Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Version control issues with Echelon LonMaker Environment LonMaker Cause When a LonMaker database is opened by a PC using a version of LonMaker that is more current that the version used to create the database, the database will be automatically updated. The previous version of LonMaker can no longer be used to open the database. Resolution Control the version of LonMaker being used by all of your personnel. Keep all PCs on a project at the same revision to avoid problems and loss of efficiency.

Issue Are there any special concerns I should have with respect to making changes in Menta applications on my installations? Environment Menta programming Vista database Cause After a Menta application is downloaded to a controller, the file is imported into the Vista database. The file also typically remains on the technicians laptop. If the technician makes a change and downloads a new load to the controller but does not update Vista problems will occur. Resolution It is good practice to let Vista be the file cabinet. When a change is required, export the application from Vista, make the changes, download to the controller and then re-import to Vista. This will keep your field environment in concert with the operator interface.

Issue After replacing Automation Server hardware the SNMP "msgAuthoritativeEngineID" changes, is this a possible security breach? Environment Automation Server SNMP Management console Cause This is intended behaviour and part of the snmpV3 implementation as described in RFC3414 2.2.1. msgAuthoritativeEngineID The msgAuthoritativeEngineID value contained in an authenticated message is used to defeat attacks in which messages from one SNMP engine to another SNMP engine are replayed to a different SNMP engine. It represents the snmpEngineID at the authoritative SNMP engine involved in the exchange of the message. When an authoritative SNMP engine is first installed, it sets its local value of snmpEngineID according to an enterprise-specific algorithm (see the definition of the Textual Convention for SnmpEngineID in the SNMP Architecture document [RFC3411]). Resolution The handling of this is not a StruxureWare Building Operation server activity. This is standard functionality as defined by the Automation Server's Linux platform and net-snmp protocol stack.

Issue It is recommended to save often when working with Menta. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Menta Cause We have experienced lockups of Menta when we conduct very long programming sessions. Resolution Save often. When you take a break, shut down Menta and then restart it when you return. This will help you to avoid losing time should Menta freeze up which is known to happen. It is good practice to let Vista DB folder structure be the file cabinet. When a change is required, export the application from Vista, make the changes, then re-import to Vista and download the controller. This will keep your field environment in synchronization with the operator interface.

Issue How does a Menta application execute? Environment Menta Cause Menta applications use parallel computing. All updates are simultaneous. There is no order by object name or number. Location of objects on the page has nothing to do with execution. Resolution Menta applications update all objects simultaneously. On the first program cycle, the outputs of all objects are updated based on initial values within all of the blocks. On the next sweep, all inputs are updates from external values or outputs from upstream objects. All outputs are then updated from the new inputs. This process then continues.

Issue What is the significance of initial value settings for some blocks in Menta? Environment Menta PVR, PVB, PVI Cause Initial value settings are used on the first program cycle after a download or the first program cycle after power has been off for more than 72 hours. Resolution The most common error in programming a value for the "initial value" is programming a value that causes some unique aspect of the program to execute. For example, if the initial value of the mixed air temperature is programmed at 0°F and a low limit alarm value of 40°F is part of the logic, a mixed air alarm will be generated on the first program cycle and the fan may be locked in the off position. Always program "safe" initial values.

Issue Tam32 Illegal closed loop has been detected Product Line TAC Vista Environment Menta Cause Menta evaluates all expressions in parallel every program cycle. Because of this, the output of an expression cannot be looped directly back to the input of the expression. Resolution Any time a logic loop is created in Menta a unitary delay object must be inserted into the loop. These objects are labeled DELB, DELI, and DELR. The type used depends on the data type flowing through the loop. These objects in many cases do not contribute to the logic of control but they are essential for program execution and the application will not compile without them.

Issue Generating a Menta application results in the following error if the maximum number of Menta blocks is exceeded in the application: TAM32 The maximum number of Alarm blocks is exceeded in the application. The problem must be solved before the application can be generated. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Menta Xenta programmable controllers Xenta 281, 282, 283, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Cause Generating a Menta application results in an error if the maximum number of Menta blocks is exceeded in the application. Resolution There can be no more than 127 alarm blocks in a Menta application.

Issue It is possible to stop the execution of the application in a programmable controller. Typically, this is done accidentally. Environment Xenta programmable controllers Directly connected Menta Cause When you are connected to a controller using the RS232 cable and you are in the online mode you can stop the application by pressing and then releasing the execution button. Resolution  If the application has been stopped while directly connected through a serial cable, and the cable is then disconnected, the application will remain paused. When directly connected to view a Menta application it is best practice not to use the execution button. If an application has been stopped, you must connect directly to the controller again to start the execution.

