Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue After Launching Continuum and entering the user name and password, the logon screen is never dismissed and the logon process never completes. Looking in the Windows Task Manager the ACCVideoRecordingSrvc.exe process is consuming about 25% of CPU and its memory consumption keeps increasing indefinitely. Forcing the ACCVideoRecordingSrvc.exe process to end, allows Continuum to complete the logon and operate normally. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause The cause of the problem remains unknown, it is suspected the some custom protection software on the PC is behind the issue. Resolution If the site is NOT using video (no video integration) a workaround is to disable all video functionality at the Workstation as shown below.  

Issue What is DLA? Environment I/NET site Cause DLA Explanation Resolution DLA stands for Distributed Link Architecture. It is a software package, that is an addition to I/NET 2000, which provides the ability to have more than 100 NPRs in a given system by sharing link numbers among them. It is explained in TCON 297.

Issue Global and indirect points are very useful and are usually a mandatory part of most application programs. It is seen that in the event of a LAN failure or any failure of the indirect point being updated, the indirect point will be flagged as "Old Data." When this occurs any process using the indirect point as a variable, say, calculation extension, event extension will freeze at the last status/value before the old data on the indirect point was detected. Even though other parameters are still valid, the calculation and the event extensions will remain frozen, and some occasion remain in this state even when the old data is cleared from the source. Any subsequent process that uses the calculation or event definition will also be frozen. Any PID DDC Modules, Floating DDC Modules and 2 Position DDC Modules that uses the indirect point that has been flagged as "old data" will force those DDC modules to "Fail Safe" mode. Product Line TAC INET Environment ALL I/NET Software and controller LAN (CLAN) based controllers Cause LAN failure or any failure of the indirect point being updated. Resolution There are various tools available within I/NET to filter "old data" from subsequent control processes.  These include: Filtering by Calculation AVG operator function (including point types AI, DI and DO) Filtering by Direct Digital Control (DDC) Modules using either the Relay or HiLo modules Click Here to download a document which details these methods. For further details and recommendations when using Global and Indirect points, refer to the following I/NET Global and Indirect Points Overview and Recommendations.

Issue Endura DVR missing the Video in I/NET Seven Rev 2.41 Product Line Pelco, TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven rev 2.41 Endura DVR Cause The Endura Workstation software that comes with the DVR (by default) is set to "Multicast". If this has not been changed, then you DO NOT have to change the three I/Net files listed below. If the Endura Workstation software was changed from the default (Multicast) setting to a "Unicast" setting. Then you WILL have to change the three I/Net files listed below. What is the Pelco definition of “Multicast” mode? By default, Endura encoders and Pelco network IP cameras are default to stream live video in Multicast mode. A common symptom of multicast routing issue is where the date and time stamp can be seen on the workspace but the video is black. This symptom is commonly associated in a layer 3 routing network where appropriate multicast routing protocol has not been enabled globally or inside the VLAN. Resolution The resolution is to modify three files that are installed with I/NET Seven rev 2.41. These three files are located in this directory on the PC – C:\Program Files\INet Seven INetAMT.exe.config INetCfg.exe.config INetW.exe.config Note: If the above three files are not in the I/Net folder, then you have not delete the previous SDK driver. You must delete the previous driver thru the "Add and Remove" option in Control Panel. Once removed then go into the I/Net CD and select the "Support" folder and manually load the new SDK Driver. Then proceed with the rest of the process in this article. Use Notepad to open each one of these files one at a time and change this setting from the "default" of "False" to "True." After making all of the changes in the three file, shut down the I/NET and IO Server ICON. Restart the I/NET again, and the Video should show up in the I/NET program

