Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Upgrading an existing site from Continuum v1.81 to v1.94, and wondering about the Elevator and PIM software installed on the Workstation. Environment Continuum v1.94 Elevator Add-on Software Cause Not sure if existing Elevator Add-on software will work with the newer  version of Continuum being installed.  Resolution This could depend on your specific site modules installed. Please contact COE.Support@Buildings.Schneider-Electric.com for installation and upgrade advice and considerations." 

Issue Controller TAC221R is obsolete and needs to be replaced. Environment 2212020800 Controller TAC221R Cause Replacement may be required since the TAC221R is obsolete since the end of 2009. Resolution There is no direct replacement available. In most applications, a free programmable Xenta controller with custom application is the only way to recreate functionality of the TAC 221R.  

Issue Getting LON messages TException E_QUEUE_FULL {LonAsyncRequest} in the standard output window. Environment R2, Niagara, Lon Service Cause If also in the message there is a line that includes: "lonextras.control.PollSnvtTempSetptCmd.execute" these messages are being caused by the use of the special object from the LonExtras jar called PollSnvtTempSetptCmd.  Resolution When the station is booting up the PollSnvtTempSetptCmd object  will begin its polling function before the station has finished rebooting causing the queue to fill up before the station starts.  There is an object in the LonWorks jar - Conversion container called SnvtTempSetptCmd that will perform the same function as the PollSnvtTempSetptCmd except it does not poll which is not necessary in most cases.  Replace all PollSnvtTempSetptCmd objects in the station with the SnvtTempSetptCmd object.

Issue When the valve is installed, it is impossible to see the direction of the sleeve Environment VTRE 7317039000 7317041000 7317045000 7317049000 7317053000 7317057000 7317061000 7317065000 7317067000 7317069000 Cause In order to know the position of the sleeve inside the valve, you need to know the relationship between the sleeve and the "cut" on the stem. Resolution The cut in the stem indicates the position of the sleeve. If the cut is at 3 o'clock, the port at 3 o'clock is closed.

Issue When making modifications to a Functional Block program will this result in outputs cycling? Environment Enterprise Server Automation Server Functional Block Cause Functional Block programs operate by sending the signal of each block to the next connected block each program cycle. The functional block program also stores in its memory the last value of the block when committing a change and restarting the program. Due to the memory of the block values outputs of the Functional block program should normally avoid fluctuation when saving to the database. Situations where value will be held No change to logic impacting this output in save to program and Delay blocks are not used Situations where value can fluctuate Change to logic that directly impacts the output signal Use of Delay blocks in control logic for output The delay block will reset to the specified default value when you save the application and if this used in the control logic for your output it can result in a one program cycle fluctuation in the output value. Resolution To avoid any physical device damage when saving a change to the Functional Block program it is recommended to be cautious and use overrides while the program change is occurring. This can be done in software by forcing an output value (on IO module) or using Hand/Auto/Off (HAO) controllers on the output device. Use of these overrides will protect your physical equipment and allow you to validate the programming logic changes after saving.

Issue I/A Series MNL version 3 controller profiles are not shown in the list when adding a new LON device to a SmartStruxure Automation Server.  How do I add the template for one of those controllers to the Automation Server? Environment SmartStruxure 1.3 or newer Automation Server I/A Series MNL version 3 or earlier controllers. Cause Templates are not provided in SmartStruxure 1.3 for the older families of I/A Series MNL controllers Resolution Import a device template per StruxureWare Building Operation release 1.3 Technical Reference Guide section 40.14. This procedure is used any time the device template was not pre-defined or has not been imported into the AS. The templates for the older MNL family of controllers can be downloaded from the Download Center. You should also download the associated readme file so that you understand the arrangement of the files in the folders of the zip file. We suggest that you download and unzip the entire file to your computer using the folder structure contained in the zip file. The readme file lists the xif files contained in each of the xif folders. The xif files contained in the xif_40 folder are already contained in the SmartStruxure 1.3 system. When importing these templates into StruxureWare 1.3, you may get some warnings about SelfDoc strings and possibly errors about missing DRF types. Both issues can be ignored. If errors are reported regarding missing DRF types, click the [No] button to continue the import process.   After importing the template, you can then create the device under the LonWorks network as defined in the StruxureWare Building Operation Technical Reference Guide section 40.2. The template that you imported will be listed based on the name and profile of the device. You can assign a name of your choice (or use the default) for the created device. After device NeuronID or using the service pin process to send it from the controller, you then commission the added device. You should select the option "Keep current configuration in the device". Do not check the "Device application file" because the I/A Series MNL controllers do not use loadable executable files.

