Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The Exchange Download Center contains all of the assets you once accessed through the Buildings Extranet are now available on a brand new platform. It's easy to search and fast to download. Stay tuned for more great features as we roll this into the all-new extranet solution for Buildings. We ask that you register for a new account on The Exchange.   Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Other, Pelco, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Exchange Download Center Cause You can utilize the new Buildings web experience from The Exchange. Resolution Navigate to https://ecoxpert.se.com/ * Use a modern browser for the best experience: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 8 or later. If you receive the following error in Internet Explorer despite using version 8 or later, the browser displays the page in Compatibility View. Click here for more information on Compatibility View and how to disable it. The Download Center will not function properly in Compatibility View.   On the header bar, you will see the option in the top right corner for “Login / Register.” Click it.   If you are already registered, enter your email address and password. If this is your first time registering, click the link for “New to the Download Center? Register here!”   Answer whether or not you are a Schneider Electric employee using the radio buttons. If you are a Schneider Electric employee, enter your SESA ID and your desired password for The Exchange. Click to accept Schneider Electric’s Terms and Conditions and hit “Create Account.” * The first time you register, you must be connected to the Schneider Electric network or connected via VPN. This is only required at registration. All future logins can be done externally. If you are not a Schneider Electric employee, enter your first name, last name, company name, location, business email address, and desired password for The Exchange. * It is important to use your business email address if you are a licensed partner. Your email address is used to automatically validate your Partner status and assign the correct permissions to your user profile.   An email is sent to your designated inbox with a link to click through and validate your email address. Once this is done, your login is created, and you are ready to start using the Download Center. * If an error is displayed when trying to validate your authentication code, please try to log in. This happens when an email address has already been verified and oftentimes does not indicate an error with the registration.   Once logged in, you can search and download assets available to your user profile. If you attempt to download a file that you do not have access to, you will be given a chance to report if this is in error. Your username, email, and the asset you are trying to access are recorded. Please enter a message if any further description is required and hit “Submit.” A member of our team will get back to you promptly with a resolution. Web Site Support For any issue regarding The Exchange Download Center, please contact us at exchangesupport@schneider-electric.com.

Issue When trying to embed a website in an N4 Px view, the site renders in Workbench but not in most browsers displaying this error in the browser's developer console; Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4 Workbench Web Browsers, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Internet Explorer Cause Most major browsers no longer support NPAPI/Java plugins.  Oracle has stated they would remove it in JDK 9  and from Java entirely.  The N4 WebBrowser object under the workbench pallet requires Java to work correctly.  That is why it only works in the Workbench environment, Internet Explorer, and older Oracle Java platforms. Resolution When using the WebBrowser object in Niagara N4. Viewing in the Browser Preview Mode or in an actual browser that doesn't support the Java plugin, the embedded site will not render. The only solution is to use Internet Explorer or the Web Launcher application detailed in the attached document to view the Px. For more information, refer to the Niagara Web Launcher - Niagara Java-based Web Clients Guide PDF

Issue How do I configure outbound email to satisfy a hosting service that requires SSL/TLS Product Line TAC IA Series Environment ENC-410 ENC-520 JACE-2 Cause Many SMTP(email) host no longer except non-secure email for transmission.  They require, at minimum, SSLv3 inbound messages. Resolution The devices mentioned in the "Environment" section all use the IBM J9 Java Virtual Machine and can not be configured for the minimum secure socket the hosts require.  You must upgrade this hardware if you want to use one of these secure SMTP Host providers. If you are unsure of the JVM on the device, look at the Platform of the device.; The Jace 6E/645 and the Jace 8000 use the Oracle-Sun HotSpot JVM and meet the requirements. ENC 520 (J404) unsupported SSL/TLS Jace 6E-645 Supported TLS using the Oracle-Sun Hotspot JVM Jace 8000 Supported TLS using the Oracle-Sun Hotspot JVM

