Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How do you access BACnet MS/TP devices under an ENC without making a direct connection to the MS/TP bus?  Tunneling is supported with LON and ASD devices but there is no tunnel client for BACnet. Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool release 5.7.x or 5.8.x ENC with BACnet MS/TP devices Cause Want to connect WPT through the ENC to access the MS/TP network attached to the ENC. Resolution Tunneling is not required to access MS/TP devices under an ENC. Since the ENC is already a BACnet device because it has BACnet MS/TP devices connected to it, you can enable BACnet-IP or BACnet-Ethernet on the ENC.  Once either of these protocols have been enabled, the ENC then acts as a BACnet router allowing BACnet communications to the MS/TP devices directly via the ethernet connection to the ENC. To use the BACnet-IP interface via the ENC, you need to enable the BACnet IP port and enable routing in the BACnet Work Layer properties.  You also want to have "Poll Enabled" in the MstpPort properties.   Make sure that you have defined a different BACnet network number for the BACnetIP network and the BACnet MS/TP network.  To enable the BACnetIP interface you need to expand the BACnet communications tree and enable the port as shown in the following image.

Issue When attempting to access the Lon Flow Balance "Help Topics" from the Lon Flow Balance Help menu, the message "Failed to launch help." is displayed: Environment Microsoft Windows 7-32 operating system Micronet Lon Flow Balance 3.0 Cause Microsoft has removed the Windows "WinHlp32.exe" program from the Windows 7 operating system. Resolution See the Microsoft Knowledgebase article 917606 (click here) to download the appropriate Windows update..

Issue I/A Series G3 ENC-SW (Soft JACE) warning - Database resources exceed licensed capacity. Station may not restart. Environment I/A Series G3 ENC-SW (all versions) Cause The I/A Series G3 ENC-SW (Soft JACE) operates with a capacity limit based on Java Resource Units (kRU).  The base ENC-SW-1M includes 10 Million resource units (10,000 kRU).  ENC-SW-2MU can be added to increase the resource units by 20 Million for a total of 30 Million resource units (30,000 kRU). Upon station start, the software will analyze the database and calculate the current resource requirements.  This includes resources used for steady state runtime as well as resource allocation required to archive records (histories, trends, alarms, etc.). The software compares the calculated resource value against the license and generates a warning if the total exceeds the licensed limit.  The warning states "Database resources exceed licensed capacity. Station may not restart. Contact your vendor to acquire additional capacity." When a resource limit is specified in the license, exceeding the limit will result in the station failing. The entry in the I/A Series G3 ENC-SW license unique to a Soft JACE is the “resource.limit” number found in the “station” section.         expiration="never"         resource.limit="10000"         parts="SJ-1M-AX"/> In this license example, any station running on the Soft JACE is limited to a maximum of 10 Million resource units (10,000 kRU).  A station operating above this will generate a yellow highlighted warning in all views of the station, including wire sheets, property sheets, and Px views even when accessed via the browser. ENC-SW resource limit exceeded warning (seen in any view of its station) Furthermore, as the warning informs, the ENC-SW station may not restart. ENC-SW station restart failure example. You can check the current resource unit count of any running station currently opened in Workbench. To do this, right-click the station node in the Nav tree, and select Views > Resource Manager.  Resource Manager reports resource limit and current total Resolution If the existing ENC-SW is licensed for 10 Million resource units (10,000 kRU), purchase additional resource units (ENC-SW-2MU) to increase the total to 30 Million resource units (30,000 kRU).  Otherwise, review the "steady state" resource count and decrease the Capacity (Record Count) of trends and alarms to reclaim resources used for record allocation and maintain a safety buffer below the resource limit.  Note: History information may be lost is the limit is exceeded.

Issue I/A Series G3 Office Demo laptop a dialog box indicating "This machine is now licensed" followed by an error "Workbench is not licensed to run on this machine". Environment I/A Series G3 (all versions) Cause The computer date is earlier than the license generated date. Resolution Run the Niagara Console program for the G3 version.  Type the following command to view the license information. c:\niagara\niagara-3.5.34>nre -licenses The results will provide information to assist in diagnosing the problem.  In this case, the Licenses indicates that the current date is earlier than the license generated date.   Correct the date and time on the computer.

