Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Within the Network modem object, what settings are required/normal for both the alarm delay and dial parameters windows? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 901 Vista Modem Manual Cause Problem/tip using modem dial Resolution This depends on the desired functionality. One examples definitions for the TAC Xenta: Dial when priority 1 alarms have been tripped/reset/acked Dial when priority 2 alarms have been tripped/reset Dial remaining alarms only once per day when it is cheaper to dial It always depends on the site requirements. One recommendation is to use at least 5 minutes delay before dial up. Please read the TAC Xenta 901 Handbook.

Issue Some sensors such as the SCR110-H CO2 produce a noisy signal even when wired according to the documented instructions. The following is a trend chart of the unfiltered raw signal from the sensor. Environment Automation Server Continuum controllers TAC Xenta Cause Noisy signal is typically caused by common ground wiring of AC power. Resolution SOLUTION #1 Signal noise can usually be eliminated by using an isolated transformer to power the sensor separately as opposed to using a common transformer that powers up several pieces of equipment. SOLUTION #2 For sensors that support  AC and DC input voltage, signal noise can usually be eliminated by using DC instead of AC power source to power the sensor. SOLUTION #3 Implement a Slew Rate to filter out the noise. As of version 1.7.1, StruxureWare Building Operation does not have a built-in slew rate functionality. Nevertheless, a custom slew rate can be implemented using Script programming. See HowToDebounceANoisySensorSignal.pdf SOLUTION #4 Add a filter (FILT) in a Function Block program after the signal input Description: The function block is a discrete time first order software filter. The filter time constant is specified in seconds with the Time Const parameter. The initial block output value is zero. The filter algorithm is y(k) = y(k-1) + 1 / 1+T/h (u(k)-y(k-1)) where y(k) and u(k) are the filtered and unfiltered values at time k, respectively,h is the sampling interval (i.e. the application program cycle time), and T is the filter time constant. If the time constant is less than or equal to zero, no filtering is done. To obtain a good filter function, the time constant should be set significantly greater than the application program cycle time. This filter algorithm is based on a straightforward backward difference approximation of the continuous time derivative operator. SOLUTION #5 Ensure you are not using older versions of the IO Firmware. As detailed in TPA-SBO-17-0006.00 the firmware should be at least V2.015 in the modules and is available on the Download Center.

Issue How do you load a PCC-10 or PCLTA card into a new computer? Product Line TAC Vista Environment PCC-10 PCLTA PC Cause A LON card has to be installed into each new computer that will connect directly to an FT-10 LON network. Software drivers and physical installation are both required. Resolution Load LonMaker on the computer Load the drivers for the card Shut down the PC Install the Card Reboot the machine Load the Card in Windows Check Plug 'n Play in Control Panel. If there is an error message when the program boots up, then the card is not loaded properly Check to make sure the card is configured correctly. Go to LonWorks Plug 'n Play Diagnostics and choose Restart/Test   Accept all the defaults when doing this. This will reconfigure your PCC-10 or PCLTA card.

Issue Without an Ethernet, how can workstations connect to the controller LAN? Environment I/NET site Cause Without an Ethernet, how can workstations connect to the controller LAN? Resolution Workstations connect to the Controller LAN through specialized communication devices called Taps. (TCON 209, 1-3)

Issue How many workstations and NPRs can be placed on one Ethernet LAN? Environment I/NET site Cause How many workstations and NPRs can be placed on one Ethernet LAN? Resolution 63 workstations and 99 NPRs. (TCON 209 1-4)

Issue How many Host Taps are supported on the Host LAN? Environment I/NET site Cause How many Host Taps are supported on the Host LAN? Resolution A host LAN supports up to 8 Host Taps and 16 Link Taps. Each Host Tap can connect directly to a workstation or indirectly to a workstation through a modem. Use the host LAN to connect multiple host workstations over a large area, segregating functions at each station. Devices on the host LAN communicate with each other at 19.2 Kbaud or 9600 baud. The host LAN reconfigures automatically as devices are added or removed. (TCON209, 1-5).

Issue How many Link Taps are supported on a Host LAN? Environment I/NET Site Cause How many Link Taps are supported on a Host LAN? Resolution Sixteen. (TCON 209, 1-5)

Issue How do Controller LANs connect to Host LANs? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Cause Understanding network architecture can help design and servicing of networks. Resolution Controller LANs connect to Host LANs through Link Taps. (TCON209, 1-5). Refer to Explain and define I/NET Ethernet, C-LAN, and Sub-LAN communication for further explanation.