Issue How to Identify a specific PCT (Project Configuration Tool) project. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool Cause How to identify a specific PCT (Project Configuration Tool) project. Resolution In PCT check the project name for the project to be the backup. For this example, the project named “Test 5 Project” is used.   Go to the project storage folder. (The following is the default locations for PCT v1.2.7.223): C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation\Project Configuration Tool\storagemodule\projects   Using a text editor (for example Notepad or Notepad++) open each folder then open the file “project.thrift.pctj”, Open each folder in turn until the correct project has been identified to backup. The stored project folder name can be seen:   Further on in the text editor, the PCT project name can be seen, in this example 'Test 5 Project'.   Alternatively click the “edit” menu item and select find (ctrl + F) from the options and search the text for the PCT project name. Making sure PCT is not running when copies of any of the projects are taken

Issue BACnet Interface has "!" with unresolved references Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server v2.0 or later Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Cause During the startup of a Smart-X controller, the auto-association feature fails and the data becomes corrupted Resolution Go to BACnet Interface -> Time Sync Recipients Find any devices listed as DEVICE_<Instance ID>, select & delete Verify all devices listed are configured as follows: SmartX controllers Recipient Type: Reference Recipient Device Object Reference: <Device in System Tree> If Recipient Name does not match, copy from Object Reference and paste in the field. This helps humans troubleshoot the issue. DO NOT set Recipient Type = MAC Address, Network ID = Global Network or Local Network, Mac Address = Broadcast. This will set time on other ES/AS with BACnet Interface on the BACnet System.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue The added to parent column shows incorrect information. PCT 1.X  PCT 2.x Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Project Configuration Tool (PCT) Cause PCT doesn't detect detachment in WorkStation. Resolution Do not detach the child server from its parent in PCT 1.x and 2.x. Webhelp information: Adding a Virtual EcoStruxure BMS Child Server to a Parent Server.

Issue How is a Pulse Digital Output (BACnet Binary Output) created via a Continuum Conversion Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment b3 Controller Infinet Controller Continuum Conversion Cause A Continuum Infinet Output created as Elec Type Digital has Format $###, as below When this is converted to EBO, a Type "BACnet Digital Output (Continuum) binary-output" is created. Resolution The Format needs to be modified to ###.### or #.###, as below The BACnet binary output created in the conversion will now be  a "Digital Pulsed Output" Summary below  

Issue A large number of "A Log Data Transfer Has been Missed" events are being reported by the AS. All events are associated with b3 points that have intrinsic logging configured (where log configuration is part of the point properties configuration) and a StruxureWare Building Operation Extended Trend Log is attached to the point. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment b3 Log Data Transfer Extended Trend Logs Cause We have seen these events reported when the number of log records configured in the b3 point is not evenly divisible by the Maximum Log Transfer Interval in the Extended Trend Log object. When the Extended Trend Log retrieves data from the objects intrinsic log in the b3 controller, it grabs this data in batches or portions. The size of these portions is defined by the Maximum Transfer Interval in the Extended Trend Log configuration. For example, where a b3's intrinsic log is set to 1 hour Log Interval and the Log Records is set to 72 (three days), if its associated Extended Trend Log has a Maximum Transfer Interval of 1 Day, the it will grab the first 24 records during the first pass, the next 24 records during the second pass and the remaining 24 records during the last pass. If the number of Log Records defined in the point configured is 80 instead of 72, the same Extended Trend Log will grab the remaining data in a fourth pass. However, if the amount of data remaining to be grabbed does not represent a span of time equal to the Maximum Transfer Interval, the Extended Trend Log will not grab a full period of data. In some cases when this happens data from this fourth pass can be lost and this will be reported as an "A Log Data Transfer Has been Missed: event. Example: Using our example above, and an intrinsic log Record Count of 80, the Extended Trend Log will grab the first 24 records during the first pass, the next 24 records during the second pass, the next 24 records during the third pass. It will then grab the last eight log records in a fourth and last pass. It is during the transfer of this last smaller group of data where there may be a failure of the data transfer. Resolution The number of Log Records configured in the points intrinsic log times the Log Interval should equal a period of time that is evenly divisible by the Maximum Transfer Interval time period. For example, if the Extended Trend Log is configured for a Maximum Transfer Interval of 24 hours, and the b3 point is configured for a 15 minute Log Interval, the Log Records can be set to either... Log Records = 96 (4 samples per hour X 24 hours -- a full days worth of data) Log Records = 192 (4 samples per hour X 48 hours -- two full days worth of data) Log Records = 288 (4 samples per hour X 72 hours -- three full days worth of data) and so forth.

