Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What's the difference between ordering a Niagara R2 BACnet Supervisor and ordering a Niagara R2 Web Supervisor with an Open Systems Driver that includes BACnet? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Information about the option of implementing a Niagara R2 BACnet supported. Resolution When purchasing a BACnet Supervisor (IA-BAC), support for 500 BACnet points is included. When purchasing an Enterprise Server (IA-ENT-1) with the Open Systems Driver (IA-DRV-OSD), support for 25 BACnet points is included. Support for 500 BACnet points can and must be ordered separately (IA-BAC-500).  Functionally, they are equivalent. Both will run a station that supports up to 4000 BACnet/IP and BACnet/Ethernet points combined. For integrating using BACnet/MSTP, a UNC must be added.

Issue When using Workplace Tech 5.x, after clicking on a help button assigned to various objects, the following pop-up message appears:  “Cannot find the WPTech5.hlp file. Do you want to try to find this file yourself?” Environment WorkPlace Tech 5.x Cause The file in question was removed, but not all shortcuts were updated to point to the new document. Resolution The link should have pointed to the “WPT 5.7 Engineering Guide Supplement .pdf”, which is located in the WorkPlace Tech\Help folder. “.hlp” files, referred to as “Windows Help” files, are not supported in Vista, and are problematic in XP. That is why it was replaced with the functionality of Adobe documentation. As a temporary solution, create a desktop shortcut to the .pdf file for quick access.

Issue Is a Niagara R2 driver still available for integrating a System 6000 Apogee from Siemens? If so, what is the part number? Environment Niagara R2 driver System 6000 Apogee Cause Need to order the driver to integrate a System 6000 Apogee from Siemens. Resolution Yes, the driver is available. Call Customer Support Services and order part number TRD-DRV-S600.

Issue In a Niagara R2 / DMS integration, a re-learn of the DMS database fails. The re-learn was done after some points were deleted in the DMS database. How can the re-learn succeed using the undocumented "learnNoPointAbortCount" parameter? Environment Niagara R2 (all versions) DMS (all versions) Cause Maintenance work on an installed system where points were deleted from a DMS Resolution When the DMS driver is doing a learn points function, it is scanning through the DMS points using LOGPT which is an integer 1 – 250. It attempts to get point1, point2, …. to point250. If a point does not exist the DMS panel returns “NOPOINT”. The learnNoPointAbortCount property specifies the number of consecutive “NOPOINT” returns that will cause the learn points function to terminate early. If the DMS has been reloaded from a saved DMS database, points will have consecutive LOGPT numbers and there will not be any gaps. If points have been deleted and created, there may be gaps in the LOGPT assignments. To ensure all 250 points are scanned, set the learnNoPointAbortCount to 250. It will just take longer for the learn to complete.

Issue How does BACnet point mirroring (COV subscription) work when the source BACnet controller is offline. Environment CyberStation BACnet controllers Cause Obtain information about the functionality of COV subscription when BACnet controller is offline. Resolution When you mirror a BACnet point between BACnet controllers via a pulling PE program using the (local point = remote point) syntax or the ReadProperty() function, Continuum subscribes the information in the COV Subscription Table of the source controller. Once the COV subscription is set up, low-level embedded code in the source controller checks the current value of the point and compares it to the COV Increment. When it finds the change is greater than the COV increment value, the source controller transfers the new value to the destination controller. In the destination controller, low-level embedded code receives the value from its transceiver buffer and writes it to its local memory. And now, the pulling PE program reads the value from the local memory and updates the value to the point object. As a result, the pulling PE program in the destination controller still reads the last value from its local memory even if the source controller goes offline. This functions the same way as the standard Continuum import/export.

Issue Using Russian language with I/NET Environment I/NET foreign language translations Cause I/NET (with SQL) that is installed on an English operating system will not be able to display Russian alphabet characters if regional settings are later changed to Russian. Resolution To avoid this problem, change the regional settings before the installation I/NET and SQL.

Issue A user cannot be created when a Niagara G3 ENC station is accessed with a web browser.   An error message occurs:  'Could not invoke the command 'Edit' '. Environment Niagara G3 ENC Cause This error message generally indicates that the pxEditor module is not installed in the ENC station. Resolution Using the Software Manager applet in the ENC's platform, add the pxEditor jar. This will resolve the issue.

