Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The FDA requires Building Automation systems to meet their standards which are outlined in Chapter 21 CFR and FDA Part 11. Environment Vista I/NET Andover Continuum TAC I/A-series Satchwell Sigma Cause Finding documentation on Schneider Electric Building Automation Systems which comply to The Food and Drug Administration rules. Resolution Vista 21CFRPart11 support in TAC Vista 5.pdf FL-VISTA-REGIND-A4 mod RO.pdf I/NET - currently unavailable Andover Continuum With the addition of the 21 CFR Part 11 compliance pack, Continuum can meets these requirements. Satchwell Sigma SoftwareOverview.pdf Advanced Security Module.pdf Note: Validation to 21CFR Part 11 can only be performed on whole operational systems and as such, a sub-system comprising the Satchwell Sigma building management system cannot be validated in it own right. Satchwell Sigma would normally be validated as part of a whole operational system. TAC I/A Series - currently unavailable

Issue How is Continuum configured to validate FIPS 201 PIV card credentials? Environment CyberStation CX9680 ACX5740 ACX5720 Cause Questions on how to configure a Continuum physical access control system to validate FIPS 201 PIV credentials at the door. Resolution Configuring Continuum for FIPS PIV card credentials Click here for instructions on creating a custom FIPS-PIV card format Versions needed for FIPS-201

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 When setting up Continuum Security levels is there an easy way to set up the different Security Groups? Sites that have upgraded from Infinity SX8000 may require the same security settings. Environment Cyberstation all versions. Cause It can be time consuming and complex setting up multiple user security levels. Resolution In the Workstation you can edit the Security settings to define the access (keys) and blocking (padlocks) for each group against each object class. You can also import/ export these security settings with *.SDF files, attached is a file Default Security V1.sdf that defines a default set of 8 security levels as per the Infinity SX8000: Click here for default security file Administrate Program Configure Enable/Disable Change Values Acknowledge Alarms View Only No Access Click here for a description of each of the above levels (Source: SX8000 Programmer's Guide). To add the "Default Security V1.sdf" file to your Continuum you will need to do as follows, in the bottom right hand corner of your screen there is the Continuum icon, right click on the icon and select Security... then under the Actions tab, right click next to "Access Distribution View" and click import All... then all you do is select the "Default Security V1.sdf" file you have already downloaded and then click open, this will now install the new default security options. Warning! Always make a database backup before attempting to change the security setting so that if a mistake is made you can always revert back to the backup.

Issue How do I format a Comma Separated Variable file (CSV) to create personnel objects via import that will include area assignments and photos. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause Need way to mass create personnel objects. Resolution Typically personnel information is provided from Human Resources in a MS Excel file, the data can be saved as a CSV file and easily formatted for import into the Continuum system which will automatically create one personnel object per row using the information (LastName, FirstName etc) included in the file. Assigning areas during import is accomplished by specifying a personnel template (previously created using Continuum). Different areas can be assigned to different personnel objects as a template can be specified per row. When the personnel object is created via the CSV import, it will be assigned all the areas found in the specified template. Importing a photo for the personnel object is accomplished by specifying an image file in the PhotoFile column. Click Here for a sample CSV file.

Issue What does that controller/device look like Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Site with TAC or Schneider Electric Controller(s) Cause Questions concerning what a controller looks like, or if there are no labels on the controller which help identify. Are photographs or drawings available? (This is an article in progress. Have one that is not listed? Please help by taking a good picture(s) and including or send to Product Support) Resolution I/NET: 7728 7728 Left side 7728 Right side  7790 7790 side 7790 older model  7790 older model side  7798C Top 7716 7920 7920 side  MR-AHU MR-AHU left side MR-AHU right side P8UI8DO Expansion board  SCU1284 SCU1284 side Continuum: ACX5720 ACX5720 Open CX9702  b4920 b4920 Open BCX1 BCX1 open i2-600 Series i2.600 Series Open  i2_850 i2_850_Open i2_887_L_115  i2_920 i2_920_open CX9400 with three 32s and two 16s in 8 card rack CX9400 CPU front CAD Drawings for the Continuum controllers are also available on The Exchange Download Center: Link Here.

