Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Does the ECH-75010R (Echelon U-10 USB Adapter) come with the interface cable? Data sheet does not specify this information. Environment Echelon U-10 USB Adapter Cause Data sheet does not specify what interface cable, if any is included with the U-10 adapter. Resolution The Echelon U-10 LON Network adapter does not come with an interface cable. As documented in the Echelon data sheet, the adapter only comes with a USB extension cable. To use this adapter with the I/A Series LON controllers, the WPIA-CBL-1 is required.

Issue Using XPSI and PSI in a Virtual XP environment, need to transfer the uploaded files to another computer. Environment Windows 7 computer with a Windows XP Mode Virtual Machine Cause Need to transfer files to another computer for backup and storage. Resolution There are two methods that can be used to transfer files into or out of a Windows Virtual Machine. Access a shared folder on the host computer or on another computer on the network.  You may also map a drive letter to a shared folder.  These procedures are identical to the procedures used in any Windows XP computer system.  The procedure is as follows: Open the Start menu and select Run then type the full computer name and shared folder name using the format //computer-name/share-name then click [OK].  If the folder can be accessed, it will be opened in a Windows Explorer window within the virtual machine environment.   Access a USB Flash driver inserted into the host computer.  Once the flash drive has been connected to the host computer, it will be visible under the "USB" menu on the top bar of the Windows XP Virtual Machine.  Click on the name of the USB Flash drive to attach it to the computer.  When the flash drive has been attached, it will be displayed in Windows Explorer as a drive with the next available drive letter.  You can then access the flash drive in the same manner as you would on the host computer.  When done with the flash drive, it must be detached from the Virtual Machine before you can unmount it from the host computer.

Issue Requested Clients window shows a remote client as being off-line. Environment Sigma Clients Remote Requested Clients Off-line Cause Sigma defect 3174 - The remote client status as shown in the "Registered Clients" window, may be incorrect. This is caused by the remote client being started before the local client.. Resolution This issue has been corrected in Sigma release 4.05 SEB, upgrade the site to this release or later. If an upgrade is not possible then Shut down Sigma and re-start the local client first.

Issue The Save to Flash exclamation point (bang) shows on a Continuum BACnet controller object. Hovering over the icon, a tooltip comes up indicating that the controller 'requires flash backup'. However when performing a backup to flash, a result comes back that the 'controller doesn't need flash backup' and the exclamation icon remains. Re-loading the controller and performing a send to database have no effect. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment bCX4000 bCX4040 B3 Field Devices Cause Controller's restart mode not configured to use cool start (cool start = restoring DB from flash backup) Resolution Set controller's ACCRestartMode system variable to one of the modes below that includes cool start. The available re-start modes are (except in the b3885 and b3885-V): ACCWarmStartOnly (0) ACCCoolStartOnly (1) ACCWarmToCool (2)

Issue Niagara R2 Workplace Pro, installed on a Windows 7 computer, will not open localhost in admin tool.  The UNC stations open successfully. Environment Niagara R2 (any 2.301.529 or higher) Windows 7 (32 bit) Cause Missing the rassapi.dll file. Some distribution copies of Windows 7 do not include this file. Resolution Close Workplace Pro. Obtain a copy of the file named RASSAPI.DLL and paste it in the niagara\r2.*\nre\bin directory.  The file can come from any Internet website (just do a search for the filename) or from another copy of Windows. Restart Workplace Pro. Note:  At times, a restart of the Niagara Service may be required.

Issue How can you find the Trend Log ID / GUID of trend logs in the Vista Server for use with custom reporting or querying of the SQL database? Environment Vista 5.x.x Cause The Vista database uses a Global Unique Identifier (GUID) for trend log storage in the SQL database. This Trend Log ID/GUID is stored in an property not immediately visible in the property window of the Vista Workstation environment. In Vista 5.1.7 a new database layout was introduced, database  layout version 2. The version of the layout  for the log database is possible to see from the Vista server setup. And it is possible to upgrade the database to version 2 with a tool called SQL Database Upgrade tool which is included in the Vista installation from Vista 5.1.7.    If using the new layout of the SQL database in Vista version 5.1.7 both the name of the trend log and the trendlog GUID is included in the TrendLog table. Resolution Single Trend Log Hold CTRL + SHIFT + right click and select properties of the trend log object. The Trend Log ID is one of the visible properties. Multiple Trend Logs Start a new search in Vista Workstation. Change the object types to Files\Trend Logs. Change the property to Trend Log ID. Leave the string as "*" for all trend logs. Click Search The results can be printed listing the database path, object name, and trend log id for use by the individual building the SQL reports. If using the new layout in Vista version 5.1.7 both the name of the trend log and the trendlog GUID is included in the TrendLog table.

