Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Error importing a StruxureWare Building Operation export file. Below is an example of the error.  ERROR: Import failed to commit changeset transaction with an exception. RecoverableException: /home/ci/ci-build/rb-rb-1.8.1-system/source/server/nsp_servers/csc/changesetmanager/source/ChangeSetTransaction.cpp(1442) Invalid Data Error: File_Extension_Not_Permitted (0x10048) in module Security_Manager(74). "Not permitted to store the file "htgseqintro.wmv" with the current Document Policy." - Stack Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.8 Cause The export file contains a document file extension that is not permitted in the Document Policy Permitted File Extensions Resolution The file extension has to be added to the Permitted File Extensions list. See Adding a File Extension to the Permitted File Extensions List on Web Help. For the error example shown in the issue of this article, the extension wmv has to be added to the Document Policy Permitted File Extensions. list. 

Issue The communication with TAC Xenta controllers is slow or inconsistent Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Xenta LonWorks communication Cause The Non group receiver timer is not properly set. Every device has a timer called Non group receive timer. The Non group receive timer is used to make sure that a re-sent Lon package will not be treated as a new message and to determine when a receiver buffer can be released. It is used in Acknowledged, Repeated and Request/Response transactions, but not in Unacknowledged ones. If this timer is set too low, a re-sent package, like Unacknowledged repeated message, may be treated as new messages, that will be sent on to the application. The communication buffers will not be released until the timer has expired. If the timer is set too long, that may result in the device running out of buffers, and new messages will not be received during this time. If a device has many SNVTs or TACNV’s being transferred there may be a need to increase the value of the Non group receiver timer. The default value for a programmable Xenta device is 768 ms. Resolution Change the Non group receive timer of the Xenta devices. The default value for a programmable TAC Xenta device is 768 ms. The recommended timer values are:   Number of network variables Non group receive timer value < 50 768 ms (default) 50 – 100 1024 ms > 100 1536 ms     The default value for the AS and AS-P  is 8,092 ms. There is no need to change that value.

Issue If a Variable status alarm is setup on a BACnet point it never triggers. Environment Workstation V1.8.1  and earlier Cause The reason is that the 3 available triggers (Forced, Overridden and Offline) do not apply to the BACnet protocol. If you open up the bindings page for a BACnet point you will see that none of the BACnet point attributes are the same as these 3 trigger statuses. Resolution Although from the SBO side you can force a point, what actually happens is that the value becomes commanded at "Command priority 8" (by default). The BACnet protocol does not have a Forced attribute. There is also no attribute listed for Overridden and Offline point in the BACnet standard. Because of this the Variable Status Alarm does not apply to a BACnet point.  

Issue Why isn't the OpenLNS a full, un-limited license? Environment OpenLNS OpenLNS CT Cause Renewing OpenLNS CT Annual Maintenance You can renew your annual maintenance for OpenLNS Server and OpenLNS CT before they expire. Renewing your OpenLNS and OpenLNS CT annual maintenance enables you to continue installing software updates and upgrades. If you do not renew the products’ maintenance, you can still use the products; however, you will not be able to upgrade it with updates or upgrades released after your annual maintenance expired. You cannot renew your annual maintenance after it has expired. Once it has expired, you must purchase a new activation key to be able to install any updates or upgrades released after your maintenance expired. To renew your annual maintenance, purchase an OpenLNS Commissioning Tool Professional One-Year Maintenance Renewal (Echelon model number 93800) or an OpenLNS Commissioning Tool Standard One-Year Maintenance Renewal (Echelon model number 93810). Echelon will process your order, and your maintenance coverage will be extended so that you can continue updating and upgrading OpenLNS and OpenLNS CT for an additional year. Resolution If paying the annual maintenance fee, you have access to updates and upgrades. Not paying still means that the program could be used, however it could not be updated with the latest patches.

