Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Enterprise Network Server BTL Certification Environment I/A Series G3 3.6.35 BACnet Advanced Operator Workstation (B-AWS) I/A Series G3 3.6.35 BACnet Operator Workstation (B-OWS) Cause The PIC statements for the I/A Series G3 Enterprise Network Server for BACnet Advanced Operator Workstation and BACnet Operator Workstation is available from Schneider Electric. However, they are not listed on the BTL website under Schneider Electric.  Resolution Schneider Electric is focused on maintaining BTL listings for servers and controllers that are an active part of the SmartStruxure solution. There are no plans to add or renew BTL listings for products that are only supported by TAC I/A Series systems at this time. Existing listings that don't apply to SmartStruxure solution will remain on the BTL website until they expire. Schneider Electric product BTL listing can be found here.

Issue Information is needed to set up the APC Xdriver modbus UPS integration with Continuum Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Windows XP  Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There are a number of APC devices that support modbus and information is needed to get values into Continuum Resolution The following document, APCConfigExample.zip, is provided as an example and will not address every type of APC device. See Helpful Modbus register Information for helpful information on bring in modbus values.  

Issue Unifact Pro - Master and Slave controller ratio Unifact Pro - Number of controllers on a LAN Environment Unifact Pro Cause What is the Master to Slave controller ratio of Unifact Pro controllers on a LAN? What is the maximum number of Unifact Pro controllers on a LAN? Download here the Unifact Pro Datasheet Resolution There is 1 master to a maximum of 3 slaves. A single Unifact Pro LAN can support up to 80 controllers. Note: A S-Link sensor wired to the master can be shared by up to 3 slave controllers. If fan speed control is used then S-Link sensors cannot be used on the slaves.

Issue Using Schneider Electric actuators with competitors' globe valves Product Line Field Devices Environment Schneider Electric actuators (Americas field devices) 3rd party globe valves Cause To replace 3rd party / competitor valve actuators with Schneider Electric valve actuators, a linkage / adapter may be required to install the Schneider Electric actuator onto the 3rd party / competitor valve.  Resolution Refer to the AV-800 Series Competitive Globe Valve Adapters Selection Guide for a list of adapter kits, recommended Schneider Electric actuators and supported 3rd party / competitors' globe valves (Johnson Controls, Siemens, Honeywell).  The Selection Guide can also be downloaded from the Publication Zone with iPortal. If you do not have access to the iPortal, use the guest access credentials. Once you have logged on, go to 'Links' > 'Publication Zone'.  Installation instructions showing assembly drawings can be downloaded here.

Issue How to manage the trend files stored on the SmartStruxure™ Lite Manager flash memory. Examples and guidelines for the FTP transfer of trend files. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager (MPM) 2.4.3 and above Lua program Cause All data points collected by a TL object are saved in a text file stored on the SmartStruxure™ Lite Manager SD memory card (which has a storage capacity of 2 GB). This file is accessible at [ipaddress]/root/data/trend.csv. The trend.csv file contains the log of all TL objects on a SmartStruxure™ Lite Manager. It logs new data until it reaches a size of ~10 MB, when it will be renamed trend_date.csv for backup. A new trend.csv file will be created to record the new data.  In the context of your application, it may be of interest to retrieve the trend.csv file from the SmartStruxure™ Lite Manager for analysis.   It is also important to remove these excess trend files since there is a risk of filling the SD card on the Manager. An example of storage requirements are listed below: A Manager with 10 trend logs recording data every 10 minutes will record ~50 kB of data each day, for a total of ~350 kB per week. A Manager with 20 trend logs recording data every 30 seconds will record ~2 MB of data each day, for a total of ~14 MB per week. Resolution The simplest way to automate this process is to use a Lua script to initiate a FTP file transfer to an FTP server on an event of your choice. The example shown in the application note below, the file transfer is initiated by a SmartStruxure™ Lite scheduler. Once the file is transferred to the FTP server, you can rename the file to create a backup. Data collection will then continue in a new and empty trend.csv file. This way, any new transfer of the trend.csv file to the FTP server will be a complement of the preceding file. This application note discusses the management of the trend files stored on the SmartStruxure™ Lite Manager flash memory, and provides examples and guidelines for the FTP transfer of these files. Lua script examples can be found here

