Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue A license is needed for using the Roam IO2 with ethernet Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Roam IO2 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause A license is required to use the ethernet feature with the Roam IO2 Resolution Follow the instructions for Generating a License request in the BACnet Service Tool Generating a License manual, (PDF attached). Include your contact information, PO (purchase order) and RA numbers for the RoamIO2. Send that information to Upgrades.Continuum@schneider-electric.com to process the request.

Issue Example Menta Programming using a STR as Setpoint adjustment to an Xenta I/O Module Environment Adjustable 10k Thermostats Menta STR-102 STR-103 STR-104 STR-105 STR-106 STR-107 STR-201 STR-202 STR-203 Cause Interfacing a STR to Xenta I/O Resolution Program an Analog Input to a Universal Input of an I/O Module Click on the HFB above to download this .MTA file.   The Expression Block is taking the hard coded -9 to 9 input and making it adjustable from the front end.   In simulation with a Calibrated Range of 5 the following setpoint results are produced: Analog In -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Setpoint -2.5 -2.2 -1.9 -1.6 -1.3 -1.1 -0.8 -0.5 -0.2 0 0.2 0.5 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.5 Note: This example is for a non-linear input, with a setpoint adjust of +/-9. For a metric calculation, use a setpoint adjust of +/-5  and change the calculation in the expression block to A*B/10.  

Issue How to configure Global I/O across controllers in Access Expert Product Line Access Expert Environment Access Expert Win 8.1 and above Version 3 Cause There are no guidelines on how to control points across controllers on a Version 3 instance. Resolution Setting up Global I/O utilizes Alarm Definitions and behaves similarly to Triggers and Procedures. The event source of the Alarm Definition is the Trigger for the action. The Alarm Action will act as the Procedure that occurs after the trigger has been activated. Example: In the example below, when the input on controller 1 is activated, the output on controller 2 will be pulsed. The Alarm Action of pulsing the output is set up on the Alarm Actions page and uses a Trigger and Procedure to Execute the pulsing of the output. If you are attempting to do Global I/O in Version 2, this feature is not supported. It will only work in Version 3. For this example, we are pulsing the output on Controller 2 from input on Controller 1 for a duration and we need two triggers to accomplish it. The following steps will describe how to configure them:    Step 1: Create a Trigger and Procedure for the Input on the first controller and assign the source accordingly.   Step 2. Create the Second Trigger on the Second Controller. Step 3: Create an Alarm Action to Execute this procedure and assign it accordingly. Step 4: Create the Alarm Definition. The Event Source is the object that will do the “Trigger”, the Alarm Action is the “Procedure” and the Event type is the triggering action for the Source. In this example, the filter query is setting this action to only occur when the input is activated instead of any input status change. 5. Trigger the Alarm and look at Hardware Status and Live Monitoring Window.

Issue 3:15am Time Sync error in AMT Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site with DCU Time Sync enabled Daylight Savings Time Cause Outdated SAV file No DST observed Enabled DCU Time Sync from Host PC Resolution Make sure versions of Bin Files are up to date with current revision of I/NET across all controllers. For how to do this read How to upgrade bin and SAV files in I/NET controllers.  Make sure SAV files are backed up and current. For how to do this read How to upgrade bin and SAV files in I/NET controllers. As the host workstation synchronizes the daylight savings time settings in a controller, it will also check for the existence of a corresponding SAV file. If a SAV file for the controller is found, the host workstation processes it as follows SAV file is current If the controller's SAV file is current, the host automatically updates it with the daylight savings settings from this editor. This ensures that if you later restore the controller using this SAV file, the correct daylight savings time settings will be downloaded. SAV file is old If the controller's SAV file is out-of-date, the host does not change it. In this case, you can manually update the controller's SAV file or use the Automatic DCU Save function in order to create an up-to-date SAV file for the controller. Refer to Station Save and Restore for more information.  Beginning with I/NET revision 2.41, I/NET allows the DCU Time Sync and no observance of DST.  Work around is to remove DCU Time Sync if your time zone does not observe DST.

