Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How can BACnet objects be learned as "full" objects and not "lite" objects in Niagara R2? Environment Niagara R2 Cause "Use lite objects" is enabled and need to be disable (uncheck the box) "Use Lite Objects" setting using BACnet Utilities. Resolution From the BACnet Utilities window, when performing either a "network - learnNetwork" or "device - learnDevice" command, clicking the Execute button will generate a pop-up window. In this window, uncheck "Use lite objects", and click OK to proceed.

Issue How can an AI object be scaled to display to 4 decimal places in Workplace Tech? Environment MNL controller MNB controller Workplace Tech Cause The AI object in a MNL or MNB controller can only display to 2 decimal places and this cannot be increased. Resolution Change the "scaled high value" and "scaled low value" represented by the input signal. For example: Given a transmitter that provides 0 to 5 VDC representing 0.0 to 0.1 inches of water column. Rather than putting in a "scaled low value" of 0.0 and a "scaled high value" of 0.1 make the "scaled high value" 100. Then take that value up to a Niagara station and divide it by 1000 to convert it back to inches of water column.  This will display it to 4 decimal places.

Issue Can an alarm be generated if a Niagara R2 Enterprise Server loses connectivity to the Vykon Alarm Service (VAS)? Environment Niagara R2 VAS client Cause To trigger an alarm when VAS connection changes, create a program object and link to clientActive. Resolution In order to alarm on the status of a VAS connection, do the following: Create a program object in WorkPlace Pro, and paste in the following code: //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // VAS Active clients // This object monitors the number of active VAS clients. // Revision History: // 07 August, 2007 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// // Inputs // flex input int ActiveClients // // Outputs // output FloatStatusType Clients // Processing Clients.value = ActiveClients Link the clientActive property of the VykonAlarmService to the ActiveClients property of the program object Create a comparison object, and link the output of the program object to Input A of the comparison object In the comparison object, configure the function so that A < B, and set defaultB to 1 Create a BI object, and link the status out of the comparison object to the status in of the BI Configure the alarm properties of the BI

Issue Which BACnet (MNB) and Micronet (MNL) controllers are half-wave rectified and which are full-wave rectified? Environment BACnet (MNB) controllers Micronet (MNL) controllers Cause Information about products rectifier helps avoid equipments damage connected with improperly wiring. Resolution In the current MNB controller line, the MNB-1000 is full-wave rectified. The MNB-300, MNB-70, and MNB-Vx are half-wave rectified. In the current MNL controller line, the MNL-800 is full-wave rectified. The MNL-5Rxx, MNL-1xRxx, MNL-20Rxx, and MNL-VxRxx are half-wave rectified. An early version of the MNL controllers were full-wave rectified: MNL-Pxx, MNL-Uxx, and MNL-Vxx (firmware V1.x). The same controllers were upgraded to firmware V2.x and re-designed for half-wave rectification. Both firmware versions of this controller line are obsolete.

Issue How can the true/false output from a Boolean object (i.e. Tstat) be changed to a numeric 0 or 100 in Niagara G3? Environment Niagara G3 Cause Represent a boolean on/off value with a numeric that can be used to drive other logic. Resolution Open the kitControl palette under the Util folder Use an object called NumericSwitch Link the output of the Boolean object into the InSwitch property of the NumericSwitch In the properties of the NumericSwitch object, set the "in true" value to 100 and "in false" value to 0 (or vice versa if reverse acting). The output of the NumericSwitch will be a numeric type.

Issue Can a Niagara R2 station be started from a command prompt? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Another option to start Niagara R2 station. Resolution Add the Niagara bin folder to the computer path or change directories to be in that folder. Then run "station ". The command window can be minimized, but closing it will stop the station. When the station is started in this method, it will not show "running" in the admin tool. An example of a batch file to start station "Lon522" is shown below: C:\cd\Niagara\r2.301.522\nre\bin station Lon522  

Issue Is there surge protection available for a BACnet/MSTP or RS-485 trunk? Environment BACnet/MSTP RS-485 trunk Surge protector Cause Install surge protector to prevent devices from abnormal electrical spike, which might damage devices. Resolution In the Network 8000 Hardware Installation Practices manual (F-23061) pages 21-26, the GCMA-131-1 is used for data line surge protection in conjunction with the AS-8969-21 capacitor grounding the shields as shown. The same components and procedures apply to BACnet/MSTP or RS-485 trunks. If there are power line issues, review the PAS-29901-400 lightning arrestors. The GCMA-131-1 and its associated installation shown on pages 22-23 of the above manual can be used.  Also, the E-1001-111 transzorb shown on page 26 can be used. It is important to have a GOOD earth ground when applying these devices.

Issue How many ASD buses can exist on a Niagara R2 UNC 520? Environment Niagara R2 UNC 520 Cause Knowing the total number of ASD bus supported helps with system architecture. Resolution The ASD driver only supports 2 ASD buses on a single UNC-520.

