Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When attempting to start the Niagara G3 AX Lon Tunnel Service, the following pop-up error appears: Could not start the Niagara AX Lon Tunnel service on local computer Error 1075: The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion Environment Windows XP Niagara G3 Cause Two possible causes: Uninstalling WorkPlace Tech 5.7 and installing WorkPlace Tech 5.8. Installing a newer version (3.6.x) of the I/A Series G3 Software. Resolution Remove and re-install AX Lon tunnel software.

Issue Dynamic values Change of state alarm with dynamic values alarm text Environment Vista Cause Want a state of change alarm text to show a dynamic value Resolution To present additional information on an alarm when it appears in the alarms list, such as a temperature reading for a high temperature alarm, dynamic values can be included in the alarm text. The character @ followed by the identity of an object can be used in alarm texts to present the value of the object (the standard property), according to the syntax “Alarm text @object-ID “. You may also single out a specific object property by adding a dot and the name of the property, according to the syntax Alarm text@object-ID.mnemonic1 This function is very useful if you want to present additional text with, for example, the description or a measurement unit of an object in the alarm text. Note: Priority "Info" will not work since this is a message priority and not a alarm priority

Issue The Echelon U10 USB LON adapter (part number ECH-75010R) does not include an interface cable.  Is a cable available with the proper connector for the MNL series controllers? Environment Echelon U10 LON network adapter Cause The Echelon U10 USB LON adapter (part number ECH-75010R) does not include an interface cable.  Is a cable available with the proper connector for the MNL series controllers? Resolution WPIA-CBL-1 This cable is available via iPortal.

Issue Valve Datasheet & Catalogue Actuator Datasheet & Catalogue Sensor Datasheet & Catalogue Field Device Datasheet & Catalogue Peripheral Datasheet & Catalogue HVAC Control Devices Selection Tool Environment Actuator Valve Sensor Field Device Peripheral HVAC Control Device Selection Tool Cause Need for valve and actuator information. Need for sensor information. Resolution For European and American Field Device and Valve datasheets/technical publications and catalogues click here to go to the website and select which range that is required. Or the EMEA  sensor catalogue  or the valve and actuator catalogues can be download from the Download Center For the Sensor selection tool click here. For the Heat Meter selection tool click here. For the Cross Reference selection tool click here. 

Issue Setting up a single user (SQLExpress 2005) v1.93 CyberStation and the SQL Service Manager is not popping up like it should (on the Windows taskbar). Environment Standalone CyberStation SQLExpress 2005 Cause Previous versions of CyberStation had a SQL Service Manager application in the Windows taskbar. When installing a standalone v1.93 CyberStation this application is not there. Resolution SQLExpress 2005 does not install that application. This application is not required to run CyberStation.  If for some reason there is a need to stop SQL Server there is a workaround. Go to Control Panel>>Administrative Tools>>Services. Then scroll down to SQL Server (SQLExpress). You can stop SQLExpress by right-clicking it.    

Issue When trying to save a simple InfinityProgram to map a third party BAcnet point, the error "Cannot find the item" is generated by the PE editor. Environment CyberStation ver. 1.81 bcx4040 Cause When trying to save the simple looping InfinityProgram below the error "cannot find the item" (on the ReadProperty statement) is generated. The LeavingChWTemp is updating fine on the BACnet side. It's just not mapping to the Infinity side.  Line 1 ReadProperty(BacnetDevices\BNet_3021\YKVSDIMK5005\LeavingChwTemp) Goto Line 2 Line 2 If (TS > 1) Then Goto Line 1 Resolution ContinuumExplorer had two BACnet icons on the tree - one with all the BACnet controllers and points and one with no controllers and points. The "empty" one was renamed BacNet_1. CyberStation was restarted. The program saved correctly. It appears that CyberStation was not referencing the correct BACnet instance and therefore Plain English could not resolve the path in the ReadProperty statement. Once the duplication was removed all worked fine. Note: There should never be more than one BACnet icon in ContinuumExplorer. In the case it was not determined how this situation occurred.   