Issue The XML Automation Server application on the WebClient Server does not open when a remote WebClient browser tries to access WebClient. WebClient does work from the browser on the WebClient server itself but can't be accessed from another PC. The XM Automation Server keeps closing by itself. Environment WebClient Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 Cause DCOM Permissions have not been set properly to allow access to these WebClient components. Resolution Confirm that DCOM permissions have been set properly. Follow the steps detailed in the section "Configuring DCOM Default Security Settings" starting on page 100 in the WebClient Installation Guide, paying particular attention to the NETWORK SERVICE account. Please see the link below for the relevant section from the WebClient v1.94 Installation Guide. DCOM Permissions excerpt from 30-3001-835 webClient Planning and Installation Guide

Issue CX level controller was once online and now appears as offline Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Netcontroller CX ACX BCX Cause From time to time issues will be reported that controllers are offline at the IP level. Resolution Troubleshooting steps to perform:   From one of the existing sites Cyberstations perform a ping of the controller. If there are responses, verify that the response is from the controller and not another device. Verification of the response can be done via Wireshark capture if the CX appears to be responding. If there are responses to the ping, then attempt to open up the web-configuration page for second generation controllers. Verify the site’s Cyberstation is online itself. (Right-Click/edit the workstation and view the Comm Status. It will be either Online or Offline.) With CyberStation installed on technician’s laptop with the same version as the site version. Plug an Ethernet cable into the same hub the controller is plugged into. Connect to the site database with the local laptop's CyberStation and start Continuum. Check the controller in Continuum Explorer to see if it shows offline to the local laptop's CyberStation. If the controller is online to the local laptop's Cyberstation, then it is clearly a site network issue. At that point we will need to make sure all the IP address info is correct; there is no port blocking, subnet masks, gateways etc… Standard network troubleshooting. If the controller shows offline to the local laptop's CyberStation, then look at the CPU lights on the controller for activity. Watch the link light, CPU, IO bus lights if there is IO modules, etc… If those look abnormal and you have a smart phone it will be worthwhile to try and get a video of them to send into support for review. If there is no link light then try disconnecting the Ethernet cable from the NETWORK SWITCH and plug it back in to check if it brings the controller back online. If that does not bring the controller back online try disconnecting the Ethernet cable from the CONTROLLER and then immediately put it back and check if the controller comes back online. If all of the above fail then the next step will be to power cycle the controller to try and bring it back online. If communications cannot be established, contact support and open up a case for additional troubleshooting to determine if the controller needs to be sent to repair. If communications is restored and further investigation is required, please retrieve the following information and open a case with support for review. Controller error log Controller offline listview exported to CSV A Wireshark LAN capture at the controller level with peak traffic occurring Additional information may be requested including a controller core dump. This is a very intensive process. Support will supply the Core Dump Utility if needed.   Please click HERE for a copy of these instructions in PDF format.

Issue On an upgrade or other circumstances, the Continuum.mnu points to C:\program Files instead of C:\program files (x86) on a 64 bit PC. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Windows 7 64 bit Windows 2008 64 bit Cause On an upgrade or other circumstances, the Continuum.mnu file points to C:\program Files instead of C:\program files (x86) and doesn't find the files being used. Resolution Under certain circumstances the Continuum.mnu file doesn't point to the correct folder. All of the buttons in the file point to C:\program Files instead of  C:\program files (x86). Use the following file to copy to each of the PCs that the menus are not working. The path of the Continuum.mnu is c:\program files\continuum\userprofile\continuum.mnu . This can be changed per Cyber by editing the Workstation in Cyberstation then clicking the preferences tab. The path for the entry can be edited. The Continuum.mnu that can be download from the web site has the default  (x86) paths in it. Continuum x86 Mnu file download Make a copy of the existing Continuum.mnu (Copy of Continuum.mnu) Delete the existing Continuum.mnu Download the file from the link above to the C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum\UserProfile\continuum.mnu Restart cyber *** The path within the Continuum.mnu files must be correct and the path to the Continuum.mnu must reference the .mnu file with the path that you need

