Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Following an upgrade to V1.5 from V1.4 the AS goes off/ online. Environment Automation Server AS Enterprise Server ES V1.50 and above. Cause Following an upgrade to V1.5 from V1.4 the AS goes off/ online caused by an incorrect setting of the Default Priority Level. Resolution This issue only occurs if the site has changed the BACnet "Default Priority Level" from the default value of 16, to 8 or a smaller numeric value in the Automation Server while running in V1.4. So before upgrading to 1.5 make sure the "Default Priority Level" within the Automation Server is set to 9 or higher. If the system has been upgraded with the incorrect values, then:  If the site uses single servers, or the ES/AS communication still operates correctly, then this can be corrected by changing the setting in both the AS and the ES to a value of 9 or higher. If after upgrading a multiserver configuration and the AS does not stay online, then a Hotfix can be used fix the problem using the following steps: 1. Apply the hot fix #1.5.0.4301; available from Product Support Services 2. Fix the multi-server (by detaching/re-attaching the servers) 3. Correct the two properties (AS and ES). WARNING: It is essential for any BACnet system at 1.5 or later that the "Default Priority Level" has a larger numeric value than the "Force Priority Level, otherwise some BACnet functions may not behave as expected, this also applies even if the hot fix is installed. The effects of not setting the Default above the Force Priority level are: 1. If Force Priority Level is equal to the Default Priority Level: Changing the Value of a BACnet value or a BACnet output object will cause the Value to appear Forced. This applies to the BACnet objects in both SBO servers and those in 3rd party BACnet devices. 2. If Force Priority Level has a larger numeric value than the Default Priority Level: Changing the Value of objects mentioned above will cause the Priority Override icon overlay to be turned on next to the Value property in the WorkStation’s property grid. Note: The Default and Force Priority Level are located/ defined in the Green "System" folder, "Interface Manager", "BACnet" for each Server.

Issue What happens when a device that SmartStruxure has COV subscriptions with goes OFFLINE for a while and then comes back ONLINE? Environment ES AS BACnet devices Cause Documentation Resolution QUESTION: What is the limit on number of COV subscription AS/ES support. ANSWER: There is no hard limits in the AS/ES for number of COV subscription, the server is limited only by resources. QUESTION: How often does the Automation Server subscribe (sends the subscription requests) for the very first time to the other devices? ANSWER: When the subscriptions are first established they are sent immediately to the devices, for example when you save a PE script program any COV created as a result of compiling the program are sent immediately to the device. QUESTION: In the case that the other device (the gateway) restarts or goes OFFLINE, how does the Automation Server handle the sending of the re-subscription requests? ANSWER: If a renewal fails due to device offline, it will be retried every minute indefinitely until it succeeds or the subscription is canceled. So if the device goes offline for a while some of the re-subscriptions will fail and will be re-tried once a minute, when the device is back, within a minute all the failed re-subscriptions will be sent again. QUESTION: Can the COVSubscriptionLifetime and the COVTimerPeriod  be set in the AS? or is it only in the ES ANSWER: They can be set in both the ES and the AS by editing the server.properties file in versions of SBO prior to 1.8.1 In SBO 1.8.1 and above, the settings can be accessed from the BACnet interface manager. QUESTION: Where is the server.properties file located in the server file system? ANSWER: AS: /opt/tac/etc (1.4.1 and below) AS: /opt/sbo/etc (1.5.0 and above) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) ES:  "C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric StruxureWare\Building Operation 1.x\Enterprise Server\etc\  

Issue How to bring an MPM-VA online over ZigBee to communicate with the ZigBee Coordinator (which is also the MPM you have your IP interface with). Environment MPM, MPM-VA, ZigBee Cause Cannot figure out how to get the MPM-VA to communicate over ZigBee to the Coordinator. Resolution Use web interface on the bench to set up ZigBee Pro Extended Configuration on the "remote MPM-VA" to match the Coordinator's Channel, PAN ID, Extended Network ID, Stack Profile, Security Profile and Trust Center Link. Save settings and save database to flash. You can now disconnect the IP connection to the remote MPM-VA. Re-discover controllers from the Coordinator MPM. It will appear as a "peer" below the coordinator, i.e., it will not be "under it" like a Room Controller (stat) or TE2.  

