Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Error received when attempting to login to Vista Workstation:   Could not connect to Vista Server.  Login error. Or, error received when trying to login to Vista Server: Invalid entry. Username and/or password cannot be verified in the system. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Vista Workstation Cause The username or password is incorrect. Resolution Check the username and password and try again. Log in with the default System account (Username= system / Password= system), or any other $Administrators username.  Reset the user's password. Open Vista Server Setup and ensure the security level has not been changed on the Authority tab. If a Vista user account no longer works set the security level to "Low Level". If a NT account no longer works set the security level to "High Level". If all system level logins have been lost, contact Product Support.  Send a backup of the database to be unlocked.

Issue Modbus slaves are programmed according to device documentation, but either the wrong values are returned or error codes complaining about invalid address. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 913 Xenta 731 Xenta 511:B Cause The XBuilder Device Editor has two ways to address modbus registers. The improper usage of these methods can cause communication problems because the wrong register is polled. 1. Fixed Address Blocks This method combines the function code and register address to produce a single number format that serves multiple function codes. This is sometimes referred to as numerical notation. A poll of a holding register uses function 03 and an address from 00 00 to FF FF. When using Fixed Address Blocks a message of function code 03 and address 00 00 is displayed as 40001. Due to this combination it is limited to 9,999 addresses per function code. Type Function Code  Address  Coil Status  01  00001-9999  Input Status  02  10001-19999  Holding Register  03  40001-49999  Input Register  04  30001-39999 When the device editor is using Fixed Address Blocks then the numerical number is parsed from the Register in the following way. Register Function Code Address 1-9999 01 Register - 1 10001-19999 02 Register - 10001 30001-39999 04 Register - 30001 40001-49999 03 Register - 40001 2. Function Code Tables (Discrete Input, Coil, Input Register, Holding Register) This addressing format is closer to the actual protocol and keeps the function code separate from the register address. It also provides full use of the addresses from 0 to 65535. Table Function Code Discrete Input 02 Coil 01 Input Register 04 Holding Register 03   If the wrong format is used it can result in failure to communicate because the wrong register is used. For example polling register address 40010 on function code 03 when it should have been address 9 on function code 03. Resolution The documentation of the product being interfaced with is the best guide on the register addressing and the format they use. If the documentation does not directly specify the information then use the follow hints to guide your selection: Hints to use Function Code Tables Addresses that fall on zero (0, 10000, 30000, or 40001) Non binary data that is less then 30001 or greater then 40001. Devices states it is J-Bus. Register address is displayed in Hexadecimal format. Hints to use Fixed Address Blocks Any address register above 30000 or 40000, unless it claims to be a JBus device. If it is still unclear which addressing format to use then experiment with read only data and value pages in the Xenta Servers. Pick a point that you can easily confirm the value, add both address formats to a device template, and then confirm the proper format with a values page. Once you know how to read one point the rest of the product documentation is easier to work with.

Issue Basic Modbus RTU configuration to read a register from PM800 Power Meter. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server Modbus RTU PM800 Power Meter Cause Integrate power meters to a Building Operation front end for the user to view data and trend logs. Resolution Here are the steps to Configure a ModBus RTU interface in Building Operation to read the Line Voltage register from a PM800 Power Meter. (Assuming meter has already been properly wired to one of the serial ports on the AS) Create the Modbus Interface, in this case a Modbus Master Network.   Link the interface to a serial port in the AS in the Port Reference field, in this example to RTU device is wired to RS485-COMB   2. Under the interface create the RTU device. In this example the device id is 11, enter the appropriate id for the device. Once the device object is saved, the status should show 'Online' unless there is a communications issue. This is provided you have the online poll interval set. If this is disabled the device will stay offline until a Modbus register is polled and a valid response is received.    You can confirm that Building Operation is able to correctly detect the communications status of the device by disconnecting it from the commport and observing the status change to 'Offline', upon re-connection the status should once again display 'Online'   3. Under the device create a Modbus Point of type AnalogInput to get the value of the Line Voltage from the device. According to the documentation for the PM800 the register holding the line voltage is Function Code 3  and register  1124 The value of the point should now correspond to the line voltage in this case 125 volts.

