Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Cannot connect to video server when creating a VideoServer object in Continuum and Test Connection is selected. Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Continuum DSConnex Digital Sentry Cause Patch not installed for DSConneX versions 4.3 and 7.x not working with Andover Continuum 1.91 or 1.92 or LAN connection problems Resolution Install v1.91 DSConneX Video Patch hotfix for issue with DSConneX versions 4.3 and 7.x not working with Andover Continuum 1.91. For 1.92 these files are included, so if the error is still occurring, then there are LAN connection issues.

Issue I have a site that has two workstations. The customer wants to use Video Monitor to display alarm video on one workstation. The customer wants to use Video Layouts to display alarm video on the other workstation. The customer does not want Video Layouts to display alarm video on the workstation that uses Video Monitor. Environment Continuum Cyberstation VideoMonitor VideoLayout Cause Each workstation has to display alarm video on one specific video display application.  On some workstations video must only be displayed by VideoLayout. On other workstations  video must only be displayed by VideoMonitor. Resolution VideoMonitor can be disabled on a per workstation basis by editing the workstation preferences in the device editor. VideoLayout display cannot be suppressed on a per workstation basis. The work around for this is to configure separate event notifications workstations that will display point alarm video using VideoLayout on its recipient workstations, and the other event notification that will not display video on its recipient workstation.

Issue Door unlock schedule configure for 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM active so doors unlock at 8AM and relock at 4PM. Occasionally, there is a need to additionally unlock the door from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Created an exception event on the specific day for 6PM to 7PM but this causes the doors to lock in the morning (8AM to 4PM) Environment CyberStation All CXs, i2s and b3s Cause An exception event added to a day overwrites the whole day so on a regular day with event active 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM if an exception event active 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM is added the resultant effective event for the whole day is active at 6PM and inactive at 7PM. This will cause the door to remain locked until 6PM. Resolution The proper way to have the door unlock from 8AM to 4PM and then again from 6PM to 7PM on an exception basis is to add an exception event to the day configured for 8AM to 4PM and 6PM to 7PM. In other words, the exception has to include the events for the whole day as it overrides ALL normal events for the day.

Issue An attempt to assign an IO channel results is Infinity Controller Error - Invalid Channel Number. Environment CyberStation All CXs, I2s and B3s Cause The OMS database in the controller does not match the sql database seen from CyberStation. This can occur if the controller has re-started with a stale oms database in flash. Resolution Perform a Send to Controller from CyberStation to sync up the database in the controller, once all is working and the configuration is as desired perform a backup to flash of the controller.

Issue Although all the cameras connected to Pelco Endura SM5000 system manager can be found by the video server, when using "Video Administrator" to try to assign alarm points to cameras, sometimes cameras cannot display properly,  such as "1-192.168.5.10"(SM5000 IP Address),  or return "not found' and get an error message such as "Camera or Video server maybe offline....". Environment Windows XP SP3 Cyberstation 1.92, Cyberstation 1.93 Pelco Endura SM5000 system manager Cause It is an Endura configuration problem. A camera should be added into a group. In and Endura system, there is a default group, if no additional group is created. Normally, cameras should be added into this default group. However, in some situation, some cameras will not be automatically added into that default group. In this situation, those cameras do not belong to any group; therefore, those cameras will not display properly in the camera's field drop down menu and cannot be selected. Resolution Create one or more groups in Endura system. Add the desired cameras into the groups created in step 1. Learn cameras again from the video server. Reopen the video administrator and add points to cameras.

Issue How to change the default SMTP port in Vista 5.1.5 running on 64-bit operating systems Environment Window 7 64-bit Windows 2008 server 64-bit Vista 5.1.5 Cause The registry key that allows the SMTP port to be changed is located in a different folder when running 64-bit operating systems. Resolution Open the registry editor. Start\run and then type regedit Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\TAC AB\TAC Vista\5.1.5\SMTP and locate the entry named Port. Double click on this entry and change it to the desired port number. Click OK. (The Wow6432Node folder is a folder that contains information about 32-bit applications being run on 64-bit operating systems).