Issue There's a need to know what characters the XP Display will show Environment XP Display Cause Many languages use different character sets and not all are supported in the XP Display Resolution The standard ascii character set is supported by the XP Display. This is indicated on Pg. 17 of the XP Display User Guide. Click here to download the XP Display User Guide

Issue There's a need for information on the Personnel Import Utility Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Finding the information on the Personnel Import Utility may be difficult to locate. Resolution The information for the Personnel Import Utility can be found in the latter part of Chapter 19 on Personnel. There is additional information in Appendix C related to the tables and XSLT file. Click here to download a copy of just the PIU Manual.

Issue Poor or unreliable ground connection of IO modules can cause controller failure, inputs to stop updating and communications to be poor. Environment Netcontroller IO modules Cause Strings of IO modules were installed on each DIN rail in a panel. One IO module per row had directly landed ground wires, but each of the other modules on the row relied on contact between a metal clip on the back of the module and the DIN rail.  Observed an average of two I/O modules per panel with inadequate earth ground (where this clip was not making an electrically sound connection). In some cases, resting a hand on one of the modules caused a wide variance in the grounding quality. Resolution After installing a panel (not just in the panel fabrication shop), measure each IO module's ground terminal to ground. Do not just assume that each IO module is properly grounded  to the DIN rail via the clip on the back. And do not just assume that the DIN rail is properly grounded - some DIN rail is plated to reduce corrosion and this can increase resistance. If there is (or will be) any vibration or moisture, or there are any other concerns that site conditions may negatively effect grounding of the IO modules in the future, consider grounding each IO module's ground terminal via a conductor to ground.   There is a Technical Product Advisory here that will provide further detail on this.

Issue What 10k Thermistor sensors are compatible with the I/A Series MNL and MNB families of controllers? Product Line TAC IA Series, Andover Continuum Environment I/A Series LON Controllers (MNL-xxxxx) I/A Series BACnet Controllers (MNB-xxxxx) Continuum 10K T3 Sensors Cause Specification information Job spec requires a specific family of sensors.  Need to know how to compare the TC curves. Resolution Compatible sensors that have a built-in 11k shunt resistor include the TS-5711-850, TS-57011-850, TS-57031-850, and TSMN-90110-850 Series.  NOTE: These sensors are no longer available for purchase. The TW2XAXK is the replacement Any sensor that matches resistance to temperature curve for a 10K Thermistor Type G (U.S.Sensor), Type 9 (Dale/Vishay) or Type III (ACI Series AH) can be used with the I/A Series MNL and I/A Series MNB series controllers, provided that a 11k ± 0.1% 1/8 watt resistor is wired in parallel with the sensor. The input has a range of -10 to 135 °F (-23.3 to 57.2 °C) with an accuracy of ±1% of span.   This includes the Continuum 10K T3 sensors.  The table below shows that the resistance in its normal operating range is within a few ohms of the TSMN non 11K shunted sensors.  The Continuum sensor can be used with a parallel 11K ohm resistor. The full temperature / resistance table for the US Sensor 10K Thermistor R-T Curve Type G sensor can be found here.  Please note that the controller may not be able to use the full temperature range shown in the table.    

Issue Error when trying to add exceptions to a schedule is seen when trying to "apply" the changes. Example: Personnel Manager Error saving data Communication Error Exception has been thrown by the target of an invocation. The personnel object was created Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cause Too many old exceptions in the schedule. Sometimes RPC (Remote Procedure Call) errors happen on Cyberstation following the above error. Resolution Delete the old exceptions. This must be done manually for infinet schedules. 1.94 NOTE: If this issue is happening for 1.94, there is Hotfix for TPA CONT 12 0002.00 Schedule Exception Errors.zip that has been released for this issue. The V1.94 issue is also detailed in Technical bulletin: TPA-BOST-12-0002.00  

Issue Do you have a standard template listing all the actions that are possible for an operator on a Continuum Workstation.   Environment CyberStation Activity Log Cause A list of CyberStation user (operator) actions is required for a bid submittal. Resolution This list is available in the file Stsvc.txt which is located in the \continuum directory. Search that file for:  // SVC_ACTIVITY_EVENT Also attached is a copy of that file from v1.93.

