Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue On many occasions with PC upgrades and replacements, there is the need to re-download the link for the application software as it gets somewhat difficult to know where to go and find it from the Feenics website Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Cause Unable to find the correct link Resolution The following steps show the URL address that is needed as well as how to log on to the instance once the software is downloaded and installed: 1. Enter https://www.feenics.com/training/lesson/downloads/ on internet browser as seen  2. Once completed and installed, launch the app and log on the instance

Issue Extended Logs have stopped updating on the Enterprise Server. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Extended Trend Logs Cause Extended Trend logs have been set up on the site for some time and have operated correctly. Now some of them have stopped updating.  Resolution This issue can be caused by a Server backup being restored. Trend logs and Extended Trend logs are allocated sequence numbers, and if the sequence numbers do not follow the correct sequence, the Extended Trend log may not update. To confirm that this is the issue; Trend Log. Navigate to the Trend log and open it in a "Trend Log List" view. Add an additional column to show the Sequence number. Note the highest sequence number used. Extended Trend Log. Navigate to the Extended Trend log that is referencing the above Trend Log. Open it in a Extended Trend Log properties. Press and hold down the "ALT" key and click where the dot is indicated on the screen shot below, (just below the Basic tab).       This will show some more properties for the Extended Trend Log, the one you are interested in is “Last transferred sequence number”.   If the last transferred sequence number on the Extended Trend Log is higher than the Trend log’s highest sequence number, then that is why the Extended Trend Log has stopped. How can this issue be resolved? Increase the sample interval of the Trend log until it has caught up. The Extended Trend Log will only fetch new records that has a sequence number higher than the last transferred sequence number. So until the sequence has caught up, you will not see any new records in the Extended Trend Log, and only records created after you have caught up in sequence numbers will be fetched. Re-create the Extended Trend Log. The new Extended Trend Log will fetch every record the log has and continue from there, but you will lose the records the old Extended Trend Log had that the log does not have anymore. Backup / restore on the AS. The Trend log will be cleared but the Extended Trend Log will start fetching new records.    

Issue Is it possible to let the ES directly write the write to file notification into the Windows event database? Is there a rotation for the Write To File Notification file so that a new file is written when the file is bigger than xMB?   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation  Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation - ES Cause Write to file notification can only be written to a file in the "db / notifications" folder on the server where the notification object is located. Unfortunately there is no rotation either. Resolution At this time it is not possible for an Enterprise Server to write directly to the Write to File notification in the Windows event database. There is also no rotation for the Write to File notification file so that a new file is written when the file is bigger than xMB.

Issue Frequency of Zigbee device SED-CO2-G-5045 sending its values. Product Line Field Devices. Environment Zigbee SED-CO2-G-5045 CO2 sensor with room temperature and humidity Cause Unsure how frequently the sensor updates it's values to the network. Resolution The sensor has a Transmission Period (writable) that sets how often the device will send a measurement. Default value = 150 seconds Minimum period = 30 seconds maximum period = 600 seconds   Note that there is also a “Night Mode” to help extend battery life. During “Night Mode”, the transmission period is multiplied by 4.   Night mode is entered when the CO2 level falls below the “Comfort Limit Value”, which is 600 ppm by default.  

Issue Frequency of  Zigbee device SED-MTH-G-5045 sending its values Product Line Field Devices. Environment Zigbee SED-MTH-G-5045 Motion/Humidity/Temperature Sensor Cause Unsure how frequently the sensor updates it's values to the network. Resolution Motion Transmitted immediately on sensing of motion. Temperature  Transmitted, by default at least once every 10 minutes. If it has changed by 0.5 C or more, than it will be sent immediately with a limit on sending no more often than every 2.5 minutes. Minimum interval = 2.5 minutes Maximum interval = 10 minutes Reportable Change = 0.5 degrees C Relative Humidity Transmitted, by default at least once every 10 minutes If it has changed by 0.5%RH or more, it will be sent immediately with a limit on sending no more often than every 2.5 minutes. Minimum interval = 2.5 minutes Maximum interval = 10 minutes Reportable Change = 0.5% RH   These reporting rates are configurable for the sensor.  

