Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Alarms in Menta not coming into Vista if the output is connected to additional logic. Environment Menta IV Vista IV Workstation Alarm Queue Cause Many times Alarms will be used to start backup systems in the event of equipment failure. This is commonly performed by attaching the output of an alarm to additional logic which will route needed information to the backup system. Resolution Add a DELB (binary delay) to the output of the alarm before connecting the additional logic. This will allow the alarm to show up in Vista Workstation.

Issue TGML numeric presentations rounded to ones column Environment TGML graphics Vista 5 Cause Depending on the component being used to display the numeric data, it may be as simple as a property not set to display decimals. It may also be due to presentation values. Resolution If using the default Numeric Presentation from the provided Snippets library, change the property in TAC Graphics Editor for 'Decimals' to the number of decimals to be presented i.e. 4 decimals = .0001, 2 decimals = .01, etc. If not using this Snippet, check to see if getPresentationValue() is being used in a script, or if the binding itself has the Format attribute set to Presentation instead of None. Presentation value will inherit all formatting from the Vista database and not from the TGML source file.

Issue Remote I/O Module (RIO) programming: Can I/O tags (outputs) from two different RIO modules be connected to Dual-output objects? Environment MNB-1000 MNB-1000-15 Cause The object error will occur "Outputs must connect to the same remote module". Resolution Details: Dual-output objects are objects with two addressable outputs. There are three such objects: Momentary Start/Stop Object, Floating Actuator Object and Floating Actuator Priority Object. When connecting dual-output objects to I/O tags on an MNB-1000 application drawing where MNB-1000-15 remote I/O modules have been configured, be sure to connect both outputs to the same set of I/O, whether that be the MNB-1000 controller’s onboard I/O or a particular MNB-1000-15 module’s I/O. For more information, see the latest WorkPlace Tech Tool Engineering Guide Supplement (F-27356).

Issue What should be considered when analyzing the performance of a Modbus TCP/IP implementation? Environment Modbus TCP/IP implementation Cause Check the performance level of Modbus TCP/IP implementation for possible improvement. Resolution Determining if a Netcontroller will handle the load of a specific Modbus TCP/IP implementation must take into account many different factors. A lot depends upon the 3rd party device, the network utilization of the IP network, the number of devices/points being polled and the speed/polling rate of the devices on the RS485 network. The Modbus TCP/IP xdriver behaves as a client and polls for information in a round robin basis. The more data it has to poll the longer it will take. The organization of the Modbus Addresses is also important. For example: If 12 registers are at consecutive address locations i.e. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, then 1 data packet is required to retrieve all this information. If only a few registers are at consecutive locations i.e. 1, 2, 3, 8, 21, 22, 23, 30, 40, 65, 66, 67 then 6 data packets are required to retrieve this information. If the registers are all in separate locations i.e. 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 then 10 data packets, one for each address is required. The third example would take 10 times longer than the 1st to poll the address information. If address locations in the 3rd party device cannot be altered then it may be more efficient to create additional xdriver points to effectively 'fill the gaps' so as to reduce the number of data packets. It is recommended to carry out a bench test with the devices in order to analyze the configuration. This would allow for adjustments of the requests or adding additional hardware to poll the amount of required information. Field Example: Using a Modbus TCP/IP xdriver to poll a number of Powerlogic metering devices. Considering 30 EGX's/ECC's involved, plus two Powerlink 3000 panels, using 33 IP addresses. Each EGX/ECC has from 10-20 Modbus devices attached on the RS485 side. Each metering device will be polled for about 12 registers. In this example, we would be polling about 4000-5000 register points via Modbus TCP/IP with a NetController2. In this particular scenario, it was determined that 2 Netcontroller IIs would be needed to handle the amount of polling required at the expected performance level.

