Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What to do and who to contact when a controller needs to be repaired or upgraded. Environment All Product Repairs Cause Require information on what to do and who to contact to arrange repairs of defective product, order Controller option upgrades, order Cyberstation option or software version upgrades. Resolution   PROCESS FOR CONTINUUM REPAIRS   NOTE: Repaired items are set-up in Pronto with the part number prefixed by “4-“. This is done to allow visibility for follow-up if required and costing.   Engineer completes “Andover Continuum Hardware Return Authorisation Form”; one for each controller requiring repair. Email completed form/s to TAC AP – Logistics Replenishment ( NOT the US Repair Centre). Do nothing with the controller/s at this stage. Logistics email the completed forms to US Repair Centre requesting cost to repair and turn-around time. Repair Centre replies with cost, turn-around time and RA number/s Logistics pass this information to the requesting engineer who will decide Y or N. If yes, the engineer enters a Sales Order in Pronto, informs Logistics and forwards the goods to Melbourne DC. Logistics raise a Purchase Order on Repair Centre and instruct Melbourne DC to despatch goods. After the goods are repaired they are returned to Melbourne DC where they are receipted and despatched to requestor.   Repair Forms Fill out one of the forms below (whichever applies) and send to local Logistics. Andover Continuum Return Authorization Forms - Americas & APAC OR Andover Continuum Controller Upgrade Forms - Americas & APAC

Issue Cannot login with Admin level Continuum user.  Password either lost or restricted by Object Level Security. Environment Continuum CyberStation WebClient Cause Admin level user password has been changed and/or forgotten. Object Level Security is inhibiting access to Continuum Users. Resolution Contact Schneider Continuum Product Support Services to arrange to have database sent in for repair.  The cost of this repair varies depending on the nature of the problem.

Issue A project specification requires compliance with BACnet Specification Annex J. Is Continuum compliant? Environment CyberStation B-OWS bCX Cause A project specification has the following in it: Operator Workstation: Provide operator workstation that complies with Annex J of the BACnet specification for IP connections. This device shall use Ethernet to connect to the IP internetwork, while using the same Ethernet LAN for non-IP communications to other BACnet devices on the LAN. Workstation shall support Foreign Device Registration to allow temporary workstation connection to IP network. Resolution This is saying the BACnet workstation (B-OWS) must communicate to both BACnet IP devices and BACnet MSTP devices. CyberStation communicates over IP to BACnet IP devices and through a bCX or other BACnet gateway to the BACnet MSTP devices. CyberStation does support Foreign Device Registration. CyberStation does meet this specification.  

Issue Need an indication when the SQL Server has a hardware or a network failure and is unable to communicate to the Continuum Cyberstation's. Environment Continuum Cyberstation SQL Server Cause Customers IT Department wants to know when the Continuum SQL Server has a hardware or a network failure and is unable to communicate to the Continuum Cyberstations. When Cyberstation loses the connection to the SQL server it loses all functionality and will not be able to send alarms as emails to annunciate that there is a problem. Resolution The best solution for this is to monitor the Server and/or Workstations to determine if they have failed by using SNMP traps that feed back each systems status into the existing IT monitoring systems (assuming they already monitor SNMP traps on their other equipment). On Windows Server you can setup traps to monitor specific applications on remote PC's as well as the general on/off state of that PC. See Microsoft article below as an example of this. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/324263 Alternatively, when the SQL server goes offline to the Workstations running the Continuum application, the workstations will see that the server has gone offline and raise a disconnection message at the Workstation. Continuum will attempt to re-establish this connection to the server, if it is unsuccessful then the application will close. If they monitor the Workstations continuously then this message can be seen on the Cyberstations and would be another visual indication that the connection to the server has been lost.  

Issue Is a Continuum Security Key required on every Continuum Cyberstation? Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Several workstations on site and only purchased one key. Resolution One Continuum Cyberstation security key is required for each Continuum workstation.

