Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue All the doors under an ACX5720 can not be loaded with an attribute. The system status value goes back to "Nodatabase" after reloading the ACX controller. Some doors no longer open on a card swipe. The event type is "Invalid attempt" and the message event is "No Destination Area." When reloading the controller (or just a door object) the error below is seen in the distribution properties: "UNABLE TO RELOAD ATTRIBUTES FOR (**DOOR NAME**). UNABLE TO RELOAD OBJECT. ERROR TEXT UNDEFINED (TBD) 0X00002001. AN ERROR WAS DETECTED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SET AN ATTRIBUTE IN A REMOTE INFINITY OBJECT" Product Line Andover Continuum Environment ACX5720/5740 Continuum 1.94 Cause The channel configuration may not be correct. Resolution Set all the channel numbers to 0 for the door Select the door separately Send it to the controller If there is no error when sending the door to the controller, then reset the all the channel numbers correctly. Change the value of systemstatus to "Normal" Reload the ACX controller  

Issue  Tacos not responding when starting Workstation Environment Vista Tacos.exe Cause If a trendlog is manually on but does not have a value to log, it can cause Tacos to crash (not responding). Resolution Go to the TAC Vista Installation folder Find the file named TACaddon01.DLL Rename TACaddon01.DLL to TACaddon01OLD.DLL and start Vista Server and Workstation again. Search for all trendlogs and make sure they have a point to read from, if not set them to manually off.

Issue Is it possible to mount a valve in any direction in a pipe work? Environment general Valves general actuators Cause Mounting a valve/actuator in the incorrect position may cause damage to actuator. Resolution The positioning options of the valve are based on the recommendations on how to mount the actuator. Please see the actuator data sheet for recommendations. 

Issue When you edit a OGC standard graphic and then attempt to save you get the error "Cannot save graphic object. Cause: FILE-service not available" Environment Vista 5.1.x Cause The OGC standard graphic does have this unknown issue on some sites. Resolution To allow the edit of the OGC edit the standard graphic and save out of the database. The open with the OGC editor and make the changes that are required and save back into the vista database.

Issue What is the Maximum Air Velocity that can pass across a SHD100/SHD101 Humidity Sensor? Environment SHD100 SHD101 Cause Some applications has a high velocity that needs to be measured. Resolution The flow rate is only critical at higher humidity. Furthermore, it also depends on the porosity of the filter. At humidity less than 95% r.H. up to an air velocity to 15 m/s there should be no problem.

Issue During installation and commissioning of a MNL-800, a component labeled MFC21 on the backplane was damaged. Is it necessary to replace the backplane? It seems like the MNL-800 is still completely functional.  It's reading all of its inputs and the program logic is controlling the outputs accordingly. Environment MNL-800 Cause The issue is typically a ground loop between full-wave and half-wave devices or power supplies connected to the UIs and / or AOs.  MFC21 is a Multi-function Ceramic protection capacitor / varistor component connected between the internal +15 VDC and earth ground (not common).  This and the other 28 varistors on the base board provide various forms of protection.  MFCs have burned out in situations that contain one or more transformers and a combination of full-wave / half-wave devices. Connections (common) between these devices can cause undesired ground loops (especially where transmitters are involved). It may also be related to how the transformers are wired (e.g. 24H / 24G or one side tied to earth ground).  The MNL-800 is a full-wave power supply device. Resolution Review the power wiring of all connected I/O. Replacing the backplane is ideal because it will provide proper protection for the next voltage spike. Without a functional MFC21, the logic card may get damaged.

Issue The Enterprise Network Server is licensed for 3 subordinates but when trying to add one it faults with the message "exceeded device limit of three"? Environment G3 Enterprise Network Sever Cause If stations had been added to the Niagara Network in the Enterprise Network Server and then deleted the subordinate count in the license does not reset. Resolution Restart the station and the subordinate count in the license will be reset to the correct number and allow the addition of more stations if the limit has not been reached.

