Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Knowing the procedure to follow when hosting a site license for the first time with Vista. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Licensing Cause The TAC licensing website is divided up into different areas depending on the task to be performed. An account must be created the first time using the site before creating a license file from the entitlement ID. Resolution Note: In order to rehost an existing Vista license file, see Rehosting a Vista 5 License on the FlexNet License Server. Log onto https://schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com/flexnet/. Click on the link that says "New User?".   Fill out the entire page with your information. Insert the Entitlement ID that was purchased in the space titled "Activation ID". Once everything has been filled out, click Complete.   This will log you into the Start Page of the licensing site. A temporary password will be emailed to the address you provided on the New User page. This temporary password is required to set your new password which can be done by clicking on Profile in the top right corner of the screen.   Enter the temporary password into the "Old Password" field. Then enter your new password into the "New Password" and "Confirm Password" fields. Click Save.   On the left side of the Start Page, click "Activate" underneath Manage Entitlements.   Check the entitlement ID that you want to use and click Activate.  Fill out all of the information on this page. Click Next.   Click on "Add New Host" at the top of the Server Hosts panel. Select MAC address or Hardware dongle as the Server Hosts. Type in the MAC address of the computer or the dongle ID of the hardware dongle that the license file will be associated too and click OK. In order to find out the MAC address of your computer, reference How to locate a computer's MAC address.   Check the box next to the host name that was just added. Click Next.   Enter the number of licenses you would like to activate in the "Fulfill Count" box and click Verify. The file should verify successfully. Click Next.   Review all of the information. Click Generate.   Select the box next to the newly created license file. Either select to "Save to File" (save a copy of the license file to the local PC) or "Email License" (email the license file to a desired address). Click Complete.  

Issue IO Modules must be added to a NetController that cannot be powered down. Environment IO Modules Cause NetController cannot be powered down in order to install new IO Modules. Resolution There are two methods that may be used when replacing or adding IO modules. Method 1 -- Power down NetController. Turn off the power supply. Disconnect the batteries. Replace or add the IO module. Turn the power supply on. Reconnect the batteries. Reload the NetController. Method 2 -- Remove power from the IO bus only. Turn the power supply off. From the Continuum Workstation, navigate to the appropriate controller. In the Command Line field in Continuum Explorer, type the following command -- Set IOUPower to Off Replace or add the IO module Turn the power supply on.

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 for assistance. Issue In some cases, the event and trend database can grow really big, although not all the space in the files is used. In extreme cases, there is more free space than used space and it is quicker to create a separate file. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SQlite Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Cause Frequent inserts, updates, and deletes can cause the database file to become fragmented - where data for a single table or index is scattered around the database file. Running VACUUM ensures that each table and index is largely stored contiguously within the database file. In some cases, VACUUM may also reduce the number of partially filled pages in the database, reducing the size of the database file further. Read further information here: https://www.sqlite.org/lang_vacuum.html Resolution Stop the Enterprise Server or Enterprise Central. Open SQLiteStudio (link to download) Select "Databases" --> "Add database" Find the event.db or trend.db file from the "historical" folder of the EBO database folder. Use this article to locate for your installation - Clean db for Enterprise Server or Enterprise Central On the added database, right-click and select Connect to the database In the query tab, paste the following command: VACUUM main INTO 'C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation 6.0\Enterprise Server\db\Historical\event2.db'; Update the path to match your installation. One can SHIFT-RIGHT-CLICK the event.db or trend.db and select Copy as Path, then select everything inside the single quotes and paste. The paste will include double quotes, so delete those and leave the single quotes Update the database name to ensure it is unique. Click the blue play button above the Query tab. Depending on the size and amount of free space, this can take seconds to days to complete. One can monitor the progress in Windows Explorer by seeing the Size and Date Modified field update. Append .old to the end of the original file and rename the new file, event.db or trend.db, so it replaces the original. Start the Enterprise Server or Enterprise Central.

