Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When using WorkPlace Tech and Niagara G3 LON tunneling through an ENC, just a few devices are found and they are displayed slowly. Environment WorkPlace Tech Niagara G3 LON Cause This is a symptom of a bandwidth issue with Lon trunk communications. The LON polling function can be a high contributor to the bandwidth, and disrupt Lon Tunnel communications. Resolution By default, the "Poll Enabled" feature in an ENC is set to true in the Poll Service (located in the Property sheet of the Lon Network). If bindings are being used, polling can be disabled, which should free up enough bandwidth for Lon Tunneling. For more details, see the Niagara LonWorks Guide "Lon Poll Service notes" page 3-6.

Issue Why is the Niagara G3 Time Sync Service not working with time.nist.gov? Environment Niagara G3 time.nist.gov Cause As of April 2007 the server time.nist.gov no longer responds to requests for time in the "Time Protocol" format defined in RFC-868. Resolution As an alternative, try time-a.nist.gov or time-b.nist.gov As of April 2007 the server time.nist.gov no longer responds to requests for time in the "Time Protocol" format defined in RFC-868. All of the other NIST servers (except for time-nw.nist.gov) will continue to respond to requests to either tcp or udp port 37 for time in the format specified in RFC-868. "Time Protocol" used by the TimeSyncService has been superseded by a more sophisticated and more accurate one known as "Network Time Protocol" (NTP for short) defined in RFC-1305 The newer protocol is supported in Niagara G3 version 3.4 and newer and it is configured through the platform service of the station.

Issue If a signal name or description in XBuilder Device Editor has non-Latin characters (like Swedish å, ä, ö, Å, Ä, Ö) it will read [Invalid Address] when viewing the signal in Vista. Value pages are displayed correctly. Environment Vista version 5.1.5 or prior Menta Xenta XBuilder Cause Signal name or description in XBuilder Device Editor has non-Latin characters (like Swedish å, ä, ö, Å, Ä, Ö)  Resolution Don't use non-Latin characters (Or space) for signal name or description. This issue was confirmed in versions 5.1.2 - 5.1.5. It has been fixed in version 5.1.6.

Issue Unable to save periodic report to network drive when Vista is running as a service. Vista Alarm: Warning logged in B0WARLOG.TXT on node XXXXXX B0WARLOG.TXT: report >> Could not save report Reports-Report, hRes=[-2146827284] Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 5.x Cause When Vista Server (TACOS.exe) is running as a service, it is not functioning as part of the user desktop. This means that network map drives are not accessible under the aliases (J:\, M:\, S:\, etc). Vista Server is instead running under a specific user account name that must have access rights to the network drive and the report object must reference the full path to the network drive location. Resolution NOTE: it is recommended that the destination folder for these periodic reports be located on the local disk C;/ drive.  It can be problematic to have the destination folder located on the desktop. Open the Services MMC from Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Services. Find TACOS in the list of services. Stop it if it is running. Right click on the service and select properties. On the Log On tab check the "This Account" option and fill in a local administrator user that has access to the network location. Click Ok. Start the TACOS service. Start Vista Workstation and log in. Right click the report you are trying to save to a network drive and select properties. On the Report tab ensure that the "Save to folder:" has the full network path (ex. \\computername\directoryname). Use the browse if necessary. Click OK The next time your periodic report runs it will properly save the report to the network location.

