Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Getting error “Baudrate on MSTP side not found Proceed anyway?” when trying to connect to MSTP with RoamIO Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment MSTP BACnet Cause Before the RoamIO can start communicating on the MSTP bus it must first determine the baud rate of the network, it does this by listening to the traffic on the network until is able to determine the baud. If there is no traffic on the network the RoamIO will not be able to detect the baud. Possible causes: If the RoamIO is directly connected to a device that does not have a valid mac id (such as a brand new b3 from the factory which has a slave mac id). The cable used to connect the RoamIO to the MSTP network is the wrong one. Resolution Possible solutions: Make sure at least ONE of the devices on the MSTP has a valid MAC ID. Make sure the cable used to connect the RoamIO to the MSTP network is correct. Note that even though the cable that ships with the RoamIO looks the same as the cable used on a telephone handset, it has a different pinout. The RoamIO cable is a straight thru cable while the telephone cable is NOT. Here is what the RoamIO cable pinout looks like:

Issue How can the Continuum version and features that are activated be viewed on a Keyless license? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment HASP Keyless License Hasp Key Utility Cause It is not known what version and features are enabled on the keyless license. Resolution From the Program Files\Continuum folder, launch the HaspKeyUtility application. Select the button labled Show Key Information. The license information will be displayed.

Issue Site using 12VDC to power ACX5740s, they need to attach IO expansion modules to the ACX but the XP modules specify they require 24VDC. Environment ACX5740 ACX5720 XP modules Cause Documentation Resolution The ACX57xx hardware has been designed to maintain 24VDC on the expansion port over the full 12-28VDC input range of  the ACX, this is accomplished via a boost/buck converter circuit in the hardware.

Issue After completing the installation for 2.0 WebClient the first attempt to logon results in HTTP Error 500.21 Internal Server Error logging into WebClient. Trying to register .NET 2 using aspnet_regiis.exe produces  ASP.NET setup custom has stopped working. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment WebClient Cause .NET 4 not registered with IIS Resolution Register .NET 4 with IIS from Command Prompt (NOTE: Run command prompt as administrator)

Issue When sending BACnet devices to database the operation does not return an error but NO objects (or only some objects) are created in the DB. Inspection of ACCTrace shows the following... In the case at hand the device had 28 objects which the system identified correctly as seen below, but trying to add each object to the database resulted in error inserting the object in the dictionary. Error inserting a row into the object dictionary. [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]Maximum stored procedure, function, trigger or view nesting level exceeded (limit 32) Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause The ContinuumDB's recursive triggers property has somehow been changed to ON (1) from its default of OFF (0) The following query can be used to determine what the value of the property is using SQL Management Studio select DATABASEPROPERTYEX ('ContinuumDB', 'IsRecursiveTriggersEnabled) Resolution Close all Continuum workstations Reset recursive triggers to its default of OFF with the following query using SQL Management Studio ALTER DATABASE ContinuumDB SET RECURSIVE_TRIGGERS OFF

Issue A huge number of BACnet Alarms stating Duplicate network identifier are being generated Environment BACnet Cause This has been seen when two Continuum bCX1-4040 units were inadvertantly connected together on to a single MSTP network Resolution Correct the wiring, restart the Enterprise Server and the alarms stop

Issue Card info read successfully at enrollment reader but unable to insert into Personnel because insert button is grayed out. Environment CyberStation Personnel Manager Cause Card is already in use by another personnel object. Resolution Free up the card or use a different one that has not been assigned to any user.

Issue What are the sourcing and sinking specifications of the analog voltage outputs on the different controllers? Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment i2 b3 XP IO modules Cause Sourcing and sinking refer to the ability of a DC circuit to PUSH or PULL a direct current through the circuit. Resolution Voltage Sourcing In a controller's voltage sourcing output, the output provides a voltage source that PUSHES a direct current through the load as indicated in the illustration below. The current flows from the output's positive (V/+) terminal through the load to the output's negative terminal (-/ RTN). Current Sinking In the illustration below, a controller's voltage output is sinking a current from the load. Note the voltage source in the load's circuit which is at 15 VDC. Because current always flows from positive to negative, the voltage coming from the controller's output (0 - 10 VDC) will ALWAYS be more negative than the load's source of 15VDC, thus a current will flow from the load's voltage source through the controller's output circuit to reach the negative (RTN) side of the output's circuit. The lower the voltage coming out of the controller's output the more negative it will be as compared to the load's voltage source, thus the output will be sinking the most current when it has a value of 0 volts. It is extremely important when using a controller's voltage output in a way that will make it sink current to know the maximum amount of current the output will be sinking and to ensure it does not exceed the current sinking capacity of the controller's output. The following table shows the sourcing and sinking capabilities of the voltage outputs of the different controllers. CONTROLLER VOLTAGE SOURCING CURRENT SINKING COMMENT i2/b3 814 Voltage output 0-10 V @5 ma max 1 ma max Exceeding the 1 mA sink limit will cause the IO readings to be incorrect. ie, inputs may read 999.99

