Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How do Automation and Scripts work in Security Expert? Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment EcoStruxure Security Expert Cause Lack of understanding regarding the usage of Automation and Scripts features in Security Expert. Resolution 1. Automation Automation is used for C-Bus interface programming in Security Expert. It allows Security Expert to send signals to the C-Bus Network or change the state of Security Expert outputs based on control signals from C-Bus. Note: This integration is not currently validated or supported. 2. Programmable functions: Programmable functions in Security Expert enable you to directly monitor and display analogue values, such as those from HVAC systems, using Data values and Variables. These values can then be used to trigger functions within Security Expert. You can set up programmable functions to control logic within Security Expert, Doors, Areas, Elevators, and more. For further information, please consult the help file. 3. Scripts: Currently, Scripts are not available in Security Expert. The "Run Script" option under Events > Actions > Configuration > Type does not have any functionality.

Issue Using the Function Block Program Macro Library Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause The need for program examples on creating Function Block Programs Resolution To assist with creating Function Block Programs, the EBO Function Block Program Macro Block Library is included in the EBO Workstation installation. Here's how you can leverage the Macro Library: Access the Macro Library: Open the EBO Workstation. Navigate to the Function Block Program section. Locate and access the Macro Library. Incorporate the Macro Library: Once inside the Macro Library, explore the various pre-built Function Block Program macros available. Select the desired macro that aligns with the specific function you intend to program. Integrate the selected macro into your Function Block Program to enhance its functionality. Learn by example: The Macro Library also serves as an excellent resource for learning and understanding how to program specific functions. Study the structure and logic of the included macros to gain insights into effective programming practices. Utilize the examples as a starting point to develop your own customized Function Block Programs. The EBO Function Block Program Macro Block Library is designed to simplify and accelerate your programming tasks within EcoStruxure Building Operation. Leverage the library's resources and example programs to enhance your programming skills and efficiency.  

Issue Cannot change the IP address or host a SpaceLogic IP device, MP or RP controllers, or IP-IO modules in a second EBO Server. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment IP address BACnet Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation Room Controller  Building Operation IP-IO Building Commission Application Cause 1. IP settings are saved (eg in Building Commission), but the IP address of the Controller does not change. (Option to change most settings is grayed out from Building Commission for hosted SpaceLogic IP devices) 2. The Controller is already hosted by an EBO server and cannot be hosted by a second EBO server, thus data objects cannot be read. 3. Rehosting an SpaceLogic IP device to a different EBO server Resolution 1. Changing the IP address "settings" can be done with Building Commission application, formely know as eCommission Tool, in some earlier versions but if the SpaceLogic IP device, formely known as SmartX IP device, is already fully hosted by an EBO Server, then a warm start from the Building Commission is inhibited. (Option to change most settings is grayed out from Building Commission for hosted SpaceLogic IP devices) Without the hosting Server initiated warm start the new IP setting will not be used. If the SpaceLogic IP device is not hosted then the IP address can be changed from the Building Commission, using the warm start option. Notes A local warm start initiated at the SpaceLogic IP device(manually with the reset button) will not force the SpaceLogic IP device to use these new settings. See BACnet/IP Controller Commissioning Scenarios The IP address of a Hosted SpaceLogic IP device cannot be modified from eCommission Tool A factory reset will force the SpaceLogic IP device to return to AutoIP and DHCP, the BACnet Id will generally be retained see Automatic Association after a Factory Reset in a BACnet Controller or IO Module 2. When a SpaceLogic IP device is fully hosted by an EBO Server, it can be BACnet hosted by a second EBO Server, but this will only contain the standard BACnet Applications folder. This hosted BACnet Device needs to be manually created using the SpaceLogic IP device instance Id.  Below, it can be seen that the fully hosted SpaceLogic IP device and the BACnet only hosting under ASP_22   3. When a SpaceLogic IP device is configured or programmed via the hosting EBO Serving using WorkStation, some of the objects (eg. Scripts or Function Block) data is not fully contained within the SpaceLogic IP device. Thus if the hosting EBO server is changed, some of the configuration data will be lost and a simple upload to the new hosting EBO Server will not upload all the data required to recreated these objects. In such a case, an export from the original hosting EBO Server should be imported into the new hosting EBO Server to ensure no data is lost.