Issue I have a UNC-520-2 running Niagara 522 that is connected on a local network, with internet access. Alarm emails are not sent and I get the following error message: ERROR: Cannot send mail [/Dundee_2StClair/services/MailService] javax.mail.SendFailedException: Sending failed; nested exception is: javax.mail.MessagingException: Unknown SMTP host: smtp.broadband.rogers.com ; nested exception is: java.net.UnknownHostException at javax.mail.Transport.send0 (bytecode 611) at javax.mail.Transport.send (bytecode 9) at tridium.services.MailService.sendImpl (bytecode 29) at tridium.services.MailService.run (bytecode 44) at java.lang.Thread.run (line 5) Environment I/A Series R2 UNC (520, 410 or JACE-NSX/NXT) Cause Mail server address defined by name (smtp.broadband.rogers.com) No DNS server addresses defined in the IP address configuration of the UNC Resolution The error message indicates that there was no response from the SMTP server address specified.  In this case, since the SMTP server is specified by name instead of its IP address, it is necessary to provide one or more DNS (Domain Name Service) servers that can be used to resolve the address to its associated IP address. To enter one or more DNS addresses, access the UNC via the Admin Tool and select the Network Settings tab. On the lower part of the Network Settings screen, click the [Add] button and enter the IP address of the DNS server in the table.  Repeat this step if additional DNS servers are to be added.  Click the [Apply] to save the settings.  Here is what the screen looks like when two public DNS server addresses have been entered.

Issue Every time the Time Sync service runs, an error is generated in the Application Director console window.  The message reads "Error:  NTP in use, RFC868 clients ignored".  What is NTP and why is the system reporting the error.  I have the Time Server function configured in the same manner and with the same servers that I always use. Environment I/A Series G3 release 3.4 or newer Cause Both the "Time" and "NTP" time sync services have been enabled in the system. Resolution The I/A Series G3 software was modified in Release 3.4 to allow the use of the use of NTP protocol time servers in addition to the older "TIME" protocol time servers. If the I/A Series G3 system software detects the use of the more accurate NTP protocol, the error message "Error:  NTP in use, RFC868 clients ignored" is reported and the attempt to synchronize the time to the TIME server will be ignored. The use of "TIME" protocol servers and clients are configured in the "TimeSyncService" service in the station services.  The use of "NTP" services is configured in the "NtpPlatformServiceQNX" under the Platform Services.  If you desire to use the TimeSyncService instead of NTP, you need to disable the "NtpPlatformServiceQNX" by opening the "Ntp Platform Service Editor QNX".  To disable the service, set "Enabled" to FALSE as shown below.

Issue Unable to access to ENC via its Ethernet port. Connection to the ENC's Serial Shell indicates the ENC is continuously rebooting which the following messages. Press to stop autoboot... Autobooting... Loading image from on-board nand flash Niagara JACE 4/5 IPL Version 0.78 Environment I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Controller (ENC) Cause Unable to load NAND image Resolution The ENC cannot be recovered in the field. If the unit is still under warranty, contact Product Support and obtain a Return Authorization Number for warranty claims through your usual channel. If the unit is no longer under warranty, purchase a new unit for replacement or check with your local sales channel for the cost of repair.

Issue Cannot open the LonTrunk folder for a particular UNC station in WPP in the Enterprise Server.  Getting error: Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 Cause LonWorks jar mismatch between the Enterprise Server and the UNC. Resolution Alter the LonWorks jar in the Enterprise Server or the UNC's so they match.  It is recommended the Enterprise Server and it's subordinate UNC's be at the same software revisions. 

Issue The I/A Series G3 ENC ASD driver tunnel is enabled however the Status indicates {fault} Environment I/A Series G3, ASD Driver, ENC-520 Cause The {fault} typically occurs when two or more tunnels are configured and simultaneously enabled for the same communications port and/or tunnel identifier. Resolution Add the tunnelService to the ENC station Services.  Note: Do not add a SerialTunnel object to the tunnelService for tunneling to the ASD devices. The ASD driver includes the necessary tunnel software components that operate with the tunnelService. Verify the tunnelService is enabled (true) and the Status indicates {ok}. View the Property Sheet of the AsdNetwork and expand the Tunnel settings.  Verify the Tunnel is enabled (true), the Identifier indicates IbsAsd, and the Status indicates {ok}.

