Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Under objects such as Doors and Inputs what is the "Commands" option used for? Product Line Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause Unsure how to use the Commands option showing in some of the objects options. Resolution These cannot be adapted for general use by installers/integrators. These are mostly used for controller instructions that have been included in the firmware but have not been built into the UI yet, as well as internal testing. Leave these alone unless you have a specific need and the instructions from Product Support on how to configure the command.

Issue Using a non-default SQL Server port with Continuum. Environment Continuum Workstation SQL Server Cause SQL Server has been changed from the default port setting and  confirgured with a specific static port for incoming SQL connections. Resolution Continuum doesn’t care if the SQL Server is using a default port or not. As long as the Database can be created/updated using the Database Initialization application it will work fine. This has not been tested or qualified but should work fine. After the port is changed, the user should perform the Database Update process to ensure that the connection can be made from Continuum to SQL Server and vice versa. Here’s a Microsoft article on how to change the SQL port. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/823938/how-to-configure-sql-server-to-listen-on-a-specific-port

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 After upgrade of Building Operation and / or I/NET, I/NET alarms and events have stopped updating within WorkStation. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.4x Integration with Enterprise Server EcoStruxure Building Operation 1.8 and above Cause Within the I/NET Seven SQL database table [InetDb].[dbo].[Events].[EventId], the EventId has not incremented correctly, so there is a missing EventId (causes unknown). Because of this missing EventId Building Operation waits at this missing ID to appear before updating its own event.db database. Since this ID will never show, no events will ever be passed through to Building Operation and effectively stops any I/NET events appearing within Building Operation WorkStation This EventId is seen in a registry entry called NspAmtEventId under the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\CSI - Control Systems International\I/Net 2000\Configurations Resolution Current workaround is to manually edit this registry key NspAmtEventId value to: A value above the highest [InetDb].[dbo].[Events].[EventId].value - if the past events are not required. OR Increment its value by 1 if all past values are required to be retained. i.e. If NspAmtEventId = 82237682 typically only needs to be changed to 82237683 to correct this issue. If not then you should check the [InetDb].[dbo].[Events].[EventId].value After editing this registry value the Enterprise Server service needs to be restarted, after which events will then start to be processed by Building Operation. It should be noted if you use option 2 above that there will be some time for all this data to be updated within Building Operation and there may be some bogus (old) alarms appear, which should be taken into consideration before implementing this resolution.

Issue How to generate an invalid attempt alarm. Product Line Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause It is not clear how an alarm for an invalid attempt at a Door is configured. Resolution The easiest way to setup an alarm to trigger when an invalid attempt is made at a reader is to trigger an Alarm off of the required Event. An example would be: Under Events create a new Event Filter, go to Event Types tab, un-tick "Include all event types" and add the events you want to monitor. In this case "User Door Group Not Valid At Door Using Access Level" should suffice as a start. To ensure you have the correct events you can create the event condition and confirm exactly what the event recorded is. Under Events create a new Alarm and set the Event Filter to the Event filter you created in step 1. Under Monitoring setup a Status Page that includes All Alarms (or alternatively is filtered for the specific alarms you want to see).

Issue When the Save statement is used to save objects in a BCX4040 to the database. Steps to reproduce problem: Create an InfinityString object (Test.Str) with a manual array size of 1 in a BCX4040. Create a program in the BCX that sets the value of Test.Str[1] to 'Success' From command line, print the value of Test.Str[1] while the workstation is in OnLine mode. The value should = 'Success' From command line, print the value of Test.Str[1] while the workstation is in Offline mode.  No value should be returned as the value has not been updated in the database. Create a fallthrough/autostart program in the workstation with the following code: FIRSTLINE: Save \TestNet\TestACX\Test.Str -0 Goto StopLine STOPLINE: Stop From command line, print the value of Test.Str[1] while the workstation is in Offline mode.  The value should now = 'Success'.  Expected result: The value returned for Test.Str when the workstation is in Offline mode (Database value) should 'equal the value returned when the workstation is in Online mode (Live Value), i.e. = Success' Actual result: The Offline value of Test.Str[1] does not change and does not equal the value live value. The resulting ACC_Dump_Debug that is produced is found to have no contents. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum  Plain English Cause The following Plain English code does not accomplish a Save to Database. FIRSTLINE: Save \TestNet\TestACX\Test.Str -0 Goto StopLine The functionality of the Save command is not to perform a "Save to Database" operation. This is a functioning as designed. The Save command, which is equivalent to the Dump command, dumps the contents of the passed-in arguments (i.e. objects) to a file if provided Resolution Workaround: When a manual Save to Database is done on the object, the database value is updated with the current Live value.

