Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Why are all/some entries in the 'Active Components' menu grayed out? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause The 'Active Components' menu is context sensitive; it only enables entries that are applicable to the selected control. Resolution Display the 'Drawing' toolbar (View\Toolbars\Drawing) Select a shape from the drawing tool bar and draw a shape on the canvas With the shape on the canvas selected pull down the 'Active Components' once again Observe that there are menu entries enabled now, only those menu entries that are applicable to the control on the canvas are enabled.

Issue A calibration certificate is sometimes requested by the end customer Product Line Field Devices Environment Schneider Electric sensor portfolio Cause To ensure that a sensor is keeping measurement values within specification, a certificate is sometimes requested by the end customer. Resolution If a calibration certificate is requested, this must be notified to the Orders dept when the order is placed. The ordered sensors are then tested again according to the specifications and delivered with a calibration certificate. This process may lead to additional costs and a slightly longer delivery time. Calibration certificates cannot be produced after the products are delivered. Download the Sensor Calibration Certificate Order Form

Issue Required a VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) or statement of accessibility for EcoStruxure Building Operation. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Cause The Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) is a document that evaluates how accessible a particular product is according to the Section 508 Standards. It is a self-disclosing document produced by the vendor which details each aspect of the Section 508 requirements and how the product supports each criterion. VPATs are used by buyers to determine how accessible a product is and where any potential deficiencies are. They are required by some buyers before a purchase is made. More Information can be found from the below public links: Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Overview of Technologies and Formats WHAT IS A VPAT AND HOW IS IT USED? Resolution Schneider Electric does not have a VPAT document for EcoStruxure Building Operation.

Issue Is the I/A Series product line compliant with federal regulations on being "American-made"?  Is there documentation to support it?  This must include the MNB and MNL controllers, the Niagara UNC and ENC models, and field devices like valves, actuators, and sensors.  Environment I/A Series Cause Government buildings specification Resolution The "schedule" links below provide a list of all products in the I/A Series line that are American-made.  The third link provides a signed statement of declaration. Schedule A Schedule B Declaration

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkPlace Tech Editor Supported Microsoft Visio Versions The following error context is encountered when trying to run WorkPlace Tech Editor to edit a program: WorkPlace Tech Editor returned errorClass not registered 0x80040154 REGDB_E_CLASSNOTREG Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC I/A Series Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkPlace Tech Editor I/A Series MNL, MNB Controllers (MNB - from SBO v1.8.1 and newer) Cause Only the 32-bit versions of Microsoft Visio is supported for use with WorkPlace Tech Editor. The error is seen when a 64-bit version of Microsoft Visio 2010 is installed. Resolution Currently, only 32-bit versions of Microsoft Visio is supported for use with WorkPlace Tech Editor. SBO 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 Microsoft Office Visio 2010 SP1, 2007 SP2, 2003 SBO 1.8 Microsoft Office Visio 2010 SP1 (32-bit), 2007 SP2, 2003 SBO 1.9, EBO 2.x, 3.x Microsoft Office Visio 2016 (32-bit), 2013 (32-bit), 2010 SP1 (32-bit) EBO 2022 Microsoft Office Visio 2021 (32-bit), 2019 (32-bit), 2016 (32-bit), Microsoft Office Visio Plan 2 (32-bit) EBO 2023 Microsoft Office Visio 2021 (32-bit), 2019 (32-bit), 2016 (32-bit), Microsoft Office Visio Plan 2 (32-bit) EBO 2024 Microsoft Office Visio 2021 (32-bit), 2019 (32-bit), 2016 (32-bit), Microsoft Office Visio Plan 2 (32-bit)

