Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue In Niagara R2 Workplace Pro, what's the default size of a Container's Workspace?  What are the maximum settings? Environment Niagara R2 Cause A large shadow object cannot be fully viewed in the Workspace due to the current width and height settings. Resolution The default settings are:  800 (width) by 550 (height). The maximum settings are:  1500 (width) by 1500 (height). To modify these values, right-click the Container properties, Visual tab.

Issue Is there a way to set both local and imported histories to update live when accessed in Niagara G3? Environment Niagara G3, versions 3.4 and higher. Cause User wants to display live data. Niagara G3 allows for the displaying of current history values (live data updates) buy using its On Demand history feature. Resolution The On Demand feature provides live updates for the History Chart or History Table views only. On Demand can be used for both local and imported histories. The On Demand feature provides a 'Live Updates' toggle button (check box in Hx view) on both the history chart and history table views. Click this button to start the live update process. Note: The following must be set in order for Live Updates to work with imported histories. These setting are normally enabled by default, but may have been changed. The imported history’s “On Demand Poll Enabled” property must be set to true. 1. Expand the NiagaraNetwork of the station and select the source station for the imported history 2. Expand the source station and then expand Histories 3. Right-click on the Remote history you want to view live updates and select Property Sheet 4. Make sure that “On Demand Poll Enabled” is set to true and save The On Demand feature provides a 'Live Updates' toggle button (check box in Hx view) on both the history chart and history table views. When you click the 'Live Updates' button, it initiates a history subscription that finds the source of the history and subscribes to that source component. If the source is a history import descriptor, then that descriptor starts polling at a frequency defined by its On Demand Poll Frequency property (described below). If the source is a local History Ext,

Issue Will changing the IP address of a BACnet/IP controller affect communication between BACnet objects on an established network? Environment Niagara R2 and G3, UNC-520, ENC-520, WorkPlace Tech Commissioning Tool, MNB-1000 Cause Niagara R2 and G3, UNC-520, ENC-520, WorkPlace Tech Commissioning Tool, MNB-1000 Resolution BACnet communicates using the BACnet device’s instance number, so changing the IP address of the controllers will not affects the communications between BACnet points. The BACnet/IP controller's MAC Address is comprised of its IP address and port number. This BACnet/IP Controller’s MAC address will automatically updated whenever one of the following tree procedures are performed, a “whoIs” is in R2, a “Discover” in G3 or a "Browse" of the BACnet/IP network in WorkPlace Tech Commissioning Tool.

Issue Is it possible to run Vista Webstation on a Windows 2008 server foundation.  Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7 Cause Windows 2008 server foundation is not one of the tested Operation systems for Vista so we don't know if Webstation works or not on it.   Resolution Windows 2008 server foundation is not one of the tested Operation systems for Vista so we don't know if Webstation works or not on it.

Issue The alarm handling between TAC Vista and Xenta 913, 5XX, 7XX acting as Xenta Servers stop after 50 days Vista will stop to receive events from Xenta 913, 5XX, 7XX acting as Xenta Servers after 50 days Environment TAC Vista Xenta 511 Xenta 527 Xenta 555 Xenta 913 Xenta 701 Xenta 711 Xenta 721 Xenta 731 Cause The reason for this issue is that TAC Vista sets a time reference to the computer’s internal tick count just before it’s about to rollover (which will happen every 49.7 days).   Resolution This issue has been fixed in TAC Vista 5.1.7 and a hotfix for TAC Vista 5.0.3 is also available upon request from Product Support Services.   Note: Restarting the Vista Server or the PC will also solve the problem, but only temporarily.

Issue In 2009, SVEA SE-843 was replaced by the SE-844 unit. What are the differences between these units? Environment SVEA SE-843 SE-844 43230-036 Warema LON SE III Cause Manufacturer Warema has updated the sensor unit in 2009. The former version SE-843 was a quite old product. Resolution The main differences/features are: Hardware: new housing (9 units) supply voltage for connected sensor changed from 12 VDC to 15 VDC additional input for combined senor (wind, brightness and DCF-77) real time clock serial EEPROM for error messages direct connection for key switch indication of DCF-77 reception via LED Software: all parameters configurable via CPs each object configurable separately type of most network variables changeable monitoring of wind sensors error messages permanently stored in the device large diagnose possibilities additional object for global irradiance sensor additional object for relative humidity additional switch object for detection of push-buttons These changes were made in 2009, since the 843 model was quite old. Also, in 2009, these products were no longer promoted or labeled by SVEA, and referred to the manufacturer Warema directly.

Issue Is the MNL-110 or MNL-130 controller available in any profile other than Fan Coil profile (F3)? Environment MNL controllers (MNL-110, MNL-130) Cause The MNL-110 and MNL-130 controllers are only available with the Fan Coil profile (F3).  The profiles cannot be modified in the field. Resolution Review alternative hardware platforms (MNL-50, -100, -150, or -200) in the following profiles ... Rooftop profile (R3) Fan Coil profile (F3) Heat Pump profile (H3) Satellite profile (S3) Satellite profile (S4)

Issue When an object is edited the Apply button becomes selectable, but when selected no changes are saved. Environment Continuum ContinuumDB SQL ContinuumServer Cause Insufficient space on hard drive. Resolution Move database backup files. Truncate log tables. Install automated log table truncation routines. 