Issue Security Expert controller has Online Status, can be downloaded, can be pinged and the web configuration page can be opened but Health Status and Module Addressing both timeout. Product Line Security Expert Environment SP-C SP-AC1 SP-ACX Cause The controller serial number is missing or has been incorrectly entered in Security Expert. The IP address is used to verify online status and direct downloads but the serial number must also be correct to get health status and module addressing. Resolution Correct the Serial Number field on the General tab of the controller. Controller Serial Number

Issue The Schneider Universal Plug-In 2.5.1 s registered in StruxureWare and the XIF file for the MTN880601 is imported into the StruxureWare database.. After adding the device and choosing Configure, the Plug-In is not launched. Instead comes an error message saying, that no plug in matches the program ID. Environment StruxureWare OpenLNS Cause XIF files that, during the installation, is not placed in the Import folder, may not be registered correctly in OpenLNS. Resolution In the StruxureWare Control Panel, under "LNS Plug-in Registration", you may have a selection "Import device templates in LNS." Select this to import the XIF file (device template) into OpenLNS database.

Issue JACE 645 Ethernet ports usage Environment JACE 645 Network Controller Cause JACE 645 has 2 Ethernet ports.  Resolution LAN1 is the primary network port for the JACE645. As per the JACE Install and Startup Guide, LAN2 (secondary port) can be used in the following scenarios.  Intended usage (of LAN2) is for: - Isolating a "driver's" Ethernet traffic from the primary (LAN1) interface. OR - In some cases, LAN2 may be set up with a standard, fixed, IP address that is used only by a company's service technician, when on site. This allows access to the JACE without disconnecting it from the customer's network, or without connecting the technician's service PC to the customer's network (which might go against local IT security policies). Note that only one LAN port can be set as DHCP. If enabling LAN2, you typically specify another (network) static IP address and the appropriate subnet mask. Also note the following: If enabling both LAN ports, note that the LAN1 IP address and LAN2 IP address must be on different subnets, otherwise the ports will not function correctly. For example, with a typical "Class C" subnet mask of 255.255.255.0, setting Interface 1=192.168.1.99 and Interface 2=192.168.1.188 is an invalid configuration, as both addresses are on the same subnet. A JACE does not provide IP routing or bridging operation between different Interfaces (LAN ports, GPRS, dialup). All of this also applies to the "third interface" provided by the "WiFi option" if installed in a JACE (at the time of this document, available for a JACE-700 only). However, it is likely the WiFi interface will be used as the primary interface in most cases (no LAN cabling available to the JACE).

Issue Many users are unsure of the implication of the field "Interval time zone" in the Trend Log configuration window. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause The setting "Interval time zone" under the Trend log configuration has caused some users to believe that this setting stores trend data in either "UTC" or "Server local time" Resolution The trend log data is always stored in UTC time, regardless of the option selected under this setting. This setting is intended for preventing problems with Daylight Savings Time (DST) when the logging interval is more frequent than 1 hour. See Interval Trend Log Properties – Basic Tab in EcoStruxure WebHelp. NOTE: When the interval is longer than 1 hour and you want to continue to log that interval after a DST change, use Server Local Time. For example, the log interval is every 24th hour at midnight and you want to continue to log at midnight even after a DST change, so you use Server Local Time. During the DST change in the Spring, the log sample will register after 23 hours. After the DST change in the Autumn, the log sample will register after 25 hours. Interval Time zone 

Issue Which SQL collation setting should be used with StruxureWare WebReports? Environment StruxureWare WebReports installation and settings. Cause IT departments may wish to know which settings are/should be used if they are managing the Reports server SQL database. Resolution During the installation of Report Server,  the collation settings are configured automatically for 'StruxureWareReportsDB' at the database level and not at the SQL Server level. Irrespective of any collation settings at the SQL Server level.

