Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Is there any way to mass change any of the bCX / ACX / NC2 settings as configured from the controllers configuration webpage?  Environment ACX57x0 CX9680 bCX9640 bCX4040 CX9702 Cause Settings need to be changed en-mass for a large number of Controllers. In one particular case there were a large number of ACX57xx’s that needed to have the first and second SNMP alarm target PC's IP addresses changed for all controllers. Resolution There is no way to set all of these at once. As with all of the settings on the controller configuration webpage, they will need to be manually changed one at a time by connecting to each individual controllers configuration webpage.

Issue When an SLR320 light level sensor has power applied a transient voltage (approx. 17VDC) is seen on the output. Environment SLR320 Cause In order to provide dual output capability (voltage and current) with both AC and DC supply, it is necessary to use a capacitor to filter the AC supply. This capacitor is also active in current mode because it is placed behind the rectifier at the G clamp. An additional resistance is added inside to minimize this load current. This load current of the capacitor (which is the cause of transient voltage) cannot be reduced to zero, otherwise the voltage output cannot be used at AC supply within its specification (max. output voltage @ min. load resistance @ min. supply voltage, Y clamp). Resolution This behavior is expected and by design. The transient voltage generated by the load current is settled within approximately 40ms and occurs only at power up. The transmitter is continuously powered so this would not normally be an issue and would have stabilized before a controller that was powered up at the same time would be booted and scanning it's inputs.

Issue Unable to communicate with Assa Abloy  Hubs Environment Continuum Version 1.94 and above Cause The HUB being used is the wrong version and cannot communicate with the XDriver Resolution To resolve this issue, the following steps need to be observed: Verify that the correct XDriver is on the Continuum Panel Verify that the settings on the Comm Port is correct per the installation manual pg 7 Verify that the Global Config Numeric is set to 1001 Verify that the HUB does not have an M on it (this is for a Mercury Integration) Replace the HUB with a standard one and verify  that communication has been restored

Issue When accessing http://help.sbo.schneider-electric.com you get an message saying "This topic contains privileged information" even though you should have access. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WebHelp Cause The access right associated with the credential you log in with, does not allow you to view the topic you are attempting to view. Resolution The access right for the StruxureWare Building Operation help pages are handled by the Buildings Exchange team. Send an email to the team regarding issues with the WebHelp platform, and include as much information as possible. It is mandatory to include which email address you log in with, and what page and/or information you are trying to access: ExchangeSupport@schneider-electric.com

Issue In the TAC Xenta 151-D, the nvoAlarmStatus handles the test of the dampers, but the translation of the status is not documented Environment TAC Xenta 151-D Cause nvoAlarmStatusis used to report the actual status of the fire damper tests. Resolution nvoAlarmStatus is a SNVT_state with the use of the following bits: nvoAlarmStatus.bit0 = 1   OBJECT1_CLOSE_TIME_TOO_LONG    nvoAlarmStatus.bit1 = 1   OBJECT1_CLOSE_TIME_TOO_SHORT   nvoAlarmStatus.bit2 = 1   OBJECT1_OPEN_TIME_TOO_LONG     nvoAlarmStatus.bit3 = 1   OBJECT1_OPEN_TIME_TOO_SHORT    nvoAlarmStatus.bit4 = 1   OBJECT2_CLOSE_TIME_TOO_LONG    nvoAlarmStatus.bit5 = 1   OBJECT2_CLOSE_TIME_TOO_SHORT   nvoAlarmStatus.bit6 = 1   OBJECT2_OPEN_TIME_TOO_LONG     nvoAlarmStatus.bit7 = 1   OBJECT2_OPEN_TIME_TOO_SHORT    nvoAlarmStatus.bit8 = 1   OBJECT1_SET_CLOSE_TIME_FAILED nvoAlarmStatus.bit9 = 1   OBJECT1_SET_SELFTEST_OK        nvoAlarmStatus.bit10 = 1  OBJECT1_SET_SELFTEST_FAILED    nvoAlarmStatus.bit11 = 1  OBJECT2_SET_CLOSE_TIME_FAILED nvoAlarmStatus.bit12 = 1  OBJECT2_SET_SELFTEST_OK        nvoAlarmStatus.bit13 = 1  OBJECT2_SET_SELFTEST_FAILED     

Issue It is desired to configure a minimum off time, so when the compressor stops in e.g. heating mode, it will not start again before a minimum time has elapsed in the same mode. This setting is not available in the device. Environment TAC Xenta 121-HP Cause There is no setting for minimum stop time when in the same mode, there is only a minimum stop time between modes. Resolution As a workaround, set the "Activate at" value to something other than zero (say 10%), so that you can use the "Hysteresis" at 10%, and this way get a delay. This way you will get a delay in the most cases, a little time before the controller reacts.

Issue Email alarming is configured correctly but Continuum keeps crashing when alarms are sent as emails. ACCDataServices is the crashing module.   Windows Application log shows two email errors that point to an issue with Outlook. Email, Failed to send email - SendNote in Send function failed. Result is 80070057. Email, Failed to send email -  SubmitMessage failed in CSession::SendNote, Result is 80070057 Environment Continuum Alarming Outlook Cause Outlook account folder is too large and does not have available space for new entries. In this case the folder was 7GB in size with emails going back eight years. Resolution Archive Outlook account folder and truncate to free up space for new emails.  

