Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Is it possible to make the EM9 90° to a 180°? Environment EM9 8601100000 8601110000 Cause Due to large quantities of 90° version in stock but no demand, changing to 180° type would cover the requests of that model. Resolution No such method is known to us. Also, we strongly recommend not doing this since it will void warranties and the products will be delivered with the wrong part number.

Issue Access which allows a value to be changed, also allows other changes to be made. Environment Users User accounts Cause A user account is created to have read only access, but this user must also have access to view Graphics, and on these graphics, be able to change values. How can this be achieved without allowing the user access to delete or edit these objects?   Resolution At StruxureWare Building Operation release 1.3 there are no available options that will achieve this configuration, the most appropriate configuration is to create a Workspace for the user, in which they will see only the Graphics, the user would have Read/Write access to the values they are allowed to change.

Issue EG2RL is obsolete and needs to be replaced. Environment EG2RL 5552220000 Cause Replacement of old EG2RL sensor Resolution The EG2RL was used in pairs as Average temp sensors. Each unit contains 2 SPA (1.8kOhm) sensor elements in serial, that are then connected to the other unit in parallel. No direct replacement is available.  

Issue After installing Tree Tech 3.2 on a Windows 7, 32-bit computer and creating a new project, I am not able to Add an object or segment to it; in  the File, Add menu, Object and Segment are grayed-out. Environment Tree Tech 3.2 Windows 7, 32-bit computer Cause Not yet determined Resolution 1. Close Tree Tech 3.2 and any other running programs. 2. Shut down & restart the computer. 3. From the desktop icon, double-click on "Run Tree" to start Tree Tech. 4. Open the project created earlier. From the File, Add menu, the Object and Segment should no longer be grayed-out.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue Error 'Operation was not performed' when trying to run a Graphic object. Environment CyberStation Cause Corrupted Continuum installation Resolution Uninstall Continuum Delete Continuum folder  (make sure to save any needed files such as pin, menu etc) Delete Continuum entries in the registry (Make sure to backup registry as a precaution) HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Andover Controls\Continuum HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Andover Controls\Continuum Re-install Continuum

Issue LON devices have the ability to run stand alone schedules.  This capability requires continuous time updates.  Environment Niagara G3 Cause The LON Time object provides the ability to transmit the station's "System Time" to any LON device using an NVI SnvtTimeStamp type. Resolution The LON Time object provides the ability to transmit the station's "System Time" to any LON device using an NVI SnvtTimeStamp type. Install KitLon under Software Manager Open KitLon under Palette Drag or copy and paste the LonTime Object in the LonNetwork Link the LonTime Object time stamp to NVI Set Time

Issue "Special event" time period for occupancy runs through a public holiday. There was a calendar day OFF set for that holiday. The system will run even though the holiday schedule is off due to the special event. What is the priority between a scheduled special event and a calendar day off and also a time-schedule and a calendar day off? Environment I/A Series R2 schedule and calendar objects Cause The behaviour described is as designed, a special event by it's nature is intended to replace the daily schedule and any holiday action whilst active. Resolution The Niagara Standard Programming reference details how the outputs respond to configured schedule event-times and override inputs. From highest to lowest, the priorities of evaluation can be summarized as follows: overrideIn input (if linked) Special Events, as configured replaces holiday and weekly events holidayOverride input (if linked) replaces weekly events weekly schedule normal time-of-day (weekly) events When programming special events the scheduled and holiday actions applicable for that day must be included in the special event.

Issue Have a device that requires a 4-20 mA current signal to drive it but only have a 0-10Vdc output available. Can this be accomplished with a resistor bridge on the 0-10Vdc output?  Environment xpBA4 Cause The xPBA4 does not support driving a current output by default. Resolution It does not look like those outputs will be able to support a 20mA signal. The datasheet does not specify this but looking at another controller with a similar output, the i2867, we can see that the output rating for the 0-10Vdc output is 5mA maximum, 2Kohm minimum impedance. This would not be enough to drive a 4-20mA device. It may be possible to get a third party voltage to current convertor but then again it may just be easier to use one of the xPAO4's that already supports a 4-20mA output. I suggest using an xPAO4. The xPAO4 module can output current as well as voltage. The module has three pins on each output terminal; current (I), voltage (V), and ground (GND). It can output both 0-10VDC as well as 4-20mA. Connect your device that needs 4-20mA to the I and GND terminal and create your output with an ElecType set to Current. See datasheet Andover Continuum xP Expansion I/O Family for details on each available module.

