Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Which BACnet (MNB) and Micronet (MNL) controllers are half-wave rectified and which are full-wave rectified? Environment BACnet (MNB) controllers Micronet (MNL) controllers Cause Information about products rectifier helps avoid equipments damage connected with improperly wiring. Resolution In the current MNB controller line, the MNB-1000 is full-wave rectified. The MNB-300, MNB-70, and MNB-Vx are half-wave rectified. In the current MNL controller line, the MNL-800 is full-wave rectified. The MNL-5Rxx, MNL-1xRxx, MNL-20Rxx, and MNL-VxRxx are half-wave rectified. An early version of the MNL controllers were full-wave rectified: MNL-Pxx, MNL-Uxx, and MNL-Vxx (firmware V1.x). The same controllers were upgraded to firmware V2.x and re-designed for half-wave rectification. Both firmware versions of this controller line are obsolete.

Issue Menta file Simulates (F12) and Generates OK and even downloads from Vista apparently OK, but monitored values shown the message 'Failed to read signal'. Connecting to the controller with the serial lead and entering online simulation mode gives a 'PARSER ERROR'. The Memory Usage stats show less free space than would be expected for a file of this complexity. Environment Vista Menta Xenta Cause The Menta file has some corruption that is not visible when viewing the Functional Block Diagram. Resolution Some files may be rescued by copying the FBD into a new empty Menta file: Create a new empty Menta file with the same Device and Program Specifications as the corrupted file. Open the corrupted file in a second instance of Menta. Drag a selection box around the entire visible FBD and enter Ctrl+C to copy. Switch to the new Menta file and enter Ctrl+V to paste the FBD. Please note that this procedure will copy references to named constants across to the new file, but it will not copy the constant definitions. Selecting F12 will highlight the function blocks containing the references to the missing constant definitions.  Edit the block and press 'OK'.  A dialog box will pop up for each constant where you can fill in the value, unit and public parameters.  Repeat this procedure by selecting F12 until Menta enters simulation mode without errors.  You will also need to create the OP tree and any trend logs from scratch. If you are lucky, the new file will download and run without errors.

Issue After receiving the CyberStations Who Is broadcast  via the BCX4040 the third party device responds with an I Am packet.  However, the BCX is not passing the information back to Cyberstation.  Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation BACnet Who is I Am 3rd Party Find Bacnet device Learn Cause In the attached mstp capture images, neither of the responses from the Automated Logic device at packets 1713 and 5379 have the necessary information that would cause the bCX or any BACnet router to send the message to another network. 3rd Party device responds with an I Am Looking at the NPDU layer of either message, you’ll notice a destination network (DNET) is not indicated. If you compare these messages with those from the b3 (at packet 1716 or 5382), you’ll see a DNET of 1 indicated, which is why the I-Am’s from the b3 reach Cyber, as Cyber belongs to Network 1. BACnet end devices are expected to dynamically detect the presence of SNET/SADDR information in the NPDU and reply with a message that includes the matching values for the DNET/DADDR. b3 responds with an I Am In the preceding Who-is packets you can see that the network number has been communicated to the third party device Resolution BACnet routers or BACnet Building Controllers do not cache or otherwise correlate requests and responses. BACnet end devices are expected to dynamically detect the presence of SNET/SADDR information in the NPDU and reply with a message that includes the matching values for the DNET/DADDR. The role of the BACnet router is to remove the DNET/DADDR information and add the SNET/SADDR information when they route messages from one network to another.  

Issue Issues with Operator username/password which can arise when restoring an SP-C-Web Database.   Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert   Environment SP-C-Web   Cause The SP-C-Webs Database Restore process is different from the Security Expert Client/Server.   Resolution SP-C-Webs are unlike the Security Expert Client/Server model in that the SP-C-Web contains its own on-board controller database This controller database can be backup by the customer and then restored onto another SP-C-Web by a field or support engineer However, issues can arise when trying to access that restored SP-C-Web customer database using the customers own provided Operator username/password

Issue If an Automation Server should be used as a LON Device in an OpenLNS Database using the OpenLNS Commissioning Tool? Is that possible to do? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server 1.4.1.68 or newer   Cause Some sites may wish to use other Lonworks configuration tools than EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation. Resolution This is possible in 1.4.1.68 and newer. Add a Lonworks Local FT-10 interface and then add an Externally Managed Lonworks Network.

