Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The following issues have been found to occur due to the Windows 7 User Account Control Settings: When starting I/NET, receive an error message indicating, "This is an unregistered version of I/NET.  Please contact TAC to register this copy of I/Net." DBCreate does not accept Windows Authentication login.  It only allows access to DBCreate using the SQL Server authentication login option. Login Issue with SevenReports (Crystal Reports)  Product Line TAC I/NET Environment I/NET Seven 2.4x Windows 7  Windows 10  Cause The User Account Control Settings appears to block access to these files required by the I/NET applications. Resolution Set the User Account Control Settings to "Never notify". Go to Windows Start Icon In the Search prompt, type in User Account - Select the option "Change User Account Control settings" from the Control Panel options shown below: The default setting is shown. Change this setting to "Never notify." You will be presented with the following confirmation - Select Yes Restart your PC Test the issue and re-install I/NET (a repair may be adequate) if the issue remains before contacting support.  This setting is only required to be done once for all users on the PC.

Issue How to calculate the input value for a Lookup table for a resistive AI device. Product Line Satchwell Sigma Software Environment Lookup Tables Cause A lookup table needs to be created for an additional resistive AI device. An existing lookup table does not exist. Resolution The following parameters are needed, the device's datasheet will normally provide this information. The resistance of the device at a known value e.g temperature or a feedback potentiometer. The following calculation is then used. lookup table input value = R1*250 / R1+14700    (Where R1 is the resistance value) The output value in the lookup table will be the known value (e.g temperature or a feedback potentiometer) for the resistance used in the calculation above. Example: Resistance = 5905 ohms at 17'C Table input = 5905*250 / 5905+14700 = 71.6452 and Table output = 17.0 The more samples taken, greater the accuracy. Input values need to be entered with at least 3 decimal figures.

Issue How to set an LNC-100 back to factory-default settings. This will erase all block programming and device configuration. Environment Network 8000 LNC-100 and related controllers based on the GCM-861X0 series platform, including the GCM-86110, GCM-86120, SIM-CCN, SIM-MTECH, SIM-TRANE, and SIM-YORK Cause Sometimes it is necessary to manually clear the controller EEPROM in order to reload a database. Resolution Follow the steps below: Backup the controller database. Clear the controller's EEPROM. This is accomplished by pushing the reset button and the EE CLR button and holding both for at least 20 seconds before releasing. The reset process is complete when the top two red LEDs on the right edge of the controller begin blinking in their normal sequence (second LED blinks twice as fast as top LED). This process will clear the user programmable memory (including all block programming), returning the controller to its original factory condition. This step is important as it insures there will be no conflict between the new revisions firmware and the older version. The procedure above is excerpted from Technical Bulletin 99-27 , steps 1 and 2.

Issue PE program will not compile, due to the following error: Syntax error, unexpected token 'xxxxx' Environment Cyberstation All Andover Continuum controllers Cause Program is using one or more reserved keywords Resolution Remove reserved keywords from program's code. See Andover Plain English Language Reference Guide appendix B for a list of reserved keywords.

Issue Enabling XDriver on the first generation of controllers, 9200, 9400, 9940, 9900 including the enabling of TCP/IP Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Older Continuum sites Cause Connectivity to third Party devices using the old NCI or First Generation Controllers requires an updated file. Resolution For 1st generation controllers, a .upd file is needed to turn on the bit for the Comm port. There is 1 bit per port to enable X Driver then a second bit to enable IP X Driver support required for the Modbus TCP/IP driver. The same principle applies to the generation1, 9200, 9400 controllers.   These controllers have flash memory just for things like the Serial number, model num, & X Driver settings, even though the controllers have EEPROM's for the firmware   As far as loading these drivers using hyperterminal, apart from firmware, one can load the X Driver file/ code through hyperterminal if required, but easier to do through Cyber'.   These files which enable the Xdriver for the Comm port, and TCP/IP are available by filling out the Driver Request Form, then they will be emailed directly to the customer from the factory in U.S.   X Driver list (Search for 'Third Party Driver List') and Order Forms (Search for 'xdriver order form') are located on the Exchange Download site  Difference between first and second generation controllers, visit What is the difference between 1st and 2nd Generation X Drivers. For information on Physical Ports, visit What controller ports and physical standards are supported by the Modbus X Drivers?  For Second Generation Controllers, visit How to order a controller with or upgrade a controller to have XDriver support.

