Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Is there a Niagara G3 driver for communicating to Trane controllers? Environment Niagara G3 Cause Job Specification requirement Resolution Schneider-Electric does not have a proprietary driver for Trane control systems.  Historically, Trane has used open protocols like LON and BACnet both of which are available with Niagara.

Issue Is it possible to monitor TAC Vista 5.1.x active alarms in some third party system? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.x Cause The alarms in Vista is saved in a text file in the Vista database. But reading this file is not a good way for a third party system to get the active alarms. A better way is to use OPC. Resolution Install the Vista OPC server and use a OPC client to get the alarms from Vista in to a third party system.

Issue Device monitoring, alarm priorities and functionality. Environment Sigma versions 4.04 and later. Cause Can the Sigma Device Monitor alarm have its priority or functionality changed? Resolution On Systems using Sigma 4.04 or earlier an alarm produced by the Device Monitor is fixed to priority level 29 and cannot be changed. On Systems using Sigma 4.05 or later a file named deviceMonitor.xml holds timing, retry and other information including the Alarm Priority level as highlighted below: PollFrequency="1001" NumberRetrys="3" AlarmPriority="29" MaxDelayResponse="5000" LogLongDelays="0"> Note: do not change these settings without contacting PSS and fully understanding the implications. The Sigma server will need to be restarted for any changes to take affect. As the alarm is not controller based, it does not have the same functionality as a plant alarm, and therefore cannot be routed or have "actions" applied it. There is no object associated to each controller and therefore it cannot be placed on graphics or referenced in a control scheme. If the customer requires greater functionality, then the old method of controllers being monitored by other controllers, should be used.

Issue Trying to change the Priority level that the Schedule uses from the default 16 to a higher priority. Environment Continuum BACnet Schedule object Cause The Schedule object has not been discovered on the BACnet side. The BACnet attributes can't be viewed or modified. Resolution Find the Schedule on the BACnet side. Right-click Root and select Find New BACnet Devices. Right-click the Device in the BACnet Devices folder and select Send To > Database. Open the Schedule and change Priority from the default 16 to the required priority level.

Issue Upgrading the Automation Server firmware from version 1.0 to 1.2 or 1.3 fails Upgrading the Automation Server firmware from version 1.1 to 1.3 fails AS is going into failsafe when attempting to upgrade it to version 1.2 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.2 and 1.3 AS-L AS-B Cause It is not possible to upgrade an AS more than one version at a time. Resolution Upgrading from 1.0 to 1.3 should be done as follows:: Install Device Administrator version 1.1 (if not already done) and upgrade the AS to firmware version 1.1 After the upgrade has finished and the AS is ready, upgrade to version 1.2 from Device Administrator version 1.2 When the AS is ready again, upgrade to version 1.3 from Device Administrator version 1.3  

Issue Is it possible to order a LON or MBUS base module separately after the main order of the heat meter is done, to complete the setup? Environment Multical heat meter heatmeter MAMBUSBASE  Replacement Mbus Base Module MALON BASE  Replacement LON Base Module Cause If the base module was not ordered during original purchase, it may be necessary to order separately. Resolution The base modules can be ordered separately afterwards to complete the setup: MAMBUSBASE - Replacement Mbus Base Module MALON BASE - Replacement LON Base Module

Issue Sigma CE files are not created. Environment Sigma CE 4.06 Sigma 4.06  Cause Sigma CE files are not created when BuildCE.exe is executed.. Resolution A Sigma service pack is required. Sigma 4.06 SP1 is attached. There is a readme.txt file for installation instructions included in the download.