Issue Can licenses be transferred in Security Expert? Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause Unsure if a single SSN can be authenticated on multiple PC's or if licenses can be transferred or moved. Resolution Each PC requires a separate SSN. These licenses can be transferred between PC's. As part of the licensing process, the hardware details of the computer are recorded against each SSN, so any hardware changes require re-licensing, this also means SSNs cannot be shared across computers, and if used on a virtual machine – it must be assigned a static MAC address. Licenses can be transferred between machines without issue, Product Support will add a registration onto the license and clear the hardware profile after receiving a request. The installer will then do a License Update from the Security Expert server.

Issue How to load up archived data in a report using Seven Reports Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven  SevenReports Archiving Cause Reports show nothing or have one blank page and fail to show data that meets the date window specified Resolution When using Seven Reports to view data, archived data can be viewed and put into a report.  From the Archives pull-down menu, Mount/Dismount the archive files. Files, by default, are stored in the c:\INET Seven Data\Arch folder. After mounting the needed reports (look at the date of the files in the archive folder), the report used must have the word ARCHIVE in the file name. This specifies that the reports will be pulled not from the current database but rather from the mounted files and on the dates specified. The reports should now be from the Archived files mounted. Archive Reports are located on the install CD under CD\Program Files\INET Seven\Reports To download, click on the link below and select to save the report to your hard disk in the c:\INET Seven Data\Reports folder:   I/NET Seven Release 2.20 and Prior files: ArchiveOverrideBillingSamples.rpt ArchiveRuntimeSamples.rpt ArchiveTransactionsDoors.rpt ArchiveTransactionsIndividuals.rpt ArchiveAnalogSamples.rpt ArchiveConsumptionSamples.rpt ArchiveDemandSamples.rpt ArchiveDiscreteSamples.rpt   I/NET Release 2.21 to current: ArchiveAnalogSamples_xi.rpt ArchiveConsumptionSamples_xi.rpt ArchiveDemandSamples_xi.rpt ArchiveDiscreteSamples_xi.rpt ArchiveOverrideBillingSamples_xi.rpt ArchiveRuntimeSamples_xi.rpt ArchiveTransactionsDoors_xi.rpt ArchiveTransactionsIndividuals_xi.rpt   Tip: In some instances, while the report is running and the data is being compiled, if you move the mouse or strike a key, the process starts all over. The solution is to start the report and wait for a few minutes if you have input a broad range of data to search and produce.

Issue How can a BACnet system be customized to maximize data throughput?  The site has a Niagara R2 Enterprise Server and a UNC with a variety of MSTP controllers connected to the UNC. Environment Niagara R2 Enterprise UNC MSTP controllers Cause Improper configurations won't achieve optimum performance. Resolution This can be a relatively complicated question, however, there are a number of basic steps that can be taken in terms of best practices to enhance performance. Within the UNC station, any BACnet objects that are not needed are to be deleted. During the learn of a BACnet controller, many objects are learned that are not used. All BACnet objects when learned into a station are placed in Poll-Always containers. All but the most critical objects, schedules and trended objects are to be moved to Poll-on-Demand containers. All controllers on the MSTP bus should be consecutively addressed.  Gaps in addressing add delay in communications. The MaxMaster setting in all controllers, including the UNC, is to be set to a numeric value two greater than the highest MSTP controller address on the network. To leave MaxMaster at 127 but only have 20 controllers on the network will also add delays in communications looking for the other non-existent 107 controllers. The MaxInfoFrames setting in the UNC or MNB-1000 is to be set to a number higher than 5 but no more than 20. This setting determines how many pieces of information can be requested each time the UNC or MNB-1000 receives the token on the MSTP bus. The default value is 1 and if left at this value the system will be sluggish with updating values on graphic screens. The range of 5 to 20 is given as a starting point for experimenting and each system will be different depending on the number of controllers and what data is being requested.  Lab tests have shown there is a performance curve with an optimum point.  Starting at a value of 5, performance increases as the value increases.  Performance will then peak and any further increase to the setting will result in a performance reduction.  As a result, stay above 5 but less than 20. Refer to the document titled "I/A Series MicroNet BACnet Wiring, Networking, and Best Practices Guide" (F-27360) for additional information.

