Building Automation Knowledge Base

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue Modbus RTU communication is not performing as expected, and there is a need to review electrical installation or request/response packets. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Room Controller Building Operation EZLogic Room Controller Cause Picoscope hardware and software provide the ability to review the electrical waveforms and decode as Modbus RTU Resolution Ensure proper setup and connection of Picoscope probes Set the switch on probes to 1X Connect the probes using the color coding on each end to ensure the connection is as follows: Connect Probe A to TX/RX - Connect Probe B to TX/RX + Connect the probe black reference alligator clips to the cable shield drain wire. Ensure the drain wire is connected to EGND at one location. Connect the Picoscope to the PC, then open Picoscope software and choose the device connected. Set the Scope Use 1 ms/div for 38400 baud Follow this thread for more information since BACnet and Modbus are both RS-485 protocols. BACnet - PicoScope Basics - Schneider Electric Community  Select Channel A Set to +/- 5V Select Channel B and repeat the setting. One may change to +/- 10V if you encounter spikes above the 5V range (overvoltage warnings).  Add Math Channel Click the Math Channels icon Select A - B  Add Serial Decoding for Modbus RTU Click Serial decoding icon Select MODBUS RTU On Page 1 select Master A - B Change Baud Rate to known baud rate, usually 38.4 kBd Change Parity to known parity, usually NONE (1 Stop Bit) Leave the rest at default and click Next  On Page 2 Recommend leaving as default of HEX, knowing you will have to convert for Slave IDs over 09. Leave the rest at default and click Finish  Set Waveform Adjust thumbnail size to preference Leave Capture Time = On (default) Set Max Waveform to 2000 (example has 5000)  Start and stop capture and select Waveform as example Set Trigger Using a waveform, set the threshold voltage just above the blue line voltage. For example, the blue line is at 0.8V, and the threshold is set at 1.92V. Adjust based on your collected waveform(s) Set the Pre-Trigger 0% puts Yellow Diamond to the left and 100% puts Yellow Diamond to the right. The recommended setting is between 5% and 20% (for example, 20%).  Start capturing Set Serial Decoding for MODBUS RTU to show buffer The Current Buffer shows only the waveform on the screen.  All Buffers show everything.  NOTE: The Buffer Number column references the waveform number

Issue Since the Cloud Plugin cannot perform search operations on EBO, Building Advisor can only estimate the number of forced points using the event log and, for EBO versions above 3.2.1, the server archive.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Advisor Environment BMS Health Cause 1. Incomplete Event Log: The event log may be incomplete if the maximum capacity is reached in EBO (events are rolling). When a customer connects their system, some historical events may be missed. 2. High Event Production: If a customer's system generates events at a higher rate than BA can process (currently, BA can ingest 100,000 events every 6 hours), some events may be overlooked, especially if there are many noisy events. 3. Understanding of Events: BA can only recognize forced and unforced events. BA will lose track of that point if an object's absolute path is updated or deleted instead of being unforced. 4. External Tools: BA cannot track it if an external tool forces a point without creating a corresponding forced/unforced event in EBO.   Limitations with EBO Versions 3.2.1 or higher: Building Advisor can resolve issues for each server by retrieving snapshots from the server archive. This method can address the abovementioned issues, except for point number 4. Additionally, Bacnet points forced via commands are unavailable in the server archive, meaning we cannot retrieve those values through the Cloud Plugin. Resolution Check the EBO Version, and If the customer's system is older than version 3.2.1, advise them to upgrade. Verify Server Archive, ensure the issue pertains to Bacnet points, and proceed to the next step. Ensure all servers associated with the mismatched forced items have an updated server archive. This will enable the Building Advisor (BA) to obtain the correct snapshots from the system. You can check this in the building's BA connectivity tab.  If the servers are updated, proceed to the next step. If they are not, ensure that server backups are created periodically. You can check this in the BA architecture tab under the backup section.  If a newer backup is present compared to the "Last Upload" in the server archive table, attempt to send it again. Refer to the instructions on how to send a new backup at the end of the file. If there isn’t a newer backup, create one and send it. Important: Please note that it may take one to two days for the Building Advisor (BA) to reflect the updates. If the object exists in EBO, retrieve the events from the relevant branch and filter for force-type events.  If the last event is unforced and BA is showing as forced, Force it and then unforce it one time. If it was a Bacnet point, try to force it from the basic tab.  Note: If you have multiple points, you can search using the appropriate criteria and perform all the force/unforce operations simultaneously.  If the object no longer exists in the path, you can create a replica of the object in the same path and perform the force/unforce operation. Ensure that events are created for your actions (see Step 5). If the point does not exist for manual override and you cannot set a new device in the path, please open a PSS case. Send a new backup using the following process: Navigate to ~/System/Modules/CloudPlugIn/Statistics/Services Add the Service type and Server name columns in the list view Locate the Service Type of SystemDiscovery, multi-select the server(s) affected, right-click, and select Execute task now If the issue is unresolved two days after uploading the updated SystemDiscovery files, please open a PSS case.