Issue Experiencing issues with I/O modules that may include: Backplane failure causing modules to assume wrong module ID Input filtering problems on RTD modules Stability due to electrical noise Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation StruxureWare Building Operation Automation Server I/O Modules Cause The latest I/O module firmware version will correct known issues while also ensuring that the system is up to date and compliant. Resolution The latest I/O module firmware can be located on the Exchange by searching for I/O Module firmware. Each firmware download zip file will contain a ReadMe file that explains what was corrected in that version.  Refer to Upgrading SmartStruxure IO Module Firmware for the procedure to upgrade the I/O module firmware. 

Issue When doing a conversion from TAC Vista with LNS Network, to EcoStruxure Building Operation, what system should handle the addressing of the devices? What does the Network property “Shared LNS and SBO network” mean? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Conversion Tool Cause In a TAC Vista system, running as LNS system, the network is marked as Protected in TAC Vista. This means that all addressing is handled via the LNS system. Resolution After a conversion from TAC Vista with LNS network, to EcoStruxure Building Operation, a flag is set in the Network properties, named “Shared LNS and SBO network” which means that the LonWorks network is shared between LNS and EcoStruxure BMS. LNS is used for network management, such as handling addresses and Lon bindings. LNS has the ownership of the network. EcoStruxure Building Operation is used for downloading application and configuration to the controllers. It does not write in the address table of the Lon device.  This flag should not be set manually.

Issue For various reasons, it is sometimes necessary to change a b3's mac ID. For example, a b3 that is removed from a site and will later be used at a different site needs to have its mac id reset to factory default to avoid the possibility of introducing a duplicate mac id. NOTE: To set the MAC ID to the factory default you need BACnet Service Tool version 1.110004 or newer.   Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum b3 Controller Continuum Service Tool RoamIO2 BACnet Service Tool Cause The MAC ID needs to be set or changed on a b3 controller. Resolution IMPORTANT: If the b3 has previously been assigned a valid mac id then proceed to step #1. If the b3 has factory default slave mac id then see  CHANGING MAC ID ON A BRAND NEW B3 FROM THE FACTORY below Make sure the b3 is disconnected from the MSTP network then connect the RoamIO2 directly to the b3 using the service port. Launch the BACnet Service Tool and de-select the 'By Networks' and 'BACnet only' menu options in the view menu. Click the green icon to make the RoamIO2 sync to the baud rate of the b3 and discover it. In the 'Tools' menu select 'Set Offline B3 Mac Id' as shown below.  In the 'Modify MAC Id' window enter the b3's serial number and the new mac id to be set then click Apply. (NOTE: To set the MAC ID to factory default enter 172, DO NOT USE ZERO) To set the MAC Id to the factory default you need BACnet Service Tool version 1.110004 or newer. Tested working on beta version 1.119903). This beta version is attached. Download it and remove the .txt at the end to make it a zip file, unzip then see the readme.txt. A feedback message 'Success! will be returned if the MAC id was changed EXCEPT when setting the MAC Id to factory default (172) When setting the MAC Id to the factory default you will NOT get SUCCESS feedback, this is because the default id of 172 is a slave id (chosen because in hex it is AC for Andover Controls). Slave Ids are not allowed to initiate communication on the MSTP network. So, as a result of that, the b3 is unable to report to the RoamIO2 that the id was successfully changed. A visual sign that the ID was changed to 172 is that the TD led on the b3's RS485 port will shut off. Disconnect and re-connect to have the RoamIO2 communicate with the b3 using the new MAC id (unless you changed it to the factory default of 172). CHANGING MAC ID ON A BRAND NEW B3 FROM THE FACTORY The RoamIO2 can also be used to assign a mac id to a brand new b3 which has a factory default mac id of 0xAC (172 decimal) but the steps are a little different. In order for a RoamIO2 to be able to send communication packets to the b3, it first has to sync up with the baud rate of the b3, it does by listening and analyzing the packets sent by the b3 until it is able to determine the baud rate. As mentioned before, the factory default mac id of a b3 is slave id 172 which prohibits the b3s from sending out packets and makes it impossible for the RoamIO2 to determine the baud rate. There are several ways to work around the baud rate issue... Set the baud rate manually. Click on the green icon to attempt to connect the RoamIO2 to the b3. You will get an error that the baud rate could not be determined, click YES to proceed anyway From the 'Tools' menu select 'Set B3 Baud Rate' and set the baud rate to what you believe the last baud rate was for the b3. (The factory default baud rate is 19200) You should now be able to set the mac id per the steps above. NOTE: You may have to try all the baud rates until you find the one the b3 is operating at.