Issue Both comm ports can be enabled for RTU, but is this a recommended configuration? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum 9900 9940 9680 9640 5740 5720 Xdriver Cause 2 port can be enabled for RTU Xdriver on a netcontroller, but is this a recommended configuration or will this be too much of a strain on the Controller? Resolution According to the Xdriver developers, it is NOT advisable to use 2 Modbus RTU Xdrivers on the same Controller  The Modbus RTU Xdriver is the only 'poll on demand' type xdriver and this dual configuration has the potential of holding the CPU for longer and could cause the polling to become irregular. It is recommended to add an additional Controller to handle the additional devices and points required. Also see BCX Controller can use Comm 1, Comm2, or both ports for Modbus RTU X-Driver Can two comm ports be enabled when using the RTU Xdriver?

Issue The card reader beeps continually when connected to the door controller with the Sounder cable connected. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Cause There may be several causes for this situation: The door which this reader belongs to isn't configured. The polarity setting of the reader beeper isn't correct. This reader port is damaged due to certain cause. Resolution The following steps need to be followed: For cause 1, configure the door and reader in Door parameter. For cause 2, click "Sounder" button in the Door parameter window and change the "Polarity" setting correctly. Usually change from "High" to "Low". For cause 3, send the door controller to repair. For how to set up a beeper in I/NET, refer to How to use the Beeper of the Card Reader in I/NET.

Issue VisiSat 2.1 Build 185/196 Cannot find VisiSat “CustomiseUI” add-on to Visio. Environment Internal error 0x86DB08A9 VisiSat CustomiseUI Visio VisiSat 2.1 Build 185 VisiSat 2.1 Build 196 Cause Visio 2003 does not recognise or register VisiSat 2.1 Build 185/196 installation CustomiseUI. Some or all the files required by VisiSat are missing. You may need to re-install Visio and/or VisiSat to clear the problem. Resolution When VisiSat 2.1 Build 185/196 on some Windows XP pro / Visio 2003 computers the following error is displayed. Carry out the following; which should fix the problem. Open Visio 2003 (Not VisiSat) On the menu bar, under tools select options. Select the advance tab. Select file paths. Delete all entries. Then select OK Select OK. OK the next window Visio 2003 should now close. Run up VisiSat VisiSat should run up OK now. If you close VisiSat and open Visio 2003 the paths should now show. VisiSat should open correctly now. Options: Most of the enhancements in VisiSat 2.1 build 185/196 are to incorporate StruxureWare functionality. If you are running VisiSat on Windows XP with Visio 2003, then consideration could be given to using VisiSat 2.1 build 148 instead. If you are running on Windows 7 you could consider upgrading the Visio 2003 software to Visio 2007 or Visio 2010. Click here to download VisiSat 2.1 Build 148. (Direct link) (files size is 42 meg). (your original VisiSat registration form (version 2.0/2.1 only), provides proof of purchase and will be required when unlocking this VisiSat version. If you require further assistance, please contact Product Support.

Issue How to delay the intrinsic controller status alarms to accommodate controllers that are sporadically going offline for short periods of time due to known network problems. Environment Continuum BACnet Controllers bCX1 b3xxx Cause Need to delay controller offline messages to accommodate slow network communications or remote controllers. Resolution The intrinsic alarm for the controller status will trigger when the controller does not respond to communications from the within the probe time and would not be suitable for this delay. The only way to delay a controller offline alarm for an amount of time after the controller goes offline, is to monitor the controller offline status from the workstation with a program, toggle a variable that then has an AlarmEnrollment attached. This AlarmEnrollment would then have a Time Delay configured. See the attached sample screenshot below showing the program in the Workstation, the AlarmEnrollment, and the Active Alarm View showing the time delay between the intrinsic alarm and the new AlarmEnrollment with a delay configured. Example

Issue Replacement for a V295 steam valve and an M750 actuator. Environment V295 Steam Valve M750 Actuator Cause Unable to purchase a V295 steam valve and an M750 actuator. Resolution The V295 steam valve and an M750 actuator are obsolete. M750 - 24v - 880-0010-000 -  Not available - To operate on steam you will require a spring return actuator, the M700-SRSU (880-0430-000). V295 - DN 40, PN25, KVS25 - Not available. A replacement could be the VGS211F-40CS please note this valve has a rating of PN16, where as the V295 was PN25. To review the VGS211F data sheet, please click HERE. To review the M700 data sheet, please click HERE.  