Issue An error message is displayed when trying to download all objects to a SpaceLogic controller. The error message says:   Offline '/SiteServer' Communication   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Automation Server Bundled (AS-B) Multi-purpose or Room-purpose (MP/RP) controller Cause This error can occur when the controller is an instance of a Custom Type (CT), but the CT only exists in the type library of the Enterprise Server, and not in the Automation Server hosting the controller. A BMS Server can only access it's own type library. See WebHelp article Custom Types for more information. Resolution Log in to the Automation Server where the MP/RP controller is hosted, and import the custom type to type library.

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 for assistance. Issue Continuum cardholders with PINs that start with "0" (zero) are not importing into Security Expert using Data Sync Tool Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Continuum Transition Cause Due to the database's configuration, Any PIN in Continuum starting with a "0" (zero) will be truncated. When DSS runs, the personnel (cardholders) with truncated PINs will be rejected by the PIN length restriction and sent to the error folder. Example: If you have a Continuum site with four-digit PINs and a PIN is entered into Continuum as 0123, will be truncated to 123 in Continuum (Continuum ignores the zero at the reader keypad as well). If you have SX configured for a 4-digit PIN length. This cardholder will not import. Resolution Option 1: Identify the truncated PINs in the Continuum database by running a query and have those users' PINs updated before running CTT and DSS. This should be done as part of your system cleanup before transitioning. Option 2: If you have a minimum PIN length configured in Security Expert, Stop DSS if running. Go to Global|Sites|Site Defaults tab and scroll to Site security enhancements. Set minimum PIN length to "0". Save changes. Start DSS. You will still have to correct any PIN that are less than the site minimum before enabling this feature again.       Note: This option should only be chosen for a one-time sync. If you are running a continuous/lengthy transition, you should use Option 1. Otherwise, you will run into this problem again.

  Issue How can the WorkStation "Remember me on this computer" option be enabled or disabled? Remember me option is available; user can turn on or turn off remember me: Remember me option is enabled      Remember me option is unavailable; user can't turn on remember me: Remember me option is not enabled   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause The availability of the "Remember me on this computer" option is determined by the security setting "Instruct clients to allow autocomplete of credentials." If this setting is unchecked, the server will disable the autocomplete feature for username and password fields on the login page, which also affects the availability of the "Remember me" option in WorkStation. Resolution For EBO versions 3.0 and higher: Remember me for WorkStation logins can be disabled on the server by navigating to Control Panel->Security settings. For EBO version 4.0 (EBO 2022) and higher: The availability of the "Remember me" option is determined by the "Instruct clients to allow autocomplete of credentials." setting. If the checkbox is checked, users can use the "Remember me" option. If the checkbox is unchecked, users will not be able to use the "Remember me" option. In EBO version 6.0 (EBO 2024) and higher, this option is unchecked by default for new installations. For upgrades, the setting chosen before the upgrade will be retained. For EBO version 3.x:  The availability of the "Remember me" option is determined by the "Allow Remember me." setting. If the checkbox is checked, users can use the "Remember me" option. If the checkbox is unchecked, users will not be able to use the "Remember me" option.

Issue How can the AS-P be used as an LPA interface? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium. Cause Working with Loytec LPA in  Building Operation and needing a remote interface for connectivity. Resolution To configure the AS-P as an interface in Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA), follow the steps below: Ensure that you have the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software installed and licensed. Activate the AS-P as an LPA interface: Access the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software. Locate the settings or configuration section. Enable the option to "Activate AS-P as LPA" to designate the AS-P device as the interface. Add AS-P as a remote network interface in LPA: Within the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software, navigate to the network interface settings. Look for the option to "Add AS-P as Remote Network Interface" and select it. Keep in mind that by using the AS-P as the LPA interface, you will only be able to capture and analyze the traffic addressed to or from the AS-P device itself. Network traffic between other devices on the LonWorks network may not be captured using this configuration.   It's important to have the Loytec LonWorks Protocol Analyzer (LPA) software installed and properly licensed to perform these steps.  