Issue ACWPPServerProxy applet is constantly flashing on webClient Environment ACWPPServerProxy applet webClient Loopback Cause This typically happens on a Stand Alone configuration on Windows. Resolution The solution is to add the loopback address onto the IIS server by taking the following steps. Open IIS Manager Expand Web Sites> Right Click on Default Web Site and select Properties Click the Advanced button to the right of the IP address field Click the Add button and enter the IP: 127.0.0.1 and the port: 80, Click OK, OK Stop and Start IIS Launch Webclient and the ACWPPServerProxy applet will no longer flash. Restart the webclient PC If you are using Windows 7, Vista or Windows Server 2008 the IIS interface is different. Open IIS Manager (the non 6.0 version) from Administrative Tools Expand Sites> Left click on Default Web Site In the far right column called Actions, locate the Bindings link Select Bindings and click the Add button then enter 127.0.0.1 into the IP address field (leave other defaults) Click Ok, Close With Default Web site still selection select "Restart" Under the Actions column to restart IIS Launch Webclient and the ACWPPServerProxy applet will no longer flash. Restart the webclient PC

Issue WebClient login screen has the TAC webClient background, but no login fields   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment webClient Cause This typically happens when webclient has been installed prior to IIS, so .Net framework does not get registered with IIS. Resolution  The resolution is to run the regiis.exe command as follows: For Windows 2000 Professional it is: "c:\WinNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" "c:\WinNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" For Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 it is: "c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" "c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" Once this command is run the normal login prompt will be presented.

Issue Invalid user name or password dialog when logging into webclient with acc that works in Continuum Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows 7 Windows 2003 Windows 2008 Cause Activex control didn't download or an update to .Net requires a re-register of .Net to IIS Resolution This happens when attempting to login to webclient when there are higher security restrictions on Internet Explorer so files that need to get installed on the client machine get blocked. A. Add the webclient server as a Trusted site in Internet Explorer on each client machine as follows: Open Internet Explorer and select> Tools> Internet Options> Security> Click on Trusted Sites and Click the Sites button Deselect "Require server verification (https) for all sites in this zone Add the webclient server name Ex. http://Servername (This typically populates automatically.) B. Also, change the default security settings to medium-low as follows: Open Internet Explorer and select> Tools> Internet Options> Security>Click on Trusted Sites and Click the Custom level button In the "Reset to" drop down, select Medium-Low and then Click The Reset button Click Yes to the "Are you sure you want to change the settings for this zone?" In the Settings list, manually enable "Download unsigned ActiveX controls Click OK, Click Yes to "Are you sure you want to change the settings for this zone?" Click Ok and Ok again C. Run the aspnet_regiis.exe -i command from DOS to re-register .Net with IIS From DOS> CD\ Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727>aspnet_regiis.exe –i Once these steps are completed, enter the URL for webclient again, the appropriate activeX controls will install and the login will work normally. If this still doesn't work and you get a message that "Internet Explorer is currently running without add-ons" then take a look at the following Microsoft articles.   https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/ie/en-US/53a3b82c-e61a-4576-8d80-91e204d4b1e9/internet-explorer-is-currently-running-with-addons-disabled?forum=itprovistaie Also see Internet Explorer gets "web.Client only supports Internet Explorer 32 Bit version 8.0 and greater" when logon to the Webclient server. This article is similar, but mentions changing the compatibility view in Internet Explorer.

Issue If a MNB-1000 application contains R-I/O programming, can it be successfully downloaded without the actual R-I/O hardware connected and communicating? Environment MNB-1000 Remote I/O Module Cause Communication lost between MNB-1000 and Remote I/O module  Resolution Yes. The R-I/O modules (MNB-1000-15) are not controllers and do not have control applications within them. All processing is done at the MNB-1000 (except fallback). Lack of R-I/O or R-I/O communications or loss of R-I/O communications has no effect on or during a download. In fact, the MNB-1000 cannot communicate with or even determine if R-I/O exists until an application configured for R-I/O has been downloaded at least once. This is because the R-I/O configuration information is stored in the application and the MNB-1000 must rely on the application to know if R I/O modules even exist.

Issue XBuilder will allow you to insert the Xenta group or LonWorks group found under the Xenta 901 port object, but when you add the second group it will add it as a totally separate tree object instead of integrating into the same tree. For example XBuilder will show you this: LON   -XG1 LON   -XG2 When it should look like this: LON   -XG1   -XG2 Environment Xenta 901 XBuilder 5.0.2 and 5.0.3 Cause If you have an older site that is still using a dial connection via a Xenta 901 from your Vista front end and you need to add a Xenta Server to the site to perform connection objects from Inovonics or a 3rd party interface and do not have the option of adding an IP connection to the site then engineering this can be problematic in Vista 5.0.2 or 5.0.3 due to Xbuilder limitations. Resolution To correct this problem, use XBuilder version 5.0.1 stand alone. This will allow you to make the proper tree structure when you insert the groups from Vista and create connection objects for your communication.  

