to decide whether the SetPoint needs to retain its value under a Warm Start or a Cold Start condition.

Issue Vista webstation - Error message in FIPS-compliant systems first time the logging screen is entered and red X instead of values in TGML pictures Error message in FIPS-compliant systems when Windows Communication Foundation is used to serialize generic types: “This implementation is not part of the Windows Platform FIPS validated cryptographic algorithms” Red X instead of values EcoStruxure Building Operation registration WorkStation Error Product Line TAC Vista, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Vista Webstation Cause System cryptography: Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing and signing This security setting determines if the Transport Layer Security/Secure Sockets Layer (TL/SS) Security Provider supports only the TLS_RSA_WITH_3DES_EDE_CBC_SHA cipher suite. In effect, this means that the provider only supports the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol as a client and as a server (if applicable). It uses only the Triple DES encryption algorithm for the TLS traffic encryption, only the Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman (RSA) public key algorithm for the TLS key exchange and authentication, and only the Secure Hashing Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) for the TLS hashing requirements. For Encrypting File System Service (EFS), it supports only the Triple Data Encryption Standard (DES) encryption algorithm for encrypting file data supported by the NTFS file system. By default, EFS uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm with a 256-bit key in the Windows Server 2003 family and DESX algorithm in Windows XP for encrypting file data. For information about EFS, see Encrypting File System. NOTE - The same errors can occur in EcoStruxure Building Operation when registering. Resolution Go to Local Security Settings Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options System cryptography: Use FIPS compliant algorithms for encryption, hashing and signing = Make sure its disabled to get to local security you can go to 1. go to start 2. Go to run 3. enter secpol.msc 4. press enter NOTE - The same errors can occur in EcoStruxure Building Operation when registering. The Resolution is the same

Issue Alarms about BACnet devices with duplicate names These are not required on the site Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Third Party BACnet Devices Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause In EBO, BACnet device name uniqueness enforcement has been removed but an alarm is sent regardless to alert of the problem. Resolution Disable the alarm if it is not require in the alarm view. This is achieved by right clicking on the alarm in the Alarm Pane and 'Disable Alarm'

Issue  Where do I find our BACnet controllers BACnet PICS? (Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement) Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series Environment All BACnet controllers Cause Alternative locations to find BACnet PICS for our controllers. Resolution PICS documentation can be found on The Exchange Download Center and BACnet International website.

Issue LON Network - Cable Transient Suppression Product Line EcoStruxure Building OperationTAC IA Series, TAC Vista Environment LON networks that extend beyond the walls of a single building Cause Surge arrestors dissipate transient energy before the cable can provide a low resistance path to the building ground, preventing potential electrical damage. Resolution Click here to download the white paper on this topic: Cable Transient Suppression It is recommended that a Transient Suppression protection device be installed on the LON communications cable at any point where the cable enters or exits the building. The LON is frequently used to connect a collection of controllers in one building with a collection of controllers in one or more other buildings in a campus. The LON may also extend outside the protection of an office building when servicing communications to roof-top equipment and/or outside monitoring equipment. At any location where the LON cable penetrates and extends outside the building compartment, it is recommended that a gas discharge type lightning arrestor be installed across the LON conductor pair and earth ground as shown below. This should be positioned as close as possible to the wall penetration location. The objective is to keep the cable distance as short as possible before the cable suppression is provided. It is important that a heavy gauge earth ground connection be provided to the gas discharge protector with as short a length as possible. Here we want to dissipate the transient energy as soon as possible before the cable extends on into the facility and provide a low resistance path to the building ground. SA2-U8 Surge Arrestor TAC provides a Model SA2-U8 Surge Arrestor which can be used for this purpose. This SA2-U8 device is a gas discharge arrestor packaged in a small DIN rail mountable enclosure. The SA2-U8 is UL864 listed and is the only device that can be used on TAC UL864 listed system. It must be installed on the LON cable at any entry/exit locations. Other Gas Discharge Suppressors On non-UL864 systems, the SA2-U8 may also be used, or the installer may use any one of a number of available 90V gas discharge tube devices. These are typically tubular shaped components and since you need two tubes (one for each of the two LON conductors) a dual element three lead discharge tube is recommended. The device’s leads may be attached to a standard screw terminal block and mounted in most any size electrical box. A collection of some of the suitable gas discharge devices that could be used is as follows: Manufacturer Part Number Bourns 2026-09-C Epcos B88069X8440B202 Citel BTS-90 SRC Devices PMT-090-14   There are other acceptable part numbers available from each of these manufacturers with variations provided in the lead configuration and lengths while maintaining the same 90V protection rating. Devices To Avoid It is not recommended that you use any semiconductor type (Transzorb / TVS / Diode) protection devices. Their higher speed and lower clamping voltage characteristics is not necessary with the inherent protection offered by the FTT-10 and FT-X1 LON transceivers. Such semiconductor based transient suppression devices frequently add some undesirable capacitance to the network which impedes communication performance and most inject signal clamping at voltage levels much lower than necessary or desirable for the Free Topology FTT-10 and FT-X1 based LON networks. The common mode noise immunity of the FTT LON should be much better than that provided by the typical RS485 network. This should provide more tolerance for electrically noisy environments. However, it has been observed that some semiconductor based network protection units have been used that can drastically degrade communications performance. One such device is the Model 91287 from Atlantic Scientific Corp. which was identified by the manufacturer as a LON System protector. This device clamps the signal at one diode drop below ground level which virtually destroys the LON’s common mode noise tolerance. The presence of one of these devices has been found to be the cause of communications problems in a system operating is an electrically noisy environment. This type of communications impairment may be encountered immediately. In other instances, LON retries may cover the problem and the system may operate for extended period of time before environmental or equipment changes raise noise levels above the tolerable threshold. This threshold is now much worse than RS485 networks. This device, and any similar, should be avoided on any LON systems.

