Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Normally using RS-485 on an ACX 57xx requires nodes to be activated to work so ordering and price could be affected by this Environment ACX57xx Schlage PIM 400-485 Cause The Schlage PIM RS-485 unit uses RS485 for communication and it's important to know if node activation is required for the Schlage solution to work Resolution The Schlage PIM RS-485 does use RS-485 for communication, but it doesn't require node activation on the comm port. The Schlage solution uses an XDriver instead in order to communicate RS-485 to the PIM

Issue When using STR150 connected to a TAC Xenta 121-FC, the Occupancy Mode indicator will be default allocated to the Y1 output on the TAC Xenta 121-FC, which is the only analog output on the TAC Xenta 121-FC device. Environment TAC Xenta 121-FC STR150 Cause When using a STR150 connected to a TAC Xenta 121-FC, the Occupancy Mode indicator will be default allocated to the Y1 output on the TAC Xenta 121-FC device, which is the only analog output on the TAC Xenta 121-FC device. Resolution In ZBuilder, it is possible to move the Occupancy Mode indication from the default location at Y1 to K1-4. In this case you also need to have an external power supply with 5 Volt DC for the Occupancy Mode indicator.

Issue Customer has a Jace-7 installed with two NICs.  It's installed with 3.7.106. NIC 1 (192.168.1.101) is communicating with 3 other jaces on-site with IP addresses of 192.168.1.102, 103, & 104. NIC 2  (public address) is accessed remotely with Workbench. Is there a way to access the stations (remotely) running on 192.168.1.102, 103 & 104 with fox tunneling? Environment Niagara G3 / AX Cause There is no Enterprise Server on site, just the four Jaces. Resolution Jaces cannot act as Proxy Servers so fox tunneling is not supported on anything except a server.

Issue A customer installed a critical valve with an actuator containing a potentiometer for a positional feedback connection. The potentiometer was wired into a MNL controller's input. After some calibrating, the potentiometer drives past the "0 %open" position which displays as a negative value in the AI point. Is there a way to compensate in software for this negative reading? Environment WorkPlace Tech MNL and MNB controllers Cause It can be difficult to calibrate the feedback potentiometer accurately. Resolution Add a high selector block to the output of the AI block.  Connect the AI block's output and a constant set to a value of zero. Anytime the AI block's output drops below zero, the output of the high selector will display zero.  This can then be used for other logic or for graphical display.

Issue We want to be able to control the outputs on an I/O even if the I/O module is broken. Environment StruxureWare Building Operation I/O Modules   Cause The switches for manual override on the I/O modules needs power to be able to operate. Resolution The switches on the I/O modules that are used for manual override internally controls relays, that need to be powered to be able to operate.

Issue Is there a way to edit the Continuum Security Group export file outside of Continuum? Environment Security Groups .sdf file format Cause The need for a more efficient method of editing Continuum user Security Groups. Resolution There is no method of editing the Security Groups export file outside of Continuum.

Issue Graphics are not displaying values under certain user accounts Environment User Accounts Domains Cause Although the user account configuration appeared to be correct, something in the user accounts was broken. Resolution Once the User Accounts were deleted and recreated with exactly the same configuration the graphics began displaying the values. 

Issue The electrical contractor failed to pull an ground conductor with the controller power conductors.   Environment Controller installation. Controller Power. Cause Electrical contractor neglected to include a ground conductor when running power to the controller panel. Resolution All installation for the entire Continuum and Infinity controller product lines indicate that the controller power terminal must have a true earth ground connected to the ground terminal. Continuum controllers require a true earth ground connected to the ground terminal of the controller power strip.  Controller grounding is essential and impacts the controller in several ways including sensor bus communication, input accuracy, processor function and output performance. Improper grounding can also, in some cases, cause damage to the controllers.   The problem with grounding to the electrical enclosure or to the building structure is that each grounding point can have different  a ground potentials. This will especially cause issues with bus communication since all controller signals must be established with respect to the same ground reference. If each controller has a different ground reference the wave forms will be inconsistent.  

Issue Is there a way to display the value of a doors ADA output or to use this value in a Plain English program? Environment ADA output Door attributes Cause Need to display and track the value of a doors ADA output. Resolution There is no sanctioned way to access or use the value of a doors ADA output.  While in some cases it may be possible to create a separate output object with the same channel number to track this value, this kind of configuration is known to have issues and it is not recommended.

