Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Vista Workstation error log has "Netfunc errors." Environment Vista Vista multi server system Cause The Netfunc message in the log means that the master node is already working on the subscription that the node is sending. This can be caused by an overloaded network. The node has not received an acknowledgement from the master in a timely manner. It could also mean that the Master and its node are not synchronised correctly.   Resolution If the error continues to appear in the log: Make sure the network is not overloaded.  Close down the server and the nodes and restart them so they will resynchronize.

Issue Alarm emails are not being received by email recipients configured in the email distribution list.  Alarm emails appear in Outlook outbox but are not sent to recipient. Environment Cyberstation Alarm Email notification Cause While Continuum is responsible for handing off the alarm notification to the Email host application, once the notification appears in the Outbox of Outlook the notification is under Microsoft's control. Resolution The problem must be troubleshot on the Microsoft end.  This is not a Continuum issue.

Issue I/A Series G3 HTML navigation tree example   Environment I/A Series G3 graphics Cause Need an example of creating a HTML navigation tree for I/A Series G3 graphic pages. Resolution The demo station that is installed with the I/A Series G3 software includes an example of a HTML navigation tree. Open the demo station in Workbench and go to Config > Services > UserService. Open up the user 'adminFrames'. From here you can see that the Web Profile used is the Handheld Wb Web Profile. The Nav File used is 'frames.nav'. In the station, go to Files and then the nav folder. Expand the folder and open the 'frames.nav' nav file. From here, we can see that the target ord for the home page is frames/home.html.  In Windows Explorer, navigate to \niagara\niagara-3.x.xxx\stations\demo\frames. You can see 3 files here, home.html, top.html and tree.html. Look at these 3 files to see how the tree and frames are created. The images folder contains the images used on the page.  Major steps. Engineer your station database and graphics as what you would do normally.  Create user(s) that uses the Handheld Wb Web Profile.  Create a nav file that points to home.html. Assign the nav file created in step 2 to user(s) created in step 1. Edit the home.html, top.html and tree.html according to your requirements.  User(s) created in step 2 will have the tree view when they log on from a web browser. 

Issue Is it possible to use the VF208W valve in applications with a glycol content up to 50%? Environment VF208W Cause Some valves are not suitable for use in applications with glycol content in media. Resolution The VF208W can be used in applications with deaerated water with glycol-type antifreeze agent (max 50%)

Issue There is no way to directly connect the output of a PID loop (COx) to an analogue output (AOx) Environment MPM Programming of PID loops Cause Analog Outputs (AO) do not appear in the drop-down list for the Manipulated Variable parameter of the PID Controller. If you bind the output to an Analog Value (AV), the AV has no reference parameter to bind to an AO. Resolution Use a Lua Program (PG) to write the AV to the AO. e.g.  if PID controller has AV8 as its Manipulated Variable, the following one line program will write AV8 to AO2 :   ME.AO2 = ME.AV8

Issue When reloading a controller or deleting objects from Continuum, an error "Distribution Server MFC application stopped" appears. It looks like an MFC compatibility issue, but is not. After creating a new database and logging on to Continuum, the problem does not exist. Environment Continuum 1.94 Windows 7 Cause Some database issue may cause the distribution server MFC application to crash. This is only one issue encountered. There may be other unknown reasons that could cause this problem also. Resolution Export the original database to a dump file Create a  new database and make Continuum work. Create a network in the new system and give the same name as the original database to the network Import the dump file into the new system, and reload all the controller in the system.

Issue Troubleshooting Heat Meter installations (also Cooling or Flow meter) Environment Heat cooling or flow meter installation Kamstrup Cause Troubleshooting Heat Meter installations (also Cooling or Flow meter) when there is a problem with the values being measured Resolution To aid Product Support please supply the following information 1. Sketch of the installation, including physical details of pipe size, lengths and bend details plus any local valves etc. 2. Schematic sketch showing positions of Boilers/Chillers, Pumps, meters and sensors. 3. Photo of the installation if possible 4. Details of the media, maximum/minimum temperature, nominal flow and system pressure 5. What BMS is connected to the meter? Running NOTE Were no flow or little flow is seen, there may be air within the system, even if the "Air in System" info is not given on the meter.