Issue After a missing or deleted default list view is re-created using the Continuum database initialization utility; the list view does not contain any columns. Environment Cyberstation Cause This issue is caused by a Continuum defect issue that cannot be corrected at this time. QC#2222. Resolution There are several workarounds that can be used to resolve this issue. 1)      Columns can be manually added back to the list views re-created by the database update option. 2)      The default list views can be reimported from the DefaultListViews.dmp file in the Continuum folder.  This would overwrite all default list views there by losing any customization to existing list views. 3)      Individual list views can be imported from a dump file created from another Continuum Systems to provide pinpointed recovery of certain listviews.

Issue After selecting a photo and trying to save it in the Image Enhancement screen, the error Invalid width/height -11 pops up.   Environment Cyberstation Cause This is caused by the resize box under the capture options being checked and the sizes being set to 0. Resolution This can be resolved by one of the following suggestions below:   Uncheck the resize box under the capture options Set the x: and y: options to something other than 0

Issue After re-installing Open Minds HAS causes, the license no longer appears in License Administrator. Environment License Open Minds HAS 8.6   Cause Re-installing LifeKeeper may have affected License Administrator installation due to the Open Minds volume monitor. Resolution Re-install License Administrator. Licese will show and operate after re-installation.

Issue It is not documented what web-browsers should be used with an Access Expert hosted instance. Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert hosted instance - V2 & V3 Cause It is necessary to know what web-browsers should be used with an Access Expert hosted instance. Resolution IE 11 or Google Chrome should be used to logon to an Access Expert hosted instance. Firefox is NOT a supported web-browser and should not be used. 

Issue Unable to turn the heat on SE7600X   Environment   SE7600 Cause Wiring issue or misconfiguration Resolution You may refer to the diagram below to avoid wiring mistakes. Do not forget  jumper J1 on terminals |RC |RH|     Configuration Two important parameters to configure for heating.   Number of heating stages.  Default value = 2 stages When selected the device will revert the operation of 2 stages thermostat to single stage operation or to modulating 0 to 10Vdc heating output: 0 = 0-10Vdc analog heating output (AO) 1 = 1 heating stage (W1) 2 = 2 heating stages (W1 & W2)   Fan control Default value = On When selecting on; the Terminal Equipment Controller in all cases will always control the fan (terminal G). Valid for On or Auto fan mode When selecting Off; the fan (terminal G), when heating stages (terminals W1 & W2) are solicited, will not be energized. The fan in this case will be controlled by the equipment fan limit control. Valid only for Auto fan mode.   On fan mode will leave the fan always on. For multistage models, fan control applies to W1 & W2 For heat pump models, fan control applies to W1 only (Emergency heat)

Issue Locating partners Environment Partner SmartStruxure Building Operation EcoStruxure Building Operation Cause Require engineer to visit for maintenance, servicing, installation or advice. Resolution Click Here to be linked to the available UK and Ireland SmartStruxure / EcoStruxure partner list. Note: For Ireland, enter Belfast, and partners in Ireland will also be shown.