Issue With the Personnel Import Utility, is it possible to query multiple OU containers? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Personnel Import Utility (PIU) Cause Need to be able to query multiple OU containers. Similar to below query. Server Name: LDAP://test/DC=test, DC=com (test and com are separate domains) Resolution Unfortunately the query cannot be changed to accommodate this. Different Domains can be specified but it is not possible to go down to the OU level.

Issue Can the Personnel Import Utility update existing Personnel only and not create new Personnel objects if they do not already exist? Environment Personnel Import Utility PIU Cause Need to be able to only modify existing Personnel and not create new ones when performing Personnel import with the PIU. Resolution The way the PIU handles this, to modify existing Personnel or if none exists to create a new one, is "functions as designed". There is no way to stop a new Personnel object from being created when it is unique.

Issue Is a certain version of Technician Tool Mobile Application compatible with all versions of StruxureWare Building Operation? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Technician Tool Automation Server Enterprise Server Cause The Technician Tool will always be backwards compatible, meaning that the latest version of the tool will work with any version of SBO. Older versions of the Technician Tool may not work with a newer version of SBO. Resolution Please note: Mobile experience to be replaced with EcoStruxure™ Building Operation v2.0 WebStation. For further information, please refer to Notice of Withdrawal of the Building Operation Technician Tool Always use the latest version of Technician Tool Mobile Application when possible, as that will work with all SBO versions.

Issue When attempting to rename an Automation Server, the following error is shown: Validation Error Validation failed for property 'PrimaryPassword'. Path: '[server path]'. Type 'Password' Cannot set property value to null because the property is not nullable. Environment Automation Server Cause The Automation Server has been cloned using a backup of another Automation Server, and in that process the SMTP server passwords have been set to null. Resolution Configure a password for the primary and secondary SMTP server. It does not matter what the password is set to.

Issue When Forcing a value from SBO, it is just overwritten by the Lua script all the time. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment MPM SE8000 Cause By default, the MPM executes the program once every second, so if written simply like: Output_1 = Off the output will be turned Off every second. Resolution Declare a few variables in the Lua script that will help you implement the logic you need, here is an example: var("Override_Status","ME.BV1") var("Override_Value","ME.BV2") if changed.Override_Status and Override_Status == 1 then ME.BO1 = Override_Value elseif changed.Override_Status and Override_Status == 0 then ME.BO1 = ME.BI1 end Basically, an override status points will act as a "Override button", and when it is active, The output will be equal to override value specified in SBO. Else, if it is disabled, the output will be set to what ever you currently have in your script. In the example above, the output will be equal to the input.

Issue Upgrading Digital Sentry breaks the Video Server connection or cameras won't learn or video streams do not work Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Pelco Digital Sentry 7.9 or greater Continuum Video Integration 1.94 SP1 up to 2.01 Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2012 Cause Pelco released a newer version of Control Point that is used in Digital Sentries Video Recorders 7.9 and above. This newer API is not currently supported in any version Continuum, up to version 2.01. Resolution Available as of July 2017, install version 2.02 of Continuum, it is a full install. R&D has worked on revising the Continuum Video Integration to work with the newer versions of Control Point 7.15 and above. The only work around prior to this to get the video Integration to function was to downgrade the Digital Sentry to Control point 7.8 Uninstall the DS ControlPoint software using Add/Remove programs (MS Windows XP) or Programs and Features (MS Windows 7). Install: How to install the DS ControlPoint client software Note: Upgrading the Continuum Security Key to an Endura Key will not allow the newer API to be used with a Digital Sentry with Continuum. A copy of the latest Video Compatibility Matrix can be downloaded from the Download Center in PA-00568.

Issue Error importing a StruxureWare Building Operation export file. Below is an example of the error.  ERROR: Import failed to commit changeset transaction with an exception. RecoverableException: /home/ci/ci-build/rb-rb-1.8.1-system/source/server/nsp_servers/csc/changesetmanager/source/ChangeSetTransaction.cpp(1442) Invalid Data Error: File_Extension_Not_Permitted (0x10048) in module Security_Manager(74). "Not permitted to store the file "htgseqintro.wmv" with the current Document Policy." - Stack Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.8 Cause The export file contains a document file extension that is not permitted in the Document Policy Permitted File Extensions Resolution The file extension has to be added to the Permitted File Extensions list. See Adding a File Extension to the Permitted File Extensions List on Web Help. For the error example shown in the issue of this article, the extension wmv has to be added to the Document Policy Permitted File Extensions. list. 

