Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue How can a button be added to a Pinpoint graphic or Continuum menu page that open Explorer with a specific controller of folder expanded. Environment CyberStation WebClient Pinpoint Cause Customer desires a graphic link that will launch Continuum Explorer pointing to a specific path. Resolution While Continuum Explorer can be launched from a button on a pinpoint graphic or menu page, it is not possible to add an argument that will direct it to open with a specific node selected.

Issue Windows 7 SP1 support for Continuum and Webclient. Environment Windows 7 Continuum v1.93 and above Webclient v1.93 and above Cause Microsoft released Windows SP1 and it is not listed on the Continuum compatibility matrix. Resolution Continuum / WebClient v1.93 QA has not tested and qualified v1.93 for use with Windows 7 SP1. Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 was not released at the time of the Continuum 1.93 release. Note: Some Partners and Branches have installed Windows 7 SP1 and have not reported any specific issues running Continuum or Webclient 1.93.  Some PSS engineers are also running SP1 without issues.   Continuum / WebClient v1.94 QA has tested and qualified v1.94 for use with Windows 7 SP1. The note of this qualification was omitted from the Compatibility Matrix that was first released. The Matrix will be updated to reflect this new qualification for Continuum / WebClient v1.94.

Issue Customer wishes to shunt a motion sensor alarm during the day when the building is occupied. Does this require PE code or is there an easier way? Environment Continuum Cause Looking for an easier way than writing Plain English code to shunt a security alarm. Resolution Use an Alarm Point. In this example, attach the schedule occupancy point in the Alarms tab of the InfinityInput editor for the motion sensor. The alarm algorithm expression for the AlarmEnrollment object will be: Value = On and Point1 = Off (assuming AlarmPoint1 is used). In this way, if the motion sensor is on and the occupancy schedule is off, the above expression is true, and the point will go into alarm.

Issue Error received when compiling a large program. Environment Windows XP Cyber Station 1.8X and  1.9x Master Controllers Infinity Controllers Cause The following limitations apply to programs: For Workstation or Infinity programs, the maximum text length is 32000 characters For Infinet programs, the maximum text length is 16000 characters Resolution Create smaller programs. Span across multiple programs. Remove comments as needed.

Issue Some b3 system variables have been renamed in StruxureWare as have some of the special labels. Environment StruxureWare WorkStation b3 BACnet devices Cause System design Resolution When programming the b3 devices care should be taken to use the StruxureWare Building Operation name of system variables and special labels to avoid compiler errors. All system variables that in Continuum have the prefix ACC in the name have been re-named to remove the prefix so that ACCStatusBackup is StatusBackup and ACCStatusFlash is StatusFlash. Also all value labels that in Continuum have the prefix ACC have been re-named to remove the prefix so that ACCBackupNeeded is BackupNeeded and ACCBackupNow is BackupNow.

Issue Why doesn't Schneider Electric Product Support publish the Microsoft part numbers that correspond to the descriptions of the Operating Systems and SQL Server products listed in the Product Compatibility Matrix?  Environment CyberStation SQL Servers IIS Servers Cause Customer's IT Department wants partner to provide Microsoft part numbers, instead of descriptions, for required operating systems and SQL Server. Resolution One reason (and there may be more) why Microsoft part numbers are not documented with the Product Compatibility Matrix is that Microsoft has volume license agreements and other variables that cause the part numbers to be different for what Schneider Electric views as the same product.

Issue No data is sent from keypad to the controller, pressing keys multiple times do not produce an access event of any kind at the door Environment ACX5740 ACX5720 Cause Incorrect voltage configuration for channel. Keypad unit rated for 10-15 volts but jumper on the ACX57xx hardware configured to send 5 volts to the reader/keypad Resolution Use jumper on ACX57xx hardware to properly select the right voltage for the reader channel, each reader channel on the ACX57xx can be configured to send 5 or 12 volts to the reader/keypad.

Issue What keypads work with ACX781 controllers? Environment Continuum ACX781 Cause Require a keypad interface for ACX781 but do not know what to use. Resolution The ACX781 has only ever supported the "3x4" matrix dry contact keypads. The circuitry on this discontinued controller is unable to support a wiegand keypad (widely available) of any kind and will not work with a voltage matrix such as the "2 of 7" keypads (this reference in the ACX781 cutsheet is wrong).   The only solution is to use a keypad that supports the "3x4" matrix such as the Essex Keypad or HID model (5355AGS00). If wanting to use wiegand keypads only that do not support the "3x4" matrix then the only solution is to use a controller that does support a wiegand keypad - a new ACX57xx, CX9900 + AC1, or CX9680 + AC1.

Issue Trying to add B3 controllers to BCX and they are not coming online. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment BCX 4040 Continuum 1.9X B3XXX  controllers Cause BacNet wiring can not be in a star configuration. There can not be more than two terminating 120 Ohm resistors. Resolution The Bus must be wired in series with end line 120 Ohm resistors. Install a B-Link if the bus path cannot be wired in series. Please see the BacNet Technical Reference manual for wiring examples.

Issue Is there a specific amount, or percentage of free memory that must be maintained for Continuum controllers to operate? Environment NetController CX9900 CX9940 Infinet i2 ACX2 b3 Cause Is there a specific amount, or percentage of free memory that must be maintained for Continuum controllers to operate? Resolution There are no published metrics or guidelines regarding the use of Continuum controller free memory. For most of the Continuum controllers there is no required minimum amount of free memory in order for the controller to function properly. The notable exception to this is the CX99xx. Remote validation will stop working in the CX99xx if freemem goes too low. This is because the system memory and the user memory come from the same heap. Also, in the CX99xx, if a Plain English program uses a commport to read and write data, and the controller has insufficient memory to switch from a RAW port to AutoSet, the controller will lock the commport. A safe target for freemem is 15% of the total. These issues were fixed in the NC2/ACX2 by having separate heaps for memory allocation by the system and OMS (object management system). The newer IP level controllers and the i2/b3 controllers can be loaded up until there is no freemem but be aware that as you load up the controller memory with programs, the scan time will typically increase.

Issue What must be done to write a program in an InfinityController to send raw text to another device via the controllers comm port. Environment NCI NCII BCX ACX5720, ACX5740 Cause Must interface with another controller device one to write a program in an InfinityController to send raw text to another device via the controllers comm port. Resolution A Plain English program must be created to send the text string formatted as required by the device which will be receiving the text.  On a NetController 2 Comm 1 or Comm 3 must be used. Initially the program must initialize the comm port parameters to match what the external device requires in terms of data speed and bit length, etc.  The following is an example of the parameters that should be considered. Set COMM1 Baud = Baud2400 Set COMM1 DefaultMode = AutoSet Set COMM1 DataLength = DataBits7 Set COMM1 Parity = Even Set COMM1 FlowControl = XonXoff Once the commport has been set, the Program must open the comm port in raw mode using a command similar to the command below. Open(COMM1) Once the comm port is open, data may be sent to the comm port using a print statement Print DataString.Str to Comm1 If the Comm port must be closed following transmission logic will have to be added to test for whether the comm port was opened successfully and for closing the comm port once the transmission is complete. (Note: If the CommPort is enabled for an XDriver, you may get an error, "Invalid mode for the comm port", when trying to set the CommPort defaultmode to AutoSet. If this occurs use a Commport or Controller that is not XDriver enabled.)

Issue DoorAjar alarms not showing up in an Access EventView even after hardware has been checked out and configuration is verified. Environment 1) Cyberstation Version: 1.90.0.20081030 2) Controller Type: ACX 5720 3) Controller Version: 1.000005 Event View Cause DoorAjar alarms not showing up in an Access EventView even after hardware has been checked out and configuration is verified. Resolution In this case the solution was to uprev the ACX to the latest version (ACX57xx v1.1000xx). The v1.0xxxxx firmware is used in CyberStation versions 1.81 and below and the v1.1xxxxx is used in v1.82 and above. Download ACX-57xx Series_v1.100013

Issue A door configured with entry and exit readers using AC1/AC1A will report door switch trouble after controller is reloaded. Environment CyberStation CX9900 CX9680 AC1 AC1A NOTE: There is no problem if AC1Plus modules are used. Cause Configuration issue Resolution Attach resistors to exit side AC1's door switch, the resistor configuration on the exit AC1 must match the resistor configuration on the entry AC1. DO NOT wire the inputs on the exit AC1 to anything. Only the door switch has this requirement, the REX input does not require adding resistors to the exit AC1. See IO System Reference Guide  connecting a dual reader door for wiring information.

Issue When running a listview, it stops inexplicably. Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Listviews cannot be run on objects with no Device IDs. Resolution Remove the affected objects (those with no Device IDs) from the SQL database.

Issue Equipment damage can occur when a common transformer is used to power non-isolated, half-wave rectifier and non-isolated, full-wave rectifier devices. Equipment damage also can occur if the I/O terminals of a device lack isolation from one another and I/O devices of varying rectifier types are connected to these non-isolated terminals and powered by a common transformer. Environment NetController ( CX99xx , CX9702 , CX92xx , CX9xxx ) InfinetController ( Infinet Controller ) BACnet Controller ( bCXxxxx , b4xxx , b3xxx ) Cause For example in wiring,  the control signal “-” output of the full-wave device is directly connected to one of the AC leads of the common transformer through the control signal “-” of the half-wave device. This connection places the D4 diode of the full-wave rectifier directly across the transformer secondary and causes shorting of the transformer every half cycle of the AC input. This condition can cause serious equipment damage. Resolution Non-isolated, connected devices of varying rectifier types require their own external isolation transformers. Use external isolation transformers for each device if there is doubt regarding whether an installation may cause equipment damage.

Issue Looking for support for Schneider Electric Lighting Control products such as Clipsal, Powerlink, and SERP relay panels  (non-Continuum or Infinity products).   Environment Not Continuum Not Infinity Lighting Integration Cause Looking for support for Schneider Electric Lighting Control products such as Clipsal, Powerlink, and SERP relay panels  (non-Continuum or Infinity products).   Resolution Technical Support, Start-up Assistance and Troubleshooting OCC Sensors, Powerlink, C-Bus (Clipsal): Tech Support Group, 615-287-3591, option 1 Or email to:lightingcontrol.support@schneider-electric.com Cassia, Relay Panels: Tech Support Group, 888-387-2212, option 2 Or email to: lightingcontrol.support@schneider-electric.com M-F, 7:30am-5:00pm Central.  24 hour emergency response is available at 888-SQUARED.

Issue Upgraded LAN system from 1.74 SP2 to 1.93. Click on any existing schedule or try to create a new schedule - no response from the system, i.e no error message and no editor is launched. Environment LAN CyberStation v1.93 SQL 2000 SP4 Windows XP SP3 Cause 1.93 installation "over-the-top" of 1.74 appeared successful, but was not. Resolution Originally, the upgrade installation was done "over the top" of the existing CyberStation. The problem was seen. The installation was done again over the top. The problem persisted. The problem went away after uninstalling CyberStation, deleting the Continuum directory and Continuum Utilities directory, rebooting and reinstalling CyberStation.

Issue Upgrading CyberStation from v1.7 to 1.93.  The instructions say to use \Continuum\CyberKeyWriter2.exe to upgrade the key (dongle). The program is not there. Environment CyberStation v1.7 Cause Upgrading CyberStation from v1.7 to 1.93.  The instructions say to use \Continuum\CyberKeyWriter2.exe to upgrade the key (dongle). The program is not there. Resolution CyberStation v1.7 had CyberKeyWriter.exe not CyberKeyWriter2.exe. CyberKeyWriter2.exe will be added to the \Continuum directory during the upgrade. Once the upgrade to the new version of CyberStation is done, use CyberKeyWriter2.exe and the Key Code from the Repair Dept to upgrade the key.  

Issue Can Andover Continuum and Vista be installed on the same computer? Product Line Andover Continuum, TAC Vista Environment Windows computer with desire to install both iBMS (intelligent Building Management System)  Cause Single computer with desire to install both Andover Continuum and TAC Vista  Resolution Vista and Continuum cannot run on the same computer. Even if it is the latest Windows version. There are a couple of problems right up front, the License dongle, required by Continuum, can only be a single license dongle. In other words, only one dongle per computer. If Continuum sees a second dongle for license in the computer, there are problems. Second issue is the SQL, the two programs, Vista and Continuum have different install methods and therefore are not compatible. Continuum uses a V1/x strict compatibility install, where Vista uses the default Latin install. Note: Unofficially, sites have been reported as using VMWare to install both in the virtual environment. This of course is not supported, but has been done and is a possible solution. By the time the software is purchased and all possible problems have been addressed, it may be equal to using a second computer or laptop for the other system. Officially though, both systems on the same computer is not supported. 

Issue What are the pull up resistors on the universal inputs used for? Environment IOU modules i2 devices b3 devices Cause Information on the pull up resistors selection switch. Resolution The pull up resistors on the inputs are used to configure the input impedance, for example on the 810 series i2/b3 field controllers the input impedance can be 30.1K ohms referenced to 10.000 V or 10 M ohms referenced to ground with the input reference resistor switch set to OUT Pull up resistors are configured via the DIP switch located in the general area of the inputs, each small switch corresponds to the input with the same number. If an input is either a thermistor or a digital input, switch its input reference resistor switch to IN. (switch ON) If you require that the input be high impedance (10 M ohms), set its input reference resistor switch to OUT. (switch OFF)