Building Automation Knowledge Base

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.

Issue In a Niagara R2 UNC, the standard output window displays this error message every few minutes: Node.set Cast exception: nvi_7238 DsEnum <- DsFloatStatus [/DeltaHotel/lonTrunk/localLonDevice] java.lang.ClassCastException    at tridium.foundation.dataspecies.DsEnum.copyFrom (bytecode 2)    at tridium.foundation.node.Node.commitPropertyChange (bytecode 42)    at tridium.foundation.node.Node.doPropertyChange (bytecode 31)    at tridium.foundation.prism.Prism.commitEvent (bytecode 77)    at tridium.foundation.prism.Prism.dispatch (bytecode 50)    at tridium.foundation.node.Node.dispatch (bytecode 15)    at tridium.foundation.node.Node.set (bytecode 36)    at tridiumx.lonworks.devices.LocalLonAppDevice.setNvValue (bytecode 39)    at tridiumx.lonworks.services.NvManagerService.setLocalNvValue (bytecode 7)    at tridiumx.lonworks.LonNvDevice.writeProperty (bytecode 62)    at tridiumx.lonworks.LonNvDevice.asyncPropertyChange (bytecode 24)    at tridiumx.lonworks.devices.ForeignLonAppDevice.asyncPropertyChange (bytecode 132)    at tridiumx.lonworks.services.LonAsyncEventService.processAsyncEvent (bytecode 16)    at tridium.services.helpers.AsyncEventHelper.run (bytecode 49)    at java.lang.Thread.run (line 5) Environment Niagara R2 LON Cause The error indicates that the link between the DSEnum and DsFloatStatus are not compatible – even though a link was allowed between them.  The link may work but not all the time.   That may be why it is not a frequent error. Resolution Locate a conversion object that can be placed in between them (an object that converts float to enum or vice-versa depending on the link’s direction).

Issue In Niagara R2, master-slave schedules are not working. The slave schedule goes into fault and will not clear.  The following error appears in the standard output window of the UNC:   ERROR: Could not init node [/OZS_UNC1/IbsAsdNetwork/AHU_9/MZ2_93/Schedule_8] Environment Niagara R2 Cause This error, and subsequent fault condition on the schedule object, can occur when the Enterprise Server has a holiday calendar and a master schedule and the UNC only has a slave schedule. When the UNC is rebooted (for other reasons), the slave schedule object checks the master schedule object in the server to see if it's a holiday.  If there is a communication issue, the slave schedule object goes into fault. Resolution Delete and re-create the slave schedule object. Add a master/slave schedule AND master/slave calendar objects in the server and UNC stations.

Issue Received Elevator Control Software but no activation code for Continuum Security Key. Unable to use the software without the key. Environment Elevator Control Add-on Software Cause Instructions on how to obtain the activation key have been missed or did not arrive with order. Resolution The packing slip that comes with delivery of the Elevator Control Software CD has instructions on how to obtain the activation code. At the bottom of the packing slip you will see something similar to below. ***************************************************************************** ** Please email Continuum Key S/N to                                       ** ** COE@buildings.schneider-electric.com requesting                         ** ** Software Activation Code for CUSTOMER PO# xxxxxxxx                      ** ***************************************************************************** You will need to send an email to the Center of Excellence Support team with the serial number of the Continuum Security Key you want to activate and the Purchase Order number that the software was purchase on. You will then be sent a serialized code that is used with the "KeyCode_KeyWriter.exe" to activate the key. Detailed steps are described in the Elevator Control Installation and Operation Guide that comes on the CD.

Issue R2 Cloudscape and Microsoft Excel 2010 user name and password are requested each time. Environment Niagara R2 Cause Basic Authentication: By default, file operations that use Basic authentication over a non-SSL HTTP connection are disabled in Office 2010 applications.  Resolution Install Microsoft update: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2123563

Issue COV values are stale Environment Niagara G3 Cause Recent changes have been made to the BACnet jar file to address this issue Resolution Go to The Exchange Download Center and download the latest niagara BACnet jar file 3.6.47.9

Issue Can a MN-Sx differential setpoint be defined using the WPT Hardware wizard? Environment MNL or MNB controller with any MN-Sx sensor Cause Project specification requires that all temperature setpoints for a site be fixed and the facility users be allowed to adjust the setpoint  with a relative positive or negative offset. Resolution In the Workplace Tech Tool use the hardware wizard to configure the setpoint with an initial value of 0.0, one decimal place and no limits. Configuring the setpoint in this manner allows the setpoint to be changed over the range of -99.0 to +999 without limit. If limits are required by specification, such as a +/- 3 degree limit, the setpoint value from the sensor would need to be passed through a Limit control object to prevent extreme setpoint offset adjustment.

Issue Online Help states that a String can be 255 characters in size but an error is seen when trying to set the size to this number. Changing the String Size of a String object results in an error "Cannot set the StringSize. Attribute value is invalid". Environment Continuum Controllers Cause The size of String objects depends on the controller that the object is being created in. bCX1 and Netcontrollers support String objects with a size of 132 characters, i2 and b3 controllers only support String objects with a maximum size of 32 characters. Resolution The documented value of 255 as the maximum String Size, as stated in the online Continuum Help, is not correct. Network controllers can support String objects with a maximum size of 132 characters whereas subnet controllers can support a maximum of 32 characters.

Issue Unable to find an object in the Database error when Alarm Page is selected in the object editor. Environment Alarm Functions Alarms Cause Alarm Function keys still present in the registry after Alarm Functions have been removed from Continuum. Resolution In order for Alarm Functions to work, special registry keys are created under the Andover Controls HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Andover Controls\Continuum\Settings folder. To resolve this issue on systems where alarm functions are no longer used... Make a backup of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Andover Controls\Continuum\Settings Delete the unused registry keys per Continuum online help article User-Defined Alarm Functions.