Issue WorkPlace Tech will not recognize the Echelon U10 USB Lon Network Interface adapter. The “Loading Device Driver” is displayed but nothing happens after that. Environment WorkPlace Tech 5.8.x Cause LON1 port may have been previously assigned to another LON interface. Resolution 1. Make sure the Echelon Open LVD 4.0 is installed on PC. 2. Close WorkPlace Tech if open 3. Disconnect the Echelon Lon USB adapter from the PC. 4. Open Control Panel and open LonWorks Interfaces 5. Select View from the Menu and check “Show Detached Interfaces” 6. Highlight LON1 in the tree and click the “Remove” from the menu        - Click Yes in the “Confirm Removal” window to remove the detach device 7. While in same widow, reconnect the Echelon USB Lon Adapter to the PC        - The messages: “Installing device driver” will display in the system tray followed by “Echelon USB Network Interface Installed.        - The LON1 interface should now be displayed You can test the communication if you like Now open WorkPlace Tech and you should be able to discover the LON devices.  

Issue Modbus TCP Device (Slave) address greater than 247 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server (AS, AS-P, AS-B)  Modbus TCP Network Modbus TCP Gateway Cause Modbus TCP Device (Slave) address 248 is reserved and cannot be used. (Modbus TCP Network or Gateway) SmartStruxure supports up to address 247, as per StruxureWare Building Operation - Technical Reference Guide (up to v1.6.1). There was a defect within v1.5.0 and earlier that caused address 250 to be used if the Device address is set to "Invalid." This defect was corrected in v1.6.1. Resolution From v1.9 this is corrected, so it is possible to define addresses for Modbus TCP devices from 1-247 and 249-254 Device addresses 0 and 248 are reserved. Device address 255 is used as the Default address.   For Modbus RTU RS485 master/slave networks, slave device addressing is different, see KB article Modbus RTU slave address.   Further information about Modbus can be found in the KB article Modbus basics.

Issue Input points on BACnet devices displaying in a Graphic show the forced icon on the Graphic when the input is manually forced, not so for value objects such as Analog Value. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment BACnet Automation Server Enterprise Server Cause The reason for this is that when a point such as an input is forced StruxureWare Building Operation automatically puts it out of service and when the input is unforced puts back in service, that is not the case for a value object. The screen shot below illustrates the problem, as seen, both the input point under a b3 (Ct1CwSTmp) as well as the analog value (CtCwSSpt) in the AS are forced but only the input is displaying the hand icon indicating the that object is forced. Resolution A work around is to create a PE Script program to set the out of service property to TRUE when the value is forced and to FALSE when the value is NOT forced. Please note that the program uses the value of priority 8 to determine whether the value object has been forced or not, if the Priority 8 is NOT NULL then the object has been forced, note that this presents a problem for binary objects as well as for the case where the analog object is forced to a value of ZERO as PE Script can't differentiate between NULL and zero. In the case at hand, the program is located in the Application folder under the BACnet interface of the Automation Server.

Issue Is it possible to monitor the status of a Modbus interface/device from within a TGML graphic? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Building Operation WebStation Building Operation Server Serial Modbus device Cause It's a very common requirement to monitor Modbus devices and interfaces and show this value on a TGML graphic page. Resolution The attached TGML graphic gives a simple example of how to do this. The screenshot below shows the property to bind the TGML binding to. To see the property "NetworkStatus" for the Modbus network in the binding view double click on Modbus Master Network. To see the property "Status" for the Modbus device double click on the Modbus device in the binding view.   