Issue  The error LED on a CX9900 Controller is flashing.  What does this mean. What do the various NetController Error LED blink rates indicate. Environment NCI CX9900 CX9000 Cause An controller error has occurred. Resolution The ERROR indicator remains OFF until an error occurs. If the NetController fails an internal system test, the ERROR indicator blinks a preset number of times, then pauses, and repeats the blinking and pausing sequence. This blinking pattern will persist until you reset the controller. The number of blinks between pauses identifies the specific problem (as shown in the table below). ERROR Indicator Blink Rates (before a pause) # Blinks                Type of Failure                                                               17                           CX Firmware is corrupt (Bad Flash/ROM or bad update) 18                           LAN Card's memory is faulty - Try replacing the LAN Card. 19                           Problem creating certain System Tasks - Maybe due to lack of memory. 20                           Problem with the NIC - Try replacing the LAN Card 22                           RTC Failed - Possible Hardware issue 24                           Problem with the PIT chip - H/W related 25                           Problem creating Timer Tasks - Maybe due to lack of memory 28                           The RAM memory is faulty or bad. Try replacing the RAM module(s). 29 to 62                                 Problem creating certain System Tasks - Maybe due to lack of memory. 63                           Copy protection - Flash Upgrade file is invalid for this Controller (UPD file is Serial # protected) 64                           Problem creating the Uprev task - Maybe due to lack of memory. Note: If a Plain English program disables due to an error, the ERROR indicator illuminates and stays ON (without blinking)—if this occurs, you can turn the indicator off by setting the ERRORS system variable to zero.

Issue Code-Guard Pin Pad Reader Programming in I/Net Seven Product Line TAC INET Environment Any Windows OS Version and Any I/Net Seven Version Cause I need to program a "Scramble" Pin Pad Reader made by Code-Guard Resolution Here is a link  to programming the Code-Guard Pin Pad Reader in I/Net

Issue How can a link be added to a Niagara R2 graphic that will display a pdf file? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Easy access to documentation via the graphic Resolution Here are the steps: Create a new folder within the running station's folder:  \niagara\ \stations\ .  Label it "Documents" (any name is fine). Paste a copy of the desired pdf file to this new "Documents" folder. Open the desired graphic in Workplace Pro, and create a new GxText object. In the Local Library, navigate to the "Documents" folder.  The pdf file should be listed below it. Right-click > Copy, the pdf file. In the Properties > Visual tab of the GxText object, place the flashing cursor in the 'hyperlinkURL" box and press + V.  This will paste the SWID of the pdf file in the box. On this same screen, for the "hyperlinkOnClick" setting, choose URL. Apply all changes. Note:  The pdf file will not actually display if viewing the graphic in Workplace Pro.  It will appear when viewing the graphic in a web browser.  

Issue Bacnet Loop object is not setting Present Loop Value or Present Loop Output based on the control points even though everything is setup so that it should be controlling properly. Changing the Min. Loop Value does show the change in the Loop Value and Loop Output but it is not controlling based on the Input and SP values. Environment Continuum BACnet Cause Something was setting the Present Loop Priority at a higher priority level than what the Loop was setting itself (default Priority 10). Resolution In the Loop object on the General tab, set Present Loop Priority to 1 (default is 10). See location of the attribute below. Loop control was resumed after forcing this to use Priority 1.

Issue In Vista Workstation you can create a new user and password using all characters of a keyboard. Vista Workstation allows creation but when you try to login to Workstation you get a login error. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation Cause Using characters in the password field that Vista does not recognize. Resolution Don't use the following characters in a password for users: !   @   #   $   %   ^  &  *  (  )  -  =  +  ,  <  >  '  "  ?  \ The following special characters can be used in the password field: _  .  /  : 

Issue XIF files for Version 1 and Version 2 of MNL controllers Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series Environment SmartStruxure with MNL Cause Not available on other online resources Resolution Download the zip file available here for the following profiles:

Issue New use for nviAirFlowReset in Heat mode on an Xenta 102-AX - change the flow setpoint based on heating demand. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 102-AX 2.12 and later Cause Xenta 102-AX 2.12 introduced some new features with heating flow control. Before it would only provide the Heating Low Flow setpoint any time the unit was in heat mode. With 2.12, the warmup max was introduced which allows reset of flow setpoints between these two values in heat mode. The nviAirFlowReset signal allows for altering the effective flow setpoint based on a looped back output of the heating demand. Resolution