Issue What is the current firmware revision for a Network 8000 GCM and is an upgrade kit available? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Network 8000 GCM Cause Looking for a firmware upgrade part number. Resolution The following table lists the part number and upgrade kit part number for the system firmware installed in each version of the GCM, LCM and similar type controllers. The listing of a particular device part number, EPROM part number or Firmware Upgrade Kit part number does not guarantee that the specific item can be ordered. Update - 12/31/2011 - All firmware kits listed below are now obsolete and can no longer be purchased. GCM / LCM Model Current Version EPROM Part Number Firmware Upgrade Kit GCM-84x1x (GCS Version) 5.4 PROM-12-100/200/300 GCMA-120-054 GCM-84x2x (ASD Version) 5.41A PROM-12-120/220/330 GCMA-137-054 GCM-85x1x (GCS-CCL Version) 4.7C PROM-12-110/120/130 GCMA-132-047 GCM-85x2x (ASD-CCL Version) 4.7AC PROM-12-140/240/340 GCMA-141-047 GCMA-114 4.2 PROM-19-100 GCMA-130-042 LCM-84x1x (8k EEPROM) 5.4 PROM-23-100/200/300 LCMA-138-054 LCM-85xxx (CCL Version) 4.7C PROM-23-110/210/310 LCMA-141-047 LCM-88x1x (32k EEPROM) 5.4 PROM-23-100/200/300 LCMA-138-054 GCS-xxxxx 4.0 PROM-18-120 GCSA-103-040 GIM-2100 4.7G0 PROM-12-130/230/330 GCMA-140-047 GIM-MTECH 4.8G2 PROM-12-150/250/350 GCMA-143-048 GCM-ECH-002 (Echelon NIM) 11.1B PROM-48-204 GCMA-147-111 GCM-86x11 (GCS Version) 5.4 PROM-41-100 GCMA-145-54 GCM-86x21 (ASD Version) 5.4A PROM-41-110 GCMA-146-54 GCM-ECH-001 (Echelon NIM) 11.1B PROM-48-203 GCMA-148-111 GCM-ETH-001 (Ethernet NIM) 11.2T PROM-48-202 GCMA-149-113 LNC-100 5.4GL PROM-41-160 LNCA-100-054 SIM-CCM 5.4G3 PROM-41-120 SIM-CCN-U SIM-MTECH 5.4GM PROM-41-150 SIM-MTECH-U SIM-TRANE 5.5GT PROM-41-140 SIM-TRANE-550 SIM-YORK 5.6GY PROM-41-130 SIM-YORK-U

Issue When using WorkPlace Tech on a Windows Vista computer, the LON USB adaptor will not configure properly to work with my site. Environment WorkPlace Tech installed on a Windows Vista computer LON USB adaptor Cause The LON USB adaptor has a communication issue with both Vista and Windows 7. When configuring the LON communications via the automatic option in WorkPlace Tech, this error appears: "Error occurred in SetInterfaceDomain for domain index 0.” After this error, the LON interfaces will no longer function. Resolution A temporary work-around is to identify the domain and use the manual configuration option.  Echelon NodeUtil, Niagara R2 WorkPlace Pro, or Niagara G3 WorkBench can be used to identify the domain, if needed.  If the domain is "0", the "Default Setup" option can be used.

Issue Bug in conversion of real numbers to integers in Menta Expression Blocks Environment TAC Xenta 280/300/401 with system program version up to version 3.41 Cause A bug exists that causes real numbers to be improperly converted to integers in Expression Blocks. The issue is that some functions that return a real result (e.g. +-*/ and exponentiation) will sometimes return a value slightly less than expected. For example, 2**5, which is 2 to the fifth power, should return 32. Instead, 31.9999999999 is returned. In an expression that then then converts this to an integer (e.g. "A&(2**5)"), the result gets truncated to 31 instead of the expected 32. In the example "A&(2**5)", A will then be bitwise AND-ed with binary 01111 instead of 10000. Unfortunately, this bug is only seen when running the code live on a controller. In offline simulation mode, 2**5 returns the correct value of 32, which only makes the bug more difficult to diagnose. Oddly, The XPI block and the INT() function convert results to integers differently. An XPI block with expression "2**5" will return 32. However, and XPI block with expression "INT(2**5)" will return 31. In some cases (e.g. 19**3) both the XPI block and the INT() function return the incorrectly truncated value. This behavior is corrected from version 3.50 of TAC Xenta 280/300/401 Resolution The work-around is to never use operations that return real values in an expression that also does operations that convert the operands to integers (such as bitwise operations). This behavior is corrected from version 3.50 of TAC Xenta 280/300/401

Issue Lmtools cannot start/stop service or make changes to license method Environment Vista 5.1.0 or higher Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 Cause Due to the security rules in Windows Vista or Windows 7 when UAC is enabled Lmtools does not have access change the properties of the license tools and start or stop the service. Resolution Configure Lmtools to Run as Administrator In the start menu browse to "All Programs\TAC\TAC Tools 5.1.x\Lmtools" or "All Programs\Schneider Electric\TAC Tools 5.x.x\Lmtools" and right click on the shortcut and select Properties. In the compatibility tab click the "Run this program as an administrator" and click OK. When you run the Lmtools program it will prompt you to allow access to the computer. Select Allow. Note: These steps will have to be done each time you install Vista on the computer.  

Issue It is possible to edit a database offline using the MNet-CI that is installed as a part of PSI 4.1? Environment PSI 4.1 MNet-CI Cause The templates and default database files are not installed by the PSI 4.1 installer.  Resolution The templates and default database files, PSIv4.10_MN-CI_Templates.zip can be downloaded from Extranet. Install the templates in the "mnetci" folder and the database folder in the PSI parent folder.

