Building Automation Knowledge Base

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 After upgrading, it now asks for the security key when launching Continuum. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cause Continuum stand-alone is not working in Demo mode after upgrading. Resolution Completely uninstall Continuum and re-install using the following steps. Warning: Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. At the very least, you should back up your current settings and any valued data on the computer before making changes to the registry. Go to Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. Remove Continuum. Reboot the PC. Remove EPI Builder Run-Time. Reboot the PC. Remove Sentinel System Driver Installer if installed. Reboot the PC. Remove the Continuum entries in the registry using Regedit. Start > Run > regedit Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Andover Controls. Select the "Andover Controls" key, right-click and select "Export" to backup the reg key. Select the "Andover Controls" key, right-click and select "Delete" to delete the reg key. Reboot PC. Install Continuum without a security key attached to the PC.  You should now be able to start Continuum in stand-alone demo mode.

Issue When ordering an I/A Series R2 (Niagara) UNC-520-2, is web browser support included? Environment UNC-520-2 UNC-520-WEB Cause UNC-520-WEB is a separately purchased upgrade. Resolution No, it is not included. Order the UNC-520-WEB upgrade in order to add web browser support to the UNC-520-2. See the Specifications Data sheet, "Models", page 3.

Issue This is a guideline to do air balance settings (airflow calibration) on a VAV ASC using a I/STAT or M/STAT. Product Line TAC INET Environment MR-VAV-AX MR-VAV-X1 MR-VAV-X2 Cause The air balance company needs a procedure to properly set up the MR-VAV-AX products for the air balance settings. Resolution Understand the cooling setpoint is 75°F, and the heating setpoint is 70°F. This information is important in knowing which state the system is trying to control. While in the PP mode of the I/STAT, it is important to verify the setpoint is 75°F. This allows Test & Balance to set the temperature to: 77°F for maximum cooling 72°F for minimum cooling with no fan 68°F for heating mode - minimum primary airflow with fan To verify the current setpoint, use the Select key and scroll up to Set Temp. The I/STAT will display the current setpoint. For testing purposes as described in Step 1, if the temperature setpoint is not 75°F, press the + or - key to raise or lower the setpoint to 75°F. In order to enter the Service Mode, press the Service key. Enter the I/STAT password 183. Press the + or - key to see the left most digit change accordingly. Press the + key to scroll to 1 and press Enter. The cursor on the I/STAT will move to the center digit. Press the - key to 8 and press Enter. Now the cursor will move to the right most digit. Press the + key to 3 and press Enter. You are now in the Service Mode. While in the Service Mode, the Service key is the escape key and the Enter key will allow the controller to accept your desired changes. The first step in the calibration process is to make sure the controller is at the Factory Calibration Setting (FCS). Press the Select keys to scroll to Airflow Parameters (AP) and press Enter. CLF is displayed on the I/STAT. Press the Select keys to scroll to FCS, press Enter. The I/STAT will display NO. Press the + key to change the display to YES and press Enter. Press the Service key to back up one screen. To verify duct diameter (dd) press the Select key and scroll to Unit Parameters (UP). The I/STAT will display the current duct diameter as 10.0 (default of 10 inches) unless the value has already been changed. Press the + or - key to raise or lower the value, and the Select keys to move between the right most and center digit. Sample: 8 inch box is displayed as "08.0" Press the Enter key to allow the changes to take place. Press the Service key to back up one screen. To verify Cooling Low Flow (CLF) and Cooling High Flow (CHF) setpoints, press the Select keys to scroll to Airflow Parameters (AP) and press Enter. CLF is displayed on the I/STAT. Press Enter, the I/STAT will display the current value. Note that CFM is displayed as KCFM, for example 0.50 = 500 CFM. If the values are correct, press Enter. If the values need to be changed, use the + and - keys to change the values and the Select keys to move the cursor from the left most digit to the right most digit. Once you have the desired value displayed, press Enter. The I/STAT is now displaying CLF. Press the Select keys to scroll to CHF and press Enter. If the values are correct, press Enter. If the values need to be changed, use the +, -, and Select keys to change the CHF to the desired value then press Enter. CHF is displayed on the I/STAT. Press the Select keys to scroll down to Calibrate Primary Low (CPL), press Enter. The VAV controller will modulate the damper to maintain its design CLF. The I/STAT is currently displaying the CFM