Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue An existing Niagara G3 server is being replaced with new hardware.  The new server is being configured while the existing server continues to operate the station.  A replacement license has been provided for the new server with a new hostId.  The license for the existing server has been de-activated by Tridium.  Will the existing server continue to function even though its license has been de-activated?  Note:  The existing server has an Internet connection. Environment Niagara G3 Cause PC hardware replacement Resolution The existing server will continue to run the station.  The license remains active as long as there is no web-based license update performed.

Issue How to estimate the thermal load (BTU/hr) that your controllers and equipment will produce. Environment All electrical equipment. Cause Need to know what the thermal load of our equipment will be for calculating air conditioning capacity. Not all of our equipment has this information provided in data sheets. Resolution It is possible to calculate the thermal load based on the power consumption of each device. See here for an online calculator. You can calculate the BTU/hr using the following formula. BTU/hr = Power (W) * 3.1412141633 As an example, looking at the Continuum AC-1 I/O module's datasheet, we see that it consumes 2.6W without the attached reader (you would need to add the power from the reader as well if it is being powered by the AC-1). Which gives us; AC-1 = 2.6W * 3.412141633 = 8.87 BTU/hr Use this same calculation for any other devices that you require the thermal load for.

Issue  If JAVA 7 update 25 is installed, web browser users who login with a Workbench profile (which uses JAVA applets) are affected. The web applet is prevented from being started, and the browser appears to stop loading the Niagara user interface. Environment I/A Series G3, all versions All browsers may be affected JAVA 7 update 25 Cause Oracle has just released JAVA 7 update 25 which appears to cause the I/A Series Niagara web applet to fail. This issue may affect your customers who accept the default automatic JAVA upgrade. Resolution See TPA-IA-13-0007.02 for details. Patches are available for the following builds: 3.5.39 with security patches 3.6.47 with security patches 3.6.305 3.7.46 Download and install wbapplet.jar for all 3.5 and 3.6 stations or web.jar for 3.7 stations. Update baja.jar and fox.jar for all stations. Maintenance builds are also available for download from The Exchange Download Center.  These builds include all previous security patches plus the patch to address the JAVA 7 Update 25 issue. 3.5.406 (also referred to as AX-3.5u4) 3.6.406 (also referred to as AX-3.6u4) 3.7.106 (also referred to as AX-3.7u1) The I/A Series G3 maintenance builds and patches can be downloaded from Exchange Extranet. I/A Series G3 Revision Java 7 Update 25 Patches 3.5.39 with security patches Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.5.39.zip 3.5.403 No patch available … upgrade to 3.5.406 maintenance build required 3.5.406 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches 3.6.47 with security patches Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.6.47.zip 3.6.305 Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.6.305.zip 3.6.406 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches 3.7.46 Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.7.46.zip 3.7.106 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches Note: Schneider Electric strongly encourages customers to upgrade to the latest maintenance builds to take advantage of additional security enhancements as well as module updates. Follow the instructions contained in TPA-IA-13-0007.02 for the version installed. Remember to clear cache on the client workstation after updating! Alternative workarounds are: Edit user account to use HX profile. This does not use JAVA applets so does not require JAVA plugin. (Mobile profile in AX 3.7 should not be affected either). Downgrade JAVA plug-in back to JAVA 7 update 21. This will require accessing Oracle JAVA archive and creating a free Oracle login to access the installer Try this link to the Oracle JAVA archive.

Issue When an Access Event is received at the CyberStation from a controller under a network on a different time zone, will the time shown be that of the CyberStation receiving the event or the time stamp from the remote time zone? Environment CyberStation Cause Documentation Resolution Access events show the time stamp from the zone where the controller is located. So if an Access Event is received at a CyberStation located in (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time from a controller located under a network in the (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time the time stamp shown by the event will be Pacific time.

Issue The SMS Nokia mobile phone simulator does not function in RAM 2.0 and Win7 Environment Windows 7 RAM Sigma Vista Micronet Cause When using the Windows 7 and in RAM 2.0, SMS alarm messages can be tested by using the SMS test interface. The Nokia dummy phone does not appear on the Windows desktop when a message is sent. Resolution Interactive Services Detection needs to be enabled: Goto Windows Start menu, type services.msc. In the Services window, scroll down to Interactive Services Detection and set to either "Auto" or "Manual" and start the service. In RAM allow a message to be sent to the dummy SMS phone. An icon will appear in the task bar, click on "View the message", the dummy SMS phone is now seen with the message sent to it.

Issue Does the JACE-645 come with 128 MB or 256 MB like the ENC-520? Environment I/A Series, JACE-603/645 Cause Not sure what it comes with after reviewing announcement PA-251. Resolution A JACE-603 or JACE-645 comes standard with 128 MB of RAM with the option to upgrade to 256 MB.  The part number for the optional memory upgrade is TRD-NPM-256. This part number modifies the license which enables the factory-installed memory (license line:  maxHeap=true).

Issue When the sample code supplied under Continuum Help for the Select Case function is pasted directly into a program a controller the function does not work. Continuum generates the following error.  "Process not supported" Environment Plain English functions Select Case Cause Some PE functions are supported in specific Continuum products only. For example, Select Case is supported only in CyberStation. Resolution Check the Products Supported section of the Continuum Help on Select Case functions.  Select case is supported in CyberStation only.

Issue Cannot log on to Web Client with an I-Pad    Environment Continuum  1.9X Web Client Cause At the present time we do not offer support for Apples I-Pad   Resolution IE 7, 8  and 9 is supported with Web Client 1.9X

Issue When the CX9640 was upgraded using the node count upgrade upd file supplied by Schneider Repair, the node count shown on the controller options page does not increase. Environment Node count upgrade NetController CX96xx Cause Bad upd file. Resolution Contact repair to get a replacement node count upgrade file.

