Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How to find the MAC address / Physical Address of a computer. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Other, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment All computers Cause The MAC address of a computer may be required when working on licensing issues. MAC stands for Media Access Control and is a unique identifier assigned to network interfaces for communications on the physical network segment. Resolution Go to the Start > Run.   Type "cmd" into the Open field. In the CMD window, type the command "ipconfig /all". Locate the connection that the computer is currently using (For this example it is the Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection). You will find the Physical Address (MAC address).

Issue Need to perform autosensing on an ethernet port but do not have a cross over cable. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Ethernet connection to an Automation Server Xenta device ACX BCX Auto-Sensing, Auto Sensing direct connect Auto uplink and trade Universal Cable Recognition Cause Need to direct connect with a straight through or normal patch cable from a computer or laptop to the AS, Xenta, BCX, ACX  Resolution Since 1998, the distinction between uplink and normal ports and manual selector switches on older hubs and switches are obsolete. If one or both of two connected devices has the automatic MDI/MDI-X configuration feature there is no need for crossover cables. Now you can plug your laptop right into the Ethernet port of the device with just a regular patch cable. 

Issue What is the Continuum 1.94 feature 'Editable SQL Admin Credential' as stated in the release notes? Environment Continuum Cyberstation v1.94 Cause No explanation in the Release Notes or Product Announcement to explain what this new feature actually does. Resolution This new feature, is a change that allows a system to use an SQL admin account other than the SA account (built-in SQL system administrator account) to create a Continuum Database. In older version of Continuum this could only be accomplished with the SA account. Now in Database Initialization, you have the option to select the SQL Admin user that you wish to use with the added Admin Username field. As per the image below.  

Issue Telnet does not come enabled on Windows 7 PCs Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Other, Pelco, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Windows 7 OS Cause This feature does not come enabled in Windows 7. Resolution Click on the Start Icon and type Programs in the Search Window Click on Programs and Features Click on Turn Windows features on or off When the window becomes populated, check the box for Telnet Client   Click on Ok to apply change, exit Programs and Features window Type Telnet at the prompt and start your session

Issue Getting the following error when trying to create the Continuum database. Environment CyberStation SQL Server Management Studio Cause SQL server authentication not properly configured. Resolution In the SQL server properties, set the authentication mode to mixed (SQL and Windows)

Issue How to enable Continuum site for use with Endura DVRs and cameras. Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Continuum V1.91 and above Pelco Endura DVR See the Video Compatibility matrix for supported Pelco Endura products on the various Continuum versions, Cause Want to enable Continuum for use with Endura but unsure which security keys support the addition of the option and what the option provides. Resolution Why is this option required? The Endura -E option for Continuum security keys is required to be able to: Configure VideoServer objects in Continuum to use Endura DVRs. Use VideoAdministrator and VideoMonitor to configure and view Endura cameras. It is not required to be able to configure and view cameras from DigitalSentry DVR's or to view Endura cameras using VideoLayout objects that have already been configured. Which Workstations can have the option added? SU and LAN Cyberstation security keys can be enabled with the Endura -E option. This option cannot be added to the WEBC key for WebClient Servers. If configuring Endura cameras is required, a Cyberstation with the -E option must be used. WebClient browser users are able to use the VideoLayout to view DigitalSentry and Endura cameras. The Endura option is only available through the upgrade process through Repairs. There is no part number to specify to enable Endura at the time of ordering the security key. Once you have the serial number of the key, contact Repairs below. Email:  upgrades.continuum@schneider-electric.com How to tell if the option is enabled? If the system is operating normally (not in Demo Mode), open up a Video Server object. If the key is video enabled it should look like this: If it is not enabled, the Pelco Endura option is not available:

