Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When point goes in alarm nothing is displayed in the active alarm viewer but when the point returns to normal the RTN shows up in the alarm viewer. Environment CyberStation Cause The Alarm Enrollment allows you to specify the transitions that gets sent to the active alarm viewer, make you the appropriate check boxes are checked. Resolution Configure the alarm enrollment to deliver both the alarm and the RTN

Issue How to populate customized information on the SpaceLogic Sensor display Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SpaceLogic Living Space Sensor Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) Building Operation Workstation Cause Additional information required on how to customize information to be displayed on the SpaceLogic sensor Resolution Note: This feature may not work in controller FW V4.00.x, due to know issue Custom value text is not displayed and/or updated on the SmartX sensor device, in this case please upgrade controller firmware to V5.00.1 or higher. Before starting, make sure the Integrator Menu icon and the custom information page have been activated: The Integrator Menu icon can be configured under "SmartX Sensor Device/ Display/ Button and Scene configuration" as shown in the screenshot below: Turn on "Allow custom information page" under "SmartX Sensor Device/ Display /Advanced" tab. By doing this, the custom information page is created under the Integrator menu icon of SmartX Sensor Display:        To show how to add custom information to the custom information page of SmartX Sensor display, create a sample script program, where DI1 is a digital input and Status1 is a string output. numeric input DI1 String output Status1 If DI1 = on then Status1="running" Else Status1="not running"​   In this program, when DI1 is on, the Status1 gets the string value of “Running”, otherwise the Status1 gets the string value of “Not Running”. DI1 is bound to a Digital Value (Green Arrows) under the Application folder and Status1 is bound to the CustomValueText1 (Red Arrows) as shown below:   Open the Watch pane, under the View tab, and add Digital Value and CustomValueText1 (access it through the “SmartX Sensor Device/ Display/ Basic” tab) to it.  When the Digital Value is Active the Custom value text 1 shows “Running”. On the SmartX Sensor, navigate to the custom page through the Integrator menu icon, this will show the “Running” string. Likewise the “Not Running” string would be populated on the SmartX Sensor custom information page screen when the Digital Value is Inactive.  

Issue Explanation and detail required for Client Access License (CAL). Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment Windows  SQL Server Cause Information on Client Access License (CAL). Resolution Server licensing and Client Access Licenses (CALs) for the MS Server or MS SQL can become complex. It may be worthwhile to research further through Microsoft resources. SQL Server 2008 is available under three licensing models: Server plus device client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each client device. Server plus user client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each user. Processor license. Requires a single license for each CPU in the operating system environment running SQL Server. This license includes unlimited client device access. SQL Standard will normally come with 5 CALs. If more than 5 connections exist, then ore SQL CALs need to be purchased. See Microsoft Volume Licensing for more information. Note: MS Server CALs are separate and are also required. EcoStruxure Building Operation does not check CAL Client Access Licensing. EcoStruxure Building Operation Reports Server can be run using Microsoft SQL Express.  

Issue When creating a localized SEBA naming convention EBO displays local characters as a question mark (?) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation version 3.2 (and later)  Cause The CSV file used is in ANSI format and EBO requires UTF-8 format Resolution Ensure the file is saved in "CSV UTF-8" format rather than generic "CSV".      

Issue Micronet BACnet (MNB) AV and BV objects in G3 are purple indicating they are overridden. The AV and BV objects are read only, how can they be overridden? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara G3 Micronet BACnet MNB-300 MNB-VAV MNB-1000 Cause Purple BACnet values (I/A Series R2 and G3 graphic override color) are internal BACnet points that can not be modified (display only). This behavior is normal and began to appear in MNB controller firmware versions 1.2 and higher. Per the BACnet specification, read-only type points must be set to indicate an override condition. The root cause is a design change required by the BACnet specification to bring the controllers into compliance for BTL certification. The ASHRAE BACnet Specification 135-2004 specifies that the "read-only" type objects (e.g. Analog Value, Binary Value, etc.) OVERRIDDEN flag is: Logical TRUE (1) if the point has been overridden by some mechanism local to the BACnet device. In this context "overridden" is taken to mean that the Present Value property is not changeable through BACnet services.In this case, the override is meant to indicate to Niagara that the point is locally overridden (by the controller) and cannot be changed by the Niagara BACnet service (or user).When the ENC learns the device it reads what "Protocol Services" it supports. If it supports COV then the "use COV" flag is set to true in the device object and when the proxy points are brought in they are defined as COV and once subscribed they will send their present value and status flag values to the ENC. In this case the AVM & BVM (being read only) objects will show overridden along with their value and be purple by default. Resolution All MNB devices support COV so the use COV property is set to true when they are discovered in the ENC.If the use COV property of the Device object is changed to false the ENC will use readPropertyMultiple (if supported in the device) to poll for data. If readPropertyMultiple is not supported in the device the ENC will read one property at a time. Now when the points are learned they will be defined as polled and when polled only the present value (PV) is requested (by default). Hence the AVM & BVM objects will show their value but not show overridden because their status flags are not known at the ENC. If the use COV device property is set to true after the AVM and BVM proxy points are defined in the ENC they will show overridden and purple after they are successfully subscribed. Turning the use COV property in the device to false at this point will cause these objects to be polled but their status is already known so they will continue to show overridden along with their present value. The only way to change that is to delete and re-learn them while the device use COV property is sent to false.