Issue How to create i2xxx and b3xxx controllers from a CSV dump file. Environment Continuum i2xxx Controllers b3xxx Controllers Cause In this scenario they wanted to create the beginning of a site database from CSV dump files before deploying on site.  Resolution It seems that when creating an i2 or b3 object, the path is also required when defining the comm port. Make sure to add the path to the Port field and this should allow the controller object to be created. See the original CSV I exported below, how it was modified, and then imported back in successfully. Original Export to CSV InfinityInfinetCtlr Name,InfinetId,Port,DeviceId,SerialNum,Alias,CntrlType i2_850,32,Comm1,Network1\ACX11_10th,11111,i2_850,i2920 Modified Import CSV InfinityInfinetCtlr Name,InfinetId,Port,DeviceId,SerialNum,Alias,CntrlType i2_920,32,Network1\ACX11_10th\Comm1,Network1\ACX11_10th,11111,i2_920,i2920 Now, this import does complain about the CntrlType in the distribution Properties window but does create the controller and sets the type correctly. If you don't want any errors you can remove the CntrType attribute and the controller object will still be created but will default to a 240 controller. See below. Import CSV without CntrlType InfinityInfinetCtlr Name,InfinetId,Port,DeviceId,SerialNum,Alias i2_920,32,Network1\ACX11_10th\Comm1,Network1\ACX11_10th,11111,i2_920   This can then be changed to whatever controller you require through the controller Device object dialog.  

Issue When importing shortcuts the following warning/error occur WARNING: The property, Target, xxxxxxxx, which has been ignored. Binding Limitations across multi-server configurations Environment SmartStruxure 1.2 / 1.3 Cause Building Operation does not import bindings in a multi-server scenario. If bindings are included in an exported solution, Building Operation displays a warning that the references were not created during an import. Therefore, you must manually recreate referenced bindings: From the Enterprise Server to a value on an Automation Server From an Automation Server to a value on the Enterprise Server From an Automation Server to a value on another Automation Server As a shortcut is basically a binding between two objects, then this holds true in this instance. Resolution Although bindings can be created (hence shortcuts created) across multi-server environments once you export these objects and then attempt to import these at later time or import across a different server, these bindings will be removed. The import process will provide a message "WARNING: The property, Target, , which has been ignored"; these objects are listed in the warning box.  A "Copy to clipboard" option is available so that these can be copied to Notepad (or similar) and then manually re-entered. Refer to the following help topic (you will need to login to the Online help to view this information). http://help.sbo.schneider-electric.com/topics/show.castle?id=5528&locale=en-US&productversion=1.3&a=1  

Issue Xenta 301XT/N/P is not available Environment Vista Xenta Cause Xenta 301XT/N/P is a Xenta unit made for the US market where some facilities needed some extra range of temperature. The XT stands for Extended Temperature. Resolution This unit is obsolete now and can no longer be ordered.

Issue Notes from the field  on a Niagara R2 Modbus  RTU integration with an Eaton Series 2000 Xpert Power Meter. Environment I/A Series UNC licensed for the modbus asynch feature Eaton Series 2000 Xpert Power Meter Cause The 3rd party document is vague about  Modbus register-map differences between the IP and RTU protocols. Resolution 1. In order to obtain the Modbus RTU RS-485 map, you must look under the Eaton IQ-250/260 meter. The RS-485 map is NOT located anywhere under the Series 2000 meter. 2. There is also a utility in the "help" button when connecting to the embedded setup & monitoring software on the Eaton Power Meter. The Modbus map can be uploaded as an Excel spreadsheet, however, it is important to note that this map is the TCP/IP Modbus register map, not the RS-485 map. This can be accessed via a standard internet browser utilizing an Ethernet cable connection to the meter. The default IP address is 192.168.1.1. 3. The standard 5 digit Modbus register can be calculated form Eaton's Decimal register number by adding 40000 to the register number listed on their map For example, (register # 1000) (40000 + 1000 = 41000) for the Volts Phase A - Neutral value.  

Issue The FlexAnalog object in the I/A Series R2 programLib jar does not pass the NaN (not a number) to the link when the value at the FlexAnalog input is changed from a valid value to NaN. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series R2 Cause The object was based off the standard Analog Input object where the object holds the last valid value when NaN is applied to the input. Resolution There is a jar available that has an updated FlexAnalog object that will pass the NaN to the link when the value at the FlexAnalog input is changed from a valid value to NaN (not a number).  Contact Product Support Services to obtain this jar.

Issue AS communicate to ES using Telephone line? Environment SmartStruxure site  Cause Allowing remote access where broadband/ethernet is not available. Plus redundant access when the LAN goes down. Resolution ES and AS communication with the current release requires Ethernet communication. The use of a modem or telephone lines for communication between AS and ES has not been developed. This however is on the roadmap and will be included in a future release. The AS does have USB ports facing down for future connection to external devices such as telephone modems, printers, memory expansion, and expansion modules.  

