Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue References to objects and points are not easily understood Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta Server (511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913) Cause The references relates to the internal indexes in the project Resolution Here is an example of how to locate a Menta signal referenced in an error log. The procedure is the same for all other types, although the file names may vary. This is an example taken from an error log:   1337 03-09-2014 10:41:19 AM minor trend TLogNotifier 1 menta.5.62 Variable type disagreement (Error#:61971) 1336 03-09-2014 10:41:16 AM minor trend TLogNotifier 1 menta.5.60 Variable type disagreement (Error#:61971) 1335 03-09-2014 10:41:13 AM minor trend TLogNotifier 1 menta.5.61 Variable type disagreement (Error#:61971)   Here is how to locate the signals menta.5.62, menta.5.60 and menta.5.61 Navigate to the XBuilder location on your hard drive, and browse to the folder "TargetImage\configdb". If the XBuilder project is part of a TAC Vista database, either save the XBuilder project outside the database, or locate the zip file containing the project and un-zip it. Depending on the signal reference browse the folder appropriate folder - in this example "menta". Open the file "menta.xml" in notepad or similar - for a better overview you can paste the content of the file on this web page: XML Pretty Print Locate the program id and note the reference. In this case it's id 5: Open the file "mentablocks.xml" in notepad or similar - for a better overview you can paste the content of the file on this web page: XML Pretty Print Locate the signal id's under that program id, in this case it's: Open the file "BHP BILLITON/Mentas/Water Meters.aut" in notepad or similar Locate the ObjectId's, in this case it's: #1 "MUNIC_ABL" [124,32,0,1] '','','946C6EE5-4884-4c24-804F-F7E95BAF262D' = XPR {A-B-C-D-E} #2 "RAIN_ABL" [125,77,0,1] '','','1277F8E5-5451-4dad-BEBF-1461EC75AC30' = XPR {A-B} #3 "GREY_ABL" [124,122,0,1] '','','3FF1B614-2379-47a2-BFCA-782EEE4ADAC4' = XPR {A-B-C-D}

Issue It is not clear which part of the license system handles the end-user license and which part handles the demo license. Having both TAC Vista and EcoStruxure Building Operation(EBO) installed on the same PC can cause conflicts in the license system. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation   Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server   Cause If an EcoStruxure installation is only used for engineering and therefore will only have demo licenses activated, you don't need to install the license server. The service "FLEXnet Licensing Service" is installed by any EcoStruxure software package, and that is the service that will handle the activation of demo licenses. Resolution If you will only use demo licenses on a PC and/or also have TAC Vista installed on the same PC, only install the license administrator and not the license server.   It is also possible to run TAC Vista and EBO using the same License server, please see Lesson Learned SmartStruxure license and TAC Vista license on the same PC

Issue TAC Xenta I/O modules that are added as LonWorks units in TAC Vista, are converted to Xenta I/O modules belonging to a Xenta Base unit (SlaveSpeak devices) in EcoStruxure Building Operation, after conversion using TAC Vista Conversion Tool. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment Vista Server TAC Vista Conversion tool Xenta Xenta I/O-modules Cause In TAC Vista, the Xenta I/O modules are normally located on the same subnet as the Xenta Base unit, and belong to the Xenta Base unit, communicating as SlaveSpeak devices. If a Xenta I/O module is located on another subnet than the Xenta base unit, it could instead be added as a LonWorks Unit in Vista, and therefore communicating via LonWorks bindings to the Xenta base unit using SNVTs. Vista Conversion Tool does not handle this configuration. In the conversion tool, all Xenta I/O modules are expected to be connected directly to a Xenta base unit, located on the same Subnet, and are therefore always treated as SlaveSpeak devices. Resolution After running the Vista Conversion tool, you have to re-build the LonWorks Bindings between the Xenta I/O module and the Xenta Base unit manually in EBO, as the Conversion Tool does not handle the actual configuration setup.

