Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Have a site that is located at 4000m + above sea level and concerned that they may be affected by being located at this high altitude. Environment Continuum controllers Cause Specification sheets for Continuum controllers do not specify altitude in Operation Environment. Resolution We do not do any specific testing for this but there should be no problems with our controllers working at different altitudes.  The only controllers that need any special considerations are VAV controllers that have an on-board Differential Pressure sensor for calculating Airflow. The Kavlico Airflow Sensor itself is not affected by altitude but the factor in the airflow calculation will need to be modified. User programs which convert Pressure readings to Air Velocity WILL be affected; there is a factor in this calculation which will change, depending on altitude. The VAV box manufacturers should be able to provide more detail on what this needs to be at your specific sites elevation.

Issue Will the Bond Sensor Input Channel contribute to the Door Forced and Door Ajar alarms? If so, does it have to be in conjunction with the Door Switch Input Channel? Environment Continuum Access Control Products CX9900 CX9680 AC1, AC1A, AC1Plus ACX5720, ACX5740 CX9702 ACX781 Cause Not sure how the Bond Sensor works in relation to the Door Switch and the various Door Alarm states. Resolution BondFailure is an attribute of the Door object that represents a fault with the Bond Sensor. The way this works is if Valid Access = True and the Door Switch = Open and the Bond Sensor = Open, then BondFailure = False. If Valid Access = False or the system sees the Door Switch = Closed but the Bond Sensor = Open then you will get a BondFailure = True. This is another attribute (BondFailure) that can be monitored with an AlarmEnrollment in addition to the DoorForced and DoorAjar attributes. A Door Switch needs to be used for the Bond Sensor to operate correctly, otherwise BondFailure will always be False after a ValidAccess if there is no Door Switch value. Note: The actual value of the BondSensor attribute in the Door object may not seem to update properly if monitoring with a ListView. For this to show the correct BondSensor value make sure that the attribute Source is set to "Live" instead of the default "Database". Note2: A bond senor (usually an output from a maglock) should not be used as an alternative to a door switch, as it does not give indication of the door position.  

Issue Plain English dump file is opened using a word processor. When the Plain English code is copied form the word processor and pasted into the Plain English Editor, the paste action removes all line feeds and the code appears in one continuous line. Environment Plain English Editor Plain English Integrated Development Environment Dump File Continuum Cause Word processor line feed formatting is incompatible with the Plain English Integrated Development Environment. Resolution There are a number of text editors available online as freeware that are specifically designed for working with program code.  These programs are designed to handle a wide variety of text formatting styles.  Many of these editors also have feature to handle line manipulation and to make other formatting changes. www.pspad.com/

Issue Stopping Internet Explorer 9 Delivery through Automatic Updates Environment Internet Explorer 9 webClient Continuum webClient Cause Workstation automatically updating Internet Explorer 8 to Internet Explorer 9. Some sites will have automatic updates enabled which is some cases can update the workstation that is outside of the supported compatibility matrix. Most validated sites will not have automatic updates turned on and as a policy most technicians have experienced issues with automatic updates turned on and will turn automatic updates off. Resolution The link below is a Microsoft Technet article that will describe the Automatic Update of IE9 and also offers options for blocking automatic IE9 upgrades. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/gg615599

Issue On attempted creation of new database receive the below errors. Database creation failed. Installation Error! <[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]The database 'ContinuumDB' does not exist. Supply a valid database name. To see available databases, use sys.databases. > Installation Error! <[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]Invalid cursor state> Installation Error! <[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver]Invalid cursor state> Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause The "DB File Location" in the Database Initialization dialog is not specified properly. Resolution Check where the "Data" folder resides on the SQL server A typical SQL Express install will have this located at "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data" but depending on the type of SQL, Operating System, and if any other instances of SQL - this location could be different. The correct folder contains at least six files:  master.mdf mastlog.ldf model.mdf modellog.ldf tempdb.mdf templog.ldf Type this path location into the "DB File Location" field Re-attempt the Database creation.  