Issue Some web browsers can not show special extended ASCII letters like åäö  Environment Vista Webstation Cause When logging in to webstation from a PC and the TGML can not show special characters this is because a temp file has not been downloaded correctly. Resolution In the TGML window there should be a refresh button, click it and the temp file should be downloaded permanently, this should make special characters work again.

Issue What are the maximum view settings for the standard output window in Workplace Pro? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Trying to a capture a long error message Resolution In Admin Tool > Options > Output Window Size, change the numbers listed to the following: 2000 rows 50 visible rows 200 columns

Issue In Chinese OS, values under Xenta server on graphics in Webstation show offline. But in Workstation, it is fine. Environment Xenta 5/7/9 Vista Graphics Webstation Cause In Chinese OS, the characters contain space will show odd symbols. If the path of the value contains space, it will be fine in Workstation, but offline in Webstation. Resolution The solution of this issue is to avoid space in the path of the value. Use underline instead of space to separate characters. For these path that can’t avoid space(for example, the Public signal and Time schedule under Xenta server), create dummy variables to connect to them, and use these variables in graphics.

Issue If creating a shortcut from an object the name of the shortcut does mirror the object. I can change the object name but the shortcuts does not reflect the change and the old name remains. Environment StruxureWare version 1.3 Cause The shortcut object doesn't need to have the same name as the original object. When the shortcut is created it gets the same name default but then you can change the names on booth the shortcut or the original object to anything you like. But the shortcut will still show the value from the original object. This is the same way as it working in Vista also Resolution That is the way it is designed to work.

Issue The PowerUptime value is later than the current time. This issue may cause some program cannot run if the PowerUptime value is checked in that program. Environment TAC Continuum BCX-1 BACnet Controllers, for example B3851 B3867 B3887 and so on. Infinity Controllers, for example I2851 I2867 I2887 and so on. Cause Maybe there are two reasons. The first reason may be that the computer installed Continuum Workstation don’t synchronize time with the Domain server. The second reason may be that the controller has been learned in another Continuum Workstation, and that Workstation time is error. Resolution Firstly, interrupt the controller’s power. After approximately half a minute, reconnect the controller’s power.

Issue Modbus XDriver value may have to be converted to obtain correct value. Example: Temperature point read from slave device as 7985.00 must be divided by 100 to obtain its correct value of 79.85 Environment CyberStation All CX master controllers Modbus XDriver Cause For various reasons slave devices may store values in a different format such as storing the floating point value 79.85 as an integer 7985, in such cases the read value has to be converted on the Continuum side. Typically these conversions involve dividing or multiplying the read value by a multiple of 10 Resolution Consult the documentation of the slave Modbus device, typically the listing specifies the required conversion EXAMPLE: Here is an example from the C-TRAC3 HVAC controller Modbus documentation. Ambient Temperature Sensor - Description: Outdoor ambient sensor generally located in the outside air inlet. - Read only - Modbus® register: 30709 - Return value: The floating point variable inside the C-TRAC3 has been multiplied by 10 then converted into a Signed Integer which is sent out on the Modbus® port. To reconstruct a single precision number, divide the returned integer value by 10. - Sensor range: -46 to 160 °F In the example above the read value must be converted by dividing it by 10, this can be done directly upon referencing the value or a second numeric point can be created to hold the converted value, a PE program reads the raw value, makes the conversion and stores the results in the secondary numeric point. 

Issue Continuum Reports Suite runs under Administrator level user, but will not run under a user group to which the Administrator privileges have been copied. Environment Continuum Reports Suite Cause User group properties were incorrectly copied from the administrator user group to the user group used in this case. Resolution Enable all permissions for the user group attached to the user name that cannot run the reports.  Once reports have run successfully start locking down the necessary privileges in groups testing Continuum Reports between each phase.

Issue Forward and Log should not be selected under Recipient Configuration when Enhanced Alarm Logging and Enhanced Alarm Delivery is in effect. Environment Event Notification Duplicate alarms Cause When Enhanced Alarm Logging and Enhanced Alarm Delivery is in effect, the Forward and Log checkboxes should not be selected under Recipient Configuration . Resolution When Enhanced Alarm Logging and Enhanced Alarm Delivery is in place, the Log and Forward checkboxes under the event notifications Recipient Configuration should be unchecked.