Issue A Niagara R2 / ASD integration has two ASD services but serial tunneling only works with one service. Environment Niagara 522 or higher Cause Both services cannot support tunneling simultaneously. Resolution Enable tunneling on one ASD service at a time.  Leaving both services enabled for tunneling will only allow the first ASD service to allow a tunnel connection.  A station restart may be required.

Issue The Triac (V) outputs on the TAC Xenta 120-FC device goes ON, but never OFF. In this case, it can open the valve, but the device could not close the valve. Environment TAC Xenta 121-FC TAC Xenta 121-HP Cause If the device is powered with 24 VDC, the Triac will not work properly. According to the datasheet, the TAC Xenta 121-device should always be powered by AC, not DC. Triac is an acronym for Triode for Alternating Current, and could only be working with AC power supply. Resolution Correct the power supply to the device to use AC, not DC.

Issue A Plain English program is becoming disabled.  The controller error log logs the following error. 0x01402 (Reached end of the list). Environment Continuum Plain English Error b3 i2 Cause 0x00001402 (Reached end of the list) is a Plain English error.  This error most often occurs when a program is calling a Plain English Function that contains no byte code.. Resolution Edit each InfinityFunction in the controller to determine which function is empty (contains no programming).

Issue Some MSTP Devices show up when learned but other are not coming in. They worked fine on the Continuum install with the same MSTP network. Environment Automation Server Cause The AS has a maximum of 50 MSTP nodes and the b3 controllers that are not coming in are above this NodeId. Resolution Change the b3's NodeId's to a value below 50. 1. Use the Continuum system to change the Id by deleting the device object from the database, recreating it with the new NodeId. 2. Clear the controller to factory default.

Issue What firewall port no's used by the MPM controllers need to opened on a PC or router Environment Routers Firewall Cause What port numbers are required to be opened on a router or firewall? Resolution For browser to MPM communication, port number 80 (TCP) needs to be open. For BACnet over IP communication, port number 47808 (UDP) (configurable in the MPM) needs to be open. For Modbus over IP communication (future), port number 502 (TCP) needs to be open.

Issue Customers at times need to be able to batch print badges Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There's a need to know how the EpiBuilder, EpiSuite and GuardDraw batch mechanism works to utilize the batch printing feature Resolution To Batch print: Open a personnel object and select Make/Edit badge and then from within the Make/Edit badge window select File>Batch Print Cards You cannot select specific cardholder numbers to batch print like 101-110, you have to start with 1 and select a range from there. 1-10 which will print 10 card holder records that are marked as not printed by EpiSuite. EpiSuite indexes its cards for batch printing.  The Index number that Episuite uses does not match our card number.  As an example say you have 10 cards with card numbers 1-10 and you send cards 1-5 as a batch to the printer.  When you want to print the next 5 cards, Episuite does not see them as cards 6-10 but as cards 1-5 again.  This is due to EpiSuite own indexing scheme. If a card has already been marked as printed it won’t show up in the batch.  The order is determined by the index in the database.  Most likely the order in which the cards were created. To print a card again: Bring up the cardholder in Make/Edit badge> Tools> Set Card Unprinted ImageWare solution: Imageware offers a product called Guard Card/GuardTool as an add-on module. It can use the Microsoft Access for EPI Database by importing the data from the ContinuumDB. The personnel requiring updated badges are in this db and then this tool can be used to setup a batch print specifying a template. EPI software would then match personnel to one of the 4 templates and batch print them.  Note: Product Support has not used Guard Card/Guard Tool and does not support it. Contact ImageWare with any questions http://www.iwsinc.com/