Issue What is the mechanism used by the Continuum system to determine the communication status of third party BACnet devices? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation bCX BACnet Cause To maintain the communication status of third party BACnet devices Resolution Continuum sends a read property message to read the vendor id from the device once a minute by default (or whatever the probe time is set to), as long as a timely response is received from the device Continuum keeps it online, if no response is received the device will be marked OFFLINE (after a retry) Once a device is marked OFFLINE Continuum will perform a WHO-IS once a minute (ARP if CyberStation) until an I-AM is received which will cause the device to be tagged back online, once the device is back online Continuum will resume probing the device via the read property message once a minute. Note that Continuum allows several probe options for BACnet devices, the behavior explained above is for when the probe type is set to 'Probe' ProbeOnDemand - Probing does not occur unless a communications transaction with the target device fails. Once a transaction fails then probing occurs at the interval specified in Probe Time until the device comes back online. The advantage is that additional requests to the controller fail immediately. The disadvantage if that node failure is not detected  until a CyberStation application needs to communicate with a controller.  ProbeOff - Probing does not occur. The advantage is that there is never probe traffic to the device. The disadvantage is that each request to the device fails only after the transaction times out.

Issue Version 2.0a Error getting Key Id appears at bottom of the Hasp Key Utility when an attempt is made to activate the Continuum license using the v2c file.  Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Keyless Soft License Hasp Key Utility Sentinal HASP License Manager Cause The Sentinal HASP License Manager service has stopped. Resolution From Control Panel/Administrator Tools, launch Services. In the Services list look for either Sentinal LDK License Manager... ... or Sentinal Hasp License Manager Right click on the service and select Properties Under Service Status, if Started is not displayed, select the Start button. Under Startup Type, select Automatic. If neither Sentinal LDK License Manager nor Sentinal HASP License Manager appears in the list of services, you must install HaspRuntimeforContinuum.exe. Under the service properties, select a Automatic for Startup Type.

Issue During Continuum installation error comes up that SQLncli_x64.msi file is missing. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Setup An installation package for the product Microsoft SQL Server Native Client cannot be found. Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package 'sqlncli_x64.msi'. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Windows SQL Cause The Microsoft SQL Server Native Client has not been installed. It must be present before installing Continuum software. Resolution Before installing SQL Server, download and install Microsoft SQL Server Native Client x64 file (sqlncli_x64.msi) from Microsoft Download Center: Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Warning Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue Confused by RF-Series sensor wiring instructions. Do the controller's input return and the supplied power ground connect to the same termination on the sensor? Environment RH-Series sensor Cause Documentation Resolution *** If connecting to a voltage input on the controller then use the VOUT termination instead of the 4-20 mA

Issue UPC Barcodes and EAN Barcodes Environment Site ordering parts from Schneider-Electric Cause What are UPC Barcodes and EAN Barcodes Resolution The EAN contains a 13 digit number and the UPC contains a 12 digit number. EAN = 0012345678905 UPC = (0)012345678905 or 012345678905 GS1, the original source for barcodes has created the confusion between UPC (Universal Product Codes) and EAN (European Article Numbers also called International Article Numbers) Below is an example of a Schneider Electric SHR110 room RH/Temp sensor:

Issue Schedule configured with occupied events that spans mid-night, yet the schedule is going unoccupied at mid-night. Schedule has been configured to apply occupied event at mid-night but it appears this functionality is not working as expected. Environment Cyberstation bCX b3 Cause Documentation Resolution Add occupied event at mid night to override the internal unoccupied event that is placed at mid-night.

Issue When troubleshooting SMTP email issues it is oftentimes handy to send a test email directly from Windows in order to narrow down the part of the system with the problem. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Windows Continuum SmartStruxure Cause Troubleshooting technique. Resolution Simple way to test SMTP email for testing purposes. Make sure telnet is turned ON in Windows. (If not, go to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows Features On or Off > turn ON the Telnet Client.) Open a command prompt and type telnet domain name (or IP address) and port. telnet 10.169.9.10 25​ Type HELO and identify the sending system helo MyPCName​ Type mail from: followed by an email address mail from: user@tac.com​ Type rcpt to: followed by destination address. (NOTE: must be an email account in the mail server) rcpt to: user@3indq.com​ Type data then ENTER key Type a message Type . (period) then ENTER to end NOTE: Type slowly and if you mistype something hit enter and after the error re-type the line. Using backup space appears to work but it doesn't. NOTE: Make sure Telnet server is installed on the SMTP server. Make sure Telnet service is enabled/running on the SMTP server

Issue Has a ListView defined under a controller that shows the alarms for that controller only. Error 'Object does not exist' when trying to use 'is like' with Device ID in a list view qualifier. Example:   Environment CyberStation Cause Documentation Resolution When adding the qualifier DO NOT write the word ID after the device name in the value field, Continuum will automatically add it when the list view is saved. NOTE: If getting the error even after removing 'id' from the qualifier try entering the full path to de device.

