Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The PIM seems to be timing out or bouncing Online and Offline, indicating loss communications. Environment Schlage Integration with Continuum Version 1.94 Cause The PIM seems to be timing out or becomes unresponsive due to invalid setting of Parameter 5, it needs go be set at 0 and not 1. Resolution The resolution for this is as follows: NetControllerII - ONLY Comm2 (RS485) is supported for this application, with Parameter 5 of the Global Config set to ZERO, regardless of the symptom or setup. ACX57XX - ONLY Comm1 (RS485) is supported for this application, with Parameter 5 of the Global Config set to ZERO, regardless of the sympton or setup. Once changes have been made, open the Global Config Numeric and change the value from 3 to 99 Apply the changes and then click on the Refresh Button until the value comes back to 3.

Issue Unable to determine whether the time on the MPM is synchronized with the server after enabling the SNTP functionality Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager Cause Time synchronization confirmation not available on MPM. Resolution To enable the SNTP functionality on the MPM, follow the below steps: Make sure the MPM has outbound activity; meaning that the MPM should be connected to the internet via a "hub or a "switch" (versus being connected directly to the computer) From the SNTP1 object, tick the Enable box Note: In object SNTP1, Server 2 will be used when Server 1 is unavailable only if Server 1 is a domain name. Server 2 will not be used if Server 1 is an IP address. In the ETH1 object, make sure that sure that the settings on the MPM matches those of the network, especially the DNS, Gateway and the Netmask (Subnet Mask) fields. These parameters can be found by typing "ipconfig /all" in command prompt or by contacting your IT personnel. Navigate to the CFG1 object, then using the "Date Configuration" box, set the date to today and the time to within 15 minutes before or after the actual current time. click save. Wait a few seconds and watch how the "current time" gets synced with the server's clock. Note: If SNTP was already active before changing the time manually, the clock will not be synced to the server unless you perform the following steps: Navigate to SNTP object. Uncheck the "Enable Box", then click save. Check the "Enable box", then click save again. Navigate to CFG object to verify that the time has been synced.

Issue Is there a way to concatenate access events from two Personnel objects into one Personnel object?  Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause A Personnel object had a history of events and was then mistakenly recreated as a duplicate object. The original object was disabled and new events have now been tied to the new duplicate Personnel resulting in events for the same person being spread across two Personnel objects. Resolution The Access events produced are linked to each individual Personnel object that created them. There is no way to transfer these events from one Personnel to another.

Issue Cannot interface to the GE Lighting Control Panel PSLP Object nviPattern and nvoPatternFb with G3 lonGe-3.8.37.  Network variables nviPattern, nvoPatternFb, and nciChannelCfg are missing from the proxy points within the object definition. Environment I/A Series G3 - 3.8.37 Cause Network variables nviPattern, nvoPatternFb, and nciChannelCfg are based upon manufacturer types (GEPatternType and GEChType) and are not properly defined in the lonGe 3.8.37 module. The pslp object within the lonGe module generates warnings when added. WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nviPattern WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nvoPatternFb WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_0 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_1 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_2 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_3 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_4 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_5 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_6 WARNING [09:03:14 16-Dec-14 CST][lon1.DynaDev] No lonData for PsLp.nciChannelCfg_7 Resolution Upgrade to lonGe-3.8.38.1.   The updated module is available for download from the Schneider Electric Download Center. https://ecobuilding.schneider-electric.com/search?documentUUID=c52247c8-921b-4f51-90cf-d8d79adc93b7&title=lonGe%203.8.38.1%20-%20G3%20Firmware

