Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Can Windows User be logged off when running ModBMS? Environment Satchwell ModBMS Cause There is a requirement for Windows User accounts to be logged off when not in use due to IT security concerns.  Resolution A Windows User is required to be logged on when ModBMS is running. This is because the ModBMS application is not supported to run as a Windows Service. As such, ModBMS will stop running if the user logs out of Windows. 

Issue Motorizing a Keystone butterfly Valve (Keystone F1-CLJ2, 1000kpa, SQ 209719) Environment Keystone butterfly valve Keystone F1-CLJ2, 1000kpa, SQ 209719 Cause Fitting a Schneider Electric brand actuator onto a Keystone butterfly valve is requested Resolution Unfortunately we do not have any actuators or linkage kits that fits this application.

Issue WorkStation Portal Login Environment SBO Site Cause Will StruxureWare Building Operation include a feature in similar to TAC Vista's Portal Login. In other words, a way to make automated log in from another system (3rd party) and use this to create more and more cloud-like service currently used on TAC Vista Webstations Resolution Currently this is not a feature of the current release of StruxureWare Building Operation. 

Issue Obix stops polling data randomly Environment G3 Niagara Cause The niagara Obix driver jar has recently been updated to address this issue. Resolution Go to The Exchange Download Center and download the latest niagara Obix driver jar file 3.6.47.9

Issue Is the TAC228R controller still available? Environment TAC228R 2281084000 Cause Availability of old controller Resolution The TAC228R was withdrawn in 2011 and is no longer available for ordering for new projects. It will still be available as a spare part until 2021-12-31 when it will be terminated. A suitable alternative is the SE8300 series of room controllers. The TAC228R had the ability of a remote setpoint using a 0-10V signal, by using lua script and utilizing the input UI23, the same operation can be achieved.

Issue While email notifications for alarm conditions are being delivered promptly, Return to Normal notifications are not delivered until the notification is acknowledged at that the workstation. Environment AS ES Email Notification Cause Email Notification is not configured correctly. Resolution Select the Reset checkbox to have an email delivered when the alarm condition clears. The Normal box should read "Acknowledged Normal" since this delivers a notification that the Off Alarm notification has been acknowledged.

Issue Restoring an SQL Backup and an error is received, "User does not have permission to access the requested files" when restoring a database that was backed up in a previous version. DBCreate error:  "Cannot open backup device 'C:\Users\xxxxxx'. Operating system error 5(failed to retrieve text for this error. Reason: 15100). [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]RESTORE DATABASE is terminating abnormally."   Environment All versions of I/Net Seven using SQL and DBCreate Windows 64-bit Operating Systems Cause The backup is stored on the Desktop rather than a folder under C. Resolution Create a folder under C for the backup Move the requested backup to this location Open up DBCreate, log in and select the option to restore database Click start and then point to the folder under C to begin restoring the database.

Issue Purchasing Sigma Light. Environment Sigma Light S-400 SAP code Cause There are two options available. Resolution On SAP there are two options available. ZS_Ver_S-400, which should be used when ordering software for a new site. ZSO_Ver_S-400, which should be used when a customer wishes to upgrade from Sigma Light to Sigma full.

Issue What is included when the PIR option is ordered? Environment SE7300 series controllers Cause The SE7300 series controllers can be ordered both with and without the PIR option Resolution If the PIR sensor functionality is ordered as included from factory, code 55 (example: SE7600A5545E) should be used. If PIR functionality is not required, code 50 (example: SE7600A5045E) should be used. PIR functionality can be retrofit at any time. For details and part numbers, please see related documentation.

Issue Accuracy on TAC type sensors Environment Vista family sensors TAC 1.8kOhm temperature sensor Cause In some applications, a high accuracy is requested. Resolution All temperature sensors designed for work with the TAC Vista platform is using a 1.8kOhm sensor thermistor (1.8kOhm@25°C), specifically designed to TAC specifications. Since we are using the sensors for HVAC applications, and not industrial purposes, the accuracy is +/- 0.35°C between 15 and 30°C. It's then less accurate in temperatures below and higher than this span. I have used STR100 as an example in this case.  