Issue Which Niagara R2 UNC products are no longer available and no longer repaired by the factory? Environment Niagara R2 UNC-6x0 and UNC-500, UNC-510 Cause Obsoletion of the UNC models. Resolution These models are obsolete and are no longer repaired by the factory: UNC-600-xx UNC-610-xx UNC-500-xx UNC-510-xx Product exchange/upgrade programs have also expired.

Issue Do not want a particular Workstation to receive Device Offline alarms. Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Device offline alarms are not to be delivered to specific Workstations. Resolution There are a couple methods that can stop these alarms from being delivered: You can stop all alarms from being delivered temporarily by; R-click Continuum icon in task bar, select Properties, and un-tick "I want this Workstation to receive alarms in this session". This will stop all alarms from being delivered to this Workstation until it is re-enabled or you log off then back on. Stop this Workstation from receiving just Offline alarms. Browse to the Templates folder and open the ControllerStatus EventNotification, remove this Workstation from the Delivery tab. It will no longer receive any alarms from offline Devices (this included Workstations and Controllers).

Issue How are inputs configured on two AC-1, AC-1A, or AC-1 Plus modules when configured as dual (entry / exit) reader doors? Are there any restrictions on which input channels can be used and for what purpose? Environment Continuum IOU Door Module's AC-1 AC-1A AC-1 Plus Cause There are differences to how the inputs can be configured on AC-1, AC-1A, and AC-1 Plus modules when being used in a dual (entry / exit) reader door configuration. Resolution The below information can also be referenced  in the I/O System Reference Guide. 1. AC-1's in Dual Reader Mode (page 141) The inputs are fixed for a specific purpose. Channel 1 is an Auxiliary input that can be configured as an InfinityInput outside of a door object, whereas channel 2 is the Door Switch and channel 3 the REX which can only be configured in the Door object. The Door Switch is only physically connected to channel 2 of the Entry AC-1 module. Although, the Exit AC-1 module must have the same resistor configuration on its channel 2 as what is being used for the Door Switch on the Entry AC-1. Channel 2 and 3 on both the Entry and Exit AC-1's cannot be created, and used, as InfinityInputs - they are to only be configured and used in a Door object. 2. AC-1A's in Dual Reader Mode (page 159) Same as the AC-1 except the resistors are not required at the Exit AC-1A's Door Switch channel. 3. AC-1 Plus in Dual Reader Mode (page 186) Any of the supervised input channels can be configured in the door object. Whichever channels are used for Door Switch and Bond Sensor on Entry AC-1 Plus must be wired into the same channels on the Exit AC-1 Plus and these must have the same resistor configuration. Both of these channels on both AC-1 Plus modules are now unavailable to be used as InfinityInputs. Any Supervised input channels not used in the door object can be created and used as InfinityInputs.  

Issue While opening a TGML graphic in webstation a security warning dialog box appears: 'Java has discovered application itemsthat could indicate a security concern'. Environment Webstation 5.1.X Java 6 update 19 and newer Cause Signed Java Web Start applications and applets that contain signed and unsigned items could potentially be unsafe unless the mixed code was intended by the application vendor. As of the Java SE 6 Update 19 release, when a program contains both signed and unsigned items, a warning dialog is raised. Resolution Mixed Code Protection Options for Users: User can manage how mixed code programs are handled through the Java Control Panel. To access the Java Control Panel goto, Start menu > Control Panel > Java Control Panel > Advanced > Security. The following screen shot shows the four levels of control available. See the Mixed code heading towards the bottom of the Java Control Panel. Below are the details of the available options. Enable - show warning if needed.This is the default setting. When a potential security risk is encountered, a warning dialog is raised. Clicking Yes blocks potentially unsafe items from running and may terminate the program. When the user clicks No, the application or applet continues execution with protections (packages or resources that are later encountered with the same names but have different trust levels, i.e., signed vs unsigned, will not be loaded). Enable - hide warning and run with protections.This option suppresses the warning dialog. The code executes as if the user had clicked No from the warning dialog. Enable - hide warning and don't run untrusted code.This option suppresses the warning dialog and behaves as if the user had clicked Yes from the warning dialog. Disable verification.This option is not recommended. This option completely disables the software from checking for mixing trusted and untrusted code, leaving the user to run potentially unsafe code without protections.

Issue Links in TGML graphics in Webstation do not work. A page can not be opened error message is shown.  No Java is installed, TGML viewer mode in Websettings is set to Autodetect and "Optimized TGML loading" is set to On. Environment Vista Webstation 5.1.6 TGML Graphics Cause For some reason the links do not work when no Java is installed, TGML viewer mode in Websettings is set to Autodetect and "Optimized TGML loading" is set to On. Resolution In Vista Websettings change "Optimized TGML loading" to Off.