Issue What do the error codes mean on the SCX920 LCD display? Environment Infinet SCX920 SCX900 Cause What do the error codes mean on the SCX920 LCD display? Resolution See the attached 1995 INETGUID.pdf starting on page 4 for the LCD error code listing and troubleshooting tips. 

Issue Customer wants to connect MODbus meter to Comm port 4 on a Netcontroller 2 but needs to know which pins to use Environment Continuum Netcontroller 2 NC2 Cause Customer wants to know Netcontroller 2 pinouts Resolution The Netcontroller 2 has a number of different connection types including RS485, RS232, RS422 and RJ11 Please see attached document for a full list of the Netcontroller 2 pinout configurations Link

Issue Are any of the Schneider Electric access software products FIPS compliant? Environment FIPS compliant access control Cause New U.S. Government access control regulations. Resolution FIPS Compliance information The Federal Information Processing Standard 140-1 (FIPS 140-1) and its successor FIPS 140-2 are United States Government standards that provide a benchmark for implementing cryptographic software. They specify best practices for implementing crypto algorithms, handling key material and data buffers, and working with the operating system. Both IPSec and the Encrypting Files System (EFS) in Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP use the FIPS-140-1 evaluated Kernel Mode Cryptographic Module to encrypt the traffic packet data and file contents respectively if configured appropriately with the selections of FIPS compliant algorithms. The FIPS-compliant, kernel-mode, crypto module lets organizations deploy FIPS 140-1-compliant, Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) implementations using: L2TP (Layer Two Tunneling Protocol)/IPSec VPN client and server. L2TP/IPSec tunnels for gateway-to-gateway VPN connections. IPSec tunnels for gateway-to-gateway VPN connections. IPSec-encrypted, end-to-end, network traffic between client and server, and server to server. Currently, I/NET Seven is not FIPS Compliant. There are not any plans to make I/NET Seven FIPS Compliant. The Continuum product line is FIPS Compliant. Click here for a PDF with more information. FIPS 140-2 Validation Certificate http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140crt/140crt1355.pdf Schneider Electric Continuum Network Security Module http://csrc.nist.gov/groups/STM/cmvp/documents/140-1/140sp/140sp1355.pdf

