Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue This condition will arise after successfully installing and running Project Configuration Tool for some time. PCT 1.x can no longer initialize the virtual host adapter as a result of the adapter being deleted or removed. The errors may be a result of but not limited to: Introducing a new VPN software package to your PC/Laptop. Manually removing or modifying the Virtual Box Host Only - Network Adapter. Malware or Antivirus platforms that have removed or disabled the adapter. Example: PCT Version - 1.1.2.57 Local mode was set up on a physical laptop and used to offline engineer a project. The job was completed and PCT was not used again for roughly a month. A new project was sold and required PCT for offline engineering. The laptop was booted up and PCT failed to open. The user was presented with the following errors: "Get System State Command: 'Could not connect' " "Get predefined properties command: 'Could not connect' " "GetDashboardErrors Command: 'Could not connect' " "Get System Memory info Command: 'Could not connect' " Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Windows Client versions (64 Bit Only) Windows Server versions (64 Bit Only) PCT SERVER versions (64 Bit OS Only) Project Configuration Tool 1.x Cause PCT 1.x can no longer initialize the virtual host adapter as a result of the Vbox adapter being deleted or removed. Resolution Reinstall PCT 1.x on top of your current installation. Your projects will not be modified in the process. Locate the installer. Run the installer, it will ask you to remove the previous version. Press ok. Progress will show as uninstalling. PCT will prompt for installation. Click Next. Select default installation paths. Click Next. Select desired PCT mode. Click next. Ready to Install selected mode. Click Next. PCT software installed. Click Finish. Now PCT will set up the Virtual Host Adapter. Press Ok. Status bar. Compted setup dialog. Click Ok. Run PCT. If successful you will see the template sets getting installed via the top right of the window. Open a project and test an AS/AS-P. If the above steps do not work, here are a few more to try:   Restart the machine after the PCT software finishes re-installing Right-click and select “Run as Administrator” Uninstall PCT software and Oracle VirtualBox and re-install once more   If PCT 1.x still will not work, please open a support case with your local Product Support Group.

Issue Getting error "Failed to run: import-VM" when trying to install PCTv2 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Project Configuration Tool (PCT) Cause Could install PCTv2 fine but the issue started when going back and forward between PCTv1 and PCTv2 so that might have caused the issue. Resolution Uninstall Hyper V in Windows Programs and Features and restart computer Delete everything in ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\HyperV Install PCTv2 version 2.0.2.13 or later

Issue When attempting to save & deploy a function block program using Modernized Programming, the following errors are seen: EBO 2022 - Deploy program error: The program was not deployed! (Error Code - 1073740940) EBO 2024 - Deploy program error - Invalid data "Empty binary file' Invalid data  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation EBO 2022 EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation EBO 2024  Function Block Programs (Builder for Function Block) Cause Related to known issue Modernized Programming Builder program error during deploy This is when the TEMP / TMP User variable folder paths contain a space; this can be edited in the Environmental Variables.  Resolution Edit the TEMP and/or TMP paths so that they do not contain any spaces.  To edit the Environmental Variables, follow these steps:  1. Click on the Start Menu button located at the bottom-left corner of your screen. In the search bar, type "environment variables" and press Enter.  Click on the "Edit the system environment variables" option from the search results. This action will open the System Properties window, which contains various tabs and settings for your computer. In the System Properties window, click the "Environment Variables" button located at the bottom right. Clicking this button will open another window specifically for managing environment variables.  In the Environment Variables window, under the "User variables" section, "Edit" the path that contains any "spaces".  These paths can be located anywhere on this PC.  User variables apply only to your account, while system variables affect all users on the computer. Choose accordingly, and then add or edit variables as needed. Once you have completed these steps, your new or edited environment variables will take effect.  Restart WorkStation, and the program should now deploy successfully.   

  Issue Unable to convert DMP file to SmartX servers with EBO 3.x, 4.x and 5.x using Continuum Conversion Tool(CCT) with PCT 2.0 Example: CCT3.2 is unable to connect to an AS-P in v3.2 created in PCT 2.0 It shows the "The user session is lost, no specific reason has been set" error when trying to connect. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum Conversion Tool Project Configuration Tool Cause PCT 2.0 is not compatible with earlier versions of CCT Resolution In PCT 2.0, create a version 6.0 ES. In PCT 2.0, create an older version of AS-P. In PCT 2.0, make the older version AS-P a child of version 6.0 ES. In WorkStation 6.0, log on to the ES, navigate to the AS-P, and create the desired MS/TP or Infinet networks. In CCT 6.0, log on to the ES and import and analyze the desired Continuum dump file. In CCT 6.0, click to select the target MS/TP or Infinet networks. When doing so, navigate into the older version of AS-P to select the desired networks. Convert the dump file.