Issue License Administrator fails install with an "Uninstall failed, installer cannot continue" error Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation License Administrator Cause Building Operation uses Flexera (Revenera) Software Technology for licensing. Other Schneider-Electric products may also use this technology for their licensing. Resolution Check to see if the site has other software programs/products using the Flexera (Revenera) Software Technology. Other Schneider Electric offers such as Unity Pro - IEC Programming Software for Modicon PAC, Power Monitoring Expert & TAC Vista as well as third party programs also use Flexera (Revenera) for their licensing. During installation of the Building Operation License Administrator the dialog below is shown: The default behavior of the Building Operation License Administrator installation program is to install both Building Operation License Administrator and a new local license server instance. If the default behavior is accepted, the installation program will attempt to uninstall any previously installed local license servers. If the Building Operation License Administrator installation program  does not have sufficient access rights to uninstall the license server previously installed by another product a "Failed to install Building Operation License Administrator" error will occur.   Multiple products can share a single Flexnet License server instance. If there is an existing Flexnet install then the License Server checkbox should be unchecked during installation of the Building Operation License Administrator This leaves the existing local license server installed by the other product intact, while still allowing Building Operation License Administrator to run. The license server used by Building Operation License Administrator can easily be changed by the user on the License Server Address tab in Building Operation License Administrator, if necessary.  

Issue Sending the network temperature to both controllers. Environment Unifact Pro Master Slave Network temperature Cause The customer has two Unifact Pro controllers, both with a temperature sensor connected to it. There is a requirement for the two temperature values to be averaged in the Sigma IC-Unifact, and for the averaged temperature to be transmitted back on to the network for use by the controllers. Is this possible? Resolution It is not possible to use this Unifact Pro configuration, because of the following; If a controller has a temperature sensor fitted, then it will normally try to use this sensor. If the "Network Temperature Updates" selection is enabled, then initially the sensor value is used, but when the network update is received, it will overwrite the sensor value. As the sensor value is overwritten, this value will be fed back to the Sigma IC, and a loop will be formed that does not include the actual temperatures. To review the Sigma IC-Unifact datasheet please click HERE.

Issue Automation Server CPU Specifications Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Basic Cause Automation Server Family CPU specifications are required for projects requirements and specifications. Resolution There are three Automation Server models, each with unique CPU specifications:   Automation Server (AS): The Automation Server (AS) has been withdrawn from sale. CPU: ATMEL AT91RM9200, ARM9 core microcontroller. Processor: ARM920T. CPU Clock Speed: 160 MHz. Automation Server Premium (AS-P): CPU: STMicroelectronics SPEAr1380, ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core microcontroller. Processor: ARM Cortex-A9. CPU Clock Speed: 500 MHz. Automation Server Bundled (AS-B): CPU: STMicroelectronics SPEAr320S, ARM926 core microcontroller. Processor: ARM926. CPU Clock Speed: 333 MHz.

Issue Unable to import component Library into Graphics Editor. Double Clicking Archive Results in: Graphics Editor - Unexpected Error A problem occurred in this application Object reference not set to an instance of an object. Right-Clicking in the Component Library White Space shows the "Import" option grayed out. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TGML Graphics Editor Cause The Default Libraries Location is no Longer accessible. This could be caused by a network drive being offline, an external drive being ejected or a user permissions being changed. Resolution Open the TGML Graphics Editor Right Click in the Component Library Space Click on "Libraries" Notice that no Location is bolded as this would indicate the default location Set a Location as default. Close the Libraries editor and import component libraries as desired.