Issue I/A Series R2 Optimum Start Stop program object may improperly calculate start time when outdoor air temperature compensation is used. Environment I/A Series R2 (all versions) Cause Optimum start / stop compensation is performed through the use of a program object. The object could calculate a negative start lead time when outdoor air temperature compensation was used. Resolution A check was added to the program object to prevent a calculated negative start leadTime due to outdoor air temperature compensation.  The revised object is available for download from The Exchange Download Center. Download the file >> OSS for Niagara 08_03_11.zip In addition, the object includes the following change history. 10-Nov-00  Moved the parameter reset control to an external stimulus 16-Aug-01  Changed reset input from BooleanPriority to DateTime 20-Dec-02  Added check for command time > next event time to account for a large leadtime calculation that results in a start time prior to midnight 14-Sep-05  Added safety check to prevent dynamically adjusted runtime factors from becoming too large 25-Apr-06  Corrected the following stop-time issues:            1) stop-time calculation when earliestStopTime is after schedule stop time            2) stop-time calculation when start/stop times span midnight            3) determining when to perform stop-time analysis    05-Nov-08  Added changes from 2002 and 2003            Added prestart (maxStartLimits) and comfortLimit inputs 18 Nov 02            Added the ability to use OA temperature for OSS calculation 24 Feb 03 12-Dec-08  Added OA temperature to message strings.  Added output for calculated command time. 19-Feb-09  Corrected issues with stop-time analysis:            1) lastStartTime was being used for stop-time calculation            2) analysis for heating was adjusting drift time for cooling            3) analysis for cooling was adjusting drift time for heating            Corrected issues with stop time calculation:            1) heating mode failed to drift when > upper comfort limit            2) cooling mode failed to drift when < lower comfort limit            3) stop mode calculation always reflected the next event time 15-Oct-09  Added properties and check to prevent dynamically adjusted drift time factors from exceeding a specified maximum value. 03-Aug-11  Added check to prevent calculated negative start leadTime due to outdoor air temperature compensation.

Issue What licensing is required for the I/A Series LON Flow Balance tool? Environment I/A Series LON Flow Balance Tool Cause The LON Flow Balance Tool has been downloaded and provided to the air balancer. Resolution The LON Flow Balance Tool software does not require a license.

Issue The RoamIO2 does not seem to be able to communicate with an ACX5740, why? Environment RoamIO2, RoamIO Cause What must be done to get a RoamIO2 to communicate with an ACX57xx controller? Resolution The ACX57xx must have comm1 configured as Infinet. This is because the RoamIO2 hardware only communicates via the Infinet protocol (when running the InfinetServiceTool software) or BACnet protocol (when running the BACnetServiceTool software). An ACX57xx is not communicating either of these protocols unless comm1 is configured for Infinet.

Issue The Vista installation procedure completes with errors.  Vista Server and Workstation may appear to be installed but SQL Server Express is not installed. Environment Vista 5.1.7 SQL Server 2008 R2 Express VMWare Player 3,4 Cause The default hard disk space allocated to a guest OS in VMWare Player is 8GB.  When installing Vista 5.1.7 on Windows XP or above this may not be enough space for Vista to install properly.  The OS requires 5-6GB and SQL Server 2008 R2 Express requires 2.2GB Resolution Increase the disk space allocated to the guest OS in VMware Player 1.  Ensure that the virtual machine state is 'Powered Off'.  To change the state, play the virtual machine. Then go to the VMware player 'Virtual Machine' menu and select Power - Power Off. 2.  Choose 'Virtual Machine Settings...' from the 'Virtual Machine' menu. 3.  On the Hardware tab select 'Hard Disk (IDE)' in the device column. 4.  From the Utilities drop-down list select 'Expand...'.  You can then increase the hard disk size in 1GB increments.  I would suggest 10GB as a minimum. 5.  Please note that the additional space is not immediately available to the guest OS.  To claim this space you must run a disk management tool within the guest OS to increase the size of the existing partition on the virtual hard disk to match the expanded size.  Windows Vista and Windows 7 have built-in disk management tools, but on XP you can run third party tools such as Symantec/Norton PartitionMagic, EASEUS Partition Master, Acronis Disk Director and the open-source tool GParted.