Issue The customer can log off of Continuum, but he can't shut down Continuum. Environment CyberStation WebClient Cause Permission to exit Continuum has not been granted to the Continuum User. Resolution Right click on the Continuum icon in the Windows Active Icon tray Select Security Navigate to the appropriate object class or folder.  In this case navigate to the Miscellaneous folder. Look for the row named Terminate Continuum. Move left horizontally along the row until you get to the icon associated with the user group you wish to grant the permission to.  (The user group indicator will appears when the arrow is over each lock or key icon). If there is a lock icon, the permission is currently denied.  Click on the lock and the icon changes to a key.  The permission is now granted. Log Off of Continuum and log on with a user from the modified user group to test the permissions. NOTE:  There are cases when multiple permissions must be granted to allow a user to access specific functions.  For example, you can grant a user permission to reload a controller, but he will not be able to do so unless you have granted him access to launch Continuum Explorer.

Issue Need to interface Continuum system with 3rd party BACnet Ethernet devices on the network. Environment Continuum BCX4040 Cause Continuum with bCX BACnet IP devices need to share data with BACnet Ethernet device on the network. Resolution Set one of the bCX on the network to be enabled for the BACnet Ethernet in bCX configuration webpage, and set the same value for the BACnet Network ID - Ethernet with the other Ethernet devices. Enabling this option on a BCX allows the BCX to communicate both Bacnet IP AND Bacnet Ethernet, it does not turn off Bacnet IP.

Issue Continuum Standalone system use SQL Express without function of maintenance, So other method need to be implemented  to do this task Environment Cyberstation SQL Express Cause Require to backup the database with a record. Resolution Install SQL Server Management  Studio Tools for SQL Express Backup the database to specify path, such as "D:\backup\ContDB_Mon.bak" Run SQL Server Management Studio Express and create a new query Copy the following SQL syntax and paste in this new query then  run it EXEC Sp_Addumpdevice 'disk', 'ContinuumDB', 'D:\backup\ContDB_Mon.bak'   Create another new query called ContDB_BU_Mon.sql, copy the following SQL syntax and paste in the query  then run it Select getdate() as "ContDB backup startTime" go BACKUP DATABASE  [ContinuumDB]  TO [ContinuumDB] with Format, INIT,NAME= N'Contdb_Mon Database Backup', SKIP, Norewind, NOUNLOAD, STATS = 10 go select getdate() as "Contdb Backup Endtime" go  Close the query above and save it to D:\backup\ContDB_BU_Mon.sql Create a .txt file with the following command then save it as .bat file OSQL -S(Local)\SQLEXPRESS -E -i  "D:\backup\ContDB_BU_Mon.sql" -O  "D:\Backup\Contdb_BU_Mon.log"   From Windows Control panel > Performance and Maintenance > Scheduled Tasks, Add Scheduled Task, select the "Browse" button, find the .bat file you want to run, then set the time schedule you desired. After the scheduled task created successfully, the database backup will be executed scheduled with record. the record was written in the file Contdb_BU_Mon.log.

Issue Problems accessing the schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com web site. Users trying to log on may get the following message: "Invalid request. Try reloading the page" Environment Vista 5.x licensing website Cause After an upgrade to the site on Monday, Oct 8th, 2012, there have been reports of occasional problems. Resolution To work around the issue: Use this link instead: https://schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com Click Login With Entitlement ID in the left side menu Try again with the same Entitlement ID.

Issue Points are configured to display video using Video Monitor when they go into alarm but the video is not being displayed on alarm. Live video is working fine when opening the Video Layout. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation v 1.93 Cause Points are configured to display video using Video Monitor when they go into alarm but the video is not being displayed on alarm.   Resolution Check the following: In the Security Editor for the workstation (the one with all the Locks & Keys) make sure all the CyberStation users have a group that includes, at a minimum, the "View" key in VideoLayout class, the "View" key in VideoServer class and the "Run Video Monitor" key in the Miscellaneous folder. On the Preferences tab in Workstation editor, for all workstations that need to pop alarm video, make sure the following are set: 27. Use Video Monitor; 28. Process Video Events : True and 29. Process Video Alarm Points : True. Check the event notification that Display Video' action is selected