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue Is there a way to globally change the path of active animation controls so that each control does not have to be edited manually? Pinpoint graphics will be very slow to open if the image file is on a network drive that is no longer available. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause A method to make the change globally in one operation is required system the design does not provide a way to do it. Resolution As of version 1.94 Continuum does not provide a mechanism to globally change the path of image files in active animation controls in Pinpoint. This can be a problem when a large number of active animation controls have been created using a given path and the image files then need to be moved. If the image files must be moved, every effort should be made to retain the path that was used in the controls, otherwise the path to the files will have to be manually changed in each active control that references the path in the graphic panel. With the above said there is a way to go in the Graphic PIN file and change the path, it requires a hex editor such as HxD. Using a hex editor the path for a control like this Can be found and changed in the PIN file itself, like this... *** Warning *** Please note that the length of the new path string must be the same length (i.e. take up the same number of characters) as the original path string, otherwise the file may become corrupted. As an example the following cannot be used replacing C:\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles with E:\Graphics, but the following could replace C:\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles with E:\Program Files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles   Notes: If a system is upgraded (new PCs) or a network drive that contains the image files is no longer available, then the graphics can be very slow to open.

Issue After upgrading SQL Server from SQL 2000 to SQL 2005, unable to restore SQL 2005 Database to the server. Get an error in SQL Management Studio that states "The backed-up database has on-disk structure version 611. The server supports version 539 and cannot restore or upgrade this database." Environment SQL Server 2000 SQL Server 2005 Continuum Cause Both SQL2000 and SQL2005 versions of the SQL service were installed and running on the server. When restoring the database it was trying to restore an SQL2005 database to an SQL2000 server, which is not supported by Microsoft. Resolution Un-install SQL2005 Un-install SQL2000 Re-install SQL2005.

Issue SQL error: [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]The transaction log for database 'tempdb' is full. To find out why space int he log cannot be reused, see the log_reuse_wait_desc column in sys.databases Product Line Andover Continuum Environment SQL Server Cause Low disk space or unreasonably low maximum size for tempdb database growth. Resolution SQL Server allocates a database called tempdb, primarily for worktable / #temp table usage. Sometimes, you will encounter a transaction log full error   Causes    Usually, tempdb fills up when you are low on disk space, or when you have set an unreasonably low maximum size for database growth.    Many people think that tempdb is only used for #temp tables. When in fact, you can easily fill up tempdb without ever creating a single temp table. Some other scenarios that can cause tempdb to fill up:  any sorting that requires more memory than has been allocated to SQL Server will be forced to do its work in tempdb;    if the sorting requires more space than you have allocated to tempdb, one of the above errors will occur;    DBCC CheckDB('any database') will perform its work in tempdb -- on larger databases, this can consume quite a bit of space;    DBCC DBREINDEX or similar DBCC commands with 'Sort in tempdb' option set will also potentially fill up tempdb;    large resultsets involving unions, order by / group by, cartesian joins, outer joins, cursors, temp tables, table variables, and hashing can often require help from tempdb;    any transactions left uncommitted and not rolled back can leave objects orphaned in tempdb;    use of an ODBC DSN with the option 'create temporary stored procedures' set can leave objects there for the life of the connection.   Short-term fix    Restarting SQL Server will re-create tempdb from scratch, and it will return to its usually allocated size. In and of itself, this solution is only effective in the very short term; assumedly, the application and/or T-SQL code which caused tempdb to grow once, will likely cause it to grow again.      Long-term prevention    Here are some suggestions for maintaining a healthy tempdb:  Make sure that tempdb is set to autogrow -- do *NOT* set a maximum size for tempdb. If the current drive is too full to allow autogrow events, then buy a bigger drive, or add files to tempdb on another device (using ALTER DATABASE) and allow those files to autogrow. You will need at least one data file and at least one log file in order to avoid this problem from halting your system in the future. 

Issue Can Extended Log data be removed from the Database by de-selecting the extended logging option in the point being logged or by deleting the point all together? Environment Continuum Cause Need to reduce the size of the Database by removing stored Extended Log data. Resolution Any point data logged as Extended Log data will only be removed from the Database during an automatic purge or manual truncation of the tables. This extended log data does not get removed when extended logging is disabled or the point is deleted from the database, this data remains until removed. To setup automatic purging you'll need to go to your Continuum General Preferences. Right-click Continuum icon in task tray and select General Preferences, you will find an entry for "Extended Log Automatic Purge Interval (days)". This needs to have a number assigned to it to determine how many days of ExtendedLog data is retained in the ContinuumDB. If this is 0 then nothing is deleted and all data is retained (the suggested value for this is somewhere around 30 -90 days depending on your DB size restrictions and retention requirements).