Issue A Niagara G3 ENC station has two ASD networks. How can the Tunnel Name be changed? Environment Niagara G3 ENC Cause The current version of the ASD driver does not allow editing of the Identifier (Tunnel name) field. However, the tunnel can be configured to be enabled or disabled via a Boolean object. Resolution In order to enable or disable the tunnel via a Boolean object, perform the following steps: Go to the Wire Sheet of the AsdNetwork Go to the Slot Sheet for the Tunnel Object Right-click on the "enabled" property, and choose Config Flags Check the Operator, Summary, and Default On Clone boxes. Click Ok Go back to the Wire Sheet of the AsdNetwork, and add a Boolean Writable and a Status Boolean to Boolean object Link the Out value of the Boolean Writable to the In value of the Status Boolean to Boolean Link the Out value of the Status Boolean to Boolean to the "Enabled" slot of the Tunnel object

Issue Roam IA will not work via Bluetooth. Environment MNB-ROAM-IA Cause RoamIA only support Belkin Bluetooth adapter model# F8T016/F8T017 Resolution Roam IA interface was proven to work reliably with the Belkin USB adapter - F8T017. Other Bluetooth adapters have been known to work with Roam IA, but the Belkin adapter stated previously is the only adapter supported by Schneider-Electric.

Issue CAUTION : Do not enable Authentication in a Niagara R2 station's Lonworks service when MNL controllers are on the LON trunk under a UNC. Doing so can disable LON communications to the MNL controller, possibly permanently. Environment Niagara R2 MNL Controllers Cause Enabling Authentication in a Niagara R2 Lonworks service, when MNL controllers are on the LON trunk under an R2 UNC, can put the controllers into one of two modes that make them unable to communicate with Workplace Tech, the UNC, or any other LON device. Resolution Enable Authentication is a Lonworks Service Command, as is Disable Authentication. A prompt will appear to confirm the command before it will be applied; a pop-up box will appear with the prompt “Are you sure you wish to invoke the enAuth command?” Click “NO” to cancel the command. The two modes are described as follows: In the first mode, which results if the user has enabled Authentication, but not commissioned the controllers with Authentication enabled, it might be possible to recover the controller. Use the service pin method to clear the controller authentication (domain tables); see WorkPlace Tech Tool 4.0 Engineering Guide, p. 602, Service Pin Operation (F-27254).  The controller will be in an unconfigured state that still allows NodeUtil to access and change the memory. Contact a Product Support Services for instructions on using NodeUtil to attempt recovering the controller. In the second mode, the controller authentication (domain tables) have been cleared by using the service pin method, and then the user has attempted to commission the controller with the network management tool. The result is that the controller will permanently be in a “hard offline” condition, and will not be recoverable.

Issue The ProView for LON (MNL-PROV-xxx) display wizard is unable to install a customer-defined logo using Niagara R2. Environment Niagara R2 ProView Cause The Distech display wizard for Niagara R2 is unable to perform this function. Distech has no plans to correct it. Resolution The Distech wizard for Niagara G3 was tested and found to perform this function correctly. So, use this wizard to install a customer-defined logo into ProView.

Issue A large WorkPlace Tech database containing more than 250 SNVTs, for a MNL-800, compiled and saved with no issues. However, errors occur when downloading it to the controller. Environment WorkPlace Tech MNL-800 Cause Exceed the maximum number of 250 SNVTs, which MNL-800 support. Resolution The MNL-800 has a maximum capacity for 250 SNVTs. WorkPlace Tech allows more than 250 SNVTs to be added to the application and it will save and compile. However, it will not download successfully. Ensure the application contains no more than 250 SNVTs (including the default nci SNVTs) and number them 0-249.

Issue An "Internal Server Error 500" message appears when attempting to access a Niagara G3 ENC station via a web browser. Environment Niagara G3 ENC station Web browser Cause Typically, this issue is caused by the Module Content Filter Level in the ENC being set to "RUNTIME". In order for an ENC to host Web Services, the ENC needs to have the Module Content Filter Level set to "UI+RUNTIME". Resolution Use the Commissioning Wizard in the Platform Administration section of the ENC's Platform to set the Module Content Filter Level to "UI+RUNTIME". In some cases, the error message persists even after re-commissioning per the above instructions. To correct this problem, go to the Software Manager in the ENC's Platform, highlight all the modules that are marked "Up To Date", and re-install them.

Issue Can ASD bus wiring be used for LON communications in a retrofit situation? Environment ASD bus wiring LON network retrofit Cause The communications protocols for RS-485 and LON are two totally different and opposing specifications. Resolution No, ASD bus wiring cannot be used in conjunction with an existing LON network. Any deviations from LON standards result in unsatisfactory performance. Not adhering 100% to the published best practices guides for LON bus wiring will result in no end to problems with the installation.