Issue What are the correct settings for the i2 controller input reference resistors for different input types? Environment i2 Controllers Cause What are the correct settings for the i2 controller input reference resistors for different input types? Resolution See the section starting on page 71 of the i2 Controller Technical Reference. As a general rule, the reference resistor switch is ON for 10K thermistors, contact closures (including supervised) and counters; it is OFF for voltage inputs (which includes 0-20mA and 4-20mA current inputs since the use of the external resistor makes the input signal a voltage).

Issue Information for UL 864 Smoke Control for Continuum Environment Continuum Cause Information is needed for UL 864 Smoke Control using Continuum Resolution There are a number of documents available on Exchange Online, click the following links to navigate to the document: Documents listed in the section include: UL 864 Power Supply Install UL 864 IO module Install UL 864 i2/b3 8xx-V Install UL 864 Infinet Smoke Control Design UL 864 Bacnet Smoke Control Design UL 864 Continuum Smoke Control Design UL 864 Fire Alarm Annunciation System Guide

Issue Unable to save any program in a workstation giving error  "Unable to lock an object because it is already locked"   Environment Cyberstation Programs Cause This is usually caused by the FiringOrder attribute being locked, often due to a PC crash or other unexpected operating system shutdown. Resolution This is due to the firingorder attribute being locked, start the Continuum Command Line application, select the problem workstation from the network button. At the R> enter: firingorder editlock = false This should clear the edit lock and allow the programs to be saved. **Check to make sure that another program that accesses this program is not disabled.

Issue Certain versions of Cyberstation use a different number of indexes by default. Environment Continuum Microsoft SQL Server Cause Some IT departments like to know how many indexes are used in their application databases Resolution 1. The amount of indexes used is based on Cyberstation version To see the number of indexes and additional information use Enterprise Management Studio to run a query on the Continuumdb select * from sys.indexes 2. Additional indexes can be created by DBAs for optimization and performance reasons, but these are not the defaults.

Issue Unable to use Calculations on a subLAN device on a 7793 Environment 7793 I/NET MR controllers Cause The 7793 does not pass data between the A and B channel. If your calculation is comparing a point on a different channel than where the calculation resides you will need to modify the sending points global level Resolution Connect to the controller Select Edit>Controller>Resident I/O Locate the Point you are using in your calculation Modify the point Set the Global Level to "LAN" Click OK Modify the point that has the calculation extension Change it to Internal Click OK

Issue When creating Modbus RTU X Driver points any alarms attached to them or logging set up do not operate at all. Environment Modbus RTU X Driver All  XDriver enabled controllers Cause The Modbus RTU X Driver is a Poll on demand X Driver which means it is not within the normal Controller Scan process, so alarms and logging will not update. Resolution As these points are outside of the controller Object Management System (OMS) these functions do not update. Built into the X Driver is the capability to put an Annex point in the parameter 6 that will be updated along with the X Driver point, these annex points can then be alarmed or have logging attached as they are within the OMS and the controller scan process. See the Modbus RTU manual for full details on setting up annex points.

Issue The new programmable object should read an existing object (1) and a time schedule (2). When the time schedule switches off the value from object 1 will be held and outputted. This output will be maintained until the next time schedule off period, when it will be reviewed again.   Environment Sigma Programmable object Prog Point programming Cause Assistance required to create a programmable object. Resolution The object below will fulfill the requirements. Use appropriate controller and object numbers. Object 1 = Existing programme to be monitored Object 2 = Time Schedule. 10 IF P (2) ON THEN XINT = 1 ELSE XINT = 0 20 IF XINT DOWN THEN GOTO 40 30 GOTO 50 40 IF P (1) ON THEN YINT = 1 ELSE YINT = 0 50 IF YINT = 1 THEN RETURN TRUE "HW" 60 RETURN FALSE "CW"  

Issue bCX4040 has trouble staying online, taking a reload. Environment bCX4040 Cause BCX4040 is shown online in web browser but offline in Continuum. When resetting the controller from web browser, the controller comes online for a short time in Continuum but unable to take a reload (transaction time out). Also, it's not showing up when performing find new BACnet device. Resolution There's more than one issue that can cause this symptom. In this case the controller error log had over 5000 entries in less than 2 days. All the same error: 1 W 10/09/2011 22:26:55.26 0x00001408 0x04e51900 0x02111cfe 0x000001fc 0x00000e48 The '1408' corresponding error text is 'Not enough memory'. There was a T-tap on the bCX's MSTP -  for another enclosure with b38xx controllers, approximately 25 meters away. Once reconnected as a daisy-chain the problem was solved.

Issue Several fields appear edit locked or grayed out in SiteScan schedules. Environment SiteScan Cause Schedules are operating as designed. Resolution The fields that are grayed out appear so because of the event type selected. Each event type selected in a SiteScan schedule restricts or allows specific combinations of data to be manipulated.