Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The Continuum database is created with SQL Compatibility Level 80 (SQL 2000) instead of 100 (SQL 2008). Can this be changed? Environment CyberStation SQL Server Cause The Continuum database is created with a Compatibility Level of 80. This is the default level of SQL 2000. SQL 2008 has a default setting of 100 but Continuum database is still created with a Compatibility Level of 80 even using SQL 2008. Can this setting be changed?  Resolution Continuum SQL installations have always used SQL2000 Version 80 compatibility and are only tested using this configuration, SQL2005 Version 90 or SQL2008 Version 100 configurations are untested in releases up to V1.93.  Compatibility level 100 has been tested in version 1.94, and is supported.

Issue A Vista OPC client on a Windows 2008 server is not getting a OPC server on a XP online. It is possible to browse the OPC server and read values with OPC tool but it is not possible to get it online in Vista. Environment Vista 5.1.6 Windows 2008 Windows XP Cause Not sure why but after have checked the DCOM settings over and over again we found out that we had to create a Local administrator with the same password on both computers. And set up the dcom settings for that user on both computers to get it to work. The computers was in a domain but it was not possible to use a domain user from the Windows 2008 computer. It worked with domain users from a Windows XP. Resolution Create a Local administrator with the same password on both computers. Set up the dcom settings for that user on both computers. Run Vista with that user.

Issue If the license file (.plf) is lost, it is necessary to recover it for reinstall. Environment TAC Vista versions from version 3.30 to 4.50 Cause The license file is necessary for the system to run. In case of crashed PC or similar, the license file needs to be reinstalled together with its matching dongle. Resolution As long as the dongle ID or Order no. can be presented, it may be possible to regenerate the .plf license file. Please contact the Product Support Services for further assistance. Official support of Vista IV licensing has been suspended as of 1/1/2012.

Issue Is there a way, within the MNB-1000 application program, to determine if communications has been lost between an MNB-1000 and an attached MNB-1000-15 RIO module? Environment MNB-1000 with attached MNB-1000 RIO module(s) Cause The WorkPlace Commissioning tool can display the status of the RIO modules attached to the MNB-1000 but this information is not available within the MNB-1000 application program. Resolution A proposed solution is to use a UO output and a UI input on the same RIO module to allow the MNB-1000 program to monitor the RIO module.  The concept is to drive the UO, 0-20ma with a binary signal from the program. The value would be programmed to change On/Off periodically -- once a minute for example.  The value of the UI would be compared and an internal application alarm generated if the value read from the UI does not agree with the value being written to the UO.

Issue Is there a document that gives the suggested controller to I/O device (field hardware) wiring information?  Wire Gauge, Type of Wire, etc. Environment I/A Series controllers and field hardware Cause Customer wants a document that provides Schneider-Electric's recommendation on controller field wiring. Resolution For the MNB family of controllers, refer to the MicroNet BACnet Wiring, Networking and Best Practices Guide, F-27360. For the MNL family of controllers, refer to the I/A Series MicroNet System Engineering Guide, F-26507. For the Network-8000 family of controllers, refer to the Network 8000 Hardware Installation Practices guide, F-23061. The Network 8000 Hardware Installation Practices guide is also a good guide for field device wiring for use with any family of controllers.

Issue Public time sync Servers for the United States Product Line Andover Continuum, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment IP Level Devices USA Cause Time synchronization is required for accurate alarming and reporting Resolution Here is a web site referencing several US based Time Sync NTP Servers. http://tf.nist.gov/tf-cgi/servers.cgi

Issue Basic information about configuring Continuum for physical access control. Environment CyberStation CX9900 CX9702 CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 ACX781 AC1 AC1 Plus Cause Learn the basics and get started with Continuum access control hardware/software. Resolution See the Access Control Essential Guide PDF: Andover Continuum CyberStation v1.93 Access Control Essentials Guide Andover Continuum CyberStation v1.94 Access Control Essentials Guide Andover Continuum CyberStation v2.01 Access Control Essentials Guide

Issue Xenta Server installation on a LON network Environment LNS Network Cause Installing a Xenta Server on a LON network Resolution The Xenta Server can be installed anywhere along the LON channel as long as the terminators are located at each physical end of the wire. The server will function the same as any other LON node.

Issue Does TAC plug-ins work with NLStart? Environment TAC Plug-ins NLStart Cause NLStart is a non LNS based binding tool for small networks from Newron systems. Since the tool is not LNS based out plug ins will not work Resolution You can not use NLStart and TAC plug ins

Issue Drayton DC 2000/2100 and 3000 controller series. Environment Drayton DC 2000 2100 3000 Cause Are replacements available for the Drayton DC 2000/2100 and 3000 controller series? Resolution The Drayton DC 2000/2100 and 3000 controller series are obsolete, and there are no direct replacements for these controllers.