Issue When upgrading Continuum Cyberstation to a higher version on a webClient machine without uninstalling webClient first, the installation will not be successful. Error 1311, Source file not found, pls verify the file "....\Cyberstation1.94\continuum\webcli~1.cab" existed and can access it. Environment Windows XP SP3 webClient 1.93 Cyberstation 1.94 Cause The webClient was not uninstalled successfully. The Cyberstation install process interprets the installation as an upgrade and tries to find the webClient install file "webcli~.cable." When the file is not found in the Continuum folder, the error is encountered. Resolution Uninstall Webclient and delete Continuum folder from the machine From Windows Control Panel, click "add/remove program" and find  "Continuum" then click. Click "yes" button from the pop-up alarm dialogue window. After uninstallation finished, go to  C:\program files\continuum, and then delete the whole folder. Restart the machine Re-Install Cyberstation

Issue With the V221 no longer available (withdrawn in 2004) a replacement valve is requested. Environment V221 VG221F V222 Cause Replacing existing installed V221 valves Resolution V221 can be replaced by VG221F and V222. Flange bolt pattern and measurements should be the same (designed according to DIN standards), and actuator (Forta) can be used with the exception of V222 DN125-DN150 where M22/M50 is required. Please see each products data sheet for more information and details.

Issue Continuum entries in the windows application events occasionally shows error related to the database connection. A database fault warning state was detected and cleared. This is an indication that the connection to the Continuum database was lost for a moment. "wuaueng.dll (46108) SUS20ClientDataStore: The database engine stopped the instance (0)". "wuaueng.dll (46108) SUS20ClientDataStore: The database engine started a new instance (0)."   Environment CyberStation Windows Event Viewer SQL Server Cause Informational entries in the windows application event viewer frequently refer to Continuum reporting a database fault warning. The warning may or may not be accompanied with other information such as: ClientDataStore: The database engine stopped the instance (0) ClientDataStore: The database engine started a new instance (0) These events can occur in the ordinary operation of the SQL Server environment, or they may be associated with errors. Resolution If a 'stopped' instance warning is immediately followed by a 'restarted' instance warning and not associated with an error then the event took place in the context of ordinary operation of the SQL server and can be ignored. If on the other hand there is an error reported such as ‘The database instance ran out of disk space.’ then corrective action will be required.

Issue Each time an I/O module is commissioned the NetController II goes offline. Environment IO modules NetControllerII CX9680 Cause If there is a problem with the controller configuration it may be possible to commission the IO modules on an empty controller.  The controllers would then have to be reloaded by class or may have to be rebuilt manually. Resolution Access the controllers webpage. Select Clear Database Backup Commit changes to the controller. Do not reload the controller. Commission the IO modules on the empty controller.

Issue If the schedule for a personnel area assignment is in a different network to the door that uses the area it does not work. Environment ACX5740, ACX5720 Access Control Cause Objects can not be passed between different Continuum networks.   Resolution For sites with 2 or more networks, when a schedule is linked to the area assignment of a person, that schedule must reside in the same network as the door that uses the area. It is also good practice to locate schedules within the controller for that door, that way should it go offline the schedule will still operate correctly.

Issue NetController 2 IO Modules not powering up when using third party power supply Environment NetController 2, NC2, NCII, IO Modules Cause When using a third party power supply (ac or dc) for a NC2, the IO modules need to be powered separately Resolution When using a third party power supply (ac or dc) for a NC2, the modules need to be powered separately. The IO modules are only powered via the NC2 connector if the Continuum Power supply is used NOTE This is all as the NC2 documentation.

Issue ROAMIO2 fails to connect to i2 controller when the controller is connected to Infinet.  But it succeeds to connect to the i2 controller when Infinet is disconnected from the controller. Environment Netcontroller - CX9900, CX9940, CX9702 Infinet controller - i2 controllers Cause When the netcontroller (CX9900, CX9940, CX9702)  version is old , the ROAMIO2 does not communicate well with the Infinet with the CX connected. Resolution Upgrade the Netcontroller OS (firmware) to the latest version.

Issue When is an "additional 500 points" license required for an Enterprise Network Server? Environment I/A Series G3 ENS-1 Enterprise Network Server Cause The basic Enterprise Network Server license does not include any external point driver licenses.  Driver licenses are required for each 500 or fraction thereof points of any of the four supported driver types. Resolution An Enterprise Network Server can be licensed to directly communicate with BACnet, OPC, MODbus or SNMP points by the addition of the specific driver license option.  Each of these driver licenses support communication with up to 500 points of that specific type of points. The four driver licenses are as follows: ENS-BAC (BACnet IP or BACnet Ethernet) ENS-OPC (OPC Client), ENS-MOD (Modbus TCP) ENS-SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol).  Each of these driver licenses will support the communications with up to 500 points of the specific type.  For each additional block of 500 points of a specific type, you need to purchase an additional points license, ENS-BAC-500, ENS-OPC-500, ENS-MOD-500 or ENS-SNMP-500.  Here is an example of how these licenses are used.  The Enterprise Network Server needs to communicate directly with 1250 BACnet IP points and 60 SNMP points.  The following licenses will be required: ENS-1 -- Enterprise Network server license ENS-SNMP -- allows ENS to communicate with the 60 SNMP points, technically allowing communications with 500 SNMP points. ENS-BAC -- allows the ENS to communicate with 500 BACnetIP points ENS-BAC-500 -- allows the ENS to communicate with an additional 500 BACnet points bringing the total to 1000 BACnet points ENS-BAC-500 -- this second ENS-BAC-500 license will allow the ENS to communicate with the additional 250 BACnet points, actually bringing the total allowable BACnet point count to 1500 points