Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Where can I find Plain English Drivers and documentation for them. Environment Plain English Drivers Cause Schneider Electric Product Support Services does not supply Plain English Xdrivers, nor are they supported. Resolution Schneider Electric does not provide support for Plain English Drivers and no longer provides support for them There are, however, two xdriver manuals available on The Exchange Download Center. Carrier CCN Dataport Manual (32MP, 30GN, 30GB, 30HX, 30GT, 23XL, 19XR, 19EF) Mammoth DDC Manual

Issue HID iClass SmartCards can be ordered with 2K, 16K and 32K memory. Which memory amount is required when using BioScrypt iClass readers with the Continuum - BioScrypt integration software?   Environment CyberStation, BioScript IClass Smart Cards. Cause A project requires HID iClass SmartCards, BioScrypt iClass readers and the Continuum - BioScrypt integration software. HID 2K iClass SmartCards do not have enough on-board memory to store fingerprint templates.   Resolution If you are configuring the BioScrypt iClass readers for the standard 1:1 TEM fingerprint format, you need 16K memory HID iClass SmartCards. If you are configuring the BioScrypt iClass readers for high resolution 1:1 BUR fingerprint format, you need 32K memory HID iClass SmartCards.  

Issue When integrate with Pelco Endura system, after configure video serer in continuum correctly, there is only one camera can be found, the other cameras not come in. Environment Continuum 1.92~1.94 Endura 2.0 Cause The cameras in Endura not be assigned a sequence number. Resolution Ask Endura engineer to set a unique number to each camera Click "learn Camera" in Continuum video server editor After the above steps done, all the cameras will come in Continuum if the connection in Endura side is correct.

Issue When Continuum integrates with a Pelco Endura system, although the connection is correct, no camera comes in to Continuum. Environment Continuum 1.92~1.94 Endura 2.0   Cause The camera default name assigned by Endura is too long in length. HP software installed on the machine (such as HP protect tools) Resolution Ask the Endura engineer to modify the camera's name and assign a unique number for each one Uninstall the HP software from the machine Click "Learn Camera" in Continuum Video Server editor. If the problem still exists, rebuild the machine and do a fresh installation. Then try again

Issue Is it possible to use dynamic SNVTs in StruxureWare Building Operation? Environment StruxureWare Building Operation version 1.3. Cause A XIF file including Dynamic SNVTS is often created by a LNS plugin and depending on the settings in the LNS plugin the XIF file changes. Even when the Xif file changes the program ID in the XIF does not. And in SmartStruxure it is not possible to import two XIF files with the same program ID. Resolution Dynamic SNVT works but only for one device, if different devices have different settings in the LNS plugin only one can be imported.

Issue Can Modbus TCP and Modbus Async be used simultaneously in an ENC-520? Environment I/A Series G3 ENC-520 Modbus Integration Cause Modbus TCP integration and Modbus Async integration are both required from a single ENC-520 Resolution Yes, you can license an ENC-520 for both Modbus TCP and Modbus Async and run them in a single ENC. 

Issue When registering a Sigma CE device, the unlock code is not accepted. Environment Sigma CE Sigma PE Cause When registering a Sigma CE device, the unlock code is not accepted Resolution When the 16 digit unlock code is inputted, ensure the spaces between each set of 4 characters are also entered. e.g. B6E8 1234 0789 7AB4

Issue When looking on a TGML graphic from Webstation on a PC the graphics is cached on the PC. In which folder on the PC is the TGML graphics cached? Environment TAC Vista Webstation 5.1.8 and later Cause The TGML graphics is cached on the Webstation client PC for faster access. The client don't need to download the graphic from the master every time the graphic is opened.   Resolution The graphics is cached on this location: XP: C:\Documents and Settings\xxx\Local Settings\Temp\Webstation WIN7: C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\Temp\Webstation xxxx=user

Issue Sending a SNVT value from one local node to another local node in another Automation Server. Environment Automation Server Workstation Lon Interface Local Node Cause You can not bind directly between two lon devices under different AS. You cannot bind from one local node to another local node either.   Resolution Transfering SNVTs from one Automation Server to another Bind from SNVT_out on the lon controller to a SNVT_in in the local node on AS1. (Normal SNVT communication, send on change and period) Bind from local node SNVT_in on AS1 to a SmartStruxure value in AS1. Bind SmartStruxure value in AS1 to a SmartStruxure value in AS2. Bind from the SmartStruxure value in AS2 to a SNVT_out in the local node of AS2. Bind from SNVT_out in the local node of AS2 to the SNVT_in of a controller out on the FT-10 network. (Normal SNVT communication, send on change and period) NOTE:  When binding with a network variable you need to expand the SNVT and bind to the property contained within the SNVT. In version prior to 1.4 bindings could be made from one local node variable to another local node variable in another AS but this was an improper engineering method that is now illegal in SmartStruxure.

