Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue It appears the Dynamic DEMUX object in R2 - LonWorks jar - Conversions folder is not setting the output bits incorrectly for some SNVT_State values? Environment R2, all versions Cause Third party definition of the SNVT_State bits. Resolution The dynamicDEMUX object takes a "SNVT_State" value in and breaks it into representative output bits 0 to 15.  This object assigns the bits from bit0 to bit15 with bit0 on the left and counting left to right.  For example a SNVT_State value of 1000 hex is 1000000000000000 in binary, therefore the DEMUX object would show bit0 on.  Some third party manufacturers define their SNVT_State bits starting with bit15 on the left and counting down left to right ,so in this example their documentation would indicate bit15 should be on .  Once this is understood the DEMUX output bits can be interpreted correctly.

Issue An installation has a DMS-3500 with an Ethernet NIM (Network Interface Module) and some MicroSmart controllers.  As part of a regular maintenance visit, a database backup is done.  What is considered a complete backup including the NIM's settings? Environment DMS OPRIF 11.4 & 11.6 Cause Database changes requiring a backup in the event a re-install is required Resolution A complete DMS database backup typically involves two steps:  a backup of the DMS database and a backup of each individual MicroSmart controller database. In addition, on an installation with ethernet NIMs, its configuration data is backed up as a separate step.   All three backup steps are done with OPRIF. Note:  Echelon NIMs do NOT require backing up.

Issue When the ENC is set up to pull weather data from the Enterprise Server the ENC's Application Director starts spewing out provisioning errors. Environment I/A Series G3 Cause When set up to do this the ENC uses provisioningNiagara functionality and requires that module be present in the ENC Resolution Install the provisioningNiagara module in the ENC.

Issue Is the Niagara G3 Floating License Repository (FLR) available for purchase? The FLR is a licensed feature that runs as a service in a Niagara station to provide licenses to other Niagara Runtime Environment (NRE) applications. Available licenses are 'leased' by authorized NRE applications at startup and 'returned' when the application shuts down. Environment Niagara G3 (version 3.5 and higher) Cause Field question Resolution The FLR was introduced with version 3.5 and discontinued shortly thereafter by Tridium. It is no longer available for purchase.

Issue Can a soft or hard reboot command be sent to a MNB controller from a Niagara R2 UNC-520? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Avoid the need for using the WorkPlace Commissioning Tool Resolution Any kind of reboot command from a Niagara R2 station, to a MNB controller, is not possible. The WorkPlace Commissioning Tool is required.

Issue Which Modbus driver is required for I/A Series Niagara G3 ENC-520 to support Modbus TCP? Environment I/A Series G3 ENC-520, JACE-645, JACE-6E, JACE-7, JACE-NXT, ENC-SW Cause Select the correct part number to enable the ENC to function as a Modbus TCP Client (Master) or Server (Slave).  Resolution ENC-DRV-MOD-T (ENC 520 acts as Modbus master (client) using Ethernet TCP) ENC-DRV-MOD-R (ENC 520 acts as Modbus server (slave) using Ethernet TCP) using Ethernet TCP master using Ethernet TCP

Issue A MicroSmart controller is not communicating and the red watchdog timer (WDT) LED is on solid. Environment DMS Cause Possible hardware issue or power issue Resolution Things to try: - Power cycle the controller - Verify it has a good earth ground and 24 Vac - Hardware clear the controller - Replace the line driver and disconnect the communications trunk - If it is a MSC-MPC, remove all modules.  If the WDT LED begins flashing normally, re-connect the modules one at a time until the WDT LED goes solid   On-board hardware issue.  Replace with another controller

Issue Both errors indicate WorkPlace Tech cannot determine if the vsd file being opened is in the current project. Environment WorkPlace Tech Cause The names of the folders that were brought forward contained an apostrophe, i.e. Vav's, AHU's, etc. Resolution Rename the folders eliminating the apostrophe before bringing the folders\drawings into the new project and these errors will not occur.

Issue An existing Niagara G3 server is being replaced with new hardware.  The new server is being configured while the existing server continues to operate the station.  A replacement license has been provided for the new server with a new hostId.  The license for the existing server has been de-activated by Tridium.  Will the existing server continue to function even though its license has been de-activated?  Note:  The existing server has an Internet connection. Environment Niagara G3 Cause PC hardware replacement Resolution The existing server will continue to run the station.  The license remains active as long as there is no web-based license update performed.