Issue How can a Viconics BACnet thermostat instance number be changed with Niagara G3? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara G3, ENS, ENC-520 Cause The device Default Device ID is set to: 7x000+MAC address. The MAC address being the current Mac address of the BACnet device. Example, when a VT7300C5018B thermostat with a MAC address of 7 is connected to a network, its default Device ID will be 73007. There will be Device ID conflicts when the same Viconics model is used on multiple MS/TP networks and uses the same identical MAC address. Resolution How can the instance number be changed in a Viconics BACnet thermostat? lists how to change the Device ID (instance number) via the Viconics thermostat. However, it only allows for change of the MAC address portion of the Device ID. When changing the MAC address portion of the instance number is not enough, Niagara G3 can be used to change the entire instance number. The steps to change the Viconics thermostat instance number are as follows: Open (double-click) the BACnetNetwork Under the Database window, highlight the Viconics stat you want to change the instance number Click on the DeviceID button at bottom of screen and click yes Highlight the DeviceID number and change it to the desired number and click OK This screen show the device number it is being changed from to the device number it is being changed to – click OK If the change was successful, you should get a pop up stating: "Successfully changed remote device ObjectID!"

Issue When trying to open TAC Webstation the following error message appears: Webstation error," Could not load file or assembly 'IKVM.AWT.WinForms' or one of its dependencies. This assembly is built by a runtime newer than the currently loaded runtime and cannot be loaded." Environment Vista 5.1.5, Windows 2008 server 64 bit Windows 2003 server Cause Wrong Application pool is used for Webstation in the IIS, a ASP.Net version 2 is used instead of a .Net version 4. Webstation 5.1.5 is developed in ASP.Net 4. Resolution  In the IIS, under Websites\Default Web Site\Webstation - right click and select Properties and then the ASP.NET tab, change the Application pool from the DefaultAppool(ASP.NET version 2) to SE ASP .NET v4.0 classic (ASP.NET version 2) Application pool. 

Issue A GCM / LCM stops working and displays the error message "Insufficient System RAM".  It no longer responds to information requests via the front panel keyboard/display nor via XPSI software connected on either of the available serial ports. A power cycle restores functionality but only for a limited amount of time (ie: hours or days). Environment Network 8000 GCM-84000 series GCM-86000 series LCM-84000 series LCM-85000 series LCM-88000 series Cause Free system ram drops below minimum requirements: Any GCM with sys ram below 18k Any LCM with sys ram below 10k Resolution The amount of free system ram must be kept above minimum requirements. Use Tech Bulletin 95-33 for troubleshooting the GCM / LCM.  It is a comprehensive guide providing both hardware and software suggestions that will increase free system ram.

Issue Change of Value alarm is configured to alarm when an analog value changes by certain value but does not produce an alarm when the monitored object changes by that amount. Environment Continuum Cyberstation bCX1 b3xxx Cause EventNotification or monitored object has not been configured properly. Resolution There are a number of configuration reasons for these Change of Value alarms to seem like they are not being delivered to the Workstation. Check the Current State tab of the EventEnrollment to see if the ToNormal time is changing when you modify your monitored object. If this time is not updating then the EventNotification or monitored object are not configured properly, check the following: Confirm that the BACnet object type in the monitored object is configured properly. If this numeric is a number then it needs to be set to "AnalogValue". Confirm that a "send to database" has been performed on this controller on the BACnet side to send these points to the BACnet side. See details here on how to create BACnet alarms. If this time is changing then the EventNotification and monitored object are configured properly but the alarm is not being delivered to your Workstation. Check  that one or more of the following is the cause: The Change of Value alarm will generate a ReturnToNormal alarm, confirm that the EventNotification is configured to Send Return to Normal alarms - this option needs to be ticked under "Send". Confirm that the option to  remove the alarm from the active alarm list is configured so that the alarm is not removed as soon as it is delivered. A selection of Returned to Normal or Acknowledged OR Returned to Normal on the Deactivate tab will mean that the alarm is removed from the active alarm list as soon as it is delivered. Select any of the following Deactivate options for the alarms to show up in the alarm list: Acknowledged, Acknowledged AND Returned to Normal, or Acknowledged AFTER Returned to Normal.