Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue A TGML Graphic is added or imported into Vista. Then when you right click on the TGML Graphic and select " Open Bindings Window" a blank bindings window is opened. None of the objects defined in the TGML Graphic appear in the binding list to be bound to objects in the Vista database. Environment Vista 5.1.7 Cause The TGML Graphic is named with .(dot) characters in the name. E.G. VAV1.1.7 Resolution Do not use dots, dashes or hyphens in the naming convention for any Vista objects. Either eliminate it altogether, or use underscores (_) instead. To correct this issue after the TGML Graphic has been added  with the incorrect naming convention, is: Edit the TGML Graphic and save it out of the database. Delete the TGML Graphic with the name including the . (dot) character. Add a new TGML Graphic using the correct naming convention E.G. VAV1_1_7 Open the TGML Graphic that was saved out of the database and save into the new TGML Graphic you created with the correct naming convention. Note: Renaming the TGML Graphic object from VAV1.1.7 to VAV1_1_7 in the Vista database does not fix the problem.

Issue Vista Server will open but Vista Workstation/Server Setup will not open because  MFC71.DLL is missing   Environment Windows XP Cause Symantec Virus Protection was removed/replaced by Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection: Forefront Endpoint Protection Version: 2.1.1116.0 Antimalware Client Version: 3.0.8402.0 Engine Version: 1.1.8601.0 Antivirus definition: 1.131.805.0 Antispyware definition: 1.131.805.0   Resolution Adding MCF71.DLL back to the needed folder will not work. Un-Install Vista Workstation/Hot-Fixes and Re-Install/ Vista Workstation/Hot-Fixes. Verify DCOM settings.

Issue Technical support contact information for Design 360 and Studio 360 Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Other, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Design 360 Studio 360 Cause Design 360 or Studio 360 has issues requiring technical support assistance which is not provided by PSS. Resolution Schneider Electric Employees should contact PSS who will provide you with your Branch Administrator and Technical Expert contact information. Partners may contact Smartware directly for any support of the tool at: Email: techsupport@smartwaretech.com Phone: (716) 213-2222

Issue Where to find documentation about TAC Vista OPC Server and OPC Client, including which versions of the OPC standard are supported in the different versions of TAC Vista OPC Client/Server. Environment TAC Vista OPC Server TAC Vista OPC client TAC Vista OPC tool Cause It is not always easy to know where to look for Vista documentation. Resolution All documentation about TAC OPC can be found in The Exchange Download Center. Search Vista OPC on The Exchange Download Center Narrow results by Asset types (Specification Sheet, Manual, Release Notes, etc...)

Issue What is the difference between Lonmaker 3.2 and "Turbo Edition"?  Environment Echelon LonMaker: 900800130: LonMaker 3.2 Standard Ed. 900800140: LonMaker 3.2 Professional Ed. 900800150: LonMaker 3.2 Std Ed Upgrade 900800160: LonMaker 3.2 Pro Ed Upgrade Cause In some documentation and price lists, LonMaker 3.2 is mentioned as "Turbo edition." Resolution There is no difference between Lonmaker 3.2 and "Turbo Edition." It is just a different name for the same product.

Issue Menta will not accept the format of a decimal fraction without a zero preceding the decimal point. Environment Menta Cause Menta will only accept a fraction that contains a zero before the decimal point. For example, 0.1 is acceptable while .1 is not. Resolution Menta will reject any fraction without a leading 0 in front of the decimal for any fraction, alternatively use a division operator. For example, 1/2 is the same as 0.5, 2/5 is the same as 0.4.

Issue Commission and download to a Xenta 300/400 fails with error message  "Error creating file". Environment Vista 5.x Xenta 300/400 Cause Vista are using the folder C:\Documents and Settings\MyName\Local Settings\Temp at Commission and download to a Xenta 300/400. So the user which have started the Vista server must have authority to write to that folder. Resolution Make sure that the user which have started the Vista server have authority to write to the folder C:\Documents and Settings\MyName\Local Settings\Temp. 