Issue Unable to update VAS client configuration after initial setup using the Configuration Wizard.  The Configuration Wizard and Client Email Configuration selections remain unselected or grayed out. Environment I/A Series R2 Enterprise Server Vykon Alarm Service Client 2.4x Vykon Alarm Service Client  3.xx Cause For security reasons the Configuration Wizard and Client Email Configuration selections are only enabled (not grayed out) if the user is associated with the computer's Administrators group. Resolution Review the user accounts for the computer and make sure that the user name being used to login and operate the VAS client is associated with the computer's Administrators group. You may find that a local user needs to be added and used if the computer is part of a domain and IT does not allow that user to be a member of the Administrators group.

Issue I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server (ENS-1) oBix licensing Environment I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server oBix driver Cause Clarification on oBix licensing for the Enterprise Network Server and the use of the part numbers ENS-OBIX and ENS-OBIX-500.  Resolution When you purchase the Enterprise Network Server (ENS-1), the license includes the oBixDriver as standard*. This oBixDriver provides oBix client / server functions for connecting to Niagara based controllers or stations. Typically, these would be I/A Series R2 UNCs or Enterprise Servers.  The ENS-OBIX is used when you need to add Obix point support connecting devices that are NOT powered by Niagara. The ENS-OBIX includes support for 500 oBix points. Additional points are purchased in blocks of 500 using the part number ENS-OBIX-500.  * Standard features in ENS-1 are email, niagaraDriver (peer to peer communications), obixDriver (oBix client / server), provisioning, web, and workbench.

Issue Intermittent master / slave calendar and schedule operation between I/A Series R2 Enterprise Server and UNC.  Schedules do not appear follow or recalculate during holiday override conditions. Environment I/A Series R2, Enterprise Server, UNC Cause Master/slave schedule objects were used however the calendar object only links to the local schedule. Resolution Proper implementation of Enterprise Server to UNC master/slave calendar and schedule objects. Schedule: Master schedule objects reside in the Enterprise Server and slave schedule objects reside in UNC controller. Link the masterOut from a Enterprise Server Schedule object to the masterIn input of one or more UNC Schedule objects.  In case of a communications failure between devices, each UNC retains schedule configurations, as this data is persistently stored in all Schedule objects. Calendar: Master calendar objects reside in the Enterprise Server and slave calendar objects reside in UNC controller. Link the masterOut from a Enterprise Server calendar object to the masterIn input of one or more UNC calendar objects.  In case of a communications failure between devices, each UNC retains calendar configurations, as this data is persistently stored in all calendar objects. Linking: Linking of calendar to schedule ... link the local calendar's output to the local schedule's holiday override input (e.g. master calendar to master schedule or slave calendar to slave schedule).  The holiday override should not externally link across the network. In addition, a holiday schedule must not be left blank (no events), “assuming” inactive.  Otherwise, an output that is active upon transition to the holiday day will remain active.