Issue I/NET will run in application mode, but will quickly shut down when in service mode Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Configuration Profile I/NET Seven Cause The I/O Server can be configured to auto shutdown whenever the I/NET Workstation application is closed. If this setting is used, the service will stop whenever I/NET Workstation is closed as well. Resolution Open the I/NET Configuration application. [Start>All Programs>I/NET>INET Config] Click on the Radial button so that I/O Server is maintained when no clients are present. Do NOT use the shutdown option when using I/NET as a service  

Issue Need to use the Emulated Hand Held Console software to setup a DPU, can it be downloaded? Product Line TAC INET Environment Inet Configuration tool Windows Cause Could not find the HHC software. Resolution The HHC software can be found on the Inet install CD under the folder "Support" > "HHC." It can also be downloaded from the Download Center here: TAC INET Seven Software Emulated Hand Held Console for 7798C - Firmware.zip

Issue Is it possible to monitor the status of a Modbus interface/device from within a TGML graphic? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Building Operation WebStation Building Operation Server Serial Modbus device Cause It's a very common requirement to monitor Modbus devices and interfaces and show this value on a TGML graphic page. Resolution The attached TGML graphic gives a simple example of how to do this. The screenshot below shows the property to bind the TGML binding to. To see the property "NetworkStatus" for the Modbus network in the binding view double click on Modbus Master Network. To see the property "Status" for the Modbus device double click on the Modbus device in the binding view.   

Issue The documentation on The Exchange differs from the documentation included in the packaging. Neither document shows the full capabilities or wiring options of the transmitter. Environment STO300 Cause The supplier recently changed the PCB and as a result, all of the 300 model plantroom type sensors now offer dual outputs (current and voltage). Since the part number designation is for current only the documentation included in the packaging only shows this configuration. To further complicate matters the specification and installation materials on The Exchange have not been updated to reflect the changes at this time Resolution The installation instructions included in the product packaging should always be referred to when installing these transmitters. The latest installation instructions can be downloaded here. If the new 0-10VDC output feature is required please follow the diagram below for wiring and DIP switch configuration.

Issue Can the Personnel Manager be launched without using Continuum Explorer? Environment Continuum CyberStation Cause Require quick launch. Resolution Opening Personnel Manager without opening an existing personnel record. Create a button in the graphic to launch Personnel Manager. Edit the button in the Object Properties Action: Start Windows Program Windows Program: C:\Program Files\Continuum\Launch.exe Command Line Arguments: -C –SPersonnel –Offline “-FRoot” If you want to include a Owner folder location use the following arguments Command Line Arguments: -C –SPersonnel –Offline “-FRoot” “-Proot\FolderName” Result: This will launch Personnel Manager from the button on the graphic with no cardholder information configured.   Create a graphic and set it up to launch for the user upon login Create a button in the graphic to launch Personnel Manager. Edit the button in the Object Properties Action: Open object Object: Select a default cardholder to bring up in Personnel Manager Result: This will launch Personnel Manager from the button on the graphic to the cardholder selected.   Create a graphic button from the main menu that launches Personnel Manager to a specific cardholder If you have made any modification to the Main Continuum menu. Make a copy of the file before editing. i.e. the default is c:\program files\continuum\userprofile\continuum.mnu Right click the main page. Create a new hot spot or edit the Personnel hot spot according to instructions in the Configuration manual on Menu Pages. C:\Program Files\Continuum\Launch.exe -O -SPersonnel "-N\Cardholders\Test_Card" (Note:Cardholders is a folder) Result: Personnel Manager will open to that card   Launch the command line and use the Show command This is similar to option 2 except the button config is different In the Personnel button change the parameters to C:\Program Files\Continuum>cmdline Result: This will launch the Command line Type in Show Test_Card (some cardholder the user knows exists) Ex. R> show test_card Personnel Manager will open to that card   Change the Continuum Menu Personnel button that launches a listview to select a cardholder This is similar to option 2 except the button config is different Create a listview called Launch_PM In the listview place the following qualifier. (Name is like Prompt("Name is like", "*")) For the Personnel button configure the command and arguments lines to be: C:\Program Files\Continuum\Launch.exe -O -Slistview "-N\Launch_PM" Result: This will run the listview, the user can then type in the name of the personnel they know exists after the "*". The listview will find the user and then they can double click on the user in the listview to bring up Personnel Manager.  

