Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When editing a personnel object an error is received "Input string was not in a correct format" using 1.82 or 1.90. Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Microsoft released .Net 2.0 SP2 which caused an issue with our code in the personnel area. Resolution The version of Continuum you are using will determine the solution you need to use. 1.82 - Uninstall .net 2.0 SP2 1.90- Install the following hotfix  Click here to download The issue was corrected in 1.91.

Issue Why are many BACnet controllers sending out Who-Is requests for a Cyberstation that is Offline and been removed from the Database? Environment Continuum BACnet Cause Even though the Cyberstation Device object has been removed from the database, there are probably still references to it in the various controllers in the field. If this Cyberstation was the recipient of BACnet alarms from these controllers then they may still have its Device ID as a delivery recipient and send out the Who-Is packets to locate this device.   Resolution There are a couple things that can be done to fix this problem, basically the reference to this device needs to be removed from every controller. Make sure to perform a global teach, this should fix up most of the routing tables. The next thing to do is to reload any and all affected controllers. (You can use Wireshark to determine which controller are sending the who is requests, see details below.)   In the attached packet capture here, you'll find details of the Who-Is packet and the NPDU layer that show the details that you will be looking for to identify the source of the packet. A filter of "bacapp && (bacapp.unconfirmed_service == 😎 && (bacapp.who_is.low_limit == 199)" was used in this example to focus on the Who-Is packets being directed to device 199.

Issue Personnel Manager lacks Access Event built in report like Personnel Editor, this article outlines a procedure for adding similar functionality to the Personnel Manager via a list view that can be invoked from a Personnel Manager's application button. Environment CyberStation Cause Add Access Event report functionality to Personnel Manager. Resolution Click here for a pdf document that outlines the procedure.

Issue An error has occurred, please try the operation again later when opening a Digital Sentry video layout on a browser PC using Webclient 1.91 Environment Digital Sentry 4.3 or 7.x Webclient 1.91 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Cause There are 2 updated hotfix files necessary for video display in a browser with 1.91. Resolution Click the link below and follow the instructions for installing the DSConneX_VideoPatch contained in the file Click here to download the file

Issue Distinguishing whether an xDriver-enabled commport on a controller is set for Modbus RTU or Modbus TCP/IP. Environment CX9900, CX9940 CX9680 bCX4040 Cause How does one know if the xDriver-enabled commport on a controller is for Modbus RTU or Modbus TCP/IP? Resolution Open the controller editor and go to the Options tab. At a minimum the Modbus RTU XDriver, like all Xdrivers, requires Bit 0 for the commport be Xdriver enabled. The most common example would look like this: Xdrvr Commx: 00000001(####). In the above example x = commport number. The four digit number in parentheses indicates whether an Xdriver file is loaded into the port. If it is 0000 then no Xdriver file is loaded into the port. A number such as 4767 corresponds to "Xdriver Valid" line at the end xdriver XDR file. You can edit the XDR file with a text editor and go to the bottom to see this.   In addition to Bit 0 being enabled for the commport, the Modbus TCP/IP Xdriver requires Bit 3 to be Xdriver enabled.  A common example of this would look like this: Xdrvr Commx: 00000009(####). The 00000009 is in hexadecimal format -  converting this to an 8-bit binary number you get 00001001. The furthest right bit is Bit 0 and the 4th from the right is Bit 3. Both are set to 1 which means they are Xdriver enabled. For a further explanation see page 15 of the linked Modbus TCP/IP Xdriver User Guide.   Note: Since Bit 0 is enabled in both of the above examples, the Modbus RTU Xdriver will work on either. But only the second example will load the Modbus TCP/IP Xdriver.      

Issue What are the steps to reload a controller Environment CX controllers BCX controllers ACX controllers NCII NC2 CX9680 I2 controllers B3 controllers Cause Point or program not available, receiving 5121 error Resolution To reload a controller follow the steps below: In continuum explorer select Options/Send to controller options and either the middle choice or bottom choice depending how which and how many controllers to be reloaded The most common and the default is to set to the middle setting to reload only the controller selected. Now select the controller to reload and right click and select send to controller The distribution located in the icon tray can be launched from a double-click to watch the progress of the reload.