Issue Need to interface Continuum system with 3rd party BACnet Ethernet devices on the network. Environment Continuum BCX4040 Cause Continuum with bCX BACnet IP devices need to share data with BACnet Ethernet device on the network. Resolution Set one of the bCX on the network to be enabled for the BACnet Ethernet in bCX configuration webpage, and set the same value for the BACnet Network ID - Ethernet with the other Ethernet devices. Enabling this option on a BCX allows the BCX to communicate both Bacnet IP AND Bacnet Ethernet, it does not turn off Bacnet IP.

Issue Actuator M44 is no longer available (withdrawn in 2000) and needs a replacement. Environment M44 M9B EM9 Forta Cause Depending on application, since the M44 was used for both rotating and sliding valves, a few different replacement actuators could be used. Resolution For valves with rotating stem, (TRV, VTRA, VTRE and STMG), actuators M9/EM9 can be used. For valves with linear moving stems the TAC Forta series actuator is used.

Issue A schedule was created in the ENC and imported into the ENS, but it can not be edited in the ENS Environment Niagara G3 all versions, ENS, ENC-520, ENC-410 Cause The imported schedule becomes the slave of the original (master) schedule. Only the master schedule can be edited. The slave schedule can not be edited. Resolution If the schedule is to be edited in the ENS, then the schedule must first be created in the ENS and then imported into the ENC.

Issue After installing WorkPlace Tech 5.8 the Hardware wizard cannot be accessed. Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Cause Earlier versions of WPT 5.7.4, 5.7.5, 5.7.6 and 5.7.7 when uninstalled leave behind files that can cause such an issue. Resolution The simplest solution is to uninstall WPT58 and re-install it.  The uninstall of WPT58 will remove the extraneous files so the next install will function properly.

Issue How long can the power to AS be interrupted Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment PS Power Supply Automation Server Cause Question regarding the AS and the power supply module. If the power is interrupted from the 24VAC power supply for say, 100 milliseconds, will the power to the AS be interrupted? There is a cold cap in the PS, and how long does it maintain power supplied to the AS? What about the RTC?   Resolution The power to the AS will be interrupted if there is a 100mS main power fail. The AS will then save the server cache. When the power returns the AS will make a restart that will take approx. 2 minutes. The AS Power supply fully complies with the IEC 61000-4-11 standard and can withstand voltage dips, with a 20mS dip and a 0% residual voltage.  The Power-fail process: When the AS loses power the super-cap keeps the AS alive for 15 seconds. 10 seconds of it dedicated to power-fail process to flush all the data that that are currently in the RAM to the SD card(That data can be anything with any value they have before power-fail). When power comes back that data is retained and are stored in appropriate place on the SD card. Real-Time-Clock(RTC) is maintained when the AS loses power by a dedicated capacitor which backs up the RTC chip for a minimum of 30 days in the absence of power since there is no battery in the AS.    

Issue Can the RoamIO service tool be used to view/edit physical access control objects (personnel, areas, doors) Environment RoamIO Cause RoamIO documentation Resolution The RoamIO service tool does not support working with physical access control objects. Door, personnel and area objects in the controller are not exposed to the service tool.

Issue Using a webcam a photo is captured. When attempting to save the captured image to a personnel record it comes in blurry. Environment CyberStation with Episuite Badging option Webcam Cause Captured photo quality in personnel editor is poor. Captured photo in webcam software is excellent.   Resolution The device driver in the image source properties dialog box was changed from the webcam driver to the Windows driver.

Issue In Sigma setup, a client needs to be removed from the list, but Sigma does not allow deletion.  Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma Client Routeset Server Cause The client may be cross referenced by a routeset or Sigma server. Resolution Go to System Setup > Controller Items > Routesets Ensure that the client that requires deleting is not cross referenced in any routesets. Go to System Setup > Clients Ensure that the client is not cross referenced to any Sigma servers.

Issue Is the SPD310 sensor accurate all the way down to 0 Pa? Environment SPD sensor Cause Application on lower measurement levels. Resolution The sensor will not be accurate all the way down to zero. Select a sensor that is mid-range for the measurement being made.

Issue If using V231 DN25 and a Forta M800, what is the max ΔPc? Environment Forta M800 V231 DN25 Cause In case the ΔPc is too high, the Forta may not be capable of controlling the valve properly. Resolution The combination of V231 DN25 and M800 should have a max ΔPc of appr. 1150kPa (11.5Bar) For more information and details regarding the different applications, please see the data sheets for each product involved.