Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Planning an upgrade and need to know which Infinity system controllers can NOT be upgraded to Continuum. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Infinity Continuum CX9000, CX9100, CX9001, CX9101 CMX220, CMX221, CMX222, CMX230, CMX231, CMX232, CMX240, CMX241, CMX245, CMX246 Cause Some Infinity system controllers can NOT be upgraded to Continuum. Resolution CX9000, CMX220 series,CMX230 series, CMX240 series and CX9500 ranges can not be upgraded to Continuum, all other controllers can be upgraded, some via a chip change, others can be upgraded via Continuum update. The LSX280 Laptop service tool is not compatible with Continuum, a RoamIO should be used. Check out the Software and Firmware compatibility matrix for older versions of the traditional product lines for the minimum versions required for Cyberstation, but the following gives an overview of the requirements: CX9200 (CX9300,CX9201) - Requires chip replacement with Continuum firmware V1.5x CX9400 Eclipse (CX9410) - Requires flash upgrade to Continuum V1.5x firmware, but will require working SX8000 system to flash the controller, otherwise send to Repairs for upgrading. ACX780 -  Requires chip replacement with Continuum firmware V1.5x ACX781C ACX700 -  Requires chip replacement with Continuum firmware V1.5x ACX701C DCX250 - Requires Infinity V2.16 firmware chip Other i1 (generation 1 infinet controller) controllers require a minimum of V1.4 firmware chips

Issue Nuisance forced door alarms are showing when exiting through doors with panic bars. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Client Cause Need to stop a forced door event from registering an alarm notification when a doors panic bar is used. Resolution Enable the feature "Forced Door Sends Door Open" on the Door Inputs tab.

Issue Do we provide Unattended Installation files for Continuum Software Upgrades Environment Microsoft Xp, 2003 Server Continuum 1.9x Cause Continuum Upgrade Procedures Resolution We do not provide Unattended Installation files for Continuum Software Upgrades

Issue How can the content of an email or pager alarm message be edited? The message is too long to display correctly on a pager. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Microsoft Windows XP Microsoft Windows 2003/2008 Server Microsoft Windows 7 Microsoft Outlook Cause Alarm messaging can be customized or truncated for display in a pager, where the number of characters is more limited. Resolution Go To C:/Program Files/Continuum or C:/Program Files (x86)/Continuum if using a 64bit OS Open Normalemail.txt or Normalpager.txt Edit the file in this format: Email On Alarm : Continuum Time : <\date> <\time> , Name : <\name> , Value : <\value> , State : <\state> , Message: <\message> , THIS IS THE body of the EMAIL I RECEIVE Email On Alarm : Continuum Time : July 21, 2010 03:12:53 PM , Name : Danet\da9900two\testnum , Value : On , State : Alarm , Message: Error ,​

Issue Can the red crosses (that indicate that a signal is offline) in Vista or SmartStruxure Workstation/Webstation be disabled? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment SmartStruxure TGML Graphics (Workstation, Webstation) Vista TGML Graphics (Workstation 5.X, Webstation 5.X) Cause When a signal which is bound to an object in a TGML graphic is offline, this is indicated by a red cross when viewing the graphic in Vista or SmartStruxure Workstation or Webstation. Resolution This can easily be disabled in TGML by adding a script to the OnSignalChange event: function signal(evt){   evt.preventDefault(); }  Note, this script will only disable the red X when a point is offline. This does not address any issue that might cause points to be offline. A short video is available on this process, to review, please see SmartStruxure - Graphics - Removing Red Crosses.mp4.