Issue How to automatically have b3 controller backup to flash. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment b3 Script Program Cause Script program syntax is a bit different to how it was done in Continuum, specific details needed on how to set this up.  Resolution This is a sample script program to enable automatic backup to flash when the controller database is different to what is currently stored in Flash. Create the below Script Program in the b3 controller. Make sure to bind both the input and output variables to statusbackup/value. 'bind statusbackupin and statusbackupout to the systemvariable statusbackup/value. numeric input statusbackupin numeric output statusbackupout init: if ts >= 5 then goto checking checking: if statusbackupin = backupneeded Then   statusbackupout = backupnow Endif goto wait1day wait1day: if td >= 1 then goto init

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 After upgrade of Building Operation and / or I/NET, I/NET alarms and events have stopped updating within WorkStation. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.4x Integration with Enterprise Server EcoStruxure Building Operation 1.8 and above Cause Within the I/NET Seven SQL database table [InetDb].[dbo].[Events].[EventId], the EventId has not incremented correctly, so there is a missing EventId (causes unknown). Because of this missing EventId Building Operation waits at this missing ID to appear before updating its own event.db database. Since this ID will never show, no events will ever be passed through to Building Operation and effectively stops any I/NET events appearing within Building Operation WorkStation This EventId is seen in a registry entry called NspAmtEventId under the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\CSI - Control Systems International\I/Net 2000\Configurations Resolution Current workaround is to manually edit this registry key NspAmtEventId value to: A value above the highest [InetDb].[dbo].[Events].[EventId].value - if the past events are not required. OR Increment its value by 1 if all past values are required to be retained. i.e. If NspAmtEventId = 82237682 typically only needs to be changed to 82237683 to correct this issue. If not then you should check the [InetDb].[dbo].[Events].[EventId].value After editing this registry value the Enterprise Server service needs to be restarted, after which events will then start to be processed by Building Operation. It should be noted if you use option 2 above that there will be some time for all this data to be updated within Building Operation and there may be some bogus (old) alarms appear, which should be taken into consideration before implementing this resolution.

Issue After re-installing Open Minds HAS causes, the license no longer appears in License Administrator. Environment License Open Minds HAS 8.6   Cause Re-installing LifeKeeper may have affected License Administrator installation due to the Open Minds volume monitor. Resolution Re-install License Administrator. Licese will show and operate after re-installation.

Issue Locating partners Environment Partner SmartStruxure Building Operation EcoStruxure Building Operation Cause Require engineer to visit for maintenance, servicing, installation or advice. Resolution Click Here to be linked to the available UK and Ireland SmartStruxure / EcoStruxure partner list. Note: For Ireland, enter Belfast, and partners in Ireland will also be shown.

Issue Alarm Control Panel - Number of entries for Cause Note, Action Note and Checklist  Environment SnartStruxure Building Operation Workstation 1.9 Cause The maximum number of entries that can be added for Cause Note, Action Note and Checklist are not indicated in available documentation.  Resolution There are no hard coded limits to the number of entries that can be added for the Cause Note, Action Note and Checklist

Issue Customers want to know how to localise their Reports Server  Environment SBO 1.9.3. Cause User may wish to change language on produced Reports etc.. Resolution Localisation of the Reports Server is currently not supported although there are plans to add this feature in a later revision.

Issue After starting up the SmartX Advanced Display for the the first time, the operator finds himself stuck in SmartXKiosk mode before having any chance to select a password/PIN code. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Advanced Display v1 Advanced Display v2 Cause SmartXKiosk has been selected as launcher. The first time the SmartX Advanced Display is booted up the operator is presented of a choice to use  SmartXKiosk or TouchWiz as launcher. If SmartXKiosk then is selected instead of TouchWiz the operator will enter SmartXKiosk without having set a password first. Resolution Request an unlock code (PIN) from your local support center, which will enable the operator to exit Kiosk Mode. Press the Home (Hardware) Button at the SmartX Advanced Display. This will enable you to choose launcher again. Make sure that "TouchWiz" is selected. Note: In the next release this will note be an issue, since you are forced to select "TouchWiz" at first use to proceed (if SmartXKiosk is selected, you will be prompted to choose again)

Issue Converting the entries from an MPX controller error log can be useful when there has been a software revision change. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EBO MPX Cause There may be an entry in an MPX error log that shows as follows: 25 I 2018-07-02 10:07:36.56 0x00006409 0x20000015 0x80018a15 0x10000134 0x18061101 Software revision change Resolution The ability to extract the firmware revision numbers from the controller error log is useful especially if you do not have the device report. Take a look at the last 2 numbers of the following line: 25 I 2018-07-02 10:07:36.56 0x00006409 0x20000015 0x80018a15 0x10000134 0x18061101 Software revision change 0x10000134  == 1.00.01.00134  (please disregard the missing 01) 0x18061101 == 2018 06 11 (ignore the trailing 01 in the hex number)