Issue How to open an I/A Series G3 station in offline mode. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3 WorkBench (all versions) Cause There is a need to configure/program an I/A Series G3 station without the station running. Resolution In Workbench, expand My Host: Navigate to My File System > Sys Home > stations Look for the name of the desired station and expand it Find 'config.bog'. Expand this and the station can be configured/programmed offline. Below is a screenshot showing an example for accessing the demo station offline. After making changes to the station, make sure to save the changes by right-clicking on 'config.bog' and selecting 'Save'. If this is not done, the changes will not be there the next time the station is run and opened online.

Issue During the installation of the WorkPlace Tech Tool release 5.8 software, the following error is displayed: Environment Windows 7, Visio 2007sp2 WorkPlace Tech Tool release 5.8 installation Cause The message will be displayed if no Microsoft Office 2010 components have been installed on the computer. Resolution If Microsoft Office 2010 or any of its individual products including Word-2010, Excel-2010, Visio-2010, etc.,  have not been installed on the computer, the message can be ignored.  The Microsoft Office 2010 component upgrade failed because the no upgradable components were not found by the installer.  Click the [Yes] button to continue the installation.

Issue When using I/A MNL800 controllers in Vista classic network (without using LNS database), an issue will happen when commissioning and downloading the controller: Local Network Management Failure, Info: nci_Location. The xif file has been updated to the newest version of the WPT program. Environment WPT version higher than 5.7.2 Vista 5.1.6 Cause The possible cause is that the WPT version is too high for Vista classic network to integrate. Resolution Firstly it isn't recommended to use I/A LonWorks controllers in Vista system. And there is no specific compatible matrix for Vista and WPT. Currently the proved version of WPT that can be used with Vista 5.1.6 is 5.7.2. The version higher than this will has this issue. So the only solution is to use the xif file generated by WPT 5.7.2 in Vista classic network.

Issue Getting error "Cannot find distribution platform" when attempting to start new I/A Series R2 Enterprise Server software. Environment I/A Series R2 Enterprise Server and WorkPlace Pro Cause The I/A Series R2 Enterprise Server software was installed without selecting the Program Files checkbox within the Select Modules dialog box. The Program Files include the distribution files required by the software. Resolution During the installation process, click the check box next to each module required or click Select All to select all modules at once.  At a minimum, the Program Files check box must be selected to install the core Niagara modules.   Reference the Installation Instructions provided with the Niagara CD or software zip.

Issue Site has 75 Microsmart controllers each with a Mode Control Type 21 point doing unoccupied control of the connected fan system.  The customer has asked that the unoccupied high and low temperature setpoints be made available to adjust from a Niagara R2 graphic screen. The setpoints are assigned to a PVALU element in the point's configuration (see below). Environment Niagara R2 with Microsmart Driver Microsmart controllers (all) Cause Request for setpoint control during unoccupied hours Resolution Create the shadow object for the Mode Control Point using the Niagara Point List Manager. Move it from the Temp folder to a new container created under the controller shadow object (labeled 'Testing' in the figures below). Add two MsElement objects from the ibsMs jar file - one for the Scheduled Off High Limit and the other for the Scheduled Off Low Limit.  Note:  The MsElement objects can be created directly under the Mode Control point's shadow object or in a container (as shown in the figures below). On the config tab for each MsElement object, modify the parameters highlighted by the red box in the figures below. Link them to a graphic and a right-click will present the user with the commandString field ('New value:' was used in the figures below).

Issue How can the default graphic for the Monitor Screens be modified in SIGNAL? Environment SIGNAL (all versions) Cause A re-installation of SIGNAL from floppy restores a default graphic called _MAINMAP.SSF when clicking on the Monitor Screens. Resolution Sign onto SIGNAL with administrative privileges and click on the Edit drop-down menu.  Select Edit Button. The mouse changes to a hand with an index finger pointer.  Select the Monitor button.  The pop-up below will appear:   Change the filename _MAINMAP.SSF to the desired ssf file and click Save/Done.