Issue How to estimate the thermal load (BTU/hr) that your controllers and equipment will produce. Environment All electrical equipment. Cause Need to know what the thermal load of our equipment will be for calculating air conditioning capacity. Not all of our equipment has this information provided in data sheets. Resolution It is possible to calculate the thermal load based on the power consumption of each device. See here for an online calculator. You can calculate the BTU/hr using the following formula. BTU/hr = Power (W) * 3.1412141633 As an example, looking at the Continuum AC-1 I/O module's datasheet, we see that it consumes 2.6W without the attached reader (you would need to add the power from the reader as well if it is being powered by the AC-1). Which gives us; AC-1 = 2.6W * 3.412141633 = 8.87 BTU/hr Use this same calculation for any other devices that you require the thermal load for.

Issue  If JAVA 7 update 25 is installed, web browser users who login with a Workbench profile (which uses JAVA applets) are affected. The web applet is prevented from being started, and the browser appears to stop loading the Niagara user interface. Environment I/A Series G3, all versions All browsers may be affected JAVA 7 update 25 Cause Oracle has just released JAVA 7 update 25 which appears to cause the I/A Series Niagara web applet to fail. This issue may affect your customers who accept the default automatic JAVA upgrade. Resolution See TPA-IA-13-0007.02 for details. Patches are available for the following builds: 3.5.39 with security patches 3.6.47 with security patches 3.6.305 3.7.46 Download and install wbapplet.jar for all 3.5 and 3.6 stations or web.jar for 3.7 stations. Update baja.jar and fox.jar for all stations. Maintenance builds are also available for download from The Exchange Download Center.  These builds include all previous security patches plus the patch to address the JAVA 7 Update 25 issue. 3.5.406 (also referred to as AX-3.5u4) 3.6.406 (also referred to as AX-3.6u4) 3.7.106 (also referred to as AX-3.7u1) The I/A Series G3 maintenance builds and patches can be downloaded from Exchange Extranet. I/A Series G3 Revision Java 7 Update 25 Patches 3.5.39 with security patches Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.5.39.zip 3.5.403 No patch available … upgrade to 3.5.406 maintenance build required 3.5.406 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches 3.6.47 with security patches Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.6.47.zip 3.6.305 Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.6.305.zip 3.6.406 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches 3.7.46 Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.7.46.zip 3.7.106 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches Note: Schneider Electric strongly encourages customers to upgrade to the latest maintenance builds to take advantage of additional security enhancements as well as module updates. Follow the instructions contained in TPA-IA-13-0007.02 for the version installed. Remember to clear cache on the client workstation after updating! Alternative workarounds are: Edit user account to use HX profile. This does not use JAVA applets so does not require JAVA plugin. (Mobile profile in AX 3.7 should not be affected either). Downgrade JAVA plug-in back to JAVA 7 update 21. This will require accessing Oracle JAVA archive and creating a free Oracle login to access the installer Try this link to the Oracle JAVA archive.

Issue Does the JACE-645 come with 128 MB or 256 MB like the ENC-520? Environment I/A Series, JACE-603/645 Cause Not sure what it comes with after reviewing announcement PA-251. Resolution A JACE-603 or JACE-645 comes standard with 128 MB of RAM with the option to upgrade to 256 MB.  The part number for the optional memory upgrade is TRD-NPM-256. This part number modifies the license which enables the factory-installed memory (license line:  maxHeap=true).

Issue User has a backup of my files that they have restored onto a new workstation PC but now they are unable to edit the files.  For example: A Continuum graphic needs to be edited and cannot save changes but can save as a new graphic. Environment Window OS Windows XP Windows 7 8 8.1 10 Windows Vista Cause This is caused by Microsoft Windows OS. Windows will automatically make a file "Read only" if it has been moved from another PC  Resolution The solution is to change the files back to read / write. Example: Open Windows Explorer and find the folder you want to change, for this example it is "Continuum graphics." Right click on the folder and select properties, which shows a tab that will be ticked next to "read only" deselect this tab and then select apply. Once windows has finished changing the folder and its contents to read/write the user will be able to go into continuum and edit graphics.