Issue This problem happens when all the machines located in the same domain, but there is something wrong with the domain configuration, you can also access the data directory under Microsoft SQL server and you can ping the server machine ,even you can update the database successfully, but when you set up the workstation you will fail and get an error like this "Continuum Initialization encountered a problem, need to be closed......" Environment Windows 2000 server sp4 SQL server 2000 sp4 Windows XP professional Continuum1.52 Cause There might be something wrong in the configuration of the domain server Continuum 1.52 can't be supported by Windows XP Resolution Quit out all the machines from the domain and add them into a workgroup to verify the problem caused by wrong domain configuration. Rebuild the machine and install Continuum 1.52 on Windows 2000 Make sure you can set workstation correctly on Windows 2000 and have all the machine in a workgroup Re-configure the domain correctly Re-install SQL server on the server machine Try to set up the workstation again.

Issue Older, now obsolete controller cards for the CX9400 Eclipse supported direct connection of 2 and 4 wire RTD sensor element, how can these sensors be used with the current controller range? Environment All controllers with Universal / Analogue (Analog) inputs Measurement of high temperatures for applications like boiler flue gasses. Cause RTD sensors are often required for measuring high temperatures, how can these be used with Continuum controllers? Resolution The older CX9400 Eclipse controller cards used to support the direct connection of a Platinum RTD sensor element, but all of the current controller ranges will require the use of a 3rd party 4-20mA or 0-10V converter/ transmitter. The transmitters will then amplify and convert the sensor temperature range to 4-20mA or 0-10V for reading on any Continuum controller. The controllers with 10V universal inputs would be preferable as they have higher accuracy 12bit A/D Converters. In Summary All  of the current controller ranges (bCX, ACX, NC2, b3, i2) will require the use of a 3rd party 4-20mA or 0-10V converter/ transmitter for Platinum RTD sensors (including PT100, PT1000) The Schneider Electric Foxboro RTT80 range may be suitable. These sort of sensors can have a higher degree of accuracy than a simple thermister input, however due to their large temperature range (eg -200 to 850 degC), this accuracy is likely to be lost when used with the simple 10bit A/D converter found in some of the smaller field controllers.

Issue How many digits can the PIN number be when using card + PIN entry? Also how can it be viewed as it is displayed as stars in the Personnel Manager? Environment Access Controllers Card + PIN entry or exit Display PIN number Cause Leading zeros on a PIN number are not saved and how long can the number be? Also as the number is shown as * characters how can the number be seen? Resolution The PIN number for a personnel object can be in the range: 0 to 4,294,967,295 inclusive for the NC2 (9680) and ACX2 (ACX5720/40). For all other older controllers the PIN range is 0-65535 You are not allowed leading 0’s in a PIN number, they will be removed. i.e. 0010 will save as 10 0000 will save as 0 To view a persons PIN number, use the "Command Line" application and from the folder where the personnel are stored enter: P PersonName PIN This will print the value of the PIN attribute for the person named "PersonName".

Issue When upgrading a BCX Inf to BCX BACnet or vice versa , the BCX could lose any node count or X Drivers added using a post shipment factory *.upd cookies. The settings return if the controller is flashed back to the original model type. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum 1.xx 2.xx Windows Infinet  BACnet Node Count, X Driver, X-Driver Cause This is because the cookie upgrade to add the node count (or other features) will be sent out for the format it is intended for, i.e. if the controller was BACnet then the file will be sent as BACnet, and if the controller was Infinet then the cookie will be Infinet Resolution New controllers shipped from the factory can be flashed either way between a 4040 and 9640 and it will not affect the settings for Node count, X Drivers or other options. If a controller was to lose additional setting when it is convert from BACNet to Infinet or vice versa, there is a need to re-apply for the cookie upgrade file for the new model type. (it would of originally been ordered as additional options for the controller) To re-apply for the cookie, contact your local repairs department with the controller details i.e serial number, controller type, etc, this will enable them to find your order and reissue the upgrade in the version it has been changed to.

