Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When trying to log into SBO Workstation receive the following error: Invalid returned data from license server system. (Error code: -12) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Enterprise Server Cause This error has been caused when a Workstation license is present but no Enterprise Server license is present. Resolution An Enterprise Server license must be purchased and added. Please see EcoStruxure Building Operation License types for license options and part numbers.

Issue When there are dual NICs on the computer, you will get host number conflicting error. The IP address causes this conflict is just the local IP address. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment I/NET prior to Version 2.44a Win 7 or higher OS Cause When there are two NICs on the computer, I/NET needs to know which NIC is used for communication. I/NET support for dual Network Interface Cards (NIC) can be used for dual NIC configuration for I/NET. But under Win 7 and higher OS, wireless NIC can't be recognized in I/NET, which makes it impossible to choose wireless NIC to be used for I/NET. In the I/NET configuration, it just shows 0.0.0.0. Resolution I/NET will fix this issue in the new release. For I/NET prior to version 2.44a, there are two workarounds for this issue currently: Refer to I/NET support for dual Network Interface Cards (NIC) to choose onboard NIC to be used for I/NET communication. Disable onboard NIC or just disconnect it from the network. Then you will see the option for choose NIC for I/NET communication will be grayed out. That will force I/NET to communicate with wireless NIC. Remember to reboot I/NET I/O server after this to make it take effect. 

Issue When using SQL 2008 or SQL 2008 R2, I/NET will crash randomly. Referring to the system Event Log, you can see a SQL error happened just before I/NET crashed, called "There is insufficient system memory in resource pool 'internal' to run this query." Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation,TAC INET Environment I/NET SmartStruxure Cause According to Microsoft Knowledge Base, this problem occurs for all the following reasons: There is a bug in the code that is used to evaluate how many rowsets are required to perform a sorting operation. Therefore, the code greatly overestimates the numbers of rowsets. The required grant estimate in full-text is 64 pages for each rowset that is required to sort. There is a large request that blocks the system from using the memory that is reserved for the full-text query. Resolution Install the newest SP to the SQL 2008 or SQL 2008 R2 being used. Download Microsoft SQL Server 2008 SP3 Express Edition or Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2  Express Edition from the Microsoft website. If this doesn't help, please follow Create Error Log for I/NET to turn on the error log for I/NET and then send the log in to your local country product support group for further troubleshooting.

Issue Workstation displays power in Btu/s when VA is required. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Cause The units displayed in Workstation are based on the Regional and Language Options settings in Windows Control Panel as talked about in Metric vs. English (Imperial) Operating System. Resolution The Unit Conversion Exception tool can be used as a solution for this issue. This is located in the Domain portion of Workstation's Control Panel. For more information on the Unit Conversion Exception see Unit Conversion Exceptions feature or the Online help located here. In the situation where VA has been set as the power unit but Btu/s is still displayed, the unit conversion shown below will resolve the issue. Note: If your desired value units have a prefix, then this needs to be done in the Unit Conversion Exception as well (kVA). Note: WebStation (as of v1.3 SP1) does not use the Windows OS setting because the AS does not currently have localization - it uses only the International System of Units (SI) - not the Imperial or US units.