Issue How to filter in a listview AlarmEvent based on the EventNotification Environment Continuum Cause Continuum pre 1.91 did not allow filter in a listview AlarmEvent, based on the EventNotification Resolution See Continuum CyberStation Release Notes Version 1.91(Downloadable here) Fixed Problems 4.007 Cannot filter an AlarmEvent table based on the EventNotification using the query wizard (21101) Find another way to filter or upgrade your version of Continuum.

Issue Using the selection tool to select the correct meter. Environment Heat Meters Cooling Meters Cause Selecting the incorrect meter can lead to loss of water flow and increased system pressure. Resolution Selecting an appropriate Heat Meter can be achieved using the selection tool. To view or download the tool click here. For the Product Announcement click here. To view the Online version of the tool please click here. The selection of a Heat Meter requires the following information; 1 - The maximum water flow through the system. 2 - The location of the meter, (Flow or Return). 3 - The size of pipe work where Heat Meter is to be installed. 4 - The media type, heating, cooling or both. 5 - Using the selection tool is made easier by using the Auto filter drop down selection arrows. These allow you to filter the selection on a particular area, i.e. "Flow Rate" as shown below. The Heat Meter part number is established as follows; 1 - Digits 1,2 - Heating, Cooling or Combined. 2 - Digits 3,4 - Flow rate. 3 - Digits 5,6 - Body length and connections. 4 - Digit 7 - Threaded/Flanged. 5 - Digit 8 - Heat Meter location Flow / Return. 6 - Digit 9 - Communications type. 7 - Digit 10 - Display option. 8 Digits 11,12,13 - Revision. To view a warning about the under sizing of Heat Meters, please click here. New serial communication modules are now available for Modbus RTU and BACnet MS/TP interfaces.

Issue I cannot logon to an AC256 or AC8 controller. My AC256 Xdriver has stopped communicating with the AC256. Environment AC256 AC256+ AC8 AC8+ Cause Unable to establish communications with an AC256 type controller. Resolution The attached document contains a thorough set of procedures for troubleshooting communication issues between an AC256 controller and a computer that is running a terminal emulator program such as ProComm or HyperTerminal. This requires that the computer have a available serial port or a USB to serial converter.  Troubleshooting AC256+ Comm Issues.doc

Issue Review of Windows event log, product event logs, or error windows during operation provides an error code number that is unreadable. Environment Microsoft Windows Cause Microsoft uses a standard list of error codes which programs can access. The display of these errors is typically in a decimal or hexadecimal format. Resolution Use the Windows Error Codes spreadsheet which allows the user to enter the code as either Hexadecimal or Decimal format and provide the text description for the error code. Use the error code description to further diagnose the problems being experienced. Guidance on whether a code is Hexadecimal or Decimal: 0x00000001 - Hexadecimal -214000000 - Decimal

Issue How can a schedule be added to a personnel records particular area? Environment Continuum 1.xx Cause Adding a schedule a one area in a personnel objects areas list. Resolution This link explains step by step how to add a schedule to a personnel objects area.

Issue Access denied pop up messages occur at the end of a Continuum or Webclient installation MFC error Environment Continuum Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause At the end of the Continuum or Webclient install an attempt is made to register a number of files and access is being denied. Resolution Reinstall Continuum or Webclient as a local Administrator with Anti Virus and any Firewalls disabled Download AccessDeniedReg.zip and follow the instructions in the RegInstructions.txt to run a batch file to register the files. Note: The workstation may require a reboot after running the batch file.

Issue I/NET uses a different "large number" hexadecimal format to represent individual cards.  To convert to a Continuum system, these must be decoded into Facility Codes and Card Numbers. Product Line Andover Continuum, TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Security converted to Continuum Cause Different representations of individuals in the two systems. Resolution Download the "ZIP" file here conversion Excel spreadsheet. Press the "Clear Values" button to zero out the inputs. Select the correct format between the four options: 26-Bit Wiegand 32-Bit Wiegand Format (CSI) 35-Bit Wiegand Format 37-Bit Wiegand Format Enter the hexadecimal value and the Facility Code and Card Number will populate automatically.