the controller is reading. Note that during this process, the CFM value may go to -0.1, 0.0, etc.; the controller is calibrating itself to the 100% actual closed position. Once the CFM comes within 10% of the CLF setpoint, the ON/OFF LED will turn on. While the LED is on, the controller is not modulating the damper and the controller has the damper in a fixed position for approximately 60 to 90 seconds. (Do not attempt to enter any values at this point. When the LED goes off, the controller takes back control of the damper and will modulate it to maintain CLF.) Once the airflow has stabilized and the I/STAT is displaying the CLF CFM, measure the airflow and input the actual value (do this as soon as possible because once the + or - key has been pressed, it freezes the damper into a fixed position to allow enough time to enter the actual value and to minimize chances of the actual CFM changing), into the I/STAT using the +, -, Select and finally the Enter key as described in Step 8. Important: Even if the current reading is correct, press Enter. The I/STAT will display Calibrate Primary High (CPH), press Enter. The VAV controller will modulate the damper to maintain its design CHF. Again, once the CFM comes within 10% of the CHF setpoint the controller's ON/OFF LED will come on and the controller will perform as described in Step 9. When the LED goes off, the controller takes back control of the damper and will modulate it to maintain CHF. Once the airflow has stabilized and the I/STAT is displaying the CHF CFM, measure the airflow and input the actual value (again, do this as soon as possible) into the I/STAT using the +, -, and Select and finally the Enter key as described in Step 8. Important: Even if the current reading is correct, press Enter. The I/STAT should be displaying CLF. Once the low and highs have been calibrated, press the Service key. Press the Select key to scroll to Operational Parameters (oP), press Enter. Press the Select key again to scroll to Prove Performance (PP). This mode will place the program's Room Temperature in a test state. The I/STAT display will toggle between the current CFM and the room temperature. This step will allow the balance engineer to verify proper operation of the VAV controller to maintain the design maximum and minimum airflow. Press the + and - keys to increase or decrease the room temperature in order to manipulate the system to control between cooling and heating as described in Step 1. Once the VAV has controlled the damper to design minimum CFM, the balance engineer can adjust the fan (if applicable) to design airflow. Important: If at any time during the calibration process, (not during Prove Performance (PP)) a mistake is made, make sure that the controller is reset back to the Factory Calibrated Settings (FCS), (see Step 4) and restart the calibration process. Also, if the VAV box does not control the CFM within the maximum allowable percentage, normally within 10%, go back to Step 4 and restart the calibration process. For further information see the following: TCON126 (Micro Regulator Controllers and I/STAT) TCON147 (ASC MR-VAV-AX) TCON155 (ASC MR-VAV-X1) TCON165 (ASC MR-VAV-X2) Go to TCON Number and Title Cross Reference (with links) and download the TCONS above.

Issue When closing Continuum 1.9x SU (SQL 2005 Express engine on a stand alone workstation),  it shows MFC error message of ACCDataServices and the Windows Event Log shows AlmUtil.dll error message. Environment Continuum SU 1.82 and higher version. Cause There are 3 Windows Schedule Tasks which are created during the DBInitialization->Creation of the Continuum SU workstation. Some possible causes are: If these Schedule Tasks are missing The Windows Schedule Tasks cannot be executed due to that fact that the current login userID is different than the one setup for the Schedule Tasks The password is not correct Resolution Manually create these 3 Schedule Tasks in the SU Cyberstation Alternatively: Uninstall SQL engine, Continuum Reboot the Workstation Reinstall Continuum SU, create a new DB from DB Initialization. Verify these 3 Schedule Tasks are created as below: CS_Distn CS_hrly CS_Minute

Issue Communications with an AS can fail due to high CPU usage and it goes offline in the ES.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium(AS-P) Building Operation Automation Server(AS) Cause A large graphic was being edited and when saved, the AS appeared to crash, but had actually gone offline to the ES. Resolution This issue was due to the AS CPU usage, which was found to be very high and was making the AS appear to be offline to the ES, when the graphic was saved. The graphic that was being edited was accessing a large number of Universal Inputs, and these input values were changing frequently, this in turn was causing the increased CPU usage. Changing the threshold setting of a Universal Inputs. Select the properties of the universal input to be adjusted. View the configuration section and select the threshold value. Enter an appropriate value for the input being modified.  

