Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Pinpoint crashes when Animation is selected under the Active Components menu.  The crash occurs both when editing an existing animation or when attempting to create a new animation. Environment Pinpoint Active Animation Crash Cause Domain account permissions were restricted Resolution The network administrator increased the permissions for the account user.  No further details are available.

Issue Trying to purchase a Network 8000 conversion from the TAC I/A Series Migrator and the "Add to Cart" button is missing? Environment iPortal and TAC I/A Series Migrator tool Cause This can happen if someone adds a conversion file to a cart and leaves that cart without checking out or if a conversion file is added to a cart and then deleted from the cart. Resolution When this occurs the file migration must be done again.  Once the conversion is complete the "Add to Cart" button will be displayed and the file can be purchased.

Issue There is a need to be able to display pdf files from within a webpinpoint graphic Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause instructions to open a pdf file with webpinpoint Resolution Within a graphic in Cyber Pinpoint, add a Windows Control> Web Browser object Edit the object and go to object properties and select the .pdf to display (Change the file type drop down to all files from .htm)  It is recommended to place the pdf files in C:\program files\Continuum\NewGraphicsFiles for permissions reasons.  Once that object has been selected, it can be saved and run in Cyber Pinpoint The same object will open up webpinpoint and the pdf will display.

Issue TAC Vista interface stops  Environment Vista StruxureWare Building Operation TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface 1.0.0  Cause When acknowledging an Vista alarm in SmartStruxure, the TAC Vista SmartStruxure interface stops.  Resolution Please download and install the latest Vista hotfix versions for your system from the Exchange.

Issue Does StruxureWare Building Operation support oBIX protocol natively? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment   oBIX Cause In Knowledge Base articles as well as some other sales documents, it shows SmartStruxure as compatible with Obix. Resolution StruxureWare Building Operation does not have built-in native support for oBIX, but there is a gateway product that can talk oBIX.  

Issue When PIV card is presented at the card reader a Bad Card Parity event is generated. Non PIV cards present no problem. Environment Card Access AC1 module PIV Format cards PIVReaderFormat Cause The controller was improperly configured for PIV cards. Resolution In this case the PIVReaderFormat system variable was not set. When the PIVReaderFormat is left blank the system defaults to FIPS_PIV_75 Bit for FIPS cards, if the FIPS reader is configured to send a diferent FIPS output such as FIPS_PIV_Full_FASC-N (200 bits) then the system will generate a bit count not supported error. Once the PIVReaderFormat system variable was set to the proper value the cards generated valid access events.

Issue Have to download a new NXE file, and I have now 4 possibilities: Keep current configuration in device Download current configuration to device Download default configuration to device Upload configuration from device.   So, what happens when I select the different lines? The 4 options available when commissioning a Xenta 100 Series device as well as performing a NXE download are misleading. Environment SmartStruxure 1.4.1 and 1.5 LonWorks Interface Cause Current descriptions of the four choices are not clear when the Device Application (NXE) file is downloaded at the same time as configuration parameters to the device. The 4 actions are executed after the NXE download.  Before downloading or uploading the device configuration, carefully consider the effects of overwriting the current device configuration in the LonWorks device or Building Operation server. Resolution When the Device application file check box is selected during the Commissioning of a LonWorks device the following is true for each of the four options: Keep current configuration in device The NXE file is downloaded, but as the NXE also contains the default parameters which will place the configuration in the device back to default. This causes a mismatch between Building Operation database and the properties in the device. To get the device to work you must perform a Download the device configuration. Download current configuration to device The NXE file is downloaded, and the configuration is then downloaded from the Building Operation database to the device. The device works OK after the download. Download default configuration to device As the text says, the Default configuration is downloaded after the NXE file is downloaded, and also loaded into the Building Operation database. Upload configuration from device The NXE file is downloaded, but as the NXE also contains the default parameters, the configuration in the device will go back to default. After the NXE file is downloaded, the configuration in the device (which now is the default configuration) is automatically uploaded to the Building Operation database. If this option is picked your device will be set back to the default setting along with your Building Operation database after the download. This option should not be selected as any configuration made to the device will be lost. The 4 actions are executed after the NXE download.  Before downloading or uploading the device configuration, carefully consider the effects of overwriting the current device configuration in the LonWorks device or Building Operation server. Future plans (beyond 1.5) are to move the Device Application file (NXE) download to a separate dialog window to perform this function. 

Issue Is SIGNAL supported on Windows 2000? Environment SIGNAL version 4.4.1 and 5.0.0 Cause Windows 2000 was not included in testing Resolution SIGNAL 4.4.1 is compatible with Windows 95/98. SIGNAL 5.0.0 is compatible with Windows XP.

Issue Jobsite is visited every few months.  It seems like database elements have changed value since the previous visit.  These are elements that do not need changing unlike setpoints or schedules. Is there a built-in feature with a DMS panel or the programming tool (OPRIF) that provides database analysis? Environment DMS OPRIF Cause Wanting to cross-check current element values in the database with the previous visit Resolution Due to the generation of the product, database analysis tools were not a built-in feature. Supervisory computers allowed for tools to analyse databases and save information to file for future review (i.e. UltiVist, SIGNAL, etc...) With only OPRIF available, screenshots of point configuration screens are the only way to store values for review later. DMS databases are not formatted for offline viewing. Comparing one database copy to another is to use a second DMS panel.