Issue How can I convert my BACnet B4920 to a BCX 4040 Using Cyberstation Environment Cyberstation BACnet B4920 bCX 4040 Cause Change model number from b4920 to bCX 4040 using Cyberstation. Resolution In Cyberstation V1.90 Service pack 1 the capability to convert a b4920 to a BCX 4040 has been added. In order to change the model you open the controller editor on the b4920 and from the model pulldown, select bcx 4040. This is a non reversible change so make sure you have a database backup before doing this. Once the model is changed, you will need to edit comm2 and verify that it has the same settings for the MSTP as comm1 did on the b4920. If you have not already done so you will also have to reassign any I/O points that were on the b4920 to different hardware such as XP modules or another b3 Controller. The conversion will leave the I/O points in the database but all the channels will be set to "0" so that any programs that reference them will stay in tact. Make sure to set the Bcx up with the same ACC Net ID and do not change the Bacnet Device ID or the comm2 and UDP Net ID's. They will stay the same as the b4920 had them. Once you have connected the BCX to the network and the MSTP controllers to comm2, you simply reload the Bcx, but you do not have to reload the b3 controllers. They should come online after the Bcx is reloaded. Prior to this version a deletion of the b4920 and all b3 controllers was required, and edited dump files needed to be imported into the Cyberstation to recreate the BCX and b3's, followed by a reload of all controllers.

Issue There is an adapter which allows for connection between the USB port of a laptop or computer to Micronet via a MicroNet 2000 MN-Sx sensor. Environment MicroNet 2000 software (MN-CI, MN Flow Balance) MicroNet 2000 controller with attached sensor (MN-S, MN-SO, MN-SDK) Cause Computer without a serial port Resolution This connection requires the use of both part numbers MN-CIM (MicroNet Controller Interface Module) and UC232A (USB to Serial Adapter). The UC232A adapter can be attained from B&B Electronics. (NOTE: MN-CIM is obsolete as of December, 2011. See Product Announcement PA-000164. There is no functional replacement available) Steps: Load the UC232A driver Select unused Com port in setup (can not conflict with any other ports being used) Reboot computer

Issue Unable to connect to a Niagara R2 UNC-520.  The IP address was incorrectly set.  How can the IP address be found and changed if there's no access via the Ethernet port? Environment UNC-520 or UNC-410 Cause Incorrect entry of the IP Address or subnet mask can cause the UNC appear unresponsive to the WorkPlace Pro software. Resolution There are two methods available to determine the IP and subnet mask entered into the UNC. The first method requires having access to the computer used to change the IP address.  Look at the file "ipchanges.txt" located in the "\Niagara\r2.301.522\nre\user" folder. It will contain the date, time, user name, original IP, new IP, and controller name (i.e. 9:54 16-Dec-2008 CST: tac 10.159.34.123 -> 10.1.146.128 on J404-29764). The second method requires the use of a terminal program, a UNCC-405 to adapt RS232 to RJ45, and a CBL-RJ45 cable (a standard ethernet cable no longer than seven feet will do).  The HyperTerminal program is used to directly connect to a UNC-520 to verify and to make changes to its IP address in order to make it accessible.  HyperTerminal makes it possible to view the UNC's configuration and execute commands. The steps needed to directly connect to a UNC-520 using HyperTerminal are listed in chapter 2 of the Niagara Networking & Connectivity Guide.  After connecting to the UNC, use the procedure "Determining an IP address of a JACE-4/5" in the section "Determining Network Settings" of Chapter 3 of the same manual to display or change the IP address or subnet mask.  Failure to enter the subnet mask properly can prevent the UNC from being seen by WorkPlace Pro.

Issue What is a valid range for Bacnet Network Id - Comm2 on a BCX? Does each vendor get a specific range allocated? Environment Continuum BCX Series Cause Set a supported ID for Bacnet Network ID  Resolution The valid range is 1 to 65354 Since bacnet is an open standard, no specific ids have been set for certain companies. Each company decides on its own to use a specific default network id. In our case the default is 2765 which is an attempt to be somewhere in the middle of the range to not affect other controllers from other vendors. Caution must be used with this setting because using the same number can cause collisions amongst manufacturers on the network. Each Continuum BCX on a system must also have a unique number for this setting. For example, a small system with 3 bCX's might use 2765 for one bCX, 2766 for another bCX and 2767 for the third.

Issue Access Events are not being logged with an ACX 57xx in 1.81 Environment ACX 57xx Continuum Cause The most common reason for this is because the ACX 57xx is shipped with a 1.1x version of firmware and NC2 with 2.1, but there are updates in this firmware that are specific to Continuum V1.8x and V1.9x. Resolution Revised 3/15/2018 This article was recently referenced and updated. 1. Uprev Continuum to 1.9x or greater with ACX 1.1x or NC2 2.1x firmware 2. Down rev the firmware in the ACX to the most recent 1.0x or NC2 2.1x version of firmware with 1.8x or less. (Not recommended)

Issue Error using webClient webpinpoint, "You have been assigned a web object but do not have the appropriate permission to view it" Graphic option isn't available in the web browser client, other options are there. Environment webClient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There are 2 different types of webClient. PM for security and PRO for security and HVAC Resolution WebClient Pro and webClient Personnel are two different products. The Personnel version doesn’t allow for graphics. Verify the serial number of the security key with the Repair Department to determine if the Personnel product is enabled on the key. If so, request a cookie upgrade for the key.