Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What utility in Windows XP can disable items in Startup? Environment Windows XP Cause Items that run on startup can sometimes make the boot up process for a PC very slow. Depending on which applications have been added to start automatically on startup, it can also cause problems if things load in the incorrect order. Resolution Click the Start button in Windows XP Select Run Type msconfig and click OK.

Issue How to find the IP address information on a PC? Environment Windows Operating Systems Cause Need to identify the IP address of the workstation (PC). Resolution For a Windows 95/98 PC, go to a DOS screen and run WINIPCFG. For a Windows NT / XP / Windows7 / Server 2008 PC, run a CMD window and run IPCONFIG.

Issue Change an IP address on Windows 8 to a static address. Product Line Other Environment Windows 8 Cause Changing the IP address of a PC is often done to ensure it resides on the same subnet and network as the system or devices it is trying to communicate with. Resolution From the Start Menu (Tiles), open the Charms bar by moving the mouse to the right bottom corner of the screen or press the Windows Key + C and click on Search. Highlight Settings. In the Search box type Network to search for any network related options From the list options choose Network and Sharing Center. From the View Your Active Networks section, select Local Area Connection. Go to Properties. Result: The Local Area Connection Properties screen appears. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties. Result: The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties screen appears. Click Use the following IP address. Complete the configuration fields as shown below. This part of the configuration requires attention to detail, because one error will prevent you from getting on the network. Be sure you have this information at hand when you start to configure the TCP/IP protocol: IP Address: x.x.x.x Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 Default gateway: x.x.x.x  Enter these numbers in the appropriate fields and click OK. Continue to click OK or Close as appropriate until you return to the Network Connections screen. The Local Area Connection icon text should now say "Enabled". To test the new IP address: Open a command prompt in Windows 8 Swipe to show apps screen Scroll down and locate Windows system section heading Under Windows system, press or click on Command Prompt (a new Command Prompt window will open up on the Desktop.) You then can type in IPCONFIG then hit Enter and look for the new IPV4 address. You can also try to type in PING (IP ADDRESS) that should reply with the new IPV4 address if set correctly.

Issue Some helpful basic IP commands. Product Line Other Environment Computer with IP NIC or Network Cause Need for basic IP configuration or IP address Resolution Go to start, click run and type in "cmd". This takes you to the command prompt. Type in: "ping xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" to see if your device is online and its response time. Make sure you put the space between "ping" and "xxx". "ipconfig" and hit enter to get the info of the computer you are currently using. You'll get the IP address, subnet mask and the gateway. "ipconfig/all" and hit enter to get more info on the machine your using. It will give you all the above and then some including the DNS server addresses. "tracert xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx" and hit enter and you can see the servers that you are going through to get to your destination. This can be used when connecting to a Loytec or a iLon and the IP address is being presented to the L-IP or iLon is unknown. Connecting through a firewall/gateway/NAT server, you are not presenting the PC's address - when you do the tracert you will go through your gateway and the next address will be the IP you are presenting- Use this in the iLon as the LNS server address.

Issue The documentation shows how to set the CLOCK but the clock fails to work. The controller always displays the Alarm "SetClock" and the time at the default value " Monday" 12:00 AM Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, Field Devices Environment SE7000 Room Controller SE8000 Room Controller Cause The Real Time Clock in the SE7000 uses the 50/60hz AC frequency to operate, if the unit is powered from a DC power source the Real Time Clock will not function and the clock time will always display Monday 12:00. Resolution Power the SE7000 controller from an AC power source if the RTC is required. Note: SE8000 uses a different RTC chip and can be powered from either AC or DC and the time operates correctly.

Issue Poor communications, communications failure or packet being corrupted Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Building Expert,EcoStruxure Building Operation,Satchwell MicroNet,Satchwell Sigma,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment Communications networks, BACnet MSTP, LON FT10, Infinet, Modbus RTU, Ethernet EMC (Electromagnetic compatibility) VSD Variable Speed Drive, VFD Variable Frequency Drive, Inverter Drive Cause Electrical Interference from Inverter (variable speed drives or VSD) Radiated or Induced RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) Resolution A VSD has the potential to create a large amount of electrical noise, to avoid causing issues it is vital they are installed as the manufacturer's instructions.  (Other devices also have this potential) Our systems are often used to control VSDs on fan motors, so if poor communications is found during the commissioning process, then try stopping all the fans in the area then re-testing the communications. A recent example was seen where LON FT10 communication was working ok until some VSDs were started, at this point LON devices and Object went offline intermittently. When all the VSDs were stopped the communication become completely stable. It was then possible to find which VSD was causing the problem and correct the VSD installation. In this case a LON analyzer would also have helped diagnose the issue.

