Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Relay Control With Xenta Analog Output Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta programmable controllers Xenta 281, 282, 283, 301, 302, 401 Cause Occasionally installers of Xenta controllers are using the Analog Output (AO) of the Xenta controllers to control one or two external relays. This is being done when the HVAC application needs one or two more points of discrete on/off control and when the AOs are not needed for proportional control. Obviously, this deviation from normal I/O application is being entertained in a effort to avoid additional costs of higher capacity controllers and/or the Xenta I/O expansion modules. Implementation has consisted of a 12Vdc relay connected to the AO output and the AO is directed to 100% output (10V) to energize the relay and 0% output (0V) to de-energize the relay. Resolution While this AO relay control application has not been recommended for typical designs, it should be possible to accommodate it reliably as long as some specific considerations are included in the relay selection and installation. For more information please use the following link: Xenta Analog Output

Issue What is the recommended maximum number of Doc to Dif conversions? Environment I/NET Cause Configuration Question Resolution Not more than 20.

Issue Windows crashes after performing a Doc to Dif conversion Environment I/NET Site Cause Why does Windows crash after performing a Doc to Dif conversion? Resolution Do not define more than 164 cells per conversion.

Issue TAC Vista database export/import. Description texts are missing when the .zip file is imported. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Server TAC Vista Workstation Export/Import Cause Changes to the object description text fields made in TAC Vista Workstation are not automatically saved in the .mta file. Resolution To make sure that the description texts will be included in a database export (physical structure only): Edit the Xenta application with text description fields added or modified through Workstation. Save the Xenta application to the database. If you do this, the description text will be written in the .mta file and will be included in a database export.

Issue Sample Plain English program to set up a door to allow for either keypad OR card validation. Environment Continuum Plain English Infinity NetController Cause Allowing the NetController to respond to a keypad as well as a card reader allows for flexibility in the security solution. Resolution How do I setup a door for keypad OR card validation Create the following InfinityProgram in the NetController for each door. Change each program to the correct door name. NOTE: If using this program, make sure that you do not have validate pin mode selected on the entry reader tab of the door editor. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Looping, AutoStart Program 'Change officedoor to the name of your door Watching: IF officedoor\doorfault IS 2 THEN '0 for normal operation 2 if Fault (Tamper) detected officedoor\entrynormmode = 8 'PINMode officedoor\entrynocommmode = 8 'PINMode GOTO Counting ENDIF Counting: IF TS > 5 THEN 'Wait 5 seconds before switching back to SiteMode + CardMode officedoor\entrynormmode = 3 'SiteMode + CardMode officedoor\entrynocommmode = 3 'SiteMode + CardMode GOTO Watching ENDIF --------------------------------------------------------------------- Press the # key once, it will place the door in PINMode (8) for the 5 seconds then back to SiteMode+CardMode (3). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here are the available EntryNormMode and ExitNormMode values SiteMode = 1 CardMode = 2 GeneralMode = 4 PINMode = 8 If you plan to use more than one add the two numbers together (Example: SiteMode + CardMode + PinMode = 11) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here are the available DoorFault values 1 = Database of doors, areas, and personnel is not functioning normally 2 = Entry Keypad is being tampered with 4 = Exit Keypad is being tampered with 8 = Entry Card Reader is being tampered with or has failed 16 = Exit Card Reader is being tampered with or has failed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My Test case: I created a person with a valid card and a valid PIN. When I used the card the door would open, after relock I pressed the # and immediately entered the PIN plus the #, the door unlocked. If you have a door switch you could probably use it instead of the 5 second timer this would give you a little more control over the door so that the next person in line (with a card) would not have to wait. CyberStation (v1.52.0.20021120) NetController (v1.520010) AC1 (v22) HID ProxPro with Keypad Note: this works on an ACX(5740/5720) also IMPORTANT: The sample PE program above only sets the EntryNormMode of the door. The program needs to set also the EntryNoCommMode and possibly the EntryNodataMode. If the door is a dual reader door then the corresponding attributes on the exit side of the door must also be set.

Issue This video details some of the troubleshooting and diagnostics tools available in the Macrovision/Flexnet License Server LMTools. Product Line TAC Vista Environment LMTools Cause See below for a video tutorial of LMtools diagnostic utility overview.   Resolution