Issue How to add Web Service and create Simple XML Web Service with Graphic Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation site with release 1.2 or later Cause What are Web Services and how to add to my existing StruxureWare Building Operation site. How to add XML files and how to add to a project or site How to create values from the XML Files added How to make a graphic that uses the values from XML Service Resolution Wikipedia: A Web Service is a method of communication between two electronic devices over the web (internet). W3C: A "Web Service" as "a software system designed to support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network." Web Services: Are hardware, programming language, and operating system independent Applications written in different programming languages and running on different platforms can seamlessly exchange data over intranet or the internet using Web Services Web Service interfaces are supported in both the AS and ES(does not support connection over a ProxyServer) Like BACnet, Lon, and Modbus, you can create a Web Service interface. EWS Interface - EcoStruxure Web Services Script Web Service - Generic Consume via Script (Web Service addition Script Web Service) Simple XML Web Service - Rest Generic Consume via Binding Tool SOAP Web Service - SOAP Generic Consume via Binding Tool (Web Service addition SOAP Web Service) This article explains adding Weather for a particular location data using Simple XML: Select New > Interface > Web Service > Simple XML Specify the URL for this data (to find the weather for your area, Google XML data Make changes to polling, alarm, retry interval Choose Create Now you can Create a value from that Simple XML Web Service by highlighting and select New > Value > and type of value. Select Analog for temperature, String Value for wind direction and so forth. One can add as many of the values as desired. The Simple XML List View would look like the below screen capture. Lastly for Simple XML Web Service a graphic is created and the values which come from the XML Web Service are place on the page. Also check out the SmartStruxure - Web Services - Simple XML Interface Quick-Help video on the Exchange.

Issue MP-V Air Flow is reading zero flow despite the Velocity Pressure having a positive value. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment MP-V-7A, MP-V-9A, RP-V-4A, RP-V-5A Variable Air Volume Data Cause The Air Flow value is an internally calculated value based on the Velocity Pressure. There are a number of values involved in that calculation that could result in no flow. Resolution Validate Variable Air Volume Data > Flow Balance Data > Rated box flow. The rated box flow defaults to 0 ft³/min in a new controller and must be replaced with the rated flow at 1.0inH₂O (provided by the box manufacturer). Compare Variable Air Volume Data > Velocity Pressure > Value to the Zero flow threshold. Any Velocity Pressure below the threshold will result in no flow. This threshold defaults to 0.008inH₂O. Check Variable Air Volume Data > Properties > Balanced k-factor and Balanced flow correction factor. If either of these values are at 0, there will be no flow. These values cannot be directly written to and are only the result of a flow balance calculation. To get them to update: Go to Variable Air Volume Data > Flow Balance Data and record all balancing data (you will need to manually re-enter it later). Set all 7 balancing values to 0 - Rated box flow, Box/Hood measured maximum/intermediate/minimum Right-click on Variable Air Volume Data and Download Re-enter the valid balancing data. The balanced k-factor should now show a value close to the rated box flow and the balanced flow correction factor should show a multiplier ideally between 0.5 and 2. If the box has not been balanced and no valid balancing data is available, leave the minimum flow readings at 0 and enter the same value into both the hood and box maximums (for example, 1000 and 1000). This will result in a balanced k-factor equal to the rated box flow and a balanced flow correction factor of 1.

Issue View forced values in a EcoStruxure Building Operation TGML graphic Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation TGML Graphic Cause There are no variables for forced value to trigger an object in a graphic. Resolution In the graphic editor do as follow. Add a text object Add a binding to the text object and name it Change attribute to content Add a convert status Under behavior add text you want to show when the value its forced Edit binding for the graphic, bind the created textobject to the value of the point The text object should now show the text forced when the value is forced.  