Issue View forced values in a EcoStruxure Building Operation TGML graphic Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation TGML Graphic Cause There are no variables for forced value to trigger an object in a graphic. Resolution In the graphic editor do as follow. Add a text object Add a binding to the text object and name it Change attribute to content Add a convert status Under behavior add text you want to show when the value its forced Edit binding for the graphic, bind the created textobject to the value of the point The text object should now show the text forced when the value is forced.  

Issue What is Domain Name Service (DNS)? Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Access Expert,EcoStruxure Building Expert,EcoStruxure Building Operation,EcoStruxure Security Expert,Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet,TAC IA Series,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment TCP/IP Networks Cause DNS is a distributed hierarchical system for resolving host names into IP address. Under DNS, there is no central database with all of the Internet host information. The information is distributed among thousands of name servers organized into a hierarchy similar to the UNIX file system. DNS has a root domain at the top of the domain hierarchy that is served by a group of name servers called the root servers. Source: TCP/IP Network Administration by Craig Hunt, O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. Resolution Short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4. The DNS system is, in fact, its own network. If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a particular domain name, it asks another one, and so on, until the correct IP address is returned.  

Issue Trying to open TGML Graphics Editor and an error appears before the editor crashes.  Crash report shown below: Font 'Arial' does not support style 'Regular'. ArgumentException at System.Drawing.Font.CreateNativeFont() at System.Drawing.Font.Initialize(FontFamily family, Single emSize, FontStyle style, GraphicsUnit unit, Byte gdiCharSet, Boolean gdiVerticalFont) at System.Drawing.Font..ctor(FontFamily family, Single emSize, FontStyle style, GraphicsUnit unit) at SE.Graphics.Viewer.Windows.GDIPlus.RenderText..ctor(Double left, Double top, String textContent, Double fontSize, String fontFamily, Int32 fontStyle, Int32 fontWeight, Int32 horizontalAlign, Int32 verticalAlign, Int32 textDecoration) at SE.Graphics.Viewer.Windows.GDIPlus.DrawingFactory.createText(Double left, Double top, String textContent, Double fontSize, String fontFamily, Int32 fontStyle, Int32 fontWeight, Int32 horizontalAlign, Int32 verticalAlign, Int32 textDecoration) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlText.getUncachedShape() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlStrokeShape.getShape() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlTextShape.getShape() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlStrokeShape.getUncachedBoundingBox() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.getBoundingBox() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.HandleAfterBoundingBoxChanged() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.OnAfterBoundingBoxChanged() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.OnChildElementChanged(Node element, ChangeType changeType) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TgmlInheritedElement.FireChildElementChanged(Node element, ChangeType changeType) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TgmlInheritedElement.insertBefore(Node newChild, Node refChild) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.NodeImpl.appendChild(Node newChild) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ParentNode.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ElementImpl.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ParentNode.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ElementImpl.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at TAC.Graphics.Editor.Core.GraphicsComponent.ExtractContent() at TAC.Graphics.Editor.Core.ComponentStencilItem.LoadItem(String file, String imageFile, String& description, Image& image) at TAC.Graphics.Editor.Core.FileStencilItem.Load(String file) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation TAC Vista Environment TGML Graphics Editor Multiple installations of Microsoft Office Cause If a PC comes with Microsoft Office 2010 (which is not currently compatible with Vista) and additional versions of Excel 2007 are installed, for example, it could remove or corrupt the installation of certain fonts. Resolution Obtain a fresh copy of the font .TTF file.  In this example, Arial.ttf. Install the font by dragging and dropping the .TTF file into C:\Windows\Fonts directory.

Issue Is it possible to see which user that have disabled an alarm? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation Cause It is possible to see from the "show history" view for a disabled alarm. Resolution Open the disabled alarm view. Right click on the disabled alarm and choose "Show history". Right click on the columns field and add a column called "User name" in that column you can see which user that disabled the alarm.