Issue Alarms not received at the Enterprise Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell BAS & Sigma Environment Sigma Transition Alarms Cause Alarms are being generated by the controller but do not appear at the Enterprise Server. Resolution If any changes are made to the Sigma system using the Sigma Server, then either all, or part of the Sigma configuration must be re-imported into the Building Operation Enterprise Server.

Issue Certificate for FDA regulations in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, 21 CFR Part 11 "Electronic Records / Electronic Signatures." Can Building Operation incorporate a comment section to capture a reason for change made by an operator/user? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Cause Building Operation site in need of the compliance certificate for 21 CFR Part 11 "Electronic Records / Electronic Signatures." Usually, these are pharmaceutical manufacturing sites, and the full FDA document PRT11Elect.pdf is attached to this article. Resolution EcoStruxure Building Operation 3.2 and higher Compliance Pack enables 21 CFR Part 11 compliance for regulated industries. The Compliance Pack is an add-on module to EcoStruxure Building to help regulated industries meet the compliance requirements for Electronic Signatures & Electronic Records that are in place in the region.   This feature in our EcoStruxure Building Operation software provides facility-wide accountability and traceability of the environmental conditions that can impact the quality and safety of products developed in controlled environments in line with the 21CFR Part 11 regulation.   Compliance Pack is a licensed feature and compatible with EcoStruxure Building Operation V3.2.1 and later. Part Number Description SXWSWCMPLPK001 Compliance Pack – includes TimescaleDB, Digital PDF Signing, Change Control, For one Enterprise Server or one Enterprise Central For technical documentation and sales enablement tools for the Compliance Pack, please visit The Exchange Building & Power Extranet and use the search keyword: 21cfr ebo   EcoStruxure Building Operation 3.1 and below EcoStruxure Building Operation V3.1 and below has not addressed the pharmaceutical market and there is no electronic signature feature set that meets the FDA regulations 21 CFR part 11.   For sales issues surrounding FDA regulations, please contact through your sales channel to the local Category Manager. Americas: Americas.EcoStruxureBuilding@schneider-electric.com EMEA: EMEA.EcoStruxureBuilding@schneider-electric.com Asia Pacific: AsiaPac.EcoStruxureBuilding@schneider-electric.com

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

Issue The 6 character PIN for the SmartXKiosk has been forgotten so the user cannot exit Kiosk mode Note the PIN is case sensitive Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartXKiosk Advanced Display v1 Advanced Display v2 SmartX Controller Cause The 6 characters PIN for the SmartXKiosk has been forgotten or lost and the user cannot locate it. Resolution In order to reset your SmartXKiosk PIN, follow the steps below:   In the SmartXKiosk application, click on Exit Kiosk Mode in the bottom right corner of the screen. In the Exit Kiosk Mode window, click on Forgot PIN?. An 8 characters or 15 characters Session ID will be generated.  Take note of this Session ID.    Open a ticket with Support to request a SmartXKiosk PIN reset and provide them with the Session ID. Once Support sends you back the Recovery PIN, click Continue on the Session ID window. In the next window fill in the Session ID from step 2. and the Recovery PIN that Support has provided. Click Continue. You can now reset your PIN. Enter your new 6-digit PIN number and confirm it before clicking Submit. The PIN is case sensitive. It must be exactly 6 characters, otherwise an error will occur.  Important Note: The Session ID generated and the Recovery PIN provided to you by Support will expire at midnight on the day that the Session ID was generated.   Note: For Advanced Display v3 please see How to recover the password for Advanced Display version 3

Issue The address used to access the Generate Authentication URL up to and including PME 9.0 no longer works. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation EcoStruxure Energy Expert (formerly Power Manager) EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert Cause Up to and including PME 9.0 the following address could always be used to access the 'Generate Authentication URL' page which allows a user to manually create urls/hyperlinks for specific PME pages (with and without authentication) to use in EBO: http://<yourservername>/SystemDataService/Auth/GenerateAuthURL .     However with the advent of PME2020 this address is no longer valid. Resolution The address for the 'Generate Authentication URL' page has changed in PME2020 and permission to access this new address must also be activated via a Query run on the SQL database of the PME2020 install. Page 1676 of the PME 2020 System Guide  - Manual integration steps without using the Integration Utility - shows the required steps and the new address to be used.