Issue Every time an alarm comes in to Workstation, the Alarm View pop up window opens up. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Alarm View Window Cause This is a setting that can be turned off and on as desired. Resolution Right click anywhere inside of the alarm queue (either on an actual alarm or in the white space below the alarms). Go to "Alarm view settings." Check or uncheck "Display alarm view" to turn on or off the pop-up feature.

Issue When adding Server Packages to a new PCT install, the installation process does not complete.    Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Project Configuration Tool (PCT) Cause Some security policy is interfering with the PCT installation process. The VirtualBoxDisclamer.log shows the following error     Could not add PCTService to BUILTIN\Administrators.   The lack of the PCTService could be responsible for a range of issues including the failure to install Server Packages. Resolution To learn what is preventing the creation of the PCTService, try manually adding the user to the Administrators group to see what errors might be presented.  Open Windows event log and look for errors that occurred during the same timeframe noted above. 

Issue PCT fails to open, presenting four 'could not connect' error messages.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool Windows 10 version 1909 Windows 10 version 2004 Cause The cause maybe a firewall, scripts or group policy not allowing PCT to install correctly. Resolution First: check the VirtualBox Host-Only Network has the correct IP address. This can be found under: Control Panel\Network and Internet\Network Connections\VirtualBox Host-Only Network #?\Properties\Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4).   Raise a case with your region's IT2929 (UK = 020 7660 2747), requesting IT install the patch to correct the issue. IT2929 have a knowledge base article on the IT2929 system to help their representatives with this issue (KB0014074).   IT2929 will advise you to take a backup of your PCT projects, uninstall PCT and Oracle VM VirtualBox. IT2929 will then install the patch. Re-boot the laptop. Install PCT and Oracle VM VirtualBox (run as administrator). Restore your PCT projects. Re-boot the computer. If PCT still does not work after this, update the CCC case you have or create a new case with Product Support, providing your IT2929 KSR number is you do not have a case.

Issue Importing Infinet devices into AS-P fails with the following error "Invalid Data Error: Invalid_Data (0x10000) in module Coml(11). "Invalid cast from null": CreateObjectRequest".  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause Infinet devices have a space character within their names Resolution Remove the space character and use an underscore in its place.

Issue When should the APDU Timeout setting on a BCX be increased? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment BCX4040 BACnet APDU Timeout Cause Some BACnet devices are taking a long time to respond to BACnet controller requests. Resolution If the device takes too long to respond to a request, it is possible that the response may be ignored by the BACnet controller. Increasing the APDU timeout setting will cause the BACnet controller to wait longer for a response from a field device. 

Issue I/A Series G3 Niagara network points in fault and indicate Subscribed error:invalid permissions. Environment I/A Series G3 (all versions) Cause The credentials being used by the connection does not have the correct permissions to access the data. Resolution Verify username / password and associated permissions related to station to station fox connections.  Modify the associated permissions on the server side or use another set of credentials that have permissions.

Issue Both BACnet MS/TP and Modbus typically provide a robust and reliable communications channel allowing the Automation Server to effectively manage a large collection of equipment over extended distances. When the system does not come up operating as expected due to the communications integrity, considerable effort can be consumed troubleshooting or working-around the fault observations. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Other, TAC IA Series Environment Automation Server with BACnet MS/TP or Modbus RS485 networks connected to Port A or Port B. Cause The configuration of the RS485 network can create conditions that reduce the tolerance for EMI noise on the bus, electrical ground differences, transmission signal loss through the cable and/or component performance. Resolution A collection of application notes and Quick Start Best Practices Guides are available on the subject of BACnet MS/TP and Modbus RS485 network connections to the StruxureWare Automation Server.  These application notes and quick start guides provide recommendations in the areas of – BACnet MS/TP & Modbus RS485 Network Termination Network Biasing Options and Techniques Unit Load and associated Maximum Node Count Recommendations Isolated RS485 Interfaces and related Expanded Unit Load Cable Specifications and Suggested Cable Selections Cable Routing and Recommended Lengths The documents describe configurations of cable, network length, node counts and bias arrangements providing compliance with the EIA/TIA-485 Standard and TSB-89-A Guidelines with the objective of optimizing system tolerance for noise, grounding and transceiver component variations.  Most of the application notes and quick start guides target specific product families which include the Andover Continuum b3 Family, TAC I/A Series MNB Family, Legrand Power Meters and the Viconics VT7000 series sensors. There is also an application note and quick guide directed toward other “Generic” RS485 MS/TP and Modbus devices where the user is guided through a sequence of information collection steps to determine the appropriate recommendations.  The collection of application notes and guides are available on the Schneider Electric download center. The list of links below will take you to the applicable download page. AN01-RS485-Generic Application Note – General MS/TP & Modbus I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-Generic Best Practices Guide - General MS/TP & Modbus AN02-RS485-B3 Application Note – Continuum B3 I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-B3 Best Practices Guide - Continuum B3 I/F AN03-RS485-MNB Application Note – I/A Series MNB I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-MNB Best Practices Guide – I/A Series MNB I/F AN04-RS485-Legrand Application Note – Legrand Meter I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-Legrand Best Practices Guide – Legrand Meter I/F AN05-RS485-VT7000 Application Note – VT7000 Series I/F to Automation Server Quick Guide-RS485-VT7000 Best Practices Guide – VT7000 Series I/F Note:    If using the download center for the first time, you will need to register. See Register for The Exchange Download Center for more information. The Download Center requires the use of Internet Explorer (version 8 or higher), Google Chrome or Firefox browsers. Additional information is available in the Hardware Reference Guide Access the StruxureWare Building Operation Web Help. Also check out the SmartStruxure-RS485-Controller Unit Load Quick-Help video on the Exchange.