Issue Unable to launch Continuum Reports Suite on a Windows 7 64-bit workstation Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Windows 7 64 bit workstation Cause "Continuum_Reports" directory permissions Invalid "Reports.exe" launch path in PE Program "Reports_Suite" (or other PE Program) is Disabled Attempting to launch Continuum Reports directly Resolution "Continuum_Reports" directory permissions Log into the workstation with Administrative privilege Edit the "Continuum_Reports" directory properties Click on the "Security" Tab Click on "Edit" button Highlight "Users" Click on the "Allow Full Control" checkbox Click on "Ok" button Invalid "Reports.exe" launch path in PE Program Edit PE Programs, such as "Reports_Suite" Change the statement: RepPath = "c:\progra~1\continuum_reports\" -to- RepPath = "c:\progra~2\continuum_reports\" Save change Enable the PE Program if Disabled "Reports_Suite" (or other PE Program) is Disabled Edit the PE Program Review the Program Configuration Enable the Program if Disabled Run the PE Program Attempting to launch Continuum Reports directly Continuum Reports cannot be launched directly from the Windows Explorer by double-clicking on "Reports.exe".  Continuum Reports are launched by running a workstation PE program from a Menu Page button or a Pinpoint button

Issue When editing a Script program, the Automation Server or Enterprise Server crashes when clicking "Save." After that, the connection is never restored to the server. The server needs to be formatted, software reloaded, and a backup restored to it. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure 1.0.0 to 1.5.0 Cause In SmartStruxure 1.5.0 and earlier, publics were not supported in Script functions although they could be used. If used, the server will crash in some cases and render the database unusable. Resolution The workaround is to not use publics in Script functions in the affected versions. The issue is solved from version 1.6 RC.

Issue Which version of USB serial leads work with Sigma and BAS Environment Sigma BAS Cause Newer laptops do not have an onboard RS232 serial port. Can a USB-Serial converter be used. Resolution Not all types of USB to serial converters work with Sigma and BAS2800+. USB to serial converters work in conjuction with the laptop. Local testing may have to be done to find the best product. Generally, USB to serial leads have 2 version of chipsets, Prolific and FTDI. Note, there are also fake versions of these chipsets, the original versions are available from RS and other well known distributors. Sigma seems to work only with Prolific converters and can work on a low COM port no. e.g. 1, ensure that the comm port is not in use by any other applications e.g. Bluetooth. For Sigma, remember to change the setting in the sigma.ini file when using serial communications. BAS seems to work only on FTDI converters and can work on high COM port no. e.g. 7.

Issue Communications with IP devices does not work. Environment IC3-Modbus Modbus IP devices Cause The IC3-Modbus is configured to poll two IP Modbus servers, but only the first configured server communicates. Resolution The IC3-Modbus uses a Gateway.txt file to list the Modbus IP servers, and the registers required. This file consists of general setup information and a section where the servers and registers are listed.  Note that the Sigma objects but be sequential in the list. Final section of the Gateway.txt file. ; 7  Min Value (output objects only, 0 for inputs) ; 8  Max Value (output objects only, 0 for inputs) ; 9  Hardware Alarm Message Suppression Flag (optional), ;   0 = Don't suppress,   1 = Suppress ; read a single 16 bit register ;51,1,4,062,1,1,0,0,0 ; read three 16 bit consecutive registers to objects 52, 53, 54 ;52,2,4,065,1,3,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers to objects 55, 56 ;55,1,3,101,1,2,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers containing un-swapped 32 bit unsigned data ;68,2,3,110,1,0x0102,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers containing swapped 32 bit unsigned data ;70,2,3,112,1,0x1102,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers containing un-swapped 32 bit signed data ;72,2,3,114,1,0x0202,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers containing swapped 32 bit signed data ;74,2,3,116,1,0x1202,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers containing un-swapped 32 bit float data ;76,2,3,118,1,0x0302,0,0,0 ; read two 16 bit consecutive registers containing swapped 32 bit float data ;78,2,3,120,1,0x1302,0,0,0 The section below lists the input objects, which consist of a number of fields, the fields are made up as follows; 1   Sigma Object Number, 2   Controller Address 3   Modbus Command ( 3, 4, 16, 144) 4  Register Address 5  Min time in seconds before polling same controller (Default 1 second) 6  Number of consecutive objects to read (inputs objects only, 0 for outputs) 7  Min Value (output objects only, 0 for inputs) 8  Max Value (output objects only, 0 for inputs) 9  Hardware Alarm Message Suppression Flag (optional), Notice that the Sigma object numbers are in sequence, they must be sequential. 52,1,3,0x804,1,0x1102,0,0,0 54,1,3,0x808,1,0x1102,0,0,0 56,1,3,0x80C,1,0x1102,0,0,0 58,2,3,0x810,1,0x1102,0,0,0 60,2,3,0x814,1,0x1102,0,0,0 62,2,3,0x818,1,0x1102,0,0,0 64,2,3,0x81C,1,0x1102,0,0,0 OUTPUT 111,1,144,0,1,1,0,100,0 112,2,144,0,1,1,0,100,0 113,1,16,4,1,1,1,30,0 ; Controller to IP address mapping table (Serial comms will ignore this table) ;   1 - Controller Address ;   2 - IP address of the Controller or the gateway/router to access the ;       controller IP_ADDRESS_TABLE Configure the Controller IP addresses. 1,10.158.100.114 2,10.158.100.205 ; End of Gateway.txt file. Do not write below this line.