Issue Access Expert is able to communicate down to the SSC (a reboot works) but the SSC won't come online and its status shows as unknown. Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment SSC Cause In IIS the binding has been configured incorrectly. (On Premise ONLY) Mercury port (3001) blocked.  Resolution This is what a properly configured binding looks like. (On Premise ONLY) Reference How to verify ports needed for AX-SSC communication with the Access Expert server are open from within the AX-SSC itself to check status of the Mercury port, if block work with IT department at the site to have it unblocked.

Issue Public values, inputs and outputs of a Menta object defined in a Xenta 700 XBuilder project are displaying their values in Workstation as [Invalid Address]. When the value is double- clicked, the following error appears: Error in property Value. Read operation failed. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation Xenta Servers Xenta 701, 711, 721, 731 XBuilder Menta Cause The Menta object is not connected to a task. Therefore the Menta application is not being executed. Resolution In XBuilder, generate the project. Check the output window Generate tab for a warning that states "This Menta Object is not connected to a task" Double click the warning. The offending Menta object is highlighted. Drag and drop the Menta object into a Control Task folder in the Network Pane > TAC_Xenta_7xx > Control Tasks Regenerate and send the project to target. Menta object values should now report valid values.

Issue Offline alarms received from Continuum controllers every few minutes and log error 0x00006c0e Broadcast Storm AKA Error transmitting and/or 0x00006c03 Driver fatal error during operation. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Net Controller II Continuum ACX 4 Controller Continuum CX Gen 1 Continuum bCX4040 Continuum bCX9640 Continuum BCX4000 Cause Excessive ARPs and/or other broadcast traffic on the network. Resolution When troubleshooting controller offline issues that are suspected to have excessive broadcast traffic as the root cause it is important to understand how to interpret Wireshark capture to determine whether too much broadcast on the VLAN  is indeed the problem. Note that taking the percentage of broadcast traffic in a Wireshark capture while a good starting point cannot in itself be solely used as proof that excessive broadcast is indeed the root cause of the controllers going offline, this is because in the absence of much unicast traffic the broadcast traffic will make up most of the packets resulting in a misleading high percentage. A much better way to determine whether the controller maybe going offline due to excessive broadcasts is to look at the average broadcast packets per second over a 15-20-minute capture. The screen capture below shows the statistics from a 20 minute capture filtered by broadcast traffic (eth.dst == ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff)  The capture shows that about 63% of the traffic is made up of broadcast at an average of 24 packets per second. The Continuum controllers on the network were going offline multiple times an hour. Note that the Continuum controllers are initially able to handle a much higher rate of broadcast traffic, tests performed in the PSS lab show a CX9680 can handled about 10 times  the amount shown here sustained for 5-10 minutes but over a much longer period of time such as several days or weeks the amount of broadcast traffic shown was enough to cause the controllers  to go offline. The screen capture below shows the statistics after the root cause of the excessive broadcast was identified and fixed. The problem at the site in question here was a defect in the network switch that was making the switch duplicate ARP traffic. Note that Cisco switch model Catalyst 4500 is also effected by the firmware bug. Current version which fixed the issue: Catalyst 4500 L3 Switch  Software (cat4500e-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 03.08.05.E RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)   Previous version which caused the broadcast problems: Catalyst 4500 L3 Switch  Software (cat4500e-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 03.08.02.E RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc2)

Issue Communications cabling Environment Sigma Cable LAN Belden Cause Communications wiring Resolution Belden 8762 cable or an  equivalent cable should be used for standard on pair communications. Belden 9502 cable  or an  equivalent cable should be used for isolated LAN communications. Click here for the Belden 8762 data sheet. Click here for the Belden 9502 data sheet.