Issue Can an i2920 and an i2857 be used together without a CX controller? Environment Infinet Stand Alone i2 Cause Want to install a control system without a Netcontroller. Resolution Infinet controllers that reside on the same infinet bus are able to share data when the parent Infinity controller is offline or removed from the bus. 

Issue Concurrent user IIS limit Webstation user limit Simultaneous request execution limit Concurrent connection limit of 10 Environment TAC Vista Windows Webstation IIS Cause Many questions about webstation are how many concurrent user that can connect to the webserver, while the webserver itself do not have any limits except the license used ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0-008-8270-1      "Vista 5.1 Web station 1 CAL - One concurrent user license for Web station 5" 0-008-8271-1      "Vista 5.1 Web station 3 CAL - Three concurrent user licenses for Web station 5" 0-008-8272-1      "Vista 5.1 Web station 6 CAL- Six concurrent user licenses for Web station 5" 0-008-8273-1      "Vista 5.1 Web station 12 CAL- Twelve concurrent user licenses for Web station 5" 0-008-8274-1      "Vista 5.1 Web station Unlimited- License for unlimited users for Web station 5" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The operating system and/or the IIS do have a limit, not on user connected but connection made to the application. While using Windows XP this error occurs when 10 connections are met "403.9's  (Access Forbidden: Too many users are connected Internet Information Services).  " This is not really handled by IIS but the TCPIP.SYS that is set to a limit of 10 connection. Windows 7 (SP2) introduced a new way to handle the connection, so when the 10 connections are met, the following connections are queued so you will not see any error messages but it can take a while for the page to load. There is a timeout parameter in IIS. Windows server edition's do not have any limits so always use a windows server for webserver. NOTE: Webstation takes 1 connection and each TGML open takes 1 connection so if you use 1 webstation and have 5 TGML open you are already using 6 connection. Resolution Below is a list for the limits on respective Operating system   Windows Server 2008 R2 (IIS v7.5)     Server:   Server OS = No Limits        Windows 7 (IIS v7.5) 2     Starter:   No IIS Home Basic:   No IIS Home Premium:   simultaneous request execution limit of 3, allows multiple sites Business:   simultaneous request execution limit of 10, allows multiple sites Enterprise:   simultaneous request execution limit of 10, allows multiple sites Ultimate:   simultaneous request execution limit of 10, allows multiple sites        Windows Server 2008 (IIS v7.0)     Server:   Server OS = No Limits        Windows Vista (IIS v7.0) 2     Starter:   No IIS Home Basic:   No IIS Home Premium:   simultaneous request execution limit of 3, allows multiple sites Business:   simultaneous request execution limit of 10, allows multiple sites Enterprise:   simultaneous request execution limit of 10, allows multiple sites Ultimate:   simultaneous request execution limit of 10, allows multiple sites        Windows 2003 (IIS v6.0)     Server:   Server OS = No Limits WHS:   Server OS = No Limits 1        Windows XP (IIS v5.1)     Home:   No IIS Professional:   concurrent connection limit of 10, allows only one site        Windows 2000 (IIS v5.0)     Professional:   concurrent connection limit of 10, allows only one site Server:   Server OS = No Limits        Windows NT 4 w/ SP3 (IIS v4.0)     Workstation:   No IIS, PWS installs as part of the NT Option Pack Server:   Server OS = No Limits, IIS installs as part of the NT Option Pack