Issue What features are included in Building Operation evaluation (demo) licenses? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation evaluation license Cause The features included in evaluation licenses are not shown in the documentation. Resolution License Administrator (Software Evaluation License) After adding the evaluation license in License Administrator,   Click on the "Diagnostics" Tab. Click on "Refresh the list". Local licenses list generates. Example of generated list: Local licenses: -------------------------------------------------------------------- Trust Flags: FULLY TRUSTED Fulfillment Type: TRIAL Status: ENABLED Fulfillment ID: LOCAL_TRIAL_FID_498 Activation ID: SC_57LRIHRFBOXC28SGYTPKCH98WIRKMWE Product ID: NAME=EcoStruxure Building Operation Demo License;VERSION=5.0 Suite ID: NONE Expiration date: 01-Feb-2024 Concurrent: 0 Concurrent overdraft: 0 Hybrid: 0 Hybrid overdraft: 0 Activatable: 1 Activatable overdraft: 0 Repairs: 0 Feature line(s): server.mssql (Version 5.0) client.zoning (Version 5.0) client.dashboard (Version 5.0) server.ec.auth.saml (Version 5.0) server.ws.generic.consume (Version 5.0) server.dig.signed.docs (Version 5.0) server.alarms.snmp (Version 5.0) server.ec.es (Version 5.0) server.device.es (Version 5.0) server.ws.ews.history (Version 5.0) Sigma.Server (Version 4) server.mqtt.rw (Version 5.0) graphdb.base (Version 1.0) server.esignature (Version 5.0) server.enterprise.base (Version 5.0) server.ws.ews.consume (Version 5.0) client.cad.import.tool (Version 5.0) smartdriver.license (Version 5.0) server.timescale (Version 5.0) client.script (Version 5.0) server.es.as (Version 5.0) client.graphiceditor (Version 5.0) server.device.as (Version 5.0) server.ws.ews.serve (Version 5.0) server.es.auth.saml (Version 5.0) server.enterprise.central (Version 5.0) client.functionblock.view (Version 5.0) client.station (Version 5.0)   Refer to the Webhelp EcoStruxure Building Operation Software Feature License String Description topic for an explanation of the license feature strings. Device Administrator (Embedded Evaluation License) After adding the evaluation license to the Device Administrator (see the article How to activate a demo license on an Automation Server at EBO 2022) follow the steps to view the available features: Click on the Entitlements. Click on Product Licenses. - The individual features are then shown as column headings The best way to see all the features available is to right-click on the license name under Product Name and choose Add/Remove columns.   A Select columns popup is then shown, and the available features are much easier to read.  

Issue A script program status is halted with an error indicating "Tried to divide a value by zero"   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation MP-C Controllers  Building Operation MP-V Controllers  Building Operation RP-C Controllers  Building Operation RP-V Controllers  Cause The halted program, or a function used within the program, has within itself a divisor that equals or can equate to zero.  An example would be if using Scan as a divisor - (Err - Lerr) / Scan Resolution Ensure that no divisor within the program or function can possibly become zero.  One way to do this would be to either set the divisor to a value greater than zero prior to using it or add a small value to the divisor.  For example:  (Err - Lerr) / (Scan + 0.00001)

Issue "You need to enable JavaScript in your web browser to be able to use Building Operation" message is displayed in the browser window when accessing EBO WebStation using the URL "https://<IP>/login/login.html" Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Webstation 5.0.3 and later Cause In order to bypass automatic guest account login, some sites have used https://<IP>/login/login.html as a direct URL to the login page. In EBO 5.0.3 this direct URL has been changed to "https://<IP>/login.html" to allow PCT 2.0 to operate correctly. Resolution Use the new "https://<IP>/login.html" URL to bypass automatic guest account login and update any saved browser bookmarks.