Issue Fault Finding on an IC-SNP / IC3-SNP and associated IAC controllers. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma Environment IC-SNP IC3-SNP IAC Communications Cause How should testing be carried out where communications between an IC-SNP / IC3-SNP and IAC controllers is not possible. Resolution Overview  The purpose of this article is to advise of the methods and techniques available when fault finding on an IC-SNP SubLAN.  Using the Alarm Manager on the Sigma default/backup Server. The Alarm Manager is a valuable source of information when investigating a problem SubLAN. All system messages generated by the controller will be displayed here. Check system messages (priorities 22 – 30) from the appropriate controller. Unable to open gateway.txt file. This generally indicates that an error has been made in an entry in the gateway.txt file. When initially setting up the gateway.txt file add just one or two entries, as this cuts down the chances of making a mistake. Make sure the basic gateway.txt file is known to be good, or download it from Exchange-On-Line. If an error is reported, check the file for obvious mistakes, if none can be seen, then make a copy of the file. Working on the gateway.txt file, remove all entries, except for one. Download the file and then warm-start the controller. If the file is now processed correctly, then from the backup of gateway.txt, copy a small section of the entries back into the gateway.txt, download and warm-start again. Repeat this process until the problem is located.  Controller??? Is not responding  A specific controller is not communicating. Investigate the controller locally. Will the controller communicate with Visisat via a LIB-4-485 converter, are the LAN connections correctly connected, does the controller have power?  Multiple controllers reported as not responding  Dependent on the number of controllers involved, this may indicate a partial or total failure of the SubLAN. Investigation starting at the IC-SNP will be required.   Investigation at the IC-SNP  The SNP SubLAN, channel 2 should have its BIAS jumper position set to D, for full biasing. The 120-ohm, end of line termination resistors should be fitted. If the controller is warm-started, then shortly afterwards the channel 2 TX LED should be seen to start flashing. This proves that the gateway.txt file is being processed. If the channel 2 RX LED flashes, then the IC is receiving replies to its requests. If the channel 2 RX LED remains permanently on, then this suggests that an IAC controller communications driver is faulty, and is stopping the LAN communications – see below.  IC-SNP Retry Mechanism  Having completed a warm or cold-start, the IC-SNP will process the gateway.txt file. Assuming the file format is correct, then the IC-SNP will start to process the text entries. The IC-SNP will read each line of text in sequence and try to communicate with the appropriate IAC controller. If the IAC controller does not respond, then the IC-SNP will repeat the message three times before marking the IAC controller as off-line. It will also send an “Unable to Communicate with Controller ???” message to the default server. The IC-SNP will then try the next controller. Communications with the off-line controller is retried every 30 minutes, on the hour and half hour. Testing – IC-SNP channel 2 RX LED is permanently on. Try to assess the mid point of the LAN, and instigate a binary chop by separating the twisted pair comm’s at the nearest controller. Check the IC-SNP, RX LED. If the LED has gone off warm-start the IC-SNP: If communications restarts to the remaining controllers, it suggests that the fault must be in the section of the LAN beyond the mid point, and further investigation must be pursued from there. If the LED remains on, it indicates that a fault is still present between the IC-SNP and the mid point of the LAN. In both of the above cases, the next action is to split a section of the LAN into two again, to be working on either 25% of the twisted pair, or by adding the first half of the remaining LAN to be working on 75% of the whole LAN. Using a voltmeter set to DC volts, measure the voltage on each LAN cable. Communications cable +ve and the controller 0volt terminal Communications cable -ve and the controller 0volt terminal Communications +ve and the Communications -ve  Below are some example voltages, these are only as a guide, they will vary dependent on LAN conditions.  Communications cable +ve and the controller 0volt terminal             2.5 volts Communications cable -ve and the controller 0volt terminal               0.15 volts Communications +ve and Communications –ve                                                                     2.31 volts  When checking voltages, a minus value is a good indication that something is wrong. For example if testing at the 75% position, the fault could be in either direction. If when measuring the voltages, cable 1 gives a reading between +ve and –ve of 1.6 volts and cable 2 gives a reading of –2.4 volts, then cable 2 would be the cable to investigate further. The above process is continued until the faulty controller or controllers are located. Once it is believed that all problems have been resolved. The full gateway.txt file should be downloaded, and the IC-SNP should be warm started. Allow a few minutes and then check the Alarm manager for any new error messages. Testing – IC-SNP channel 2 RX LED gives no indication at all  Having warm-started the controller, channel 2 TX LED should be seen to start flashing. If at this stage channel 2 RX LED does not flash, then this suggests that there could be a problem with the IC-SNP, SNP SubLAN, or the controllers connected to it. At this stage there should be fair confidence that the IC itself is working correctly and therefore the controllers or the SubLAN would be suspect. The method for determining the problem will be the same in both cases. Identify the first controller on the SubLAN, and disconnect the twisted pair LAN going to the next controller at this point. Warm-start the IC and observe channel 2 RX LED to see if any flashing occurs. If communications with the controller is possible, then it will be necessary to proceed as in the previous examples, using the binary chop method to locate the problem. If the controller will does not communicate with the IC, then this could be a cable fault or the controller could be faulty. To test the cable, ensure that both cable ends are disconnected and that the cores are separated. Check the resistance between cores and each core to earth. All values should be infinity. And one cable end, short the cores together. At the other cable end, check the resistance between cores, should be almost zero, and each core to earth, should be infinity. To check the controller, connect to it using an LIB-4-485 converter and Visisat Engineering software.