Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What are the recommended browsers for use with Building Expert? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Building Expert MPM Cause Not all browsers will allow all the functionality of the Building Expert. Resolution Firmware release 2.20.1 is compatible with the following versions of desktop web browsers: Mozilla Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) The latest Firefox ESR versions are available on this web page: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/ Google Chrome

Issue Graphics updates are very slow, it takes over 1 minutes to load a graphic, Opening objects from Continuum Explorer is slow, sometimes it will failed to open an object if clicked too frequently. When using the BACnet path for objects on graphics it is fast. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment b4920 version 4.2000026 b3s version 4.5000035 Cyberstation 1.81 or above Cause For the old BACnet IP controller b4920, versions prior to 4.200029 could have some communication issue with b3s MSTP enhance mode not enabled on b4920, Resolution Upgrade b4920 to version 4.2000029 or above, preferably the latest version  Go to the webpage of b4920, check "MSTP Enhance Mode" and then click submit Wait for b4920 to go back online and test graphics operation

Issue The status of a Forced BACnet value is not reflected in a Graphic or the Watch Window. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server (ES) Automation Server (AS) Cause This is functioning as designed. It was designed so that the "Forced" status for BACnet values would not be displayed in graphics or the watch window. Resolution It was designed so that the "Forced" status for BACnet values would not be displayed in graphics or the watch window. For a workaround using a PE Script program to show the forced icon for a BACnet value see How to show the forced icon for a BACnet value in a Graphic. In EBO version 3.0.1 and later this issue only occurs on internal BACnet points, points which are located in the Application folder under the BACnet interface for the SmartX server.

Issue When using the Graphics Converter you get the error 'Failed to restore permissions to object' or 'Failed to restore permissions to parent object' one some or all graphics Environment Graphics Converter Cause At some point, an erroneous authority definition has been introduced to the database, making it impossible for the converter to restore the permissions. Resolution On all the folders containing graphics giving this error do the following: 1. Set the authority on the folder as below, overwriting the permissions on all sub objects 2. Restore special permissions on sub objects as required 3. Convert the graphics as normal

Issue What are the sourcing and sinking specifications of the analog voltage outputs on the different controllers? Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment i2 b3 XP IO modules Cause Sourcing and sinking refer to the ability of a DC circuit to PUSH or PULL a direct current through the circuit. Resolution Voltage Sourcing In a controller's voltage sourcing output, the output provides a voltage source that PUSHES a direct current through the load as indicated in the illustration below. The current flows from the output's positive (V/+) terminal through the load to the output's negative terminal (-/ RTN). Current Sinking In the illustration below, a controller's voltage output is sinking a current from the load. Note the voltage source in the load's circuit which is at 15 VDC. Because current always flows from positive to negative, the voltage coming from the controller's output (0 - 10 VDC) will ALWAYS be more negative than the load's source of 15VDC, thus a current will flow from the load's voltage source through the controller's output circuit to reach the negative (RTN) side of the output's circuit. The lower the voltage coming out of the controller's output the more negative it will be as compared to the load's voltage source, thus the output will be sinking the most current when it has a value of 0 volts. It is extremely important when using a controller's voltage output in a way that will make it sink current to know the maximum amount of current the output will be sinking and to ensure it does not exceed the current sinking capacity of the controller's output. The following table shows the sourcing and sinking capabilities of the voltage outputs of the different controllers. CONTROLLER VOLTAGE SOURCING CURRENT SINKING COMMENT i2/b3 814 Voltage output 0-10 V @5 ma max 1 ma max Exceeding the 1 mA sink limit will cause the IO readings to be incorrect. ie, inputs may read 999.99

Issue Having communication issues with Schlage PIM devices attached to ACX2's 485 port. Environment ACX57xx Cause Documentation Resolution The ACX57xx RS485 port has 47K resistors on the +/- lines. The 47K on the plus line is pulled up to 3.3v. The one on the minus line is pulled down to ground. They are both 1/16 watt resistors.  

Issue Site has a personnel database with about 10K records, the site is switching to dual credentials and has configured the Personnel Manager to use HIDCorp1000 as the default for card type 2 and xxx as the default for Site Code 2. Problem is when going to change the personnel the Card Type 2 field still comes up with Infinity37 and Site Code 2 of 0 instead of the configured defaults. Environment CyberStation Cause Any existing personnel in the database will come up with Infinity37 for the card number 2 and 0 for the site code 2 as those were the values populated in the SQL database for those fields when the system was configured for only one credential. When creating NEW personnel objects the fields show the configured default values. Resolution When creating NEW personnel objects the fields show the configured default values.