Issue Where can I obtain the technical information, manuals, guides or other documents on Continuum? (or other product lines) Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell Sigma, TAC Vista Environment Continuum Cause Manuals and documentation can be used for training or self-help troubleshooting for Continuum. (or other product lines) Resolution Review the course notes The notes and document gathered during training can be very useful and a great source of information. Technical Documentation is available on the EcoBuilding Download site at: https://ecobuilding.schneider-electric.com/ For technical data/PDFs installed with Continuum, Go to Start > All Programs > Continuum > Documentation The discs and downloaded zip files that are used to install Continuum also include technical PDFs. Some of these are installed when Continuum is installed. (CONTINUUM) Most of the online help is context based, thus if you click help within a InfinityNumeric, then InfinityNumeric help is given. This help file can also be searched in the normal way. It is an excellent source of information. (CONTINUUM) Bookmark this Knowledge Base:  https://community.se.com/t5/Knowledge-Base/tkb-p/knowledge-base_public New articles are added daily and should be used as a first stop for self help. The Exchange Community site has a community space just for Continuum, SmartStuxure, Sigma, Vista etc.  for posing questions, sharing solutions, https://community.se.com/ (CONTINUUM) The Continuum catalogue also provides a good overview of the product range Some documentation is freely accessible, see https://www.schneider-electric.com/en/work/products/building-automation-and-control.jsp If an end user has problems on site, they should first contact Schneider Electric local support or service department (In the UK contact Support Bureau 0870 606 2800, cs.bureau@uk.schneider-electric.com) SmartStruxure For Building Operation help can be found online at: http://help.sbo.schneider-electric.com/home/index.castle?locale=en-US&productversion=1.8   CONTINUUM ONLY Always ensure the site fits within the Continuum Compatibility Matrix, this includes:  For PC requirements see the relevant Installation Instructions included with the Continuum Software Controller firmware (Continuum, BACnet, Infinet), use the most up to date available (of the correct version) Workstation operating systems, service packs and .NET framework versions SQL versions See Software and Firmware compatibility matrix for older versions of I/NET, Vista, Andover Continuum, Satchwell Sigma, I/A Series, and StruxureWare Building Operation for other system data The Continuum.chm file found in the Continuum directory include the "online help" It is usually worth ensuring the latest Continuum service pack is applied to ALL workstations on site (Cyberstation and WebClient) Click Here

Issue After a power failure, the Automation Server has a designed procedure to restore script programs in to a particular state. This process should be taken in to consideration when designing the system.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server Cause Automation Server loses power and restarts, unsure where script programs will start from once the Automation Server comes back online. Due to the onboard "super cap" saving the database to flash on power loss, are the last script program line and variable values retained for when the Automation Server starts back up? Resolution The Automation Server saves it's current active database to flash before losing power completely, the super cap has enough power for it to do this one last task before the Automation Server loses power completely. See AS Power supply interruption or failure on how this is accomplished. On startup from power fail, any script Programs in the Automation Server will start scanning at the first program line. Make sure to keep this in mind and write your programs so that the first line sets your control values to the default "safe" value before moving on to further control logic.

Issue SE7300 series BACnet controller does not come online in StruxureWare Building Operation if the communications address is greater then 127. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices Environment StruxureWare Building Operation BACnet Cause The communications Address of SE7300 series BACnet controller can be set between 0 to 254. In StruxureWare Building Operation the highest address can be set only up to 127. Resolution Set the communication address less than or equal to 127 for SE7300 series BACnet controllers. Please refer to the Default Device ID / Device Instance of SE7000 series BACnet controllers to know the default Device ID / Device Instance of SE7000 series BACnet controllers.

Issue Trying to run a Script program from a Graphic but getting error Read Only Property. The control in the Graphic has been bound to a VALUE object, in the Script program an output variable (ManualChange in the code below) is bound to the same VALUE object. The program is supposed to toggle the value of 'theOutput' when triggered by setting 'ManualChange' from the Graphic, this works in versions prior to 1.4. Numeric Output theOutput, ManualChange LEAD_CHANGE:   ManualChange = Off Goto WaitForManualCHG WaitForManualCHG:   If ManualChange = On then   if theOutput = on then theOutput = off else theOutput = on   Goto LEAD_CHANGE endif Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment WorkStation Automation Server - AS Enterprise Server - ES Cause Starting in version 1.4, SmartStruxure does not allow more than one write reference to the same VALUE, once a write reference is defined for a value or other references to the same value are READ ONLY. (See Reference Guide and References beginning with 1.4.x) Resolution Change the ManualChange variable in the Script to a PUBLIC and then from the Graphic bind directly to it. Numeric Output theOutput Numeric public ManualChange LEAD_CHANGE: ManualChange = Off Goto WaitForManualCHG WaitForManualCHG: If ManualChange = On then if theOutput = on then theOutput = off else theOutput = on Goto LEAD_CHANGE endif   See screen shot below of the binding in the Graphic