Issue Failed to initialize view, access denied or type mismatch when logging in to workstation with some users. Environment TAC Vista Cause When you log in to TAC Vista workstation a default alarmview is always opened (if you are using user profiles you can specify other alarm views. All users that are using the default alarm view have to have at least read rights to $AlarmColumns, $AlarmView and $DisabledView Resolution Log in with a system user Right click on the $AlarmColumns and select authority. If everyone is not in the access control list with at least read rights drag everyone from the Group/users list. Repeat for $AlarmView and $DisabledAlarms

Issue Wrong XIF is used for device when updating from system plug-in. SNVTs are there but not the SCPS XIF has a name like TACCab6.xif instead of the real name if you look in the XIF tab in the device properties Environment TAC Vista System plug-in Cause This happens when the system plug-in can't find the XIF file in the directory it was when the device was created. Then the system plug in creates a XIF from the information it can get from LNS. If the device was created using a template then the path is C:\lonworks\import, you can see the path by clicking on the device in the LNS network pane in the system plug-in This is typical if you have moved the LonMaker database to a different PC that does not have  plug ins installed. Resolution There are two different steps you can take to try to correct this issue. Delete the device in TAC Vista, install the plug in (or copy the XIF to the correct location) and update from the system plug-in again. Manually browse in the correct XIF file into TAC Vista workstation under the XIF tab in properties of the controller. Sometimes this must be done twice in order to bring in all configuration points and SNVTs. Once the XIF is in the right place any new device added will get the right XIF

Issue What is the maximum value that the BITAND function able to process. Environment Continuum BCX NCII CX Plain English Function Cause BITAND function is not working as expected. Resolution The largest value that the BITAND function is able to process is 65535 or 1111111111111110.

Issue Can a Continuum LAN Security Key be upgraded to a WEBC key? Environment Continuum Security Key Cause A customer wants to add WebClient capability to their existing LAN setup and is replacing one of the LAN Cyberstations with the WebClient Server but wants to use the existing Security Key.   Resolution A Continuum Security Key cannot be upgraded from LAN to WEBC, you'll need to purchase a new WEBC key to enable WebClient on a LAN system.

Issue Which damper actuators are available with 3-point control? Environment 8751001000 Actuator Damper MD5B-230 8751003000 Actuator Damper MD5B-230-S 8751005000 Actuator Damper MD5B-24 8751007000 Actuator Damper MD5B-24-S 8751011000 Actuator Damper MD10B- 230 8751015000 Actuator Damper MD10B-24 8751021000 Actuator Damper MD20B- 230 8751025000 Actuator Damper MD20B-24 8751035000 Actuator Damper MD40B-24           Cause Both modulating control (0-10V) and On/Off 3-point control damper actuators are available. Resolution All MDX(X)B damper actuators are On/Off or 3-point control.

Issue Modbus TCP/IP Server is not an option when programming a Modbus Gateway in an Xenta Server. Environment Xenta 913 Xenta 7xx XBuilder Cause There are only 3 Modbus Interface configurations for Modbus in an Xenta Server. Modbus RTU Client ("Master"), Modbus serial line master on a network Server ("Slave"), Modbus serial line slave on a network Modbus TCP Client ("Master"), Modbus TCP client to a server or router on a network Modbus TCP Server is not possible. Resolution Modbus TCP/IP can only be configured to be a Client (Master) in an Xenta Server. A solution if TCP Server is absolutely necessary would be to use an IP to 485 converter, such as an EGX100, and use the RTU interface.

Issue What is the difference between the UNC-510-2 and the UNC-510-21? Environment UNC-510-2 or UNC-510-21 Cause Product part number difference specifies additional option. Resolution The UNC-510-21 is a UNC-510-2 that includes WebUI support.

Issue Calibration requirement? Environment STD300: 006920121 STD300-300 -50/50 006920141 STD300-300 0/100 Cause Some sensors on the market requires calibration when connected to the controller, in order to function properly. Resolution No calibration is required when connecting the STD300 to a Xenta controller. The sensor is using a 4-20mA output signal, so the controller needs to be configured for this type of signal in order to work with this sensor.