Issue Programming an application that requires a setpoint and deadband that operates in the same manner as the WorkPlace Tech Tool Thermostat object. Environment SmartStruxure AS or ES Cause No object exists in the Function Block library that is functionally equivalent to the I/A Series WorkPlace Tech LON/BACnet "Thermostat" object.   Resolution This is only one of several methods by which a differential type thermostat object can implemented in Function Block programming. The following Binary Expression (XPB) function block object can be used to simulate the differential type thermostat. Analog Input A is the "Input" Analog Input B is the "Setpoint" Analog Input C is the "Input Differential" Binary Input d is the "State Feedback"  This feedback link insures that the output state does not change when the input is within the range specified by the input differential The output of this object turns on when the Input value exceeds the Setpoint + 1/2 of the Input differential. The output of this object turns off when the Input value falls below the Setpoint - 1/2 of the Input differential. The xml file can be downloaded from here.

Issue Modbus device is offline in Vista. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Xenta 511 Xenta 913 Xenta 700 Cause The Modbus device online check has to read at least one variable for the device to come online in Vista. If you only write values to the Modbus device, it will appear offline.  Resolution As a workaround, you may create a dummy variable that you read from in Xbuilder

Issue The Modbus Server / Client is unable to read the values from address of a 32 bit Modbus register in a Building Operation server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation server Modbus Cause The original Modbus/JBUS protocol specifies the use of 16-bit integer registers for Analogue Inputs and Analogue Outputs. The number range able to be represented in 16-bits is: Unsigned: 0 to 65353 Signed:     -32768 to 32867    In order to represent larger numbers, it is common for 16-bit registers to be combined to represent 32-bit or 64-bit numbers. When a Modbus Client or Server reads a 32-bit Modbus value, it will be reading two consecutive 16-bit registers. An error will occur if  two 32-bit Local Modbus registers are created in Building Operation using consecutive register addresses since only the starting modbus register address is used for the request.  Resolution When configuring 32-bit Local Modbus registers in Building Operation, the next register address should not be used. Create the next Local Modbus register using the 3rd available Modbus register address. 

Issue Living Space Sensore goes offline after upgrading SmartX Controller firmware from 2.0x to 3.01 or later Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) v3.01 or later Building Operation SmartX Living Space Sensor Cause Living Space Sensor RJ-45 connector is plugged into Room Bus port on RPC. Resolution Move RJ-45 connector from Room Bus port to Sensor Bus port.

Issue There is potential for confusion around the backward compatibility offered in EcoStruxure when the version of Enterprise Server differs from that of Automation Servers in the same system Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation SmartX Servers Cause The 3.1.1 Release Notes refer to a new 'Multi-version system' with the possibility of a v3.1 Enterprise Server but with v3.0 Automation Servers able to function long term within the same system (albeit with some engineering limitations).    This implies that AS running earlier versions than v3.0 cannot coexist, attempts to add AS running v2.0 to ES running v3.0 have produced errors. However........ The System Upgrade Reference Guide refers to 'Runtime Compatibility' with Version 3.1 that states that Automation Servers running v1.8, 1.9, 2.0 and 3.0 can all coexist with an ES running 3.1 without issue Resolution Both documents are true, but there are two possible situations that need to be considered: Situation 1) A site has a v1.9 or v2.0 system which is required to be upgraded to v3.1. When upgrading, the ES is usually the first device to be upgraded, then depending on the number of AS onsite it may take a period of time to upgrade all the AS (especially if some of these servers are used in hospital theaters etc). For this reason EBO has an Upgrade Runtime Compatibility from v3.1 back to to v1.8, 1.9, 2.0 and 3.0, which means that an AS already in the system when the ES is upgraded to 3.1 will maintain connectivity and functionality while the upgrade takes place. Situation 2) A site has an external v1.9 or v2.0 AS whichis required to be added to an ES which is already running at v3.1. When trying to add in a new controller to a v3.1 ES, an error is produced stating that the version of the AS being added needs to be updated to before it can be added. Error Message when adding v2.0 AS to v3.0 ES Error message when adding 2.0 AS to 3.1 ES (better explanation) To summarize EBO does have Runtime Compatibility from v3.1 back to 1.8 as stated, but only for AS already in the system at the time of upgrade. Once upgraded to v3.1 the multi-version environment can be used to operate AS at v3.0 but adding AS running versions before 3.0 will generate a descriptive error.

Issue SEC-TE (TE2) smart terminal controller / SED-0 (DA2) smart wireless actuator will not come online in an MPM controller. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert, Field Devices Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager Smart Controllers Cause The Zigbee network configuration parameters in the MPM have been entered incorrectly. Resolution The application version of the SEC-TE/SED-0 must be determined before proceeding forward. Sticker on device should read V13 or V14. To check/modify the current settings, navigate to the "ZigBee Configuration" object (ZBC) under the MPM. For Application Version 13: Stack profile should be set to "Custom" and Security profile should be set to "None." For Application Version 14: Stack profile should be set to "ZigBee Pro" and Security profile should be set to "Home Automation."