Issue Document of Conformity (DoC) for Sigma controllers Environment Sigma DoCs UNC 632 696 796 DNN3 CE04 CE05 CE06 2004/108/EC The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2006/95/EC   The Low Voltage Directive EN 61326-1:2006 EN 61000-6-1:2007 EN 55022:2006+A1:2007 EN60730-1:2000+A2:2008 EN60950-1:2006 (ed.2) +A11:2009 Cause Certificates of Conformity Resolution Signed copies of the Documents of Conformity are available on The Exchange

Issue xP expansion module is not being recognized. Environment BCX 9640 ACX 57xx xp DI8 Cause Controller that the module was added to needs to be cold started before it will recognize the module Resolution Adding xP expansion modules to either an ACX57xx or a BCX9640 states in the module reference guide that the modules can be added to controllers while the power is applied EXCEPT for the ACX57xx or the BCX96xx models. Power down the ACX57xx or the BCX96xx Add module to the ACX57xx or the BCX96xx Re-apply power to the controller Green CPU light on module should blink, if not follow next step. Re-load of controller.

Issue Door value set to UNLOCKED from the editor but the door relocks when a card (valid or invalid) is presented at the door reader. Environment CyberStation CX9680 ACX5740/20 CX9702 CX9900 ACX701 ACX781 Cause Door value is reset by the access engine every time the door processes a validation attempt. Resolution To keep a door unlocked use one of the following door unlock strategies: 1. PermanentUnlock attribute 2. TimedUnlock attribute 3. Door unlock schedule

Issue Following a loss of power the CX9640 Controller shows no activity on comm2  even though Infinet devices are connected to the field bus. The CX9640 itself shows online but opening the comport shows the mode as Autoset. Environment bCX9640 Other controllers that support Infinet field bus. CX9900 CX9680 ACX5740/20 Cause The controller has lost its OMS database and the comport has default to Autoset. Resolution Reload the controller from CyberStation,

Issue Miscellaneous points that are controlled via Plain English programs are not following the program's command. Environment Cyberstation, All Versions. All BACnet type controllers with Plain English Code Cause Default BACnet Command Priorities must be modified based on the Continuum system configuration and integration with other 3rd Party BACnet devices. Example: By default, Graphics have a Command Priority of "Manual Operator" (8) and Plain English has a default Command Priority of (10). If the system is left with these defaults, then an operator who modifies, adjusts or toggles a point value via a graphic will in turn set that value with a command priority of 8. Since PE has a command priority of 10, the operator command remain in effect until either it is relinquished or a similar or higher command priority is sent. In this example, an operator set a point that is controlled via Plain English was toggled (not overridden) from On to Off. The Program wanted it ON. The point will stay in the Off position until either the operator(s) relinquish the command or another command of the same command priority sends a value. Resolution Open the BACnet preferences at the Workstation. Set all the Command priorities to 10. This will allow Plain English programs, etc to retake control of point affected but changes made via graphics or other editing methods. If the points however are actually override, you must release the override and relinquish the command. See BACnet Documentation: BACnet For Continuum Users (loaded on all Cyberstations) Continuum BACnet Engineering

Issue Workstation does not delete from database correctly Object does not delete from database correctly Environment Continuum 1.81 only seen in this version on XP Cause When deleting the workstation using Continuum explorer only the objects within the workstation get deleted, the workstation does not. Resolution Run Continuum Analyzer when you see a failed item, run the "clean". (Always backup the database before using the "clean" command)

Issue Some X Drivers on the Third Party Interface datasheet are classed as 1st Generation and others are 2nd Generation, which drivers should I use? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment All X Drivers Any controller with XDrivers enabled on a Comm port. Cause Sometimes the incorrect file is being used on a controller and this will stop the X Driver from working correctly. Resolution You can only use a 1st Generation X Driver on a 1st Generation controller and a 2nd Generation X Driver on a 2nd generation controller. - 1st Generation controllers are: CX9200, CX9400, CX9900, CX9940, CMX9924 - 2nd Generation controllers are: Netcontroller II (CX9680), bCX1 (4040 or 9640), ACX II (5740, 5720)   Download the Third Party Interface datasheet Note: Not all X Drivers are available for both generations of controllers, consult the above datasheet for availability.

Issue Personnel objects named VisitorX. When the card is issued the name is changed from visitorX to the name of the person the card is issued to. Once the card is returned the name is changed back to visitorX until ready to be reissued. When a list of Access Events is shown the events only show the current name associated with the person and all previous names are lost from the system Environment CyberStation Cause Function as designed. Resolution Create a Custom Attribute for personnel objects (i.e. CardHolderName) and use it to store the actual name of the person holding the Visitor card.