Issue When using CIDR (Classless Inter Domain Routing) or Supernetting it is not always obvious what range of IP addresses can be used. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Device Administrator Building Commissioning Tool Cause When subnet masks with values other than 255 are used it is not always obvious what is the range of valid IP addresses allowed.  There is a need for an easy way to determine the range of valid IP addresses for the Subnet Mask being used. Resolution The IP address range can be calculated mathematically but the simplest method is to use a subnet calculator.  The website links below are both examples that will calculate the range of valid addresses for any specified subnet value.   http://www.subnet-calculator.com/cidr.php https://www.calculator.net/ip-subnet-calculator.html   Visit either of the websites for a CIDR / Supernet calculator, enter an IP addresses in the network along with a subnet mask and the calculator will provide the range of addresses that can be used within the subnet.   In addition to online calculators, a number of different subnet-calculator programs are available for Android, Apple and Windows Smartphones.  

Issue No alarms are being displayed in the alarm queue. This includes alarms from any automation server that has been added underneath an enterprise server database or enterprise server alarms. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment WorkStation Alarm Queue Cause This is a result of the alarm queue filter containing active filter conditions. Resolution Remove alarm filters: Click the Alarm Filter icon on the toolbar of the alarm queue. In the Select Conditions window, make sure that all of the alarm conditions have been removed or only the filters that you want remain. To remove an alarm condition, simply click the trashcan button on the far right side of the condition. Note: If a blank condition is left behind, it will prevent any alarm from being displayed in the alarm queue.

Issue Often data is required to be exported out from the Continuum system for record keeping or for further analysis, what keywords can be used to help with this? Environment Cyberstation Plain English programs - all versions. Microsoft Excel Product Line Andover Continuum Cause Specific help is available in the product for specific keywords but how can these be put together to export data to .CSV format. Resolution As we do not advocate 3rd party system trying to directly extract data from the Continuum database, you should create a Plain English program in a Workstation that can export logged data directly from the controllers out to a .CSV or .TXT file.   Keywords to use for this purpose are: OpenFile WriteFile CloseFile   Details of the above Keywords are available in the Cyberstation internal help pages.   The attached example dump file could be run on a daily basis to extract temperature logs from a controller and save them to files with a date stamped naming convention.   Click to download the example WriteFile dump file. 

Issue Reload of BCX receives error "Infinity controller error: Controller has no assigned Infinet port An error was detected while attempting to set an attribute in a remote Infinity object" Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation BCX 9640 BCX4040 Infinet controller b3 Cause Reloading of a BCX 9640 resulted in error "Infinity controller error: Controller has no assigned Infinet port.  An error was detected while attempting to set an attribute in a remote Infinity object"   Suspected that a learn on the commport was performed or infinet controllers were manually created causing no assigned comm port. Resolution As with any edit of the Continuum system, please make sure to backup the database.   Follow these steps: Send BCX to text file  Add commport to each Infinet controller entry as below Import newly edited text dump file into the BCX. Reload BCX   Example of an original dump file exported in step 1 and the new dump file after the commport is added in step 2. Original Dump File New Dump File Object : Spare   Type : InfinityInfinetCtlr   LastChange : 1/11/2011 4:01:19 PM   DeviceId : Zoo\GreenHouse   Alias : Spare   CreateTime : 8/24/2010 8:28:22 AM   CreatedBy : Root\Acc   TimeLocked : 2/15/2011 12:53:26 PM   InstanceId : 7015/7167   CntrlType : 851   Description : Spare Controller No Points   InfinetId : 1   Location : Control Cabinet   NetworkId : 11   SerialNum : 12345   VersionNum : 2.160000  EndObject   Object : Spare   Type : InfinityInfinetCtlr   LastChange : 1/11/2011 4:01:19 PM   DeviceId : Zoo\GreenHouse   Alias : Spare   CreateTime : 8/24/2010 8:28:22 AM   CreatedBy : Root\Acc   TimeLocked : 2/15/2011 12:53:26 PM   InstanceId : 7015/7167   CntrlType : 851   Description : Spare Controller No Points   InfinetId : 1   Location : Control Cabinet   NetworkId : 11   Port : comm2   SerialNum : 12345   VersionNum : 2.160000  EndObject  

Issue Calculation for converting static air pressure to cfm Product Line TAC INET Environment INET HVAC Site Cause What are the calculations for converting static air pressure to cfm? Resolution SRVP ("water column") * 4005 = FPM (feet per minute). The second calculation is FPM * AreaFtSQ (size of box) = CFM You will need an airflow monitoring device and duct static pressure sensor to measure SRV P (v of Vs of P).