Issue What sensors can be used in Clean Rooms  What sensors can be used outdoors for temperature measurement What sensor can be used in a swimming pool What sensor would be explosive proof What color is the wall sensor and are custom colors available Environment Building Automation System such as I/NET, Vista, or Continuum at a site containing a clean room, swimming pool, or outdoors Cause Questions concerning the uses of Schneider Electric sensors in Clean Room applications Questions concerning temperature sensors for Outdoor installations Questions concerning temperature sensors for swimming pools Questions concerning explosion proof sensors* Questions concerning color and custom colors for sensors Resolution All the Schneider Electric temperature sensors found in the HVAC Sensor Catalogue as well as on iPortal provide high accuracy and can be mounted on the wall, in ducts, or in a J-Box. Appendix A provides the accuracy for each of the temperature sensors. Color: STR series wall sensors are: Front Cover: White NCS S-0500 N Core Plate: White NCS S-0500 N and Gray NCS S-2500 N Base Plate: Gray NCS S 1502-R Manufacturing in custom colors in not available. One option could possibly to have the sensors locally custom finished to meet customer's requirements. While there is not a direct cross reference to RAL colors, our engineering team has found the closest alternates. Please see the attached pdf. Clean Room: Depending on the specified limits of the clean room, the variety of sensors offered by Schneider Electric are possible solutions. Thing you may want to research are the standards required for the site. Clean rooms are a controlled environment where products are manufactured. It is a room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to specified limits. Eliminating sub-micron airborne contamination is really a process of control. These contaminants are generated by people, process, facilities and equipment and must be continually removed from the air. The level to which these particles need to be removed depends upon the standards required. The most frequently used standard is the ISO 14644 Standards, which were first formed from the US Federal Standard 209E Airborne Particulate Cleanliness Classes in Cleanrooms and Clean Zones.  ISO 14644 is a document that establishes standard classes of air cleanliness for airborne particulate levels in cleanrooms and clean zones. Strict rules and procedures are followed to prevent contamination of the manufactured product. The only way to control contamination is to control the total environment. Air flow rates and direction, pressurization, temperature, humidity and specialized filtration all need to be tightly controlled. Outdoor:  Schneider Electrics selection of Outdoor Temperature Sensors are the STO100, 200, 500, & 600. These outdoor sensors are intended for outdoor wall mounting. Variants are available for Vista, I/NET, Continuum and Satchwell systems. The body has a 20mm conduit entry and the product is supplied with a conduit gland. Range -40 to +90 °C Accuracy See Appendix A: Table A, C, F in the attached HVAC Sensor Catalog.pdf Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO100 Order Code 5141100010 Part Number STO100 System Vista, Xenta Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO200 Order Code 5123246000 Part Number STO200 System I/NET Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO500 Order Code 5141104010 Part Number STO500 System Continuum Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO600 Order Code 5126060000 Part Number STO600 System Satchwell Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO600D Order Code 5126000000 Part Number STO600D System Drayton Outdoor Temperature Transmitters STO300 The STO300 transmitter is supplied as a complete unit, comprising a sensing element and an amplifier mounted in a housing which is resistant to ultraviolet light. The transmitter is intended for mounting on an outside wall, on the north side where possible. The transmitter is connected over a 2-wire cable, which serves both as power supply and signal transmission. The reading of the measured signal is made over an external load resistance. Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO300 -50/50 Order Code 006920501 Part Number STO300 -50/50 System All Note for each of these outdoor sensors, find the Description, the Order Code, Part Number, and the System it works with for the iBAS (intelligent Building Automation System) Please note the difference in Weatherproof and Outdoor. I put a lot of these outdoor sensors in at a university in Texas, and always installed in places that were a little protected. I found that under porches, up under the eves and out of the sun, or along a loading dock out of the rain and ice gave me accurate readings. Swimming Pool: In the piping system of a swimming pool is a corrosive environment with steadily harmful and gradually destructive minerals and chlorine in the water which present a challenge finding sensors able to withstand for extended periods of time. Schneider Electric makes several immersion temperature sensors. Beginning on page 12 of the above HVAC Catalogue, there is a variety of immersion sensors for the different iBMS lines.  One example is the STP660 is a Temperature Sensor for the European market, and intended for immersion mounting in pipe or the circulating systems. The stainless steel probe is a good solution but remember,  if the sensor is to be installed in pool water that contains chlorine, the best bet is to use a stainless steel pocket. I suppose it all depends on if sensor is in pipe associated with the secondary pool side of the system or the heating side of the system. If the sensor head is in an area exposed to Chlorine, then there may be an issue.  Chlorine may attack the solder connections of the wired joints inside the sensor. In the old days products from Satchwell used to produce special sensors for such applications where the wire connections were varnished in order to prevent corrosion. I think at the end of the day, our sensor would have a similar life expectancy to other devices in the plant that were no designed for use in such corrosive atmospheres. Explosion proof sensors: Schneider Electric does not manufacture explosion proof sensors. We do not partner with another manufacturer who provides such sensors. The closest is an 3rd party explosion proof enclosure with one of our available sensors. Our sensors are designed for building installations and if in extreme environments, we suggest enclosures.  

