Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How does a Menta application execute? Environment Menta Cause Menta applications use parallel computing. All updates are simultaneous. There is no order by object name or number. Location of objects on the page has nothing to do with execution. Resolution Menta applications update all objects simultaneously. On the first program cycle, the outputs of all objects are updated based on initial values within all of the blocks. On the next sweep, all inputs are updates from external values or outputs from upstream objects. All outputs are then updated from the new inputs. This process then continues.

Issue What is the significance of initial value settings for some blocks in Menta? Environment Menta PVR, PVB, PVI Cause Initial value settings are used on the first program cycle after a download or the first program cycle after power has been off for more than 72 hours. Resolution The most common error in programming a value for the "initial value" is programming a value that causes some unique aspect of the program to execute. For example, if the initial value of the mixed air temperature is programmed at 0°F and a low limit alarm value of 40°F is part of the logic, a mixed air alarm will be generated on the first program cycle and the fan may be locked in the off position. Always program "safe" initial values.

Issue It is possible to stop the execution of the application in a programmable controller. Typically, this is done accidentally. Environment Xenta programmable controllers Directly connected Menta Cause When you are connected to a controller using the RS232 cable and you are in the online mode you can stop the application by pressing and then releasing the execution button. Resolution  If the application has been stopped while directly connected through a serial cable, and the cable is then disconnected, the application will remain paused. When directly connected to view a Menta application it is best practice not to use the execution button. If an application has been stopped, you must connect directly to the controller again to start the execution.

Issue How do you keep others from using my TAC Vista IV licenses? Environment Vista IV Licensing Cause Networked PCs will look for licenses outside of their local drives. On a shared engineering drive, this can cause problems. Resolution In order to have your PC set up so that it does not share its license over a network: Go to Start > Run > Type in regedit Click OK Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Aladdin Knowledge Systems > Privilege Licenser > Applications Click on PLServe Double click on Network Change the 1 to a 0

Issue Disable TAC Vista IV license sharing over a network Environment TAC Vista IV Licensing Vista Server on an open network Cause Sharing licenses across a network can be a cost effective mechanism to enable several users to use a pool of seats. However, if yours is the only license on the network, it can accidentally be "stolen" by someone else running Vista Server on the same network and you will be unable to connect, or will have to wait a long time for your PC to find an available license elsewhere on the network. Especially in an engineering setting, it is better to disable this feature. Resolution In order to have your PC set up so that it does not share its license over a network: Go to Start > Run Type in regedit, Click OK Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Aladdin Knowledge Systems > Privilege Licenser > Server Addresses Enter the computer name in the TCP/IP Change Broadcast to NO.

Issue In Vista, alarms are not appearing in the alarm handling window. Environment Vista Workstation Alarm Queue Cause If the alarm is set up for a priority of Zero the alarms will not shown in Vista alarm window. Resolution If you are online in Vista, you can change the priority directly in Vista. The changes will be done in your MTA file when you export the file. Go back into Menta change the priority level in the alarm block Redownload the Menta file. Go into Vista Open the object selection box Double click on the alarm object Click on the button Status button Change the priority level Click OK

Issue Recommission a device in LonMaker causes the loss of Configuration Parameter setting that were changed in the browser. Environment Echelon LonMaker Cause These values exist in the device, but not in the database. Resolution When recommissioning, select use Current Values in Device instead of Default. After you have Made all the changes to the CPs in the browser that you want: Close the browser Right click on the device Go to Resynch CPs Select the Option – Upload values from the device Click OK. This will upload the Value that you just sent to the device and insert those values a CP defaults into Lon Maker’s browser. This way every time you recommission a device it will not lose any of these changes.

Issue Procedure for uninstalling I/NET Seven on a stand-alone host Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Cause This is the procedure for uninstalling I/NET Seven and removing trace files on a stand-alone host. Resolution Go to Control Panel > Add & Remove Programs Remove I/NET Seven Remove Microsoft SQL Desk Top Engine (MSDE) Go to Windows Explorer > Program Files Delete any remaining I/NET Seven files and any remaining MS SQL files

Issue Some TCONs mention specific Belden wire products for LAN and Sub-LAN installation. Where can more information about Belden wire be found? Environment I/NET LAN and Sub-LAN Cause Wiring standards dictate certain communication wires to be run for proper comms. Resolution Go to the Belden website for more information: http://www.belden.com.

Issue Can I/NET Seven Reports be generated automatically by time of day? Environment I/NET Seven Reports Cause Desire to generate reports automatically by schedules. Resolution I/NET Seven can schedule reports using Auto Report Generation.