Issue How to get BACnet B3xx controllers to know whether its parent BCX1 is online with its MSTP network or not. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment BACnet B3xx BCX1 MS/TP Network Cause There may need to be some action taken if communication is lost with the parent controller. Resolution Use the BACnet attribute of System_Status of the BCX1 with BACnet full path in the B3xxx's PE program. Make sure that you need to delay the program with enough waiting time, otherwise, it could make the MSTP congested. For example: Line Checking If BACnetDevices\MyBCX4040 System_Status = Operational then Goto Wait10Secs Line Wait10Secs If TS > 10 then Goto Checking Line E 'Do something to process the BCX offline situation in the b3 controller. Goto Wait10Secs

Issue When logging into TAC Vista Webstation or ScreenMate, error message: Error Information The following errors have occurred. Please correct these errors and/or contact the system administrator. The Vista.Server.WebApps.Access license is missing. This license is required for the Vista Server to allow connections to the Web Applications. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1 Vista Webstation 5.1 Vista ScreenMate 5.1 Vista Standalone package license Cause If the customer purchased the Vista Standalone license package, the Server-to-Server network and ability to be used with Webstation and ScreenMate is disabled. Two licenses are required in order to use Webstation or ScreenMate. Vista Server web function ability license: This license is required for Vista Server to communicate with Vista Webstation or ScreenMate. This license comes with the Vista Server license or some Vista package licenses, and cannot be purchased individually. It should look like something below in your license file: INCREMENT Vista.Server.WebApps.Access  taclic 5.1   Actual Webstation or ScreenMate seats. This license is required for users to log into Webstation or ScreenMate. This license comes with the Vista Enterprise package license or being purchased separately. It should look like something below in your license file: INCREMENT Vista.Webstation taclic 5.1, or INCREMENT Vista.ScreenMate taclic 5.1 Vista Standalone license package does not include the first type of license; therefore, when user log into the Webstation or ScreenMate, license is missing error message is displayed. Resolution Customer has two options to solve this issue: Purchase a full version of  Vista 5.1 Server license. Part number: 000882501 Part name: VISTA 5.1 SERVER   Purchase another package license which includes the full version of Vista Server license and replace it with the Vista standalone license. The standalone license can be rehost to another computer which does not need the web function for future usage. Read additional package license information in the “Software License Packages” document.

Issue When Starting I/NET you get a blank error message with a Red Hand. Environment I/NET Remote Client Configuration Cause You are getting the Red Hand error because the active configuration is a Remote Client Configuration and the primary Server cannot be reached or the Network is down. The Red Hand may also appear when I/NET cannot connect to the currently configure SQL database Resolution Option 1 - Check that you are connected to the network. Ensure that the Server you are remoted into is started and online Option 2- Open I/NET Configuration Change the Active Profile to one that is Standalone

Issue Installing I/NET on a PC using MSDE and MSDE won't start. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Version 2.40 and above Windows 7 MSDE Cause MSDE does not run on Windows 7. Resolution If the user has attempted this, more than likely the OS has corrupted SQL. There are a couple of things that can be done as described in Verify in Windows Registry all items are deleted after uninstall of I/NET Seven and MS SQL. However to return the PC to its original state the best bet would be to reinstall the OS, or a backup prior to the installation of I/NET.

Issue Cannot order the VZ*9 valves, its no longer available.  Environment VZ*9 VZ*19E VZ*19* VZ*19C MZ20 Cause A new line of VZ valves is now available. Resolution The old VZ series valves have been replaced with a new. The old (VZ*9) is replaced by the VZ*19* (Either to VZ*19E (Flat face) or VZ*19C (Compression). The MZ20 actuator range can still be used with the new valve range. For more information and details, please see  the related data sheets. VZ*9 Valves, MZ20A Actuators and MZ20B Actuators.

Issue Controllers Comm port has previously been used for Infinet and it is now required to change its operation to Modbus or another X Driver. Environment All CX controllers that support X Drivers CX9200, CX9400, CX9900, CX9940, bCX1, NC2 Cause When connected to a controller whose comm port is in infinet mode the mode can not be changed. Resolution Delete any Infinet controllers under that comm port in the database Go to offline editing, change the mode from Infinet to Autoset or Printer, apply the change. Go online. Reload the controller. You can now select X Driver mode and select the required X Driver file.  

