Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue An analog Modbus value has specific values when the system is in error. For example: 0 = No Error 1 = Over Current Acc 2 = Over Current DeAcc 3 = Over Current Constant Speed How could an alarm be defined to trigger when the object has Value = 2? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 Cause When using a Modbus analog value, it is not possible to create an alarm on a specific value. Resolution Instead of a Modbus Analog Value, create a Modbus Multistate Input. With a Modbus Multistate Input, it is possible to connect a multistate alarm which gives the option to create an alarm on a specific value.

Issue There is a display issue with PE programs running in a b3 device, depending on program code the current line shown maybe incorrect showing a line that is NOT the line the program is currently at, this issue exists in all versions of SBO. Note that program execution is not effected, the execution of the program iscorrect, it is only the CL shown that maybe incorrect. Issue will be fixed in SBO 1.6 Environment Workstation AS b3 Cause Firmware defect Resolution The defect has been corrected and the fix will be released in SBO 1.6 Currently there is not hot fix available for this issue.

Issue The Schneider Universal Plug-In 2.5.1 s registered in StruxureWare and the XIF file for the MTN880601 is imported into the StruxureWare database.. After adding the device and choosing Configure, the Plug-In is not launched. Instead comes an error message saying, that no plug in matches the program ID. Environment StruxureWare OpenLNS Cause XIF files that, during the installation, is not placed in the Import folder, may not be registered correctly in OpenLNS. Resolution In the StruxureWare Control Panel, under "LNS Plug-in Registration", you may have a selection "Import device templates in LNS." Select this to import the XIF file (device template) into OpenLNS database.

Issue How to display a binary on/off value for fan the following hardware outputs for a Xenta 102-AX graphic page: Fan command Heat 1 command Heat 2 command Damper open Damper close Environment Xenta 102-AX StruxureWare Building Operation TGML Graphics Cause Universal Outputs 1, 2, and 3 on a Xenta 102-AX are controlled via percent based values. Through hystereses, they will turn on and off. Without knowing the previous status of the output, values between 1% and 99% will be unclear as to the present value of the output. Note: due to this SNVT being of a user-defined type, TAC Vista Workstation is unable to display these values. This solution can only be applied to a SmartStruxure Solution. Resolution Navigate to the Xenta 102-AX object in Building Operation Drill down to Node Object [0] > nvoRawHwValues > Universal Outputs Current Value Use the following signals for a true/false status of each command: Damper Drive Down State Damper Drive Up State Universal Output1 state (fan) Universal Output2 state (heat 1) Universal Output3 state (heat 2)

Issue Which SQL collation setting should be used with StruxureWare WebReports? Environment StruxureWare WebReports installation and settings. Cause IT departments may wish to know which settings are/should be used if they are managing the Reports server SQL database. Resolution During the installation of Report Server,  the collation settings are configured automatically for 'StruxureWareReportsDB' at the database level and not at the SQL Server level. Irrespective of any collation settings at the SQL Server level.

Issue When trying to login to Linux console via Device Administrator the console display says the Admin account is locked out.   Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 Linux WinSCP Cause Linux cannot be accessed via Device Manager Console or utilities like WinSCP. Resolution Access to Linux in the AS no longer available in StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5

Issue Distributed Link Architecture DLA with StruxureWare Building Operation Environment Large TAC I/NET Seven site with StruxureWare Building Operation installed Cause Does Distributed Link Architecture (DLA) supported with StruxureWare Building Operation as the front end? Resolution TAC I/NET allows you to define a system-wide total of up to 100 links in order to connect controller LANs to the TAC I/NET system. In the traditional TAC I/NET system, if you use Xenta 527 Routers (NPRs) to connect remote controller LANs (i.e., sites) to TAC I/NET, each site consumes one unique link address. This limits the traditional TAC I/NET system to a maximum of 100 sites. The purpose for adding Distributed Link Architecture (DLA) capabilities to NPRs, and to the TAC I/NET IOServer, is to allow multiple NPRs to share the same link number. In a system that is configured to use DLA-enabled NPRs, up to 64 sites can share a single link address. The shared link is referred to as a distributed link. The use of distributed links allows the TAC I/NET system to support up to 6400 sites. Note: TAC I/NET’s system-wide limits of 6,400 controllers and 100 link addresses must be observed, regardless of whether or not DLA functions are enabled. For example, if your TAC I/NET system already contains 6400 controllers, implementing DLA will not allow you to expand the system with additional sites of controllers. TAC I/NET Seven DLA is supported with Building Operation

Issue Are mirrored values or mirror programs required in the AS when interfacing to MNB controller objects? Environment Automation Servers or Enterprise Servers Cause Confusion around this subject. Resolution No, since the MNB controllers support COV subscriptions it is not necessary to create mirrored values or programs in the AS. 

Issue SBO v1.4 will not learn MSTP devices on MSTP Network #1354 on Cimetrics BACnet IP Server Environment SmartStruxure v1.4  Cause BACnet in SBO v1.4 and 1.5 does not work with BACnet routers that do not have their own device object. The BACnet Router for Network #1354 is a Cimetrics device which is hosting the MSTP network where 97 devices will not come into SBO. The trace log (attached) has many entries like this: 2014-09-17 19:46:29.105 [1176806464] nsp.pin.BACnet Router for Network #1354 is broadcasting from unknown device -- ignored (BACnetMain) 2014-09-17 19:46:29.110 [1176806464] nsp.pin.BACnet Unable to add proxy for device Device_96 (ID=96), CStatus=0x80050019 (BACnetMain) 2014-09-17 19:46:29.110 [1176806464] nsp.pin.BACnet Router for Network #1354 is broadcasting from unknown device -- ignored (BACnetMain) 2014-09-17 19:46:29.115 [1176806464] nsp.pin.BACnet Unable to add proxy for device Device_97 (ID=97), CStatus=0x80050019 (BACnetMain) Resolution BACnet in SBO v1.4 and 1.5 does not work with BACnet routers that do not have their own device object. It is fixed in future release v1.6. Not much can be done about for sites with 1.4 or 1.5 unless the 3rd party BACnet router (in this case the Cimetrics device) has a configuration option to assign it a Device Id.