Issue Switching from the Demo license to the Entitled License in Vista 5 Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.X.X Cause In most cases the license will begin to work just fine after starting Vista and selecting "Use License Server" upon startup. For unknown reasons, Vista may need to be forced to ask you for a License File Or License Server option when Vista is first started after the license is switched. Resolution Unlike the Demo license, the site license must be placed in C:\Program Files\TAC\License Files (or C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric\License Files for TAC Vista 5.1.4 and above) and accessed via the License Server. It is imperative that the license file retains the .lic file extension, which importing to certain Windows environments may append a .txt extension to the filename The easiest way to force TAC software to use a License server versus pointing directly to the Demo License is to modify a registry setting of the Flexnet Licensing Software.   Start the Registry Editor from the Command prompt (type "regedit" in the start menu run box) and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>FLEXlm License Manager.  Modify the TACLIC_LICENSE_FILE string and delete the Value data. By leaving this key empty, the next time you start any TAC software you will be prompted to "Specify the License Server System" or "Specify the License File".  Start a TAC Software package that requires a license.  Select "Specify the License Server System" and enter the computer name preceded by an "@" symbol. If the License Server resides on the local machine, "@localhost" can also be used. Note: In more recent versions of License Server, the "@" symbol is optional. If in doubt, putting it in will work with all versions. If the changes were successful, the registry entries should appear as follows (in a typical installation). If registry settings are different that the ones below, please contact Product Support Services.   If the above changes were performed but the License fails to read,  in some cases the License Server system will not work properly until rebooting the PC. If unable to read the license use LMtools utility located in the TAC Tools to troubleshoot the issue. If additional assistance is needed for using LMtools, watch the video overview published in Vista 5 Macrovision/Flexnet Licensing: Lmtools diagnostic utility overview. For help with Vista versions >5.1.7, see License troubleshooting in Vista 5.1.8 or greater

Issue Unable to bring interfaces(downstream devices) online, showing as unknown Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert in Cloud or On-Premise SSC (Security System Controller) Downstream controllers Cause Offline interfaces can occur under a number of circumstances, below are the most common reasons. The controller is not yet active. Once all interfaces, readers, and I/O have been added, it’s important to remember set the device as active. Interfaces were added to the controller after it was made active. The controller requires a reboot to download the correct configuration. Dipswitches and addressing on the board may be incorrect Check Wiring  Resolution Go through the following steps to get interfaces online Set the device as active (Go go back to the controller page ) Reboot the controller (containing the interface) Check that the DIP switch settings are correct on the controller (see the Mercury hardware manual) Switches 1-5 on an interface module set the address in binary, this means 32 addresses are available (0-31). Users must set the correct address inside Access Expert that matches the DIP switch value. Switches 6 & 7 set the Baud rate, both on for default 38400. Switch 8 should be off to disable AES key encryption. (Communication is instead encrypted over TLS 1.2) Note: The orientation of the DIP switches may be upside down compared to some labels on other connectors, so it's easy to have everything inverted. On this MR52 board, the On label on the connector is DOWN. These dip switches are configured for address 0, baud rate 38400, and no encryption. Check wiring Ensure that the panels are wired correctly. Verify your RS485 communication and refer to the hardware installation guides Verify End of Line Termination Verify End of line termination jumpers are set, refer to hardware installation guides

Issue What is valve authority? Product Line Field Devices Environment Any valve Cause Information on Valve Authority to obtain good control. Resolution Valve Authority = (Pressure drop across fully open control valve) / (pressure drop across the remainder of the circuit) + (pressure drop across fully open valve) In other words, valve authority within a system indicates how much of the system's total pressure drop comes from the control valve. It is common practice to consider the range between .2 to .5 as "acceptable" authority for proportional valve.

Issue Are the Network 8000, DMS, and Signal manuals available in an electronic format? Environment Network 8000 DMS Signal Cause Option to view Network 8000, DMS, and Signal manuals in electronic format. Resolution The Network 8000, DMS, and Signal manuals are available from the Publication Zone via iPortal. They are, also, available on a CD. The "Legacy zip" link downloads and extract the files, if running the program from a computer or creating the CD. When running the program from a computer, launch "index.html" located in the extracted bin folder. Email legacy product documentation requests to be added to the Legacy CD, to Product Support.

Issue Vista Server can read values on a LON device, but when this same device is used in an Xbuilder project for a Xenta Server no values can be read. Product Line TAC Vista Environment FT-10 LON Network Xenta Server Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause The XIF file of the LON Device does not conform to LonMark standards for self documentation. Vista Server can recover from this and assumes all SNVTs are from the default function block, but XBuilder cannot. On the third line of each variable declaration is the self documentation: 1: VAR nvo01Value 2 0 0 0 2: 0 1 63 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 3: "@1|2 The correct format is to show the functional block number and the member number separated by either a | or # character. Improperly formatted self documentation include the following: "nvo01Value - Does not define the function block or member number. "@_1|_1 - Uses _1 which is not a valid number. "&3.4@0,20000-MP580 - Uses a - (dash) which is not valid It can also be because SNVTs from devices are bound directly to Menta programs in a Xenta 7XX. If the procedure below doesn't solve the issue, refer to Graphic values not updating in a network that includes a Xenta 7XX. Resolution The XIF file must be edited to correct the self documentation. Right click on the controller in Vista Workstation and open the properties window. On the XIF file tab find the file name of the XIF file. Open this file from the $thisfil directory in the Vista database folder. Modify the XIF by manually correcting these invalid lines of self documentation. It is recommended to use the default function block (0) and start with member index 50 to ensure no overlap. Increment the member number for each SNVT. "@0|50 "@0|51 .... Once the XIF file has been updated save it under a new name in the $thisfil directory. In the device properties browse to the new XIF file. Log out of workstation. Log in to workstation. Insert the LON network into Xbuilder. Generate the project and send to the device.