Issue Step by step instructions for installing and configuring a Loytec NIC852 dongle, also known as an Orion Stack. Environment Vista LNS Network Echelon LonMaker Cause A single Vista server can handle communications to about four "average" sized LNS Networks. Very large networks or many LNS ports in a single server may result in a degradation of communication reliability. An Orion Stack changes the way Vista communicates with the LNS Server and allows up to 28 LNS Ports to be added. Resolution NOTE: If LonWorks Interfaces was previously configured as your Network Interface you must delete the computers IP address from the IP-852 tab before you continue. Insert NIC852 Dongle into USB slot on Front-End computer.  This dongle must be plugged in at all times for the Orion Stack to work. Use the Loytec CD to install the necessary software to use the dongle such as hardware drivers and the LConfig interface Make sure that the latest drivers are installed for the NIC Interface.  The latest drivers can be found at:  http://www.loytec.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=116&Itemid=25 When properly installed, the Loytec symbol should appear on the bottom right corner of the Windows Toolbar.   Right-clicking on the symbol will allow you to easily access the LConfig interface.  Click on LConfig to configure the NIC852 (Orion Stack) Using the LConfig interface, navigate to the NIC852 tab and check the box next to enable the device.  The transceiver should most likely be set to IP-10L and the number of LNS Applications should be selected (aka, the number of LNS databases) Click CNIP configuration to set up the IP addresses for the Device (aka..The Front-End Computer IP address) and the Config. Server’s IP address.  * Don’t forget to enter the Device Name (aka Computer Name).  Click “Ok” twice and the device should be configured.  Test it before closing out. With the NIC852 configured, open Lonmaker and open the first drawing directory with “Show all network options dialogs” checked. When the Network opens, click ‘Next’ to configure the Network Interface.  Check the box next to ‘Network Attached’ and select the first NIC_852 entry.  Click next to let the network configure.  Go through the rest of the windows by clicking ‘Next”, save the drawing, and exit. The network interface for each LNS can also be chosen by going to Lonmaker > Network Properties in the Visio drawing and utilizing the Network Interface tab. Next, set the Communication Port for the TAC Network to look for a Loytec device.  To do, this open ‘TAC Vista System Plug-In’ which can be found at Lonmaker > System Plug-in > TAC Vista System Plug-In.  In this window, right-click the Network (top of the controller tree under the TAC Network) and click “Settings.” When the ‘TAC Network Settings’ window opens, under the Network tab select “Communication Port-Loytec” and click OK.  The TAC Network will have to be updated after this.  Repeat Steps 6-10 for each LNS database.  Remember to select a different Network Interface each time. After configuring the NIC for each LNS Database.  The Orion Stack should be properly setup.  * Note:  It is a good idea to note that an Orion Stack is installed on the main graphics page for the site to keep other potential users informed, like remote support engineers.

Issue Generating a Xbuilder project results in the error message "The size of the generated project is xxxx KB, which exceeds the maximum size 8192 KB". Environment Xbuilder 5.x.x Cause The generated project size exceeds the maximum limit due to the following reasons: The project contents made up of graphic pages, inserted networks (LON, I/NET, etc), large images (BMP, GIF, etc), or imported files in the UserTargetImage directory cause the project to exceed the limit. The option "Send Project backup file to target device" is checked and this causes pushes the project size over the limit. Resolution Generate the Xbuilder project to see how far above the limit the project currently is. Open the Project\Settings and uncheck the "Send Project backup file to target device" and regenerate the project to see the difference in file size. If the size difference is significant then check for large files in the project directory that should not be sent to the device such as project or device documentation files such as PDFs. Remove these files from the Xbuilder project directory and generate the project again.  Search the Xbuilder project directory for the largest size files such as graphic pages and try to find way to reduce the size by converting background image formats that will result in smaller file sizes. Example convert BMP file to PNG or JPG format.

Issue Documentation on how to add and remove controllers in Version 3. Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert Version 3 Win10 and above Server 2012 R2 Premise Install Cause There is no documentation on how to add or remove controllers in Access Expert. Resolution This video shows how to add and remove controllers from one instance to another in Access Expert.

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 Alarms need to be sent to specific Workstations and then escalated to other Workstations if they have not been acknowledged within a specific amount of time. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Security Expert Cause Documentation does not describe specific steps for how to configure alarm escalation. Resolution You will be able to do the alarm escalation with Security Expert by using the Alarm Routing options under the Events Menu. 1. Create your Workstations by going to Events | Workstations. The name of the new Workstation object in Security Expert will need to correspond to the actual Windows PC name for alarms to be routed properly. 2. After you have created all of the Workstations you will need to create Workstation Groups under the Events menu. One group for each level of alarm routing that you want to do. If you have three workstations and want to route from one to the next to the next, then you would need to create three Workstation Groups and add one Workstation to each of them. 3. Next you will need to create an alarm routing list under Events | Alarm Routing. On the Workstation Groups tab add the time for Transfer After (this is in seconds) which is when the alarms will be routed to the Workstations in the next Workstation Group. Set the Routing Order for those groups, the first group is 0. Next set the Transfer Priority if you have specific alarms that are to be routed to these Workstation Groups, leave blank if all alarms are to be routed. Set the routing group active to enable routing. 4. The last bit is to go to your Alarms that you want to route and add the routing list you created in step 3 to the Alarm Routing List field. This will now route these alarms to the Workstations you've configured.