Issue A Niagara G3 jace-6 has been operational in a building for more than two months with no reported problems.  End customer reported no updates to related graphics screens.  The jace-6 stopped responding on both of its ethernet ports.  A serial shell connection displayed the following information: IPL for NPM 6-E (PPC440EP) v4.00-6.32 ECC Press to stop autoboot... Autobooting... npm6xx startup version 7.00-6.41 Welcome to QNX Neutrino 6.4 on the NPM 6xx (ppc440) Press ESC to choose alternate boot options... continuing boot... ----------------------TCP/IP Network Status------------------------------ en0: flags=80008843 mtu 1500 address: 00:01:f0:8e:5f:70 media: Ethernet none full-duplex status: active inet 143.83.31.10 netmask 0xffffff00 broadcast 143.83.31.255 inet6 fe80::201:f0ff:fe8e:5f70%en0 prefixlen 64 tentative scopeid 0x2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NPM6-E with T2023 JACE-2 Base Board detected SRAM mounted successfully at /sramopt LON interface detected # # An unexpected error has been detected by HotSpot Virtual Machine: # # SIGILL (0x4) at pc=0xfe4a26dc, pid=1773598, tid=1 # # Java VM: Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (1.5.0_34-b28 mixed mode, sharing) # Problematic frame: # Memory fault   Environment Niagara G3 jace-600, jace-600E, jace-700 Cause Internal memory issue Resolution The jace-6 cannot be repaired with a reported memory fault.  Replace it.

Issue Is it supported to access an Automation Server 1.4.0 with the Workstation 1.4.1? Are there any problems and what features are supported when accessing a 1.4.0 Automation Server with WorkStation 1.4.1? Environment Enterprise Server / Workstation 1.4.1 Automation Servers 1.4.0, 1.3 with SP1 and SP2 Cause Understanding of the new Runtime Compatibility mode available in 1.4.1 available during system upgrades Resolution Building Operation supports runtime compatibility between servers running two versions on a single system, during an upgrade process. Version 1.4.1 servers are runtime compatible with version 1.3 SP1 and 1.3 SP2 servers. The system is able to exchange runtime information between 1.4.1 servers and 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 servers. However, configuration changes cannot be made from an upgraded WorkStation via an upgraded Enterprise Server to a non upgraded Automation Server, such as creating, configuring, and deleting objects. There is also no runtime compatibility for WebStation. Runtime compatibility means you can delay the upgrade of some Automation Servers running version 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 while upgrading the Enterprise Server, WorkStation, Reports Server, and some Automation Servers to version 1.4.1. You cannot make any configuration changes on an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. However, you can make the changes using a parallel WorkStation running a 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version that is connected to the Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version. Full compatibility is supported on Automation Servers running the 1.4.0 version   Additional detail is available on the Online Help http://help.sbo.schneider-electric.com/topics/show.castle?id=9807&locale=en-US&productversion=1.4&a=1 Supported Features: Navigate You can navigate in the system tree of an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. However, object and property types removed in the 1.4.1 version compared to the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version are not be displayed in the system tree. Search You can perform an object or property search on an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. However, object and property types removed in the 1.4.1 version compared to the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version are not be displayed in the search list. View Events You can view detailed information and perform commands on events on an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. The 1.4.1 Enterprise Server will also store events from an Automation Server running 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version. View Trend Logs and Trend Charts You can view trend log lists and trend charts on an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. Extended trend log lists in the server running 1.4.1 version are functional and be able to retrieve values from a server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version. View Graphics You can navigate to and view a graphic on an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server at 1.4.1 version. Graphic variable values can be changed with Graphics Editor, but configuration data cannot be changed. View Alarms You can view detailed alarm information from an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 and 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server at 1.4.1 version. Also actions on alarms can be performed, such as assigning or disabling an alarm and enabling a Change-state logging. View Dynamic Values You can navigate to and view dynamic values in the Watch pane from an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. However, because there is no way to navigate to and view objects or properties that have been removed in the 1.4.1 version, such dynamic values cannot be viewed. Transfer Values You can transfer values from an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with an Enterprise Server or Automation Server running the 1.4.1 version and the other way around. Change and Force Variables You can change and force variables using properties on an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. Lead and Shadow relationships Lead and Shadow relationships work for all objects with the runtime compatibility support. Backup You can make a backup of an Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, with WorkStation and Enterprise Server running the 1.4.1 version. Log on to the Enterprise Server and then make a backup of the Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version. You can also log on directly to the Automation Server running the 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version with WorkStation running the same 1.3 SP1 or 1.3 SP2 version, and then make a backup of the Automation Server.

Issue All the doors under an ACX5720 can not be loaded with an attribute. The system status value goes back to "Nodatabase" after reloading the ACX controller. Some doors no longer open on a card swipe. The event type is "Invalid attempt" and the message event is "No Destination Area." When reloading the controller (or just a door object) the error below is seen in the distribution properties: "UNABLE TO RELOAD ATTRIBUTES FOR (**DOOR NAME**). UNABLE TO RELOAD OBJECT. ERROR TEXT UNDEFINED (TBD) 0X00002001. AN ERROR WAS DETECTED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SET AN ATTRIBUTE IN A REMOTE INFINITY OBJECT" Product Line Andover Continuum Environment ACX5720/5740 Continuum 1.94 Cause The channel configuration may not be correct. Resolution Set all the channel numbers to 0 for the door Select the door separately Send it to the controller If there is no error when sending the door to the controller, then reset the all the channel numbers correctly. Change the value of systemstatus to "Normal" Reload the ACX controller  

Issue  Tacos not responding when starting Workstation Environment Vista Tacos.exe Cause If a trendlog is manually on but does not have a value to log, it can cause Tacos to crash (not responding). Resolution Go to the TAC Vista Installation folder Find the file named TACaddon01.DLL Rename TACaddon01.DLL to TACaddon01OLD.DLL and start Vista Server and Workstation again. Search for all trendlogs and make sure they have a point to read from, if not set them to manually off.