Issue 3rd party BACnet device can send a reinitialize device request to an EBO server. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause EBO servers support the "ReinitializeDevice-B" Bacnet device management service. This allows BACnet clients, such as BACnet browsers or operator WorkStations, to initiate ReinitializeDevice requests, i.e. Warm Start or Cold Start. Resolution EBO currently does not support passwords for the ReInitializeDevice service. It is possible to create a whitelist for the EBO server and exclude a 3rd party BACnet device from that list, but this will block all communication with the 3rd party BACnet device.

Issue When changing values like Check-in interval (s) under Poll Control for Zigbee device SED-MTH-G-5045, the value seams not to have been change when opening the dialog again. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Building Operation Room Controller (RP-C) non-Greenpower sensors SED-MTH-G-5045 Cause Setting is sent to the sensor only once every tenth minute. Resolution Open the dialog box again after 10 minutes to verify your changes.

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue ACX57xx Continuum controller frequently reboots itself, loses configuration and/or stop granting access to doors until reloaded.     In the controller error log frequent and spontaneous re-starts of the controller can be observed without an apparent cause such as power failure for example.     Here is another error log from different controller with same issue, a similar signature can be observed in the following screen shot   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Cause Electrical noise coming from door striker corrupting controller's memory.   Resolution An external Varistor may be installed for Noise Suppression of a Door Strike. Here is a link to a part that may be used for this purpose:   https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/bourns-inc./MOV-07D470KTR/13420467?utm_adgroup=General&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax:%20Smart%20Shopping_Product_Zombie%20SKUS&utm_term=&utm_content=General&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteOaBhDuARIsADBqRei7ZmpR8CRYf12zRH1bfTIK7GHk3NC6XStbVoCBrPizkZvEPDlCaFEaAjLFEALw_wcB    The part should be installed at the Door Strike, from the switched 24VDC terminal to the common 24VDC terminal, like this:  

Issue Using Download Wizard 32 with Application set to Clear Memory, one will get an error that "The application file could not be found! Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Xenta Programmable Controller Cause EBO Workstation does not include the Lonm<Model Number>.MTA file. Resolution There are two solutions: Create a minimal MTA file for the device type. Open Menta Editor Change the device specification for the appropriate Xenta Type. Add one PVR block Save the file. In DWiz, change Application selection to Download New and Browse in the new file. Perform the steps again with the expected files in the same folder as DWiz. Download the attached Lonm.zip (derived from Menta 5.1.9) Extract the files in the zip to the same Workstation folder where Dwiz.exe is found. Sample Location: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation 3.2\WorkStation\DWiz.exe" Perform the download again with the same Clear Memory selection under the Application section.

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 for assistance. Issue Correcting failed links between programming objects after upgrading files from .vsd to .vsdx Product Line TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Building Operation Workstation (WorkPlace Tech Editor) Cause After existing .vsd files from pre-WorkPlace Tech 5.10 versions can have corrupted links that stay red when programming objects are added or modified. Resolution This video demonstrates how to correct binding failures that can occur when existing Visio drawings are converted from .vsd to .vsdx format when upgrading to Workplace Tech 5.10 and EBO 4.0 and newer WorkPlace Tech Editor. Note: The objects in the original drawing will no longer show a Master Shape reference (below) The frame around the object appears a little different as well.  The Mega Master will not be changed so this has no effect on the performance of these objects.