Issue Unable to log into the JACE-603/645 hardware with I/A Series R2 Admin Tool. Environment JACE-603, JACE-645 Cause The JACE 603 and JACE 645 are network controllers that can run either R2 or G3 Niagara applications when a corresponding license is installed.  These new boards are based on the QNX platform and no longer use the R2 “Admin Tool” for host-level configuration. Resolution Use I/A Series G3 Workbench 3.6.47 or later for all host (platform) configuration of a JACE-603 or JACE-645.  Refer to the Retrofit Board Niagara R2 Install and Startup Guide for details on how to commission and use with I/A Series R2.  The document is included with I/A Series G3 (docRetrofitBoardR2) 3.6.47 or later. Note: The JACE 603 and JACE 645 supports the following revisions ... R2 (supports 2.301.535 or higher) G3 (supports 3.6.47 or higher)

Issue The LON XML tool was used to create a lnml file.  Does it need to remain with the station at all times? Environment Niagara G3 Cause General database housekeeping Resolution Once the LON controller has been imported, the lnml file is no longer required and can be removed. Note:  If the LON controller's profile changes slightly (i.e. one or two SNVTs), a Learn Nv is sufficient to update the device in the station.  The Learn Nv command will not execute unless the reference to the lnml file is removed.

Issue Can I install the Java7u25 patches in 3.5.25? Environment I/A Series G3 with multiple browsers Cause JAVA 7u25 prevents the Java applet from loading Resolution You must be at a level specified in the TPA before applying these patches.  See TPA-IA-13-0007.01 Java 7 Update 25 May Cause I/A Series G3 Niagara Applet to Fail.

Issue A UNC-520 is installed at a jobsite and has been programmed over the years with additional controllers and graphics.  The resource count is now over 600,000.  The CPU idle time does not rise any higher than 3-4%.  Since the jace-645 is a more updated (i.e. powerful) hardware platform, will it run this large R2 station more efficiently? Environment Niagara R2 jace-645 Cause Site UNC-520 can no longer run its installed station efficiently Resolution Tridium tested the jace-645 and rated it capable of running a 600,000 resource-sized station.  It was not tested for anything larger. Installing and running a larger R2 station is not recommended.

Issue When the GCM has been configured to send a COS alarm, a null pointer exception similar to the one shown below is seen in the output window when an alarm is activated. “ERROR [17:15:39 16-May-13 CDT][gcm.unsolicited.com1] Exception java.lang.NullPointerException in Unsolicited message processing” The alarm is not processed by the ENC nor sent to the alarm console with the COS alarm’s message. The return from alarm is processed and seen in the alarm console. The return from alarm does not have a COS message associated within the GCM COS block. Environment I/A Series G3, GCM driver Cause The alarm is not being processed and routed properly by the tacGcm driver. Resolution The tacGcm 3.6.47.4 module corrects driver's alarm processing.  The tacGcm 3.6.47.4 module can be downloaded from The Exchange Download Center.

Issue When the GCM has been configured to send a COS alarm, a null pointer exception similar to the one shown below is seen in the output window when an alarm is activated. “ERROR [17:15:39 16-May-13 CDT][gcm.unsolicited.com1] Exception java.lang.NullPointerException in Unsolicited message processing” The alarm is not processed by the ENC nor sent to the alarm console with the COS alarm’s message. The return from alarm is processed and seen in the alarm console. The return from alarm does not have a COS message associated within the GCM COS block. Environment I/A Series G3, GCM driver Cause The alarm is not being processed and routed properly by the tacGcm driver. Resolution The tacGcm 3.6.47.4 module corrects driver's alarm processing.  The tacGcm 3.6.47.4 module can be downloaded from the Buildings Download Center.

Issue Upgraded to I/A Series G3 version 3.6.305 and now unable to successfully commission an MNL-800 controller.  Previous versions of G3 commission the same controller without issue. Environment I/A Series G3 LonWorks module version 3.6.305 Cause Issue with how the LonWorks module commissions a host-based controller. Resolution Upgrade the LonWorks module used by the I/A Series G3 station. The LonWorks 3.6.406 module can be downloaded from The Exchange Download Center.