Issue By design, the Continuum system cannot delete personnel objects until all the distributed copies can be first removed from the controller(s). In some cases the distributed copies cannot be removed from the controllers, such as when a controller is permanently offline or has been deleted. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause Communication failure between CyberStation and controllers. Resolution Starting in CyberStation version 1.94 a new feature has been added that allows the user to force a delete of personnel objects even if the distributed copies cannot be removed. In CyberStation 'Delay Distribution' dialog, a new button has been added; the button is only enabled when CyberStation is in offline edit mode. Make a backup of the Continuum database as a precaution. Close ALL CyberStation workstations. Put CyberStation in Offline edit mode to enable the 'Clean up failed personnel delete distribution' button Click on the button, the system will provide the following warning Click OK to force all personnel deletions that are pending or have failed distribution to complete; any distributed copies in the controllers will be left orphaned. If offline controller returns online orphan distributed personnel records in controller can be removed by one of the following methods: Cool start the controller.  (For controllers that support access control and backup to flash such as the CX9680, ACX5720, ACX5740 . Note that personnel objects ARE NOT saved to flash memory, the controller requests a personnel distribution from CyberStation on cool start). See Restart modes of the second generation Infinity controllers for more information on cool start. Reload the controller from the CyberStation, this will perform a cold start and re-send all objects to the controller followed by a personnel distribution.

  Issue Identifying table sizes is useful when managing Security Expert databases Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment EcoStruxure Security Expert Microsoft SQL Server Cause Managing the size of a SQL database is crucial to system performance and archiving so understanding which tables are the largest provides needed data Resolution A report can be run from SQL Server Management Studio(SMSS) on the Security Expert and Security Expert Events databases to provide table sizes. Open SMSS Right-click on the database the report is needed (i.e. Security Expert or Security Expert Events) Select Reports> Standard Reports> Disk Usage by Table Scroll through and observe which tables contain the most data Examples: Security Expert DB Security Expert Events DB Print or Export the report to a file if necessary Print Export to Excel, PDF or Word Right-click on the data results and select Export Note: The disk usage built-in report was implemented in SQL 2008 and above. 

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 for assistance. Issue An explanation of Hosted backup options is needed to understand which objects are backed up and which are not. Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Cause It's important to understand the backup options available for an instance. Resolution By default, each instance includes a one-year transactional history retention, giving one year of Event History backup. Additional event history retention time can be purchased if required, and such purchases will be visible under "Manage License." Example: Note: There are currently no configuration specific backups that are retained or that can be restored to reinstate deleted hardware or objects into an instance.    Recommendations: Exercise caution when deleting objects, especially controllers, from Access Expert. A prompt requests confirmation before deletion. Generate snapshots of controller configurations and other detailed objects. These snapshots serve as references in case of accidental object deletion, assisting the reconstruction of controllers or other objects with their original configurations. Summary reports can also be useful when trying to rebuild objects. For example: Inputs, Outputs, Readers, etc.

Issue In Andover Continuum, the model name of a field device (i2/b3) is always obtained from the SQL database as there is no direct way to retrieve the model directly from the controller. Consequently, discrepancies between the model stored in the SQL database and the actual controller may lead to uprev errors like "This Uprev file does not match this type of controller"     In the screenshot above, note that both the device's editor as well as the command line, report the controller's model as i2800, when in fact the hardware associated with the device is an i2920.   Note: In EcoStruxure Building Operations, where a distributed database design is employed, the device's model type is always obtained from the proxy representing the device in the Automation Server. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment All i2s All b3s Cause Frequent model mismatches for i2/b3 devices in Continuum installations often result in errors when attempting to upgrade the device's firmware. Resolution To obtain the device's model (controller type) from the Continuum controller hosting the device follow the steps below: In the master controller, create an InfinityNumeric, in this example we will name it 'DevModel' In the master controller, create an InfinityProgram, in this example we will name it 'GetDeviceModel' Enter the following lines of code in the program... DevModel = <device_name> CntrlType Stop ***Replace <device_name> with your i2/b3 device's name   Note in the screen capture above, that the program reports the actual device's model to be i2920. The mismatch needs to be corrected by either installing the correct hardware or adjusting the model in the device editor in Cyberstation to align with the hardware.   IMPORTANT If the program reports the model as 0 (zero) it means the proxy representing the device in the master controller has lost the model number, you will need to reload the whole master controller to recover, make sure to select the option to reload the controller but NOT its children.