  Issue No more equation characters can be entered into a Function Block application Product Line EcoStruxure Buildings Operation Environment Buildings Operation WorkStation Buildings Operations Function Block Editor Cause You have exceeded the maximum number of characters allowed in a Function Block expression editor.   Resolution Expression text must have less than 500 characters. Split larger equations into two Function Blocks if needed. How to add an Expression Block  Expression Blocks 

Issue When adding License Entitlements via Device Administrator using the online method. After clicking activate, a "Communication failed" message is displayed:   Could not establish contact with License Server using SmartX Server Followed by a "License Operation Failed" message:   Add entitlement failed. License Server is offline. Error code: 41 Error message: CURL error: Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Device Administrator Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Cause When activating a SmartX Server license online, the SmartX server will try to connect to the license activation server to activate the license. If it cannot resolve the license activation server site name and connect, it will show up as offline. Resolution Make sure that the SmartX Server DNS is properly configured in the AS-P.  In Device Administrator select the Ethernet 1 Configuration tab. Check the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary DNS settings If unsure of the correct DNS address, enter the Google DNS address of 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4. The example below shows a local router address as the Primary DNS and Google DNS as the Secondary and Tertiary DNS.   To confirm that the SmartX Server can resolve the license activation server address Open a Console session on the SmartX Server in Device Administrator. Enter the command: ping schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com If the DNS is correctly set in the SmartX Server, the result should look similar to that shown below: Note: Ensure that the ASP is fully connected to the Internet in order to perform Online Embedded License Activation. You need to be connected to the Automation Server using IP (Not via USB) to activate the embedded license.

Issue Is there any adaptive tuning in the flow control loop that drives the MP-V or RP-V damper loop that will be negatively impacted by extended periods of non-zero box flow setpoints when the associated AHU is disabled (i.e. no pressure at VAV so the damper will open fully and the flow control loop will saturate). Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV EasyLogic RP-V Cause No information on the internal Variable Air Volume Data object Resolution Airflow control in the MP and RP VAV controllers is not impacted by extended periods of non-zero box flow setpoints when the associated AHU is disabled. The damper is actuated by a single-speed motor with three states (open, close, hold), and to avoid windup or saturation effects, the flow control algorithm is not a PID loop. There is no need to link the AHU enable to the MP or RP flow control logic.

Issue Unable to locate data sheet for the MD-S1 and MD-S2 auxiliary switch Product Line Field Devices Environment MD-S1 auxiliary switch MD-S2 auxiliary switch Cause No data sheets can to be found. Resolution Data sheets for the MD-S1 and MD-S2 auxiliary switches are not available. To review the MD-S Auxiliary Switch Installation Sheet, please click HERE.

Issue Using Sigma with a Virtual USB Dongle / Virtual USB Dongle / AnywhereUSB Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma 4.05 SP2 Sigma 4.05 SEB Windows XP Windows 7 AnywhereUSB/5 Gen 2 Cause The requirement for the Sigma dongle to be installed remote from the Sigma server PC. Resolution 1. Install AnywhereUSB hardware. 2. Follow AnywhereUSB manufacturer's instructions and install device software and drivers on PC where Sigma Server is to be installed and assign a static IP address. 3. Install Sigma dongle. 4. Install Sigma software if not already installed and run. Download manufacturers datasheet http://www.digi.com/pdf/prd_usb_anywhereusb.pdf Download manufactures manual https://www.digi.com/resources/documentation/digidocs/PDFs/90001085.pdf   Schneider Electric can now provide a software license in replacement for the Sigma dongle. See knowledge base article Sigma parallel port dongle or USB dongle upgrade to SBO/EBO software license exchange, for more information.