Issue What are the rules for linking objects between Niagara R2 Stations? Environment Niagara R2 stations Cause Additional information on linking rules to correctly linked objects between Niagara R2 Resolution The following are the Niagara R2 link rules for inter-station and external station links:   Link as many inputs to a single output as needed (“one-to-many”). For any input property that is already linked, no further link to it is permitted unless the property is a priorityArray type or trigger type (or certain types of Lon properties). Only then is a “many-to-one” link allowed. External links (between stations) have further restrictions. The following types of external links are not permitted (nor are they shown in the Link Editor): Links between prioritizedOutputs and priorityArray input properties. Links between properties using triggerType data species. Links from a GxText object to an internal property of another object (only inputs or outputs are available).

Issue The following error appears in the Niagara R2 UNC Standard Output Window: Duplicate Server Sessions - kill (Enterprise Server Name). Environment Niagara R2 UNC Cause Running multiple R2 stations can cause issue with the subscription of the UNCs in the address book of the Enterprise Server station. Resolution An Enterprise Server has the ability to run multiple R2 stations at one time. Under normal circumstances only one station should be running on a server.

Issue When accessing MNL vav boxes from a computer running Workplace Pro, the following error appears:   ERROR.E_INVALID_ENUM_ORDINAL.(6) Environment Workplace Pro MNL VAV boxes Cause This is an indicator of a jar mismatch. Resolution Ensure the UNC has the same lonSiebe and lonWorks jars as the computer running WorkPlace Pro.

Issue Where can the specifications for the MNB-300-ENC be found? Environment MNB-300-ENC Cause There is no separate specification sheet for the MNB-300-ENC. Resolution See the Installation Instructions for the MNB-300 (F-27345).

Issue What are the specifications of the internal battery of a UNC-6x0? Environment UNC600 UNC610 Cause When the battery is replaced, follow Technical Bulletin TB06-05 to restore the BIOS settings. Resolution The internal battery is a CR2032 (3 Vdc) and is available from any retail technology outlet store.

Issue The specification sheet for the UNC-510 (F-27001) lists the power supply input voltage as 24 Vac or 24 Vdc. Can this UNC use a DC power supply source? Environment  UNC-510 Cause The spec sheet listed 24vdc as a supported power source but the installation manual instructs to use AC power source. Resolution No. It was originally intended to use both AC and DC but it was never UL-listed or FCC-tested as a DC device. The UNC-510 installation instructions (F-27033) clearly indicates the use of an AC power source.

Issue How long will a UNC-520 hold the date & time if AC power and the backup battery are disconnected? How long will a UNC-520 hold the date & time if AC power is disconnected but the backup battery remains connected? Environment UNC-520 Universal Network Controller Cause UNC-520 provide real-time clock and need to maintain the information during power failures. Resolution Approximately one hour. This is done by a 1200 µF 10 Vdc capacitor that backs up the real-time clock chip. Over one month.

Issue The Niagara Schedule object was created in a Niagara R2 UNC station. The schedule events display in Workplace Pro but do not display in a web browser. Environment Niagara R2 UNC Workplace Pro Web browser Cause To display in a web browser, it require the UNC to have the WebUIService and WebUI licensing. Resolution The schedule events are graphically-based views. In order to make them web browser-accessible, the UNC station requires the WebUIService and the UNC must be licensed for web browser support.

Issue How can a graph displaying two points in WorkPlace Pro be created? Environment Workplace Pro Trend log graph Cause Displaying two points' trend data on a single graph allows the user to compare two values over time. Resolution Using return air temperature and supply air temperature as an example: In the logic folder, link these two objects to an analog log object using status output to status input. Open a web browser and type the SWID http://IPaddress/chart/log. In the log window, hold down the CTRL key and select multiple logs and click on ADD and click Chart. This will create a chart with multiple points. Continue the following steps to access it from the browser: In the chart window, copy the URL address and create a gx text on a gxpage. Go to the properties of the gxtext and select the visual tab. On the hyperlink URL paste the address in the space. On hyperlinkonclick select URL, go to the configure tab and type text in the box that will display in the browser. Open a web browser and type in this SWID http://IPaddress/gx/index. This will display the list of graphics, select one and select the gxtext. This will launch to the graphics page.

Issue What information is required in requesting an RMA for any model of Niagara R2 UNC / Niagara G3 ENC? Environment Niagara R2 UNC Niagara G3 ENC Cause Return a defected product to service. Resolution The Serial Number and Symptom (Description of Issue) are required. If advance replacement equipment is required, or if the unit is out of warranty, a purchase order number will also be required. Call and provide this information to Product Support Services at 1-888-444-1311,  Note, there may be additional information required to aid in resolving the difficulty.

Issue What is the earliest revision of Niagara R2 that the ProView LON Display, jar files and software wizard will function with properly? Environment Niagara R2 ProView LON Display lonWorks jar file Distech wizard Cause Using Niagara R2 revisions outside of R2.301.428 through R2.301.529 will not function with the UNC and Distech wizard. Resolution The UNC and Distech wizard will function with Niagara R2 revisions R2.301.428 through R2.301.529. The required files are available from The Exchange Extranet. Run the provided executable.  Then edit file names in the emb, nt, and nre/modules folders. Keep the newest Distech files and the latest lonWorks jar file.

Issue Is the power supply in the ProView LON Display a half wave or full wave rectified? Environment ProView LON display Cause This information will help power ProView with other 24 Vac devices or if a dedicated 24 Vac transformer is required. Resolution ProView is a half-wave rectified device.  Since ProView has no physical inputs or outputs, there are no precautions to take with power supplies.