Issue How to configure PCT memory in Hyper-V. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool. Hyper-V Cause There is more memory available but PCT 2.0 can't start more servers. Example: Users with over 8 GB of memory can't start more than 36 servers.  Resolution This is because the default memory is set to 8GB, approximately 36 servers. (8GB - 2GB)/.170 GB = 36 server. Open the Hyper-V Manager In the left panel, right-click on "pct" and select Settings. The Setting dialog box opens. In the left pane, under Hardware, select the Memory item. The memory settings open in the right panel. The RAM shows 8192 MB(8 GB * 1024 = 8192 MB), the "Enable Dynamic Memory box" is checked, the Minimum RAM is 8192 MB and the Maximum RAM is 262144 MB(256GB *1024 = 262144 MB).    Enter the amount of memory assigned to PCT, 10240 MB(10 GB) in the example. If the "Enable Dynamic Memory" box is unchecked, the memory assigned to PCT will be 10240 MB. If the "Enable Dynamic Memory" box is checked, the memory assigned to PCT will be between 8 GB and 10 GB(not 256 GB or other amount because the limitation is set at 10 GB from the RAM setting above). R&D recommends not using "Enable Dynamic Memory".   Helpful Link: PCT 2.0 memory usage calculation

Issue How to calculate memory needed for PCT. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool. Cause Unclear memory usage in PCT. Resolution The specifications show that the PCT default memory is 8 GB in Hyper-V. Each running PCT server takes 2 GB and 170 MB per running server. A 4-core CPU can run up to approximately 100 servers and an 8-core CPU can run up to approximately 200 servers. Memory Usage calculation example: For 23 servers, i.e. 23*0.170 GB + 2 GB = 6 GB For 36 servers, i.e. 36*0.170 GB+ 2 GB = 8 GB (default) For 47 servers, i.e. 47*0.170 GB+ 2 GB = 10 GB To start 100 servers, 100*0.170 GB+ 2 GB = 19GB   Helpful Link: PCT 2.0 memory configuration in Hyper-V

Issue What is a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and how do I obtain one for EBO? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation Workstation Cause A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a comprehensive list of all software components used in a particular application or system. It provides details such as the names and versions of libraries, modules, frameworks, and other software elements integrated into the final product. SBOMs are used for several purposes:   Security: They help in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in the software by providing transparency into the components used, making it easier to track and remediate security issues. Compliance: SBOMs assist in ensuring compliance with licensing requirements and open source software usage, helping organizations manage legal and regulatory obligations related to software distribution. Supply Chain Management: They enable organizations to understand and manage the dependencies and origins of software components, facilitating supply chain risk management and resilience. Support and Maintenance: SBOMs aid in effective support and maintenance of software by offering insights into the various components and versions used, allowing for better troubleshooting and updates. In essence, SBOMs enhance transparency, security, and governance in software development and deployment processes, thereby contributing to overall software quality and risk management. Resolution Since libraries and components contained within software may change between releases a SBOM is a dynamic document that needs to be compiled upon request. Please contact your local Product or Account management team, specifying the exact EBO version you require an SBOM for. 

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 for assistance. Issue Need to setup SAML SSO with Azure EntraID Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Azure Cause The SAML configuration requires details setup Resolution Part 1: EBO configuration Creating and Configuring the SAML Configuration Object To create and configure a SAML configuration object. In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, expand the System folder. Expand the Federated Authentication folder. Select the SAML Authenticator object. On the File menu, click New object. Select SAML Configuration. Enter a name, path, and description on the object you want to create. Click Create. Configure the settings. Enabling Federated Authentication To enable federated authentication In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, select the EcoStruxure BMS server you want to configure. Click the Control Panel tab. Click Security Settings. Select Enable federated authentication. Click the Save button. Configure SAML Configuration object Service Provider To configure the service provider. In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, click the SAML Configuration object. Click the Service Provider Settings tab. Configure the settings. Identity Provider To configure the identity provider. In WorkStation, in the System Tree panel, click the SAML Configuration object. Click the Identity Provider Settings tab. Configure the settings. Configuring the Security To configure the security. In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, click the SAML Configuration object. Click the Security Settings tab. Configure the settings. Create and configure domains Create and configure a domain to be used for Federated Authentication. Create a Domains Create a group Configure the permission for the group Part 2: Azure Configuration Login to https://azure.microsoft.com/ Create SAML application under Entra ID Click Microsoft Entra ID Click Enterprise Application Select Create your down application Enter the name of the App Select “Integrate any other application you don’t find in the gallery (Non-gallery)” An Enterprise Application is created with the name Create a group Select Groups Click New Group Select “Microsoft 365” for the Group type Enter the name of the group, the “Group name” must match the Domains Groups name in EBO. Add Owners and Members to the group Configure Entra ID Select Assign users and groups in the Enterprise Application Overview Select Add user/group then click Assign The selected group is under the application Select Set up single sign on in the Enterprise Application Overview Under Basic SAML configuration Enter the information from EBO SAML Authenticator Basic Tab The Sign on URL is Base URL The Identifier is Entity ID The Reply URL is AAssertion Consumer Service URL Click on Edit from Attributes & Claims Click on “Add a group claim” Select Groups assigned to the application Select Cloud-only group display names under Source attribute update the “Unique User Identifier” Value to user.displayname Download the “Federation Metadata XML” certificate Open the XML file and find the line with certificate, it will start with <XXXXCertificate> Copy the string between the two brackets and paste it in Public key certificate under Identity Provider Settings Copy the Entity id and Single Sign On Service URL from Azure to EBO. The Entity Id is Microsoft Entra Identifier. The Single Sign On Service URL is Login URL. Part 3: Testing Test Single Sign On Go to Webstation by entering the SmartX Server network address. Click on Log on with SSO Select the account within the Azure Group Successful login screen