Issue Starting in EcoStruxure Building Operation 2.0, a new licensing structure has been implemented to reflect the new scalable pricing model.  This new pricing model is different from previous versions. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Version 2.0 and up Cause Due to the change in our pricing model within EcoStruxure Building Operation 2.0 and later, we have new policies regarding scalable pricing which has been different in the past. Resolution In regards to questions around the new scalable pricing structure For EcoStruxure Building 2.0, please reference the sources below. EcoStruxure Building Operation Scalable Pricing Frequently Asked Questions EcoStruxure Building Operation v2.01 - Scalable Pricing Policy Scalable Pricing Overview Video - EcoStruxure Building EcoStruxure WebHelp Article about Licensing Model General Notes: An upgraded or newly purchased 2.0 license will work with sites running older versions of EcoStruxure Building Operation. Each Enterprise Central and each Enterprise Server license comes with one client license.  It will always be possible to operate the system and will always be possible to add to the system (besides attaching automation servers to the enterprise server) if you do not have enough licenses. After certain time periods, the warnings, banners, and prompts will get larger and more noticeable.  If ONLY hosting IP devices and no Automation Servers under the Enterprise Server, it is still necessary to purchase the minimum size Enterprise Server license (10 or fewer Automation Servers) as well as then the appropriate number of hosted node licenses.  The intent of this is to limit the development and support costs of having a highly resourced user interface at the Enterprise Server and to distribute this load across multiple servers.

Issue Trying to create a Lon binding from two or more nvo's in one Lon device (hub) to two or more nvi's in many Lon devices (targets), a so-called fan-out binding. The binding between the first Lon devices works fine, but when trying to create the binding from the Hub Lon device to the second Lon device (target) it does not work. The binding window for the second Lon device (target) is opened; the Lon device (hub) is chosen in the browser window on the right side; and the nvo in the hub is dragged to the nvi in the second target device. But the binding tool will not accept this binding. It is not possible to release the nvo from the Hub Lon device on the nvi in the second target Lon device. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation LON Devices Cause Normally when creating a binding using the EBO binding tool you open the binding window for the target (receiver of the value). But in this particular case you need to do it the other way around and open the binding window for the hub (sender of the value) instead, and then drag the target to the hub. Read more about Fan-out Bindings in the Webhelp. Resolution Go to the Lon device with multiple ins or outs (hub) and open the bindings window In the browser window on the right side find the target Lon device Drag the nvi from the target device to the nvo in the hub Lon device

Issue Unable to download MP-V Flow Balance Data object to a controller using download all Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Cause The inability to use download all is a protection added to prevent overwriting any flow balance data inadvertently Resolution All Flow Balance Data Object properties are downloaded by explicitly downloading the Flow Balance Data Object as shown in the video below    

Issue Connecting to an ES that is on another machine through WorkStation and trying to force a BACnet input or output point located on a b3, connected to an AS-P, causes WorkStation to freeze. The only way to get out of freeze is by ending the system task in Windows.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server v2.0.2.x Building Operation Automation Server v2.0.2.x Building Operation Workstation v2.0.2.x Continuum b3xxx Controller any version Cause EBO v2.0.2.x has communication issues when connecting to an ES that is not on the machine you have WorkStation on.  Resolution Upgrading to 2.0.3.45 or later will resolve this

Issue How to bind BACnet Objects with Priority Levels Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation BACnet MPX, RPC, MPC Cause Servers (ES, AS) and other native devices (MPX, RPC) have slightly differing binding options. EcoStruxure Building Operation BACnet binding offers many options and the information below gives an example of how it can be achieved, it is not the only method. Resolution When binding between BACnet objects in EcoStruxure Building Operation (either external or within the device) it is usually better to utilize the BACnet Priority based control, often this facility is not fully exploited. Object Force and Overrides will use set priorities as in the BACnet Interface setting for the site (see System/Interface Manager/BACnet), the defaults are below. The example below shows a simple bind from a BACnet Schedule-value to a BACnet Binary-value Priority 16 (or other priority as required, as binding at Priority 16 can interfere with simple manual overrides). A BACnet datetime_value has no Priority array, so if you bind, for example, from a "BACnet Schedule Next transition" to "BACnet datetime_value Value" the bind to a Priority cannot be achieved, as below. In addition, the MPX & RPC have some constraints that Servers do not have. If you bind "Transfer Value to" an Object Value Property (rather than a Priority) then further bindings "Transfer Value to" binding to a Priority is inhibited. The screenshot below shows the error that is seen. This promotes using Priorities to control BACnet Objects.