Issue "Helix YUV Codecs (remove only)" shows up under Windows "add/remove programs" after Continuum is installed. What is this and is it part of Continuum? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation 2.02 and earlier Windows Cause A Continuum Cyberstation installation brings with it several additional programs in order to run properly. These can be seen in the "Add/Remove Programs" interface. These programs may remain installed even after an uninstall/upgrade of Continuum. Resolution Helix YUV Codecs is part of the Continuum installation. The installation file is "yuvcodecs-1.2.exe" located on the CD in "..\Continuum\ISSetupPrerequisites\{1D2652A6-D9B2-43ED-8009-987E762962A2}". The Codecs install is part of the SVG viewer program for WebClient graphics in Continuum 2.02 and earlier.  This was removed from the Continuum 2.03 installation. If desired, this program can be removed if it is no longer in use.

Issue Knowing the type of cryptographic protocols that Vista uses for communication security. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Server TAC Xenta Server SSL Cause Some systems will require to know the security protocols that TAC Vista uses in order to ensure communication across their network.  Resolution At this time TAC Vista only supports Secure Socket Layer version 3 (SSLv3) to ensure data integrity and security for network communications. More specifically the SSLv3 cryptography algorithm is: SSL_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_SHA This security protocol is hardcoded into the server and is not adjustable. Note: Be aware of other SSL-related issues, mentioned in the following articles: TAC Xenta servers are going offline in TAC Vista Error connecting to Xenta Server in browser using HTTPS

Issue Mobile Apps for Access Expert Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert site desiring the use of modern technology Cause Unable to find or know where to look for the Mobile Apps for Access Expert Resolution Based on the version of software using Version 2 (V2) or Version 3 (3) the apps are different for each, so please understand the differences. These can be downloaded from the app store on iOS devices.  For Version 2, there are three Mobile Apps depending on what is needed by the client, these are: Go to the App Store, click on Search and enter Keep and download the following apps Keep Monitor - which monitors what is taking place like the events on the system Keep Notify - which notifies the user via emails and texts if there is an Alarm that has been generated Keep Personnel - where existing users can be verified or picture updated etc For Version 3, there is only one Mobile App called Keep Mobile, this gives a general oversight of the system and what is going on with it. Go to the App Store, click on Search and enter Keep and download the following app Keep Mobile - which gives you the ability to see all users, events and Hardware that are configured on the system

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 Services for assistance. Issue When viewing a meter consumption report, the values shown in the report does not match the values in the extended trendlog in SmartStruxure Environment SmartStruxure 1.5 and below Web Reports Cause Generally this will happen if the meter is reset and that time the last value of that meter will set a BaseValue. To calculate the total consumption of the meter we are adding the BaseValue to the offset. This means that the value shown will be the logged value + the offset. In some cases however you would want to completely reset the log and just show the same values that are represented in the extended trendlog. It has been identified, that a defect causing a trend logging a 0 after each restart triggers this reset. Request the latest hotfix for 1.5 from Product Support in order to avoid this happening in the future.   Note: This issue (Defect #26360) has been fixed in 1.6.1 release. Resolution 1. Open "SQL Management Studio" and connect to the database "StruxureWareReportsDB" 2. Locate the log you want to reset using this query: SELECT * FROM tbLoggedEntities 3. Note the ID of the log you want to reset 4. Reset the log using the following query, replacing xxxx with the ID of the log DECLARE @id INT SET @id = xxxx UPDATE tbLoggedEntities SET BaseValue = 0 WHERE ID = @id UPDATE tbLogTimeValues SET FloatValue = OdometerValue WHERE ParentID = @id ##WARNING## The above script will reset BaseValue to 0 this may impact on any previous Meter Readings.  Please contact Product Support to discuss this if you have concerns before applying this script.