Issue Controllers are unable to get online after configuration and being added to the relative instance. Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert in Cloud or Premise Installations Win 7, Win 8, Server 2012, Server 2014 SSC Controller Cause There are two reason why this could happen: The controller is not communicating with the Feenics Host Service. Outbound Ports are being blocked. Resolution To resolve the issues, please check the following: The controller is not communicating with the Feenics Host Service. The panel may have lost power or network communication. Dip switches may be set incorrectly (Refer to the Mercury Installation Manuals for operating modes) Network Firewall may be blocking outbound communication over port 3001 (Give our Network Tester tool a try, find it within the downloads) Configured DNS server may be unable to resolve at the correct IP.       2.    The user is unable to see events through the Feenics Event Publishing Service. Outbound port 4502 may be blocked. (Give our Network Tester tool a try, find it within the download section) The client has lost internet connection.

Issue After a card is created and added to a user, card is read and the credentials are invalid and not working. Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert, Server 2012 R2 and above. Version 2 Version 3 Cause There are several reasons that  could cause Access Denied to occur as listed below. Resolution To resolve the issue please follow the steps below: Access Denied – Invalid Card Format The intelligent controller has no configured card format which matches the number of bits sent from the credential reader. Opening this event inside the live monitor or event history view will display the card bit length of the credential along with its hexadecimal encoding. Access Denied – Invalid Facility Code The intelligent controller has a card format which matches the bit length of the card, however there are no card formats which match the facility code. Opening this event inside the live monitor or event history view will display the interpreted card numbers & facility code based off of the card format with matching bit length. Access Denied – Card/PIN Not Found The intelligent controller has matched the card format & facility code, but has no matching card number value. Opening this event inside the live monitor or event history view will display the interpreted card number & facility code based off of the format with matching bit length. When receiving this event with a card believed to have been programmed correctly, Users may issue a clear/reload cards on the controller to update the database. Access Denied – No Door Access The intelligent controller has acknowledged that this card has access on this intelligent controller, but not to this particular reader.     Access Denied – Door Schedule The intelligent controller has acknowledged that this card has access to this reader, but it is outside the allowed schedule. This event may also trigger if the interface dip switches are not configured correctly. **Don't forget to take advantage of Mercury’s Simulated Card Read functionality to ensure that the controller is making the correct access decision. In V3 the Card Formats needs to be added to the Controller in Order for this to work. **If a reader produces no audible response or LED change when a credential is presented it means that either the reader is powered incorrectly, or that it cannot read the credential technology.

Issue Access Denied NO access at the door Product Line Access Expert Environment Win Server 2012 R2 and above Cause 1) The cardholder does not have sufficient Access Levels assigned. 2) The Max access levels has been reached by the intelligent controller. 3) The access levels were not successfully downloaded to the controller. Resolution To resolve this, the following steps need to be followed: 1. Ensure that the access levels contains a door group which consists of the trouble reader. 2. Check that the person has the correct access level assignment, 3. Try saving the access level again so that it is pushed to the controller. 4. If possible, issue a reboot command to the intelligent device to ensure database synchronization. OR if the system database limit on access levels has been reached, take the following steps. Verify the user has permissions on the Role Go to the General Configuration Select System Settings Select the Hardware Tab on the bottom Change the Max Access Level to a higher level than the default (100). Save and Reboot the controller for the changes to take effect

Issue The communication with TAC Xenta controllers is slow or inconsistent Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Xenta LonWorks communication Cause The Non group receiver timer is not properly set. Every device has a timer called Non group receive timer. The Non group receive timer is used to make sure that a re-sent Lon package will not be treated as a new message and to determine when a receiver buffer can be released. It is used in Acknowledged, Repeated and Request/Response transactions, but not in Unacknowledged ones. If this timer is set too low, a re-sent package, like Unacknowledged repeated message, may be treated as new messages, that will be sent on to the application. The communication buffers will not be released until the timer has expired. If the timer is set too long, that may result in the device running out of buffers, and new messages will not be received during this time. If a device has many SNVTs or TACNV’s being transferred there may be a need to increase the value of the Non group receiver timer. The default value for a programmable Xenta device is 768 ms. Resolution Change the Non group receive timer of the Xenta devices. The default value for a programmable TAC Xenta device is 768 ms. The recommended timer values are:   Number of network variables Non group receive timer value < 50 768 ms (default) 50 – 100 1024 ms > 100 1536 ms     The default value for the AS and AS-P  is 8,092 ms. There is no need to change that value.

Issue Creating new user roles and knowing the access that is needed for it to become active. Product Line Access Expert Environment Cloud or Premise Installations V2 Win 7 Win 8 Server 2012 Server 2014 Cause Knowing what the role the user is playing would determine what selections need to be activated for them. Resolution To achieve this the following steps need to be followed: Open up General Configuration Select the Roles icon Click on the tab for New Role (everything is blank by default) Name and configure accordingly Check all tabs to make sure everything is Viewable and Editable Save and close Now this role can be selected for any user once created

Issue Some actuator datasheets do not specify the impedance of the 0-10V control signal, this is required to determine fan out from a controller. Product Line Field Devices Environment MB3 Range - MB3-24M, MB3-SO-24M, MB3-SC-24M MZ20 Range - MZ20A, MZ20A-R MVT56 Range Cause Information not defined on the specification sheet. Resolution MB3 Range 0-10V control signal input impedance = 200K Ohms. MZ20 and MVT56 Ranges 0-10V control signal input impedance = 32K Ohms.