Issue Can additional mounting clips for the MNL-VxRVx or MNB-Vx controllers be purchased? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment MNL-VxRVx or MNB-Vx controllers Cause Each MNL-VxRVx and MNB-Vx controller includes one mounting clip that can be moved from the factory shipped location (bottom) to the side of the controller base.  The mounting clip is also known as the mounting foot or pivot bracket. Resolution Replacement or additional mounting clips can be purchased using part number DVAV-242.

Issue Not sure how to configure sending emails to multiple recipients when an Input or Area goes into alarm. Product Line Security Expert Environment Security Expert SP-C-WEB Cause Correct formatting must be used when sending alarms to multiple email recipients. Resolution Separate each address with a semi-colon and surround the entire string with double quotes, see examples below.   Security Expert Navigate to Events | Actions, create a new Send E-mail Action and add your multiple addresses to the E-mail Address field. "address1@email.com;address2@email.com" Email Addresses The email address field is limited to a maximum of 128 characters. All email addresses must be within this 128 character limit to be sent correctly. SP-C-WEB To add multiple recipient addresses, navigate to Programming | Areas or Programming | Inputs. For an Area, select the Configuration tab and add a recipient email address to the command window and use the format:email:"address1@email.com;address2@email.com" For an Input, navigate to the Commands window for your selected input and use the format: email:"address1@email.com;address2@email.com"

Issue Have a Search object configured to find all BACnet digital values in an AS and all devices under its BACnet interface, but the digital values residing in b3 devices are NOT found by the search. Environment WorkStation AS b3s BACnet devices Cause BACnet values created in b3 have a specialized class BACnet Digital Value (Continuum) . Resolution To have a search show Digital Values from both b3 and third party devices add both classes to the filter as shown below:  

Warning Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue Confused by RF-Series sensor wiring instructions. Do the controller's input return and the supplied power ground connect to the same termination on the sensor? Environment RH-Series sensor Cause Documentation Resolution *** If connecting to a voltage input on the controller then use the VOUT termination instead of the 4-20 mA

Issue In version 1.2.2.22 you don't get a confirmation when the ES/AS is deleted. The AS or ES is gone after clicking on the Delete button. When an ES or AS was deleted from a project in earlier versions of the PCT you had to enter a password for the admin account as confirmation.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Project Configuration Tool (PCT) version 1.2.2.22 Cause The confirmation when deleting a device in PCT is taken away in version 1.2.2.22 Resolution When starting the ES/AS be very careful, the start button is just under the delete button.

Issue When trying to login to Linux console via Device Administrator the console display says the Admin account is locked out.   Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 Linux WinSCP Cause Linux cannot be accessed via Device Manager Console or utilities like WinSCP. Resolution Access to Linux in the AS no longer available in StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5

Issue During Continuum installation error comes up that SQLncli_x64.msi file is missing. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Setup An installation package for the product Microsoft SQL Server Native Client cannot be found. Try the installation again using a valid copy of the installation package 'sqlncli_x64.msi'. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Windows SQL Cause The Microsoft SQL Server Native Client has not been installed. It must be present before installing Continuum software. Resolution Before installing SQL Server, download and install Microsoft SQL Server Native Client x64 file (sqlncli_x64.msi) from Microsoft Download Center: Feature Pack for Microsoft SQL Server 2005.