Issue Want to create reports from an AS Environment Automation Server Cause To be able to create reports you will have to have an ES and a reportserver installed. However you can export a trendlog to XML or CSV and create you own report with a thirdparty software. Resolution Install an ES and a reportserver or export a trendlog to CSV or XML and use a thirdpart software to create your report.

Issue Could the L-VIS screen be manage even if the operator is using latex gloves? Environment Loytec L-VIS Cause The screen used on Loytec L-VIS is resistive, and due to that can be managed with latex gloves. Resolution The screen used on Loytec L-VIS is of resistive type, and due to that can be managed with latex gloves.

Issue Field engineer needs to convert a TAC I/A Series project from R2, GCM or Signal but can not find the link on iPortal2. Environment TAC I/A Series project files to be converted to SBO Cause User does not have permission to make a purchase through the iPortal2 website. Resolution The field engineer / technician submitting the job must have the right to make purchases through the iPortal2 web site http://iPortal2.schneider-electric.com. The branch or partner office iPortal administrator must give the engineer/technician the right to make purchases through the iPortal site.   The user's purchase limit must be set to at least one dollar ($1).

Issue When trying to discover via BACnet they broadcast the same instance ID. Need Dent Viewpoint software and RS485 converter to change the Instance ID prior to doing Find New BACnet Devices. Environment BACnet MSTP Cause Documentation Resolution Use Dent Viewpoint software and RS485 converter to change the Instance ID prior to doing Find New BACnet Devices.

Issue When updating to SmartStruxure 1.5 BACnet IP devices go offline from either ES or AS Environment SmartStruxure Automation Server SmartStruxure Enterprise Server Cause The upgrade to SBO 1.5 can sometimes cause the BACnet IP network interface to lose the IP broadcast address. Resolution Verify the BACnet IP Network interface configuration to see if anything has been lost. Re-enter settings for IP broadcast address to establish connection with BACnet devices again.

Issue If the conversion line on an input is more complex than a single line of script, can a function be used? Environment BACnet b3 Controller Analog input conversions / scaling. Script programming, functions Cause The code required to scale an input is more complex than a single line of code. Resolution It is not possible to use a Script Function in the conversion line of an input point, however quite complex formulas can still be entered that scale the ElecValue when the point is evaluated. The format of an input point conversion line is still:     ElecValue / 1000   The automatic scaling table is also available in the b3 inputs for linear conversions

Issue After restoring a backup set to an AS, MSTP communication is lost and no BACnet folder appears under the System Hardware folder. Environment AS System Time Backup Restore Cause System time was not set in the AS prior to restoring the backup. Resolution Set system time prior to restoring the backup. The BACnet folder may be restored if the AS system time is set subsequent to restoring the backup and the AS is warmstarted.

Issue At times it is necessary to monitor an external variable to trigger action in SmartStuxure Lite Environment Smart Struxure Lite Smart Struxure Continuum AS MPM Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Cause Need the ability to trigger actions from an external variable to run a lua script Resolution Use a lua script in your MPM that copies the value of ME.PG#_ENABLE.value to an Analog/binary value. This value can then be seen from the AS or BCX through bacnet and you can have the AS or BCX do different functions depending on that value

Issue @TriggeredTimeStamp does not always report the last time an object transitioned to an off-normal state. Environment Alarms Substitution Codes Event Notifications. Cause Both the Normal and the Reset alarm states represent conditions where the alarmed object has assumed an acceptable value and is not in alarm Reset = The object has returned to a normal state but the return to normal notification has not been acknowledged. Normal = The object has returned to a normal state and the return to normal notification has been acknowledged. The TriggeredTimeStamp value is updated only when the object transitions from a Reset Alarm State to an Alarm Alarm state. The TriggeredTimeStamp value is not updated when the object transitions from an Alarm Alarm State to a Reset Alarm state. If an object goes into alarm and that alarm event is never again acknowleged, the Triggered Time Stamp will continue to reflect that initial alarm transition time regardless of how many times the object goes into and out of an alarm state. Resolution In order to get the Triggered Time Stamp to update, the notification must be acknowleged so that the alarm can return to a Normal state (rather than Alarm State = Reset) before it transitions to Alarm. 

Issue An offline edit in PCS deploys successfully. When viewed in Workstation, the Automation Server is online, but all b3s are offline. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure 1.50 PCS AS 1.5 BACnet interface Cause The b3s have a BACnet Device ID which is different from that assigned to b3s in PCS. The BACnet device ID can not be modified in PCS after it has been assigned. Resolution It is best to modify the BACnet Device ID in Continuum: Use a BCX4040. Connect with b3 devices one by one or together Bring b3s online in Continuum Workstation Modify the BACnet Device ID for each b3 to the BACnet Device ID assigned in PCS Go back to SBO Workstation. b3s should be online.

Issue After about 30 minutes of communicating fine they will go off line in the AS. Environment BACnet, AS v1.41 Cause Time sync service running on the Lynxspring JACEs Resolution Restarting the Lynxspring controllers temporarily resolves the offline problem. Turning OFF the time sync service running on the Lynxspring JACEs permanently resolved the offline problem.