Issue What TAC Vista 5 license is needed to communicate with TAC 9000, TAC 6501, TAC 6505, TAC 6580 or TAC 6585?   Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Cause The communication module for these types of controllers are not included in the TAC Vista server license  Resolution You need a System 7 license

Issue Why do we get different settings when TAC Vista is running as a Service compare to started normally? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Cause When TAC Vista is running as a Service, it is using "System user", and not the same user that is logged in. Resolution Verify that the system user have correct settings to be able to run TAC Vista as a Service. Under Region and Language, under the tab Administrative, you find Current language for non-Unicode programs, and also a button named Change system locale...

Issue Will the old, black engineering (inhouse) USB dongle work with new versions of TAC Vista? Part Number: 000885000 Part Name: 1YEAR VISTA INHOUSE Product Line  TAC Vista Environment  Vista server Cause Compatibility with new versions of TAC Vista.  Resolution The engineering / inhouse dongle for Vista 5.x will work with any Vista 5 version. That includes 5.0.X and 5.1.X.

Issue Which operations are the different authority levels in Vista able to carry out? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Vista Workstation Cause A user in TAC Vista have an authority level which give the user right to perform different operations and commands.  Resolution User: (Read) . gives the authority to read objects, object attributes/values and view alarms.Default username/password = user/user Field manager: (Read Write) gives the authority to read and write object attributes / values, view and acknowledge alarms. The only object attribute which is possible to write is the so called default attribute, usually the value for the object. He/she may also acknowledge and change Time Charts..Default username/password = field/field Operations manager: (Change) .gives the authority to read and write object attributes/values and view, acknowledge, create and delete objects, disable and remove alarms. It also gives the authority to download/upload and perform operations for physical units. At this level it is possible to write all the object attributes for an object, not only the so called default attribute. However he/she has no access to functions that impact upon system security..Default username/password = manager/manager System manager: (Full Control) .gives the same authority as Operations manager and also the authority to change authority to units/objects and handle global objects..Default username/password = system/system

Issue Is it an option to get an Engineering dongle that does not expire?   Part Number: 000885000 Part Name: 1YEAR VISTA INHOUSE Part Short Description: Vista In-house Subscription for internal personnel only. Includes in-house dongle, which allows Vista 5.X software to run without any license file. Part Long Description: Vista 5 Vista In-house: * 1 year in-house subscription for Schneider Electric's and partners' internal personnel only. * Includes the in-house dongle, which allows Vista 5.X software to run without any license file Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Cause Though the part name implies that this will only work for 1 year per the original intention of having a "subscription", this was long abandoned. Resolution The Engineering Dongle has no expiration.

Issue Getting the below error message in TGML graphic. TGML Graphic Alert: TypeError: getCurrentTargets is not a function. (cmd#16)   Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation Cause A Javascript tag in the TGML file has called an invalid function. Resolution Determine which script tag is generating the error. When did the error occur?  When the page loaded?  When a value changed?  When the user clicked?  Did it happen once or multiple times?  These questions can help you narrow down which script has thrown the error. Save the graphic under a different name.  Delete portions of the graphic until the error clears.  The component that was removed holds the offending script. The cmd# syntax is indicating which line of the script has the error.  Launch the script editor by clicking the "..." button next to the script Content attribute.  In this example, go to line 16 of the code. The text after TypeError: indicate the offending function.  In this example getCurrentTargets is not a function.  The correct function is getCurrentTarget (without the s). Correct the invalid function.