Issue Alarm Control Panel - Number of entries for Cause Note, Action Note and Checklist  Environment SnartStruxure Building Operation Workstation 1.9 Cause The maximum number of entries that can be added for Cause Note, Action Note and Checklist are not indicated in available documentation.  Resolution There are no hard coded limits to the number of entries that can be added for the Cause Note, Action Note and Checklist

Issue The hostId for a computer running I/A Series G3 version 3.8u1 (or earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 (or earlier) may be changed from the result of a Windows update. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3  I/A Series N4  Cause The hostId is automatically generated upon first install of the software and stored within the registry.  The location of the G3 versions 3.8u1 or (earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 or (earlier) registry keys can be affected by a Windows update. the G3 versions 3.8u1 or (earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 or (earlier) registry keys can be affected by a Windows update.The hostId is automatically generated upon first install of the software and stored within the registry.  The location of    the G3 versions 3.8u1 or (earlier) and N4 versions 4.2 or (earlier) registry keys can be affected by a Windows update. Resolution I/A Series G3 version 3.8.213 (or higher) and I/A Series N4 version 4.3.58.18 (or higher) have been modified to guard against Windows updates to prevent hostId changes.  Installations of N4 4.3 and/or G3 3.8u2 will continue to operate normally and will not assume a new hostid after a Windows update.  All previous versions of Niagara could generate a new hostid after a Windows update, requiring a license replacement.   Schneider Electric recommends updating I/A Series G3 and N4 installations to the latest released software in order to maintain the latest security protection and to gain benefit from the latest features.  These builds are:   I/A Series 3.8 Update 2 (3.8.213 and later) I/A Series 4.4 (and later)   Patch to address multiple Host IDs on a single Microsoft Windows© platform   A set of patch files have been created to stabilize the Host ID for cases where customers have not upgraded to the latest version of Niagara (see installation instructions below). Once these patches are applied to the older versions of Workbench the Host ID is stabilized and should not change if Windows updates are installed.   Note: This is a reminder that a 32-bit install will always generate a different host-id than a 64-bit install.   IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING THE PATCHES   Patches are only supported for the latest update (maintenance) version for the relevant release. Patches are not available for I/A Series G3 release 3.5 and earlier, or I/A Series N4 release 4.0 or 4.1. Builds prior to G3 3.8.213 are considered unsupported. Customers applying these patches do so at their own risk. Newer versions of Niagara (3.8U2 and 4.3) have introduced a stabilized method of managing the Host ID and do not require any patch. The patches do not eliminate the issue of different Host IDs generated when installing 32-bit and 64-bit Niagara. Installation Instructions   The Host ID patch file is available for download on the EcoBuilding Exchange Download website.  Login to the Schneider Electric EcoBuilding Exchange Download Center and enter G3 and N4 Host ID Patches in the search area or the filename of the zip shown below.    Download the G3_N4_HOSTID_PATCHES.zip and unzip into a temporary folder. The archive contains 'nre.dll' for various versions of I/A Series G3 and Series 4.2 in a directory structure identifying them first by version and sub-directory identifying 64-bit or 32-bit Windows. The 4.2 folder also contains 'njre.dll' which will need to be copied only for 4.2 installations.  Follow these instructions:   Verify the installed java version to be either 64-bit or 32-bit. Start a Niagara Command Line (Home>/bin/console.exe) from the desktop of the platform to be patched. From the Niagara Command Line execute the command: nre -version One of the listed items will be java.vm.name. If the text contains “64-Bit” then the installation is 64-bit otherwise the installation is 32-bit. Stop any running station using Workbench's Platform Application Director on the platform to be patched. Exit Workbench if running on the platform to be patched. From the Niagara Command Line ... /bin/console.exe execute the command: plat uninstalldaemon  Prior to replacement, save a copy of the existing nre.dll located in /bin folder. If Niagara 4.2 is being updated also save a copy of the existing njre.dll located in /bin folder. Copy the version appropriate and OS appropriate (64-bit or 32-bit) downloaded version of nre.dll file to the Home>/bin folder. If Niagara 4.2 also copy njre.dll to /bin folder. Overwrite the existing file(s). From the Niagara Command Line (/bin/console.exe) execute: plat installdaemon Start Workbench.  Open a platform connection to the patched platform. Using the Application Director, start the station.  