Issue Every 6 second there is an error message in the Vista event log from user "system" that "system failed to log in on node TAVISTA".   Environment Vista 5.x Cause  The reason for the messages is that GetAlive is activated for Icarus( a program used in Sweden which sends SMS when a alarms comes to Vista). Resolution Deactivate "GetAlive" for Icarus. 

Issue Will the data in the Xenta Server still be intact after a power failure? How long is the "power outage protection time" for the various Xenta servers? Environment TAC Xenta 511 TAC Xenta 527 TAC Xenta 555 TAC Xenta 701 TAC Xenta 711 TAC Xenta 721 TAC Xenta 731 TAC Xenta 911 TAC Xenta 913 Cause Needs to know how the Xenta Server handles a power failure Resolution Power Outage Protection – Settings like configurations and web pages are stored in the non-volatile (flash) memory and will not be lost in the event of a power outage. A built-in capacitor maintains operation of the RAM memory for at least 72 hours in the event of a power outage. More information may be found in the TAC Xenta 500/700/911/913 Product Manual, chapter 2.1

Issue What is the requirement of the PC when installing TAC Vista software? Environment TAC Vista Cause Minimum and recommended hardware and software requirements for installation of TAC Vista and its components. Resolution All minimum requirements are listed in the data sheets for each component respectively. All TAC Vista data sheets and other related documentation is available for download on The Exchange Download Center. Navigate to TAC Vista within The Exchange Download Center Narrow results by Asset types (Manual, Specification Sheet, Release Notes, etc...)

Issue What is the maximum allowable distance between two Lon devices on a lon network? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X  Lon devices such as Xenta 2/3/400 FTT10-A either free or bus topology Cause The physical layout of a building may require nodes to be installed far apart. Resolution The maximum distance between two devices (nodes) is 320m. No node may be more than 320m worth of cable from the bus termination (if bus topology is used). More information can be found in the Lonworks Installation Handbook, chapter 5 "Physical Network Structuring".

Issue Need to restore or do a clean installation on the Magelis Opti PC Magelis Opti PC has crashed or Windows don't load properly Magelis Opti PC has become very slow or unresponsive Product Line Other, TAC Vista Environment Magelis Opti PC Windows XP Embedded Cause Just like a regular PC the Magelis Opti PC may crash due to software errors, and it may also become slow after long time use. Resolution The procedure "Restoring the Operating System" is described on page 7 (pg. 11 if go by PDF page numbers) of the Magelis Opti PC Installation Guide (also available on the supplied DVD) Caution! Back up all important data on your primary drive before restoring your system. Restoring will delete all data on your drive, and your Magelis Opti PC will have the same software and data configuration as when it was delivered. Hardware required Reinstallation DVD-ROM: Magelis Opti PC Restore & Documentation DVD. An external DVD drive with USB adapter. USB keyboard. Restoration On Magelis Opti PC: Connect the external DVD drive to a USB port on the Magelis Opti PC. Power on the Magelis Opti PC. Press DEL to run the BIOS setup. Insert the restore DVD into the DVD drive. In the “Advanced BIOS features” menu, under “First boot device,” select “USB-CDROM.” Press F10 to save and exit. Select “Yes” when prompted to save your changes. At the MS-DOS C:\> prompt, type “RESTORE” and select your configuration. When the message “Proceed Restore [Y,N]” appears, type “Y.” The following message will appear to indicate restore was completed successfully. ***** Restore OK **** Restore may take several hours depending on the speed of the DVD drive. If any other message appears, contact your approved Schneider Electric technical center. Remove the DVD and press “CTRL+ALT+DEL” to restart the machine.