Issue Which I/NET program is primarily responsible for transferring I/Net system messages to the database files? Environment I/NET site Cause Which I/NET program is primarily responsible for transferring I/Net system messages to the database files? Resolution DBServer. (TCON 209, 1-8)

Issue Which program starts and runs Exporter or Reporter? Environment I/NET site Cause Which program starts and runs Exporter or Reporter? Resolution I/NET Timer. (TCON209, Tab 1-1. I/NET Software Components)

Issue What visual indication is present when I/O server is running? Environment I/NET I/O Server Windows operating systems Cause Use the Windows system tray to determine if I/NET's companion program, I/O Server is running. This must be running to facilitate communications. Resolution The I/NET host workstation needs to communicate with many external devices, including other host workstations, NPRs, Taps and controllers. I/NET uses a companion program, I/O Server, to facilitate efficient communication functions. I/O Server must be running for most I/NET communication functions to occur. Each time it is started, I/NET launches I/O Server, which runs in the background. By default, I/O Server continues to run as a background task even after I/NET is shut down. This enables your host software to continue to receive I/NET data even if the host software is not operating. Should you need to disable the I/O Server temporarily, you can shut it down manually. You can also instruct I/NET to shut down all I/NET-related background tasks automatically. When I/O Server is running, an icon is visible in the Windows system tray. The specific icon loaded will depend upon whether the workstation is directly connected to a Tap. Right-clicking on the icon allows you to manually shut down I/O Server or to start the configuration program.

Issue IP routing information specific to each profile is stored where? Environment I/NET Site Cause IP routing information specific to each profile is stored where? Resolution It is stored in a *.DAT file. (TCON 209, Configuration Profiles,1-9)

Issue One folder, on a jobsite computer, contains all the DMS backups done over the past several years.  Since each backup contains multiple files, how can the files be identified and then grouped together for easy retrieval in the future? Environment DMS35, DMS350A, and DMS3500 (revisions 9, 10, and 11) Cause Multiple DMS backups were performed from the same jobsite computer. They were not grouped by name or date. All the backup files exist in one folder in a disorganized state. Resolution The files created from a database 'save' for a DMS35 or DMS3500 are: filename.IOC (stores DMS point IDs, records, alarm parameters) filename.UC (stores DMS point configuration elements) filename.PG (stores DMS tables and schedules) filename.UDP (stores UDPs in the DMS panel) The files created from a database 'save' for a DMS350A include the four listed above as well as: filename.Dxx (stores DCM tables, schedules, and other elements) filename.Uxx (stores DCM UDPs) where xx = DCM address 01-32

Issue Is it OK to change configuration profiles in a stable I/NET network? Environment I/NET network Cause In accordance with TCON 209, there may be differences in the routing data for each configuration profile. Resolution You should not change configuration profiles in a stable I/NET network. (TCON 209, 1-10)

Issue Can I/NET 2000 use more than one serial port at a time? Environment I/NET site Cause Can I/NET 2000 use more than one serial port at a time Resolution No. (TCON 209, Serial Port Configuration 1-10)

Issue What is the baud rate when you are direct connected to a NPR 2000 Environment I/NET site Cause What is the baud rate when you are direct connected to a NPR 2000? Resolution It is fixed at 19,200. (TCON 209, Serial Port Configuration)

Issue When configuring Hosts to communicate using TCP/IP may I use the same host address for each workstation? Environment I/NET site Cause When configuring Hosts to communicate using TCP/IP may I use the same host address for each workstation? Resolution No. This number MUST be unique. (TCON 209)

Issue What is File Equalization? Environment I/NET Site Cause What is File Equalization? Resolution File Equalization allows host workstations connected to an Ethernet LAN to share certain data files. (TCON 209, 1-10)

Issue If the Filemaster workstation is powered off, will file equalization still occur? Environment I/NET file equalization Cause The filemaster is required for equalization. Resolution If the filemaster workstation is powered off, or if EqualSrv is not  available, file equalization cannot occur. Furthermore, other host  workstations will not be able to modify any of the equalized files. It is recommended that the filemaster workstation be powered by a uninterruptable power supply (UPS). See TCON 209, 1-13 for more information.

Issue If the Filemaster workstation is "ON" but the Equalsrv is not available, will File Equalization still occur? Environment I/NET Site Cause If the Filemaster workstation is "ON" but the Equalsrv is not available, will File Equalization still occur? Resolution No, file equalization will not occur without Equalsrv. For more information, see TCON300.