Issue Attempting to commission a controller in an LNS environment results in the following error: Cannot communicate with the device. (Subsystem:  NS, #26) Environment LonMaker, NL220 Cause An NS, #26 error indicates a complete failure to communicate.  Most often this will be the result of physical layer problems.  In some situations it maybe due to a failed controller. Resolution Check the obvious physical layer connections: Is the cable plugged into the laptop to connect to FT-10?  Is the router between the computer and device being commissioned online and communicating?  Are the wires terminated properly at the controller?  Is the controller powered? Are there end of line terminators fitted? Inspect the controller: Are the LEDs blinking as designed? Are you able to receive a service pin from the device? Does an MOT or NXE need to be reloaded to the device? Typical troubleshooting techniques will usually resolve an NS, #26 error once it is understood to be a complete lack of communication at the physical layer.

Issue When using Microsoft Vista and IE 8, the calendar picker pops up a window but does not show the calendar. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.40 Microsoft Vista Internet Explorer 8 Cause Security of Internet Explorer Resolution Go to the Internet Options, Security Tab, and disable the protected mode for the Internet.

Issue I cannot find any published instructions giving the procedure to install an updated version of one of the JAR files on my I/A Series (Niagara) system. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 software (any version) installed on a Windows computer Cause An updated version of one of the JAR files installed in an I/A Series (Niagara) R2 system has been published.  The updated file has been downloaded to my computer but there are no instructions on how to install it. Resolution For the purpose of this explanation of the procedure, the following steps reference an update to the "programlib" jar file for release 2.301.522.   Substitute the name of the jar file being updated and release number in the following steps. * NOTE: Before attempting to update a jar file, verify that Windows Explorer is configured to display file type extensions. (See * below for more information). The JAR file update is published, currently on the  as a .zip file containing two files.  Copy the file programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.emb to the \niagara\r2.301.522\emb folder. Rename the existing file  from programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar to programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.old. Rename new file from programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.emb to programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar (removing the .emb extension). Copy the file programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.nt to the \niagara\r2.301.522\nt folder. Rename the existing file  from programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar to programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.old. Rename new file from programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.nt to programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar (removing the .nt extension). Copy the file programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.nt  to the \niagara\r2.301.522\nre\modules folder Rename the existing file  from programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar to programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.old. Rename new file from programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.emb to programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar (removing the .nt extension). To install the new jar file into a UNC, perform the following procedure after completing steps 1 through 9, above. Start the Niagara 522 version of the Admin Tool. Open a connection to the UNC Select the "Installation" tab then click the [Installation Wizard] button. Select the "emb" folder in the "Select Distribution Directory" window then click [Install] In the "Niagara Remote Installation" window, select the "Configure Modules Only" radio button then click the [Next >] button. Verify that there is a checkmark in the "Upgrade/Add" column for the updated jar file. Click the [Next >] button to continue. Make sure that on the "Database Backup" screen that you do backup the existing database. Continue through the remaining steps and allow the upgrade to install and the station to restart.   * To properly rename the files as described in this procedure, Windows Explorer must be configured to show file type extensions.  To configure this setting or verify it, proceed as follows: Open Windows Explorer by clicking on the My Computer (or Computer) icon on the computer's desktop or by making the selection from the Windows start menu. From the Windows Explorer "Tools" menu, select "Folder Options" Select the "View" tab. Scroll down through the "Advanced Settings" list to locate the entry "Hide extensions for know file types".  Verify that this entry is unchecked. Click the [OK] button to save the change, if any, and exit the Folder Options screen.