Issue Unable to add an Automation Server into the Device Administrator via IP. Error seen - Could not logon to server x.x.x.x This can be caused by providing the wrong password or the password has expired on the server.  If the password has expired, log on to the server using WorkStation and change the password. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Device Administrator Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Automation Server Cause Failed attempts of connecting to an AS-P, AS-B, or any IP controller with device admin will trigger the EBO security feature of SSH console lockout. This security feature defaults to 15 minutes and since the device admin uses SSH for communication, it will not allow the connection to an automation server while in this lockout state.  Resolution If a site is experiencing communication issues, then the SSH console lockout could be going into effect before a good connection is established. Reducing the SSH console lockout time period will allow for a connection to be made sooner without waiting out the default setting of 15 minutes. Use Workstation to log in to the server experiencing the issue. Go to Control Panel. Click on "Security settings" under the Security and Communication title. Locate the "SSH Console Lockout" configuration setting and adjust the lockout time to a shorter duration such as 1 second. Click Save. Open Device Administrator and add the Automation Server using IP.

Issue Alarms with an invalid Source path cannot be removed from ES or AS Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation 3.0 and higher Cause The invalid path prevents alarms from being deleted. In earlier releases of EBO, there was an issue whereby an error could occur in the source path of an alarm if the Automation Server was renamed. Most invalid alarms observed originate from this type of error. Resolution Use Alarms Integrity Check in the following steps.  Automation Servers first, then Enterprise Server, and finally, if installed, Enterprise Central last. See Alarm Cannot be Acknowledged Due to Invalid Paths for additional details.   Expand System, Right-click the Alarm Control Panel,  Choose Advanced - Alarms Integrity Check.   The command runs quickly. There is no confirmation that the check has run, but a review of the alarms will show that the invalid alarms have been removed.

Issue Automation Server - Warm and Cold Start differences Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation server Cause The explanation on the differences between a warm start and a cold start in the documentation and web help may not be clear to some.  Resolution Warm Start: Restarts the controller's application Cold Start: Restarts the controller's operating system An Automation Server can be warm/cold started from Workstation or by using the reset button on the Automation Server. Refer to Reset Functions on Web Help for an explanation of the differences between warm and cold starting the AS.  Basically, you can set the Retain Levels for variables in Building Operation to 'No', 'warm start' or 'cold start'. To change the retain level of a variable and go to its properties.  - Click on the gear icon. - Set the retain level of the variable. 1. Retain level set to 'No' - The variable is reset to the value set when the object was created. When you create an Analog Value object, the value of the newly created object is '0'. A user can set this to another value. When retain level is set for this Analog Value object, after a warm or cold start, the value of this object will default back to '0'. 2. Retain level set to 'Warm start' - The value is set back to the last value set by the user. If a user change the value of an Analog Value object to another value and save, after a warm start, the object will return to the last value set by the user.  3. Retain level set to 'Cold start' - The value is set back to the last value set by either the user or the system (for instance by a program). The operation is similar to the warm start but in this case, the last value set by the system will also be retained. 