Issue The AcquiSuite A8812 responds with Error 11: Resource Temporarily Unavailable. Environment Niagara G3 / R2 Cause The AcquiSuite A8812 internal I/O module (Analog and Pulse inputs) uses Modbus address 250. This is not a legal address for a modbus slave device or ID. Valid Niagara addressing is from address 1 to 247 as stated in the Modbus protocol documentation. Resolution The Acquisuite Obvius LLC company offers a Flex I/O module that can be addressed between 1-247.

Issue Using the SendMail function in the NC2 and ACX2 to know if CyberStation is shut down would be a nice feature. Environment CyberStation NC2, CX9680, bCX4040, bCX9640, ACX5720, ACX5740 Cause When a standalone CyberStation is not monitored 24x7 and it is emailing critical alarms or pulling extended logs, it is important that it remains up and running as much as possible. How can the newer controllers' email capability be used to add this functionality. Resolution The SendEmail function can be used for this purpose. Set up the bCX via the "Email setup" controller webpage. This will require at least one Outgoing SMTP Server be accessible to your controller. The workstation commstatus is not a supported function within Plain English (although it may appear to compile in a program), so the workaround is to write a workstation program that sets a numeric in the controller on fixed timeframe. An InfinityProgram in the controller can monitor that numeric value and send the email if the value is not updated. Here are two sample programs for your use that provide a starting point for this application: ======= 'Fallthru program in CX triggered by minute which sends an email every 30 minutes while the workstation is offline 'Note: Set (Minute-Heartbeat) long enough for a CyberStation reboot/restart to avoid false alarms on an intentional shutdown.  Checking: If Minute = 10 and (Minute - WSHeartbeat) > 4 then goto Sending If Minute = 25 and (Minute - WSHeartbeat) > 4 then goto Sending If Minute = 40 and (Minute - WSHeartbeat) > 4 then goto Sending If Minute = 55 and (Minute - WSHeartbeat) > 4 then goto Sending Stop Sending: SendEmail('theemailaddresshere', Date, 'CyberStation is offline') Goto Wait30m   Wait30m: If TM < 29 then goto Wait30m E: If TS > 60 then Goto Checking ========== ========== 'Looping, autostart program in workstation Wait30s: If TS > 29 then goto SetRemoteFlag   SetRemoteFlag: MyNetwork\My_bCX\WSHeartbeat = Minute Goto Wait30s   E: If TS > 2 then goto Wait30s ======  Note: For LAN Systems a workstation can monitor the other workstations using the CommStatus attribute.

Issue When a Vista Master Slave network is setup the Slaves folder list appears but no objects in the folders. Environment Windows 7 32 bit Vista 5.1.X Cause Sometime the synchronies process does not fully complete between the Master and Slave servers. Resolution A restart of the Sever and Slave helps this process to complete. Shut both computers down and then start the master computer and Vista server. Once the master server has been started and checked for correct local communication start the slave computer and Vista server. Wait for the master to pickup the slave and recheck that the objects are being displayed. Also check that the Vista server name matches the computer name as this can cause similar problems.

Issue If having a Vista network and a OPC server installed on one Vista server can a OPC client connecting to the OPC server read values from another Vista server in the network?  Environment Vista 5.1.6 OPC server 1.6.2 Cause No it is only possible for the OPC client to read values on the Vista server where the Vista OPC server is installed. This is to avoid a lot of communication between the Vista server nodes which is pretty slow. Resolution Install a OPC server on every Vista server.

Issue What is the processor and memory type & speed that is used in Continuum controllers? Environment All Continuum controllers Cause The processor speed for the i2/ b3 controllers are not defined on the datasheets. Resolution The bCX1 uses the Coldfire processor and it is running at 66Mhz. It has 32Mb SDRAM and 16Mb Flash memory.   The Netcontroller II uses a MCF5275 processor running at 150 MHz. It has 128Mb SDRAM and 32Mb Flash memory. The i2/b3 controllers also use a Coldfire processor but at 40MHz frequency. The memory on the i2/b3 controllers varies from model to model and these are detailed on their specific datasheets on the Buildings Business Extranet. Some examples are: b3920 1Mb SD RAM, 2Mb Flash, b3810 256Kb SDRAM 1Mb Flash, b3850 128Kb SDRAM 1Mb Flash.  