Issue Unable to find the latest firmware for ADv3 in EcoXpert Extranet Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Advanced Display v3 (ADv3) Cause The firmware is not publicly posted since the process to load the firmware should not be attempted without guidance from Product Support. Resolution All customers must to open a support case to receive fixes or enhancements.

Issue I/A Series R2 / G3 graphics are not displayed when using web browser after the Java version is updated to Java 7 Update 51 or later. A dialog box indicates "Application Blocked - Application Blocked by Security Settings." Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series R2 I/A Series G3 Cause From Java 7 Update 51 and onwards, Java has enhanced the security model to make user system less vulnerable to the external exploits. The new version of Java does not allow users to run the applications that are not signed (Unsigned), Self signed (not signed by trusted authority) and the applications that are missing permission attributes. Risks involved in running each kind of applications Unsigned applications: An application without a certificate (i.e. unsigned apps), or missing application Name and Publisher information are blocked by default. Running this kind of application is potentially unsafe and present higher level of risk.    Self signed application (Certificate not from trusted authority) An application with self-signed certificate is blocked by default. Applications of this type present the highest level of risk because publisher is not identified and the application may be granted access to personal data on your computer. Jar file missing Permission Attribute Permissions Attribute verifies that the application requests the permission level that developer specified. If this attribute is not present, it might be possible for an attacker to exploit a user by re-deploying an application that is signed with original certificate and running the application at a different privilege level. Resolution As a workaround, the user can use Exception Site list feature to run the applications blocked by security settings. By adding the URL of the blocked application to the Exception Site list allows it to run with some warnings. Steps to Add URL to the Exception Site list: In control panel go to the Java Control Panel Click on the Security tab and verify that the Security Level is set to "High" or "Medium". Click on the Edit Site List button Enter your site details (This example http://www.SBO-Site.com) where www.SBO-Site.com is the address of the R2 Enterprise Server or UNC serving graphics, expressed either by name or by IP address. Click the Add in the Exception Site List window. Select continue Repeat the process, adding the addresses of all the site's Enterprise Servers and UNCs/JACEs. If this computer is used for browsing I/A Series G3 site graphics or StruxureWare for Building Operation site graphics, the addresses of those sites may be added as well.

Issue What is an MCI? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site Cause This interface supports a mixture of up to 64 MRs, ASCs, and DP family controllers. Resolution This stands for Micro Controller Interface. This unit provides a control interface that can integrate MRs and DPUs on the same subLAN. See Explain and define I/NET Ethernet, C-LAN, and Sub-LAN communication for further explanation.

Issue Unsure how to use the settings in the VAV Flow object Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager (MPM) MPM-VA Cause Cannot change the units of the output Resolution For Variable Air Volume (VAV) Flow configuration, it is recommended to use the Kf method when setting up an MPM-VA In the PFC calculation, the Kf factor represents the flow (Q) for a measured dP on the flow ring of 1 Pascal (Pa). The flow sensor on the MPM controller (AI21) measures dP in inches of water column (in w.c.). With a conversion of 1 in w.c. = 250 Pa, we obtain this formula: Kf = Q [cfm] / (sqrt(250 x dP[in w.c.])) or, Q [cfm] = Kf * (sqrt(250 x dP[in w.c.]))   Calibration/Balancing: A typical VAV box should have a theoretical Kf factor provided by the manufacturer. This Kf value must be used in the in the PFC object when balancing VAV systems. Next, using instruments such as an air flow capture hood, technicians must compare the output flow from the PFC object and the actual measures air volume. If the values do not match, the measured value along with the value of AI21 must be entered in the above equation to produce a new Kf factor. The new Kf value will then be used in the PFC object to finalize the calibration For example if the measured air volume is 200 cfm and AI21 is 1.2 w.c., the new Kf will be: Kf = 200 / (sqrt(250 x 1.2)) =11.55 Important notes: -Even though the Kf units show "Liters per second", the "Flow output value" will be in "Cubic feet per minute" (CFM) if the value of Kf is based on CFM values. If the Kf is based on LPS, the output will be in LPS -Every time the Kf factor is changed in the PFC object in the MPM, it will take up to 2 minutes before the output flow changes to the new value