Issue Replace the default I/NET splash screen image that appears at boot-up Environment I/NET Site Cause How to replace the default I/NET splash screen image that appears at boot-up Resolution Find the location of the image file “inetw.bmp” Replace it with the new file. I/NET will be looking for “inetw.bmp” when the I/O driver is restarted; so the new image must use the original name “inetw.bmp” in the bitmap format.

Issue After an upgrade of a PCU, if the controller is restored, will that reset the consumption data? Environment PCU Cause A restoration of the controller will delete existing consumption data. Resolution Yes. Refer to TCON 237, page 7-17.

Issue In I/NET Seven, I’m missing the first entry in ACTrans table. I am in the process of upgrading the site from I/NET 2000. The Site is now running I/NET Seven revision 1.00 or 1.01. Environment I/NET Site Cause In I/NET Seven, I’m missing the first entry in ACTrans table. I am in the process of upgrading the site from I/NET 2000. The Site is now running I/NET Seven revision 1.00 or 1.01. Resolution This is a reported bug that has been fix in I/NET Seven rev 1.02 (Track Record #3436). DbCreate (which is a TAC product) was failing to import the first entry in the ACTrans table. Now, when an I/NET 2000 database is migrated, all entries will be brought to I/NET Seven. Subsequent edits can be performed and the list will remain intact.

Issue Add card access information to I/NET Seven at any time from the Video Badging host. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Cause Add card access information to I/NET Seven at any time from the Video Badging host. Resolution I/NET Seven Revision 1.02, (Track Record #3507 - ID Works) has been changed so information can be added to a card and saved to I/NET at any time. Check your INET’s readme and upgrade notes for details.

Issue My customer’s I/NET Seven site is getting “no lines available” messages when the host attempts to dial the 06 tap that sent AMT information. Has this been fixed? Environment I/NET site Cause My customer’s I/NET Seven site is getting “no lines available” messages when the host attempts to dial the 06 tap that sent AMT information Resolution (I/NET Seven rev 1.02, Track Record #3422 -) A change has been made in the way calls are handled so the line is not dropped until I/O Server is shut down. This eliminates the failure to answer incoming calls after the first call and clears the problem of “no lines available” when the Host attempts to dial out.

Issue How should I set the Peripherals section of the Configuration Profile in I/NET Seven for Access Control? I am not using I/DISKs; and I do not have any access control hardware on these comm ports. Environment I/NET Site Cause How should I set the Peripherals section of the Configuration Profile in I/NET Seven for Access Control? I am not using I/DISKs; and I do not have any access control hardware on these comm ports. Resolution Leave the ports at the default settings. Make sure you enable the Access Control option in the Workstation Options of the configuration profile.

Issue What is the name of the database format I/NET uses within its environment? Environment I/NET database Cause Building specifications may require the database format for design or as-built documents. Resolution The I/NET database format is proprietary and does not have a name. It is a "Closed system." As a matter of baseline security, it would be unwise to share ANY such information outside of the company. The distribution of such sensitive information increases risk to all of our customers, not just the requesting customer. As a provider of security/access control products, our priority is to protect all of our customers; one way we do that is by protecting engineering details.

Issue Although site operation appears normal, there are problems with file equalization when the desktop PC is direct connected to the NPR. Active Configuration Profile, Link type is NetPlus Router. Environment I/NET Seven NetPlus Router Integrated Dial Integrated NPR dial Cause File equalization is not available on the workstation if your link type is NetPlus Router, Integrated Dial, or Integrated NPR dial. Resolution File equalization is not available on the workstation if your link type is NetPlus Router, Integrated Dial, or Integrated NPR dial. Refer to TCON 298, 3-13 for more information.

Issue Grant momentary release on a door without ability to modify points Environment I/NET DPU Cause One application would be security guards. You want to grant the guards the ability to momentary - release any door, but do not want to give them the ability to modify points. Resolution Give them access to only graphic pages. These pages should have internal DOs or internal DIs . Since these discrete points are two state, they can be used to trigger event sequences that will only open the doors for brief periods. Last and of course not least, go to the guards host passwords (not your host password), and remove any function you do not want them to have. You will need "Live Graphic Page" and probably several other functions, so you will have to customize this set up to fit your situation.

Issue Can I run third party software on my I/NET PC Environment I/NET Site Cause Third party software on same pc as I/NET Resolution TAC software is delivered for use on IBM and compatible PCs. While your PC is capable of running other third party software while running I/NET, trying to do so may present general operational difficulties. This is particularly true if the other third party software is memory resident. When used as it is intended, the TAC software is also memory resident. The use of more than one memory resident program at the same time may impose unresolvable PC system parameter conflicts and may cause one or more of the memory resident programs to fail. Refer to TCON 300.