Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Can bCX comm1 power a port-powered RS232-to-RS485 converter?. Environment bCX Cause Need to connect Modbus RTU devices on RS485 bus to Xdriver on bCX comm1. Resolution This has been done successfully according to posts on the Exchange commnuity. It is not a configuration that Product Support Services supports as it is not tested and there are many different devices on the market - some of whch may work and some which may not. 

Issue How do I know if an Infinet ID is a priority node? Environment Infinet Controllers i2, SCX, LCX,TCX,LSX Cause Some Infinet ID's are Priority nodes or reserved nodes. Resolution Some controllers can be defined as a Priority Node, which means it will receive the Infinet Token more often than a regular Infinet node. To promote a controller to be a Priority node change its Infinet ID to be in the Priority node range using a service tool.   The overall range of Infinet ID's is 0-255 and these are defined as follows: 0 - New or unassigned controllers have an ID of 0, they will not communicate until an ID has been assigned to them, usually by doing a "Learn" 1 - 127 Regular Infinet controller nodes 128 - 223 Invalid addresses and should not be used. 224 - 250 Priority nodes 251 - 254 Priority nodes usually reserved for a Service tool (i.e. LSX280 or RoamIO) 255 Used by the "Master" node i.e. CX, bCX or Netcontroller When a learn is performed a regular controller will be allocated the next available regular node, the exceptions are the DCX250, ACX700 and ACX780 which will be allocated the next available Priority node.

Issue All alarms were working originally. Several weeks ago the BCX alarms stopped being logged to the database. B3 and third party controllers continue to log alarms to the database. Environment BCX4040 Guarantee Delivery BACnet alarms Cause Guarantee Delivery is not checked in the Event Notifications Resolution Once Guarantee Delivery is checked in the Event Enrollment configuration, alarms will begin to be delivered.

Issue Clarification on how to wire Form A and Form K Triac outputs on i285-V / b3865-V controllers. Environment i2865-V b3865-V i2866-V b3866-V i2865-V-S b3865-V-S i2866-V-S b3866-V-S Cause Had issues in the past with blown Triac outputs due to wiring, need to confirm how they are properly wired for Form A and Form K Triac outputs. Resolution As per 30-3001-810 i2 b3 865-866 Controller Installation Instructions (see page 5), you can configure your Triac so they switch the 24VAC (hot) or the GND (ground), but all Triac outputs must be configured the same. The difference between the Form A and the Form K is that the Form A is two digital outputs using a single triac each while the Form K is a single tristate output using both physical triacs for the one (logical) output. The Form A Triac outputs can be configured as either a hot or ground switch but the Form K must be configured as a ground switch (TRIAC REF tied to GND, Load to 24VAC).

Issue How do I get report data into a Excel spread sheet? Environment Continuum 1.6  thru  1.94 Microsoft Office 2003,  2007 Cause Exporting data to Excel allows it to be used and shared in a common format. Resolution Create a Report: Source Tab: Data Source = Extended Log Chart Type =  Text Chart Subtype=  AccTextXML Output Tab: Heading = %r SubHeading =  Report created at %t Display the full path in the report  = Selected OutPut to File  = Selected     Select the path. =  Example  c:\Report.txt Filter: Select Time interval Add Data points. Save:  then Run Report:  The file should have been created in the selected directory. Goto the selected directory  and right click on the file and Open with Microsoft Office Excel. You will be prompted with some choices select "As an XML List" Save to desired location as a xls file.

Issue Trying to edit bCX from BACnet side results in the above error. No problem from Infinity side. Environment CyberStation bCX4040 bCX4000 Cause Configuration issue Resolution a) Delete bCX from BACnet side. b) Perform find new BACnet devices from the root. c) After device is found and present under the BACnet devices folder, right click on it and send it to the database.

Issue What is the temperature reading range for the STP500? Environment All Continuum controllers STP500 range STX500 range STD500 range Cause Clarification on read range required. Resolution When connected to a Continuum controller the operating temperature range is: -30°F to +230°F, -34°C to +110°C For readings outside this range, an active sensor with a 4-20mA or 0-10V output should be used.

Issue For EpiDesigner or EpiBuilder to work with some devices a plug-in needs to be purchased. Environment Continuum EpiBuilder EpiDesigner Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Epibuilder will not communicate with some approved devices without purchasing a special plug-in. Resolution ImageWare is the third party company that Continuum integrates with for badging and there are a number of devices that require a plug-in to work. Check the following web page for a list of tested and supported items and if the device indicates plug-in, then purchasing a plug-in is required. https://support.iwsinc.com/about/support/epi_builder/ The plug-in can be purchased through a ImageWare partner. https://www.iwsinc.com/partners/ Schneider Electric does not sell the plug-ins and has no access to any serial numbers that may be prompted for during the installation.

Issue analog input shows 8.6-8.9 volts instead of 10 volts Environment B4920 Cause The pull up resistor when disabled will drop the top end voltage slightly Resolution Pull up resistor on = 10 volts top scale Pull up resistor off = 8.6-8.9 volts top scale (by design) 

Issue Users are adding areas to a person which should be blocked by a security level. Environment Continuum V1.93, V1.94 Cause Object level security is allowing the personnel profile to attach areas that should be blocked. Users with limited access to the sites areas are having additional areas added when applying a profile. No problems are encountered if no object level security is applied to the areas. Resolution This issue is resolved in V1.94 SP1 release of Cyberstation.

Issue Do we support LDAP sources other than Microsoft Active Directory? Such as interfacing to Oracle Databases, OpenLDAP, Apple LDAP, etc… Environment Continuum Personnel Import Utility Cause Customer wants to use an LDAP source other than  Microsoft Active Directory. Resolution The only LDAP scenario that has been tested for was interfacing with Microsoft Active Directory, no other LDAP source has been tested or qualified at this time. Other LDAP sources may work but as these have not been qualified we have no way of knowing for sure.

