Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue In TAC Menta, under Options > Memory Usage > Advanced, there is a BPR size calculator.  What is a Network Neighbourhood (BPR file) and what does this calculation mean? Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Menta Xenta 281 Xenta 301 Xenta 401 Cause The total amount of memory consumed in a programmable controller includes Application and Application Files Parameters Work Area Number of Objects FBD (COD file) OP Menu Tree (BIN file) National Character Set (CHR file) Network Neighbourhood (BPR or Blueprint file) Trend Log Definitions (XLG file) Resolution The BPR is the blueprint file. It contains:  The TAC Xenta network name All TAC Xenta group names The TAC Xenta's own group's members' names The TAC Xenta's own I/O modules' info The BPR is unique for every single TAC Xenta device. This information is created by Vista and included with the TAC Menta images just before download of the Xenta. So this file is not saved anywhere as a separate file. The information is downloaded and does consume memory inside the TAC Xenta controller, however, so the BPR calculator is included to approximate how much room might be required to store the network descriptions for this specific TAC Xenta device. Where memory is close to filling the controller, it can provide more accurate estimates of which applications will fit into the controller.

Issue Using BACnet Multistate points within Continuum Environment Continuum BACnet Cause Can't use Multistate points values to trigger graphics or other objects Resolution A third Party Multistate BACnet object needs to be mapped to a Continuum Infinity Numeric before it can be read as number. A third Party Multistate BACnet object may be read as State 1, State 2, state 3 or On, Off, -On or other values These should be either mapped to Infinity Strings or Numerical to be displayed or measures as required. eg. ContinuumNum = BACnetFullPath\PointName (if a number is required) Then a ContinuumString can be set based on the ContinuumNum value if the text read from the third party point requires modifying. Other MultiState Bacnet Notes When setting the value of a third party Multistate Bacnet Objects eg "Heat", "Cool", "Auto", "Off", try using an integer ie WriteProperty(Bacnet Object, 4, 1) rather than WriteProperty(Bacnet Object, Heat, 1) Note: Some 3rd party bacnet devices default their multi-state values to 0 instead of 1. Cyberstation will not accept a default value of 0. Get the 3rd party vendor to set the default to 1 if possible.

Issue Wants to have LO-2 with external momentary input switch works with schedule object of Continuum. Such as, when the input is ON and the schedule is ON then the PE program turns the lighting output to ON. Environment NetController(CX99xx & CX9680) IOU module (LO-2) Cause LO-2 provides 2 inputs (the 2 Class II Low Voltage override inputs) for direct control of lighting relays but no input signals are not available on LO-2 or NetController.  Resolution Use other input IOU modules such as UI8 or DI8 for the lighting control switch input, and create a PE program to check the input together with the schedule numeric value before turning the lighting control output value to ON or OFF.

Issue When opening Lonmaker a license error indicates that the license has not been activated or expired. LonMaker License Wizard This license has not been activated, or has expired. Applications using the license will not function unless you register the license. The information below shows the current usages for this license. Click Next> to activate the license: Environment NL220 Lonmaker Cause Corrupted LNS Credits on your PC Resolution Occasionally, software errors may prevent the licensing mechanism used by the LonMaker tool or LNS Applications from working properly. Use the license checking procedure below to locate your license problem, then download and install the LNS License update 2006 This will NOT fix your already corrupted license files; however, this will help prevent the license from becoming corrupted in the future. To fix the problem, use one of the following procedure : Procedure -- Checklic command: Open a Windows command prompt. To open a command prompt, click Windows Start > Run, and type cmd for Windows XP and Windows 2000, or type command for Windows 98. Then click OK. Type in the following commands, depending on the software product you are fixing (you can execute this command from any location). Press the Enter key at the end of the command:   Product Command  LNS Application checklic nsseng.exe An example of a working license is shown below. C:\>checklic nsseng.exe If you get an error in this screen Click Here for a list of errors and related repairs.