Issue The value of DateTime will different depending on how the variable is declared Differences between DateTime declared as a local variable and as input, output or public in Script program Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Script Editor Cause Local and bound variables will initialize differently Resolution Local DateTime variables are local and known only to the Script program or function, and are initialized to the current local date-time value of the sever in which they  execute. Binding variables, including Input, Output and Public variables, are not effected by the Script engine by default. The EBO system uses the 1/1/1970 date as default and the Script simply uses that. If a different initial value is required then one can be set in the script

Issue After completing the installation for 2.0 WebClient the first attempt to logon results in HTTP Error 500.21 Internal Server Error logging into WebClient. Trying to register .NET 2 using aspnet_regiis.exe produces  ASP.NET setup custom has stopped working. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment WebClient Cause .NET 4 not registered with IIS Resolution Register .NET 4 with IIS from Command Prompt (NOTE: Run command prompt as administrator)

Issue The customer (or others) have performed Ethernet penetration tests and some controllers have reset Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Ethernet Controllers Netcontroller Cause Some earlier versions of firmware include vulnerabilities to broadcast storms or DOS attacks. Resolution The following firmware versions have fixes that relate to resetting of controllers due to unusual Ethernet Activity. Those shown are not always the latest version and it is best practice to use the latest firmware available on all sites. The following controller versions and above: bCX 4040 (BACnet) bCX1-INF 9640 v1.200025 Netcontroller CX99xx v1.5300026 Netcontroller NC2 CX9680 v2.100035 ACX57xx v1.100037 CX9702 v1.200036 All firmware compatible with Continuum v1.90 and later. Previous versions not shown, but all the information required is available from the firmware release notes See Continuum controllers go offline during a broadcast storm

Issue Getting authentication failure when trying to set to password for "SystemReportsService" through "Building Operation WebReports Administrator" Environment Web Reports 1.6.0 RC and above Cause The Reports Agent can't check the password with the ES. This is dues to one of the three causes below: [1] The Enterprise Server path is not correct [2] The HTTP port entered for the reports agent is not correct [3] The ES is not started [4] The password entered is not correct [5] The reports agent is not started [6] The "Local System" account does not have high enough privileges to communicate out of the server Resolution [1] Enter the right ES server path e.g. using "SBO Reports Agent Config" [2] Enter the same port in HTTP in the ES Software Adminsitrator and the reports agent e.g. using "SBO Reports Agent Config" [3] Start the ES [4] Enter the correct password (you can change the defined password for the "SystemReportsService" through Workstation) Be sure to use the SystemReportsService account in the local domain of the ES [5] Start the reports agent [6] Change the report agent service to run under a local administrator account

Issue Unable to find data sheet for TAC M500 actuator Environment TAC M500 actuator Cause No data sheets are to be found on the Extranet Resolution The data sheet for TAC M500 actuator can be found here

Issue Having difficulties determining which firmware/hardware version supports which feature. Some of main questions are: Is an SE8000 compatible with an MPM's firmware Can zigbee NYCE sensors be paired with MPMs Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager SE8xxx Room controller SE8000 Series SER8300, SE8300, SE8350, SE8600 Ex. Viconics branding VT8000 Series Cause Firmware versions are frequently updated to introduce new features Resolution   Room Controller Firmware Zigbee-Module Application MPM's Firmware Comments Lua4RC 1.0.7 N/A 2.13.4 and up A script must be uploaded via BACnet or USB cable in order to view the "LUA" Menu. ZigBee NYCE Sensors 1.0.6/1.0.7 051 - 0131R05 and up 2.13.4 and up   SE8650   1.2.0 051 - 0131R06 and up 2.17 and up   SE8600   1.0.7 051 - 0131R05 and up 2.13.4 and up   SE8300/ SER8300 1.0.7 051 - 0131R02 and up 2.12.4 and up No label on ZigBee Module 1.0.6 051 - 0131R02 and up 2.7.2 and up No label on ZigBee Module