Issue A third party BACnet device does not support segmented messages but the bCX4040 does. Can the two devices communicate? Environment Continuum BACnet MS/TP MSTP bCX Cause A third party boiler BACnet MS/TP interface card is having difficulty communicating with a bCX4040. The manufacturer of the interface card has commented that the Continuum bCX uses segmented packets and the Bacnet interface card cannot communicate with a segmented packet delivery system.  Are these devices incompatible? Resolution The problem should not be related to message segmentation. This is because the bCX will try to send a segmented message and the third party device should send a response to the bCX indicating that segmentation is not supported. The BCX will then send only non-segmented messages to the device. So, the bCX supports message segmentation but can do both segmented and non-segmented messages on the same MS/TP bus.  Get an MS/TP capture with both devices on the wire while doing a Find BACnet Devices request from CyberStation and send to Product Support for review.

Issue What is the advantage of having a Doubly Bus Terminated Topology segment VS Free Topology in a LON FTT 10A setup? Environment CX9900 CX9680 LON IOU Modules Cause Unknown Resolution The advantage is bus distance, with the doubly terminated bus you can have a bus length of up to 2700 meters (depending on type of cable used), with the free topology the maximum would be 500 meters. (see page 22 in the Continuum I/O Reference document). The disadvantage is the Doubly Bus Terminated method is that it does not allow free topology, nodes must wired in a bus topology (just like in the LON RS-485 485) to limit electrical reflections.

Issue After installing WorkPlace Tech Tool software version 5.8, only version 5.0 is shown in the Purchase License program product list. Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool software release 5.7.6 and later, including release 5.8 Cause The displayed list of software products shown in the Products list does not show version 5.7 or 5.8 Resolution The Purchase WorkPlace Tech Software license request program has been updated to include some additional licensing options. The licensing program product Part Number list was also revised to eliminate some confusion that has occurred in the past regarding license upgrades. The license product list now contains entries only for the major releases (4.0, 5.0, etc) instead of indicating the version that was current at the time the license product file was last updated.   One intent in this change was to eliminate the confusion regarding the need to purchase a WorkPlace Tech Tool upgrade license. When the WorkPlace Tech Tool software versions 5.7.6, 5.7.7 or 5.8 (or later 5.x.x release) has been installed on the computer, the following list shows two of the products that appear in the Purchase WorkPlace Tech Software license package list screen: WP-TECH-50     WorkPlace Tech 5 WP-TECH-50U  Workplace Tech 5 Upgrade The product code "WP-TECH-50U" is used to request a WorkPlace Tech Tool software license upgrade from release 4.0.x to any 5.x.x release of the WorkPlace Tech Tool software.  As a reminder, when ordering an upgrade license, proof of purchase of WorkPlace Tech version 4.x.x must be included with the license request form.  Suggested proof of purchase is the license request form for the previous version that was sent to the customer showing the generated unlock code. The product code "WP-TECH-50" is used to order a new customer license for any 5.x.x release of the WorkPlace Tech Tool software. Remember that a license upgrade is not required when a minor WorkPlace Tech Tool software upgrade is installed.  The major version upgrades are designated by a change in the first field of the release number, i.e., 4.0.3 is a version of major release 4.x and 5.7.6 or 5.8 are both versions of major release 5.x.x.

Issue A floating-point value is displayed incorrectly in a TGML graphic. The presentation field appears to show random numbers. The example shows how the value 11.60 is represented in a TGML graphic. 11.60 is actually stored as 11.600000381469727. In format presentation mode: In none presentation mode: The last 6 digits of the stored floating-point value are seen! Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X TGML editor 5.1.X A presentation text bound to a floating-point value. Cause Vista uses the PC's default settings for number of decimals, when presenting values in TGML graphics. Resolution To resolve the issue, either set the format property to "Presentation" for the binding object or change the PC's settings to view fewer decimal places eg. 2.

Issue TC303 Time and Day of the Week Settings Product Line Field Devices Environment TC303 Series Fan Coil Thermostat Cause The time and day displayed on the thermostat is incorrect Resolution Press and hold the M button on the thermostat for approximately 3 seconds and the time's hour will start to blink. Use the Up/Down arrows to change the value. Press the M button again to switch the focus to minutes and the day of the week. 

Issue Compatible GSM Modem for use with the I/A Series G3 SMS Driver Environment I/A Series G3 Cause An externally purchased GSM modem is required to be used for sending out alarms in an I/A Series G3 system via the G3 SMS driver. Resolution The SMS driver has been tested with Siemens MC35 GSM modem. Technically the driver should work with any GSM modem providing the GSM standard has been implemented properly by the manufacturer. Product Support have tested the Siemens MC35 equivalent modems from Cinterion with the G3 SMS driver (https://www.gemalto.com/m2m). The Cinterion devices, MC35i and MC55i have been used on several sites with no issues reported.