Issue The I/Net Seven Help button goes to Windows Help instead of I/Net Help Product Line TAC INET Environment I/Net Seven Software versions 2.40, 2.40A, 2.41, 2.42 and above. Windows 7 (32Bit & 64 Bit), Server 2008R2 (32 Bit), Server 2008R2 (64 Bit)       Note: In Windows 10 (64 Bit) the Online Function was removed by Micrsoft Cause There are some Windows Downloads, from the Microsoft Web site, that needs to be manually installed on the PC.    Resolution Go to TCON Number and Title Cross Reference (with links) and download TCON 298 (Dated 4/12) Chapter 1, Page 2 see the note in the middle of that page for the required windows download to solve this issue. Also if you look in the readme.txt file in any of the I/Net 2.4X release you will see this comment: 9. If installing I/NET on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008R2 or Windows Server 2008R2 64 bit the following must be done to allow I/NET online help to work.  I/NET Seven's online help is a 32-bit ".hlp" file. In order to view I/NET Seven online help on Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008, you must first download "WinHlp32.exe" from Microsoft and install it on your workstation. Note: there are different downloads for 32 bit and 64 bit OS's WinHlp32 downloads.   Links to download WinHlp32.exe: Windows 8.1 : http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=40899 Windows 8 : http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=35449 Windows 7 : http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=91 Windows Server 2008 : http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=19771 Windows Server 2008 R2 : http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=4424 Windows Vista : http://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=5143

Issue The alarms in the UNCs stop archiving to the Enterprise Server database. The process was working before and nothing was changed. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series R2 using the Cloudscape database Cause The size of the Cloudscape database has grown too large. This may cause issues with the system. Resolution Reduce the size of the Cloudscape database by deleting older alarms and logs. Refer to this document for details on how you can delete old alarms and logs. For details on the CloudscapeAdmin utility mentioned in the document, refer to How to remove data for all logs prior to a specific date in a Niagara R2 Enterprise Server.   Switch to using a SQL database instead of the default Cloudscape database if there is a requirement to keep old alarms and logs for a longer period.   There isn't a known limit where the size of the Cloudscape database can grow before the possibility of problems starting to occur. It is different for each site. As a guideline, it is recommended that SQL database be used if the size of the Cloudscape database has to be greater than 2GB.

Issue A change is made to a public signal in TAC Vista Workstation, which was created in a Xenta Server XBuilder project, changed back to the initial value after performing a download to this Xenta Server. Environment Xenta Servers (Xenta 511, Xenta 515, Xenta 555, Xenta 527, Xenta 701, Xenta 711, Xenta 721, Xenta 731, Xenta 913) XBuilder Tested with Windows Server 2003, Window XP SP3 Cause If a path name is changed of a signal, for example, change the "the site name" folder name to another name, Vista consider this change as a major change, and Workstation will not be able to find the new path of the signal. Therefore, the signal will return to the initial value which is initialized in the Menta object. Resolution Suggestion is making all the infrastructure change at the beginning if you can. If there is a need to change the path, make sure all the initial values are reflect to the current values in Workstation. Then, make the download to the Xenta Server.

  Issue For an AS-P running on EBO 4.0.3.176, in Device Administrator, it is showing the State-Ready (Device crash logs available). When trying to download the debug info, it populates the below error and does not get rid of the logs.   ERROR: Failed to run devadmin3 command cmd with arguments -u -m devadmin3 --sa -v cmd 172.20.214.78 -b *** "rm -f /var/sbo/log/crash/coredump_SM222432005_nsp_servers_2022-09-03_110836.tgz" :rm: can't remove '/var/sbo/log/crash/coredump_SM222432005_nsp_servers_2022-09-03_110836.tgz': Permission denied   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment • Building Operation Workstation • Building Operation Automation Server Cause Not running Device Administrator correctly Resolution When opening Device Administrator, ensure to run as administrator as below. This will clear device logs.  