Issue When starting up the Continuum Workstation an error "SmartHeap library out of memory" error is displayed and Continuum does not startup. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation Microsoft Windows Cause The PC memory allocated for Cyberstation to use is insufficient for the application and the site's configuration. There are three known items that can require more memory to be required on Workstation startup. EventNotifications. If a very large number of them. The Workstation reads all of them and may require more memory at startup. Workstation Programs. Check in the Workstation for many or large Programs. Objects in the Root of Continuum. The startup of WS can be very long with a large number of objects in the Root. Resolution Verify that the PC being used for the workstation meets the minimum requirements as defined in the Install.pdf document for the specific Cyberstation version being used. If other applications are to be run on the PC then the RAM size should be increased accordingly. If the system StandAlone (Single User) 1.81 or before then verify the database size is below 2Gb, For Version 1.82 and above it can not exceed 4Gb. Verify that you have sufficient available memory you have when seeing the error, using task manager. If the above checks confirm that the basic PC memory is sufficient then the following changes can be made to allow the Cyberstation application further resources, this is often required when a number of Plain English programs are running in a Workstation. Shut down Continuum and set the Virtual Memory size Initial to 2048 and Maximum to 4096. Using Regedit go to the registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Andover Controls\Continuum\Settings and increase the setting for omscachesize to 5000 decimal. For systems where the Workstation is known to have an extremely heavy workload, this number may be increased up to 9000 in decimals. If using the Elevator Control Module add-on, it may be necessary to set the size to 5000. Note: For new Continuum or WebClient Workstations, the omscachesize registry key is not created until after the Workstation has first logged in at least once. If you are adding a Workstation to an existing LAN installation with a large ContinuumDB, then the omscachesize may need to be increased right from the start. One way to do this is to: Create  a new "test" database, see Creating a test database for troubleshooting for more information. Connect this Workstation to that test database so that the correct registry keys are created Change the omscachesize value as described above Restart the PC Reconnect to the original production database and start-up Continuum.

Issue Pinout configuration for a RJ-45 to DB-9 Null Modem Adapter (part number UNCC-405) used for serial integrations to a Niagara R2 UNC or Niagara G3 ENC. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara R2 UNC-520 Niagara G3 ENC-520 Cause Pinout diagram for wiring Resolution This image details two pinout configurations:  Null Modem and Straight-through.  The Null Modem version is available for purchase using part number UNCC-405.  The Straight-through version is not available for purchase. This image is also part of the UNC-520 Installation Instructions (F-27391)

Issue How to control an output with one or more inputs. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause Unsure how to program one or more inputs to directly control an output. Input Control Output Resolution The below guide details how to use an Input to activate an Output on Security Expert and SP-C-WEB systems. An output can be assigned to the Input Type and to the Input allowing many to one and one to many configurations.   In order for an Input to activate an Output it needs two things: To be inside an always armed area - This can be an Automation/Dummy area with its only purpose being to activate the output. To have an Input Type that tells it to activate an Output   Single/Multiple Input Activating the same Output If one or more inputs are required to activate the same output, this output can be defined by the input type. The below is a simple scenario where when the Input turns ON the Control Output turns ON, when the Input turns OFF the Control Output turns OFF. Other types of output activations can be configured if required. Creating the Area Navigate to Programming > Areas Add a new area and name it Automation Area, set the Entry and Exit Delay Times to 0. All other settings can be left default. Creating the Input Type Navigate to Programming > Input Types. Create a new Input Type Set the Control Output to the required output Under Options 2 enable the required control options for your scenario e.g. to have the output follow the input exactly enable Activate Control Output on Alarm and Deactivate Control Output on Restore. To have the output activate for a time simply enable Activate Control Output on Alarm and set the Activation Time under the General tab of the Input Type Menu (Control Output Time) For more details on the option see The difference between using "Control Output" and "Input Control Output" Set any other options that may be required Configuring the Input Navigate to Programming > Inputs select the Input and set the following: Set the Area to the Automation Area created in Step 1 Set the Input Type to the Input Type created in Step 2 Testing Check for any related health status messages that need to be resolved Arm both portions of the Area Activate the Input to confirm Output Activates   Multiple Inputs Activating Different Outputs When multiple inputs are required to activate different outputs, one input type can be used and the outputs can be defined at each input. The below is a simple scenario where when the Input turns ON the Control Output turns ON, when the Input turns OFF the Control Output turns OFF. Other types of output activations can be configured if required. Creating the Area Navigate to Programming > Areas Add a new area and name it Automation Area, set the Entry and Exit Delay Times to 0. All other settings can be left default. Creating the Input Type Navigate to Programming > Input Types. Create a new Input Type Under 'Options 3' enable the required control options for your scenario. e.g. to have the output follow the input exactly enable Activate Input Control Output on Alarm and Deactivate Input Control Output on Restore. To have the output activate for a time simply enable Activate Input Control Output on Alarm and set the Activation Time at the Output itself For more details on the option see The difference between using "Control Output" and "Input Control Output" Set any other options that may be required Configuring the Input Navigate to Programming > Inputs select the Input and set the following Set the Control Output to the appropriate Output Set the Area to the Automation Area created in Step 1 Set the Input Type to the Input Type created in Step 2 Testing Arm both portions of the Area Activate the Input to confirm Output Activates