Issue When attempting to run reports it fails and generates an error. Receive "unrecoverable Error!" when trying to open Continuum Reports package after fresh installation or re-install of Reports. Error can be similar to below image.   This error is also generated if you try to run the Reports password reset batch file.   All other functions of Continuum Cyberstation function fine, only the Reports application is affected. Environment Continuum Cyberstation Continuum Reports Cause The Continuum_Reports folder security privileges are not set properly. Resolution Login with a windows user that has administrator privileges. Edit the properties for C:\Program Files\Continuum_Reports. Click on Security. Scroll down the list of Users and select "Everyone". Enable (check off) the missing properties (Modify and Write).  

Issue How to set up M-Bus for Heat meters using Westermo AD-01 Environment Continuum Cause The M-Bus Xdriver is often loaded on Comm1 of a NC, NC2 or bCX (RS-232) this if often then connected to a Westermo AD-01 M-Bus adapter. How is this set up Resolution Westermo Connection Details Westermo web site AD-01 1. The Westermo unit requires a separate power supply, see AD-01 datasheet for power supply connection details (Nominally 230Vac) 2. Connection to an RS232 Controller comm port (NC2 or bCX comm1 used in this example) NC2      AD01    or     AD01 RJ45     DTEtop        9pinD RJ45     Slave           (Female) 5-SG     1-SG             5-SG 6-RD     4-RD            2-RD 8-TD     3-TD             3-TD bCX      AD01     or     AD01 9pinD    DTEtop        9pinD (male)   Slave            (Female) 5-SG     1-SG              5-SG 2-RD     4-RD             2-RD 3-TD     3-TD              3-TD 3. AD-01 Connection to an MBus network Heat Meters. (AD-01 METER BUS MASTER Terminals 4 & 5 to Terminals 24 & 25 on heat meter (Kamstrup or SE unit) MBus Card) The MBus baud rate is often set to 300 when the heat meters are powered by battery, the baud rate is set on the comm port of the bCX or NC2, this is automatically used by the heat meters so these do not require setting up. The heat meter address can be found in the meter menu See the XDriver guide and software for further details of controller set up NOTE To test it is often best to leave parameter 3 at zero, to ensure the standard telegram is sent, then set parameter 2 to one. The value seen is usually the Meter Customer number. (It has been seen with some issues of this Xdriver, that the controllers needs to be reloaded before the telegram is received and populates the Numerics correctly) Typical Screens

Issue Questions on the relationship between the area links in a personnel template and the links in derived personnel objects. Environment CyberStation Cause Documentation Resolution Q.  Personnel already has a Template assigned...What happens to the Area list when a different Template is assigned? Specifically, to the Areas already listed, will only the new Templates Areas be left or Is it a union or something else?  A. When the template is re-assigned the personnel objects will drop all areas that come from the template and pick up the areas from the new template. Areas that were assigned separately from the template (loose areas) will remain. Also, when changing the template the system will prompt you with several options to choose from for how to handle the attributes that are linked to the template.   Q. 2 Personnel has some Areas already assigned...What happens when that Personnel is assigned to a Template? A. Those areas that are not associated with a template (loose areas) will remain, the areas from the template are added to the person’s area list. Q. 3 Personnel has a Template already assigned...What happens when Areas are added individually? A. Those areas added individually (loose areas) are simply added to the person’s area list, template manipulation has no effect on loose areas.

Issue An  "A cached program cannot be opened while it is being written"  error is displayed when attempting to open a program on a controller.  When attempting to remove the program it does not delete and an error is shown in the distribution Properties - 'A cached program cannot be saved because the synchronization lock times out'.  Environment Continuum Controller Cause The program has not compiled properly in the controller and is in a locked state. Resolution Take the Workstation into offline mode. Export the program to a dump file to back it up. Still in offline mode, delete the program. Reload the controller. Once the reload is complete, create the program again and then add the code from your dump file backup. Save the program and test.

Issue How to configure Event Notification object to deliver event to BACnet client Environment CyberStation bCX4040 b3s Cause Delivery of Event Notifications to BACnet clients Resolution When adding a recipient in the Event Notification object check the BACnet Address check box then in the Recipient field specify whether the delivery will be a broadcast or sent to a specific destination. In the screen shot below, the notification will be delivered to the recipient with the MAC address 01 on the 2801 Network.