Issue When opening a dashboard graphic, the system operates very slowly.  Navigation to other links with the Dashboard displayed, and clicking on a linked graphic does not display immediately.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation 3.2.3 and higher Building Operation Automation Server Bundles (AS-B) Building Operation WebStation  Cause Typically when a large number of stored values (100,000 per trend log) is needed to be displayed within the Dashboard widget (e.g., Period Chart) with a significant number of trend logs to be displayed (five or more) in the Dashboard, this will put excessive load on the AS-B and hence stops any or all navigation thereafter.   Dashboard widgets typically continue to read data required to be displayed after closing (or navigating away). This is to keep those logs cached for a few minutes after the dashboard is closed, so if the same logs are loaded again, then the data is available. Any calculations are always done on the client, regardless of whether a chart, dashboard, or trend list is shown. The same is also true for WorkStation. Resolution Below are some considerations to look at improving the overall performance when dealing with this issue: Reducing the number of storage records from 100,000 to something more reasonable for the dashboard to display (5,000 - 8,000) Having these logs stored on the Enterprise Server and Dashboard operated from the Enterprise Server.    If large storage is necessary, then create or use different logs for display within the Dashboards widgets.  If the intention is always to show calculated values, use log processor trend logs. Log Processing Trend Log. These can be pre-calculated and thus contain only a fraction of the full source log's data amount. Upgrade to the later version (EBO 2023) as many optimizations have been made for Dashboards since 3.2.        

Issue The documentation states in different ways that the sensors are both 0-95% and 0-100% RH range. Environment SHD100 006902321 SHD100-T 006902331 SHD101-T5 006902381 SHD101-T6 6902411 SHO100 006902361 SHO100-T 006902371 SHO101-T5 006902401 SHR100 006902340 SHR100-T 006902350 SHR100-T5 006902390 Cause Different RH (Relative Humidity) values are listed in the documentation, and needs to be explained.  Resolution Ranges are divided into "measuring range" and "working range".   Measuring range: 0…100% r.H. Working range:   10…100% r.H. ( non condensing )   Normally 100% r.H. is already water but it is possible to have 100% r.H. in air- or gas form. Sensor works at 100% r.H. in air but not if pure water is present. This is why “non condensing” is added. In this case working range is 10…100%. If we don’t add “non condensing”,  specification should read: 10…95% r.H.  Sensor will not become damaged because of condensing.

Issue The ES crashes during startup   SE.EnterpriseServer.exe - Application Error occurs, and the Building Operation Enterprise Server service cannot be started.  Error contains "The memory could not "written"".   The port fields in software administrator shows a red indication on one or more of the ports Environment Enterprise Server Software Administrator IP ports Cause A program is already using the ports defined for the Enterprise Server     In general   You can check which program it is, by entering the following command in a command prompt, replacing ":port number" with the number you want to check, e.g. "0.0.0.0:80" for port 80: netstat -aonb | find "0.0.0.0:port number"     Now in the task manager, enable the coloumn "PID (Process Identifier)", and look for the process ID you get to the far right when running the command above. That will show what program is taking the port.       Skype   If you are running Skype on the Enterprise Server PC there could be a conflict between the default IP port settings and the IP port settings in Software Administrator. The default ports for SmartStruxure Enterprise Server are 80 and 443. By default, Skype will "use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections" if the configured port is unavailable. When Skype is launched it appears to search for an open IP port. If it cannot find an open port within a period of time it may default to ports 80 and 443 as a backup. This behaviour appears to be intermittent.    TeamViewer In newer versions of TeamViewer this is no longer an issue, but it's good practice to select "Use UDP" in the advanced settings of TeamViewer Resolution In general, you can change the ports used by the Enterprise Server in the Building Operation Software Administrator.   If the issue is Skype do the following: In the Skype tools menu go to “Options…” Expand the “Advanced” settings on the left hand side. Click “Connection” in the Advanced section. Uncheck the setting that says "Use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections"

Issue How to transfer EBO 2022 or higher data to Azure IoT hub via MQTT protocol Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Cause Need to configure EBO MQTT interface and Azure IoT Hub, so EBO can send MQTT messages to Azure MQTT IOT Hub. Resolution The following video will illustrate how to: Create Azure IoT hub and IoT device using Azure Portal Create IoT interface and Azure MQTT client in EBO Configure the MQTT connection Create and configure a data group Test the connection Things you need: EBO 2022 or later with valid MQTT license or demo license (Enterprise Server, AS-P or AS-B) valid Azure Subscription with possibility to use free account during testing. For each Azure subscription one IoT hub in the free tier can be created, refer to IoT Hub | Microsoft Azure Visual studio code to be used to test the connection between EBO and Azure IoT hub, can be download from: Visual Studio Code