Issue Print menu is greyed out on the graphics menu when the a user is logged in   Environment Sigma Cause Print menu is grayed out on the graphics menu when the user is logged in Resolution In System Setup, go to User Groups, highlight the User Account required. In Basic Settings, enable "Logged On" This will enable the print functions to work for all users associated to this account.

Issue How to read, and set, a Personnel objects current area. Environment Continuum Cause Want to change the Area a Personnel is currently located in. Resolution You can read the current Area of a Personnel object and use this in a Workstation Program (not a Controller InfinityProgram). The Value attribute of the Personnel object is the Area that Personnel is currently in. In the sample below, Steele_Adam is the name of the Personnel object and AdamsOffice is the name of an Area object. The below will wait on the current line until Steele_Adam returns to his office. Line WAIT1 If Root\CardHolders\Steele_Adam = Root\Areas\AdamsOffice then Goto MONITORING To change the Area of a Personnel object based on their current Area, you need to set the value of the Personnel object to the Area you now want them to be in. The relevant line is the one below where the Area is set. Set Root\CardHolders\Steele_Adam value to Root\Areas\CommonArea

Issue When attempting to build connection to a Filemaster the error "invalid I/NET seven operator" is given Environment I/NET Filemaster Equalized client Cause When building a connection to a remote database, you must use the credentials for the remote PC not the local PC. In this example, when creating the connection to a Filemaster from a Equalized client, you must use the I/NET log in credentials for the Filemaster. Resolution Change the I/NET user name and password to one that has full permissions on the Filemaster PC.  You may need to attempt to log into the filemaster PC to verify the username and password.

Issue Is there a replacement cable for the Echelon 73200R PCC-10 (PCMCIA) FT-10 network interface card to MNL series controllers? Environment MNL controllers, Echelon 73200R PCC-10 (PCMCIA) FT-10 network interface card Cause Cable has failed - requires replacement. Resolution Part number: WPIA-CBL-2 This cable is available via iPortal.

Issue When a Bacnet alarm from BACnet controller (BCX and b3 controller) is acknowledged,  alarm recipient Continuum WS sends out Change-Of-Bitstring packet to the 3rd party BACnet Operator Workstation (BOWS) when the 3rd party BOWS is registered as one of the recipients in the EventNotification of the alarm. Environment Continuum WS. BCX. B4920. B3 controllers.. Cause This packet shows some proprietary behavior of Cyberstation we refer to as the "workstation to workstation ack", that happens in addition to the normal workstation to controller acknowledgement. Cyberstation uses the information in the Recipient List of the NotificationClass object of the original alarm to determine which other devices receive the original alarm, and therefore, should receive the proprietary alarm ack. Resolution As a workaround is as below: From the existing EventNotification, remove all the 3rd party devices from its recipient list. Create a new EventEnrollment & EventNofitication for the same alarming point, and add only the 3rd party devices to its recipient list.

Issue When a value from a object in one Vista server should be transferred to a object in a value on another Vista server, Is it possible to use object transfer? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.x Cause In general a minimum of communication between the Vista servers should be used as it is much slower then internal communication within the server itself. But it is possible to do. Resolution Yes it is possible to have a object transfer between objects in different Vista server nodes.

Issue Device Monitor stops working. Environment Device Monitor Sigma 4.07 Cause There is a defect in Sigma 4.07 which can cause the Device Monitor to stop working. Resolution This issue will only occur under specific circumstances, and it is very unlikely that it will be experienced. A defect "QT no 3693400117  Sigma 4.07 Device Monitor stops working" has been reported. This defect has been investigated and the following recorded. When, from the DOS command prompt, a valid IP address is continuously pinged, Device Monitor will suspend pinging at the next absent device. Device Monitor resumes scanning if the DOS ping is stopped. Device Monitor operates correctly when the DOS ping is to an absent IP address. There are two possible scenarios when this issue could be seen. When using the DOS "Ping" command. When using the Remote Alarm Manager interface for monitoring devices.    