Issue Does I/NET support dual NICs (Network Interface Cards)? Is it possible to change which network interface card I/NET uses? Dual Network Interface Cards (NIC) will not allow selection between the Networks, option is grayed out. Product Line TAC INET, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment I/NET 2.40 and above Cause Requirement for I/NET to have dual NIC support and option to change which network interface card I/NET uses. Resolution A New feature released with I/NET Seven 2.40 now allows I/NET to support dual network interface cards (NIC). The intent is to allow I/NET and Video the capability of using different Ethernet networks. This option also allows which network I/NET (and / or Video) uses. These settings are changed via the Advanced WAN Configuration (Advanced IP button) via the I/NET Configuration Editor (see image below). Requirements: I/NET Configuration needs to have TCPIP enabled and hardware (Ethernet card) needs to be installed on PC, I/NET (or I/O Server) must be running to select the Advanced IP button (Advanced WAN Configuration). If the PC is configured with multiple network cards, the above shown drop-down lists will be active: I/NET network Video network Use the drop-downs to select a network card for each network. You can use the same card for both networks, or you can use a unique card for each network. By using two networks, you can separate I/NET traffic from video traffic and conserve bandwidth on each network. NOTE: If you have dual Network Interface Cards and you are not able to select between these networks (so they are grayed out) you must have the following minimum requirements configured for this option to be available in the I/NET Editor: A Physical connection to its connection media. (i.e. A connected network status. If you have a status indicating Limited or no connectivity you will not be able to select between Interface cards). Valid IP address and subnet mask Valid Gateway IP address. (If you have no gateway router on the network then select a valid IP address within the same IP range, usually the IP of the PC is the best option here.) If you are using wireless NIC and have issue to choose it, refer to Host number conflict on a computer with dual Network Interface Cards (NIC).

Issue Where are the reports of fixed issues/bugs for the various product lines located? Product Line TAC Vista, TAC INET, Andover Continuum, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert, Access Expert, Security Expert Environment Technical Product Announcements Cause TPAs contain information of changes made per version of the different product lines. A TPA may report enhancements and/or broken functionality. Resolution Navigate to Exchange Extranet to view all TAC Vista documents tagged as TPA. The documents will be listed in reverse chronological order. Log in to view these documents. See Register for The Exchange Download Center for more information on registration.

Issue TAC Vista to SmartStruxure Interface does not connect in non-English Operation System Environment TAC Vista SmartStruxure Solution TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface 1.0 TAC Vista 5.1.8 non-English Operation System Cause The Format setting to non-English will cause this issue. Resolution In the Windows Control Panel, select Region and Language. On the formats tab change the format to English. Click Apply. Vista 5.1.9 will fix this. For how to create Vista interface in SmartStruxure, refer to How to Create TAC Vista Interface to SmartStruxure.

Issue Configured Loytec LConfig application as a service but still do not get communication from the LonWorks Network. Not able to get Service pin from LON devices connected with Loytec NIC from Enterprise Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server 1.1 Loytec NIC852 (LConfig Tool) Windows 7 Cause LConfig tool version is too old. The LConfig tool, even if set to start as a service, also still needs to start before the Enterprise Server (ES), otherwise the Enterprise Server fails to establish its connection with the LonWorks interface. For information on how to set LConfig to run as a service refer to Not able to get Service pin from LON devices connected with Loytec NIC from ES. Resolution To rectify the cause 1, click here to verify if the LConfig version is the most recent one. If not please download the most recent NIC - LOYTEC Network Interface Software. To rectify the cause 2, you must set the Loytec (LConfig) application service to be a dependency of the Enterprise Server (ES), to do this follow these instructions: Using RegEdit (or similar) edit the Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\StruxureWare 1.1 Enterprise Server NOTE: For SmartStruxure version 1.3 and above, go to path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Building Operation 1.3 Enterprise Server Locate and edit the DependOnService string Add the text LoytecSrv (service name for the LConfig application). Close the editor and reboot the PC Note: When running the LConfig as a service the LConfig Tool is not available from the System Tray and must be started from the program shortcut, located under Start > Programs> LOYTEC Network Interfaces> LConfig As a quick visual check, to see if configured correctly, you can perform a LonWorks Device Discovery on your Enterprise Server, this will show the NIC which has been defined with a red box (see image below). If these are all blue then you will not be able to receive any communications from your devices. Also remember if using the Loytec LIP devices that these should be configured in Smart Mode.