Issue What specification should BACnet MS/TP cable meet? Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment MS/TP BACnet devices Cause Often an incorrect cable type is used when wiring MS/TP devices causing unreliable communications. Resolution The BACnet Controller Technical Reference defines the following cable specification for a MS/TP cable: RS-485 Cable Specifications: Cables used to form the RS-485 network should conform to the following specifications: Wire Size: 22-24 AWG Cable Type: Twisted-pair, copper wire, tinned Shield: Braid Nominal Impedance: 100-120 Ohms Velocity of propagation: 78% Capacitance: <12.5 pF/ft (~ 41pF/M) between conductors and < 22 pF/ft (~72pF/M) between the conductor connected to ground and the next conductor. An example of a cable that meets this specification is Belden 3105A. Also check out the SmartStruxure-RS485-Network Installation Quick-Help video on the Exchange.

Issue When attempting to use Serial Tunneling through an I/A Series (Niagara) G3 system ENC, the following error message is displayed in the Application Director window: ERROR [....][Serial Helper] Denied Opening comm port 'COM1' javax.baja.serial.PortDeniedException: COM1 is already owned by dbgjmpr Environment I/A Series (Niagara) G3 ENC-520, ENC-410. Cause This error is reported when the operating system console enable jumper is installed on the front two pins of the MODE connector in the upper right corner of the ENC circuit board.  NOTE: This jumper is installed only when using a serial terminal running at 57600 baud and connected to serial port COM1 to troubleshoot ENC operating system startup / IP address issues. Resolution Remove the jumper and reboot the ENC.