Issue Why doesn't BACnet/Ethernet work on a Niagara R2 UNC-600 or UNC-610 after upgrading to R2 version 529 (527 or higher)? ERROR: Cannot start Ethernet Packet Driver tridium.nre.DriverException: Cannot open \Device\RTL81391 [ethernet] Environment UNC-600 UNC-610 Niagara R2 version 527 or higher Cause New driver files were generated for BACnet/Ethernet to provide Vista compatibility. As a result, the driver files are unable to properly initialize the Ethernet packet driver on both the UNC-600 and UNC-610 platforms. The error can be viewed using the output window during the station start process. Resolution The solution involves the replacement of three files within the platform's R2 version 529 bin directory. File (UNC-6xx_BACnetEthernet.zip) contains the associated files and includes a readme.pdf with details on how to install on the UNC-600 and UNC-610 platforms.

Issue Sigma 4.05 SP1 client does not seat after new install Environment Sigma 4.05 SP1 Cause When you install Sigma 4.05 SP1 on a computer that does not have a the Sentinel Protection driver previously installed, the Sentinel Protection software is not installed. Resolution When you install Sigma 4.05 SP1 on a computer that does not have a the Sentinel Protection driver previously installed, the Sentinel Protection software is not installed. This driver has to be installed for Sigma to run.

Issue ATS button Grayed out after upgrade to 2.21, 2.30, 2.31 or beyond from a revision prior to 2.21 Environment I/NET software upgraded to 2.21, 2.30, 2.31 or beyond from a revision prior to 2.21. 2.40,2.40a,2.41,2.41a Cause Change in password rights forces revisit of password permissions. After the upgrade the ATS button in the door editor is grayed out or unavailable. It is also grayed out if you modify the parameters of the door and try to click ATS at the bottom of the window. Resolution Edit Host Computer and select Passwords. From here you will need to edit the TAC account as well as the accounts who will need access to the ATS button. Scroll down to the two Door Schedules, first under Host Access and the second under DCU Access. Put a check in the box for enabling the Door Schedule. Log off and log back in for the settings to take effect.

Issue Host Computer running Windows Virtual Machine (VM) and not able to see the Xenta 527-NPR Environment Windows XP running Virtual Machine with I/NET running on the Virtual Machine.   Cause When running Virtual Machine mode, your network via TCP/IP is not able to see the Xenta 527 NPR because of the Default NAT setting needing to be changed to Bridged.   Resolution When setting up Windows Virtual Machine the default setup is "NAT" but needs to be changed to "Bridged" Bridged mode lets the virtual machine share the host's Ethernet connection, while appearing as a separate machine with its own MAC and TCP/IP address. NAT mode nats through the hosts NIC, much like the 192.168.1.x machines nat through your router to the internet. The VMware server assigns DHCP addresses to the virtual network cards, and the NAT system takes it from there through the real NIC.

Issue AMT not showing First Name and Last Name information in the Transactions Window   Environment I/NET running in a Windows Environment Xenta Server 527 / 731 Cause The Host PC is not listed as the SQL Host Number in the Xenta 527 / 731. Resolution In the configuration of the Xenta Router the Host PC has the default value of Zero. To fix this you must: Connect the Xenta 731/ 527 Server 24 VAC power. Refer to the TAC Xenta 527 Installation Instructions (0FL-3956). Connect a PC to the Xenta Serves. Attach a serial cable from the computer’s COM port to the RS-232 B port on the front of the Xenta Servers. Refer to TAC Xenta 511/527/911/913 Handbook (0-004-7870) for complete instructions. Set the Xenta Server communication parameters. Start a Hyper Terminal Session on your PC, once the cable is connected it will display the default information on the Xenta. Note: The factory default login/password is root/root, Hyperterminal into the Xenta and login with appropriate credentials. From the dsh/> prompt type inethost Hit the ENTER key sixteen times to get to the SQL Host Number. It’s default is 0 and should be changed to the HOST NUMBER for the Host PC. The host PC number can be found in the I/O Server at the top right hand side in the TCP/IP setting box. Log out and be sure to restart the Xenta Server for settings to change.