Issue The configuration in "License Setup" changes autonomously meaning that you open "License Setup", make a change, close "License Setup", open "License Setup" and the configuration has reverted to what is was before the change was made. It reverts back to what it was before making the change. Environment TAC Vista 5.1.9 Cause The cause of this is unknown. TAC Vista Server is supposed to set some values in the registry while running also regarding licensing, but not like described here. Resolution Make sure TAC Vista Server is stopped while changing the license setup: Stop TAC Vista Server Change the license setup Start TAC Vista Server

Issue Windows reports that RAM services do not start or stop in a timely manner Environment RAM 2.1.025 Cause Windows reports that RAM services do not start or stop in a timely manner. Re-installing RAM does not resolve the issue Resolution The issue may be with the RAM configuration file (setup.mdb). Note: If possible, record the RAM setup by opening the RAM console. Uninstall RAM and locate and delete or save the Remote Alarm Manager folder to a different location. Reinstall RAM. RAM will need to be re-configured with the site setup.

Issue On a MULTICAL 66, the Lon card is broken and needs to be replaced. Does the MALON BASE card fit the older heat meters? Environment MELON BASE MULTICAL Cause Unfortunately the LON card we have today for the newer MULTICAL 601/602 will not function with the old MULTICAL 66 meter types. Resolution Please contact local Kamstrup Service channel.

Issue I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server output window displays the following error: java.io.IOException: Negative seek offset. java.io.IOException: Negative seek offset at java.io.RandomAccessFile.seek(Native Method) at com.tridium.history.io.FileRandomAccess.seek(FileRandomAccess.java:118) at com.tridium.history.file.recstore.RecordStore.writePage(RecordStore.java:561) at com.tridium.history.file.recstore.RecordStore.newLastPage(RecordStore.java:631) at com.tridium.history.file.recstore.RecordStore.getWritePage(RecordStore.java:606) at com.tridium.history.file.recstore.RecordStore.append(RecordStore.java:222) at com.tridium.history.file.recstore.BRecordStoreHistoryTable.doAppend(BRecordStoreHistoryTable.java:175) at com.tridium.history.file.BFileHistoryTable.append(BFileHistoryTable.java:803) at com.tridium.history.db.TableHandle.append(TableHandle.java:203) at com.tridium.history.db.BLocalDbHistory.append(BLocalDbHistory.java:393) at com.tridium.driver.file.history.BDelimitedFileImport.appendToHistory(BDelimitedFileImport.java:796) at com.tridium.driver.file.history.BCsvFileImport.executeFileImport(BCsvFileImport.java:212) at javax.baja.driver.file.history.BFileHistoryImport.doExecute(BFileHistoryImport.java:90) at auto.com_tridium_driver_file_history_BExcelCsvFileImport.invoke(AutoGenerated) at com.tridium.sys.schema.ComponentSlotMap.invoke(ComponentSlotMap.java:1217) at com.tridium.sys.engine.EngineUtil.doInvoke(EngineUtil.java:49) at javax.baja.sys.BComponent.doInvoke(BComponent.java:1046) at javax.baja.util.Invocation.run(Invocation.java:46) at javax.baja.util.Worker.process(Worker.java:161) at javax.baja.util.Worker$Processor.run(Worker.java:134) at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:619) Environment I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server (versions prior to 3.4.54) Cause The error indicates that a history has become too large where the source .hdb file has exceeded 2GB making the history become inaccessible.  Versions prior to 3.4.54 used a Java integer as the offset into the page file of a history and the negative seek offset error is caused by a math rollover calculating a negative number. Resolution Two options to correct: Review the current size of the audit histories, log histories and any string logs to see which one is at the 2GB limit and perform some history database maintenance to trim the size down. Upgrade to the latest maintenance build of I/A Series G3 (3.4.54 or higher) where Java long calculations are used for the offset.

Issue The paper version of the WorkPlace Tech Tool license request form includes the 815-637-5331 fax number.  This number has been disconnected and is no longer in service. The Schneider Electric Park Plant Customer Care Center has been relocated and the 815-637-xxxx series phone numbers have been disconnected. Environment WorkPlace Tech License Request Fax and email information Cause Incoming faxes to the Schneider Electric Buildings Customer Care Center are now handled electronically. Resolution Use of email is the preferred method for submitting a WorkPlace Tech Tool license request form although a fax number is still available. The preferred email address is IASeries.License@schneider-electric.com If it is necessary to fax the license request please use +1 888-560-3636.