Issue The Viconics VT7600 (or SE7600 - Schneider-Electric brand) LON thermostat displays a network variable input (nviSetpoint) with both the Niagara R2 and Niagara G3 stations. It is not available on the thermostat's local display. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, TAC IA Series Environment Viconics VT7600 SE7600 Niagara R2 Niagara G3 Cause Add nviSetpoint to a Niagara-based graphic, but it cannot be cross-checked on the local display.  This may add confusion to the end users. Resolution nviSetpoint is, by design, a network variable without local display access.  It is used to calculate the occupied heating and occupied cooling setpoints (in conjunction with the deadband).  The occupied heating and occupied cooling setpoint have local display access. Below is an excerpt from the Viconics LonWorks Integration Manual (page 😎 describing the function of nviSetpoint and how it works with deadband to create occupied heating and cooling setpoints: Parameter Variable Name Function Occupied Cool & Heat Setpoints network Input SNVT_temp_p nviSetpoint This input network variable is used to allow the occupied temperature setpoints only to be changed via the network from a single analog value. (Note: the Unoccupied setpoints are not changed.) The corresponding heating and cooling values are derived from the minimum deadband configuration value Default Null Value: 621.81°F (327.67°C or 0x7FFF) Ex. If the minimum deadband configuration value = 2°F and nviSetpoint = 70°F The resulting Occupied heating setpoint will equal 69°F which is derived from 70°F minus one half the minimum deadband configuration value of 2°F The resulting Occupied cooling setpoint will equal 71°F which is derived from 70°F plus one half the minimum deadband configuration value of 2°F

Issue Cannot see a SE7300 Room Controller when connected to a BACnet MS/TP network. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices Environment SE7000 Series SE7000, SE7200, SE7300, SE7600, SE76x7 Ex Viconics branding VT7000 Series Viconics room stats with BACnet communications Cause Units are shipped from the factory with the BACnet network disabled. Resolution Power up the unit. Press the middle button down for 8 Seconds (It is either the Override or °C/°F Button depending on model). Enter the password if it has been set, or leave as the default 0 for no password (as shipped from the factory). Use the down key to find the "Comm Addr" value. By default this is set to 254 BACnet communications disabled. Adjust this to the desired value within the valid range of 1 to 127, but also ensure it is in the range of your BACnet Max Master setting on the connected system. Once set, power off/ on the unit to change the address to the new value. The unit should now be visible on the BACnet MS/TP network.    Note: The SE7xxx Room controllers will auto baud to match your MS/TP network, there is no baud rate setting to adjust. Also any password set on the SE7xxx controller must be temporarily disabled to allow the middle button to operate correctly. For further information on installing the Room Controllers please see SE7000 Series Installation Instructions.

Issue Where to find information for Schneider Electric's SmartStruxure Lite and ExoStruxure Building Expert offer Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment MPM SE8000 range Cause Information required for the SmartStruxure Lite and ExoStruxure Building Expert offer Resolution SmartStruxure Lite and EcoStruxure Building Expert information. There are several sources of information: Schneider Electric's Building Expert Product Selector website. Schneider Electric's Exchange (filter by SmartStruxure Lite) is a source for the SmartStruxure Lite and Building Expert product. Specification sheets Firmware Product Announcements Guides Videos For support contact your region's Customer Care Center

Issue The MPM controller does not adjust the clock automatically when Daylight Saving Time (DST) period occurs. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxureLite Multi-Purpose Manage Cause DST settings in the MPM are configured for North America. Canada and United States: Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday of March and ends on the first Sunday of November Europe: Daylight saving time begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October Resolution In Firmware 2.15, DST properties can be configured in the Controller Configuration Object (CFG1) and/or configuration page. DST start and end configuration on month, week, weekday, hour and offset can be set. If using a firmware version older than 2.15, a script can be used to correct the issue. The script can be found here: Daylight_Saving_Time_DSC.lua

Issue ISO 9001 certificate for Schneider Electric Buildings Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices,Other, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Management Certification Certificate for the Design and Manufacture of Building Management System Controllers, Devices and Electronic Systems Cause ISO9001 certificates are sometimes requested for different projects. Resolution Download the ISO 9001:2015 certificate here.