Issue Error "Invalid Server Type" when attempting to log into the Project Configuration Server (PCS) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 and newer Cause Attempting to log into the Enterprise Server IP and Port address with Workstation for Projects Resolution Ensure that the Project Configuration Server is installed. Open Software Administrator and check that the Project Configuration Server tab is shown. If not then the server has not been installed. Install this first When using Workstation for Projects, make sure you use the correct port setting (HTTP or HTTPS) as defined in the Software Administrator

Issue What happens when a device that SmartStruxure has COV subscriptions with goes OFFLINE for a while and then comes back ONLINE? Environment ES AS BACnet devices Cause Documentation Resolution QUESTION: What is the limit on number of COV subscription AS/ES support. ANSWER: There is no hard limits in the AS/ES for number of COV subscription, the server is limited only by resources. QUESTION: How often does the Automation Server subscribe (sends the subscription requests) for the very first time to the other devices? ANSWER: When the subscriptions are first established they are sent immediately to the devices, for example when you save a PE script program any COV created as a result of compiling the program are sent immediately to the device. QUESTION: In the case that the other device (the gateway) restarts or goes OFFLINE, how does the Automation Server handle the sending of the re-subscription requests? ANSWER: If a renewal fails due to device offline, it will be retried every minute indefinitely until it succeeds or the subscription is canceled. So if the device goes offline for a while some of the re-subscriptions will fail and will be re-tried once a minute, when the device is back, within a minute all the failed re-subscriptions will be sent again. QUESTION: Can the COVSubscriptionLifetime and the COVTimerPeriod  be set in the AS? or is it only in the ES ANSWER: They can be set in both the ES and the AS by editing the server.properties file in versions of SBO prior to 1.8.1 In SBO 1.8.1 and above, the settings can be accessed from the BACnet interface manager. QUESTION: Where is the server.properties file located in the server file system? ANSWER: AS: /opt/tac/etc (1.4.1 and below) AS: /opt/sbo/etc (1.5.0 and above) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) ES:  "C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric StruxureWare\Building Operation 1.x\Enterprise Server\etc\  

Issue Getting a “500: Internal Server Error” when clicking on hyperlink in G3 station. The following error is also displayed in the Application Director window: javax.baja.naming.SyntaxException: Illegal char '?' in body: /ord?file:^gfx_Lib/www/nav.htm javax.baja.naming.SyntaxException: Illegal char '?' in body: /ord?file:^gfx_Lib/www/Top.htm Note:  The last part of the file path after "file:" will be different based on your station's file structure.   Environment Niagara G3, version 3.8.37 Cause A second “/” mark was being added to the hyperlinks’ paths in the htm file.  In this case, hyperlinks in the Top.htm file are the culprit. The Hyperlinks read: To date, Tridium has not determined how the second slash gets added.   Resolution The solution is to find out which htm file contains the error and correct it. Use WorkBench’s Text File Editor to examine the htm file to find the error.  - Open the station’s Files folder  - Right-click on the htm file and select “Text File Editor” - Once the htm file is found that contain the error, remove all second slashes.      Change <a href="/ord/?...     To          <a href="/ord?... (removed the second “/”) - Save changes and reopen page in new browser Note: There may be a need to clear all caches.   

Issue When mapping the EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO) Trend Logs to EcoStruxure Energy Expert, not all trend logs are visible in the ETL Tool 'Load Sources'. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Energy Expert Cause The EBO user credentials entered into ETL for connect to the EBO Database must have access to BOTH the trend log itself, and the point which the trend log is logging. Resolution Edit the EBO user which the ETL is using to connect to EBO and give a minimum of Read Only access to both the Trend Log in question and the Point being logged  and then in the ETL re-run 'Load Sources'.  The additional points which were missing before should now be available for mapping

Issue Need to capture steps taken to reproduce a problem or a solution Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, OTHER, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Windows 7 Windows 10 Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016 Cause A series of screen captures will help to demonstrate the steps needed to reproduce a problem or a solution. You can use this tool to capture the steps you take as a problem occurs and send the output to someone so they can see a screenshot of each step. Resolution In Windows click on the Start menu button  Type "PSR" Windows 7Windows 7 Windows 10, 2012, 2016Windows 10, 2012, 2016 Open the Problem Steps Recorder Windows 7Windows 7 Windows 10. 2012, 2016Windows 10. 2012, 2016 Click Start Perform the desired tasks Click Stop Choose a location to save the file output The .zip file will contain a .mht file which can be opened in a web browser The screenshots will appear in order  This will be followed by a detailed output of keystrokes and mouse movements. For additional information please refer to Microsoft webpage on this topic: Record steps to reproduce a problem