Issue Is it possible to configure Workstation so that certain users see certain alarm categories? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation Cause There may be a need to restrict access to certain alarms on a site, if for example a site is comprised of two or more buildings, it may be appropriate for users in Building 1 to only see alarms from Building 1, and not the others. Resolution To achieve this filtering a workspace, alarm view and user group must be configured. Start by creating an Alarm View object in Workstation. Edit the Alarm view and set an appropriate filter i.e. the alarm priority to be displayed. Next create a new Workspace. Ensure that an Alarms Pane is added and that the Initial Path property is set to the Alarm View created in step 1.  Create a new user group and add the Workspace created in step 3 to the group's Selected Workspaces. On the Software Permissions tab for the group, give the group Read permission for the Alarm View created in step 1. Add other appropriate permissions as required. Lastly, create a user a make them a member of the User Group created in step 5. Log in to workstation with the new user. You should then only be able to see the filtered alarms and the user should not be able to change the filter. Also check out the SmartStruxure Software Permissions Quick-Help video on the Exchange.

Issue During download to a b3 controller you may see the error: Unknown object Module: BACnet plugin Module code : 0 Technical info: BatchedWritePropertyError Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server WorkStation Cause Binding sending data to a point during the download process Resolution This error is benign and can be ignored. Also check out the SmartStruxure - b3 Engineering Process - Part 6 Downloading Quick-Help video on the Exchange. NOTE The "BatchedWritePropertyError" may also be seen with "Property value out of range" rather than "Unknown Object", in this case check the properties/settings of the BACnet Object, the channel may be out of range or an Expansion Module may be required

Issue Managing the address table in a Lonworks device Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series, TAC Vista Environment I/A Series MNL TAC Xenta Third-party LON devices Building Operation Automation Server Cause A LonWorks device contains an Address Table which will hold a maximum of 15 addresses. Once this table is full, all bindings will only be able to use the broadcast setting which is not desirable. A Xenta 200,300 or 400 controller will have its first 2 address tables used with TAG 0 and TAG 1 binding. This leaves only 13 addresses for user bindings not the 15 addresses like other LonWorks devices. Resolution ​When you create a binding in LonWorks, you decide its behavior by selecting a binding profile. You either select a binding profile, or you use the default profile. There are basically three types of binding profiles: Acknowledged profiles Unacknowledged profiles Broadcast profiles Using an Acknowledged profile will consume one of the 15 available address table addresses on both the sending and the receiving device. The Unacknowledged profiles will only use one Address on the sending device's address table. Broadcast binds do not use an address but are not recommended. Use an acknowledged binding profile when the sending device should receive an acknowledgment from the receiving device indicating that the value of the bound variable was successfully sent. Binding profile Transmit timer Retry count Acknowledged Profile 96 ms 3 Acknowledged, Tx tmr 256, 3 retries 256 ms 3 Acknowledged, Tx tmr 256, 5 retries 256 ms 5 Acknowledged, Tx tmr 1024, 5 retries 1024 ms 5 Be careful of creating large, acknowledged fan-out bindings because they generate a lot of traffic, especially if the device of one of the recipients is offline.  Use an unacknowledged binding profile when the sending device should not receive an acknowledgment from the receiving device. Use this type when the value being sent is not critical and is of low importance to the control logic. Binding profile Repeat timer Repeat count Unacknowledged Profile   0 Unacknowledged Repeated Profile 48 ms 3 Unacknowledged Repeated, 5 repeats 48 ms 5 Use a broadcast profile when you do not want to use up an entry in the address table. The device address table has 15 available entries for bindings but the first entry is a reserved broadcast entry that all broadcast bindings can share. Binding profile Repeat timer Repeat count Broadcast Profile   0 Broadcast Profile, 5 repeats 48 ms 5 If no binding profile is selected, a default profile is used: Point-to-point bindings use the Acknowledged profile as default. Fan-out bindings use the Unacknowledged Repeated profile as default. Building Operation uses the broadcast profile as default when the device address table has run out of entries. If a point-to-point binding is changed to a fan-out binding, the binding profile is automatically updated to an Unacknowledged Repeated profile. If a fan-out binding is changed to a point-to-point binding, the binding profile is automatically updated to an Acknowledged profile.  This and other information about lon bindings is available on the online help guide Using a Lon Binding in StruxureWare Building Operation More information on the different tables used by each LON device