Issue When integrating SIP Video Intercom to Security Expert video is not showing. IPIC video is not working/able to be configured. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Cause Version of Security Expert is wrong or camera configuration is incorrect. Resolution Use Security Expert v4.2.241.3 or greater. Use the following settings in the Camera Record. Type: H.264 & Motion JPEG Stream Camera URL: http://:8080/video

Issue Effects of leap year with schedules and BMS Product Line Andover Continuum, TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Continuum Site Time, calendar, Gregorian Calendar Cause Leap year adjustment in calendar Resolution I/NET: I/NET will not be affected by Leap Year occurrence if DST and Time Sync is correct in the host computer. For Time Sync errors, please refer to Time Sync Error, Daylight Saving setup, please refer to Configuring Daylight Savings Time. Continuum: Continuum will not be affected by Leap Year occurrence to controllers or scheduling if the Cyberstation has the correct time. There have been no incidents in the past with regards to leap year. Leap year is no different than some months having 30 days, others having 31. More information on time sync of controllers check Time sync controllers to workstations. To sync Continuum to an external time clock read Synchronize Continuum system to external time clock.

Issue HID PIN Pad reader for I/NET Part NumberHID PIN Pad reader for I/NET Part Number Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Access Control Cause HID PIN Pad reader for I/NET and which part number to use? Resolution iPortal shows several PIN pad readers from HID (HID-6136CKD000214 HID-6136CKD000009) but only one works with I/NET.  Here is a pdf document which helps to explain which part number works with I/NET. The 09 means the 8 bit blast which is required for compatibility.  Want to use Pin Pad only without using the proxcard? The RK40  will do Prox only or Prox + Pin but not Pin only. See Essex Pin Pad Reader programming for Pin Only or for higher security Pin Only see Code-Guard Scramble Pin Pad Reader Programming.

Issue What voltage should be seen across conductors on an Infinet bus? Environment Infinet RS-485 Cause Communication issues on RS-485 bus. Resolution  Measuring Ground Potential Signal Potential refers to the horizontal plane along which signals are sent and received with respect to ground.  RS-485 requires that all devices communicating with each other be at a reasonable ground potential. Measuring the ground potential of any Infinet controller Use a voltmeter to measure between the earth ground connection (for power) and the Infinet shield connection.   Measuring the ground difference between the Infinet controller and the ground at the InfiLink or CX/NetController (shield grounding point). Set the multi meter to measure AC voltage; measure and record the AC voltage (ACV) between + and -. A reading higher than 2-3 volts indicates a grounding problem. Set the multi meter to measure DC voltage; measure and record the DC voltage (DCV) between +and -. A reading higher than 2 to 3V on either voltage indicates a grounding problem. Calculate the combined voltage using the following formula. (1.4 X ACV) + DCV = Combined Voltage. If the combined voltage is greater than 7 a grounding problem exists

Issue Useful listview dump files for checking and monitoring systems, including BACnet find and offline problems Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Listviews BACnet check Alarm Events, Access Events Error Events COV increment check Cause Useful listviews for monitoring and debugging a Continuum site Resolution Useful Listview dump files Once the .dmp file is imported in to Continuum, the listviews will be found at the top of the Listview files on the root. Run the listview and the go to "Object/Export to a .CSV file if a copy of the results is required. The BACnet Check devices listview is helpful if "find New BACnet" device fails to find the device. The device may have been previously discovered on a different network and not deleted correctly. Also, duplicated BACnet devices can be checked, this can cause majors problems with controllers going offline and flooding various networks with data.