Issue  The bCX and b3 controllers are BACnet compliant, why do they not support all defined BACnet object types? Environment Continuum BACnet 3rd Party BACnet Device Cause Misunderstanding of what BACnet compliant means and/or misinterpretation of BACnet Product Information Conformance Statement (PICS). Resolution BACnet compliant devices are not required to support all of the defined object types. However, if an object is supported it must comply with the standard object model for that object type. This includes a number of required as well as optional properties. The PICS for a BACnet device is used to define what LAN options the device supports as well as supported objects and optional properties (it’s implied that the required properties are supported and these may or may not be shown in the PICS). In our current products, we do not support some optional objects such as Life Safety Point and Life Safety Zone, this is clearly stated by the omission of  these objects in our device PICS. Looking at our bCX1-CR as an example, we support 19 of the optional standard BACnet object types. The list of those objects below was taken from our device PICS located here.

Issue If there is an online selection tool for all the HVAC sensors (room temperature sensors, duct pressure sensors, etc.) Environment All Schneider Electric Buildings product lines Cause Since Schneider Electric manufactures a huge amount of sensors for different product lines. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to search for the right sensor. Therefore, Schneider Electric developed an online selection tool to help customer pick the right sensors. Resolution Click here to go direct to the online HVAC sensors selection tool. Select the desired features of the sensor. All sensors match the requirements will be displayed on the right. Datasheets can be accessed by clicking on the image or the part number. NOTE: the listed sensors may not be available in some region. Please contact the local sales or Support team to confirm the information.

Issue  The following error comes up when attempting to open a personnel object with the Personnel Manager. (no issue if old style Personnel Editor is used) Personnel Manager Error getting personnel info Error getting profile info for Employee Error getting profile info for Employee. Error getting attribute info XmlInfo Error reading a database table. Environment CyberStation Cause Corrupted Personnel Manager configuration file. Resolution In the Continuum installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\Continuum) delete the PMAppButtonConfiguration.xml file. NOTE: PIM application customization settings are kept in the PMAppButtonConfiguration.xml file and will therefore be lost unless a backup of this file exists or the file can be copied from a second Workstation.

Issue Card part numbers are built up using the manufacturer, technology, type and format. How is this defined? Environment All systems using access control cards and readers. Cause Clarification on the part numbering is required. Resolution The part numbers for all cards and readers are built up using the format below, also full details of the products and all available part numbers are defined in the Electronic Access Control (EAC) catalogue. Any cards or tags that have a part number that ends in 000 will be un-programmed i.e. 654 xxxx 000. Readers that have a part number that ends in 000 will operate with and pass through all formats with the corresponding technology. i.e. A HID ProxPoint reader part number 654 1301 000 will operate with all formats of prox cards and tags. Other technologies may require the reader format to match the card to operate correctly. i.e. A FlexPass reader 654 2306 400 is formatted with Continuum 37 bit format it will require matching cards like the ISO cards 654 2352 400 that also has the 37 bit format. When ordering cards: if it is a new site specify this on the order, you will then be sent cards with a card number 1 through the number of cards ordered, and the next available site code (also called facility code). However if you are ordering cards for an existing site you will need to specify the range of card numbers required and the site (or facility) code required.

Issue Want to have an alarm condition change the text color in a graphic to red when alarm and black when no alarm. Environment Continuum Pinpoint Graphics Cause When using a String object, you are unable to attach alarms to it. Therefore unable to use the "Alarm States And Colors" settings to control the text color. Another solution is required. Resolution One way that you can change the text color of a string objects value when an alarm changes state is to use the state of the string object (Enabled/Disabled) as the flag for the text color. In pinpoint on your "Active Text Object", change the Object State Enabled and Disabled colors to what you want the text color to show during your two conditions. On the controller, you will need to have an InfinityProgram that monitors your alarm condition/value and changes the State attribute of your String object to reflect the color you want to show. An example of the code used would be "STR_Text State = Alarm1", where STR_Text is your string and Alarm1 is a binary numeric or Input being monitored. See below image for details.