Issue An error pops up 'Video Launch has stopped working' when previewing in Video Administrator, selecting a camera in Video Layout or when a video alarm comes in. AppCrash on TAC.VideoLaunch.exe Environment Continuum Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause A standard VGA driver is being used on the Video card instead of the manufacturer's video driver Resolution Install the manufacturer's video driver. i.e. Nvidia, Ati, etc.

Issue When do I need the -U (unlimited I/O) option enabled on my Continuum Security Key? Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Ordering new Continuum Security Key for existing site. Unsure if -U option is require if specific Workstation is only going to be viewing less than the 1000 I/O limit, even though there are more than 1000 I/O on this entire site. Resolution If your site has more than 1000 combined inputs and outputs then you will need to use the unlimited (-U) option for the Continuum Security Key to be able to see all I/O. Without the -U option, the Workstation will be limited to the first 1000 input and output points. You are unable to pick and choose which 1000 points you wish to see at each workstation, if your site has more than that defined then you will need to order the -U option on your Continuum Security Key.  

Issue Is it possible to rebuild a  Continuum Database from the BACnet controllers in the field? Environment Continuum BACnet Cause The SQL server has failed and there are no acceptable backups of the ContinuumDB to restore once the server has been repaired. The controllers in the field are still functioning and have valid application programming. Resolution Although it is possible to recover the database from the field controllers, the best method of recovery is to have a recent backup of the ContinuumDB and to restore this once the Server gets fixed up. You can load the data from your field controllers into a new Database. Note that all objects will have their name now set the same as the alias, as this is what is stored in the controller. To load the bCX and attached b3's, do the following with a blank database. 1. Create and configure a network folder. 2. Create and configure you bCX1 device object to bring it online in the Infinet view. 3. Right-click on the bCX1 object in the Infinet view and select "Send to -> Database". 4. This will save the controllers database to a temporary dump file on the Workstation then load from this dump file, creating the objects and populating the database. 5. When done, this should have also found all b3's that were defined in the bCX1 and loaded their contents as well. 6. This will load the BACnet objects as well as the Infinet objects. Note: Recreating the Network from the field does not recreate any objects that were stored in Workstations or in folders off the root. These objects; such as listviews, programs, reports, etc...; are not stored in the controllers and will need to be recreated. 

Issue When opening one of the pre defined list views there are many entries and can not find text required. Environment List views Filter, Qualifier, Query Wizard, Wildcard. Cause Default list views show all entries, how to define a qualifier to only show required data? Resolution Create a new list view and define the Class and path, add in the required columns. In the Qualifier tab select the "Query Wizard", for text comparisons use the required attribute e.g. Description, and "Is Like" as the Operator, enter the comparison text between wild card * characters (e.g. *Test* for the objects which contain the word Test) and it will filter only on objects whose attribute contain that text.

Issue Bacnet Trend logs do not support array elements in Continuum. Environment Continuum Bacnet Trendlog Cause Trying to create a trendlog based off of array elements. Resolution Bacnet Trend logs do not support array elements in Continuum.

Issue At times there is a need to keep a door unlocked with a schedule, but this can cause a problem if there is extreme weather and no one is at the building.  Environment Continuum AC1/AC1A AC1 Plus ACX5740 ACX781 Cause Leaving a buildings door open when there is no one at the building is a security risk. This work around will take care of this problem. Resolution The way around the issue of having a door open from a schedule when no one is in the building due to inclement weather is to set up a Plain English program to set the Unlock InfinityNumeric On only if the schedule InfinityNumeric is On AND there has been a valid access to the door. InfinityProgram FlowType Loopin Objects required Door1 - the name of the door to control SchedNum - InfinityNumeric controlled by the schedule UnlockNum - InfinityNumeric linked to Door1 Door Unlock Schedule Code Example (This must be edited to reflect the door name and schedule numeric that has been created) WaitForSched:      UnlockNum=Off      If SchedNum=On then GoTo WaitForValid WaitForValid:      If Door1 ValidAccess is True then         UnlockNum=On         GoTo WaitForEnd      Endif WaitForEnd:      If SchedNum=Off then GoTo WaitForSched