Issue Selecting the correct SE7000 Controller Model compatible with the user application Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment • Building Operation Workstation • Building Operation Automation Server • SSL SE7000 Cause There are several different SE7000 series controllers to choose from and it is important to select the correct one for the application Resolution The online selection tool is available SE7000 Room Controller Selection

Issue Version of I/NET software and StruxureWare Building Operation software Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment Windows 7 I/Net versions 2.40 and greater Cause With the release of StruxureWare Building Operation's integration with I/NET, customers want to be prepared for it when it comes out and needs to know which version of I/NET software they need to be running to do so. Resolution For the initial rollout, 2.42 was listed as the preparation build to upgrade to for StruxureWare.  Users can upgrade to this build or the current build (2.43 at last edit) and begin upgrading all bin files. This will be required for StruxureWare integration. The bin files did not change between 2.42 and 2.43. Each release of StruxureWare may have a corresponding release of I/NET.  For the time being users will be required to upgrade both I/Net and StruxureWare at the same time. The upgrade from 2.42 to 2.43 is a no-cost upgrade. It should be considered a best practice to upgrade I/NET and StruxureWare at the same time even when not required.  The 1.3.0.938 release of StruxureWare requires I/NET 2.43. If the site upgraded to 2.42 they will not need to upgrade bin files for the controllers.

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 A full backup immediately fails on the Automation Server.  Performing a configuration-only backup completes successfully. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation 3.x - first detected Building Operation Automation Server  Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Building Automation Server AS-B Cause A directory under the DB folder, called tc [TypeCache], within the database of the Automation Server, had grown close to 1 GB in size.  The combination of this with the large TrendDb caused the backup failure with the following message seen in the trace log:    nsp.csc.bar.BarBackupOperation BarBackupOperation Execute failed with: Internal Server Error: Insufficient_Space_For_Backup (0x80008) in module Bar_Manager(51). "/<servername>": Insufficient space for backup, XXXXXXXXX bytes estimated for new backup but only XXXXX available   This tc directory contains types fetched from other servers that are used in runtime. These are loaded either from the local database or the tc directory. If a type for another server is not found in the tc directory when accessed, it will first be fetched from that server.   There may be other reasons for the backup failure, presenting this Insufficient_Space_For_Backup message in the trace.log. Clearing this Type Cache does not adversely affect the controller and can be cleared as the first step to see if this will allow the full backup to occur.    The issue has only been seen in Building Operation 3.x, if the issue is presented in a later revision or you continue to have failures, then contact your local support and reference this article.     Resolution To clear the Type Cache contents, follow these steps: Navigate to the RuntimeDBManager object under /System/Modules/RuntimeDBManager/ Right-click on the TypeCache object. Select Type Cache Clear All Attempt a full backup of the server again.  If failures continue to concur, then contact your local support

Issue Will a M1500 actuator fit onto a V232 valve? Environment M1500 Forta V232 Venta Cause Application assistance on Forta M1500 and Venta series V232 valve. Resolution The M1500 will fit, but since the V232 is only available in DN25,32, 40 and 50 size, we recommend using the smaller M400 or M800 instead.

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices.   Issue What are the supported USB Adaptors for SP-C? Product Line Security Expert Environment Security Expert Controller (With USB Port) Resolution The USB port on the SP-C supports USB to ethernet adaptors. It MUST have the following chipset ID: ASIX - AX88772C

Issue After setting up a REST gateway in SmartConnector, how can it be tested to see that it is working using the built in test client called Swagger? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central SmartConnector   Cause Swagger is a built in test REST client which can be used to read and set values in EBO. So it can be used instead of a "real" REST client to test the REST gateway in the SmartConnector and test that the connection between SmartConnector and EBO is working. Resolution The objective in this video is to set up a REST gateway in SC and show how we can test that the gateway is working using the built in test REST client called Swagger. Please see video.