Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Cannot get the SE8300 Series stat to function in the auto mode in a 2 pipe heating application. Environment SE8300 Series Room Controllers Cause The wrong terminals were being used on the SE8300 stat. A 2 pipe heating configuration was being used. When configured for a 2 pipe application, terminals 9 and 11 are used regardless of if it’s a heating only or cooling only application. In this instance terminals 10 and 12 were used. These are the correct terminals for heating in a 4 pipe system, but terminals 10 and 12 are not in a 2 pipe system. Resolution Correct the wiring issue. Remove control wiring from terminals 10 and 12 and wire to terminal 9 and 11.

Issue A PCS deploy fails and an error message comes up with the text "Xif nnn could not be found" Environment Project Configuration Server (PCS) StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 and newer Cause An import originating from a live system that has LON network containing network variables on the local node becomes a potential risk in PCS, but will import correctly as long as no local node variables are deleted. There is not currently support for dynamic update of changes on the local node in PCS. Resolution Leave an import containing Local Node variables unchanged, if importing to PCS

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 When viewing a meter consumption report, the values shown in the report does not match the values in the extended trendlog in SmartStruxure Environment SmartStruxure 1.5 and below Web Reports Cause Generally this will happen if the meter is reset and that time the last value of that meter will set a BaseValue. To calculate the total consumption of the meter we are adding the BaseValue to the offset. This means that the value shown will be the logged value + the offset. In some cases however you would want to completely reset the log and just show the same values that are represented in the extended trendlog. It has been identified, that a defect causing a trend logging a 0 after each restart triggers this reset. Request the latest hotfix for 1.5 from Product Support in order to avoid this happening in the future.   Note: This issue (Defect #26360) has been fixed in 1.6.1 release. Resolution 1. Open "SQL Management Studio" and connect to the database "StruxureWareReportsDB" 2. Locate the log you want to reset using this query: SELECT * FROM tbLoggedEntities 3. Note the ID of the log you want to reset 4. Reset the log using the following query, replacing xxxx with the ID of the log DECLARE @id INT SET @id = xxxx UPDATE tbLoggedEntities SET BaseValue = 0 WHERE ID = @id UPDATE tbLogTimeValues SET FloatValue = OdometerValue WHERE ParentID = @id ##WARNING## The above script will reset BaseValue to 0 this may impact on any previous Meter Readings.  Please contact Product Support to discuss this if you have concerns before applying this script.

Issue What are the recommended browsers for use with Building Expert? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Building Expert MPM Cause Not all browsers will allow all the functionality of the Building Expert. Resolution Firmware release 2.20.1 is compatible with the following versions of desktop web browsers: Mozilla Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR) The latest Firefox ESR versions are available on this web page: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/ Google Chrome

Issue Having communication issues with Schlage PIM devices attached to ACX2's 485 port. Environment ACX57xx Cause Documentation Resolution The ACX57xx RS485 port has 47K resistors on the +/- lines. The 47K on the plus line is pulled up to 3.3v. The one on the minus line is pulled down to ground. They are both 1/16 watt resistors.  

Issue Site has a personnel database with about 10K records, the site is switching to dual credentials and has configured the Personnel Manager to use HIDCorp1000 as the default for card type 2 and xxx as the default for Site Code 2. Problem is when going to change the personnel the Card Type 2 field still comes up with Infinity37 and Site Code 2 of 0 instead of the configured defaults. Environment CyberStation Cause Any existing personnel in the database will come up with Infinity37 for the card number 2 and 0 for the site code 2 as those were the values populated in the SQL database for those fields when the system was configured for only one credential. When creating NEW personnel objects the fields show the configured default values. Resolution When creating NEW personnel objects the fields show the configured default values.

Issue Unable to display Traditional Chinese characters in Workbench graphics and Alarm Portal Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3 version 3.7 and 3.8 Cause There was change between I/A Series G3 version 3.6 and 3.7. A lexicon tool was added so that the user could use a default set of lexicons (modules). This is a change in the implantation of lexicons in I/A Series G3. The issue was that the default lexicon module for (zh) did not include the font parameters causing the software to not know how to display the Unicode characters. Resolution The I/A Series  lexicon tool can be used to build and enhance the module by the user for deployment on sites. In addition, the I/A Series G3 still supports the use of the previous mechanism that used lexicon files. The lexicon file basically overrides the default module.  Copy the lexicon zh folder from I/A Series G3 3.6 (\niagara\niagara-3.6.xxx\lexicon\) Create a lexicon folder under '\niagara\niagara-3.7.xxx\' in I/A Series 3.7 (or 3.8) and add zh folder copied in step1. Exit the Alarm Portal, stop the station and close Workbench. Update the system.properties file (see below) which is located in '\niagara\niagara-3.7.xxx\lib\'. Change the field to 'niagara,lang=zh' and save.  # This system property is used to override the the default locale. # If not specified, then the VM will attempt to use a default based # on the current operating system settings. This value should map # to a lexicon directory. niagara.lang=zh Launch Workbench and Alarm Portal and verify that the issue has been resolved. 