Issue Customers want to know how to localise their Reports Server  Environment SBO 1.9.3. Cause User may wish to change language on produced Reports etc.. Resolution Localisation of the Reports Server is currently not supported although there are plans to add this feature in a later revision.

Issue Unable to print a badge preview when designing a layout in Access Expert Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert Win8.1 Premise Hosted SQl 2012 R2 SQL 2014 Cause Operating system incompatibility with version 3. Version 3 only support Windows 8.1 and above. Resolution If the user is running Windows 7, the Preview will not work. Use a compatible OS, like Windows 10, and try again.

Issue Personnel Manager not operating correctly but Personnel Editor is fine Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Seen in Continuum 1.94 Cause Personnel Manager seems to run correctly but the Area names, Assigned and Unassigned data does not show correctly and cannot be modified. Blank spaces at the end of the Area Names or Alias cause the Peronnel data (Assigned and Unassigned Areas) to show incorrectly in Personnel Manager, but all correct in Personnel Editor. Resolution Remove the spaces at the end of the Area Names and Aliases Restart Continuum

Issue Needing to convert a site from V2 to V3. Product Line Access Expert Environment Win 8.1 and above Hosted Version 2 Version 3 Cause There are no directions on how to convert a Hosted Site on V2 to V3. Resolution When converting from V2 to V3 there are a few things that need to be verified first before attempting this action: Verify that the site does not have any SSC's that are configured as FN-4502, this information would have to be passed on prior to attempting the conversion by creating a case with your local country support group. Once the all clear has been given by product support, then the process can be started. Using two monitors bring up an instance on each for comparison Verify that all users, Access Levels, Schedules, Trigger and Procedures etc are in place Once confident, then connect to each SSC and change the Host IP name from the xxx.accessxpert.com to us.accessxpert.com Click on the View All Hardware Icon to see when the SSC comes online Once this happens, click on the Update firmware to get to the latest version downloaded to the controller When the device comes back online, verify that all the sub devices comes online as well If not then perform a Push Controller Database to the controller again When the controller comes online, all the subdevices should come online as well as Readers etc. At this point everything in V2 will become Unknown and can then be deactivated

Issue Need to a method to automatically enroll users into Access Expert? Product Line Access Expert Environment Premise Install Hosted Instance Cause Enrollment readers are not used in Access Expert.  Resolution When a card is read at the Door Reader, it will result in an "Access Denied/Card Pin Not Found" event being generated. This event can then be used to create a new user. Once this user has been created and added to the system, the card will become active and have access to the doors it's assigned to. 

Issue Maximum number of expansion modules and doors per controller Environment SP-C Security Expert Security Expert Controller SP-RDM2 Security Expert Security Expert Door Expansion Module Cause Documentation states that one SP-C supports up to 128 doors but this is dependent on the communications.  Resolution The current recommendation from Product Management is a maximum of 24 to 34 doors per SP-C. This equates to about 10 to 17 reader expansion modules.  

Issue After starting up the SmartX Advanced Display for the the first time, the operator finds himself stuck in SmartXKiosk mode before having any chance to select a password/PIN code. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Advanced Display v1 Advanced Display v2 Cause SmartXKiosk has been selected as launcher. The first time the SmartX Advanced Display is booted up the operator is presented of a choice to use  SmartXKiosk or TouchWiz as launcher. If SmartXKiosk then is selected instead of TouchWiz the operator will enter SmartXKiosk without having set a password first. Resolution Request an unlock code (PIN) from your local support center, which will enable the operator to exit Kiosk Mode. Press the Home (Hardware) Button at the SmartX Advanced Display. This will enable you to choose launcher again. Make sure that "TouchWiz" is selected. Note: In the next release this will note be an issue, since you are forced to select "TouchWiz" at first use to proceed (if SmartXKiosk is selected, you will be prompted to choose again)