Issue Unable to display Traditional Chinese characters in Workbench graphics and Alarm Portal Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3 version 3.7 and 3.8 Cause There was change between I/A Series G3 version 3.6 and 3.7. A lexicon tool was added so that the user could use a default set of lexicons (modules). This is a change in the implantation of lexicons in I/A Series G3. The issue was that the default lexicon module for (zh) did not include the font parameters causing the software to not know how to display the Unicode characters. Resolution The I/A Series  lexicon tool can be used to build and enhance the module by the user for deployment on sites. In addition, the I/A Series G3 still supports the use of the previous mechanism that used lexicon files. The lexicon file basically overrides the default module.  Copy the lexicon zh folder from I/A Series G3 3.6 (\niagara\niagara-3.6.xxx\lexicon\) Create a lexicon folder under '\niagara\niagara-3.7.xxx\' in I/A Series 3.7 (or 3.8) and add zh folder copied in step1. Exit the Alarm Portal, stop the station and close Workbench. Update the system.properties file (see below) which is located in '\niagara\niagara-3.7.xxx\lib\'. Change the field to 'niagara,lang=zh' and save.  # This system property is used to override the the default locale. # If not specified, then the VM will attempt to use a default based # on the current operating system settings. This value should map # to a lexicon directory. niagara.lang=zh Launch Workbench and Alarm Portal and verify that the issue has been resolved. 

Issue Alarms not received at the Enterprise Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell BAS & Sigma Environment Sigma Transition Alarms Cause Alarms are being generated by the controller but do not appear at the Enterprise Server. Resolution If any changes are made to the Sigma system using the Sigma Server, then either all, or part of the Sigma configuration must be re-imported into the Building Operation Enterprise Server.

Issue Card info read successfully at enrollment reader but unable to insert into Personnel because insert button is grayed out. Environment CyberStation Personnel Manager Cause Card is already in use by another personnel object. Resolution Free up the card or use a different one that has not been assigned to any user.

Issue The License Server is not working and may show Vendor Daemon Down errors. The LMadmin log shows the error. LicenseEngine (taclic) exited with status 28 Product Line TAC Vista EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Vista Building Operation Enterprise Server License server Cause Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is activated. Antivirus or other software can scan/use the port used by the vendor daemon. If the time drifts over two minutes and a time synch occurred, the vendor daemon can stop. https://support.citrix.com/article/CTX137111 Resolution First, check that DEP is not activated. Make sure that there is no antivirus program that has portscan activated Make sure there is no other software that uses the same port as the vendor daemon Make sure that the time does not drift too much, if the time drifts two or more minutes and then a resynch occurs the vendor daemon can stop This is more likely on VMware where time synch can occur from either the domain or VMware tool. Check Windows event log (Security) for time synch messages. NOTE: It can also appear just by stopping the server manually.

Issue A BACnet device on the Bacnet internetwork is broadcasting an incorrect time and this is being reflected in the ENC's. How can this be disabled? Environment G3 ENC's JACE's BAcnet Cause Third party BACnet device broadcasting incorrect time periodically on the internetwork. Resolution By default "Time Synch Allowed" is enabled in the ENC and JACE's.  This can be disabled by the following steps. 1. Open the ENC station  with WorkBench then open Config, Drivers, BacnetNetwork and BacnetComm. 2. Right click on Server and View the Slot sheet. 3. Right click on timeSyncAllowed, right click on ConfigFlags, uncheck the box next to Hidden and click OK.  4. Right click on Server - View - Properties and change Time Synch Allowed to false and save.