Issue Manually add individual components to a Component Library Environment TGML Graphics Editor Cause Components are sometimes stored as a file type TGMLCOMPONENT File with the extension .tgmlcomponent file. Resolution Open the Graphics Editor and Select a Component Category you wish to add components to Open Windows Explorer and browse to the .tgmlcomponent files. Drag the file(s) from Windows Explorer to the the TGML Graphics Editor Component Category window. Click OK or press enter to acknowledge each file as it is added.

Issue What are the Continuum door's attribute which values persist for ONE scan only. Environment Plain English Cause Documentation Resolution DURESS VALID ACCESS VALID ATTEMPT ENTRY EGRESS VIOLATION INVALID ATTEMPT DATABASE FAULT ENTRY KEYPAD TAMPER EXIT KEYPAD TAMPER

Issue The Modbus communication stops from time to time, and never gets back until the COM port is reconfigured. The device is still online; it is only the values that will not update. This is usually only an issue if Modbus groups are used. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure 1.5 Automation Server Cause If a trendlog with a very long sample time (e.g. 1 hour) is set to log a point and nothing else is bound to the Modbus device, all values from the device will be updated at the same interval as the trendlog. This is solved in newer versions. Resolution Add a single Modbus point to a new Modbus group. Set the group poll rate to the same as the Device poll rate. To enable polling of the Modbus point, add an alarm that will not activate. This will result in polling of the device at the group poll rate.

Issue How many Function block can i add under a Local node Environment Struxureware Server (1.6) Cause Struxureware was built around that 50 function block should be supported under a local node Resolution Struxureware was built around that 50 function block should be supported under a local node however we never added a limit so you can add more, this is however not supported.

Issue What are the definitions for the enumerated value representing CTSTS (control status) for the Network 8000 MicroNet FLO2 controller? Environment IA Series G3 tacAsd driver Cause CTSTS is displayed as an enumerated value and the associated definition is not provide. Resolution The definitions for CTSTS (control status) are: Hex - Decimal - Definition 0x00 0  CAL 0x01 1  UNOFF 0x02 2  WRMUP 0x03 3  REV 0x04 4  COOL 0x05 5  CLMX 0x06 6  CLMN 0x07 7  HEAT 0x08 8  HTMX 0x09 9  HTINT 0x0A 10  FOPN 0x0B 11  FCLS 0x0C 12  FMX 0x0D 13  FMN 0x0E 14  FFAN 0x0F 15  GFOPN 0x10 16  GFCLS 0x11 17  FGMX 0x12 18  GFMN 0x13 19  CALDP 0x14 20  DIAG

Issue B3 program not work properly some time, but be correct at some time, for example, the function called program response slowly, only output the upper limit and lower limit. Environment Continuum B3 Cause This issue caused by lack of freemem for the b3s although there is not too much program and objects or logs entries. Some customer edit the program in Microsoft office word enviroment and paste it into Plain English , this result in a lot of Blank line in the  program and occupies many memory, When the freemem is under 2000bytes, some program will not work properly. Resolution Remove some blank line or comment charcaters in the programs and keep the freemem is above 2000bytes.