Issue After successfully installing the Wireless Maintenance Tool on Windows 7 an attempt to launch is unsuccessful. The following error is received. 'Critical Error InitInstance() Reason : Access to the registry key  'HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.wmt' is denied. Environment Wireless Maintenance Tool Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Cause User Account Control is restricting access to this portion of the registry needed to launch the Wireless Maintenance Tool Resolution Disable User account control If using Windows 7 Go to Windows Control Panel>User Accounts>Change User Account Control Setting link Drag the slider to the bottom Restart the PC Launch the Wireless Maintenance Tool without error If using Windows Server 2008 Go to Windows Control Panel > User Accounts> Turn User Account Control On of Off Deselect Use User Account Control (UAC) to help protect your computer Restart the PC Launch the Wireless Maintenance Tool without error

Issue When trying to add a point to a Group or graphic using the object browser in the object editor Continuum says the object is not available.  When an occupancy point is added to the configuration page of a Continuum schedule and  the change is applied and the editor closed, upon re-editing the schedule the point is no longer attached. Environment Continuum CyberStation Object Editor Browse Cause An object name violation has occurred. Resolution Check for objects that have been given the same name as the Continuum Network under which the controller resides in the object tree.  Once a Continuum Network is given a name the name should not be used for any other object in the database.

Issue When changing attached Template of a Personnel object from one Template to another Template, why does " Change Inherited Attribute ? " dialog box with " Cancel " , " Change the value " , " Break the connection " , " Change the data source " selections pop up? Environment Continuum Access / Security system with personnel template objects. Cause It happens only when below two conditions are met : When you change the personnel object's attached Template object to a different Template object.   AND   When the old Template's RefTemplate attribute value is "InheritFromTemplate" and the new Template's RefTemplate  attribute value is "CopyFrom Template". Resolution Change the value of RefTemplate attribute of the attached Template from "InheritFromTemplate" to "CopyFrom Template".

Issue On a new install an error is received when launching webclient using the URL. The error is 'Failed to access IIS metabase' Read access error. Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The .Net installation connection to IIS was made properly or the .net installation has been corrupted.  Resolution Register the .Net Framework on the webclient PC From a DOS prompt (Start>Run cmd+enter) Cd\Windows\Microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727 (this places you in the correct folder) Run aspnet_regiis.exe -i (This command re-registers the .net framework with IIS) Restart IIS (Right click on default web site in IIS Manager, select stop the start) Re-test Uninstall/Reinstall .Net on the webclient PC If the first step doesn't correct the issue then do the following Remove the versions of .net that you can from Windows Control Panel>Add/remove programs (Try one at a time 4.0, 3.5,etc) There are dependencies when uninstalling some .net versions, so you may need an uninstall tool from the following web site: (Use at your own risk - please read the information first) http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2006/05/30/611355.aspx   Install .Net framework 20 using the following file provided on the webclient installation (C:\program files\webserver\redist\dotnetfx20.exe) Restart IIS (Right click on default web site in IIS Manager, select stop the start  Re-test

Issue Can the RoamIO connect to a stand alone b3 device? Environment RoamIO BACnet Service Tool b3s Cause Need to connect to b3 device that is not on any MSTP Resolution Yes, the RoamIO and BACnet Service Tool can be used to connect to a stand alone b3 device as long as the device already has been assigned a MAC id If the b3 is brand new and has not yet been assigned a MAC id, you'll have to attach a second b3 that has a MAC id, the RoamIO needs to see traffic on the MSTP in order to perform its auto baud and join the bus. Connect the RoamIO to the service port on the device. NOTE: In the View menu make sure the 'View by networks' menu item is NOT selected.