Issue How to read the Setpoint potentiometer of a TSMN-90250-850 room sensor in an MNL-800. Environment MNL-800 TSMN-90250-850 room sensor Cause Need to scale the voltage inputs in the AI object in the MNL-800 application. Resolution Connect: SP+ to the 5.1VDC source on the MNL-800 SETPT to the INx input on the MNL-800 COMMON to C on the MNL-800. Might need to adjust the UI configuration in the MNL-800,  here's starting point: Add the SP to a UI on the MNL-800.  In the AI object  with Low Value = 0, Scaled Low value = 94.7 deg; High Value = 5 , Scaled High = 47.1 deg F.  

Issue Upgraded to 1.94 SU on new Workstation PC.  Alarm events are no longer displayed in Active Alarm Viewer.  Environment Continuum Cyberstation Continuum Network Cause Continuum Network and an InfinityController shared the same name. Resolution Changed the name of the Continuum Network to a unique object name.

Issue Valid access events not showing up in Event Viewer, List Views or Door AccessEvents tab. No issues with other events such as Invalid Attempts, Momentary Unlock etc Environment CyberStation CX9900 CX9702 CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause Department point associated with door has been deleted. As of CyberStation 1.94 the point must be removed from the department point field of all doors before it can be safely deleted.      2.   A department point has been configured at a door using a point that resides in a controller that is in a different Continuum network. Resolution 1. Assign a department point to the door, note that it does not have to be the original point that was deleted, any point will do. 2. Remove the department point from the door.

Issue One of many methods that can automatically backup SQL Express 2005 databases Product Line Andover Continuum Environment SQL Express Continuum Cyberstation Standalone Cause Some customers are looking for a way to automatically have a database backed up on a schedule. Since the free limited version of SQL express that comes built into Continuum for smaller site setups does not come with a front end, backups of the database must be performed via windows command line utility. There are commands available to run at the windows command line but this article will help with performing this operation automatically and on a schedule of your choice whether is be daily, weekly, monthly. This is accomplished by creating a  batch file and using the windows task scheduler. Help on using the task scheduler and also creation of batch files can be found on a simple Google search. In the resolution section below we give one example of how to set this up. Resolution Open up notepad and paste in the sample query below. Please note that you may need to change the query a bit to adjust to your sites needs. Here is the query. Please note the bold and underlined text. You will need to put your machine name and also your SA password in the bold and underlined sections. Also notice where the words backup database continuumdb is in the query. Your database might be named something else, but you can find that out by viewing the database tab of the Continuum database initializations workstation editor. Lastly notice that the location of the backup and the name. In this example there is a directory named DBbackup that you'll need to create for this example or create your own directory and change the path in the query. The name of the backup file is called MyBackup.bak. You will need to change this name to something that is meaningful to your site. The switches below are -S for the servername and in the case of type of command line query -S is your machine since it is the server locally. The switch -U is username and we are using the System Admin account for SQL that was created when the instance was created. The switch -P is password and in this example we are using the sa account so please put in the sa password that you created when first installing SQL express 2005. The switch -Q means command line query and notice that everything in double quotes will be the query. Also notice the single quotes for the path that the database backup will be created at.   sqlcmd -Sputyourmachinename\sqlexpress -Usa -PputyourSApassword  -Q "backup database continuumdb to disk='C:\DBbackup\MyBackup.bak' with init"   Once the query and been corrected and pasted into notepad, save the file as something meaningful like DBbackup.bat notice that the notepad file is not saved as text but as a *.bat file which is a batch file that can be double clicked on to execute. It is advised to test this batch file now to make sure it works. Go to your backup directory and check to make sure you have a backup file. Now the only thing left to do is create a windows scheduled task.  In order to accomplish this you will need to Select Start/All Programs/Accessories/system tools Click on Task Scheduler (this path may vary depending on which windows OS you are running). Under the Actions menu item select Create basic task. Follow the prompts giving your newly created task a name, date to run, time to run Select program and browse to the location you have saved your DBbackup.bat file to. Once created it will run on the time and dates you have selected. You can also select your task in the Task scheduler and right click to run now for a test. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please keep in mind that automatically backing up the database using this method will continue to replace the old backup and create a new backup. it is highly suggested to always verify the backups and maintain enough disk space to complete these tasks.