Issue What is the I/A Series product suite? What I/A Series devices will be connected to or talking on my network? Does I/A Series support DHCP, DNS, and dynamic DNS? Which software protocols and RFCs (Request for Comments) does I/A Series support? I use Netscape Navigator as a browser, are there any ActiveX compatibility issues that I need to be concerned with? How do I back up this device? What LAN network management tools do I use to manage these devices? When does a UNC controller communicate with the Enterprise Server and vice versa? What does a system of UNCs and a Enterprise Server do to my network traffic and bandwidth? How do I access an UNC or Enterprise Server over the Internet? Can I access the entire I/A Series network if only the Enterprise Server is exposed to the Internet? How will I/A Series tie in to my security policy? How is the UNC protected from viruses? How do I protect someone from hacking into my I/A Series system? How do I set up / use a VPN? How does your system work with firewalls and proxy servers? What firewalls does your system work with? What LAN network management tools do I use to manage these devices? “I use Netscape Navigator as a browser, are there any ActiveX® compatibility issues that I need to be concerned with?” “I use Netscape Navigator as a browser, are there any ActiveX® compatibility issues that I need to be concerned with?” “Which software protocols and RFCs (Request for Comments) does TAC I/A Series support?“Which software protocols and RFCs (Request for Comments) does TAC I/A “I use Netscape Navigator as a browser, are there any ActiveX® compatibility issues that I need to be concerned with?” Series support?”“Which software protocols and RFCs (Request for Comments) does TAC I/A Series sup Environment I/A Series R2 Cause Frequently asked IT related questions for I/A Series R2. Resolution There is a document 'F-27407-4 IT Manager’s Frequently Asked Questions' that answers common IT related questions on the I/A Series R2 system. This document can be downloaded here. Frequently Asked Questions

Issue Is there any way to get calibration certificates for the Kamstrup meters and auxiliary equipment associated to the meters? Environment Kamstrup Heat meters cool meters flow meters Cause To fulfill the requirements of some standards, calibration certificates on the equipment may be required.  Resolution All new meters are delivered with approval and initial verification according to the standard for heat meters EN1434, and the European Measuring Instrument Directive MID. This warrants that each meter is within the Class and MPE stated by the standard. Kamstrup can provide certified calibration results for individual meters upon request. Please order these certificates through your regular Orders channels, and please confirm the meters/sensors serial number by filling in the Order form that can be downloaded here. Temperature sensors, calculator and flow part has each their own certificate, and can be replaced individually if broken or damaged. Please make sure to state serial number for each part when requesting the certificate(s).  

Issue Can the MNL-200 controller's analog output be used to turn a relay on and off?  Can you recommend a brand/model of relay? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series MNL Controllers Cause The application requires additional digital outputs Resolution At 500 ohms and 20mA, the analog output produces 10 Vdc.  The voltage can go as high as11 Vdc by using a 550-ohm resistor instead. A common brand and model is from Kele (model # KEL-RIBU1C) and it's available on iPortal.  The coil pulls in at 10 Vdc and drops out at 3 Vdc.  Click here for the datasheet.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue Sample programs for carpark access control. Environment Continuum Access Control Carpark Access Carspace Counting Cause Want sample code on how to provide Carpark Access Control. Resolution It is possible to do car park control with Continuum Controllers. There are a number of different ways to do this depending on the sites specific requirements. PSS doesn't provide programming for specific projects but we can provide generic examples. *** Note: This sample code is provided as-is to be used as a sample only.   *** To start off, a very simple solution could be:   To have three Areas defined, Outside, CommonCarPark, and EmployeeCarpark. You then create Door objects for the Entry Readers at the entrance to CommonCarPark and EmployeeCarpark. Use a PE Program to Monitor the CommonEntry Entry Reader for ValidAccess and set a pre-alarm flag (Numeric). Have an AlarmEnrollment attached to the pre-alarm flag and set for a specific amount of time (3 minutes). Have another PE Program that monitors the EmployeeEntry Entry Reader for ValidAccess and then re-sets the pre-alarm flag stopping the alarm from being sent. You could use this sample program, with some modifications, to provide you with this functionality. This is a very simple way of doing it that doesn't take into account having more than one car coming in at the same time though...you could expand on this to include using arrays to store the details of the Personnel that have badged and then have a timer associated with that specific Personnel, set both values into an Array and then have another program monitor that Array and compare the time they entered against the current time...if the difference was more than your alarm time then raise an alarm. When that Personnel badges at the EmployeeEntry Reader you remove their entry from the Array. A sample on how to do this is here. This one is a bit more complex than the previous example but it should give some ideas to start with to mold into a solution. There is a WS program as well as a controller program. The controller program does all of the carpark control which uses arrays to store the number of car spaces currently available for each department group (company/tenant) and allows of disallows new cars from that dept depending on available slots. This solution required both a roller door and a gate inside the roller door to create a "mantrap" for the desired control but the same principle could be applied in a simpler design. The WS program was used to provide a solution to the tenants locking themselves out of the carpark when they didn't badge out properly. It uses an object to search though all Personnel to find a specific card number and then resets that Personnel's current Area so they can badge at the anti-passback enabled Door. From memory, this part of it didn't work as well as the carpark access. The code is good just the method of searching through all Personnel was prone to locking up. Depending on the number of Personnel and size of Database it can take a longtime to do the search ... and the program can time out and go to disabled. So there was human intervention needed at various times.  