Issue Pop-up error message displayed when trying to create ContinuumDB on stand-alone system. Unable to get past this to create the database. Error message similar to below: "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Setup The sa password must meet SQL Server password policy requirement. For strong password guidelines, see Authentication Mode, in SQL Server Books Online."   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Stand-alone SQL Express Cause When SQLExpress was installed a "strong" SA password was not defined. Resolution As per Microsoft SQL password policy Strong passwords must meet the following guidelines: The password does not contain the account name of the user. The password is at least eight characters long. The password contains characters from three of the following four categories: Latin uppercase letters (A through Z) Latin lowercase letters (a through z) Base 10 digits (0 through 9) Non-alphanumeric characters such as: exclamation point (!), dollar sign ($), number sign (#), or percent (%). Passwords can be up to 128 characters long. Use passwords that are as long and complex as possible.   To change the SQL password: Download and install management studio express. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8961 Change SA password so that it now complies as a strong password. Find the SA user under Security\Logins. Change the Password. Run Database Initialization again and create the new database using this new SA password.

Issue Doors are going offline and online. Verification of the number of Reader Licenses purchased for an Instance Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted Software V3 Cause When adding readers to an existing site the number of subdevices and readers may exceed the number of licensed readers in the instance, so doors bounce offline/online if power is removed from existing readers. A method for verifying the number of reader licenses is needed. Resolution Steps for verifying the number of Reader Licenses for an Instance Open Access Expert and log on to the Instance Right Click on the Instance and select the Manage License option A list of licenses for each object is displayed for the current Instance Based on this information the partner/user can determine how many licenses are required Create a Purchase Order and use the needed part number for the object Example: AXH-RMC-32V3 to add additional reader licenses

Issue A combined keypad reader works with a valid card swipe, but the keypad does not work. The keypad does not allow a valid pin to be entered to engage the door output even though the door, area and personnel objects are setup correctly. This issue could also happen with a keypad only, without the combination reader. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Keypad Keypad/Reader Combination Cause A keypad or keypad/reader combination can be ordered with the keypad output set to work in a number of different modes.  Continuum requires the output mode to be ordered as follows: Buffer one key add compliment 8 bit message (Dorado) This is also known as 8 bit burst A keypad that has a different configuration than this will not work with Continuum   Resolution 1. Order a keypad or keypad/reader combination with the 8 bit burst output mode set 2. Contact the keypad manufacturer's technical support (Eg. HID), to see if they will send a Configuration Card that allows the output mode to be changed retrospectively in the field.

Issue Receive error "Property value out of range" when creating a BACnet interface on the Enterprise Server   Following problems after upgrading SmartStruxure servers to 1.5: Attaching an Automation Server to or detaching it from an Enterprise Server will fail with “Property value out of range” error. Changes to the ~/System/Interface Manager/BACnet fail to be propagated lead-shadow functions through to the child servers. Automation Server controllers dropping offline following an upgrade to 1.5 (BACnet command priority related  also may see numerous "Changeset Rollback errors") Product Line StruxureWare Building Operation 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5 and above Environment Enterprise Server (ES) BACnet IP Interface Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Cause Their may be various items that generate this error, checking the Enterprise Server (ES) system log in the Software Administrator may assist in pin pointing the error.  If you see an error that ends with ~/BACnet Interface/IP Network, then this error is generated when their is no valid IP Network.  For SmartStruxure 1.5 or above or planning to upgrade from 1.4 to 1.5 (and above)  This issue only occurs if a BACnet interface is used and the site has changed the BACnet "Default Priority Level" from the default value of 16, to 8 or a smaller numeric value in the Automation Server while running in V1.4. The "Property value out of range" message relates to the new Force priority level in 1.5 and the Default priority level in 1.4.1 being mismatched. Resolution The ES must be connected to an IP network. To resolve this error follow these steps: Close all Workstations (if running) Connect the Enterprise Server to a valid IP network (with a valid IP address). Stop and Restart the Enterprise Server service through the Software Administrator application. This should now allow the BACnet Interface to be created successfully For SmartStruxure 1.5 or above or planning to upgrade from 1.4 to 1.5 (and above) Please refer to TPA-SBO-14-0005.00 Before upgrading to 1.5 make sure the "Default Priority Level" within the Automation Server is set to 9 or higher.  If the system has been upgraded with the incorrect values, then: If the site uses single servers, or the ES/AS communication still operates correctly, then this can be corrected by changing the setting in both the AS and the ES to a value of 9 or higher.   If after upgrading a multi server configuration and the AS does not stay online, then a Hotfix can be used fix the problem using the following steps: Apply the hot fix #1.5.0.4301; available from Product Support Services Fix the multi-server (by detaching/re-attaching the servers) Correct the two properties (AS and ES). WARNING: It is essential for any BACnet system at 1.5 or later that the "Default Priority Level" must have a larger numeric value than the "Force Priority Level, otherwise some BACnet functions may not behave as expected. Note: This also applies even if the hot fix has been installed. The effects of not setting the Default above the Force Priority level are: If Force Priority Level is equal to the Default Priority Level: Changing the Value of a BACnet value or a BACnet output object will cause the Value to appear Forced. This applies to the BACnet objects in both SmartStruxure servers and those in 3rd party BACnet devices.   If Force Priority Level has a larger numeric value than the Default Priority Level: Changing the Value of objects mentioned above will cause the Priority Override icon overlay to be turned on next to the Value property in the WorkStation’s property grid.   