Issue Sites have Continuum add-on reports and bacnet and try to use them for bacnet devices Environment Continuum Continuum add-on reports Bacnet Cause Continuum add-on reports do not support bacnet objects Resolution The latest version 20.0e of Continuum add-on reports now supports access to BACnet objects. Download Continuum add-on reports For further information on this or you would like to discuss it's development, please contact COE.Support@Buildings.Schneider-Electric.com . Other options for reporting are to use Continuum internal reports or a third party report writer (Excel, Access or Crystal Reports) to develop the reports needed.

Issue Not all 3rd party manufacturers use the same Modbus addressing. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Modbus RTU X Driver bCX1, CX controllers, NC2 Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Cause Not all manufacturers use the same Modbus addressing. Resolution Many manufacturers have put their own slant on the "Modbus Standard" for addressing and number formats. The standard only defines 16 bit integer and binary data, but many manufacturers needed to use long integers (or swapped) and floating point numbers. They will transmit them as 2 integers over the protocol, then the receiving system needs to interpret them accordingly. To cope with this, special function codes were added which cover most formats. There are various interpretations by different 3rd party systems on addressing. Some number from 0 and others starting at 1. Some require a 30000 or 40000 offset including in the address, depending on I/O type. What is implemented in the X Driver is that whatever decimal address you enter in the X Driver point is what is sent down the bus. If the other system supplier is asked exactly what address they want sent down the bus, that is what is required in the X Driver point. Sometimes this is not the address that is on their datasheets. Sometimes there may be a need to add or subtract a value of 1, 30000 or 40000. This article was written for Continuum, but is still relevant to EBO Also see Helpful Modbus register Information for further information on Modbus registers.  

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 for assistance. Issue How to uninstall PCT 2.0. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool. Cause The uninstalling instruction isn't documented. Resolution Launch Hyper-V. Shut Down PCT VM. After the VM is shut down, select Delete from the bottom right window. Select Delete if the confirmation window prompts. It may take some time depending on the VM size.   Go to the VM location selected during the PCT installation The default installation path is  "C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation\Project Configuration Tool 2.0"     Right-click on the pct folder then select Delete (This action will delete all the data in PCT including projects and servers created)    

Issue Personnel object fails distribution with 'Invalid card entry' error. Environment CyberStation ACX5740 Cause Personnel object created via CSV file. Something went wrong during the create process. Opening the personnel object for edit shows right values, it is not obvious what is wrong with the card information. Resolution Edit the personnel object and make a change in one of the attributes that gets distributed to the controller such as expiration date After the above, personnel object distributes successfully to the controller. If lots of records have the problem, make a list view and perform the change on all the objects at once.