Issue How should I engineer my BACnet project? What are some of the pitfalls and what is best practice? What work can be done offline in the office prior to going to the jobsite and what has to be completed when online on site? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum BACnet systems Cause There are multiple ways to engineer a system. Often project timescales do not allow for all of the engineering to start after the system goes live on site.  Resolution Engineering Continuum BACnet Systems V5.pdf is designed to provide guidance for the Sales and engineering teams when designing a BACnet system. It details how to engineer some of project tasks offline and what must be done at the job site. Then a Hints and Tips section gives further assistance with links to other helpful articles.

Issue Trying to install CyberStation 1.9x.  It completes but then pops up 6 errors saying "Access denied" Environment CyberStation 1.9x Cause Microsoft hotfix KB942288-V3 is installed or files are not getting registered Resolution Verify that you are installing Cyberstation with Admin rights Uninstall MS hotfix KB942288-V3 .  To do this see below. Click on Start then settings then select Control Panel from the Windows menu.  Double click Add/Remove programs. In Add/Remove programs make sure the "Show Updates" checkbox on the top of the window is selected. Scroll through the list of installed item and find the Microsoft update named "KB942288-V3" Select the update and then click the "Remove" button. Once complete shut down and restart the PC and reinstall CyberStation. Note: If KB942288-V3 was slipstreamed into the image that was used to install XP SP3 then you will not see this in Add/Remove programs Please use the link below to download a batch file to register some of the files that aren't getting registered. Copy it into c:\Program Files\Continuum, unzip the text file. Open the file and "Save As" a batch file and then run it. AccessDeniedRegisterFiles191.zip

Issue Instructions listed in the webclient installation guide have been followed. Accessing Webclient pinpoint from any browser, the following error occurs when Webclient is installed on Windows Server 2008 "Unknown Error. Server:http://ServerNameDNWACserverFactory/WACSERVER Factory.soap" Environment Webclient Windows Server 2008 Cause The 1.92 Webclient installation instructions do no include all the instructions to configure Webclient Pinpoint for Windows Server 2008. This has been corrected in 1.93. Resolution The 1.92 Webclient installation instructions do not include all the steps needed to configure Webclient Pinpoint for use on Windows Server 2008. The complete set of instructions are included in the 1.93 release of Webclient. Click here for the 1.93 instructions for Server 2008 Click here for a sample web.config file

Issue Displayed temperature on the ETR is offset from the actual temperature reading of the controller. Environment ETR Thermostat Cause Factory calibration is offset from actual temperature. Resolution Click here to download the Installation and Operating Instructions Temperature Display Adjustments Temperature display may be adjusted by adjusting the ZERO or OFFSET Potentiometer (P2) as shown on the diagram.  Adjust P2 until the LCD Display reading, matches your controllers temperature reading if necessary. Note that all LCD Displays, are factory calibrated using an NIST Certified Glass Thermometer.

Issue A door value is reported as unlocked when it should be locked, is there a way to confirm the physical state of the relay output without going to the panel and looking at the hardware? Environment CX9680 ACX5720/40 CX9900 CX9702 Cause Need to verify the physical state of the relay controlling the door lock remotely. Resolution In Continuum, output points (including doors) have an attribute called 'OverrideValue' that reads feedback in the hardware to report the physical state of the output. The overridevalue flag can be printed from the command line as seen in the screen shot below. In the example above, a door configured with default strike time of 10 seconds reports the physical state of the relay output after a valid access or Exit Request transaction.

Issue Mag stripe on Badge will not encode after upgrading Windows and Cyberstation Environment Windows7 Cyberstation Fargo Printer Cause Badge printers use different printer drivers and configurations that can cause features to not work from one version of Windows and Cyber Resolution EpiBuilder>Tools>Printer Card Encoder Setup Magstripe tab> Current Magstripe Encoder - Custom selected and working on the older printer, but not on the newer printer Changed the selection to Fargo and now the encoding is working on the new printer (See image below)

Issue The documentation does not specify how many  objects can be added in the filter tab of a report. Environment Cyberstation Workstation creating a Report Cause Adding too many objects produces the following error: "There are too many objects in the filter Member Objects lists." Resolution The maximum number of member objects you can add to a report is 150 objects. Exceeding 150 will produce the above error.