Issue Automation Server CPU usage goes between 80-100% even with few programs, trends or alarms. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment AS Automation Server Cause Cause 1: BACnet into AS uses a lot of resources Cause 2: The AS has bindings from a point to a variety of places Also check out the AS CPU and Memory Loading Quick-Help video on the Exchange. Resolution Example Resolutions in order: The issue described is Functions as Design in StruxureWare Building Operation. The AS results with high CPU percentage with just one point from BACnet interface loaded; however, it had no effect on AS performance. Check the propagation of values. An example would be a Space Temperature which is required by the field bus, the BACnet interface, LON interface, etc. Make sure to properly disseminate this value so to avoid overloading the CPU.

Issue Experiencing issues with I/O modules that may include: Backplane failure causing modules to assume wrong module ID Input filtering problems on RTD modules Stability due to electrical noise Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation StruxureWare Building Operation Automation Server I/O Modules Cause The latest I/O module firmware version will correct known issues while also ensuring that the system is up to date and compliant. Resolution The latest I/O module firmware can be located on the Exchange by searching for I/O Module firmware. Each firmware download zip file will contain a ReadMe file that explains what was corrected in that version.  Refer to Upgrading SmartStruxure IO Module Firmware for the procedure to upgrade the I/O module firmware. 

Issue The status of a Forced BACnet value is not reflected in a Graphic or the Watch Window. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server (ES) Automation Server (AS) Cause This is functioning as designed. It was designed so that the "Forced" status for BACnet values would not be displayed in graphics or the watch window. Resolution It was designed so that the "Forced" status for BACnet values would not be displayed in graphics or the watch window. For a workaround using a PE Script program to show the forced icon for a BACnet value see How to show the forced icon for a BACnet value in a Graphic. In EBO version 3.0.1 and later this issue only occurs on internal BACnet points, points which are located in the Application folder under the BACnet interface for the SmartX server.

Issue Use of the Building Operation Script editor and general Script programming is covered in the Training courses and technical reference guide, what other techniques can be used to debug a program? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment  Building Operation Script editor. Cause Often additional techniques are required to debug Script programs, especially when attempting to analyze, modify or fault find other people's code. Resolution Some techniques you can use for debugging your program and isolating problems are: Add in additional line labels to the program to isolate where the program is disabling or failing, if it disables you will be able to see the "CurrentLine" it has failed on and therefore know which line of code is causing the problem. Use the Trace feature to step through a program and monitor the binding variables, stepping through each line of code to ensure the values are all set as expected. Even if a program does not disable you can use the "Stop" keyword in the program, it will act as a break in the code and you can look at the values of the various variables, this may be a useful alternative to the Trace feature. Use the Watch window and the Binding Variables window to show the values of the various objects, when used with the above two techniques it allows you to accurately trace a program flow. Ensure all of the code used is compatible with the Script programming rules and that Continuum Plain English programs are not just used without conversion. Check the Plain English and Script Difference Guide. For programs in an i2 or b3 controller, ensure none of the Program size limitations are exceeded, see Plain English program limitations on number of characters in program and line labels.  

Issue Without knowing the Device ID / Device Instance these devices cannot add to the MSTP network in the AS or ES. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices Environment Automation Server Enterprise Server BACnet SE7000 Cause Only the MAC ID / Com Address is shown in the display but not the Device ID / Device Instance. Resolution SE7200x Models Default Device ID is set to: 72000 + MAC Where MAC is the current MAC address of the device. The device ID will also be upgraded as soon as there is a change to the device’s MAC. For example, when a SE7200F5045B controller with a MAC address of 41 is connected to a network, its default Device Name will be SE7200F5x45B-41 and its default Device ID will be 72041. SE73xxx Models Default Device ID is set to: 73000 + MAC Where MAC is the current MAC address of the device. The device ID will also be upgraded as soon as there is a change to the device’s MAC. For example, when a SE7300C5045B controller with a MAC address of 63 is connected to a network, its default Device Name will be SE7300C5x45B-63 and its default Device ID will be 73063. Click here for the Integration Manual. Please refer to the SE7300 series BACnet controller does not come online in StruxureWare Building Operation if SE7300 controller does not come online.