Issue Site needs to change the IP address in Cyberstation Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There is a need to be able to change the IP address in Cyberstation Resolution Shut down Cyberstation Go to the PC's network/LAN/TCPIP connection properties and enter the new static IP address Verify the IP address change by going to Start>Run>Cmd (DOS Prompt) and type Ipconfig/all. The IP address will show under the network card similar to the following: Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 5C-26-0A-45-7C-D8 Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : No IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.203.2 Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.128 Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.203.1   Launch Cyberstation Open the Workstation object using Continuum Explorer (Right click>Edit) Click on the "Teach" button (Distributes the New IP address to the controllers)

Issue Are SNMP communication packets affected by controller's network encryption? Environment CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause Documentation Resolution Enabling network encryption does not have any effect on SNMP communications.

Issue How to automatically disable access for Personnel who's expiry date has passed? Environment Continuum Access Control Cause Want to automatically disable Personnel who's cards have gone beyond the expiry date. Resolution The below code sample can be used as a basis to provide this feature. It is a fallthru Workstation Program that can be triggered from one of the time related SystemVariables such as Hour or Minute. It uses the OpenList function to go through all Personnel in a specific folder and compare their expiry dates to the current Date and then disables them if required.   ========================================== 'Fall thru program that will search through the Personnel class for ' an expiration date that is less than today’s date. Object oAPerson Numeric nResult Line 1   nResult = OpenList("Personnel", oAPerson, Root\CardHolders) 'specify CH path Line 2   If nResult = Success then     While GetObject(oAPerson) = Success       'The next line will fail when the Expiration Date attribute is greater than 12/31/2037 (12/31/2099, by default)       If (Date > oAPerson ExpirationDate) then         Set oAPerson State = Disabled       Else         Set oAPerson State = Enabled       Endif     Print oAPerson Name, " is ", oAPerson State 'prints to message window for testing     Endwhile   Endif ==========================================

Issue When reloading an ACX5720 the controller goes offline permanently and has to be power cycled to restore communications. Environment ACX5720 Reload Cause Controller is not able to establish communications following a soft reset. Resolution Reflash the controller to eliminate the reload recovery issue.

Issue Can read temperatures but system does not control outputs. On the Site Stat Controller Interface the SS light is not flashing. Environment OnSite Cause Field wiring error. Resolution In this case someone had rewired the temperature sensor with the x1 and x2 terminations reversed. Once x1 and x2 were wired correctly normal operation resumed.

Issue Cannot upgrade CyberStation key. Environment CyberStation Cause Received key activation code from Repair Dept. to add an option to CyberStation. After entering the activation code into the KeyWriter application, getting the error "Invalid Key Activation Code: Please try again..."    Resolution There is a KeyWriter application for the Continuum Reports Add-On Software and a different one for activation codes from the Repair Dept..  Use ...\Program Files\Continuum\CyberKeyWriter2.exe for the codes from the Repair Dept.

Issue Can't display values from a Modbus IP device where it is using a data type of swapped Longint (32 bit). Environment Continuum Modbus IP XDriver (2nd Generation) v2.00012 and below CX9680 ACX5720, ACX5740 bCX1-9640, bCX1-4040 PM9C Power Meter Cause Modbus IP Xdriver did not support the swapped Longint (32 bit) data type. Resolution Support for this data type was added to the Modbus IP XDriver (2nd Generation) in v2.00018 which is available on The Exchange Download Center at the link below: E01_0210_215 Modbus TCP driver.zip

Issue Connecting Modbus RS-485 to a CX9200 Comm4 will not operate correctly. Environment Modbus RTU XDriver Serial port XDriver Cause Different ports support different electrical standards. Resolution Comm1 and Comm2 of a CX9200 has RS-485 ports and can be used directly with the Modbus RTU XDriver. As a first generation controller it requires the 1st Generation driver. Second Generation X Drivers are only for the second generation controllers (bCX1, NC2 &ACX) The comm ports also have RS-232 ports that can be used and using an external RS-232 to RS-485 converter they can support an RS-485 network. On Comm 4 it has 2 ports they are RS-232 and RS-422 which is sometimes referred to as "4 wire RS-485". But this is not the regular 2 wire RS-485. The difference between regular RS-485 and RS-422 (4 Wire RS-485) is half and full duplex. The RS-422 with + and - connected is not a true RS-485 2 wire as the transmitted data will also be received by the transmitting controller (feedback). Regular RS-485 will turn off its receiver when it is transmitting.