Issue Replacement an AF24-S Actuator? Environment AF24-S Damper Cause Customer requires a replacement actuator for a AF24-S. Resolution The AF24-S is a 24v power open, spring return damper actuator, it has a torque of 15 Newtons. To view the data sheet, please click HERE. The replacement actuator range is the MD10SR/MD20SR ranges. The MD10SR damper actuators have a torque of 10 Newtons (dampers up to 2m2) and are available in the models shown below. To view the full data sheet, please click HERE.   The MD20SR damper actuators have a torque of 20 Newtons (dampers up to 4m2) and are available in the models shown below. To view the full data sheet, please click HERE. In the specific case of the AF24-S the replacement would be the MD20SR-T or -TS if auxiliary switches are required.

Issue IAC Touchscreen passwords. Environment IAC Touchscreen 600 IAC600 Cause Customer did not know the passwords. Resolution The password that will allow you to read point values via the Touchscreen is 1234. The password that will allow you to make changes to point values via the Touchscreen is 4321. There is also a maintenance password available, but unless the operator knows the Touchscreen operation well, this should not be used. Please refer to Product Support Services if this password is required. To view the Touchscreen User Guide, please click HERE.

Issue Requests for information on a wireless access control solution Environment Continuum Schlage Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Easy access to documentation for the Schlage Wireless Access Control Solution Resolution 09-17-2012 The Security Center of Excellence is pleased to announce the integration between Schlage AD-Series locks and Andover Continuum Netcontroller II and ACX 57XX family of controllers. This integration will provide a cost effective and scalable access control solution. Schlage AD-Series locks combine all of the components typically found around the door such as the door position switch and the request to exit switch into one unit which simplifies installation and saves money. Since they are designed to be modular Schlage AD-Series locks can easily be upgraded in the future to meet changing security and technology requirements. Within Continuum Cyberstation the Schlage locking device will look and function like a normal door and an XDriver at the controller level will provide access to these devices. This solution is ideal for education and healthcare facilities but can also be used in a wide range of other applications. For more information please contact COE@Buildings.Schneider-Electric.com.   Schlage Data Sheet Final.pdf Andover Continuum _ Schlage Integration Offer Final.pdf Andover Continuum _ Schlage Integration Training Final.pdf

Issue List of Tables and Offsets for MicroNet 50 series, 100 series, and IACs Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell MicroNet Environment VisiSat VisiView MicroNet View Cause Need to define the Tables and Offsets for MicroNet 50 series, 100 series, and IACs. Resolution Click here to download the list of tables and offsets for the MicroNet range of controllers. Click here to download the list of tables and offsets for the IAC range of controllers. Updated June 2019 The MicroNet 50 series range MN350, 450, 550, 650 LCD and Touchscreen have been withdrawn from sale. The IAC 420, 600 and Touchscreen have now also been withdrawn from sale. No direct replacement is offered. Further information on these changes can be found in PA-00495 and PA-00528 

Issue Cannot find a wiring diagram for the ETR800 Temperature Sensors Product Line TAC IA Series Environment ETR-800 temperature sensors Cause Not available in the Publication Zone Resolution Click the link to view and download the wiring diagram:  F-27619 ETR800 Sensors Wiring Instructions Click the link to view and download the data sheet (also available in the Publication Zone):  F-27601 ETR800 Sensors Data Sheet

Issue LonWorks Zone Controller SE7200F5545E Environment Site requiring information or literature regarding this zone controller Cause Cannot find information on: Part Number: SE7200F5545E Part Name: ZNCTRL LONWORKS 2X0-10V PIR Part Short Description: LonWorks Zone Controller :2 Analog 0-10V Outputs, PIR Cover Installed. Part Long Description: LonWorks Zone Controller:2 Analog 0-10V Outputs with PIR Cover Installed   Resolution Please find the following guides: SE7000 Series Room Controller Brochure SE7200 Series Room Controller Data Sheet SE7200 Room Controller with Integrated PIR Motion Sensor Data Sheet PIR Ready SE7200 Series Installation Guide SE7200 and SE7300 Series LonWorks Integration Manual