Issue When viewing a TGML graphic from Webstation the text and values are not aligned correctly. In Workstation the text and values are aligned fine. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 Cause In the Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Display it is possible to change the size of text and other items on your screen. If this is set  to larger than 100% the text and Values will not be aligned in in the TGML graphic in Webstation. Resolution Set the value for Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization\Display to 100% and not more. Windows 10 Right click or press and hold on your desktop, click/tap on Display settings. Click/tap on Display on the left side. If you have more than one display connected to your PC, then select a display at the top on the right side that you want to change the DPI of. Under "Change the size of text, apps, and other items", select the DPI percentage and set it to 100% and not more. Windows 7 Open Control Panel Open Appearance and Personalization Set Display to 100% and not more

Issue Installation flowchart for a network SIGNAL software installation Environment SIGNAL network version Cause Installation documentation Resolution Installation flowchart available in the Network Supplement of SIGNAL (F-25952), page 9 (pdf) or page 7 (paper)

Issue Enabling Scattered read for Modbus device that doesn't support it can lead to poll fail, with Point Modbus Error: Illegal function code. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation (1.5 and above) Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Edge Server - Standard Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause Requirement to optimize communication over Modbus to improve performance. Resolution The following is an extract from Web Help. The complete section can be viewed at  Modbus Batch Read Function:   'Scattered read is an enhancement to the batch read function that enables multiple, non-contiguous slave device registers to be read in a single Modbus query. By using the scattered read function, you can enable the Enterprise Server or Automation Server to avoid reading a large block of contiguous registers when it is only necessary to read a few registers. Also, using scattered read avoids the multiple use of group function codes 03 (analog output holding registers) and 04 (analog input registers) in order to read non-contiguous registers. Group function codes 01 (discrete output logic coils) and 02 (discrete input contacts) are not supported for scattered read.   Scattered read is available only for supported devices, for example, Schneider Electric branch circuit power meters with split core CTs. Furthermore, the scattered read function applies only when the Enterprise Server or Automation Server is operating as the client, not as a server. You can enable the scattered read function in the properties of all Modbus devices. If a device does not support scattered read: In V6 or higher: the polls will fail with an Illegal function code, so scattered read needs to be disabled if not supported by the Modbus device. In V5 or below: the device is polled by the master device in the same way as if you had not enabled scattered read.'   The image below shows the properties dialogue window for a Modbus device and the corresponding setting.  The left is version 3.1 and above, the right is version 3.0 and below where it is referred to as 'Non-contiguous read'.  Refer to the Modbus TCP Device  section on Web Help for more information.     

Issue SE7000 Series RS-485 transceiver unit load Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SE7000 series room controllers Cause The room controller RS-485 transceiver unit load is not included in the data sheets. This information is needed to determine the number of BACnet MS/TP devices per RS-485 segment. Resolution Refer to Application Note AN05-RS485-VT7000 and Quick Guide RS485-VT7000. The links to these documents can be found in MS/TP and Modbus RS485 Communications on StruxureWare Automation Server

Issue Distributed Link Architecture DLA with StruxureWare Building Operation Environment Large TAC I/NET Seven site with StruxureWare Building Operation installed Cause Does Distributed Link Architecture (DLA) supported with StruxureWare Building Operation as the front end? Resolution TAC I/NET allows you to define a system-wide total of up to 100 links in order to connect controller LANs to the TAC I/NET system. In the traditional TAC I/NET system, if you use Xenta 527 Routers (NPRs) to connect remote controller LANs (i.e., sites) to TAC I/NET, each site consumes one unique link address. This limits the traditional TAC I/NET system to a maximum of 100 sites. The purpose for adding Distributed Link Architecture (DLA) capabilities to NPRs, and to the TAC I/NET IOServer, is to allow multiple NPRs to share the same link number. In a system that is configured to use DLA-enabled NPRs, up to 64 sites can share a single link address. The shared link is referred to as a distributed link. The use of distributed links allows the TAC I/NET system to support up to 6400 sites. Note: TAC I/NET’s system-wide limits of 6,400 controllers and 100 link addresses must be observed, regardless of whether or not DLA functions are enabled. For example, if your TAC I/NET system already contains 6400 controllers, implementing DLA will not allow you to expand the system with additional sites of controllers. TAC I/NET Seven DLA is supported with Building Operation