Issue An alarm goes on and off several times in a short amount of time. Each time the alarm condition clears and reasserts itself, by default, another email will be sent. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation SMTP alarms Cause Every time an alarm goes off, the email notification checks its parameter and, if true, sends an email. Resolution Filter the email notification by "count." Set it to "from 0 to 1" and you will only get a email on the first alarm (count).

Issue Which Modbus driver is required for a Niagara R2 UNC to support Modbus RTU RS-485? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara R2 UNC Modbus RTU RS-485 Cause The correct Modbus driver must be installed to allow communication between Niagara R2 and Modbus RTU RS-485. Resolution The Modbus drivers can be installed on the UNC-510-1 and UNC-520-2 models with a maximum supported baud rate of 19.2k for the UNC-510 and 76.8k for the UNC-520. The part numbers are: IA-DRV-MOD (master) IA-DRV-MOD-S (slave)

Issue When the remote I/O modules (MNB-1000-15) are powered for the first time, the status LED stays blinking red. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series MNB 1000 -15 Cause This is a normal operation. Resolution When the associated MNB-1000 receives a database configured with remote I/O modules, it will initiate communication with the remote I/O modules. If it is successful, then the status LED with turn green.

Issue There is a compatibility issue between Revision 2 MNL controllers and S-Link sensors. This incompatibility is noticed when a later production S-Link sensor is connected to an older Revision 2 controller. When the sensor is connected to the controller, 88.8 appears on the sensor’s display window along with all of the other LCD icons. The display never recovers from this mode, which makes the sensor non-functional. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment MN-Sx sensors MNL-10Rx1 and MNL-20Rx1, where x denotes profile type (F, H, R) MNL-V1RV1, MNL-V2RV1, MNL-V3RV1 Cause New MN-Sx production S-Link sensor firmware is not compatible with older Revision 2 MNL controllers. Resolution Newer model S-Link sensors have been released to address this issue. The new part numbers are MN-S1-2, MN-S2-2, MN-S3-2, MN-S4-2, and MN-S5-2. The MN-Sx-2 model line was designed and verified to work with older Revision 2 controllers.  Reference TPA-RKFD-09-0028-00 for more details. Please note that the new MN-Sx-2 S-Link sensors are only for use with older Revision 2 controllers.

Issue Ordering, installing, wiring of CLX LAN Expansion board. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/SITE 7798 CLX Cause There is not any CLX-specific installation guides or manuals. This article is intended to give some basic information about the expansion board and its use. Resolution Part number: CLX Part name: LAN Expansion Option for RS-485 Part description: I/SITE Expansion Board - adds controller LAN communications to network other controllers to 7728 & 7798 - RS-485 CE/EMC Compliant Comments: Plugs on to 7798 base unit, RS-485: 19,200 or 9600 baud, SDLC, token-passing. Wiring: Terminals 1 and 2 on the CLX are Controller LAN +,- respectively. For more information on installing the CLX expansion, see CLX Expansion Card for 7798B .

Issue Dehumidification using Xenta 121-FC Environment Xenta 121-FC Xenta 121-HP Cause Some aspects of how the dehumidification mode in the Xenta-121 operate are undocumented. Resolution The dehumidification feature of the Xenta 121 can operate either by turning on external dehumidification equipment using one of the digital outputs or, if no external equipment is provided, it will use the cooling for dehumidification. In the latter scenario, the heat continues to be operational when the cooling is forced for dehumidification. Additionally, if there is an outside air damper, it will be controlled to its minimum position before forcing the cooling on. When is external dehumidification enabled? For On/off cooling, cooling is enabled for dehumidification when the nvoDehumidActive value is greater than 10% and is disabled when the nvoDehumidActive value drops below 5%. For all other types of cooling, nvoCoolPrimary is set to match the nvoDehumidActive whenever it is a greater than cooling PID output + 5% or whenever the cooling PID output is less than 5%. The dehumidification feature can be configured using the ZBuilder configuration tool. However, the individual features can also be accessed via the points listed below using either Vista Workstation or another Lon management tool such as LonMaker: Applic UCPTappOptions Bit Usage If FALSE If TRUE Additional notes 5 Dehumidification control enable Not active Active   6 Dehumidification type Internal External Only applicable if bit 5 = true. External control can be hardwired or via SNVT. Internal will force cooling as a dehumidification method. 7 External dehumidification active on Open contact Closed contact Only applicable if bits 5 and 6 are both true. UCPTappOptions2 Bit Usage If FALSE If TRUE Additional notes 7 External dehumidification type Digital Analog If true then the RH reading is mirrored to the analog output (0-100% = 0-10V). Only applicable if UCPTappOptions bits 5 and 6 are both true.