Issue How does controller part number relate to the controller type Environment Continuum 1.7 onwards for bCX Continuum 1.74SP2 onwards for NC2 Cause Require details on Controller type, these detail are available in the Operation and Technical Reference Guide Resolution Part Number Type NC2  9680 bCX1-R-?? 4000 bCX1-CR-??? 4040 bCX1-CR-???-INF 9640 The actual type can be confirmed by logging on to the controller web page Full details from relevant guide CX9680 NetController II with optional Network Security code linked with firmware, although the code may not be activated at run-time. This option provides secure, encrypted communication between the controller and a workstation. CX9681 NetController II without optional Network Security code linked with firmware. bCX4000 BACnet Router and BBMD only .. bCX1-R-64 = 64 MS/TP Nodes No xP module support No PE Driver support BACnet/IP, BACnet/Ethernet bCX4040 BACnet controller with MS/TP Bus xP expansion bus for up to 2 I/O modules + 1 Display module 1 MS/TP port and 1 RS232 port BACnet limitations are indicated by the bCX1 part number, and include: .. bCX1-CR-0 = 0 MS/TP Nodes .. bCX1-CR-8 = 8 MS/TPNodes .. bCX1-CR-32 = 32 MS/TP Nodes .. bCX1-CR-64 = 64 MS/TPNodes .. bCX1-CR-127 = 127 MS/TP Nodes .. bCX1-CR-0-SA = 0 MS/TP Nodes w/SMNP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-8-SA = 8 MS/TP Nodes w/SNMP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-32-SA = 32 MS/TP Nodes w/SMNP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-64-SA = 64 MS/TPNodes w/SMNP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-127-SA = 127 MS/TP Nodes w/SMNP Alarming bCX9640 Full function controller with Infinet Bus xP expansion bus for up to 2 I/O modules + 1 Display module, 1 Infinet and 1 RS232 port Infinet bus limitations are indicated by the bCX1 part number, and include: .. bCX1-CR-0-INF = 0 Infinet Nodes .. bCX1-CR-8-INF = 8 Infinet Nodes .. bCX1-CR-32-INF = 32 Infinet Nodes .. bCX1-CR-64-INF = 64 Infinet Nodes .. bCX1-CR-127-INF = 127 Infinet Nodes .. bCX1-CR-0-INF-SA = 0 Infinet Nodes w/SMNP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-8-INF-SA = 8 Infinet Nodes w/SNMP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-32-INF-SA = 32 Infinet Nodes w/SNMP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-64-INF-SA = 64 Infinet Nodes w/SNMP Alarming .. bCX1-CR-127-INF-SA = 127 Infinet Nodes w/SNMP Alarming The bCX can have XDrivers on comm1, comm2 or both ( add -X1, -X2 or -X12)

Issue Can't communicate with more than 1 device on LG Gateway at the same time. Updated with solution on 12/15/2017 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment LG Gateway Model:PQNFB17C1 Firmware version: 1.11.4 Cause The gateway can only provide one source address when there are multiple device IDs. The wireshark capture confirmed that no unique source ID provided by the gateway with different device IDs. Resolution Update the firmware version to 5.08.1h Configure the "BACnet Type Setting" to "B Type".

Issue Webclient fails to send alarm events (using Outlook). This happens every few days. The Windows event viewer on the IIS (Webclient) server has a few errors happening at the same time. Errors include Continuum losing connection to the database and going into 'no database mode'. Then it restores the connection after few minutes. At almost the same time an error occurs related to 'accdataservices.exe'. Also, an error occurs indicating that Outlook has failed to communicate with the exchange server. Environment Webclient v1.74, v1.81, v1.82, v1.90 MS Outlook MS Exchange Cause Continuum will randomly stop sending emails for alarms that are configured to send emails. Manually sending of emails from Outlook still works but CyberStation will not send out the message. There are no Outlook errors posted in the Windows Event Viewer and there are no Cyberstation error messages related to email. Resolution There are hotfixes, for some of the above versions, to fix this issue.  Contact Product Support Services if you need these hotfixes. Note: Versions 1.91 and higher have the updated code. 

Issue Can Inovonics wireless equipment be used with Xenta Servers? Environment Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause The Inovonics Frequency Agile product line which is compatible with the Xenta Server driver is being obsoleted by the manufacturer Inovonics at the end of 2011. Resolution If you have existing devices installed in the field then they should continue to work and function. New installations should explore other options for wireless sensors due to unavailability from the manufacturer. The ability to add a RS232 wireless Inovonics interface was removed from XBuilder beginning in version 5.1.8.