Issue What is the contact rating for a digital output (DO) within the StruxureWare Building Operation I/O modules? Environment Automation Server I/O Module Cause Information required for correct installation. Resolution Contact rating - 250 VAC, 30 VDC, 3 A  Click here to be linked to the DO-FC-8 and DO-FC-8-H - SmartX Controller Specification Sheet   Click here to be linked to the DO-FA-12 and DO-FA-12-H - SmartX Controller Specification Sheet

Issue Can the Alarm Console in Niagara R2 be configured with different sound files when annunciating an alarm? Environment Niagara R2 Cause End customer query Resolution The alarm console cannot be configured with sound files.  It comes with a very basic alarm tone which can be set to 'continuous' or 'once every so often'.

Issue When ordering Veris products through Schneider Electric, SE part numbers must be used. Environment Veris products Cause Cross reference needed between Veris and Schneider Electric part numbers. Resolution   Veris Part no SE Part no H708 3240100000 H709HV 3240101000 H308 3240102000 H608 3240103000 H908 3240104000 H909HV 3240105000 H800 3240106000 H300 3240108000 H600 3240109000 H900 3240110000 H721LC 3240201000 H721HC 3240202000 H921 3240203000 H722LC 3240204000 H722HC 3240205000 H723LC 3240206000 H723HC 3240207000 H922 3240208000 H923 3240209000 H221 3240210000 H321 3240211000 AH01 3240301000 AH-27 3240302000

Issue The UNC and Enterprise server, as well as many other Schneider-Electric Buildings products, use a TIME protocol server to provide clock synchronization. The address of that Time Protocol Server no longer works. NOTE: The nist.gov sites will no longer be providing TIME protocol services over TCP port 37 as of March 1, 2013. Product Line Andover Continuum, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Schneider Electric Buildings products that rely on the use of TCP TIME protocol servers for time synchronization. This includes the I/A Series R2 UNC & ES and the I/A Series G3 ENC & ENS as well as other IP ethernet based products. Cause Many server sites are discontinuing support for the TCP TIME protocol because it is so bandwidth intensive. NOTE: The nist.gov sites will no longer be providing TIME protocol services over TCP port 37 as of March 1, 2013. The site http://tf.nist.gov/tf-cgi/servers.cgi lists most of the currently available TIME protocol servers as well as the status of the entire TIME protocol system. Resolution If the product supports the use of the NTP time sync protocol, switch to the use of that protocol. If the device only supports the TIME protocol, consult the web site http://tf.nist.gov/tf-cgi/servers.cgi for currently available sites.

Issue Error "Job Failed  java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: com/tridium/install/BDaemonPlatform.getNiagaraR2Enabled()Z" when attempting to perform an I/A Series G3 Station Backup in version 3.6.31 after having installed the August 2012 security updates. Environment I/A Series G3 JACE or ENC with release 3.6.31 and security patches 3.6.47 installed. Cause Internal software error in the backup.jar file, version 3.6.47.2 Resolution Remove the backup.jar file, version 3.6.47.2 from the modules folder on the I/A Series G3 WorkBench computer. Remove the file backup.jar from the \niagara\niagara-3.6.31\sw\3.6.47.2 folder. Verify that the original 3.6.31 backup.jar file is in the  \niagara\niagara-3.6.31\modules folder.  Note that when replacing the backup.jar file, the 3.6.47.2 file should be renamed so that it can be restored later. Open the 3.6.31 Workbench and open the platform of the ENC / JACE. Run the Software Manager and note that a newer version of the is shown as installed as compared to the avail. version. Select the "backup" module by clicking on it then click the [Downgrade] button then click the [Commit] button. Acknowledge the warning that a reboot will be required by clicking the [Yes] button. Wait for the module commit process to complete, the station to reboot and restart. After the station has restarted you can log into the Station through Workbench and perform the backup to a .dist file using the standard station backup procedure (by right-clicking on the station name and selecting "Backup Station").

Issue ES will not start because only the WorkStation Software Professional license is installed and not the Enterprise Server License. Can both licenses be installed on the same computer ? Environment Enterprise Server Workstation License Cause The enterprise server will not run because only the workstation license is installed. Resolution Yes both the WorkStation Software Professional license and the Enterprise Server license can be installed in the same computer.  

Issue Schneider Electric part number equivalent to Belimo SGA24 Environment SGA-24 AM-705 Cause Internal purchasing instead of external. Resolution No cross reference is available for the European market. The Belimo positioner in question is not represented in our portfolio and needs to be purchased from the manufacturer directly. For US market, please refer to AM-705.  