Issue Accessing WebPinpoint graphics from a web browser causes one of the following errors…   Failed CreateDNWACServer. Cause:Object reference not set to an instance of an object. URL:HTTP://eceheatsrvr/DNWACServerFactory DNWACServerFactory /WACServerFactory.soap   Failed creating remote objects. DotNet framework is missing.      Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum webClient Server MicroSoft Windows XP MicroSoft Windows Vista MicroSoft Windows 7 MicroSoft Windows 10 MicroSoft Windows Server 2003 MicroSoft Windows Server 2008 Cause User Account Control redirects files to a different folder than expected by WebClient. User permissions are interfering with the WebClient. A variety of other configuration issues may cause this problem. Resolution User Account Controls Redirection The WebClient installation guide goes into detail about why MicroSoft Windows includes User Account Controls redirection. Follow the procedure outlined below.   Give "Everyone" permissions to the C:\Program Files\Continuum and C:\Program Files\Continuum\DNWACServerFactory folders In Windows Control Panel > User Accounts and Family Safety > User Accounts, select an Administrator user on the PC and select User Account Control Settings. Move the slider all the way to the bottom to Never Notify and select Ok. Follow the instructions in the webClient Installation guide section called "Configuring Graphics for webClient: Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista and Windows 7". Site may be setting User Account Control with group policy and setting it upon reboot of the PC to a setting other than Never notify. A batch file may be used to turn User Account Control off before launching WebClient. A Google search for doing this would be needed and is beyond the scope of this article. Each host that will be running a web browser WebClient session should have also have User Account Control settings set to minimum.       Web.config has not been correctly modified   Using Windows Notepad as an Admin user, modify the web.config file which is located in the c:\program files\continuum\dnwacserverfactory folder. Delete the text and replace with the text below, replacing WORKSTATION1 with the host name of the host computer.  This must be done on all hosts which will run WebClient browser sessions. <configuration> <system.runtime.remoting> <application> <service> <wellknown mode="Singleton" type="DNWACServerProxy.WACServerFactory, DNWACServerProxy" objectUri="WACServerFactory.soap" /> </service> <channels> <channel ref="http" machineName="WORKSTATION1"> </channel> </channels> </application> </system.runtime.remoting> <system.webServer> <security> <requestFiltering allowDoubleEscaping="True"/> </security> <directoryBrowse enabled="true" /> </system.webServer> </configuration>     Allow Double Escaping   If for some reason editing this file is still not working. Try the following: In Start >Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > IIS Manager (Not IIS6) Expand the tree on the left for the webserver name. ie. Webclient1 Expand Sites Expand Default Web Site Click DNWACServerFactory Double Click Request Filtering In the right-hand column select Edit Feature Settings Check Allow Double Escaping and click OK Click on the Default web site and in the far right column click Restart     Test Authentication pass-through for SOAP errors   In IIS Manager; Expand Server> Sites> Default Web Site Left-click on the DNWACServerFactory, on the far right column Select the Basic Settings link Click the Test Settings button. If Authentication pass-through is showing red follow this procedure Click Close Click Connect As> Add a windows user and password that will be used for WebClient Click the Test Settings button Authentication pass through again and it should now show green Perform a local reboot on the WebClient server Test Webclient Graphics     Make sure that the browser PCs are logged in as a Local Administrator for the WebPinpoint and ActiveX installation   Internet Explorer>Tools>Internet Options>Security>(select Zone i.e. TrustedSites)>Custom Level button Make sure that 'Download signed Activex controls' and 'Download unsigned Activex controls is set to prompt or Enable, since the default setting on many web browsers is Disabled.       Add the Webclient PC as a trusted site to the browser PCs   In some configurations, you may need to add the IIS computer into Internet Explorer as a trusted site for each browser. In Internet Explorer: Select Tools > Internet Options > Security > Click Trusted sites > Click Sites Type in http://yourservername/WebClient and click Add (Ex. http://tacweb/WebClient) Deselect the checkbox for Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone.  Click OK and then OK again Close Internet Explorer and retry accessing WebPinpoint     Be sure to configure the application pool for 32-bit applications on 64-bit operating systems.   On 64-bit Operating Systems perform the following steps: Open IIS Manager. Expand the computer name in the left-hand pane and click on Application Pools in the system tree view. Select DefaultAppPool and click Advanced Settings. In the Advanced Settings dialog box, change the Enable 32-bit Applications option to True. ** When using 1.94 SP1 and above, check the application pools .net version selected and make sure that the Identity is set to "Network Service" Name                           .Net Version ASP NET v4.0 4.0 ASP NET v4.0 Classic  4.0 Classic .NET AppPool  2.0 Default AppPool   2.0 WebClient 4.0       DNS issues   Even when you may not be seeing red x’s in Pinpoint View>Options>Web locations and you are able to browse to pin files though IE, WebPinpoint may be giving you a graphic URL error. Try entering using the IP of the WebClient server in place of its DNS name for Pinpoint View>Options>Web locations. Also try using the WebClient Servers IP address in places of the its DNS name and also for accessing WebClient through the browser. For example http://10.159.100.125/WebClient       WebPinpoint fails to register the DNWACClientProxy.dll and tlb files when installed.   On the from the client (web browser) host, perform the steps below:  Close WebClient browser if it is running. Open command line in Administrator mode. Run the batch file C:\Programs Files (x86)\WebClientPinpoint\WPPRegistrationClient.bat     Other items to check:   Disable Windows Defender Turn off all 3 firewalls Shut off SPS software protection service when installing. Run Internet Explorer as an Administrator to make sure the ActiveX controls are being installed