Issue SevenReports times out OR only collects data based on two criteria - 1.first five seconds 2. cannot display over five hundred values and fails to create a full report. Environment I/NET Seven using SevenReports on Windows based PC. Cause Seven Reports times out when collecting data from the database. Resolution Editing the OS Registry is like having brain surgery. Be careful and clear in your actions. Administrative rights are required. Go to Start\Run and type Regedit drill down on left side folders and follow these steps: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Business Objectives\Suite11.0\Crystal Reports Designer Component\DatabaseServer BrowseTimeout which should currently have the numerical value: 5 Double click, select Decimal, and change value data to the numerical value: 0 MaxNBrowseValues which should currently have the numerical value: 500 Double click, select Decimal, and change value data to the numerical value: 0 Exit Registry editor and reboot the operating system. This changes the SevenReports to not time out and allowance of over five hundred values.

Issue How to bring MicroNet values into a Bas2800+ system Environment MicroNet 300, 440, 500, 620 or 350, 450, 550, 650 ETC Bas2800+ system Cause Integrating MicroNet controllers with a Bas2800+. Resolution Add LON cards to the MicroNet controllers (MNL-C) Use a Xenta 913 to convert the LON signals to Modbus Use a Modus gateway (BAS-PIU) to interface the converted MicroNet values to the Bas2800+

Issue How to upgrade the bin files and SAV files in controllers Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.xx running in a Windows Environment. Cause The bin files for the controllers are not all current with the version of I/NET being used. The SAV files backup process and what gets overwritten. Resolution To upgrade the bin files in the controllers: Attach to the controller by selecting from the pull down menu in I/NET, Connect and drill down past your link NPR to the controller Select Edit/Controller/Station Save – this backs up the current programming on the controller and overwrites your .sav file Select Edit/Host Computer/Software Restore and put a check in the box for Software and select the button for Download –this pushes the latest bin file to the controller. If you select the Database box in the previous step, it will push the database to the controller as well. If you have SCU or DCU controllers, select the SCU/DCU button at the bottom of the window from step 3 and follow the same procedure. Note: BIN files are stored in the C:\INET Seven Data\Data folder   To upgrade the SAV files in the controllers: Attach to the controller by selecting from the pull down menu in I/NET, Connect and drill down past your link NPR to the controller Select Edit/Controller/Station Save – this backs up the current programming on the controller sav files are located on the C:\Inet Seven Data\SAV folder. To make a backup, simply copy this folder to another location Step 2(two) overwrites the current SAV file in the c:\INet Seven Data\SAV location To restore the current SAV file to the controller, select Edit/Controller/Station Restore and overwrite the database in the controller   KEY POINT: bin files are the software for the controller/device .sav files are the database

Issue In Niagara G3, how can the status (up / down) of a device object be trended? Environment Niagara G3 Cause Recording a connected controller's communication status Resolution Within the Wire Sheet that contains the device shadow object: Insert a StatusDemux object (from the kitControl pallet, Util folder).  Link the "Status" from the device object to the "In Status" of the StatusDemux object Insert a Boolean Writable object.  Link the "Down" slot of the StatusDemux object to the "In10" of the Boolean Writable object Add a BooleanCov history extension to the Boolean Writable object.  This will then track the up / down status of the device.

Issue An upgrade site that has gone from a 7798b with dialup capability attached via modem to see the I/NET Seven C-Lan network has gone to VoIP phone communication. This changes the dialup communication. How to make this communication work? Environment I/NET Seven communicating with remote dial-up to a 7798b control board using USRobotics modem and analog phone line Cause Changing company structure to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) rather than analog dial-up communications Resolution The Xenta 527 web based router will need to be in place to replace the dialup connection. Add a CLX card to the 7798b so it will work communicating to the 527 web based router (Note: the 7798C has this capability soldered onto the board and is not necessary). XBuilder will be required to set up graphic pages and email alerting if outbound communication from the network is needed.

Issue "Incorrect or missing I/Net Host Tool license." error occurs when I/NET Host Tool is launched via Vista > Tools > I/NET Host Tool. Product Line TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment I/NET Host Tool Cause "Incorrect or missing I/NET Host Tool license" error will occur if there is a full version of I/NET installed with its own license key. Running the full version of I/NET and launching I/NET Host Tool via Vista, will attempt to open a new instance of I/NET. The system will throw the error message because there is already an open instance with a license that is not the I/NET integrated license. I/Net (2.4X) runs as a service and will also create this condition if a second instance is launched. Stopping the service will allow I/Net to open without error. When using XBuilder to refresh the I/NET network. In XBuilder, upon a refresh, an instance of I/NET Host Tool is launched. If there is a current open I/Net instance, the error is thrown. Resolution This will not affect the network in any way since I/NET Host Tool and the full version use the same I/O Server. To avoid this message, shut down I/NET and I/O Server and start it again via Vista > Tools > I/NET Host Tool.