Issue When creating an ETL task the "Run Once" option works, but when configured to run as a service, it doesn't work and an error occurs in the error log: 2015-05-22 17:13:59,069 ERROR ETLEngine (TaskName) - Thread ID (119) - Power Monitoring Expert Load Task: Task Power Monitoring Expert Load Task failed System.ApplicationException: Failed to populate the MetaDataSet. ---> System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException: Cannot open database "ION_Data" requested by the login. The login failed. Login failed for user 'NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM'. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Other Environment Power Monitoring Expert Energy Expert (formerly Power Manager) ETL Tool Cause When testing the ETL task using "Run Once", the Windows account currently logged in, will be used to access the SQL database. However, when the same Task is then configured to run as a service, the account configured on that Service will be used to access the SQL database instead.  By default that account is the built-in account 'NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM'.   The Position values for all of the mapped trend logs are set to an unreasonable timestamp. The timestamp is either very old or a date the preceeds the oldest values in the database.  Resolution Changing the Windows system account for the ETL service Either give the system account access to the database, or change the account used to run the service. Correct/Adjust the timestamp values in Positions tab of ETL The timestamps can be changed all at once by setting the Initial value field at the top of the "Positions" window in the ETL tool. 

Issue Failed to establish connection with server. (HTTPS) 1.5 Server version not compatible with client (HTTP) 1.5 Failed to establish connection with server. (HTTPS) 1.6 Failed to access the server, a network error occurred. (HTTP) 1.6 Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 and newer Cause Attempting to log into WorkStation for Project and you either do not have the Project Configuration Server installed or the Project Configuration Server is not running. Resolution Reboot the machine. Check that the Project Configuration server service is running.  Note: One other possibility is that you have a different instance of Projects Configuration server already running from a concurrent installation. (Example: You are trying to log into Projects 1.8.1 but you already have Projects server 1.7.1 running). This will cause a Failed to establish a connection with the server error.

Issue When connecting to a Web Service, the connection is not established and the error "403 forbidden" is shown. A Web Service goes offline after having worked previously and the error "403 forbidden" is shown. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Web Service Generic Consume Cause The generic consume Web Service client in SmartStruxure doesn't have a user agent header defined. Some Web Service providers will not or no longer allow that, and denies the request when it comes from SmartStruxure. If the same URL is entered in a browser, the page is shown. The cause of this issue can also be that the Web Service is being polled too often. Resolution Until it is made possible to define a customer user-agent header, you need to use another application to relay the Web Service request. This can for instance be "SBO - Web Service through a Proxy and JSON conversion" from the Exchange Community.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support Services for assistance. Issue A system Format of the file system will remove all files to return device to a factory condition. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Xenta 5xx TAC Xenta 7xx TAC Xenta 9xx Xenta Server Cause A need to reset to factory defaults exists Resolution These actions clears the filesystem and remove all files and information in it. Make sure you have IP and any other information you need to save from the file system. All files and configurations will be lost. Access Xenta using a serial interface via the RS232 port and a HyperTerminal program. obtain a connection to the dsh> prompt Type format. Wait for formatting to be ready , then enter command setip to enter DHCP enable ,ip-address , subnet mask , default gateway , DNS , local name. Default user/password will then be root/root. Remember to change password. Restart system to accept new ip-address. Install Xenta using the install kit. Use ftp transfer and alternative A (We have just formatted the system). Download WebTool project and user defined files. Update bindings using LonMaker.

Issue A repository of objects available somewhere for sharing TGML graphics such as Smart Widgets (Power Objects), Camera, Door, Lighting, Reader, override, etc. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation site with Smart Widgets. Cause Graphical interface of power object, such as a Power Meter, Power Objects, Camera, Door, Lighting, Reader, override, etc. for viewing in TGML graphics mode. Resolution These objects should appear on the StruxureWare Building Operation Community Site. However, there is an ongoing centralized effort in producing more objects in a uniform way and the developers have not yet seen the devices they developed objects for. One of these developers has made objects for these devices: PM710, PM9, PM800, ION6200, Compact NSX. There are standardized updates in progress for these and also for the PM210. The community is the best place to get these. PSS does not have a repository of these type of objects.