Issue Schneider Electric part number equivalent to Belimo SGF24 Environment SGF-24 AM-706 Cause Internal purchasing instead of external. Resolution No cross reference is available for the European market. The Belimo positioner in question is not represented in our portfolio and needs to be purchased from the manufacturer directly. For US market, please refer to AM-706.

Issue Schneider Electric part number equivalent to Controlli MVT44 Environment Controlli MVT44 (Previously badged as TAC) MZ20B-24 (8455001000) Cause Internal purchasing instead of external. Resolution Schneider Electric MZ20B-24 (8455001000) is the equivalent of Controlli MVT44.

Issue Need to control six fans at same speed. Environment b3920, ABB VFD Cause How to properly calculate the load on the analog output.  Resolution The b3920 has a 0-10V output and the VFD has a 0-10V input. The VFD data sheet indicates the input presents a resistance of 2 Megohms. The b3920 data sheet indicates the output load resistance must be greater than 2Kohms. When resistors are wired in parallel (like when sending the same signal to multiple VFDs) the total resistance is always less than the smallest resistance. When the resistors are the same size the calculation of the total resistance is simply the resistance divided by the number of resistors. In this case we have 2,000,000/6 = 333,333 ohms - way more than the 2000 ohm minimum. So, the b3920 output should be able to send a proper signal to the six VFDs. For more info on the math see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Series_and_parallel_circuits#Parallel_circuits

Issue Is it possible to connect the thermistor input to U1 & AI (actuator position 0-10Vdc) to U2 using the same "M" terminal?   Environment TAC Xenta 280 TAC Xenta 300 TAC Xenta 400 Cause All M terminals are internally connected. There are fewer M terminals than inputs. Resolution Yes, you could use the very same M connection to both inputs, however you should have separate cables connect to M. It is also important that the M connections are only used as reference for inputs, so there are no current in this connection, like you need to have separate connection for powering the actuators.  

Issue I have to replace a faulty Xenta 301 but found that the existing Xenta 301 was system version 1. The system consists of about 12 Xenta controllers sitting on a Menta only network using .nwc,ndb network configuration tool. Environment TAC Xenta 300 TAC Menta Cause New devices are delivered with version 3. Resolution As TAC Xenta system program version 1 and version 3 can not work on the same network, downgrade the new device to replace the faulty one. Download TAC Xenta 300 system program version 1.17 Use Download Wizard as normal to download the system program, however, going from version 3 to version 1, do NOT keep old application in the Download Wizard. Select Clear Application. Download the Menta application and network configuration manually via the serial cable. You could use the actual TAC Menta versions to do this.

Issue Procedure to activate the Add-on reports module. Environment Continuum Add-on reports module. Cause Received an Activation Code from the COE Team, need to know the procedure to activate the Add-on reports module. Resolution You will receive an Email from the COE Team with the Activation Code along with Instructions on how to activate it. For your Convenience the instructions are below. ACTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS - CONTINUUM REPORTS INSTALLED IN C:\PROGRAM FILES Make sure Continuum is not running Make sure Continuum Reports is not running Launch a DOS Command Window CD "Program Files\Continuum_Reports" Enter in lower case: reports key writer Enter the activation code. (Note: Case sensitive)   -(OR)-   ACTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS - CONTINUUM REPORTS INSTALLED IN C:\PROGRAM FILES (X86) Make sure Continuum is not running Make sure Continuum Reports is not running Launch a DOS Command Window CD "Program Files (x86)\Continuum_Reports" Enter in lower case: reports key writer c:\progra~2\continuum_reports 6. Enter the activation code. (Note: Case sensitive)Activation Instructions - Continuum Reports installed in C:\Program Files 1. Make sure Continuum is not running 2. Make sure Continuum Reports is not running 3. Launch a DOS Command Window 4. CD "Program Files\Continuum_Reports" 5. Enter in lower case: reports key writer 6. Enter the activation code. (Note: Case sensitive) -or- Activation Instructions - Continuum Reports installed in C:\Program Files (x86) 1. Make sure Continuum is not running 2. Make sure Continuum Reports is not running 3. Launch a DOS Command Window 4. CD "Program Files (x86)\Continuum_Reports" 5. Enter in lower case: reports key writer c:\progra~2\continuum_reports 6. Enter the activation code. (Note: Case sensitive)

Issue Following an upgrade or import of a graphic the canvas size becomes extremely large. Environment Cyberstation V1.94 Pinpoint Cause A defect in V1.94 has been found and corrected by a hotfix. Resolution Hotfix for Pinpoint issues 1.94 SP1 resolves this issue (TPA-BOST-12-0001.00). This should be installed on all workstations on the site.