Issue In a Graphic panel configured with a background image and several controls including a combo box control when the list is exposed (pulled down) it snaps back closed before a selection can be made. Environment CyberStation Cause Interaction between combo box control and other graphic object components such as back ground image can cause the combo box control to behave inappropriately. For example, an overlap of the combo box control with other controls and/or images in the canvas may cause the issue. Resolution Switch graphic to design mode and re-arrange controls and images until combo box works as expected.

Issue Network variables from LON devices not included in export file. Environment Vista 5.1.X Workstation Cause The user does not have system manager (or higher) authority. Resolution Grant the user that will be carrying out the export/import function system manager authority level. Here is some information on the different authority levels in Vista (taken from the help file) Authority Level In this field you can choose between: User has the lowest rights and is in principle only allowed to see values (and not change them) and acknowledge alarms. Field Manager is, in addition to this, allowed to change values of points and force variables in the installation. Operation Manager is, in addition to this, allowed to program everything; to create and delete objects, to configure objects, to assign authority to objects, to create and edit color graphics. He may also disable alarms and change parameter settings in the installation. However he has no access to functions that affect system security. System Manager has all rights and can for example create/delete user profiles, log out other operators, set passwords, assign authority to objects, define network nodes etc. Normally, very few persons have these rights.

Issue Need the Part Number for a Xenta 527 or 527-NPR Environment I/NET Vista Cause There are 2 Varieties of the Xenta 527 available: The Xenta 527 and the Xenta 527 NPR. While these devices share some similarities, there are some key differences. Resolution There are 2 Varieties of the Xenta 527 available. The Xenta 527 and the Xenta 527 NPR. The Xenta 527 is sometimes referred to as the Xenta 527 - Web Server.  This part can be used on I/NET systems, or I/NET systems that integrate with Vista.  The Xenta 527-NPR is use on I/NET systems.  It is a scaled down version of the standard Xenta 527 that will only provide the functions needed for I/NET.  This serves as a direct replacement for existing NPR devices. The Part numbers for these devices are as follows: Xenta 527 (Web Server) - 007308200 Xenta 527 (Web Server) Package of 3 - 007390130 Xenta 527-NPR - 007308210

Issue What hardware is necessary to integrate an I/NET security system with a Vista front end? Environment Vista 4.5.0 Vista 5.x.x Xenta Server 527 Cause To properly integrate an I/NET security system to Vista a Xbuilder project must be used to expose the I/NET controllers in the Vista tree structure. In addition the unit must not block AMT (Alarms, Messages, and Transactions) traffic from the I/NET controller LAN. Due to these requirements the Xenta Server 913 and the Xenta Server 527-NPR do not meet the requirements to integrate an I/NET security system into Vista. Resolution Use a TAC Xenta 527 (part number 007308200) for integration of an I/NET security system to Vista.

Issue I2867 inputs all read 1000 Degrees. Change out of controller does not remedy the issue. Environment All Infinet/MSTP controllers Cause Field controllers have an electrical range that they will properly operate. Typically this is +10% and -15% of the required power as described in the installation manual. If the power supplied to the unit is below this threshold, the CPU and power LEDs may appear normal, however the inputs and outputs will not function properly or at all. They are out of range. This situation must be remedied or damage can also occur. One way this can occur is if a properly grounded secondary transformer is not supplied. Supplying power from a piece of equipment that uses a step down 220/208-24 etc power supply can cause electrical issues should that equipment experience electrical problems. Resolution Supply proper, grounded 24Vac power to the controllers. Always check the power with a multi-meter and verify grounding.

Issue How does CyberStation determine which printer to send alarms to when EventNotification is configured to print the alarm. Environment CyberStation Cause Question on Alarm printing configuration. Resolution When an alarm is configured to be sent to a printer, if no printer has been specified in the preferences of the Workstation receiving the alarm then the default printer configured at the PC is used. To use a different printer open the CyberStation object from the Continuum Explorer at the workstation receiving the alarm and enter the full path to the printer in the “Path to the Alarm Printer” field using the format  \\Server-Name\Printer-Name Example: \\ServerBoston-001\PR-HP3800N When CyberStation receives an alarm, if the EventNotification specifies that the alarm is to be printed, CyberStation will use the named printer instead of the default printer. In the EventNotification, make sure the "Print Alarm" option is ticked in the Actions tab. On the Delivery tab, check that the WS is configured as "Primary Print". Test your alarm against the Microsoft XPS printer by selecting this as your default (right-click on the printer and select "set as default printer")and then triggering an alarm.