Issue Can Personnel be deleted or disabled in Continuum utilizing the PIU and a third party system? Environment Continuum Personnel Import Utility LDAP Cause Not sure what can be accomplished with the PIU to manage Personnel changes. Resolution The Personnel Import Utility, with the help of a transformation file, can be used to disable Personnel records in Continuum. This can be accomplished with an interface using LDAP, CSV, or XML. One method would be to use the expiry date field to disable Personnel Access.

Issue Site is using Pelco video server that runs in the same OS as Continuum, to minimize cost they want to run Continuum in the video server machine. Environment CyberStation Various Pelco video servers Cause Cost Resolution While it is technically possible to have Continuum run in the same machine as the Video server it is not recommended. Some of the possible problems that may arise are... 1. Performance issues 2. Compatibilities issues, some files required by both Continuum and the video server may have different version requirements.

Issue Need a report of personnel that have not accessed the facilities in some specified time. Environment CyberStation Cause Documentation Resolution Create a List View of the Personnel class Add desired columns (Name, Card Number etc) In the Qualifiers tab add the following advanced qualifiers TimeEntered <= MyCyberStation\Date - xxx where MyCyberStation is the name of the workstation object and xxx is a number that represents the number of seconds going back in time. For example to generate a list view report of all personnel that have not accessed the facilities in a day enter the following qualifier TimeEntered <= MyCyberStation\Date - 86400  (86400 is the number of seconds in a day) For a qualifier for a month enter... TimeEntered <= MyCyberStation\Date - 86400 * 30

Issue The temperature reading randomly  fluctuates between 69.5 deg and 327 deg. Environment Controllers with SPWR / Smart  Sensor support. Cause This situation can be the result of running one 6 conductor cable for all of the wiring to the thermostat; including the 24 VAC for the LED light.  The 24 VAC is causing interference with the temperature  input . Resolution Use a different cable for the LED light 24 volt.  Use 0-5 VDC to feed the LED Light.

Issue Is it possible to configure a door so that a card holder can gain access using only his unique pin number. Environment Continuum Access control Personnel objects unique PIN Cause Cardholders often lose their cards and need access to an area. Resolution For PIN only validation to work the Unique PIN option under Allowed Credentials must be selected. * On door object Deselect all Access Validation. Under General Access Validation, select Validate PIN. *  If Unique PIN is not selected, cardholders using a valid pin will be able to gain access through the door, but Continuum will be able to provide reliable cardholder information for access events at this door. There are security issues that make it necessary for the badging personnel to issue a predetermined and available pin number to the cardholder. 

Issue What TTS-SD-LED and TTS-SD-LCD Smart Sensors are available? Environment TTS-SD-LED Series • TTS-SD-LED-1 • TTS-SD-LED-B-1 TTS-SD-LCD-Series • TTS-SD-LCD-1 • TTS-SD-LCD-4-2 • TTS-SD-LCD-B-1 • TTS-SD-LCD-C-1-10P • TTS-SD-INFBUF Cause Some products in this range have become obsolete due to the discontinuation of some key components. Resolution Full details are on the attached Product Announcement PA-00171 TTS-SD-LED-1 Discontinued TTS-SD-LED-B-1 Discontinued TTS-SD-LCD-1 Modified TTS-SD-LCD-4-2 Modified TTS-SD-LCD-B-1 Replaced by TTS-SD-LCD-1 TTS-SD-LCD-C-1-10P Discontinued TTS-SD-INFBUF Discontinued

Issue What configuration is required for a Multical BACnet heat meter Environment Schneider Electric (Kamstrup) heat meter connected to a Continuum or SmartStruxure system on MS/TP. Multical 61/62/601/602/801 Cause Setup information required Resolution With the BACnet interface card fitted in the Multical meter it is a native BACnet MS/TP device. Connect it to the AS or bCX1 depending on your system and Learn/ find BACnet devices. It should appear online and allow the objects to be uploaded. A typical unit like the Multical 602 will contain 12 Analog Inputs for all of the information from the meter. The Meter will operate at 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600 and 76800 Baud rates and autobaud to the connected system. For the Datasheet  Click Here. For the BACnet PICs statement Click Here. For help with Heat meter selection see the online selection tool: Online Heat Meter Selection Tool - PA-00216

Issue NCII controller with Modbus TCP/IP xdriver running in server mode drops offline every day or so. Environment Modbus TCP xdriver Cause The customer was using a very old version of the modbus xdriver file. Resolution Installed the current Modbus TCP/IP xdriver release.

Issue An example on how to control a Door Request to Exit function with a Schedule. Environment Continuum Access Control Door Plain English Cause Customer wanted an example on how to disable Exit Requests for a Door after hours. Resolution There are probably a couple of ways to do this depending on how you are currently controlling door access. The easiest method would be to use to the "OpenOnExitReqst" attribute of the Door object. Using a PE program to set this to False based on a Schedule point should give you the functionality required. The PE code for the InfinityProgram in your Access Controller would be similar to below. =================== ' Door_SCH - InfinityNumeric that is being set by a Schedule object ' Door1 - Door object where the Exit Request button is to be controlled ' ' Fall Thru program triggered by Door_SCH ' Functionality: Door_SCH calls this program to run when its value changes. ' This then sets the state of the OpenOnExitReqst attribute in the Door to the ' current state of your Schedule. Reverse this if you want to opposite action. ' "Door1 OpenOnExitReqst = not Door_SCH" Door1 OpenOnExitReqst = Door_SCH ===================