Issue Is it possible to mount a valve in any direction in a pipe work? Environment general Valves general actuators Cause Mounting a valve/actuator in the incorrect position may cause damage to actuator. Resolution The positioning options of the valve are based on the recommendations on how to mount the actuator. Please see the actuator data sheet for recommendations. 

Issue When you edit a OGC standard graphic and then attempt to save you get the error "Cannot save graphic object. Cause: FILE-service not available" Environment Vista 5.1.x Cause The OGC standard graphic does have this unknown issue on some sites. Resolution To allow the edit of the OGC edit the standard graphic and save out of the database. The open with the OGC editor and make the changes that are required and save back into the vista database.

Issue What is the Maximum Air Velocity that can pass across a SHD100/SHD101 Humidity Sensor? Environment SHD100 SHD101 Cause Some applications has a high velocity that needs to be measured. Resolution The flow rate is only critical at higher humidity. Furthermore, it also depends on the porosity of the filter. At humidity less than 95% r.H. up to an air velocity to 15 m/s there should be no problem.

Issue During installation and commissioning of a MNL-800, a component labeled MFC21 on the backplane was damaged. Is it necessary to replace the backplane? It seems like the MNL-800 is still completely functional.  It's reading all of its inputs and the program logic is controlling the outputs accordingly. Environment MNL-800 Cause The issue is typically a ground loop between full-wave and half-wave devices or power supplies connected to the UIs and / or AOs.  MFC21 is a Multi-function Ceramic protection capacitor / varistor component connected between the internal +15 VDC and earth ground (not common).  This and the other 28 varistors on the base board provide various forms of protection.  MFCs have burned out in situations that contain one or more transformers and a combination of full-wave / half-wave devices. Connections (common) between these devices can cause undesired ground loops (especially where transmitters are involved). It may also be related to how the transformers are wired (e.g. 24H / 24G or one side tied to earth ground).  The MNL-800 is a full-wave power supply device. Resolution Review the power wiring of all connected I/O. Replacing the backplane is ideal because it will provide proper protection for the next voltage spike. Without a functional MFC21, the logic card may get damaged.

Issue The Enterprise Network Server is licensed for 3 subordinates but when trying to add one it faults with the message "exceeded device limit of three"? Environment G3 Enterprise Network Sever Cause If stations had been added to the Niagara Network in the Enterprise Network Server and then deleted the subordinate count in the license does not reset. Resolution Restart the station and the subordinate count in the license will be reset to the correct number and allow the addition of more stations if the limit has not been reached.

Issue A Niagara R2 / ASD integration has two ASD services but serial tunneling only works with one service. Environment Niagara 522 or higher Cause Both services cannot support tunneling simultaneously. Resolution Enable tunneling on one ASD service at a time.  Leaving both services enabled for tunneling will only allow the first ASD service to allow a tunnel connection.  A station restart may be required.

Issue The Triac (V) outputs on the TAC Xenta 120-FC device goes ON, but never OFF. In this case, it can open the valve, but the device could not close the valve. Environment TAC Xenta 121-FC TAC Xenta 121-HP Cause If the device is powered with 24 VDC, the Triac will not work properly. According to the datasheet, the TAC Xenta 121-device should always be powered by AC, not DC. Triac is an acronym for Triode for Alternating Current, and could only be working with AC power supply. Resolution Correct the power supply to the device to use AC, not DC.

Issue A Plain English program is becoming disabled.  The controller error log logs the following error. 0x01402 (Reached end of the list). Environment Continuum Plain English Error b3 i2 Cause 0x00001402 (Reached end of the list) is a Plain English error.  This error most often occurs when a program is calling a Plain English Function that contains no byte code.. Resolution Edit each InfinityFunction in the controller to determine which function is empty (contains no programming).

Issue Some MSTP Devices show up when learned but other are not coming in. They worked fine on the Continuum install with the same MSTP network. Environment Automation Server Cause The AS has a maximum of 50 MSTP nodes and the b3 controllers that are not coming in are above this NodeId. Resolution Change the b3's NodeId's to a value below 50. 1. Use the Continuum system to change the Id by deleting the device object from the database, recreating it with the new NodeId. 2. Clear the controller to factory default.