Issue When printing access control cards, there is a need to print the a card number bar code on the card as well as photo's, names, text, logos etc. Environment Continuum Access Control systems, all versions. All Security and Integrated Workstations (with SEC or INT in the part number). Photo badging option (append -B to the part number). Cause As well as a photographs, text, numbers and graphics, barcodes may be added to the card design using the EPI Designer software. To use card badging the system requires that the Continuum Security Key (Dongle) has the badging option enabled (-B in the part number), otherwise the "Create/ Edit Badge" option will not be available to select. Resolution From the EPI Designer menu select the "Draw", "Bar Code" option and the following screen will be displayed allowing the barcode to be configured: The configuration page above allows the type of barcode to be defined, the Personnel "Field Name" to be linked to the code as well as other barcode options shown. Custom fields can also be used.

Issue The network card is not working on the PC.  Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Access Expert, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Security Expert, Satchwell BAS & Sigma, Satchwell MicroNet, TAC IA Series TAC I/NET, TAC Vista Environment PC Network Interface Card Cause Require a method to test the network card. Resolution Assuming you have the correct protocols loaded:- Open up a command prompt and type ‘ipconfig’(1) then press enter to get a list of the available network cards. Find the specific network card by name (2) Record the IP Address (3) assigned to the card, e.g. 192.168.5.90 If the card is unplugged (4) connect a network cable and start back at step 1 If the network card does not appear in Device Manager check the drivers are correctly installed for the card and when installed correctly start back at step 1. If the network card still does not appear it could be disabled.  In Network Connections right click the adaptor and select Enable (5) and start back at step 1. After these steps if the network card still does not appear when running ipconfig it is most likely damaged. If/when an IP Address is successfully obtained open a Command Prompt and type ping followed by the IP Address of the card, for example ping 192.168.5.90 (1). A functioning card will respond with 4 successfully replies (2) and the associated statistics (3) As additional information a good first step would be to "ping 127.0.0.1". This will not test a network card but indicates that the TCP/IP protocol is installed and functioning on the host PC.

Issue Documentation on memory usage for the 7910 and 7920 DPUs Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site Cause Documentation on memory usage for the 7910 and 7920 DPUs Resolution Yes. TCON 237 pages 9-4 through 9-6 refers to INET 2000, 2.xx systems. Tech tips 039 and 035 were written for older I/NET systems.

Issue Generating a Menta application results in the following error if the maximum number of Menta blocks is exceeded in the application: TAM32 The maximum number of Alarm blocks is exceeded in the application. The problem must be solved before the application can be generated. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Menta Xenta programmable controllers Xenta 281, 282, 283, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Cause Generating a Menta application results in an error if the maximum number of Menta blocks is exceeded in the application. Resolution There can be no more than 127 alarm blocks in a Menta application.

Issue Selection and installation of a pulsed output module. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices, Satchwell Sigma, TAC Vista Environment Heat Meter Multical 602 Pulsed output module No pulses Cause Installed card does not give output pulses. Resolution Selection of the output card. The Schneider Electric part number is MAPULSETOPC and this is the equivalent to Kamstrup part number 602-0C This card will provide 2 pulse outputs for energy and volume, CE and CV respectively. Normally, energy (CE) is connected to 16-17 and volume (CV) to 18-19, but other combinations can be selected via the PC program METERTOOL, also used to select pulse duration 32 or 100 ms. The MAPULSETOPC is actually a top module, which means that it is fitted into the top piece of the MC602 calculator, basically the inside LCD cover. This is released by pressing downwards in the middle of the plastic piece on the left, and at the same time pushing the top module towards the left.

Issue Does Continuum 2.0 SMTP alarm email support encryption? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment SMTP Cyberstation Cause There is a need for encryption on SMTP alarm delivery in Continuum. Resolution Continuum does NOT support encryption for alarm emails sent over SMTP from Cyberstation.

Issue Configuring Special Day Schedules. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site with schedules Cause What are the steps to make sure the Special Days works correctly Resolution Special Days are handled a little differently in Access control. The steps to make sure the Special Days work correctly is discussed in the attached white paper, Special Days Setup I7.doc.