Issue The binding between an Enterprise Server and Automation Server or between two Automation Servers shows Unresolved Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Binding Diagnostics Cause The communication between the two servers is incorrectly configured, blocked by software such as firewalls or antivirus or another application is using the port. Resolution For Firewall Issues: Ensure the Windows firewall on the Enterprise Server PC is set up correctly, for example follow Creating Windows Firewall rules to allow Building Operation to communicate on the TCP port to set up inbound and outbound rules.   Alternatively configure the Windows firewall using the Firewall Config tool on all PC's having EcoStruxure software installed. Problems with firewall settings can arise if the Enterprise Server PC is removed during the commissioning process and the firewall settings swap between Private Networks and Public Networks. For example All the Automation Servers may appear online, but the "Unresolved" bindings issue may be seen. Automation Servers cannot be restored via the Enterprise Server If a suitable option temporarily disable the firewall to see if it fixes the issue.   For 1.4 or 1.5 Servers with a name containing the "&" symbol: Ask Product Support for Hotfix R1.4.1.16201 (or later version) for version 1.4 and R1.5.0.1601 (or later version) for version 1.5.    For other Causes: Follow these troubleshooting steps in order until the issue has been resolved. Check that the ES IP address is the same as the PC IP address.  If they do not match, follow How to set the Enterprise Server IP address to change the ES IP.  All ports must be open between the ES and AS, for port numbers search "Network Ports" in the Information Technology System Planning Guide. If the address of the ES is a domain name, try using the IP address instead. If there are more than one network adaptor on the ES can, for example, take the address of a wireless adaptor, VMware virtual adaptor or VirtualBox adaptor.  The ES should be using the NIC adaptor, either follow the link in item 1 or disable the other network adaptors. Right click on the ES and select Advanced > Repair Server Communication.  This should update the Communication tables of the servers. Detach the automation servers from the ES and then add the automation servers back.  Follow Unable to add an Automation Server underneath an Enterprise Server. Select each server and click on the Communication Tab.  If communication is valid, it should list the details of every other server. Try to disable any network monitor function of anti-virus software on the computer. If a Schneider laptop is used, right click the Trellix software in the system tray and Enable Firewall Timed Groups. Although not a supported architecture if a user installs the Enterprise Central and Enterprise Server on the same PC with default settings the ports will conflict.  Either remove the unsupported Enterprise Central or if for testing stop the service and set appropriate usable ports.    

Issue Workstation error when logging into a remote Enterprise Server. Enterprise Server has available client licenses. 'No valid client license available. (Error -5: No such feature exists.)' Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Workstation  EcoStruxure Building Operation License Administrator Cause Workstation is trying to check out a license from the local computer. The License Server is on the Enterprise Server computer and the Enterprise Server license has been activated on the Enterprise Server computer.  Resolution On the Workstation computer, run the License Administrator and change the License server address from the default '@localhost' to the IP address of the Enterprise Server. Refer to License Server Address on Web Help. License server address default: Change to License Server IP address (example below):

Issue The System Alarms: "Timeout Cloud SMS channel offline" and "Cloud telemetry channel offline" are never reset and therefore always present in the Alarm view. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause When cloud connectivity is enabled, the EcoStruxure BMS sends data from the system to the central storage for diagnostics and analysis along with data from other buildings and sites. Under the Cloud Connectivity Tab, The default communication setting is "Auto". If the customer has the "server.cloud.customer" license feature, the BMS Server tries to activate the cloud communication. The alarms are generated if the ES/AS-P, at some point, was able to connect to the cloud, but then taken off the internet while the setting was "Auto/Enabled". Resolution Upgrade the system to EBO version 3.2.1 or to the latest available version. According to Release Notes for EBO version 3.2.1 this issue should have been fixed in that version, see defect 42293 in Release Notes If the issue is still present see the solution below. The only way to reset the alarm is to have a successful connection to the cloud(Internet) again. Make sure the ES/AS-P has internet access Now the Cloud alarms should go away. Verify that they disappear. Go to the Control Panel in Workstation and click Cloud Connectivity Set the Communication setting to Disable and save the changes. Take the BMS Server off the internet again