Issue Converting the Velocity Pressure measured by the pressure sensor to Flow velocity (CFM) Product Line Andover Continuum,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment Air flow measurement / balancing Cause Requirement for converting the velocity pressure to flow velocity (CFM) Resolution To calculate Air Flow in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM), determine the Flow Velocity in feet per minute, then multiply this figure by the Duct Cross Sectional Area. Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A)   Determining Flow Velocity The easiest way to determine Flow Velocity is to measure the Velocity Pressure in the duct with a Pitot Tube Assembly connected to a differential pressure sensor. The Pitot Tube Assembly includes a Static Pressure Probe and a Total Pressure Probe. A Total Pressure Probe, aligned into the airflow, senses the duct velocity pressure and the static pressure, which equals the total pressure. A Static Pressure Probe aligned at a right angle to the airflow senses only the static pressure. The difference between the total pressure reading and the static pressure reading is the Velocity Pressure. If you connect the Total Pressure Probe to the HIGH port on a differential pressure sensor and the Static Pressure Probe to the LOW port on the differential pressure sensor, then the sensor’s output will be the Velocity Pressure, as shown in the figures below. The Flow Velocity is then determined with the following equation: V = 4005 x Sqrt(ΔP) V = Flow Velocity in feet per minute. Sqrt() = Square root of the number in the parenthesis. ΔP = The Velocity Pressure measured by the pressure sensor Example: Measuring a Velocity Pressure of .75” W.C. equals a Flow Velocity of 3,468 Ft/Min. V = 4005 x Sqrt(0.75) Sqrt(0.75) = 0.866 • 4005 x 0.866 = 3,468 • Flow Velocity = 3,468 Ft/Min   Determining Duct Cross Sectional Area After obtaining the Flow Velocity from the previous procedure, that figure is now multiplied by the Duct Cross Sectional Area to determine the Air Flow in CFM. There are two different equations for determining the Duct Cross Sectional Area, one for round ducts and one for square or rectangular ducts. The equation for a round duct is: A = π x r 2 A = Duct Cross Sectional Area π = 3.14159 r = radius of duct in feet The equation for square or rectangular ducts is: A = X x Y A = Duct Cross Sectional Area X = Duct height in feet Y = Duct width in feet. Example: An 18” diameter round duct has a Duct Cross Sectional Area of 1.77 Ft 2 A = π x r 2 or A = 3.14158 x .5625 18” diameter is 1.5 feet, therefore the radius is .75 feet • r 2 = 0.752 = 0.5265 • π = 3.14159 A = 3.14159 x 0.5625 = 1.77 Ft 2   Determining Air Flow in CFM After obtaining the Flow Velocity and the Duct Cross Sectional Area from the previous two procedures, the Air Flow in CFM is determined by multiplying the two: Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A) Example An 18” diameter round duct with a Velocity Pressure of .75” W.C. has an Air Flow of 6,128 CFM The Flow Velocity is 3,468 Ft/Min. V = 4005 x Sqrt(ΔP) V = 4005 x Sqrt(0.75) Sqrt(0.75) = 0.866 • 4005 x 0.866 = 3,468 • Flow Velocity = 3,468 Ft/Min The Duct Cross Sectional Area is 1.65 Ft 2 A = π x r 2 π = 3.14159 • r 2 = 0.752 = 0.5625 Duct Cross Sectional Area (A) = 3.14159 x 0.5625 = 1.77 Ft 2 The Air Flow in CFM is 6,128 Ft 3 /Min Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A) Air Flow in CFM (Q) = 3,468 Ft/Min x 1.77 Ft2 = 6,128 CFM

Issue Using BQL query to extract data from a G3 station How to display data from the BMS system on their custom / third party application. Environment I/A Series G3 Cause A requirement to display data from the BMS system on their custom application. Resolution You can query for data using a BQL (Baja Query Language) query. The Baja Query Language (BQL) is an SQL-like query language that provides a mechanism for identifying various sets of data. It provides an ad hoc way to search for data based on some criteria. 3rd party applications which is capable of running a web query can be used to query data from a G3 station. One such application is Microsoft Excel. The Niagara BQL Query Examples PDF provides several examples of BQL queries as well as an example of using Excel web query. Most data in a station can be queried including point values etc. For detailed description of BQL usage, refer to the Niagara Help in Workbench ( as shown below).

Issue Since the actuator M6B is no longer available in our portfolio, a replacement actuator is requested. Environment M6B VTRM Cause Replacing the obsolete M6B actuator. Resolution There is no replacement actuator for the M6B in the Schneider Electric portfolio. However, the manufacturer ESBE (http://www.esbe.se/) should still have the M6B in their portfolio in both 0-10V and 4-20mA versions. No cross reference to their part numbers are currently available.