Issue Communications with an AS can fail due to high CPU usage and it goes offline in the ES.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium(AS-P) Building Operation Automation Server(AS) Cause A large graphic was being edited and when saved, the AS appeared to crash, but had actually gone offline to the ES. Resolution This issue was due to the AS CPU usage, which was found to be very high and was making the AS appear to be offline to the ES, when the graphic was saved. The graphic that was being edited was accessing a large number of Universal Inputs, and these input values were changing frequently, this in turn was causing the increased CPU usage. Changing the threshold setting of a Universal Inputs. Select the properties of the universal input to be adjusted. View the configuration section and select the threshold value. Enter an appropriate value for the input being modified.  

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 Services for assistance. Issue Information needed about how to change the "appuser" password used by the Report Server Agent Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Web Reports Cause There is no information available on whether the Web Reports "appuser" account password can be changed and how it's done Resolution NOTE: Refer to the following article Report Server "appuser" clarification for additional information on the appuser   The password defined for the user in the configuration file needs to match the actual password in the operating system. To change the password, do the following   Stop the WebReports Agent service Change the password defined for the "appuser" in Windows Change the password defined for the "appuser" in the WebReports Agent config file: C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric\StruxureWareReports\StruxureWare Reporting Agent\SE.WebReports.StruxureWareReportingAgent.exe.config Restart the WebReports Agent service

  Issue Schedule a meeting on a day when the site will be closed early. Steps are needed to ensure a door can be configured for 'card only' mode for the meeting. Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Cause At times it's necessary to schedule a meeting on a day when the site will be closed early. Steps are needed to ensure a door can be configured for 'card only' mode for the meeting and then revert back to the normal schedule or extend the meeting until the end of the standard schedule. Resolution Steps to configure a door(s) with a schedule using holidays and 2 T&Ps to temporarily place the door in Card Only mode and then revert back to the standard schedule. In this example, the standard schedule Unlocks the door from 8a-5p.   Create a Holiday (Early Meeting) for the meeting date and ensure a Holiday Group Membership is selected Configure a schedule(Leave Early) for the meeting date(s) and length of the meeting. Select the Holiday Group in this example named 'Early Meeting Test' in the far right drop-down. The Holiday Group is needed for this to work. Note: The short-duration example was used while testing this multiple times a day. Configure a T&P (Early Meeting TP) to temporarily change the reader mode to 'Card Only' using the schedule (Leave Early). Select the Leave Early schedule and the 'Schedule-Became-Active' Event, the reader mode and the reader(s). The "Indefinite" duration drop-down selection worked. The other drop-down options did not work for this schedule implementation. Configure a T&P (Early Meeting Cancel) to cancel the Temporary Reader mode and revert control back to the standard schedule and to Unlock the door. Select the Leave Early schedule and the 'Schedule-Became-Inactive' Event, the reader mode and the reader(s). Extend the meeting to the end of the standard schedule if needed to keep it in card-only mode. Testing Results: At 3:55p the Leave Early meeting schedule became active and the TP changed the reader mode to card only. * Please disregard the Door held open highlights in the following snapshots At 4:00p the Leave Early meeting schedule became inactive and the TP canceled the temporary reader mode. The door Unlocked in this example after control was handed back to the standard schedule.

Issue Enterprise Server will not start due to no valid license file error: "nsp.csc.licensemanager No valid Enterprise Server license found. Terminating server." or Cannot find license file. (Error code: -1) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Software Administrator Building Operation License Administrator Building Operation Workstation Cause Enterprise Server is not started and states no valid license file is found. License Server is installed on the same computer and has valid license(s). Similarly, WorkStation may not start even with a License Server installed with a valid license. If you get error -1, it means that you didn't enter the required @ before the license server address. Resolution In general, any licensed Building Operation software (Enterprise Server, WorkStation, Editors) needs to know where the license server is located. That means that the license server path needs to be entered on any PC having licensed Building Operation software installed. The "License Administrator" part of the license installer can be installed on any PC, and the license server address set using the administrator. The license server itself does not need to be installed on all PC's, but only on the PC hosting e.g. the Enterprise Server. The IP or DNS name of the PC hosting the license server is entered with an initial @, e.g. if the IP of the license server PC is 1.2.3.4 you enter @1.2.3.4 Checkpoints Remember to enter the license server address starting with a @. For example, don't use "localhost" but "@localhost". Is your evaluation license current? If not, download from EcoXpert Extranet Check that antivirus software is configured to allow the operation of the license server. (refer to SmartStruxure Workstation or editors can't get license when using firewall (errors -15 or -96)) Reboot the machine where the License Server is running. It has been observed in some cases where the error 'No valid license or Cannot find license file error' appeared after an upgrade that rebooting the machine solves the problem. Check to see if there are multiple versions of the License Server installed on the machine. If multiple versions are installed, make sure to only run the highest installed version as a Windows Service. All other License Server and License Administrator software should be uninstalled from the machine.