Issue Personnel are not deleting properly using a stand alone database in 1.82 and above Environment Continuum 1.82 Continuum 1.9x SQL Express 2005 (Stand Alone) Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There is a different mechanism used to delete personnel in SQL Express than was used in previous versions of Stand Alone databases (MSDE). The SQL agent is no longer available in SQL Express so a combination of batch files, SQL queries and Microsoft scheduler are used to accomplish this task. Resolution Several things to check: Ensure all controllers are online (a controller offline can cause deletions to not happen) A personnel listview with the deletepending attribute indicates True A controller was not deleted No areas were deleted Expiration date is not greater than 2031 Check the access distribution view for any errors At times for permission issues not all the components for deletion are configured by the Cyberstation installation and it's necessary to troubleshoot those components. Click here for a Word document describing these components to help troubleshoot.

Issue When the Ethernet is removed from an AX-SSC controller, all of the devices underneath that controller inexplicably lose their connection to the controller. Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment AX-SSC Cause The firmware of the SSC is outdated. Resolution The firmware of the SSC needs to be upgraded to version 24.01.241 or newer. This can be accomplished with the following procedure:   1. From Access Expert (the firmware of the SSC can only be updated within Access Expert, not from the Device Administrator), select the "Hardware Provisioning" tab. 2. Click "Controllers", and then select the correct SSC controller. 3. Under "General Info" verify the "Reported Version Number". If less than 24.01.241, the firmware needs to be updated. Click "Update Firmware".

Issue bCX4040 has trouble staying online, taking a reload. Environment bCX4040 Cause BCX4040 is shown online in web browser but offline in Continuum. When resetting the controller from web browser, the controller comes online for a short time in Continuum but unable to take a reload (transaction time out). Also, it's not showing up when performing find new BACnet device. Resolution There's more than one issue that can cause this symptom. In this case the controller error log had over 5000 entries in less than 2 days. All the same error: 1 W 10/09/2011 22:26:55.26 0x00001408 0x04e51900 0x02111cfe 0x000001fc 0x00000e48 The '1408' corresponding error text is 'Not enough memory'. There was a T-tap on the bCX's MSTP -  for another enclosure with b38xx controllers, approximately 25 meters away. Once reconnected as a daisy-chain the problem was solved.

Issue Unknown meaning of object status numbers and descriptions Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Continuum uses object status numbers and descriptions for diagnostics.  A list of these enumerations is required. Resolution See file Stsvc.txt in the Continuum directory In Continuum Versions 1.5 and higher, a new database attribute exists. This new attribute is "ObjectStatus". When the value of an object in the Continuum system is greater than zero, then an indicator icon is placed on that object in the explorer view. This indicator icon is also placed on the parent object and subsequent parent objects as applicable. This indicator icon will reveal the reason it has been placed on the object when you place your mouse over the indicator icon. This ObjectStatus attribute value is a bitwise type of attribute. ObjectStatus values and their descriptions: 0   - No mouseover, display normal 1   - Requires a Save from Controller (Parent) 2   - Requires a Save from Controller (Child) 4   - Requires a Flash Backup 8   - Object must be reloaded 16  - Object has been offline edited 32  - Object has been offline created 64  - Flash backup disabled 128 - OS update fail Combination values will display more than one description.  For example, 144 would display OS Update Fail and Object Has Been Offline Edited

Issue Workplace Commissioning Tool is showing a yellow triangle with red exclamation point on an MNB-1000 controller icon. Environment WorkPlace Commissioning Tool version 5.x.x MNB-1000 controller Cause The yellow triangle icon indicates that there is a firmware or Remote I/O Status issue on the RIO bus of that MNB-1000 controller. Resolution There are three ICON overlay symbols that can be displayed over the device icon in the WorkPlace Commissioning Tool.  These symbols are defined in the Device Icons table of Chapter 1 of the I/A Series MicroNet Commissioning Tool manual, F-27358.  Further information regarding the reason for the display of the Remote I/O Warning (yellow triangle with exclamation point) is found in Table 6.1 of that manual.  This document is installed along with the WorkPlace Tech Tool software package and can be accessed from the Help menu of the Commissioning Tool. Any R-I/O module status except Communicating OnLine is reported with the warning symbol being displayed overlaying the MNB-1000 device icon.