Issue Is there a limitation in number of lines in the TGML editor when running in source mode? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 5.1.8 TGML editor 5.1.8 Cause When a graphic is opened in the editor and Source mode is chosen it is possible to see the source code for the graphic and the number of lines in the source code. Resolution There is no known limitation on number of lines for a TGML graphic.

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation Demo Database Package Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation site Cause EcoStruxure Building Operation Demo Database Package and going between releases. Resolution All current and previous sales packages/demo databases can be found on the Exchange for download. Note: The Demo Database package is a sales and marketing tool for your use "as is." It is not supported through Product Support Services (PSS). If you have product specific technical issues such as installing the software applications (e.g. License Administrator, Enterprise Server) PSS may be able to help. However, PSS does not support the Demo Database contents or features. The Demo Database can be re-installed to return to its original state.

Issue Some sites may want to have continuous recording at 1 fps (frame per second), motion at 10 fps and alarm conditions (live) at 30 fpx Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause An attempt is made to find a place in Continuum where the frame rate can be edited, but the location of the feature cannot be found. Resolution There is no place in Continuum to adjust the frame rate per second for different features for Digital Sentry or Endura. The only adjustment that can be made in Continuum is that on record video playback, the fast forward button can clicked several times in order to move faster. To go back to normal speed click the play button again. All other frame rate adjustments have to be made in DS admin for Digital Sentry or in Endura.

Issue S-Flex VFD with BACnet card will not come online with bCX Environment S-Flex, bCX, MSTP Cause BACnet communication card that comes with S-Flex VFD is not set up by default to communicate via BACnet  Resolution S-Flex VFD has Altivar 21 BACnet Card VW3A21315. The default communication protocol setting for this card is Modbus RTU/Lonworks. Change setting of the communication protocol parameter F829 to a value of 4 (BACnet). Note: Must power cycle the drive for any settings to take effect. Set F800 (comm speed) to value of 1 - this is the default ,19200 and make sure the MSTP is set the same. Set F891 to a value of 2 (bit rate of 19200 bit/s)  Also set F893, F894, F895, F896 - other BACnet settings. See Altivar 21 BACnet Card manual for more information.

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation different types of licenses and all features Version 1.9 and older: Difference between Workstation standard and Workstation professional Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment All versions Cause Due to different features of each license, customer may get confused which license to order. Resolution See the version of the latest EcoStruxure Building Operation Part Number Summary document on the Exchange for all license part numbers.   Versions 2.0 and Newer Note: The licensing part numbers and structure has vastly changed starting in version 2.0 and newer.  See the search query below on the Exchange for more detail regarding the Scalable Pricing Policy that started in version 2.0. EcoStruxure Building Operation Scalable Pricing Information   Versions 1.9 and Older Note: There is no part number for WebStation; it is a default feature of the Automation Server and Enterprise Server (with no need for additional licensing)  

Issue Xenta programmable communication buffer size affected by the application size Environment TAC Xenta 301, TAC Xenta 302, TAC Xenta 281,TAC Xenta 282,TAC Xenta 283,TAC Xenta 401 Cause The communication is handled by the neuron chip and the application is handled by the host processor so there are no effects at all on the communication. Resolution No, there is no effect on the communication buffers

Issue As of November, 2012, Microsoft® Windows 7 is no longer available, preinstalled on new computers. Is there a valid, legal and legitimate workaround for running our software products that will not run on Microsoft® Windows 8? Environment New computer that was purchased pre-loaded with Microsoft® Windows 8 Professional. Cause Microsoft® Windows 7 is no longer available on new computers. Resolution Downgrade the Microsoft® Windows 8 Professional installation to Microsoft® Windows 7. According to the Microsoft® Windows 8 Professional / Ultimate EULA (End User License Agreement) that the computer user must read when starting up a new computer, the following Operating System downgrade rights are available: Downgrade rights for Microsoft® Windows 8 are an end-user right, documented in the Software License Terms that customers accept upon first running Windows software. Microsoft® Windows 8 end user downgrade rights will be available through the sales lifecycle of Windows 8 which is up to two years after the launch date of a new version. More information is available from the Microsoft Windows web site.