Issue ETHERNET Cable Requirements. Environment Sigma 4.05 and earlier versions. V53 and ARM7 Processor Boards. Cause ETHERNET Network cabling advice. Resolution The Sigma Cabling Guide should be followed when installing an ETHERNET network: Sigma Cabling Guide 2.2 Further information about cabling can be found in the following guides: For V53 Processor Boards (UNC496, 596, UNC532, DNN and IC integration controllers): Cguide26.pdf For ARM7 Processor Boards (UNC696, 796 & UNC632): Cguide31.pdf Cguide32.pdf For ARM7 Processor Boards (DNN3 Decentralised Network Node): Cguide33.pdf For ARM7 Processor Boards (IC3 Integration Controller): Cguide34.pdf RJ45 Plug connections are:

Issue When using the IC_LON Plug-in an error is reported indicating that the SNVT is not supported. Unknown SNVT Type:  92 Environment Sigma IC-LON Version 1.E Cause The Sigma IC3-LON corresponds with version 11 of the LONMARK Resource files. Not all SNVT types are supported. Resolution Not all SNVT types are supported, please confirm which SNVT’s are supported by viewing the IC3-LON release note.

Issue Cameras have learned in successfully but live video shows as black or the Video Administrator shows the preview as black. Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Continuum Endura Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Live video is showing black because of a configuration issue. Resolution There can be a number of reasons why live video is showing as black in Continuum. Here are some steps to correct or troubleshoot this: Time between devices is not synced. Verify that the controller(InfinintySystemVariable Date), Cyberstation(DateTime Date), and the Endura system(SM) time are all synced. Video Driver or Card. To allow for Sarix cameras in 1.92 changes were made that could cause a standard VGA driver to not display video. Update the standard driver or change the video card. (Test with a different PC which uses a different card) Multicast traffic. Check that the switches on the LAN are broadcasting traffic using multicast. Run the Sherlock utility which is a free codec utility to determine the codec on the Cyberstation and send the results to Product Support. It can be found at the following web site: http://www.free-codecs.com/Sherlock_The_Codec_Detective_download.htm Ensure that the cameras were renamed from the default name in Endura (defaults to camera, but it's actually a null). Ensure that each camera has its own unique non-zero input/channel number. Both of these two items can cause the Continuum camera learn to not be successful and cause issue when trying to access video. Video.log files. Configure the video.log files per How to create a log file for troubleshooting video integration issues in Continuum. Send these files to Product Support for analysis.

Issue Is there a limit to the number of read/writes available for a BACnet Setpoint object? Environment WorkPlace Tech versions 5.1 and later Cause Not applicable Resolution The BACnet Setpoint object (analog or binary) is used for writing setpoint values to a controller, where it is stored in EEPROM. Observe normal precautions to avoid frequent writes to EEPROM. Excessive writes (typically greater than 100,000) can greatly shorten the life of the EEPROM and adversely affect its reliability. The BACnet Setpoint Priority object (analog or binary) represents a Value BACnet object type, of which the data is read-write accessible. This object can be used to write data to the controller. The Setpoint Priority object provides access to temporarily stored application values, usually setpoints or setup values, that are stored in RAM.  These setpoint values can be monitored and changed via BACnet communications, using the BACnet priority array.  When written from WP Tech, the default value is written to the priority array “relinquish default” location. Only this default value is stored in EEPROM. For more information, refer to the WorkPlace Tech Tool Engineering Guide Supplement (F-27356)

Issue Alarm queue in the Vista Workstation states "No license for LonWorks communication" Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation Cause The simplest cause of the issue, and the one that should probably be checked first, is that the license for LonWorks communication was not present at the time the server was started.  Oftentimes, this is due to starting server, realizing the engineering or end user dongle was not plugged in (or license server was not started) and then plugging it in.  The server will not actively poll for this license, it must be present at startup. Resolution Stop the Vista Server Ensure the license dongle is plugged in, or the license file is activated and installed on the license server. Restart the Vista Server Related Articles: "No license for LonWorks communication" with TAC Vista Server LE "No license for LonWorks communication" error when using a non LE dongle "No license for LonWorks communication" - LonMaker Recovery Folder "No license for LonWorks communication" error message in Classic Network "No license for LonWorks communication" Error in Windows 2008 Server X64 TACOS startup delay utility

Issue Unable to connect Remote Client to Standalone Server ASTDIR error when attempting to configure I/NET is sometimes caused by not being logged in as an administrator. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Remote Client Workstation type Cause In most cases, the issue that blocks the remote client connection is port 50069. This must be opened between the two workstations, and use an admin-level I/NET password must be used to initiate communication as well as having to be logged in as an administrator on the local machine. Resolution Log in to Windows as an administrator-level user Make sure that the I/O server is not running Open I/NET Configuration Modify the active profile or create a new one Set TCP/IP settings as well as required reference hosts For Workstation type, select Remote Client or Remote Client (w/IO) When the authentication screen comes up, enter an I/NET operator name with full access. Enter the Host name of the standalone machine functioning as the server. (IP address can be used instead) Leave Authentication Type as default. Press OK Press OK and start I/NET For more information, see Remote Client Configuration Issues I/Net 2.31 and prior and Remote Client with I/O in the Workstation Type of the I/O Server 2.4 and later.