Issue What is the unit load of a TC900 thermostat and what are the bias and termination requirements when used with a SmartX Server. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices Environment TC907-3A4LMA TC907-3A4DLMSA TC907-4FMSA TC907-3A4DPMSA TC907-3A4DPMSA-24 TC903-3A4LMA TC903-3A4DLMSA TC903-4FMSA TC903-3A4DPMSA TC903-3A4DPMSA-24 SmartX Server Cause Documentation does not state the RS-485 transceiver type for the TC900 range, making it unclear how many devices can exist under a SmartX servers RS-485 serial port ComA or ComB. Resolution Use the Worksheet for Configuration of RS-485 Bus with generic RS-485 devices on Webhelp to determine the appropriate Modbus configuration. The answers to the transceiver interface attributes below can be applied to complete the worksheet. Q1 Failsafe Receiver : The TC900 uses an RS-485 transceiver with an integrated idle-state failsafe receiver. Q2 Data Transmission Speed : TC900 thermostats can be configured to communicate at 4800, 9600, 19200 or 38400 bps. Q4 Isolated Interface : The TC900 does not provide an isolated RS-485 interface. Q6a Measured Resistance : With no electrical connections to the TC900, the measured resistance between the RS-485 low-side (-) signal and the communications common is 8.2K ohms. Based on this the unit load of the TC900 is 1.46 (12.000/8,200) Bias requirements and number of devices If there are only TC900 devices on the RS-485 bus then Generic RS-485 Network Device configuration 1 applies, configuration becomes very simple and no node or distance reductions are called for. The failsafe receivers can typically operate with no added bias resistors. Connect a 120 ohm termination resistor across the + and - data lines at the head end of the bus (typically at the SmartX server). Connect another 120 ohm termination resistor across the + and - data lines on the last node at the far end of the bus. Connect the shield drain wire to earth ground terminal rail in the panel with the SmartX server. This is the only ground connection of the shield for the complete cable segment. Connect the RET/Shield terminal (see the figure below) on the SmartX server to the ground rail in the panel using a 12 AWG (3.31 mm²) to 18 AWG (0.82 mm²) wire. Since the TC900 has a unit load of 1.4 the maximum number of devices that can be placed under each comm port using this configuration is 21 (31.5 / 1.46 = 21.5) Also check out the SmartStruxure-RS485-Controller Unit Load Quick-Help video on the Exchange. Note:  Adding an RS-485 Repeater at this point provides another 32 Units Loads to the Network which can be continued up to the Architectural Maximum defined for the hosting controller.

Issue Need sample Plain English code that creates custom web page(s) served by the controller. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation CX99xx CX9702 CX9640 CX968x ACX57xx Cause Continuum CX controllers allow user created custom web pages to be served directly from the controller's web server, this functionality requires embedding HTML in a PE program. The purpose of this article is to provide sample custom web pages for illustration. Resolution Get the sample code from the links below Home.txt  Home2.txt Home3.txt IMPORTANT: Some strange characters (i.e. 　) added to the code during upload to this site MUST be removed to make the code compile. Read the instructions on the document below Instructions for using sample code to create a custom web page menu system in the CX controller

Issue Customer are running an ES with version 3.2.3 sending emails through SMTP server using TLS protocol. After site is upgraded to version 4.0.3, emails are not sent and the following error is shown in the ES: "SSL routines: tls_process server_certificate:certificate verify failed. Email service failed to connect to SMTP Server." In version 6.0.3, the following error is also displayed in the ES: "error:16000069:STORE routines::unregistered scheme" Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server version 4.0.1 and later Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) version 4.0.1 and later   Cause The following is stated in the EBO version 4.0.1 release notes: "Certificate validation for SMTP When choosing TLS as encryption method (i.e. encryption of all traffic) for SMTP, then the certificate will be validated from EBO 4.0. If a corresponding CA-certificate isn’t present in the server, then a system alarm is generated. See more in “CA Certificate Management” ( also in section 2.17.5) how to import CA Certificate." Resolution In EBO version 4.0.1 and later a valid certificate needs to be installed if alarms should be sent when using TLS protocol in the communication to the SMTP server.

Issue What ground connections are required when wiring a voltage input? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment AS/ AS-P Power Supply AS-B Universal Input Modules 0-10V, 0-5V sensors Cause The required connections are different for isolated and non isolated voltage inputs. Consideration of the system grounding is also required. Resolution If your input sensor is isolated it can be directly connected to the UI and RET terminals of the Universal Input module. An isolated sensor will have 4 terminals (2 power terminals G0 and G, 2 output terminals M and X) the power ground G0 is not directly connected to the output ground M terminal. However for non isolated sensors (usually 3 terminal devices) the signal terminal X will be wired to the UI input, but the sensors signal common G0 should be wired directly to the Signal Ground for the installation, not to the RET terminal of the IO Module. On every Input modules ensure that one RET terminal from the IO Module is wired directly to the Signal Ground. Full details of the required wiring and an example wiring drawing showing isolated and non-isolated voltage inputs can be found in "Wiring" section of the Hardware Reference Guide available on the Download Center or in WebHelp: Wiring.