Issue When backing up user names and passwords, what files / folders need to be copied? Environment User Names Passwords Cause Replacing the Sigma server PC and upgrading at the same time, what files should be copied? Resolution The Passwords / User names are stored in two locations in the Sigma/Data folder.   The following files / folders should be copied; All files located in the User folder. GenCNF.rec

Issue The customer reported the schedule not work properly randomly, especially the holiday events not executing correctly. One item of error log 1465 was logged every 10 minutes. Environment CX9900/9940 i2 controller with version 3.2x Cause Some controllers with special version contribute to error log 1465 significantly, possibly impacting on the schedule event downloading Some i2 controllers with lower version firmware cause the schedule not to work correctly. Resolution Upgrade the CX controller to the latest version firmware. Upgrade all the i2 field controller to the late version firmware 3.300008

Issue The ACX57xx controller datasheet does not specify the AC power voltage range/ tolerance. Environment ACX ACX5740 ACX5720 Cause The DC power input specifies the voltage range on the datasheet. No documents specify the AC voltage range. Resolution You can power the ACX57xx controllers from either AC or DC power. The DC range is 12VDC - 28VDC. Max' power consumption = 50W. The AC voltage is 24VAC +10% -15% 50/60Hz. Max' power consumption = 90VA Giving an AC voltage range of  20.4VAC - 26.4VAC.

Issue Graphic pipes are missing from Px pages when viewed via a Web Browser, however pipes are displayed when viewed via WorkBench. Environment Niagara G3, ENC-520 Cause The needed kitPxHvac module was missing from the ENC-520. It seems the kitPxHvac module was not installed to the ENC. Usually all required modules are automatically installed to the ENC at the time of a station install, but for some reason the kitPxHvac module was not installed. Resolution Manually install the kitPxHvac module to the ENC - Open the Application Director window for the ENC hosting the graphics - Double-click on Software Manager - Select the kitPxHvac module from list and click the “Install” button at the bottom of the screen. - Click the “Commit” button to install the kitPxHvac module to the ENC A reboot of the ENC should not be required. Open a new Windows Browser and browse to the ENC. The pipes should now display correctly in the graphics.

Issue Automation Server stuck in Reboot Cycle Environment Automation Server Cause This experience is not typical so below is a list of solutions that have worked in the past. Resolution ES - AS Communication Issue - This fix works when the boot cycle only occurs while the ES is online. You can prove this is the case by stopping the Enterprise Server through software administrator, then attempting to log into the AS Log into the Enterprise Server Click on the Root Server Object in the System Tree Pane Click on the Communications tab Verify that the listed IP address for the Enterprise Server matches the IP address of the machine In the System Tree Pane, expand the Servers folder Delete the Affected Automation Server. NOTE: This will break all binds to/from this server. Log out of the Enterprise Server and Log into the Automation Server to verify that it is stable. Log out of the Automation Server and back into the Enterprise Server Re-add the Automation Server to the Enterprise Server

Issue Schneider Electric MTN881001 or the SVEA LON I/O Module DR-N 3DIM 1-10V. Changing the SNVT nviLALampValue_? does not give the expected output. Environment MTN881001 SVEA 36237-552 Cause Changing the SNVT nviLALampValue[i] to the following values, shows the following VDC volt on the analog output: nviLALampValue Analog output 100.0 1 -  9,94 VDC 80.0 1 -  7.65 VDC 60.0 1 -  6,75 VDC 50.0 1 -  6.25 VDC 20.0 1 -  4.86 VDC 1.0 1 -  3.97 VDC When nviLALampValue is 50.0 1, the analog output is 6.25 VDC (not proportional) and the minimum analog output value is 3.97 VDC, which does not make sense.   Resolution The module is using a logarithmic behaviour for the 1-10V output as default. This is because the device is mostly used for fluorescent lamps. You can change the behaviour by using the UCPTadaptationTable in the lamp Actuator object. UCPTadaptationTable consists of 21 values representing the digits (from 0 to 255) for the output value in steps of 5%. This means:   first value: 0% second value: 5% third value: 10% ... 21st value: 100% To get a linear behaviour you should set as follows: first value: 0 second value: 13 third value: 26 ... 21st value: 255