Issue Adding entries to the Web.config file during installation. Environment WebClient installation. Cause Unclear instructions in webClient Planning and Installations Guide. Resolution When modifying the Web.config file located in: C:\\Program files\Continuum\DNWACServerFactory Add the following lines before the close Configuration tag <system.webServer> <security> <requestFiltering allowDoubleEscaping=”True”/> </security> </system.webServer> </configuration>

Issue A previous version of the client software badged SecureStruxure is installed, and needs to be upgraded to Security Expert. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert SecureStruxure Cause The offer had the name changed between versions and it's not straight forward how to update the software, and databases, to the newer version. Resolution SecureStruxure can be upgraded to Security Expert by following these steps: Contact Product Support to upgrade the site license to Security Expert.. Backup the SecureStruxureOperations and SecureStruxureOperationsEvents databases via SQL Server Management Studio. Uninstall SecureStruxure. Rename the SecureStruxureOperations and SecureStruxureOperationsEvents databases to SecurityExpert and SecurityExpertEvents When you run the Security Expert installer, use the new Security Expert SSN. You will need to point Security Expert at the MS SQL database instance you were previously using for SecureStruxure (this is likely "localhost\SECURESTRUXURE"). The installation wizard should pick up the databases and upgrade them, retaining all the SecureStruxure programming. Log into Security Expert and re-license the software by going to the About | License menu option.. If you are unable to connect to the license server (no internet connection), you can use the manual method for registering a license.

Issue How to log on to CX9900 controller for commissioning or configuring IP settings. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment HyperTerminal CX9900 CX9940 CX9200 CX9400 Cause First generation Continuum controllers do not support web page configuration and must be configured using a terminal emulation program such as HyperTerminal. Resolution Configure HyperTerminal for 9600 baud (or baud that matches default baud configuration for the comm port), 8 data bits, no parity, no flow control. Connect cable to comm3 (or another port configured for autoset) on controller (for information on cable pinout please see PinOuts for the RS-232 Connection of the older 1st Generation CX controllers) On the NetController make sure RS232 is selected, use the MODEM/RS232 override switch to de-select the modem if necessary. Run HyperTerminal and type "window" to have the controller display the log on window Default user/password is acc/acc

Issue Can the Continuum Software be downloaded from the web, or ordered on CD? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation software Cause Download of Continuum Cyberstation software Resolution The Continuum Cyberstation software is available for download from The Exchange Download Center. The link below will direct you to the Cyberstation software. CyberStation Software If specific older versions of software are required see Older CyberStation versions not found on the Extranet (Exchange Online). If a customer specifically requests the software on a CD, then these can be ordered through the regular Order Entry channel specifying the version required.

Issue The CZT controller does not display the correct temperature, only dashes. Product Line Field Devices Environment Satchwell CZT Climatronic controller Cause The temperature sensor used has not been connected to the correct controller input terminals. Resolution This controller type is capable of supporting the two ranges of Satchwell sensor, these are the original type, which had a resistance of 1690 ohms @ 20'C and the "T" type range, which has a resistance of 5573 ohms @ 20'C. Connection of the sensor to the controller is as follows; 1 - Old range sensor (1690 ohms @ 20'C) is connected to terminals 1 and 3. 2 - New "T" type sensor (5573 ohms @ 20'C) is connected to terminals 2 and 3. If the sensor is correctly connected before the controller is powered up, then the controller will establish which sensor type is connected to it, but if the wrong terminals are used, then it may be necessary to "Reload the controller Defaults" to obtain the correct reading. Reloading the controller Defaults. 1 - Ensure that the sensor wiring is correctly connected to the appropriate terminals. 2 - Power down the controller. 3 - Press and hold in the controller "Enter" key. 4 - Switch the controller power back on, while still pressing the "Enter" key in. 5 - Continue to press the "Enter" key for a few seconds, before releasing it. The controller will now display the correct temperature.