Issue When using the LOYTEC NIC709-USB100 LON Interface every time an attempt is made to connect to an MNL controller via WorkPlace Tech 5.X it gives an error "installing device driver" and causes the PC to lock up. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment WorkPlace Tech 5.x Loytec NIC709-USB LON interface Cause WorkPlace Tech 5.x is not compatible with Loytec LON interfaces. Resolution Only Echelon LON interfaces are supported in WorkPlace Tech 5.x due to it utilizing the Echelon Open LDV driver. The WorkPlace Tech installation instructions notes the following as part of the hardware requirements:- Echelon™ LonTalk™ adapter card, WPA-LON-x. Since many newer notebook computers do not have a PCMCIA card slot and therefore must use a USB LON interface an Echelon U10 USB interface (75010R) can be utilized. Also see Can a LON PCC-10 PCMCIA card work in a laptop with an express card slot? for an adaptor that can be used to convert PCMCIA to Express card.

Issue Deleting Sigma clients from the registered clients list. Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Registered client Cause Sigma clients once used will remain in the registered clients list. How can these be removed? Resolution To remove old or unwanted Sigma client entries, carry out the following; Open Sigma "System Setup". Select the "Clients" menu. Select the client that in no longer appropriate. One the client is highlighted, select delete by using the icon or file option. Please note that a Sigma client cannot be deleted if it is still associated with a Sigma server. Refer to Sigma client cannot be deleted.

Issue Is it possible to have different stop bit settings in different Serial Modbus devices on the same bus? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Modbus serial communication Cause In Building Operation there is an "Auto" setting for the Serial Modbus communications "Stop Bit" setting. This could be interpreted as "automatically" detecting the Serial Modbus devices stop bit setting. Resolution The "Auto" setting is only designed to detect how many stop bits are required in certain circumstances, such as when the parity setting is set to none and therefore 2 stop bits must be used. The settings used are the Serial Client settings for the entire bus and all the Modbus devices have to be set to match the Serial Client.

Issue What is the best method for calibrating a thermistor? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment All CX controller All i2 devices All b3 devices Input Temperature sensors Thermistors Cause There is no documentation that details how to calibrate a Continuum sensor. Resolution There is no requirement to calibrate a Continuum Thermistor sensor, Thermistors are factory trimmed to provide an accurate temperature / resistance curve to within the tolerances defined in the datasheet. One exception to this could be if the connecting cable was of excessive length to add additional impedance to the circuit, in this situation the input point conversion line could be used to subtract an offset: Enter "ElecValue - x" where x is a factor to compensate for the cable impedance. See How to add an offset to a sensor reading for further information

  Issue How can system alarms be configured so that electronic signatures are required? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause Alarm Decoration rules are required to configure change control/electronic signatures for system alarms. Resolution Use the Alarm Decoration filters to apply/override settings for alarms. Create an Alarm Decoration Rule under ~/System/Alarm Control Panel/Alarm Decoration   Select the Alarm Decoration rule that filters on all System Alarms or the specific ones, select to override electric signature, and set it to True.    