Issue Steps on how to setup BACnet Time Synchronization to 3rd Party BACnet controllers. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Opertaion Environment SmartX Enterprise Server (ES) SmartX Automation Server (AS) BACnet Cause It is not always clear what is required to setup BACnet Time Synchronization and how to confirm that EcoStruxure Building Operation is actually performing it properly. Resolution To use the Time Synchronisation you will need to bring the 3rd Party BACnet device (Eg. Continuum bCX) under the EBO BACnet Interface -> IP Network: Go to the BACnet Interface Time Synchronization Recipients Tab. Add a new Local time synchronization recipient with the '+' button. Select recipient type as 'reference' In the Recipient device object reference field browse for your BACnet Device. Press OK and then save the changes. Right-click on the BACnet Interface and select send time sync now. This will send out an unconfirmed-req TimeSynchronization to that specific Device only.   Test Scenario with a bCX setup as a third-party BACnet controller You will see a unconfirmed-req TimeSynchronization packet being sent from the ES in WireShark but with no response from the bCX.  You may not see responses back from other 3rd party devices. The time in the bCX should be seen to change from within Continuum, (assuming it was incorrect in the first place) 

Issue Project specifications call for there to be no default administrator password in the BMS.  Can the ACC user in Andover Continuum be deleted? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Administrator password Continuum CyberStation Permissions Cause By default Andover Continuum always creates the ACC administrative user on all system but this is deemed unacceptable by some project specifications. Resolution The Andover Continuum default ACC admin user cannot be deleted, however it can be renamed and its permissions can be removed/amended.  

Issue Removing software from a PC may leave behind unused / old registry entries and folders from the removed software, this in some cases may prevent software re-installation Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Building Operation,Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment All supported Operating Systems Cause This is due to the windows uninstall program not fully removing all elements for the software. Some of this is due to windows thinking the the software may have been removed unintentionally and therefor all the previous settings will still be saved in case of  re-installation. For example, when SQL is uninstalled the program folders that contain the database will remain intact. This may be an issue if, for example, the software is removed due to a problem with the original installation. This is when a complete removal off all components and registry entries may be needed. Resolution The best solution for removing all the unused registry entries is to use a program designed to remove obsolete registry entries and temporary files. Some examples of these are: CCleaner, which will allow you to clean up your PC by removing past installation components. Revo Uninstaller  which is useful for removing redundant folders / files / Registry entries.   It may be useful to use both of these programs to ensure a complete cleanup. Revo Uninstaller can be used to remove unused software and then CCleaner to get rid of all the Temp files etc.  Finally remove the relevant folders from within the windows explorer, Example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum Once done you should then be able to install a fresh clean copy of the application software. This solution is current in all versions of Windows including windows 10  