Issue How to address TAC Network Variables in Menta. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Menta Xenta programmable controllers Cause Passing data between two programmable controllers on a proprietary TAC Network Variable (TANV). Resolution In Menta, create an AI or DI, depending on the data type of the remote signal. Double click the block, name it, and choose "Bind" Select the "Network Variable" option In the Network Address, use the following signal format: Device\Module\SignalName Device is the name of the source controller in Vista Module is the Software Module (if no module is defined, this will be the Menta file Program Specification) Signal Name is the Point Name Note: The browse option ("...") on the Network Address should only be used if the Menta file is being edited directly from a live Vista database. To browse to the point on a Menta file that resides on the hard drive will most likely only provide the correct point name, and not the correct full network path name of the eventual Vista database object. See Troubleshooting TAC Network Variable (TANV) Communication for techniques on troubleshooting TANV communication.

Issue How do you keep others from using my TAC Vista IV licenses? Environment Vista IV Licensing Cause Networked PCs will look for licenses outside of their local drives. On a shared engineering drive, this can cause problems. Resolution In order to have your PC set up so that it does not share its license over a network: Go to Start > Run > Type in regedit Click OK Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Aladdin Knowledge Systems > Privilege Licenser > Applications Click on PLServe Double click on Network Change the 1 to a 0

Issue Disable TAC Vista IV license sharing over a network Environment TAC Vista IV Licensing Vista Server on an open network Cause Sharing licenses across a network can be a cost effective mechanism to enable several users to use a pool of seats. However, if yours is the only license on the network, it can accidentally be "stolen" by someone else running Vista Server on the same network and you will be unable to connect, or will have to wait a long time for your PC to find an available license elsewhere on the network. Especially in an engineering setting, it is better to disable this feature. Resolution In order to have your PC set up so that it does not share its license over a network: Go to Start > Run Type in regedit, Click OK Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Aladdin Knowledge Systems > Privilege Licenser > Server Addresses Enter the computer name in the TCP/IP Change Broadcast to NO.

Issue In Vista, alarms are not appearing in the alarm handling window. Environment Vista Workstation Alarm Queue Cause If the alarm is set up for a priority of Zero the alarms will not shown in Vista alarm window. Resolution If you are online in Vista, you can change the priority directly in Vista. The changes will be done in your MTA file when you export the file. Go back into Menta change the priority level in the alarm block Redownload the Menta file. Go into Vista Open the object selection box Double click on the alarm object Click on the button Status button Change the priority level Click OK

Issue Recommission a device in LonMaker causes the loss of Configuration Parameter setting that were changed in the browser. Environment Echelon LonMaker Cause These values exist in the device, but not in the database. Resolution When recommissioning, select use Current Values in Device instead of Default. After you have Made all the changes to the CPs in the browser that you want: Close the browser Right click on the device Go to Resynch CPs Select the Option – Upload values from the device Click OK. This will upload the Value that you just sent to the device and insert those values a CP defaults into Lon Maker’s browser. This way every time you recommission a device it will not lose any of these changes.

Issue Procedure for uninstalling I/NET Seven on a stand-alone host Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Cause This is the procedure for uninstalling I/NET Seven and removing trace files on a stand-alone host. Resolution Go to Control Panel > Add & Remove Programs Remove I/NET Seven Remove Microsoft SQL Desk Top Engine (MSDE) Go to Windows Explorer > Program Files Delete any remaining I/NET Seven files and any remaining MS SQL files

Issue A laptop has USB ports, but does not have serial ports. Can I/NET run using USB ports? Product Line TAC INET Environment Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Cause Most new computers do not provide the “Old Style” serial ports, they now have USB ports instead. Resolution A lot of Schneider Electric have been using the KEYSPAN USB to Serial Adapter. The Part Number is KEYSPAN – USA – 19HS. Click here for a data sheet. This product can be seen by going to https://www.tripplite.com/ Please note that there are other products that are equally as good

Issue Some TCONs mention specific Belden wire products for LAN and Sub-LAN installation. Where can more information about Belden wire be found? Environment I/NET LAN and Sub-LAN Cause Wiring standards dictate certain communication wires to be run for proper comms. Resolution Go to the Belden website for more information: http://www.belden.com.

Issue Replace the default I/NET splash screen image that appears at boot-up Environment I/NET Site Cause How to replace the default I/NET splash screen image that appears at boot-up Resolution Find the location of the image file “inetw.bmp” Replace it with the new file. I/NET will be looking for “inetw.bmp” when the I/O driver is restarted; so the new image must use the original name “inetw.bmp” in the bitmap format.

Issue After an upgrade of a PCU, if the controller is restored, will that reset the consumption data? Environment PCU Cause A restoration of the controller will delete existing consumption data. Resolution Yes. Refer to TCON 237, page 7-17.

Issue Accumulate KW consumption for seven days, then clear the data. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Cause How to accumulate KW consumption for seven days, then clear the data. Resolution Add a Consumption extension (CN) to the PI point. Collect the data in a docutrend cell. Consumption data is always reset to zero at midnight, even if the PI point is in test mode. Set the transient duration for seven days. Refer to TCON 237 and TCON 239.