Issue Trying to get a schedule working in a MNB-1000 and getting the following error message: Schedule Setup Wizard will not run: Not supported for this application's type of device. Device type: 971 Environment MNB-1000 MNL controllers Workplace Tech Cause New to programming the MNB controller line Resolution A 7-day schedule object is available for the MNB-1000 (only) and is part of the Schedule Control stencil. The Schedule Setup option under the Application drop-down menu only applies to MNL applications.

Issue The sensor in the BACnet controller is open or shorted and the value at the ENC shows "nan" but no fault is annunciated? Environment I/A Series G3 (Niagara) Cause If the analog object in question is being polled, by default only the "present value" is retrieved and therefore the "nan" is displayed but the status remains as ok.  A polled point can be made to retrieve the "statusFlag" data also by altering its "facets" as shown in the Resolution.  Resolution It is normal for the MNB controller analog input present value to change to "nan" when the sensor is shorted or open.  To annunciate a fault at the ENC: Add the "OutOfRangeAlarmExt" to the analog input object and program it to have the "fault" conditions annunciated.  If this object is defined to use COV notification the "present value" and "status flags" are reported by default.  Therefore,  the "nan" value is displayed and handled as a fault condition and annunciated.  However, if the analog object is being polled, by default only the "present value" is retrieved and therefore the "nan" is displayed but the status remains as ok.  A polled point can be made to retrieve the "statusFlag" data by altering its "facets".  With the object properties displayed on the Facets property click on >> and add a key as shown below.

Issue Using a nciState Lon network variable to set operational modes of a MNL-800 application.   Needs to be able to allow these inputs to be set from the GUI. Environment MNL-800 application program Graphical User interface built with the I/A Series (Niagara) R2 system. Cause Desire to allow a user at the graphical head end of the BMS system to configure the individual bits of a LON state type network variable. Resolution The following discussion is based on the user interface engineering work being done within the WorkPlace Pro engineering tool of the I/A Series R2 system. The "DynamicCmd" control object found in the "conversion" folder of the Lonworks jar file can be linked to a SNVT_State type Lonworks network variable.  After linking the DynamicCmd control object to the desired controller shadow object nci type network variable, the DynamicCmd object learns the configuration information for the linked network variable.  The next step in configuring this object for this type of use is to set a name for each control bit element of the network variable.  These defined names are displayed when the GUI user clicks on the control point.  The user then selects the bit field name (from the displayed list) to command and then selects the binary value (True or False)to be written to that bit field. The following is an example of this control logic where the dynamic device is the MNL-800 controller with the network variable nci_cmd as the input constant and nvo_stat as an output state variable that allows the display of 16 internal bit state variables. This image shows the configured list of boolean bits that will be configurable via this DynamicCmd_1 object: When the GUI user selects this command object, the following field list is displayed: And after selecting the "Fan2-S/S" enable selection, the following popup window is displayed allowing the user to specify the boolean state for that command bit.  The value will be written to the controller when the [OK] button is clicked.

Issue In TreeTech, can a LCM be uploaded and downloaded? Environment LCM-84000 LCM-88000 Cause On a jobsite with a Network 8000 installation dating back to the 1990s and trying to do database backups. Resolution A networked LCM can be uploaded / downloaded, with TreeTech, via a serial connection to the GCM to which it is wired.  In situations where the GCM is not easily accessible (i.e. in a locked room), a serial connection to any one of the networked LCMs will provide access to the entire network as if it was the GCM.  Uploads/downloads of any networked LCM can be done via this serial connection too. A standalone LCM can be uploaded / downloaded, with TreeTech, using a direct serial connection.  Due to limitations in TreeTech, the standalone LCM must be configured as network 1 and address 1.

Issue MNL-V3 application configured with an external actuator of 390 seconds drive time shows an excessive setpoint deadband of almost 20% of control range. Environment MNL-V3 controller Cause Unknown - Issue has been reported to product management. Here is an application fragment showing the issue.  Note the 390 second drive time. Resolution Use the following application fragment in your application to eliminate the excessive >22%) deadband. Here is an application fragment showing a suggested workaround: