Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Need to move a b3 controller to another comm port. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyber Station BCX Controller Various versions of B3 controllers Cause Controller is installed on wrong comm port. Resolution Go offline editing Create all the Infinet controllers on the new destination commport assigning them the same or available Infinet ID as the controller that is on the original commport but a false serial number. Drag and drop copy all the points and programs from the original controller to the new controller. Once all the information is copied to the new controller then go and change the serial numbers of the original controllers to a false serial number. Verify that all the points and programs were correctly copied and are intact. Then go into the new controllers and change their serial numbers to what the serial numbers of there originating controllers were. Then move the physical infinet connection from the original commport to the new commport. Next go back to online editing. At this point you should see all your infinet controllers come back on line. Finally reload the complete site. Find new bacnet devices and save b3 controllers to database. It is important to note that if a site reload is not done, any controllers that are referencing points in the relocated controllers will have to have these object references verified and repaired in cases where the references have been lost.

Issue On the delivery tab of the EventNotification editor there's a checkbox that says, "Send to all workstations". Why is it grayed out?   Environment CyberStation Cause On the delivery tab of the EventNotification editor there's a checkbox that says, "Send to all workstations". Why is it grayed out?   Resolution This was added to the editor many versions ago, expecting to be implemented. A decision was made to not implement it but it was never removed. One reason for not implementing this was that many large systems have many workstations spread over multiple sites and time zones. This checkbox would make it too easy to cause unwanted alarms sent to too many locations. It was decided that a better idea was to require the programmer to thoughtfully select individual workstations.   

Issue 'Unsupported feature' error when saving a program with the sendemail keyword in PE with Cyberstation 1.74 SP2 on a 9680 or 57xx controller Environment Continuum 1.74 SP2 9680 Netcontroller 5740 Netcontroller 5720 Netcontroller Cause Sendemail feature was added to the 2nd generation of controller, but will not work through a program with 1.74 SP2 Resolution Several feature were added in 1.8x including the sendemail functionality to use to send an email directly with controllers in a program. Upgrade to 1.8x or above.

Issue Have (10) i2885-V-WL (Wireless Infinet) which need to be changed to regular RS-485 hard-wired (Infinet). How is this done? Environment CX9680 i2885-V-WL Cause Have (10) i2885-V-WL (Wireless Infinet) which need to be changed to regular RS-485 hard-wired (Infinet). How is this done? Resolution Simply flash any Infinet II –V VAV Controller from a wireless Infinet to a wired Infinet II or even to a wired BACnet or Wireless BACnet –VAV controller in just one step. The –V VAV Series are the first Andover Continuum controllers to allow a change in the controller operating system with a simple firmware upgrade. The hardware model number doesn't change. For example, an 866-V will always be an 866-V, but through software that same 866-V can change in firmware from an i2866-V to a b3866-V-WL with one upgrade in the field. Also, the i2 -V controller firmware type can be identified using two onboard LEDs (i.e. wired vs. wireless, BACnet vs. Infinet). Notes: The Roam-IO2 cannot be used to flash a wireless controller to a wired one. The Roam-IO2 cannot communicate to a wireless controller. Non -V controllers should not be flashed in the field. Trying to do this runs the risk of turning the controller into a brick.  To flash non-V controllers, send them to repair.

Issue A CX9200 running Continuum v1.500030 will not upgrade the node count from 64 to 127. Environment CX92000 Xdriver, Webserver Cause A CX9200 running Continuum v1.500030 will not upgrade the node count from 64 to 127. Resolution CX9200 boards were manufactured before UPD flash files were used to upgrade the options set in EEPROM (like the node count). The CX9200 options are upgraded by loading a serial DMP file (available through Repair) and then resetting the controller. In this particular case, the controller would appear to accept the dump file with no error, but the node count did not change. The issue was resolved by upgrading the firmware chips to version 1.52 or later, and then loading the dump file from the Repair Dept. To avoid paying for a firmware upgrade just to increase the node count, the workaround is: Temporarily install v1.52 firmware chips Do the upgrade with the DMP file Reinstall the old chips Note: A similar thing is true if looking to add the Webserver option to a CX9200. If you have Continuum v1.52 chips installed, then you can get a dump file from the Repair Department to add the webserver option. If the board is older than v1.52 you will need to send the board into Repair for them to make the change.

Issue A project calls for an ETR503-LCD which I can purchase though the Schneider Electric iPortal. Is this a programmable smart sensor? Environment Continuum field controllers ETR500 ETR501 ETR502 ETR503 LCD ETR Cause A project calls for an ETR503-LCD which I can purchase though the Schneider Electric iPortal. Is this a programmable smart sensor? Resolution The ETR503-LCD is not a programmable "smart" sensor. It's a wall-mounted 10K thermistor sensor with an override pushbutton and setpoint slider. These points can be programmed as inputs and Plain English can be used to perform control or alarming but the LCD is fixed function - just displays the temperature. There are no terminals or jack for extending the RS-485 network for a field service tool. The data sheet  and manuals can be found on the iPortal website. https://iportal2.schneider-electric.com/

Issue A project requires iClass cards and readers. Are these available in Infinity 37 bit format and are they compatible with Continuum? Environment CyberStation ACX57xx AC-1 family ACX7xx Cause A project requires iClass cards and readers. Resolution HID iClass cards with the Infinity 37 bit format are commonly used with Continuum. If you use the iClass cards you must use an iClass reader since the operating frequency is different than standard prox (13.56MHz vs. 125KHz). Continuum does not know the difference between a standard prox Infinity 37 bit and an iClass Infinity 37 bit card. All Continuum cares about is the data stream from the reader. In Continuum you just set the card format in the door editor to Infinity 37 bit for either type. The iClass cards and readers can be ordered from Schneider's iPortal. You must fill out a form that asks for various card attributes - just like standard prox cards (quantity, start card number, site code, if you want card number printed on it, if you want a slot punch, etc)

Issue After a loss of memory and subsequent send to controller the values do not reset to their previous value. Environment Cyberstation 1.9X NetController II Cause The Numeric value when controlled by a program will not save the last value to the database. Resolution Edit the Numeric and set the value. In order for the value to persist, the setpoint flag must be set to true. Perform a backup to flash.

Issue Running an ActivityEvent ListView with filter longer than one week (example - One MonthToNow).  Listview returns 13621 events. When trying to page down the list,  CyberStation locks up. There are 3 popup windows that occur in this order: Error: Continuum has detected an internal error. If you continue experiencing problem, it is recommended that you shutdown and restart Continuum. Reason Code: 4 ListView: It is illegal to call out while inside message filter. CONTIN~1: The RPC Server is unavailable. At this point CyberStation must be shut down via ContinuumProcesses.exe and then restarted. Environment CyberStation v. 1.81 Windows XP   Cause RPC error occurs and CyberStation locks up when running a large listview. Resolution Increase Windows virtual memory for the workstation from the default value (set by Windows) to a custom size. The "Initial Size (MB)" should be set to a minimum of 1000MB (per the CyberStation Installation Guide). For fastest performance do not set the Maximum Size (MB) to more than the amount of RAM. This will avoid using the hard disk for the virtual memory and RAM is faster than disk drives. If necessary to run the task, increase this setting beyond the amount of RAM. To change the virtual memory settings open Control Panel. Then System>>Advanced tab>>Performance Settings>>Advanced tab>> Virtual Memory Change.

Issue Points are configured to display video using Video Monitor when they go into alarm but the video is not being displayed on alarm. Live video is working fine when opening the Video Layout. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation v 1.93 Cause Points are configured to display video using Video Monitor when they go into alarm but the video is not being displayed on alarm.   Resolution Check the following: In the Security Editor for the workstation (the one with all the Locks & Keys) make sure all the CyberStation users have a group that includes, at a minimum, the "View" key in VideoLayout class, the "View" key in VideoServer class and the "Run Video Monitor" key in the Miscellaneous folder. On the Preferences tab in Workstation editor, for all workstations that need to pop alarm video, make sure the following are set: 27. Use Video Monitor; 28. Process Video Events : True and 29. Process Video Alarm Points : True. Check the event notification that Display Video' action is selected

Issue Error Getting IIS object: IIS://LocalHost/W3SVC/1/Root/webclient. Automation error Invalid syntax when installing webclient Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows 7 Cause IIS must be installed prior to webclient or the webclient applications cannot be created Resolution 1. Install IIS prior to the webclient install (See the installation guide section Pre-installation Microsoft Tasks) 2. If IIS is already installed, run the following command from a DOS prompt (Start>Run>cmd) CD\ + enter Cd \Windows\Microsoft.net\Framework\v2.0.50727> aspnet_regiis.exe -i + enter Reboot the PC and reinstall webclient Windows 7: Ensure that all the specific IIS components are selected according to the webclient installation guide See the section Configuring IIS for Windows Vista and Windows 7. There are specific components that must be selected in order for the webclient applications to work properly. If a component was missed, select it, then restart IIS and Continuum.

Issue What graphic editor do you recommend for creating backgrounds for pinpoint graphics? Environment CyberStation Cause What graphic editor do you recommend for creating backgrounds for pinpoint graphics? Resolution One may get a different answer to this from everyone asked. Personal preference and familiarity with one graphics editor over another affects the answer. So does the desires of the end user - both cost and complexity. Some are happy with simple 2D drawings; other want (and will pay for) 3D renderings and more advanced backgrounds. Some people swear by good old MS Paint. There are tricks which you can learn that make it more powerful than most of us know. Often the backgrounds are done as BMPs and then saved as JPEG (smaller size = faster load time). Another nice thing about Paint is that it is always on every workstation. Two other common applications are Adobe Photoshop and JASC PaintShop Pro. They are powerful but they cost money, and if you develop graphics in their proprietary formats offsite, you'll probably want to buy the program for the site workstations, or at least for all the employees who may need to tweak the native files.  