Issue The customer wants to connect a third party Zigbee device to the MPM-UN, is this possible? Environment SmartStruxure Lite MPM MPM-UN Cause As today, the MPM does not yet support any third party Zigbee devices. Resolution As today, the MPM does not support third party Zigbee devices.

Issue A BACnet device on the Bacnet internetwork is broadcasting an incorrect time and this is being reflected in the ENC's. How can this be disabled? Environment G3 ENC's JACE's BAcnet Cause Third party BACnet device broadcasting incorrect time periodically on the internetwork. Resolution By default "Time Synch Allowed" is enabled in the ENC and JACE's.  This can be disabled by the following steps. 1. Open the ENC station  with WorkBench then open Config, Drivers, BacnetNetwork and BacnetComm. 2. Right click on Server and View the Slot sheet. 3. Right click on timeSyncAllowed, right click on ConfigFlags, uncheck the box next to Hidden and click OK.  4. Right click on Server - View - Properties and change Time Synch Allowed to false and save.

Issue How to relinquish a priority on multiple BACnet objects from a list view or search. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Automation Server Enterprise Server Cause Need to relinquish a value in the priority stack for multiple points at once. Resolution In the list view or search select all of the objects in question (IMPORTANT: Only objects of the same class type should be selected) Open the property grid by clicking the red check mark. Go to the Command tab and remove the value from the priority that is to be relinquished then save the change NOTE: As of 1.5 the above steps work ONLY for objects of analog type. In the screen shot above: Use back space to remove the 1, leaving the field blank Save the change SBO will relinquish priority 16 on all the objects selected in the list view or search. 

Issue Which versions of SIGNAL can be migrated to SBO? Environment SIGNAL Cause The migration manual does not identify which versions are accepted. Resolution Two versions of SIGNAL can be backed up and migrated to SBO:  Version 4.4.1 (for Windows 95/98) and Version 5.0.0 (for Windows XP).

Issue As a user, i would like to pre-program my JACE with my devices and i cannot make sense of the MAC address. Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager and any device that can communicate with it. Cause Cannot make sense of the MAC address. Resolution The MAC address of each device has the following format: [ yy xx bb aa 00 00 ] [ yy xx ] denoted the "Network Number" in HEX [ bb aa ] denotes the "Device ID" in HEX   Example Device MAC address is 7B 00 67 00 00 00 Network Number = 123 (Decimal) = 0x7B00 (HEX) Device ID = 103 (Decimal) = 0x6700 (HEX)

Issue When the database (default.db) reaches 2.5MB in size, the MPM is not able to save the data to flash any longer. Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager Cause MPM is not able to save very large databases Resolution Reduce the size of the database by removing the least important trends or by decreasing the buffer size to 50.

Issue TAC AF24-SR is obsolete and needs to be replaced. Environment TAC AF24-SR Cause Replacement of obsolete actuator.  Resolution The TAC AF24-SR damper actuator is replaced by the MD10SR or MD20SR actuators – in the USA it is also possible to use the MS41 actuators     replaced by the MD10SR or MD20SR actuators – in the US they would make this cross but we do not really sell the US MS41 actuators   replaced by the MD10SR or MD20SR actuators – in the US they would make this cross but we do not really sell the US MS41 actuators

Issue What are the RS-485 parameters used for Infinet communications? The baud rate can be set but the other parameters are not exposed in the Comm Port settings. Environment Continuum Infinet Cause Values not exposed in Comm Port settings dialog. Resolution The Infinet Protocol RS-485 parameters used:   1 start bit 8 data bits No parity 1 stop bit No flow control