Issue When a XIF file contains NCI's (SCPT's and UCPT's) default values (NVVAL) must be described in the XIF file. In some cases if NCI's are present, but some or all NVVAL initializers are missing commissioning the device will fail. For information regarding NCI's that are part of a FILE definition, please refer to Understanding the FILE part of a XIF file. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment LonWorks XIF Cause When commissioning a device default values to configuration variables must be assigned. If the tool (TAC Vista, SmartStruxure, LonMaker, NL220) does not know what default value to assign, it can cause an error. Resolution Make sure all NCI's have proper initializers defined. Read XIF file - NVVAL initializers.pdf guide as reference. Here is an example of a NVVAL section: VAR nciHrtBtRcv 2 0 0 0 0 1 63 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 "&1,0,0\x80,48; 107 * 1 4 0 2 0 0 VAR nciHrtBtSnd 3 0 0 0 0 1 63 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 "&1,0,0\x80,49; 107 * 1 4 0 2 0 0 VAR nciLocation 4 0 0 0 1 1 63 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 "&1,0,0\x80,17; 36 * 1 4 0 31 0 0 VAR nciDeviceName 5 0 0 0 0 1 63 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 "&1,0,6\x80,3; 36 * 1 4 0 31 0 0 NVVAL #VAR nciHrtBtRcv \x00,\x00 #VAR nciHrtBtSnd \x00,\x00 #VAR nciLocation = empty string \x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00, \x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00 #VAR nciDeviceName = empty string \x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00, \x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00,\x00

Issue Failed to reload b3 controllers, The information for device commission detail indicates "the Object Identifier already existed". Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Andover Continuum Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Continuum b3 Controllers Cause There are one or more database conflicts in the AS. Resolution Right Click AS and select "cold restart" Wait for AS come back online and try to reload the b3 controllers. The issue may return, but the solution can help you download the b3 controller and will not impact the b3s' performance.

Issue How to relinquish a priority on multiple BACnet objects from a list view or search. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Automation Server Enterprise Server Cause Need to relinquish a value in the priority stack for multiple points at once. Resolution In the list view or search select all of the objects in question (IMPORTANT: Only objects of the same class type should be selected) Open the property grid by clicking the red check mark. Go to the Command tab and remove the value from the priority that is to be relinquished then save the change NOTE: As of 1.5 the above steps work ONLY for objects of analog type. In the screen shot above: Use back space to remove the 1, leaving the field blank Save the change SBO will relinquish priority 16 on all the objects selected in the list view or search. 

Issue When using the 20k (Honeywell) thermistor type on an EcoStruxure IO Module, the temperature value does not change and reads an inaccurate value. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server IO Module Cause The 20k (Honeywell) thermistor type does not work properly in Automation Server IO module firmware versions 2.009 and older. Resolution Check and upgrade the Automation Server IO module firmware to the latest version. Follow the steps below: Select the module in the System Tree (1) and on the Properties tab (2) check the Firmware version (3) If the firmware requires upgrading the latest version can be downloaded from The Exchange Download Centre.  For instructions on how to upgrade the firmware see Upgrading Automation Server IO Module Firmware.

Issue Which versions of SIGNAL can be migrated to SBO? Environment SIGNAL Cause The migration manual does not identify which versions are accepted. Resolution Two versions of SIGNAL can be backed up and migrated to SBO:  Version 4.4.1 (for Windows 95/98) and Version 5.0.0 (for Windows XP).

Issue Robertshaw T99-112 RTD Immersion Temperature Sensor - Specification Sheet & Temperature / Resistance Table Environment DMS MicroSmart Cause Create a custom temperature / resistance object in Niagara, SBO, etc... Resolution Spec & T/R table available here.

Issue As a user, i would like to pre-program my JACE with my devices and i cannot make sense of the MAC address. Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager and any device that can communicate with it. Cause Cannot make sense of the MAC address. Resolution The MAC address of each device has the following format: [ yy xx bb aa 00 00 ] [ yy xx ] denoted the "Network Number" in HEX [ bb aa ] denotes the "Device ID" in HEX   Example Device MAC address is 7B 00 67 00 00 00 Network Number = 123 (Decimal) = 0x7B00 (HEX) Device ID = 103 (Decimal) = 0x6700 (HEX)

Issue The path to the templates and libraries is not documented Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment Graphics editor Cause In order to use your own color and gradient templates and to copy component and snippet libraries you need to know the path to these files and folders. Components and snippets can preferably be managed directly through the graphics editor. Resolution In TAC Vista The libraries and templates are one and the same for all users: Colors and gradients: C:\ProgramData\TAC Graphics Editor\Brushes Components: C:\ProgramData\TAC Graphics Editor\Components Snippets: C:\ProgramData\TAC Graphics Editor\Snippets In SmartStruxure Each user has their own set of libraries and templates: Colors and gradients: C:\Users\%username%\Documents\StruxureWare\Graphics Editor\Brushes Components: C:\Users\%username%\Documents\StruxureWare\Graphics Editor\Components Snippets: C:\Users\%username%\Documents\StruxureWare\Graphics Editor\Snippets