Issue An application package (VAV reheat VA2) downloaded from the Can2Go site is restored to an MPM. It is then not possible to log on to the MPM using the default administrator password. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment MPM Can2Go package Administrator user Cause The default administrator password in the Can2Go application database is not the same as the default SmartStruxure Lite password. Resolution Use the following default credentials for Can2Go applications: User Name: Admin Password: can2go

Issue Using AOL as email provider the following error messages comes every two days: 2014-06-12 15:11:06 E-mail was NOT sent: 521 5.2.1 MUST COMPLETE IMAGE PUZZLE BEFORE SENDING. PLEASE GOTO http://challenge.aol.com/spam.html Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite MPM AOL Cause This is AOL trying to stop people using its email service to generate spam, you are now required to periodically enter a series of numbers or letters from a web page in addition to normal username and password authentication. Resolution See AOL help to understand the issue further. This post on the internet also notes the issue and unfortunately this is something that AOL has added and is not under our control.

Issue I/NET - Locating partners. SSL - How are SmartStruxure Lite products purchased in the UK? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, TAC INET Environment Partner I/NET SmartStruxure Lite Purchase SSL Cause I/NET - Require engineer to visit for maintenance, servicing, installation or advise. SSL - There is confusion how SmartStruxure Lite products can be purchased. Resolution I/NET Click here to be linked to the available UK I/NET partner list. SmartStruxure Lite The SSL equipment requires training to install and programme correctly, therefore these products are installed, programmed and commissioned by trained Schneider Electric Partners. These products can only be purchased through the Partner network. To locate a Partner, use the following link, select SmartSruxure Lite and browse to the correct location on the map: Schneider Electric Partners

Issue Continuum 1.9x and above will not install correctly on a PC / Laptop that is on a domain, One example: When trying to run the Continuum Database Initialization program the following error message may pop up: You must have local NT administrative privileges to run this application. Environment Windows OS 7 8 10 Continuum 1.9x 2.x Inet SQL 2005 SQL 2008 SQL 2012 Cause Microsoft has introduced the use of a higher level of security in the install of their SQL database software SQL 2005 / SQL 2008 / SQL 2012. When you install Continuum you need to make sure you are logged onto the PC / Laptop as a local administrator, in the case of a lot of a corporate networks, you are most likely logged on as ether a restricted user or a domain administrator, these logons do not have the privileges you need to install an SQL database. Resolution Step by step guide to creating a local administrator user on your PC / Laptop Go to "Start" then "Control Panel" in Windows (Windows 7 and above, top right corner change "view by" to "small icons" this will show all icons) Go to "Administrative Tools" Go to "Computer Management" / "Local Users and Groups" In users, right click on the right panel and add new user Fill in the user name and password, un-tick user must change password Tick password never expires then ok it Now go back into control panel and click on "User Accounts" Click on the name you just created, this will open the properties screen (Windows 7 and above click on "Manage user accounts") Click on "Group Membership" then select others, and highlight administrators (Windows 7 and above double click on name you created, click "group membership" click "other" then in the drop down select "Administrator") Apply this and then ok it. Log off your normal account and log back on as the new user you have just created

Issue When defining configuration on SE7300 part no, your choice is between "0" (override) and "5" (possibility to change between °C and °F in interface). Environment SE7300 Cause its not possible to have both override and °C/°F feature Resolution When defining the part number, you will have to choose. The override feature is usually the preferred choice in industrial applications, while the °C/°F feature is used for Hotels and similar, where users are given the possibility to change unit of desired temperature.

Issue When specifying the configuration of the SE7300 you can choose between "50" and "55" in step 5 of the part number. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, Field Devices Environment SE7300 Cause Different options of configuration when defining the part no for the SE7300 Resolution The difference is that the "50" option is PIR Ready, but PIR cover of unit is not included. Option "55" is with the PIR cover already mounted upon delivery. 

Issue Want to be able to run the SE7200 in floor heating and chilled beam simultaneously. Environment SE7200 Cause running simultaneous applications. Resolution Unfortunately the SE7200 will only handle 1 main application per controller due to its limited I/O.

Issue The difference between VWG-APP-1045 and  VWG-EPP-1045 option cards. Environment I/A Tridium SE7000 VWG-EPP-1045 VWG-APP-1045 Cause Different cards available. Resolution VWG-APP-1045:  option card  that fits directly into a Tridium JACE controller to provide communications between controllers and the gateway device. VWG-EPP-1045: option card that fits directly into the American IA range of controllers with an RS232 interface

Issue Where can I find the SE7000 Room Controller LonMaker Plug-Ins and device resource files? Environment SE7000 Series Room Controller Cause Plug-ins and device resource files required for interface into LON network management tools (e.g. Echelon LonMaker, etc.). Resolution The files are available for download from the Exchange Extranet.