Issue JACE-645-R2: The changing of the time zone in G3 Platform Administration is not being reflected in the R2 station? Environment I/A series G3 JACE-645 R2 Cause The time zone is not getting changed in the time.properties file for the JACE.  Resolution Manually set the Time Zone in the time.properties file as described below.  1. In the G3 platform select File Transfer Client and on the right side go to /niagara/niagaraR2/sys to view the time.properties file. 2. Highlight the time.properties file and using the left arrow transfer it to the pc.  3. Using a text editor like Notepad open this file, manually type in the desired time zone and save the change.  4. Use the G3 Platform - File Transfer Client to transfer the altered time.properties file from the pc to the JACE and reboot the JACE.  5. Open the station with R2 and confirm the time zone has been altered as desired.

Issue On a SE7600 controller, is the nciSccModel snvt read-only or will it modify the controller's profile?  Customer has replaced the HVAC equipment such that the existing profile does not match up with the existing SE7600. Environment SE7600 VT7600 Cause Mechanical equipment was replaced with a different design Resolution The nciSccModel snvt does not modify the SE7600 profile.  It is a read-only. A different model of controller is the best option for the new mechanical design. An external solution may also work (i.e. the use of a relay).

Issue To clarify if the Erie Zone valve actuators are Plenum rated per the NFPA ( National Fire Protection Association ) safety standards. Environment Erie Actuators Cause Plenum rating of our actuators apply to the wires or cables used externally for terminations of the actuator. Resolution To provide a plenum rated solution, one of the two options below could be used. 1. Use an Erie actuator that has terminal connections instead of wire leads like the AG13A01A or AG23A01A and use plenum rated wire or cabling to connect to their terminals. 2. Use conduit connectors with a complete electrical conduit system to enclose all the wires in conduit. Note: The Erie models that have wire leads or cable like the AG13A020, have appliance wire NOT plenum rated. Without the use of a conduit system to shield the wire, it would Not meet plenum rated standards Consult the local Electrical Building Inspector to verify the best solution to ensure your application can be certified after inspection.

Issue A script program monitors the value of a digital input on an IO module. The input is wired to a switch that, when pushed by an operator, will toggle a digital output ON/OFF to start/stop a piece of equipment. The issue is the program will randomly fail to see the input changing when the operator releases the button too quickly. This happens even though the IOU module detected the input change as indicated by the LED on the input channel of the UI-16 module. Environment Automation Server SXW UI module Script Program Cause In SmartStruxure, Script programs are executed by a task and then go dormant until the task schedules the program to run again. If the input changes and then returns to the value it had the last time the program executed, the change will be missed. Resolution Instead of a digital input, use a counter input and modify the PE Script to toggle the output when the count increments. EXAMPLE: Numeric Input theINPUT Numeric Output theOUTPUT Numeric thePreviousInVal 1: thePreviousInVal = theINPUT goto 2 2: if theINPUT > thePreviousInVal then goto 3 3: if theOUTPUT = off then theOUTPUT = on else theOUTPUT = OFF goto 1

Issue How to reset a person's anti-passback violation. Environment CyberStation NetController ACX Cause Person tail gated in or out of an area in a site that uses anti-passback and the person is now unable to gain access. Resolution Set the person's current area to 'UnKnown' In the older personnel editor go to the Current Status tab and enter 'UnKnown' in the Current Area field. The Personnel Manager does not allow the reset but the current area of the person can be reset from the command line as follows... Root\CredentialFolder\AbeMeran = UnKnown or Root\CredentialFolder\AbeMeran = 0    (zero)

Issue I/A Series Micronet BACnet controllers (MNB) support for BACnet Schedules Environment I/A Series Micronet BACnet (MNB) controllers  Cause There is a requirement for the BACnet controllers to support BACnet schedules.  Resolution Currently, I/A Series Micronet BACnet controllers do not support BACnet schedules. 

Issue The dates shown in the ODBC database are in the incorrect format for the region set. Environment Sigma ODBC Date format Windows 2008 Server Cause The engineer reports that although the correct date structure is shown in the Sigma logging, the format in the ODBC database is incorrect. Resolution This issue was reported on a Windows 2008 Server. Although all of the obvious entries had been changed to the correct regional and language format, one had not. Locate the entry in Regional settings "Copy all settings to all new users" which should be set to the required regional and language format.

Issue WorkStation randomly crashes while navigating between the objects in the object tree. Environment WorkStation .NET Cause .NET version Resolution Upgrade .NET to 4.5.2 Link to download from Microsoft here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42642

Issue Data samples displayed in Report Server are a day (or more) behind Inconsistent / erratic data transfer from Enterprise Server to Report Server. Environment SmartStruxure 1.4.1, 1.5.0 Report Server Cause Due to large amount of Extended logs (100+) which have been collecting data for a week or more, the amount of data that needs to be transferred can be quite large and can take some time to transfer over. Resolution Transfer time can take up to 8 to 16 hours depending on amount of trends and data that needs to be transferred.   It is best to read the Report Agent Log (located here C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric\StruxureWareReports\StruxureWare Reporting Agent\StruxureWareReportingAgentLog) and look at the comments in this file which indicate number records transferred or still to be transferred.   It should be noted that restarting the Reporting Agent or Enterprise Server services will re-initiate this delayed update.  R&D are aware of these delays and are working to improve this performance in future releases. If you feel that the data is taking longer than 24 hours to update then please contact PSS for further analysis.  

Issue   Webreport editor - Trendlog comparison dataset is not set. Environment Report editor Cause We haven't mapped any dataset to display the available trend logs in Ext.Trend Logs selection box. In the web reports application we are generating the trend logs data and displaying it. So you can not see the data through report builder. Resolution Since the dataset is not mapped we cant display the report in the editor.

Issue Users with view only access to Graphic objects cant launch graphic editor to view graphics Environment Cyberstation Cause Need to configure extra access under Miscellaneous Resolution Go to the security settings Under the Miscellaneous folder, allow the group to run the graphics editor