Issue The default auto log off time setting is 20 minutes, customer need to extend the time period for web user. Environment Continuum Webclient Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The default auto log off time setting is 20 minutes,  and can not modify the setting on cyberstation or webclient server Resolution From the webclient install package, open "Webclient planning and installation guide.pdf", Reading from Page 105 to Page 106, Go to C:\Program Files\webserver, open web.config Go to "SessionState" tag and modify the value behind "timeout=" , the default is 20 in minutes. You can change it to another value if you prefer. Save and close web.config Log on web client to see the performance.

Issue Values from an Aaon device not showing up in Xenta Server Web Interface but work fine in the Vista Server Environment Vista XBuilder Xenta Server Cause Vista will correct for xif files that do not strictly follow the LonMark Standard.  The Xenta Server does not include this feature. Resolution The Aaon Chiller is not actually a LON device, but a BACnet IP device which is communicating to Lon Via a Field Server. The manufacturer provided xif file will function in Vista but not in the Xenta Server. The only work around for this is to create the lon network in LonMaker and import that network into Xbuilder

Issue SDCU or Pocket terminal does not work when plugged into the service port of a Sigma Controller Environment Sigma SDCU Pocket Terminal Cause The SDCU when plugged into the service port does not work on some controllers but does on others. Resolution Check to see if the PL* pluggable connector is in use. It may be in use for a SigmaCE device, serial device e.g. bluetooth or be pre-wired to one. Unplug the connector and try SDCU again. *For the UNCx96, connector is PL4 *For the UNC632, connector is PL5 *For the DNN and IC3s, connector is PL5

Issue User has a backup of my files that they have restored onto a new workstation PC but now they are unable to edit the files.  For example: A Continuum graphic needs to be edited and cannot save changes but can save as a new graphic. Environment Window OS Windows XP Windows 7 8 8.1 10 Windows Vista Cause This is caused by Microsoft Windows OS. Windows will automatically make a file "Read only" if it has been moved from another PC  Resolution The solution is to change the files back to read / write. Example: Open Windows Explorer and find the folder you want to change, for this example it is "Continuum graphics." Right click on the folder and select properties, which shows a tab that will be ticked next to "read only" deselect this tab and then select apply. Once windows has finished changing the folder and its contents to read/write the user will be able to go into continuum and edit graphics.

Issue Which replacement gland kit is suitable for the VZ, VZF, VSF valves? Environment VZ, VZF, VSF 626-9-203 667-9-201 626-9-311 Cause Replacement for worn out components Resolution For VZ, all sizes, use: 626-9-203 For VSF 15, 20, 25mm, use: 626-9-203 For VSF 32-50mm, use: 667-9-201 For VZF 65-150mm, use: 626-9-311 For more information and details, please see the data sheets.

Issue Command Window is flashing up when Continuum is running, the window has some text but flashes too quick to read Environment Windows 7 XP Command Dos Window Cause Following an upgrade (include new PCs) from a Stand Alone, pre v1.82 installation the Workstation within Continuum retains it's PE Programs Resolution Following an upgrade (include new PCs), Workstations PE Programs should be checked to see if they are still required. Stand Alone Utilities could be used for a number of tasks on pre v1.82 installations and included a number of PE programs calling batch files and SQL queries. If these PE Programs are still running following an upgrade, then they will be calling batch files and SQL queries that do not exist on the new PC. Disable or delete these programs NOTE: One way of seeing what is in the Command Window is to record the screen using a simple Screen recording program.

Issue What is the significance of the ObjectID number that appears under the properties of a Continuum object. Environment SQL Continuum ObjectID ObjectIDHi ObjectIDLo Cause Customer enquiry Resolution The ObjectID is a combined string that includes the SQL ObjectIDHi and the ObjectIDLo separated by a decimal. 

Issue Do we have any thermal switches in our portfolio? Environment Thermal switch bi-metal Cause Application or customer requires/requests a bi-metal thermal switch Resolution Unfortunately, no such product is available in neither the "Industries" or the "Buildings" portfolio.

Issue Unable to log into the JACE-603/645 hardware with I/A Series R2 Admin Tool. Environment JACE-603, JACE-645 Cause The JACE 603 and JACE 645 are network controllers that can run either R2 or G3 Niagara applications when a corresponding license is installed.  These new boards are based on the QNX platform and no longer use the R2 “Admin Tool” for host-level configuration. Resolution Use I/A Series G3 Workbench 3.6.47 or later for all host (platform) configuration of a JACE-603 or JACE-645.  Refer to the Retrofit Board Niagara R2 Install and Startup Guide for details on how to commission and use with I/A Series R2.  The document is included with I/A Series G3 (docRetrofitBoardR2) 3.6.47 or later. Note: The JACE 603 and JACE 645 supports the following revisions ... R2 (supports 2.301.535 or higher) G3 (supports 3.6.47 or higher)

Issue Wrong username and/or password when logging into Webstation via a Magelis Opti PC Environment SmartStruxure Magelis Opti PC Webstation Cause Many Magelis are installed with an older Internet Explorer version i.e. IE 6.xx. Webstation requires a higher version of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 7 is confirmed as ok, but later versions are recommended. Resolution Upgrade the Internet Explorer on the Magelis PC, sometimes this is not possible if it is not permitted to install software on the unit. This can be disabled by going to: Start > Programs > Accessories > System tools > EWF activator deactivator Set it as disabled (a reboot may be needed) Download the new Internet Explorer from Microsoft and install it. Enable the EWF activator deactivator again.

Issue Are there any bi-directional flowmeters available in our meters offer? Environment Kamstrup Flow meter Cause Product application request Resolution Unfortunately there is currently no such meter available in our portfolio.