Issue Netcontroller power supply is not working as expected. Environment NC1 NC2 CX9900 CX9680 PS120 UPS Cause Problems with Netcontroller power supply. Resolution UPS not working Replace failed 5 Amp pico fuse (located on PC board adjacent to the UPS cable connector) UPS cable or connector has failed or is defective. Insufficient UPS battery capacity is attached to the UPS connector.  UPS requires two 12 VDC batteries). UPS Batteries are not sufficiently charged or have failed. No Power to NetController 3 Amp Slow-Blow fuse has failed.  (located on PC board adjacent to 120 volt power connector). Power switch is shut off. Insufficient supply voltage. General Mode switch is in the wrong position (See manual) Click here to download the PS manual

Issue Often data is required to be exported out from the Continuum system for record keeping or for further analysis, what keywords can be used to help with this? Environment Cyberstation Plain English programs - all versions. Microsoft Excel Product Line Andover Continuum Cause Specific help is available in the product for specific keywords but how can these be put together to export data to .CSV format. Resolution As we do not advocate 3rd party system trying to directly extract data from the Continuum database, you should create a Plain English program in a Workstation that can export logged data directly from the controllers out to a .CSV or .TXT file.   Keywords to use for this purpose are: OpenFile WriteFile CloseFile   Details of the above Keywords are available in the Cyberstation internal help pages.   The attached example dump file could be run on a daily basis to extract temperature logs from a controller and save them to files with a date stamped naming convention.   Click to download the example WriteFile dump file. 

Issue InfinityInput configured as counter does not count any pulses. Environment i2 devices B3 devices IOU modules Cause Here are two common reasons why the counter input may not be counting as expected: 1. No accumulation logic used with input. 2. Signal from the count source does not conform to specifications. Resolution 1. No accumulator logic used with input. The value of a counter input is reset to zero at every scan, in order to maintain the count value an accumulation strategy must be used, this can be accomplished via a conversion at the input or by using a PE program to accumulate the count in an InfinityNumeric object. a) Enter the following conversion in the counter input’s conversion field: Value + ElecValue Or b) Use the following logic in a PE program CountAccumulator = CountAccumulator + WaterMeterCount  (Where CountAccumulator is an InfinityNumeric object and WaterMeterCount is the name of the counter input)   2. The signal from the count source (Water meter, Power meter etc) does not have the minimum pulse width required by the input. For example, Infinet 2 devices (i.e. i2687) only support counter signal with a maximum frequency of 4 hertz and a minimum pulse width of 125 milliseconds. The DI8 IOU module has 2 channels that support counts of up to 10Khz with a pulse width as short as 50 microseconds. XPUi modules support counter inputs with a frequency up to 140 Hz and a minimum pulse width of 3.5 milliseconds. Refer to the manual for your count source (Meter) and verify the signal generated by it complies with the requirements of the Continuum hardware. For more information see the attached Infinity Technical Journal article. It describes several ways to reset the counter.   Note: Some meters will put out a pulse with a voltage equal to the supply voltage. In this case add a relay so the controller sees a dry contact per pulse.    

Issue Need to mirror a switch port in order to capture controller data with Wireshark.   Product Line Access Expert, Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment NETGEAR Prosafe Plus Switch Cause Need a step-by-step guide to set up a mirrored port and an understanding of how it works.  Resolution View the attached video.   Use the link to the original post in Area360 to get written instructions.

Issue Muster Report triggered to generate and print Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Muster Reports on a Continuum site Cause With Muster Report loaded, can you trigger from a input (example: fire alarm) for a report to be generated and automatically print? Resolution With some workstation PE programming, you can launch the Muster Report to automatically print. You will need to install and configure the "Plain English Alarm Function" available from Can Plain English interact with the Continuum Alarm Engine? This will trigger a workstation Function each time an alarm is received. You will write PE code to detect the specific alarm and/or point, then "Shell" to launch the Muster Report. Please find the attached Muster Report User Guide and .dmp file which is renamed as .txt file which should be useful.