Issue Workstation Pro License fails to allow running of v2.0 or v3.x EcoStruxure WorkStation following an upgrade Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment WorkStation Licensing Cause Workstation Pro License SXWSWWORK00002 (SW-STATION-PRO-0) is the same for v1.x and v2.x, so that WorkStation Pro should continue to operate after an upgrade. However, there was a License upgrade/change at v1.7 (from v1 to v2) and if the License was registered before this the version remains at v1 and this will not run v2.x WorkStation Resolution The WorkStation Pro License needs to be returned, then re-installed using the online Licensing system.   Before License is returned   After license is returned  The process to return a license can be found in Webhelp.

Issue How do you add a "CAUSE" for electronic signature? Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.x Cause The "Cause" for electronic signature is located in the $System object. Resolution Open the $System object located in the root folder in Workstation Open the tab "Cause" Add the "Cause"

Issue Door needs to be set to SiteMode+CardMode for weekdays and SiteMode+CardMode+PinMode for weekends. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment NetController (CX9900 , CX9940 , CX9702 , ACCX5740 , ACX5730) InfinetController (ACX780, ACX781) Cause Customers want to have a PE program that changes the door mode to be more secured for the weekend according the building schedule. Resolution In the PE program ; Set DoorName\EntryNormMode = 3 ' Set the door mode to SiteMode+CardMode for weekdays Set DoorName\EntryNormMode = 11 ' Set the door mode to SiteMode+CardMode+PinMode for weekends. The values for the different modes are: 1 = SiteMode 2 = CardMode 4 = GeneralMode 8 = PINMode 16 = ScheduleMode The individual values are added together to obtain the desired mode. As seen above, setting the mode to 3 makes the door validate site + card. It is recommended that both the normal and nocomm modes be set (EntryNormMode, EntryNoCommMode) For a dual reader door, use the corresponding ExitNormMode and ExitNoCommMode.

Issue In Design mode, you can view and then zoom in and then out, but once a windows control is added, the zoom feature is lost Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Pinpoint Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Functions as designed Resolution FAD - Functions as designed. This issue was detected and written up and investigated by engineering. Based on the engineer that wrote Pinpoint, it was decided to not make this feature available with Windows control added. We know zoom works in Design mode until you add the Windows Control, but the coding required to make it work with the Windows Control would have been too much and cause instability. Engineering decided to make that feature unavailable.

Issue Does Security Expert support HTML graphics? Product Line Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause Continuum transitions, INET transitions, and greenfield sites require HTML graphics Resolution The Security Expert software v4.2.259.19 and previous builds do not support HTML graphics.

Issue Advanced Display Version 2.0 Tablets are loosing connectivity to their associated AS-P (connected via USB) when the AS-P is power cycled or the USB is briefly disconnected, even after the connection/power has been restored. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Advanced Display V2 Cause There are a number of internet browsers available to the user of an AD V2 once the SmartX Kiosk App has been entered. Chrome has been included in the standard view of the Kiosk for some time. and using the 'show/hide system apps' button within the Kiosk the other apps can be accessed on the tablet such as Samsung's own Samsung Internet App (as long as as the Kiosk pin is used). However since the release of Kiosk 8.1 only the Webstation App, which is built into the Kiosk is supported for connection to the AS-P and to use Kiosk 8.1 or greater the Android 8.0 build firmware of the AD V2 must also be brought up to T580XXU4CSA1 as a minimum.  (as detailed by TPA-EBO-19-0002.00) Using the Chrome or Samsung internet apps or having an older build of Android 8 OS firmware may appear to work fine on first impressions, but connectivity issues may then arise such as those detailed above Resolution As long as AD V2 build is T580XXU4CSA1 or greater and the inbuilt Webstation App is being used for all AS-P connection, then users should not encounter any connectivity dropout at all and any new issues which arise can be raised with Product Support Services.

Issue While moving a SmartX Controller from one AS-P to another, there is an error stating "The following devices appear to be hosted by another server. In order to host them, you must first right click the device and select 'Clear host information' ".   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation IP-IO Building Operation Room Controller Cause SmartX controllers can only be hosted by one automation server at a time. Resolution Use the Device Discovery tab in the AS-P Once the MP is found, right-click on the device Select clear host information    

Issue Right after you start the Device Administrator, the program crashes. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure Device Administrator Cause In rare cases, the XML file containing information regarding the default login and device list for the Device Administrator is empty or corrupted. That causes the Device Administrator to crash when launched, as the information in the file doesn't have the correct content format. Resolution Delete the settings.xml file which is automatically generated. Depending on the installed version it may be located in one of the following paths: Version 1.9 and lower "C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric StruxureWare\Building Operation 1.X\Device Administrator" Version 2.0 onwards "C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation X.X\Device Administrator" Start the Device Administrator