Issue DC1100/1400, how does the "Set Back" operation work? Environment DC1100 DC1400 Drayton Set Back Cause The Set Back operation has been enabled, but does not appear to work. Resolution There are two modes of operation when using the Set Back function. 1 - Set Back Enabled - Space Night Setpoint - Disabled. - Do not use this option. Expected result At the end of occupancy, the plant will continue to operate, and the compensated setpoint temperature will reduce by the "Flow Night Setpoint" value. The display will show "Set Back". Actual result Controller switches off and displays "Outside Occupation". 2 - Set Back Enabled - Space Night Setpoint - Enabled. Space temperature above "Space Night Setpoint" setting. Controller acts as expected, it switches off and displays "Outside Occupation". Space temperature below "Space Night Setpoint" setting. The plant will switch on, and the compensated setpoint temperature will reduce by the "Flow Night Setpoint" value. The display shows "Set Back". The image below shows the appropriate section of the programming menu structure.  

Issue BASEDON keyword and Plain English Programming BASEDON key word fail Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation site with up to release 1.3 Cause Below is a sample program which uses the BASEDON keyword. Also, here are the steps to use that program: Create script program using keyword BASEDON (Below) Create an input and output for the program (below program that is EntreeBase and SortieBase) Set the input Entreebase to 1,2,3,4,5 and program errors out. Set input to 6 and program runs   Numeric Input EntreeBase Numeric Output SortieBase Line Debut basedon Entreebase goto 1,2,3,4,5 goto 6 Line 1 SortieBase=1 goto Suite Line 2 SortieBase=2 goto Suite Line 3 SortieBase=3 goto Suite Line 4 SortieBase=4 goto Suite Line 5 SortieBase=5 goto Suite Line 6 Sortiebase=6 goto suite Line suite if sortiebase<1 then Sortiebase=20 if ts<5 then goto suite else goto Debut Line E Sortiebase=10 goto Suite  Resolution BASEDON keyword has been submitted as an issue and expected to be corrected in a future release.

Issue For various reasons sometimes it is necessary to clear the error log in the controllers.   NOTE: First generation controllers such as the CX9200 and CX9900 (NetController 1) and Infinet1 devices do not support the error log utility, this article does not apply to those controllers.   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation bCX9640 bCX4040 bCX4000 CX9680 ACX5740 ACX5720 All b3 devices All i2 devices Cause Guidelines for clearing the controllers error log in the field. Resolution bCX4040, bCX4000, b3s Error log is cleared by setting the Errors system variable to 0 (zero)   IMPORTANT It s not recommended to set the errors system variable from within a Plain English program, doing so risks damaging the controller's flash memory which has a limited number of write/erase cycles. Only reset the errors system variable to 0 from the command line or from the system variable object editor.   If the Errors system variable has a non zero value all that is required is to reset it to 0   NOTE: In some older version of the firmware, if the Errors system variable is at 0 then it has to be changed to a non zero value before it can be reset to 0 One easy way to generate an error is to create an InfinityProgram that attempts a DIVIDE BY ZERO I.e. Program is AutoStart and FallThru Numeric N n = 1/0   Create the InfinityProgram above in the controller, once the program saves and runs it will be disabled and the Errors system variable will increment by one. Remember to delete the program as it is no longer needed bCX9640 CX9680, ACX5740, ACX5720 Use the controller error log tool to clear the error log.

Issue Is it possible to create history buttons in a TGML graphic that navigate forward/backwards through previously viewed graphics? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment TGML graphics editor Cause Not all systems want to use the history buttons in the menu. Some user only have access to graphics. Resolution There is currently no supported way to do create a "back" or "forward" button natively inside the TGML. Options to the customer are: Use the History buttons in the header menu Use hotkey combinations: ALT+Left Arrow goes back one page ALT+Right Arrow goes forward one page

Issue ODBC used with EcoStruxure Building Operation Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Edge Server - Standard Cause ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), a standard C programming language middleware API. is used to access database management systems (DBMS). Resolution ODBC is not supported with the current or previous releases of EcoStruxure Building Operation.