Issue Not possible to download a MTA file to a Xenta from the System Plugin. The download was really slow and finished with an error. When the Xenta was decommissioned in Lonmaker it was possible to do the download.   Environment Tac Vista 5.1.7 System plugin 5.1.7 Lonmaker Cause The download problem is probably due to too much traffic to or from the Xenta on the Lon channel or that the Xenta have to much to do. If the problem is too much traffic to the Xenta is most likely to the I/O modules, one reason I have seen before is that an I/O module is specified in the Xenta but it doesn't exist, then the Xenta will try to reach it over and over again and it is very hard to get a download of the mta to work.   Resolution Workaround to get the mta file down:, Decommission the Xenta, Download the file  Commission it again.   To solve it check that no I/O modules is specified in the Xenta which don't exist on the network.

Issue The TAC Xenta Operator Panel does not hold steady when navigating down into programmable controller point lists. At random times the OP will back out and return to the main screen with the list of programmable controllers. Environment Operator Panel (OP) Vista Cause The XENTASYSREG bit 0 does not work in version 3.87 of the Xenta programmable controllers.  Resolution The latest firmware hotfixes need to be downloaded and installed for the corresponding TAC Xenta programmable controllers. For all Xenta Versions, download Hotfix version 3.87-02 on The Exchange Download Center.

Issue Can't get the net.x automation KNX OPC server to work with Vista on Win Server 2008 R2 Environment Win Server 2008 R2 TAC Vista 5.1.X Cause A non-compatible version of NetX's OPC server is being used. Resolution Use the netX automation Voyager Server UD (Unified Driver) software. This is supported on 64-bit operating systems.

Issue The NV in my Xenta 401 is not updating the value defined in a Xenta 913 Environment Vista 5.xx Cause Network variable is only setup to work between Xenta controller. The network variable will not work between a Xenta 913 and a Xenta programmable controller Resolution The best solution is to insert the LNS or classic network into the Xenta 913 then use a connection object in the Xenta 913 to transfer the value

Issue TAC Vista can not read trend values but all values get written to the SQL Server Test Connection to SQL server from Server Setup is working No queue files Environment TAC Vista SQL Server Cause If TAC Vista runs as a Service it will try to access the SQL data using the account it is started under if you have configured SQL to use Windows user. If the account that the TACOS Service runs under does not have access to the SQL server you will not be able to read any values. The DSS writer service that is used to write the values in to the SQL Database is using the account that is set up in the TAC Vista server setup. Resolution Make sure that the TACOS server runs under an account that have access to the SQL server.

Issue Is it needed to connect DC voltage to trigger the DI of the 301 and 421A What is the max current/voltage that a DI point can handle. Environment Xenta 301, Xenta 302, Xenta 4xx Cause The inputs on the Xenta 300 and 4xx are active inputs from the terminals X1, U1 etc. Meaning the terminal is at high voltage when open.  For a UI (act as a DI) channel, the voltage across open contact is approximately 20 V DC, and for a XI channel,  the voltage across open contact is approximately 33 V DC. To activate the digital input, engineer needs to connect the signal to M ( = 0 volt) terminal, so current flows FROM the X1 to M. So basically we expect a switch that connects M and X1 (U1). Resolution No you only need a switch that connects M0 to X1 or U1 (or other digital, universal input). Note: It is recommended to have a non-voltage dry point relay switch to protect the digital input on the controller and IO module.

Issue Can individual window contacts be used in a Master-Slave configuration of Xenta 121? Environment Xenta 121-FC Xenta 121 -HP Cause Want to use Master-Slave functionally but still use each controllers window contact to control that controller. Resolution In general exception modes are not allowed for slaves because this overrides the Master-Slave functionality. Also there are no way to prevent the master to turn on/off all slaves using it's own Window contact.

Issue What is the replacement for TAC Xenta  511-B Need TAC Xenta 511 with modbus support Environment TAC Xenta 511 Cause The TAC Xenta 511-B is obsolete. Support for Modbus have been added to the TAC Xenta 511 Resolution TAC Xenta 511 now has support for Modbus.