Issue When creating a BACnet trend log in an offline IP controller (e.g. an MP-C), the following properties are visible and can be adjusted: Delta Align intervals Interval offset Before download to the MP-C: After downloading to the MP-C these properties are not visible anymore. After download to the MP-C: Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartX IP Controller Building Operation Workstation Cause Before downloading a “generic” object to a BACnet device, Workstation doesn’t know what BACnet properties the device supports and which it does not support. Therefore it will display the full super-set of BACnet properties for the given object type to the user. When the object has been downloaded, any property not supported by the device will be removed from the editor. Resolution This is by design.

Issue When viewing WebReports within WorkStation or Internet Explorer the report data is not shown. All that is seen is a blank screen even though the menu items are still displayed (as shown in Figure 1 below). Figure 1:: Report viewed through WorkStation (Or Internet Explorer) When viewing the same WebReport through a different browser, Chrome or Firefox the report displays correctly Figure 2:: WebReport viewed using other Browsers (such as Chrome and Firefox) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WebReports EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation Cause The issue has only been seen with Internet Explorer since the other browsers appear to work. Since Building Operation WorkStation uses Internet Explorer as its internal browser, the problem is seen when displaying WebReports within WorkStation. To confirm that this is the issue you can check the Windows Event Log contents (Application Log Warnings) related to: <Provider Name="ASP.NET x.x.xxxxxxx.x" /> ... <Data>/LM/W3SVC/1/ROOT/SchneiderElectric/WebReports-1-131958191596842252</Data> <Data>Full</Data> <Data>/SchneiderElectric/WebReports</Data> <Data>C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation WebReports\WebReports\</Data> <Data>CultureNotFoundException</Data> <Data>Culture is not supported. Parameter name: culture 4096 (0x1000) is an invalid culture identifier. at System.Globalization.CultureInfo.InitializeFromCultureId(Int32 culture, Boolean useUserOverride) at Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms.ReportDataOperation..ctor(IReportServerConnectionProvider connectionProvider, Boolean requiresFullReportLoad) at Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms.HttpHandler.GetHandler(String operationType, IReportServerConnectionProvider connectionProvider) at Microsoft.Reporting.WebForms.HttpHandler.ProcessRequest(HttpContext context) at System.Web.HttpApplication.CallHandlerExecutionStep.System.Web.HttpApplication.IExecutionStep.Execute() at System.Web.HttpApplication.ExecuteStepImpl(IExecutionStep step) at System.Web.HttpApplication.ExecuteStep(IExecutionStep step, Boolean& completedSynchronously)</Data> Resolution To correct this issue ensure that the Windows Regional Language, found in the Windows Control Panel matches between the Workstation PC and the Reports Server.

Issue TAC Xenta I/O modules that are added as LonWorks units in TAC Vista, are converted to Xenta I/O modules belonging to a Xenta Base unit (SlaveSpeak devices) in EcoStruxure Building Operation, after conversion using TAC Vista Conversion Tool. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment Vista Server TAC Vista Conversion tool Xenta Xenta I/O-modules Cause In TAC Vista, the Xenta I/O modules are normally located on the same subnet as the Xenta Base unit, and belong to the Xenta Base unit, communicating as SlaveSpeak devices. If a Xenta I/O module is located on another subnet than the Xenta base unit, it could instead be added as a LonWorks Unit in Vista, and therefore communicating via LonWorks bindings to the Xenta base unit using SNVTs. Vista Conversion Tool does not handle this configuration. In the conversion tool, all Xenta I/O modules are expected to be connected directly to a Xenta base unit, located on the same Subnet, and are therefore always treated as SlaveSpeak devices. Resolution After running the Vista Conversion tool, you have to re-build the LonWorks Bindings between the Xenta I/O module and the Xenta Base unit manually in EBO, as the Conversion Tool does not handle the actual configuration setup.