Issue When using the I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Tool software to engineer an application for the I/A Series LON or BACnet controllers, the Visio Shape Sheets (stencils) containing the application drawing objects may be accidentally or intentionally closed.  Due to the names of the Visio Shape Sheet files containing the WPT stencils, it is very difficult to reopen the proper series of shape sheets without repeated trial-and-error.   When upgrading an application drawing from WPT 4.0 to WPT 5.7 or WPT 5.8, this same issue may occur.  Use this procedure to reattach the proper stencils to the upgraded application file. Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Tool software version 4.0.0 or newer. Cause The names of the Visio Shape Sheet (Stencil) files for the WorkPlace Tech Tool are not self-explanatory, making it nearly impossible to manually select and reattach the correct stencils to the current application file.   Resolution Open the WPT Hardware Wizard, either from the Application Menu or by Right-Clicking on the drawing, and then click the Hardware Wizard [Finish] button.  The WPT Hardware Wizard will use the information pertaining to the selected controller type, model and version to insure that the application is configured properly and the necessary drawing stencils are available, redisplaying them on the left edge of the drawing

Issue Can I use a 1.9 key on a 1.74 system? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause Key compatibility with Continuum versions Resolution A version 1.99 Andover Continuum key can be used on an older ( Ex. 1.74) system. Andover Continuum Keys are backward compatible. However, you cannot go in the other direction. For example, you cannot put a 1.8x key in a 1.9x system, this will require an upgrade.   All versions of a major revision are supported on the key. Ex. 1.90, 1.91,1.92,1.93, 1.94, and any future revisions of 1.9x are supported.   If you read the key with Excel or MMC, it will actually show as 1,79,1.89, 1.99.    Note: All upgrades are handled through the Licensing Team, requests should be directed to the following email address: BMS.Licensing@se.com

Issue Error received when attempting to login to Vista Workstation:   Could not connect to Vista Server.  Login error. Or, error received when trying to login to Vista Server: Invalid entry. Username and/or password cannot be verified in the system. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Vista Workstation Cause The username or password is incorrect. Resolution Check the username and password and try again. Log in with the default System account (Username= system / Password= system), or any other $Administrators username.  Reset the user's password. Open Vista Server Setup and ensure the security level has not been changed on the Authority tab. If a Vista user account no longer works set the security level to "Low Level". If a NT account no longer works set the security level to "High Level". If all system level logins have been lost, contact Product Support.  Send a backup of the database to be unlocked.

Issue What is the required version of .NET framework and ASP.NET for TAC Vista software? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 4.x.x Vista WebApps 4.x.x Vista 5.x.x Vista WebApps 5.x.x Cause Microsoft .NET framework is a core technology used by Vista software. ASP.NET is used by Vista Webapps for web presentation through Internet Information Services. With the many versions of .NET framework available from Microsoft it can be unclear which to install or ensure is available for Vista software. A new release of .NET framework is not necessarily supported by TAC Vista software until design changes have occurred in subsequent releases. Resolution Use this compatibility chart to ensure the proper version of .NET framework and ASP.net are installed: Vista Version .NET Framework Version ASP.NET Version 4.3.0 1.1 sp1 1.1 4.3.1 1.1 sp1 1.1 4.4.0 1.1 sp1 1.1 4.4.1 1.1 sp1 1.1 4.4.2 1.1 sp1 1.1 4.5.0 1.1 sp1 1.1 5.0.0 2.0 2.0 5.0.1 2.0 2.0 5.0.2 2.0 2.0 5.0.3 2.0 2.0  5.1.0 3.0 2.0 5.1.1 3.0 2.0  5.1.2 3.0 2.0 5.1.3 3.0 2.0 5.1.4 3.0 2.0 5.1.5 4.0 4.0 Note: A higher version of installation package might be present on the computer. To confirm the presence of the lower versions also being available review the C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\ directory. The Microsoft.NET framework is available for install from Microsoft's website (http://www.microsoft.com/net/)