Issue Error message displayed when booting the Network 8000 HOST computer indicating that the DOS file system cannot be initialized or a message displayed indicating that QDOS file is busy.  If these type of messages are displayed while the HOST system is booting, the DOS applications including PSI will not be available from within the HOST system. Product Line Other, TAC IA Series Environment Network 8000 HOST Software versions 6.x or 7.x Cause During bootup, the HOST software initialization checks for the presence of a PC-DOS partition on the computer's hard drive. If this PC-DOS partition is found, the command files needed to access PC-DOS are created or modified based on the partition number containing the PC-DOS operating system.  If the system is physically rebooted by power cycling or a power fail occurs, one or both of the PC-DOS control files may be left in an unusable state. Resolution The following steps can be used to correct this issue. Exit the Host by entering a q at the Host Login. At the QNX Login enter superman for both user and password. At the $ prompt enter the following four commands, pressing the Enter key at the end of each command: chattr /cmds/start_dfs s=-b chattr /net_8000_cmds/mount_xdos s=-b frel / cmds/start_dfs frel /net_8000_cmds/mount_xdo Re-boot the HOST

Issue Bindings to PVB and PVR blocks in function block programs are lost after upgrading from 1.3 to 1.4.1. Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.4.1 Cause Text from Release notes for 1.4.1, page 38 10.2.2 Bindings to Public Variables and Public Constants in Function Blocks Bindings to Public Constants and Public Variables will be lost after upgrade from 1.3 to 1.4.1. The names of these Public Constants and Public Variables will be listed in the Conversion log produced by the 1.4.1 Device Administrator at the upgrade. Resolution After upgrade to 1.4.1 do the following: Locate the Public Constants and the Public Variables listed in the Conversion log. Select the Function Block Program that includes Public Constants or the Public Variables listed in the Conversion log and open the Edit Bindings View. Lost bindings will be displayed with: "Invalid- Variable not allowed to have a reference" Make a note of these bindings. Quit the Bindings View. Select and Edit the Function Block Program(s) that include the Public Constants or Public Variables, move a Function Block slightly to enable an insignificant change of the program to be discovered by the compiler. Save the Function Block program (the program then compiles again). Open the Binding View and re-bind the lost bindings. You will now also be able to select in which direction the value should be transferred. Save the bindings.

Issue Specifying engineer wants to know the input impedance of the voltage inputs on the MNL-10Rxx / 15Rxx / 20Rxx controllers.  This information is not in the data sheet. Environment MNL-10Rxx controller MNL-15Rxx controller MNL-20Rxx controller Cause Job specification requirement Resolution The minimum input impedance for a MNL-10Rxx /-15Rxx / -20Rxx  UI configured as a voltage type input is 20K ohms.

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 Function Block Editor does not open. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure Function Block Editor Cause There could be many reasons but in one of the case we found a malware called "sprotector.dll" somehow trying to hook into the Function Block Editor dll's. This malware is then crashing and prevents Function Block Editor from starting. SProtector.exe is typically added when you install another free software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this program. Resolution Reinstall this computer's Operating System completely, if that's not an option you can read more about how to remove "sprotector" here: http://malwaretips.com/blogs/sprotector-exe-virus-removal/

Issue Is there any CRN (Canadian Registration Number) available for the Satchwell DWA pockets used for STP sensors? Environment Satchwell DWA Pocket STP Cause For some applications, a CRN number is requested for components that are part of a pressurized system.  Resolution Unfortunately, no CRN numbers or certificates are available for the DWA pockets.

Issue CX Controller and children i2 devices moved from one DB to another via ASCII dump file. Now when reloading the CX without the children i2 devices getting MFC error on reload of Controller when the IE table is being reloaded. Environment CyberStation CX controller I2 Infinet devices Cause Because all the controllers have been moved to a new DB the information in the  IE table in the I2 devices is invalid. Resolution Must reload the CX including its children i2 devices, this will ensure that a new IE table is sent to all devices as the devices will be reset and reloaded.

Issue How does the documented minimum pulse width translate into maximum pulses per minute? Environment All software/ firmware versions Cause The documentation defines the minimum pulse duration, not the number of pulses per minute. Resolution The documented 20ms min pulse duration for the Xenta 411 applies to both On and Off states. A complete min pulse cycle would be 20ms On + 20ms Off (50% Duty cycle), which equals 40ms. Therefore the max number of pulses per minute is 1000*60/40 = 1500 pulses/min or 25 pulses/ Second (25Hz).