Issue What is the Sigma SUM password to close the application? Environment Sigma SUM Cause What is the Sigma SUM password to close the application? When shutting down the PC Sigma SUM asks for a password. Resolution The password is SUM. Sigma SUM is normally allowed to start up when the PC starts and runs in the background. Therefore SUM should be added to the start up items.

Issue Webpinpoint requires mime types and if a selected option is missing, the object doesn't show in IIS Environment Windows 7 Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause If all the IIS options in IIS that are specified in the webclient installation guide are not selected then objects for webclient installation will not be available. Resolution In Windows Control Panel> Programs and Features> Turn Windows Features On/Off  Make sure that Common HTTP Features> Static Content    is checked If not, check this options and restart the PC

Issue Launching all graphics on multiple Cybers shows Pinpoint as a white screen Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The active polling rate may be too high Resolution Set the active polling rate to 100 milliseconds Default is 30

Issue How does unoccupied heating mode work on a Type 2 Mode Control point in DMS Microsmart? Environment DMS Microsmart Cause Perimeter radiation valves are not controlling properly overnight.  The space temp is too warm in the morning when occupancy begins. Resolution The Heat/Cool Differential establishes the daytime (occupied) heating setpoint by subtracting its value from the daytime (occupied) cooling setpoint. Example: Cooling Setpoint = 74°F Heat/Cool Differential = 4 (meaning the heating setpoint is 70°F) Cooling Night Setup = 80°F (this value must be higher than the daytime cooling setpoint, which in this example is 74°F) Heating Night Setback = 65°F (this value must be lower than the daytime heating setpoint, which in this example is 70°F) Both of these setpoints require a level 1 STOP command to engage.

Issue What is the earliest version of TAC Vista and Toolpack to provide support for the Xenta 121? Environment TAC Vista, ZBuilder, Lonmaker Cause Inquiries as to the earliest version of TAC Vista and Toolpack to provide support for the Xenta 121. Resolution The Xenta 121 has been supported in TAC Vista and Toolpack since version 4.4.1

Issue What is necessary to do in order to change settings in the Kamstrup Multical 601 meter? Environment Kamstrup Multical 601 Cause How to change the basic settings in pulse calculations from MWhrs to kWhrs, and also other settings.   Resolution Metertool software (part no: MAHWSWTOOL) together with the Optical eye USB hardware (part no: MAOPTICUSB) is required for this type of configuration. For more information, please take a look at MeterTool for Multical 601 presentation.

Issue How can a point be configured to display a text string instead of a number when modifying the point in a values page or graphics page pop out window? Environment XBuilder 5.x.x Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause An enumeration must be configured in Xbuilder that defines the text that will be shown with each value. Resolution In Xbuilder create a new Enumeration Under the Tools drop down select Enumerations. Click the new button in the Enumerations section and provide a description for the enumeration Highlight the enumeration created and click the new button in the Definitions section. Type the text string used for each value. Click Ok. Set the point to use the enumeration. Highlight the point that you want to use this enumeration. In the properties pane select your newly created enumeration from the Enumeration field.

Issue Unable to get a point to come up front when it goes in Alarm. Environment All versions of I/NET Software. Cause Point needs to come upfront when the Alarm is triggered but it is not working. Resolution To resolve this issue there are a few steps that needs to be followed to get this working. Open the graphic page in the Edit Mode Right Click and Select Properties In the Page Options, check the boxes for Home Page and Automatic Page Display Save the changes and then open it up live again Trigger the Alarm to verify that it is coming up front and the page is displayed

Issue TAC Xenta 300, How many I/O modules   Environment Vista Xenta Cause Trying to connect more then 2 I/O modules to a TAC Xenta 300.   Resolution Please look at TAC Xenta 300 Specification Sheet Always check the The Exchange Download Center for a more current release.