Issue Controllers Comm port has previously been used for Infinet and it is now required to change its operation to Modbus or another X Driver. Environment All CX controllers that support X Drivers CX9200, CX9400, CX9900, CX9940, bCX1, NC2 Cause When connected to a controller whose comm port is in infinet mode the mode can not be changed. Resolution Delete any Infinet controllers under that comm port in the database Go to offline editing, change the mode from Infinet to Autoset or Printer, apply the change. Go online. Reload the controller. You can now select X Driver mode and select the required X Driver file.  

Issue Third party BACnet discovered successfully but CyberStation returns a "Segmentation not supported" error when an attempt is made to send the devices objects to the database. Environment CyberStation Third party BACnet device (in the case at hand the device was a  Liebert Mini-Mate) Cause Device incorrectly report its NPDU (Network Protocol Data Unit) as zero. Ask vendor to correct its BACnet implementation so as to have the device correctly report its NPDU capability. Resolution Ask vendor to correct its BACnet implementation so as to have the device correctly report its NPDU capability.

Issue Will the first generation Modbus RTU xdriver work on the CX9200? Environment CX9200 X-Driver Modbus RTU Cause Difficulty getting the Modbus x-driver working on a CX9200. Resolution The CX9200 works just fine with the 1 st generation Modbus RTU xdriver. 

Issue Sites have Continuum add-on reports and bacnet and try to use them for bacnet devices Environment Continuum Continuum add-on reports Bacnet Cause Continuum add-on reports do not support bacnet objects Resolution The latest version 20.0e of Continuum add-on reports now supports access to BACnet objects. Download Continuum add-on reports For further information on this or you would like to discuss it's development, please contact COE.Support@Buildings.Schneider-Electric.com . Other options for reporting are to use Continuum internal reports or a third party report writer (Excel, Access or Crystal Reports) to develop the reports needed.

Issue A PE program is configured to write to the Present Value of a point in a third party IP level device, the program is enabled/active but the value in the 3rd party device is not taking on the new value.  Environment CyberStation bCX4040 3rd party IP level BACnet device Cause Wireshark capture shows the bCX trying to locate the 3rd party device via directed who-is message, the capture also shows that the bCX is directing the who-is message to the wrong sub-network. The reason for the above is an improperly configured subnet mask in the bCX Resolution The bCX will calculate the subnet address by taking its own IP address and ANDing it with the subnet mask, if the subnet mask is incorrect the calculation will render an incorrect address. Configure the bCX subnet mask correctly using the controller's web page configuration.

Issue Personnel object fails distribution with 'Invalid card entry' error. Environment CyberStation ACX5740 Cause Personnel object created via CSV file. Something went wrong during the create process. Opening the personnel object for edit shows right values, it is not obvious what is wrong with the card information. Resolution Edit the personnel object and make a change in one of the attributes that gets distributed to the controller such as expiration date After the above, personnel object distributes successfully to the controller. If lots of records have the problem, make a list view and perform the change on all the objects at once.

Issue UTC offset attribute of a Continuum controller does not persist after controller restart. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CX9680 ACX57xx bCX4xxx bCX9640 Cause The UTC offset attribute of a controller does not persist after controller re-start. Resolution Create an autostart PE program in the controller to set the UTC offset using the 'GetName' function as follows (The reason why GetName must be used is beyond the scope of this article) getname("CX_NAME UTCOffset") = -300 stop E: Stop *Replace the value -300 above with the appropriate UTC offset **The E line keeps the program from getting disabled if it encounters a run time error.