Issue How to be redundant with your intelligent Building Management System (iBMS) Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Satchwell Sigma, Security Expert, TAC INET Environment Existing intelligent Building Management System Open Mind High Availability Solutions (Deprecated by manufacturer) everRun MX ztC Edge Cause In engineering, redundancy is the duplication of critical components of a system with the intention of increasing the system's reliability. To be redundant with an intelligent Building Management System (iBMS) would take on two possibilities. Have an alarm on critical points alerting personnel who move into action quickly replacing control boards or devices in the event of failure. Have secondary backup controllers which upon failure, which are used to control devices resuming functionality. This is accomplished through programming the BAS with event sequences triggered from alarms or flags noting the failure. Redundancy capabilities and feasibility are site specific. Ascertaining failure in boards, points, or devices is crucial to creating secondary measures to keep seamless processes going and resume with functions.   Error detection and correction with maintenance is often the best practice for preventing failure. Worn components are the leading cause of failure, followed by a lack of planning and consideration in the protection of electrical components through power surges or failures.   For the database, backups including automated backups for MSDE, SQL Express, and Full SQL are available. For further information on database backups and options, take a look at Microsoft SQL Management Studio. For Host Computer backups, look at adding a secondary computer which replicates the database and can capture transactions and messages should a failure with the primary host computer take place. Also work with the local IT department to keep machines up to date, safe, and clean of 3rd party applications which may interfere with integrity. Schneider Electric’s building management systems are designed such that building control continues even when controller to server communication is disrupted. The BMS server is home to a database of alarm and historical data, as well as system parameters and programs. When a server or its network connection fails, the collection of data from building controllers halts until the problem is resolved. For data critical applications, this solution provides an environment capable of preventing the data loss that results from these types of failures.  Although we do support its use with EcoStruxure Building Operation, Security Expert, Continuum, I/NET, Vista, Sigma, and I/A Series as a disaster recovery solution, we do not provide direct support for EverRun. Resolution For Open Mind High Availability Solutions guide please look at the following link; Open Mind High Availability Solution guide For everRun MX solution guide please look at the following link; everRun MX guide For ztC Edge solution guide please look at the following link; ztC Edge guide   

  Issue Identifying table sizes is useful when managing Security Expert databases Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment EcoStruxure Security Expert Microsoft SQL Server Cause Managing the size of a SQL database is crucial to system performance and archiving so understanding which tables are the largest provides needed data Resolution A report can be run from SQL Server Management Studio(SMSS) on the Security Expert and Security Expert Events databases to provide table sizes. Open SMSS Right-click on the database the report is needed (i.e. Security Expert or Security Expert Events) Select Reports> Standard Reports> Disk Usage by Table Scroll through and observe which tables contain the most data Examples: Security Expert DB Security Expert Events DB Print or Export the report to a file if necessary Print Export to Excel, PDF or Word Right-click on the data results and select Export Note: The disk usage built-in report was implemented in SQL 2008 and above. 

  Issue Is it possible to host the same third party BACnet device on the AS-P private networks on multiple automation servers, which are all connected on the same network? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause The design in question is a 3-storey accommodation building which includes 1 x BMS panel/AS-P per level. However, only 1 x Mitsubishi EW-50E BACnet gateway is being provided for the building. Resolution It is possible to host the same 3rd party BACnet device in multiple AS-Ps. Some caution is required, however, because if the user makes changes to an object in that device through one AS-P, that change may not be reflected in other AS-Ps. When viewing runtime variables, such as 'Value' and 'Status Flags', this is not a problem because the EBO server will always get new values from the wire. Where the problem can present itself, is when changes are made to configuration values because these are only updated in an EBO server during an upload operation. For example, if you set the hi-limit and low-limit values in an analog-value object from one AS-P, those values will not be updated in other AS-Ps until you do an upload of that object.   The other place where this problem may present itself is in schedules. An EBO schedule only writes values to a device when that value changes. For example, if you have a schedule configured to change the setpoint to 65 degrees at 5pm, EBO will only write a value of 65 if the current 'local' value is not 65. If this schedule only writes 1 time per day and someone has set the value to 70 from another AS-P, the first AS-P does not realize the value has changed so that schedule will not generate a write request to set the value to 65 (it will stay at 70). However, if you have a program or trend-log monitoring the value, the AS-P will be tracking that value and realize it is not 65 so you will see a write request at the scheduled time.   The system works this way because reading all values of all devices and all objects all the time is simply not practical. As long as the user is aware of how the system is designed, they can avoid these potential issues.   Make sure to use Static IP, so IP do not change, or you get multiple DHCP servers on the same network.   Another alternative is to host the BACnet device in one AS-P only, then using internal bindings to share the data with other AS-Ps.

