Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue  The Platform Software Manager shows that the History module is installed in the ENC, but a HistoryPointList object cannot be added to the ENC.   The error message “drop failed: java.baja error” is displayed in the Program Director window. Environment Niagara G3 all version, ENC-410, ENC-520 Cause The HistoryPointList object requires that the ENC’s Module Content Filter be set to  ui+runtime. Resolution Set the ENC’s Module Content Filter Level to ui+runtime. 1. Open the ENC’s Platform and click on Set Module Filter 2. Select ui+runtime and then click on Finish. The HistoryPointList object can now be added to the ENC.

Issue Does the UNC-5x0 controller support the OPC driver? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Integration request from end customer Resolution The OPC driver is not supported on any embedded platform (UNC-410 or UNC-5x0). It will operate on an Enterprise Server .

Issue When attempting to restore a BACnet device backup into a new device, I get an error indicating that the device to be restored cannot be found. Environment MNB family controller WorkPlace Tech Commissioning Tool, release 5.7.2 or newer Controller backup created with WPCT Cause The restore processing program verifies that the configuration of the replacement controller matches the configuration of the controller backed up. Resolution To restore the database into the new controller, the new controller must first be commissioned as a replacement for the original controller.  The name and instance number of the replacement controller must be identical to the one being replaced. In addition, if the controller is an MNB-1000, the device properties must have the same IP, Ethernet and MSTP configuration as the original controller.  As a reminder, although you can backup a group of controllers in one operation, you can only restore one controller at a time.

Issue TAC Vista can not read trend values but all values get written to the SQL Server Test Connection to SQL server from Server Setup is working No queue files Environment TAC Vista SQL Server Cause If TAC Vista runs as a Service it will try to access the SQL data using the account it is started under if you have configured SQL to use Windows user. If the account that the TACOS Service runs under does not have access to the SQL server you will not be able to read any values. The DSS writer service that is used to write the values in to the SQL Database is using the account that is set up in the TAC Vista server setup. Resolution Make sure that the TACOS server runs under an account that have access to the SQL server.

Issue "Fail to start communication" window pops up tunneling application fails. Environment Niagara R2 Niagara G3 Cause The Trend Micro antivirus program can prevent the tunneling service from starting, if no exceptions have been added to allow the tunneling service to run. Resolution Contact the local IT department  and request the addition of exceptions or permissions for the tunneling service to run and tunneling port to connect.

Issue Unable to perform a backup or copy files from an I/A Series G3 station - indicates: Error parsing list of remote modules.      javax.baja.sys.LocalizableRuntimeException: Error parsing list of remote modules Environment I/A Series G3 (all versions) Cause The backup and copy processes include a scan of the remote station's module directory.  The software is encountering a file that is not a module and does not have the .jar extension.  A user may have transferred a non-module into the directory by mistake. Resolution Locate and remove the file causing the issue. Using Workbench, connect to the platform of the ENC, JACE, or remote station and run the File Transfer Client. Navigate to the /niagara/modules directory that will list out the modules (jar files) installed in the station. Review the list to locate the file that is not a module (jar extension). Highlight and delete the file.

Issue An Infinity Program object appears In the Occupancy Point field of the schedule editor. When an attempt is made to browse, select apply the proper occupancy numeric, the same Infinity Program object reference reappears. Environment Continuum 1.74 Schedules Occupancy Point Database Cause This behavior was related to the behavior described in TPA-BOST-08-0005.00.  Resolution Apply the Cyber 1.74 SP2 HotFix For TPA-BOST-08-0005.00.

Issue Is it needed to connect DC voltage to trigger the DI of the 301 and 421A What is the max current/voltage that a DI point can handle. Environment Xenta 301, Xenta 302, Xenta 4xx Cause The inputs on the Xenta 300 and 4xx are active inputs from the terminals X1, U1 etc. Meaning the terminal is at high voltage when open.  For a UI (act as a DI) channel, the voltage across open contact is approximately 20 V DC, and for a XI channel,  the voltage across open contact is approximately 33 V DC. To activate the digital input, engineer needs to connect the signal to M ( = 0 volt) terminal, so current flows FROM the X1 to M. So basically we expect a switch that connects M and X1 (U1). Resolution No you only need a switch that connects M0 to X1 or U1 (or other digital, universal input). Note: It is recommended to have a non-voltage dry point relay switch to protect the digital input on the controller and IO module.

Issue LonWorks on an AS and replacing the template without deleting devices Environment StruxureWare Building Operation site with LonWorks interface Cause Site would like to replace the XIF template without deleting devices Resolution Unfortunately there is no way to replace the template without removing all devices. Even if the site is fully commissioned and devices are installed, the site must be re-commission and bind everything again. The template cannot be replaced without deleting the devices installed.