Issue I/A Series R2 and G3 MIB files Environment I/A Series R2 SNMP integration I/A Series G3 SNMP integration Cause A Management Information Base (MIB) describes a database of objects that can be monitored by a network management system. SNMP uses standardized MIB formats that allow any SNMP tool to monitor any device defined by a MIB. The Tridium MIB defines the information that can be exposed for a I/A Series Niagara station running the SnmpService. The third party system is having trouble reading the SNMP traps from I/A Series using the MIB file that was sent to them. Resolution Ensure that the correct MIB file is used. Starting in I/A Series R2 version 2.301.528 and above, a new TridiumR2-MIB was created that is supported by R2 Snmp stations. This was created because of the need to differentiate Tridium MIB object identifiers between R2 and G3. I/A Series G3 versions 3.4 and earlier uses TridiumR3-MIB.my MIB file. To view this file in WorkBench, go to 'File' > 'Open' > 'Open Ord' (or shortcut Ctrl + L) and key in 'local:|module://snmp/tridiumMib/TridiumR3-MIB.my'. Starting from I/A Series G3 versions 3.5 and above, there is a Workbench function (right-click menu on the local SNMP device) to create a MIB. See 'About locally generated MIBs' on page 3-17 to 3-21 of the Niagara Ax 3.5 SNMP Driver Guide.

Issue Save time in the field by using the different functions Newron NL220 has to offer. This article contains some tips, tricks, suggestions and ideas. Product Line TAC IA Series, TAC Vista Environment NL220 Cause By not using all of the different tools within NL220 it can take much longer to complete a checkout of a database or resolve a problem. There are a number of shortcuts and hotkeys that can save a substantial amount of time. Some examples include database searches, browser window functions, filters, attaching documents, and meanings behind network menu options. Any addition questions or information can be found by contacting Newron here. Resolution Other Helpful NL220 Articles and PDFs NL220 Manual - Click here Starting a NL220 database - Click here Echelon LonMaker and Newron NL220 on 64-bit operating systems Ordering more LNS credits Ordering more Newron NL220 credits The difference between NL220I and NL220M dongles How to Rehost an NL220 Dongle to another PC LOYTEC NIC-USB in NL220 Creating LNS database in NL220 and transferring it into TAC Vista procedures outline Adding a Xenta Programmable Controller to an NL220 System Downloading new NXE or APB files using NL220   Searching the Database There are multiple ways to perform a search in the NL220 database depending on what is trying to be found. At the top of the NL220 window there is a search bar as seen above. The buttons found on this toolbar are defined below. When performing a search there are four different ways that a name can be searched. Using an asterisk after the name means that NL220 will search for anything that begins with those characters. Example: Name*   Using an asterisk before the name means that NL220 will search for anything that ends with those characters. Example: *Name   Using an asterisk before and after the name means that NL220 will search anything with those characters somewhere in the name. Example: *Name*   If no asterisks are used then NL220 will search for an exact match of those characters. Example: Name   General Toolbar The general toolbar at the top of the NL220 window has many useful shortcuts and features. Descriptions of some of these tools can be found below.    To use the automatic browser feature , the desired network variables must first be selected in the device templates. Select the template tab at the bottom of the database tree window.   Double click on the template that is desired for automatic browse. This example is using the 102-AX template.   Select the NVs tab in the device template settings window. Check the box in the browse column next to all network variables to include in automatic browse.   Click on the Subsystem tab  at the bottom of the database tree window.   Select the automatic browse button and click on a controller that is using the template that was modified. It will automatically open up the browse window with only those network variables.   Filter Toolbar The filter toolbar seen above is found at the top of the tree window. This toolbar contains the ability to look at nodes in a specific state like commissioned or uncommissioned, only display specific types of network variables, or even filter nodes and variables by name.    Network Functions Right clicking on objects in the tree window gives the pop up menu that contains the Network menu.  The functions of these icons are defined in the chart below.       Network Variables If changes have been made to the XIF file of a controller, the change needs to be applied to the network variables of the application devices that use the template. Click on the Templates tab at the bottom of the tree window. Right click on the template that needs to updated and select "Rename variables of all application devices" A prompt will open that says "Do you want to rename all network variables of the application devices with the template name?". By clicking yes, this will rename all of the network variables of the devices that reference this template to match the names found in the template. Note: Once this has been completed double check the SNVT connections that have been created already. After the rename, it may change the SNVT order if a SNVT was renamed or removed  from the programming. This will cause connections to be binding the wrong variables together.   Creating a New Device Template If adding a new device to the database, a new device template may need to be created. See Adding a Xenta Programmable Controller to an NL220 System for instruction on how to add a Xenta programmable controller to a NL220 system. Click on the Templates tab at the bottom of the tree window. Right click anywhere in the Templates pane and click on "New device template..." In the New device template box, enter the name of the new template and browse the XIF file into the "Description file" box.