Issue Direct substitute for the obsolete CSI Lini-Temp sensors Environment I/NET Cause Need a part number to replace a discontinued part Resolution Yes, there is a direct substitute for the 2-wire and 3 wire versions of the old Lini-Temp sensors. The company is ACI (Automation Components Inc.), use the ACI/592-10K Series sensors for this substitute. Their web site is located at http://www.workaci.com/. If you are not sure what ACI Product matches the old CSI product, their Customer Service or Sales Engineers are knowledgeable in the CSI Product line. They will be glad to help you with your selection.  

Issue The "Transactions Individual" report in Seven Reports does not sort the transactions by Date and Time. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Seven Reports Cause The "Transactions Individual" report is not sorted by Date and Time Resolution The "Transactions Individual" report is not sorted by Date and Time for a reason. I was determined by TAC, that the customer needs to design the method by which they want this report to be presented. This White Paper will define how to go about setting the Sort process by the Date and Time Option. Start Seven Reports and open the “Transactions Individuals” report Once the report is fully developed on the screen. Choose the “Design” tab In any of the blank white area do a “Right Mouse” Click In the “Popup” window selects the “Report” Option In the next “Popup” window selects the “Sort Records…” Option In the next “Popup” window you need scroll the left window unit you find the “RptEvents.DateTime” Option. Then Select the “Add” button the place the “RptEvent.DateTime” Option in the right window. After you do Step 6 this is what you will see in the right window You need to highlight the “RptEvent.DateTime” function. Then select either “Ascending” or “Descending” sort order.  In the “Ascending Mode” the “Oldest Date” is on the top of the list and the most “Recent Date” is at the bottom of the list.  In the “Descending Mode” the most “Recent Date” is on the top of the list and the “Oldest Date” is at the bottom of the list. I selected the “Descending” Mode as the way I wanted to sort the Date and Times. You also need to select the “OK” button to finish the setup process. You need to close out of this report. Select “Yes” button to save the changes you made in the “Canned” report. Remember to rename you newly created report to something other than the Original “Canned” report name.

Issue Trying to run an ARG (Auto Report Generation) and nothing happens. Environment I/NET SevenReports Cause Unused fields may be preventing report from running Resolution When setting up the specific report, delete any unused parameters like date, time etc. Then delete any unused fields in the Select Expert field. Save the report and then set up the Options, Duration and Recurrence fields. Once the time has elapsed based on the settings, the report should run and print or export to whatever device or format you selected.  

Issue Can I take a 26 bit Wiegand Hexadecimal Card Number format and find out what the Facility Code and Card Number are? Product Line TAC INET Environment 26 bit Wiegand Hexadecimal Card Cause Need to discover the Facility Code and Card Numbers Resolution Yes you can do this. This document will show you the process on how to determine these values: 26 Bit Wiegand Format Also see Conversion from I/NET hexadecimal code to Continuum Facility/Card Number for an Excel utility to perform this conversion.

Issue Vista 5 dongle install fails. It's looking for "aksusb.sys". Environment Vista 5 licensing Cause The correct drivers need to be installed to interface with the licensing dongle. Resolution Unplug the dongle. Click on this link - hasp driver Install the first one labeled "Sentinel HASP LDK - Windows GUI Run-time  Installer" Plug the dongle in again.

Issue Installing Vista 5.0.x on Windows Vista and it failed. Environment Windows Vista Vista 5.0.x Cause Vista 5.0.x is not compatible with Windows Vista Resolution First, uninstall anything Vista 4.3.x to 5.0.x installed including Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Visual Runtime C++ stuff. If they won't all uninstall, you may have to do a system restore to some point previous to the TAC Vista install. Next remove the c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data assuming that TAClogdata.* is there. It might be in MSSQL.2 or other. You should then be able to install.  