Issue What port is used for the I/A Series G3/N4 LON and Serial tunnel clients and can it be changed? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3/N4 Enterprise Server I/A Series G3 ENC I/A Series Jace 8000 Cause Requires port change due to routing or firewall conditions. Resolution By default, the G3/N4 Tunnel Service utilizes TCP port 9973. The port used for tunneling can be configured by modifying the Server Port within the tunnel service properties. Example: Configuring the Lon tunnel server In the palette sidebar, open the lontunnel palette. Open the ENC/JACE station and expand its Services folder. If no TunnelService exists, paste one from the palette into the Services folder. If a TunnelService does exist, go to the next step. Note: Only one TunnelService is needed in a station's services, and it can hold multiple tunnel components (both LonTunnel and (serialTunnel). The TunnelService in the lontunnel module is identical to the TunnelService in the (serial) tunnel module. From the palette, paste a LonTunnel under the station's TunnelService The station should now have a TunnelService and a child LonTunnel component. Configure the properties and modify the TunnelService server port if required. Note: If the ENC/JACE has multiple LON ports (and corresponding LonNetworks), the same number of LonTunnel components can be copied under the TunnelService. Each LonTunnel component can then be associated with a particular LonNetwork (by its LONn device name). For any station user that needs to Lon tunnel, make sure the user has admin write permissions for the LonTunnel(s). Example: Configuring the serial tunnel server In the palette sidebar, open the tunnel palette. Open the ENC/JACE station and expand its Services folder. If no TunnelService exists, paste one from the palette into the Services folder. If a TunnelService does exist, go to the next step. Note: Only one TunnelService is needed in a station's services, and it can hold multiple tunnel components (both LonTunnel and (serialTunnel). The TunnelService in the lontunnel module is identical to the TunnelService in the (serial) tunnel module. From the palette, paste a SerialTunnel under the station's TunnelService. The station should now have a TunnelService and a child SerialTunnel component. In the SerialTunnel's property sheet, expand the "Serial Port Config container." Enter the COMn "Port Name" used by the target driver network, and specify other parameters as defined in the network's configuration. If the ENC/JACE has multiple serial-type driver networks (and corresponding COM ports), the same number of SerialTunnel components can be copied under the TunnelService. Each SerialTunnel component can be associated with a particular network (by its COMn port name) and set the other parameters accordingly. For any station user that needs to the serial tunnel, make sure the user has admin write permissions for the SerialTunnel(s).

Issue Enterprise Server is taking a very long time to run after restoring the database. Example: in EBO 3.2.3, It would start after 2.24 hours with about 20,000 trend logs, and with 10,000 it would take about an hour. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause When restoring the configuration only of a Database, specifically one that has a lot of Trend logs configured, EBO initializes the Trend DB before starting the ES. Resolution Select to restore ALL DATA of the database, thus the Trend Database has already been initialized and the Enterprise Server will Run.  

Issue What application type is required to allow a PCC10/PCLTA20  LonTalk adapter to be used with WorkPlace Tech? Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool software Echelon LonTalk adapter (PCC10 / PCLTA20)  This information does not apply to the USB U10 Echelon LonTalk adapter Cause Selection of the incorrect LonTalk driver application will result in the inability of the WorkPlace Tech software to access the connected LON network. Resolution Change the NI application of the LonTalk adapter Open the Windows Control Panel Select the LonWorks Plug N' Play. Change the NI Application For a PCC-10 LTA select NSIPCC For a PCLTA-20 LTA select NSIPCLTA Click Apply Click OK to exit the program.

Issue Sigma controllers that have been cold started do not recover correctly. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Sigma Environment Sigma Server Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause Having imported a Sigma database into the Sigma Interface on the Enterprise Server, and following a controller cold start, Sigma controllers fail to fully recover. The controller correctly receives the Backup server number, but fails to request the data from the Sigma Server. Resolution This issue is resolved as follows; Data Import the Sigma Data. Stop and restart the Enterprise Server using the Software Administrator Cold start a controller to confirm that it fully recovers. Note: A  restart of the Enterprise Server will be required again if any new additional controllers are to be added to the Enterprise Server. This workaround only works for ARM7 controllers, for V53 devices, the Sigma 4.08 (3.46.79) Hot Fix is available on the Download Centre and needs to be installed at the Sigma Server machine. Note; this hotfix is a separate item to any other Sigma hotfix and the correct Sigma Transition Tool version needs to be installed.