Issue Need information on programming holidays and special dates Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Resolution Programming Holidays and Special Dates   Overview   Holidays are exceptions to a normally scheduled interval. Feenics has made several fundamental changes to the holidays within the Keep by Feenics System. This article will walk through how the new holiday sets work and how to implement them. The holidays apply globally to all schedules.   Updating    The launch of the new holiday system requires a system upgrade within your instance. This upgrade only needs to occur once and is irreversible. To upgrade, click the "Update Holidays" button.   Note: Before you begin converting holidays, there can be no more than 8 holiday sets in the older system for the update to work.   Once that button is clicked, a warning will pop up letting you know that the process is irreversible. Click OK and your instance will be updated.     ***Note: Customers within an Enterprise instance will need to apply this update to ALL shared instances and the Enterprise instance separately.   Adding Holidays   Holidays are added to the system through the "Add Holiday Duration" button. This will add a holiday interval to the system. Holiday Durations   Holiday Durations are days in the system on which, the schedules should not activate. To add a Holiday, click "Add Holiday Duration", then name the day. This day will prevent all schedules from activating unless added to the "Always Active On" column in a schedule. Holiday durations are limited to 255 per instance.  Display Name: The name of the holiday interval, i.e. Valentine's Day, Halloween, Veterans Day. Start Date: The date the holiday interval begins on. End Date: The date the holiday interval ends on. (If the start and end date match, the holiday will be for that day only). Special Date: This flag inverts the behaviour. If this holiday interval is assigned to a schedule interval (via Holiday Groups), the schedule interval will activate for that day. Holiday Group: This selection allows the user to group holiday intervals into sets.  Tags: As in the rest of keep, tags allow for organization and permissions to be set by these groupings.   Holiday Groups   Holidays can be grouped together by using holiday groups. These groups are edited by selecting the "Edit Holiday Groups" button and modifying the Group Name. Holiday intervals are then added to the group by assigning them in the Holiday Group column of the holiday interval. ***Note: The shared holidays between groups should be in their own group. This will allow the non-shared holidays to be applied to schedules correctly.   Applying Holidays   Holidays apply globally to all schedules. A holiday Group can be added to a schedule interval to tell that interval to ignore that holiday.   ***Note: If a holiday exception is added to a schedule interval, the schedule will activate on the day of the holiday, regardless of the day selection on the schedule interval. Special Dates   Special Dates can be used to activate a schedule interval for a day or group of days regardless of the other intervals within the schedule. To add a special date, open the Holidays page and add the day(s) as a holiday interval, then check the "Special Date" box. Add the special date(s) to a group on its own.

Issue Details on Access Expert Keep Alert Feature Message usage Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Cause Details on Access Expert Keep Alert Feature Message usage Resolution The Keep Alert feature in Access Expert comes with a default 500 SMS messages a month. This can be used to send a broadcast to the users on the system. For example, if the administrator wants to send a text out to 50 people based on an event, then that would leave a total of 450 remaining.   Another use case would be if there was an active shooter at a school campus where there are 500 students, then this would be done one time and the max texts would be sent.   Additional amounts can be purchased in 500 amounts based on what the need is for the customer. so that their monthly usage stays within the amount purchased.

Issue WebClient login screen has the webClient background, but no login fields   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment webClient Cause This typically happens when webclient has been installed prior to IIS, so .Net framework does not get registered with IIS. Resolution The resolution is to run the regiis.exe command as follows: From a DOS Command Prompt (as an admin) For Windows 2000 Professional it is: "c:\WinNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" "c:\WinNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" For Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 it is: "c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" "c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i"   For Webclient 1.94 and above, .Net Framework 4 is used "c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" Once this command is run the normal login prompt will be presented.