Issue TC303 thermostat parameter 2 setting and energy saving mode operation Product Line Field Devices Environment TC303-3A2DLMS TC303-3A4DLMS Cause The TC-303 parameter 2 setting is used to configure the fan operation status (fan on or fan off) after the temperature setpoint is reached. In the datasheet, it indicates that when the energy saving mode is activated, the fan will run at low speed. The datasheet does not mention what will happen if parameter 2 is set to fan off and energy saving mode is activated. Resolution Test results: If parameter 2 is set to fan off when temperature is reached, the fan will turn off when energy saving mode is activated. Below is the test result in cooling mode. Parameter 2 set to 00 (fan off when temperature is reached) Room temperature 24.0°C / Setpoint 20°C Enable energy saving mode - fan turns off  Parameter 2 set to 01 (fan on when temperature is reached) Room temperature 24.0°C / Setpoint 20°C Enable energy saving mode - fan continues to run.  If parameter 2 is set to fan off when temperature is reached, the fan will off when in energy saving mode when the temperature is reached. See below for test results in cooling mode.   1. Parameter 2 set to 00 (fan off when temperature is reached) Room temperature 24.0'CSetpoint 20'C Enable energy saving mode - fan turns off   2. Parameter 2 set to 01 (fan on when temperature is reached) Room temperature 24.0'CSetpoint 20'C Enable energy saving mode - fan continues to run.  If parameter 2 is set to fan off when temperature is reached, the fan will off when in energy saving mode when the temperature is reached. See below for test results in cooling mode.   1. Parameter 2 set to 00 (fan off when temperature is reached) Room temperature 24.0'CSetpoint 20'C Enable energy saving mode - fan turns off   2. Parameter 2 set to 01 (fan on when temperature is reached) Room temperature 24.0'CSetpoint 20'C Enable energy saving mode - fan continues to run. 

Issue i2887/ b3887 Cool starts on Power failure Environment i2887, b3887 i2887-L-230, b3887-L-230 i2887-L-115, b3887-L-115 Cause The i2887 and b3887 do not have a RAM battery backup. Resolution The i2/b3887 is one of the range of low cost i2/b3 controllers that does not have a RAM backup battery. It has no concept of a Warm start that would save working values in the RAM. It does however have Flash Memory that allows the controller to save all of its points and programs. After a power outage these points / programs will be copied into RAM and start running from their first line (if they are Autostart) in what is called a Cool Start. Its ACCRestartMode mode will be ACCCoolStartOnly.   Other i2/b3 controllers that do have a RAM backup battery will allow the ACCRestartMode to be changed as required.

Issue When submitting a license request for a G3 SoftJace installation, because the HostID provided is for an Enterprise Network Server instead of a SoftJace. Environment I/A Series G3 SoftJace version 3.7.106 I/A Series G3 SoftJace version 3.8.x Cause Installer error.  The nre.properties file is not created properly during the installation. Resolution The nre.properties file should be edited to remove the duplicate softjace product type definition. The file to be edited is c:\niagara\rel\lib\nre.properties which will contain the following text: ######################################################## # # File: nre.properties # # This file contains properties which used # the NRE launch executable # # Revision History # 17 Feb 04 Brian Original # ######################################################## # The list of options separated by spaces to pass thru to the VM java.options=-Xmx256M -XX:MaxPermSize=128M -Dfile.encoding=UTF-8 -Xss256K # This property is used to toggle how the hostid is calculated # for the current installation. If true on a Window's box, then # the hostid will be prefixed with "WinSJ" softjace=false #This is a SoftJace softjace=true To correct the issue, open the file in a text editor and delete the line that reads: softjace=false After saving the file, you can verify that the SoftJace HostID is now generated properly by using the following procedure. Open the SoftJace console window by selecting "Console" under the "TAC IA Series ENC SW" entry in the Windows start menu. In the console window enter the following command: nre -hostid Verify that the displayed HostID begins with WinSJ-  instead of Win-

Issue What is the Operating System used in the Continuum Controllers? Environment Continuum Field Controllers Cause Customer wants to know if a common Operating System is used. Resolution The Operating System for the Continuum Controllers is a proprietary Operating System developed in-house specific for each Controller's Hardware platform. 

Issue The Extended Trend Logs stop updating in Enterprise Server.  When the ES is rebooted the trend logs resume. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server Cause The Extended Logs Maximum transfer interval is set too low causing it to trigger again before it has managed to finish the last read. Resolution Increase the Maximum transfer interval setting of the Extended Log.