Issue User Defined Pin Environment I/NET site with Access Control Cause user defined PIN issue Resolution User defined PINs require door controller firmware revision 2.30 or later. If a door controller has a firmware revision prior to 2.30, the only valid PIN is the system-generated PIN, regardless of the entry in the Individual Parameters editor. If you have mistakenly set user-defined PINs on a system with older firmware, simply disable the user defined PIN in the Access Control Options editor, and restore the DPU(s) to return to system-generated PIN numbers. Note: For best results, do not mix DPU firmware version 2.30 or later with older DPU firmware versions if you wish to enter user defined PINs. It is possible to create a situation where the user's PIN is one number (system-generated) for certain doors, and another number (user-defined) on other doors, in which case the PIN shown in the Individual Parameters editor would not be accurate for all doors. Six-digit PINs Six digit PINs are supported on the SCU1284 and on the DPU7920 with MIP (firmware 3.16 or later). All other door controllers support PINs with a maximum of five digits. If your system includes a mix of door controllers (i.e., some controllers that do support six-digit PINs and some controllers that do not support six-digit PINs), you should avoid assigning six-digit PINs. This will prevent users from being locked out of a door because the door's controller will not accept the user's complete PIN.

Issue Programming a 7798C controller with a Virtual HHC Console Environment 7789C HHC Hand Held Console Cause The 7798C controller can only be programmed with the Emulated HHC Console (The TacHHC.exe is located in the support folder of the INET install CD) using CBL 082 connected to the PC and RS 232 port on the controller. Resolution Before following these steps, make sure you have closed down I/NET, AMT and the InetIOServer applications.    Locate the HHC file on the I/Net CD, Support Folder and copy it to the Root of I/NET. Once copied, double click on the file to launch it, I/NET should not be running at this time. Connect the CBL 082 (Grey shroud connects to the PC)  The virtual HHC is displayed at this time. Right Click and Select the Com Port and Baud Rate. To Set the Controller Type: On the HHC , select Code 90, Enter to set the Controller Type. To Set the Controller Address Select " DCU Address" Enter he desired Address To Set the Baud Rate Code 06 for C-LAN Code 91 for Sub-LAN baud rate. To Direct Connect Once completed, disconnect the CBL 082 from the PC and replace it with CBL 072 for a direct connect to the controller. Start I/NET and open the configuration editor, create a new profile for a direct connect, if it has not been created already. Make this configuration active, close the configuration editor down as well as I/Net, and then restart it again. At this time communications should be established with the controller and the user can start programming the controller. 

Issue USB Prox enrollment reader for I/NET Seven Environment I/NET Seven Cause I/NET supports the use on an Enrollment reader via the Hosts PC Serial port, most PC's no longer have serial ports.  One solution is to use a USB supported reader which can be sourced by the supplier listed in the resolution  Resolution The USB enrollment reader is made by RF Ideas. It is very easy to program for use in the I/NET Seven System. After you program certain steps it becomes a "Plug and Play" device at the job site. To set up this USB reader please consult this whitepaper.

Issue Can I use the Xenta 527 on an old I/NET 2000 system? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET 2000 Cause Adding a Xenta 527 to an I/NET 2000 network. Resolution Yes you can, provided you set the Xenta 527 up to be compatible with I/NET 2000.   With the Xenta programming cable (P/N 3-781-0128-0) inserted in port "B" of the Xenta 527, go into Windows Hyper-Terminal and make the following changes for the Xenta 527 to operate in an Inet 2000 program.     Please be aware that I/NET 2000 is no longer a supported product and this mode should be used at your own risk.  

Issue How do I properly acknowledge and purge a "Force Door" alarm in AMT. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Access Control Cause The return to normal condition (Door Normal) "Message Type" must have the same "Message Type" as the alarm cause (Forced Door).  This is the same condition as for DOTL (Door Open Too Long) alarms.  For I/NET to clear both these alarms. the Message Types must match within the Door editor. Resolution You have to properly configure the Door editor before you can properly remove this from AMT. In order to acknowledge and purge a "Force Door" alarm you must have the "Force Door" entry set to "Alarm." The "Door Normal" should also be set to "Alarm."