Issue Webpinpoint runs for awhile then gives the error Failed Creation IDNLiveDataPtr Environment Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The IIS Resources are recycled after a period of time (default is 29 hours). This disconnects webpinpoint after this time. Resolution The Webclient Installation and Planning Guide describes this for Windows Server 2003 1. From the Windows Control Panel, double click and open Administrative Tools. The Administrative Tools dialog appears. Appendix A: web.Client Security and Troubleshooting Tips Andover Continuum web.Client Planning and Installation Guide 149 2. Double click and open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager. The Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager dialog appears. 3. In the navigational directory, expand your local computer directory. 4. Expand the Application Pools directory. 5. Right click on DefaultAppPool, and from the popup menu, select Properties. The DefaultAppPool Properties dialog appears. 6. Select the Recycling tab. 7. Next to the Recycle worker processes (in minutes) checkbox, which should be checked, notice the field displaying the default number of minutes - 1740 minutes. This is equivalent to 29 hours. 8. To lengthen this time, use the field's up-arrow button to add minutes. (Use the down arrow to subtract minutes.) 9. Click OK.  Windows 7/Server 2008 Similar steps as above with a couple differences because of the interface.  In IIS Manager Select Recycling(Link in Actions Pane) Deselect Regular Time Intervals in Minutes In IIS Manager Select Recycling(Link in Actions Pane) Deselect Regular Time Intervals in Minutes then Next then Finish Select Advanced Settings(Link in Actions Pane) Idle Time-out(minutes) Set to 0 then Ok

Issue Why don't changes to the alarm reference points trigger the alarm to be re-evaluated in the i1, infinet controllers Environment LCX SCX TCX Infinity controllers Alarms 1st Generation Infinet controllers. Cause In the original Infinet controllers the alarm state was only checked for, when the actual Object value changed. So if an Alarm Point input to that object changes, such that the alarm expression is now true an alarm is not generated until the Object value changes or the Object is refreshed Resolution In the original Infinet controllers the alarm state was only checked for, when the actual Object value changed. So if an Alarm Reference Point input to that object changes, such that the alarm expression is now true an alarm is not generated until the Object value changes or the Object is refreshed eg. If the Enrollment Expression is Point2 = 1, and Point2 goes to 1, the Object will not go into alarm until either the Object Value changes or the Object is refreshed. i2 Controllers are enhanced so they will go straight in to alarm. Below shows an example A possible work around would be to refresh the input with a PE program, this could however adversely effect the operation of the controller, it would be unadvisable to refresh much more than once per minute eg Merck_SPF_BAS\NC107\NC107_1_SC03\TT5702305G refresh = true

Issue Sites may need the ability to monitor the Online/Offline status of a Cyberstation from another Cyberstation Environment Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause A Cyberstation offline alarm helps to alert personnel that action should be taken to make sure the Cyberstation is brought back online Resolution Create a Binary Value AlarmNum in the Cyberstation on WS_1 Create a looping program in Cyberstation WS_1 that monitors the comm status of WS_2     Example code:  If WS_2 = OffLine then AlarmNum = Active Else AlarmNum = Inactive Use an existing or create a new Event notification and select Display Alarm View and add WS_1 as a recipient Use an existing or create a new Alarm Enrollment (i.e. Cyberstation Offline)     Use expression  Value=Active Set up an Alarm in the Advanced Alarm tab on the AlarmNum binary value Once all this is set up, pull the ethernet cable from WS_2 and the alarm will come into the Alarm View on WS_1

Issue How to read Windows directory/file information such as disk free space and file size from Plain English. Environment CyberStation Cause Documentation Resolution  Plain English can’t access the windows file system directly but a batch file can be used to write certain information from windows directories and files then the created file can be read and parsed by a Plain English program running in the CyberStation. Here is an example: -A batch file (DIskspace.bat ) is created on the disk. -A Plain English program running in the CyberStation uses the Shell command to run the batch file. -The batch file outputs disk information to DSKSPACE.TMP and DSKSPACE2.TMP -PE program parses DSKSPACE2.TMP to obtain the amount of free space on the disk and puts it in an Analog Value object in CyberStation. NOTE: PE code is shown here for illustration purposes only, it is up to the programmer to implement an verify a solution appropriate for his/her use case. The Plain English program uses the shell command to run the batch file.     Shell "cmd.exe /c DiskSpace.bat" The Plain English program uses the OpenFile and ReadFile commands to get to the information OpenDskspace:       OpenFile("\winnt\System32\DSKSPACE2.TMP", ReadOnly, Dskspace)     Goto ReadDskspace ReadDskspace:   Result = ReadFile(Dskspace, localSTR, 128, CharsRead, "|13")   If Result = Eof then Goto DoneReading Then parses the information using the Search command   If search(localSTR, "bytes free") > 0 then     BytesFreePoint = StrToNum(left(localSTR, len(localSTR) - 10))