Issue A Niagara R2 Enterprise Server's hardware was replaced.  The new hardware does not include a parallel (25-pin) RS-232 printer port for the existing dot-matrix printer which is used for printing out alarms.  It was connected with an adapter to a USB port instead.  Alarms will not print out. Does the server support USB-connected printers? Environment Niagara R2 Cause pc hardware replacement Resolution Niagara R2 does not support USB-connected printers. The dot-matrix printer needs a connection via a RS-232 serial port or a standard (25-pin) parallel port.

Issue What is the drive-open and drive-close time for the internal actuator in a MNL-V1RVx, MNL-V2RVx, MNB-V1 or MNB-V2 controller? Environment  MNL-V1RVx, MNL-V2RVx, MNB-V1 or MNB-V2 VAV controller Cause Customer request for the information. Resolution According to the specification data sheets, F-27340 for the MNB series controllers and F-26365 for the MNL series controllers, the drive time for the internal actuator is 3 minutes when the controller is powered with 60hz power and 3.6 minutes when the controller is powered with 50hz power.  This drive time is specified for 90 degree travel in either the Open or Close direction of travel.

Issue Menu options described in Web Reports Reference Guide are not available in the Web Reports Web Interface Environment Web Reports 1.2 Cause User is not part of the Reports Administrators Group Resolution Log into the ES In the system folder, locate the user logged into Web Reports (System>Domains>domain>Users>username) Select that Users "Group Membership" tab Add the user to the "Reports Administrators" Group

Issue Unable to learn McQuay device objects on a MSTP network under an ENC/UNC. Environment Niagara R2 Niagara G3 Cause McQuay APDU defaults to a length of 1476 bytes.  This length needs to be lower for an MSTP network.  McQuay has identified this problem in firmware 8.14. Resolution Contact McQuay to install new firmware with an APDU length of 480 bytes.

Issue Can individual window contacts be used in a Master-Slave configuration of Xenta 121? Environment Xenta 121-FC Xenta 121 -HP Cause Want to use Master-Slave functionally but still use each controllers window contact to control that controller. Resolution In general exception modes are not allowed for slaves because this overrides the Master-Slave functionality. Also there are no way to prevent the master to turn on/off all slaves using it's own Window contact.

Issue These Infinet controllers either in limited production or no longer manufactured, but are they supported? Environment CyberStation Cause Upgrade from Continuum 1.62 is desired. Are LCX898 and ACX781 still supported? Resolution Yes, they are supported in all CyberStation versions from v1.62 to 1.94 with no chip change required  

Issue After a power reset, bCX1 comes back online with its comm2 set to a different baud rate than before it went offline, no longer communicating with the connected b3 MSTP controllers. Environment bCX4000 bCX4040 bCX9640 CX9680 CX9900 Cause Controller comes back from power fail and does not have the correct baudrate set which results in loss of communications to all field controllers. Resolution 4.500076 should correct this issue. If not get the controller error log and see if the controller is cold starting. On those controllers that have come back from power fail and have their comm port set to 9600, you can try setting the defaultbaud attribute of that comm port to the desired speed. For this to be saved to the controllers EEPROM you will need to do this from the command line, see the syntax for this below. (replace baud19200 with your desired baudrate) comm2 defaultbaud = baud19200   Or   Write a PE program to detect the baud condition and change the baud to the desired rate

Issue Once working access cards now produce invalid read when presented to card reader. Environment Card reader Invalid read Cause Reader power supply was no longer supplying power to the reader. Battery backup had been depleted and was not supplying sufficient voltage to the reader.   Resolution Repair or replace card reader power supply.

Issue IOU modules connected to an NC2 and powered by Continuum PS are randomly dropping off-line and returning on-line. Environment NC2, AC-1, DO4 Cause IOU modules randomly dropping off-line and on-line Resolution In this case the maximum power output of the Continuum PS was exceeded once the card readers powered by the AC-1's were taken into consideration. The problem is exacerbated when cards are presented as the reader power spikes at this time. The 28 AC1-Plus's were grouped together in several panels. The voltage at the end of the line was measured to be under 21VDC. When a second PS was inserted to power the last 18 AC1Plus's, the voltages at the ends of both runs came up to above 22.5VDC and the offline issues stopped. Note: There are other conditions that could cause this behavior like grounding, comm bus that does not meet specs, poor terminations, induced voltages, etc)

Issue What is the replacement for TAC Xenta  511-B Need TAC Xenta 511 with modbus support Environment TAC Xenta 511 Cause The TAC Xenta 511-B is obsolete. Support for Modbus have been added to the TAC Xenta 511 Resolution TAC Xenta 511 now has support for Modbus.

Issue Can a digital clock be used to replace an analog clock on a SVT4201? Environment SVT SVT4201 SVT4251 Cause Can a digital clock be used to replace an analog clock on a SVT4201? Resolution A digital clock cannot replace an analog clock in a SVT4201, because the SVT4201 and SVT4251 have a slight difference in components used.