Issue Is there any way to connect two smart sensors (TTS-SD-LCD-1) to one VAV controller (b3855-V) or other BACnet control board? This is a simple office application but the spec requires Smart sensors for VAV boxes and a few large zones have two sensors controlling one box. Environment CX bCX b3 smart sensor, TTS-SD-LCD Cause Is there any way to connect two smart sensors (TTS-SD-LCD-1) to one VAV controller (b3855-V) or other BACnet control board? Resolution More than one smart sensor connected to a Continuum VAV box will present some issues. The smart sensor uses a three wire connection to the controller smart sensor port as follows: The controller communicates with the keypad and the display of the Smart Sensor device over a single wire (the PWR connection). The RET line is the return for both the communications line and the internal thermistor. The input signal is the active lead from the Smart Sensor thermistor. Its connection is labeled according to a controller-specific input assignment. This input must be configured as a general Temperature input.   The controllers are not designed for more than sensor - having only the one smart sensor connection.  You'll only have one temperature input and the reading will be incorrect if you wire two thermistors to the one input. If you are just trying to display the same info and/or provide a second location for override, that may work. You'd need to test it - and it would not be a supported configuration.

Issue Personnel with area link schedules fail to distribute to all Controllers if they are not on the same logical network. Environment Continuum Cyberstation CX9900 CX9680 CX9702 ACX5720 / ACX5740 Cause The Continuum Access Control system is not designed to allow Areas to cross logical networks. An object from one network is not able to be referenced in another network. When trying to share area link schedules across networks, the data can not be shared and the personnel with those links are not distributed down to all controllers.  Resolution The solution for this is a user workaround where the access control site is re-designed so that there are no longer areas that span multiple networks. EXAMPLE: Suppose we have an installation with sites in NYC and LA, two logical networks have been created in the Continuum db, NYC_Acme and LA_Acme, access to the different areas is controlled by personnel schedules and the requirement is that the users have the same access whether they are working in New York or Los Angeles. The solution is to create two sets of areas and two sets of schedule points, such as.... NY_Lobby, NY_Lab, NY_Cafeteria, these areas will be associated with the doors that are physically located at the New York city location. LA_Lobby, LA_Lab, LA_Cafeteria, these areas will be associated with the doors that are physically located at the Los Angeles location.  NY_LobbySCH, NY_LabSCH, NY_CafeteriaSCH, these schedule points are created in one of the controllers under the NYC_Acme network and assigned ONLY to the set of areas specifically created for the New York location so that everything is contained within the logical network. In the same way, LA_LobbySCH, LA_LabSCH, LA_CafeteriaSCH are to be created and used within the LA_Acme network.  

Issue Initiating a Find New Bacnet Device will not bring 3rd party device into the system. Can successfully find BACnet device using another front end system. Environment  Cyberstation Cause Workstation device node ID set to 1 Resolution The workstation Device Node ID must be set to a unique value and cannot be duplicated by any other device.  Best practice is to make the Device Node ID equivalent to the CyberStations ACCNetID when creating the workstation in Continuum Database Initialization.

Issue What is the maximum cable length for Continuum I/O bus (IOU Module)? Environment IOU Module Cause Need verification of cable length. Resolution Maximum Length of I/O Bus The Andover I/O Bus is a network. Networks are limited by cable lengths because electrical signals lose power and distort as they travel along wire. The longer the wire, the lower the signal strength. The following are the maximum cable length specifications: RS-485 2000 ft. (610 m) FTT-10A 8858 ft. (2700 m) double termination 1640 ft. (500 m) free topology

Issue Does Continuum provide a way to monitor the 61850 protocol? Environment Continuum Cyberstation 61850 protocol Cause Protocol support Resolution Continuum does not provide a means to communicate with the 61850 protocol either directly or xdriver.

Issue If a Security Level has been created in Cyberstation and is no longer required how can it be removed? Environment Cyberstation all versions Cause It may be required to remove a Security level from a system or to remove its action from an object. Resolution It is not possible to delete a Security Level after it has been created in Cyberstation. You can however remove the security level action from an object: in the Security Level tab; to de-select the security level right click and choose "Clear Selection".

Issue What is the maximum distance an xP expansion module can be installed? Environment xP Expansion Module Cause Maximum cable length Resolution Modules can be connected to the bottom of the controller with the built-in expansion port connector or they may be connected remotely via a 3-foot (~1m) or 10-foot (~3m) ribbon cable. A total of 10 feet of cable may be used for all Expansion Modules. Mounting and securing of the xP modules is provided through four mounting holes in the base plate.

Issue Workstation program functions while logged on to Continuum but stops functioning when the user logs off. The program disables with the error ''You do not have sufficient access to do the requested operation.'' being displayed in the Run Time tab of the program properties. Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause When Continuum is logged off, the access rights of the default ACC user are used for things such as when Workstation programs run. If the ACC user has had its security settings restricted then these restrictions are applied when the correct user (who may not have these restrictions) is logged off of Continuum. This could then result in a workstations program trying to read / write or do some other action that it is not allowed to do under the current restriction. Resolution Modify your security restrictions on the ACC user to allow for actions that your Workstation Program is trying to perform.