Issue Presented with a message saying the activation was completed but "The license file could not be found". The license was then not activated. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert License Activation Cause This is a credential issue. What happens during a license update is that the license is downloaded to ..\ProgramData\Schneider Electric\SecurityExpert\License folder and is then loaded from that location. If the current Windows user doesn't have the correct permissions to write or read from that folder then the process will fail and we will get the error message Resolution Go to the C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric\SecurityExpert\License location and right-click on the folder white space and select properties.  This will bring up the properties window of the folder "License" shown in the screenshot below.  Go to the Security tab and ensure that the SYSTEM and Users accounts have  the same permissions set as what is shown in the screenshot below (specifically read and write permissions).

Issue Satchwell “VG” combined Actuator & 2-port Valve Body assembly requires replacement. Environment Stand alone Satchwell “VG” combined Actuator & 2-port Valve Body assembly VG Actuator 2-port Valve Body Cause Obsolescence of Satchwell “VG” combined Actuator & 2-port Valve Body assembly. Resolution Replace Satchwell “VG” combined Actuator & 2-port Valve Body assembly with Schneider Electric MD10B Actuator, LMD-MB Linkage Kit and Satchwell MB series 3-port Valve Body of appropriate size. N.B.  The MB 3-port Valve Body may be converted to a 2-port Valve Body by installing a plug in Port 3   Details of the original Satchwell “VG” combined Actuator & 2-port Valve Body assembly may be viewed here. Details of the replacement Schneider Electric MD10B Actuator may be viewed here. Details of the replacement Schneider Electric LMD-MB Linkage Kit may be viewed here. Details of the replacement Satchwell MB 3-port Valve Body may be viewed here. N.B. It is possible that the "VG" Actuator may have been fitted with an Auxiliary Switch. If so then an MD-S1 Auxiliary Switch may be fitted to the MD10B Actuator if required. Details of the MD-S1 Auxiliary Switch may be viewed here.  

Issue Field office needs to access the Web Service page so that they can perform an Ethernet network packet capture for communications troubleshooting purposes. Environment MNB-1000 with firmware 1.50E and earlier only. Cause Field office needs to access the Web Service page so that they can  perform an Ethernet network packet capture for communications troubleshooting purposes. Resolution The Web Service page has been removed from the MNB-1000 Plant Controller firmware effective with release version 1.510.  The user-name is user The password is mnb1000

Issue Veris HW sensor part number for displaying both the temperature and humidity readings on the sensor's LCD Environment Veris HW Series deluxe wall humidity sensors Cause There is a need to display both the humidity and temperature readings on the sensor's LCD Resolution In order for unit to display both temperature and humidity, use the TA or D temp selection in the part number. Refer to the HW series sensors datasheet.

Issue How is the mac address (ethernet id) of the Continuum master controllers calculated? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment bCX CX9200 CX9400 CX9900 CX9600 CX9702 CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause Mac address must be unique. Resolution The controller mac address is assigned at the factory. The first three numbers (0:40:11) are fixed and represent the manufacturer, the next three numbers ar5e the unit's serial number converted to hex. Example: Manufacturer = 0:40:11 SN = 557746 which converted to hex = 882b2 Mac address = Manufacturer + SN ~ 0:40:11:8:82:b2   Windows calculator has a programmer mode that can be used to convert from decimal to hex.

Issue Can the XPSI 4.1 software communicate to a GCM via a modem connection? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment XPSI/PSI 4.1 GCM-86xxx GCM-84xxx Cause When capturing trend log data over an unapproved modem, the program lost sync with the incoming data after receiving about 10 lines of log data. Resolution The only modem currently approved for communications with GCMs is the USRobotics 56k (USR5686E). The configuration information for this modem was published in Technical Bulletin 00-47 with model update information published in Technical Bulletin TB03-04. NOTE: If using the USR5686E with older modems, the V.92 communications protocol must be disabled -- see Modems fail to connect with the USRobotics 5686 series V.92 modems for details.

Issue Looking for actuator with position feedback signal for V321 (V292, V222) DN125-DN150 since M22/M50 does not provide this option. Environment V222 DN125 V222DN150 V292 DN125 V292 DN150 V321 DN125 V321 DN150 M22 M50 Cause Actuator with positioning feedback signal for DN125 - DN150 valves Resolution There are currently no suitable actuators available that gives the Forta features on the M22/M50 actuators. Also, there is no linkage kit that would make the Forta series actuators fit on the DN125 and DN150 size valves, due to its different design.