Issue What is the maximum size Card Number and Facility Code Number supported by Security Expert? Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Controller Security Expert Smartcard Reader Cause Adding a card to one of the Card number slots on the General tab of a User page allows for a maximum of a ten-digit facility code and ten-digit card number. Resolution The currently supported size of the Facility/Card number allows a maximum of a ten-digit facility code and ten-digit card number as can be seen below.  Facility/Card Number This Facility/Card number is entered when adding a credential to a User on the General tab of the User page. The size of the allowable facility code and card number can be increased beyond ten-digits by using Credential Types instead. Once the Credential Type has been created, it can then be used in the CREDENTIALS section for those users. For additional details on Credential Types see the AN 276 Security Expert - Configuring Credential Types - Integration Guide.

Issue Information is not clear on what the available intercom parts are and what each looks like. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment SX-IPI SX-IPI-C SX-IPI-C-ES SX-IPI-C-EF Cause Old product announcements contain misleading information. Details are missing from current documentation. Resolution There are only three possible intercom part numbers that can be ordered. SX-IPI: This is the part code for the regular intercom with no camera SX-IPI SX-IPI-C: This is the part code for the regular intercom with camera SX-IPI-C SX-IPI-C-EF: This is the part code for the Flush Mount Kit for the SX-IPI-C intercom SX-IPI-C-EF front SX-IPI-C-EF back Note: There is no surface-mount kit (SX-IPI-C-ES) for either intercom, and the non-camera intercom (SX-IPI) does not have the option of a flush mount kit.

Issue Is it possible to setup more than one custom card format in Security Expert? Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Custom Card Formats Cause Have a requirement for two or more custom card formats. Resolution Currently, only one Custom Format can be configured.   It is possible to add a Secondary Format to a Reader port in Reader Expanders, but only one port can be setup with a Custom Format.    However, Credential Types have now been introduced with the release of Security Expert 4.3, which largely supersedes Custom Formats going forward and allows multiple custom card formats and even QR codes where required.  Please see AN 276 Security Expert - Configuring Credential Types - Integration Guide for more information on setting up Credential Types and Maximum number of Credential Types for more info on how many can be used.

Issue System changes made to a Security Expert server can cause the license to fail. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert licensing Cause When the SSN license is activated on the Security Expert server a hardware footprint of the server system is created and stored with the license activation. This ties the license to that specific machine, if the hardware footprint changes in the future this will break the license activation.   There may be additional system changes that trigger this but the ones we are aware of that will break the licensed hardware footprint are the following: A change of the Security Expert servers computer name. Normally when we see this the installer is attempting to activate/update the license from a Security Expert client machine instead of the Security Expert server machine. A change in the Network Interface Cards. Changing from a wired to wifi connection can potentially do this. If the server is installed on a virtual machine ensure that the Network Interface Card is assigned a static MAC address. Other hardware changes such as changing Hard Drives, CPU, Memory, Operating System or Motherboards. Resolution If the hardware footprint has changed, breaking the license activation, the SSN will need to be reset and an activation added. Contact your local support to add a registration to the license and clear the hardware profile. The installer will then do a License Update from the Security Expert server to re-activate the SSN.

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 for assistance. Issue A large number of alarms have accumulated and need to be acknowledged at one time. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Client Cause A large number of unacknowledged alarms have been allowed to build up until the number is too large to acknowledge them manually one at a time. Resolution To acknowledge the alarms all at once, please raise a Support Case with your local Customer Care Centre and Product Support can assist with a remote session to apply a 'one time' SQL Query direct to the Security Expert Database. See Browsing slow in Security Expert Client for some methods to minimize unacknowledged alarms accumulating so rapidly in the database.