Issue With Script Programs in Continuum we were able to check the variable time against an integer value. Like "if time>500 then...".  In StruxureWare Building Operation time is of the type datetime, no longer an integer. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Script Program Cause In StruxureWare Building Operation a datetime internally is now a 64 bit number, so dates can go beyond the year 2038 which was the top limit for Continuum.  Numbers in script for StruxureWare, like in Continuum are just floats ( 32 bits ) so when trying to map a 64 bit number ( the date ) into a float it is not going to work.  You will get very erroneous readings, therefore the ban. Resolution Here are some examples of the correct StruxureWare program: Remember that for the dates, you can only compare dates to dates, not dates to numbers… In general,   you CAN do the following:       compare dates to dates                ==>   if Date1 > Date2  then     add numbers to dates                   ==>    LaterDate = LastDate + 24*3600     subtract numbers from dates         ==>    EarlierDate = LastDate - 24*3600   you CANNOT do the following   compare dates to numbers                ==>   if Date1 > 500  then

Issue The License Server does not start automatically when the server reboots. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Licensing Cause The License server is attempting to start before some dependent process has started. Resolution To edit the FlexNet Service go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services Right click on FlexNet Licensing Service and FlexNet Licensing Service 64  and select Properties. Change the Startup Type from Automatic to Automatic (Delayed Start)

Issue Need more than 50000 registers in a Modbus device Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause The Modbus specification sets a limit of 65535 as the largest register number. Resolution Enter the value into the Register number configuration property. The Modbus specification sets a limit of 65535 as the largest register number.

Issue Does the Niagara R2 Modbus driver support a 6-digit address format? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara R2 Modbus driver Cause Modbus 6 digit addressing is not supported when using modbus format in the driver. Resolution The six-digit address format and the five-digit format are just two different notations for the same thing - there is no difference in the protocol. For example, the first one thousand holding registers are normally represented as: (modbus) 40001 to 49999 -or- (decimal) 0 to 9998 -or- (hex) 0 to 270E When using modbus format in the driver, the left most digit, '4' in this example, is part of a convention that indicates the 'type' of point and, when using that convention, the point type does not have to be specified.  For example, for modbus point 40001 the '4' indicates that it is a holding register. But there are actually 64000 holding registers available and, using the common 5-digit modbus notation, it is not possible to specify more than 9999 of them. The six digit convention just moves this 'type' digit one space to the left. In this six-digit notation, the first one thousand holding registers would be 400001 to 409999. This 6-digit convention for 'modbus' formatted addressing is not supported but it is still possible to use decimal or hex notation to specify these addresses with Niagara R2. When 'modbus' formatted addresses are used, the driver subtracts 1 from the entered address, since modbus uses base 1 formatting and decimal uses base 0.  When using decimal or hex, the leading digit is dropped and subtract one from the register value and optionally convert to hex and use that as the point address. For example, to read data from register address = 422202 Drop the leading character = 22202 Subtract 1 = Decimal address 22201 or hex address 56B9

Issue Unable to find the latest firmware for ADv3 in EcoXpert Extranet Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Advanced Display v3 (ADv3) Cause The firmware is not publicly posted since the process to load the firmware should not be attempted without guidance from Product Support. Resolution All customers must to open a support case to receive fixes or enhancements.