Issue Integrating a SE7200F5045E to Niagara G3 / AX. The tenant can change the occupied heating or cooling setpoint locally.  Which snvt can be used to display the current setpoint? Environment Niagara G3 Niagara R2 SE7200 series Cause Application question - wants to plot the proper setpoint on the graphic Resolution The nciSetpts snvt displays the current setpoints used by the SE7200 for heating and cooling in both occupied and unoccupied modes. Note:  The tenant can only change the occupied heating and cooling setpoints from the local keypad / display.

Issue The historical reads will fail from time to time due to process data failure Environment Report Server 1.6.0 and below Cause This is due to the ValueAfter and ValueBefore column in the tbEvents table of Reports db. ValueAfter and ValueBefore Columns were designed as float datatype, When the Reporting Agent tries to convert the NeuronId of a LonWorks device (which is one of the data for ValueAfter and Valuebefore Columns) as a float then this issue occurs. Due to this Reporting Agent will trigger the ES Read again. Resolution With the change of ValueAfter and ValueBefore to nVarChar datatype, the issue gets solved. These changes are included in Web reports 1.6.1. 

Issue 'TotalHistoricalRecords read so far' counter in the reporting agent log does not match the number of records read. Below is an example taken from a Reporting agent log: INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - TotalHistoricalRecords read so far = 59 INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - The log has IncludeInReports = true INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - Trend LoggArray.FirstRecordInSource= 1 INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - Trend LoggArray.LastRecordInSource= 9797 INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - Last record stored in reports database = 9780 INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - Getting records from server: start sequence = 9781, Number of recordsrequested = 17 INFO 2014-12-09 10:41:18 - TotalHistoricalRecords read so far = 75 In this case 17 records are requested: 9797-9780 = 17. Counter for 'TotalHistoricalRecords read so far' = 59 before getting logs. After getting logs, 'TotalHistoricalRecords read so far' = 75. 75-69 = 16.  Environment SmartStruxure WebReports Enterprise Server  Cause This is caused by 'null' values in the extended trend log being read. Any value that equals 'null' in the extended trend log will not be added to the WebReports SQL database. Resolution None. The product is working correctly.

Issue Datasheets indicate that the SE7200F5545P is compatible with the SED-WIN-P-5045 but changes in the switch are not being recognized by the SE7200.  Environment SE7200 wireless version Cause The SED-WIN wireless window switch was confirmed, as of the date of this article, as NOT compatible with the SE7200 controller model. Compatibility will be available at a later date. Resolution If necessary, use the VT7200F5014P-2624 controller with the SED-WIN-P-5045.  This controller has a Honeywell cover but it's functionally equivalent to the SE7200F5545P.  Just swap covers.

Issue WebPinpoint will not install or error finding WebclientPinpointSetup.cab Environment WebClient WebPinpoint Cause Partial WebPinpoint installation or WebClientPinpointSetup.cab is not located in the expected folder. Resolution 1. In the browser machine look in control panel program and features, if you see WebPoinpoint is the list of programs when it is already installed, if you suspect the installation is no right then unistall Webpinpoint then try to open a Graphics which will cause the Webpinpoint installation to run again. 2. If WebPinpoint istallation can't locate the installer then go to the machine where the Web Server Continuum software was installed and... a) Look in C:\Program Files(x86)\WebServer\Redist, there should be a file called WebClientPinpointSetup.CAB if the file is not there you need to locate it on the machine and copy it to said folder.

Issue Invalid Attempt on Card Read Environment Schlage Integration with Continuum version 1.94 and above.. Cause When an ABA card is read on an ABA reader using the X-Driver,connected to a WRI (Wireless Remote Interface) an Invalid attempt is displayed in the Live Events Window. This is because the leading 0's are not being recognized by the driver. Resolution To resolve this there is a rotary switch on the reader itself that needs to be turned to #3. To do this, follow these steps: Remove power or unplug the power source. Slide the reader off the mounting kit. Using a small screw driver, gently pry the circuit board off the reader assembly The switch is a small rotary knob with numbers displayed on it. Using the screw driver, gently turn the dial to #4, this allows the reader to display all ABA digits, plus 10 leading and trailing 0's, as well as clock & data output. Once finished, reassemble the reader and verify functionality. NOTE: Make sure the ABA card is being swiped in the correct direction unless the reader supports card swipe in either direction (not all readers supports this).