Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What can the Boost relay (R2) be used for? Environment Boost Termination Day control Relay R2 Cause The plant continues to operate even when the temperature is greater than the Td setting. Resolution The SVT Optimiser has a primary function of performing and optimised timed start, this is achieved using a space temperature sensor to provide an indication of the buildings internal temperature The controllers secondary function will allow a "Boost Function" or "Day Control" of the plant. The controller output relay R2 is used for this function. Boost Function. Relay R2 contacts 5 - 4 make at the end of occupancy, ready for boost period. Relay R2 contacts 5 - 3 make at Occupancy start and provides a termination of the Boost period. For Boost Operation set the slide switch to position "A" as shown below.   Day control. Relay R2 contacts 5 - 4 make when the space temperature is above the (Td) setting. Relay R2 contacts 5 - 3 make when the space temperature is below the (Td) setting. To review the complete SVT data sheet, please chick HERE.

Issue The alarm handling between TAC Vista and Xenta 913, 5XX, 7XX acting as Xenta Servers stop after 50 days Vista will stop to receive events from Xenta 913, 5XX, 7XX acting as Xenta Servers after 50 days Environment TAC Vista Xenta 511 Xenta 527 Xenta 555 Xenta 913 Xenta 701 Xenta 711 Xenta 721 Xenta 731 Cause The reason for this issue is that TAC Vista sets a time reference to the computer’s internal tick count just before it’s about to rollover (which will happen every 49.7 days).   Resolution This issue has been fixed in TAC Vista 5.1.7 and a hotfix for TAC Vista 5.0.3 is also available upon request from Product Support Services.   Note: Restarting the Vista Server or the PC will also solve the problem, but only temporarily.

Issue No Trends are showing up in the Data/Enquiry Editor when a point is selected. Product Line TAC INET Environment Xenta 527-NPR Webserver 5.1.6 Cause Changes in the Xenta 527 firmware in version 5.1.6 and later have resulted in some problems I/NET trend data displaying in the Xenta 527-NPR. Resolution To resolve this, the best option is to downgrade the Xenta 527 to version 5.1.5, per Download an .MOT file into a Xenta Programmable controller and restart the device and I/NET again.

Issue Does SHD2/SCD2 have galvanic isolation? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation SmartX Living Space Sensor Cause Galvanic isolation is a principle of isolating functional sections of electrical systems to prevent current flow; no direct conduction path is permitted. Resolution The SHD2XP2A/SCD2XPXAVX does not have galvanic isolation.

Issue When saving a Plain English program, the program disables on the following error. Array index too large or too small. Environment Plain English Manual Log Array Error Cause Program is attempting to store a value in a numerics manual array slot when the array does not exist. Resolution Determine how many array slots the program intends to use when storing values in this numeric. On the Logs page of the numeric editor make sure the size matches the number of array values being used by the program.

Issue Error message in Platform Application Director; SEVERE [00:25:32 08-Feb-21 EST][sys] Cannot boot Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4.9 and later I/A Series N4 Enterprise Server I/A Series N4 WorkBench Cause In 4.9.1.30 and later, the JDK distributed with Niagara was upgraded to 8u271. Starting in JDK 8u261, the target Visual C++ version was changed. While the updated libraries are available in the jre/bin folder, this folder is not on the PATH for NRE binaries. This can cause Niagara to fail to launch on Windows if another copy of the Visual C++ Redistributables is not present. Resolution Install the Visual C++ 2017 Redistributables. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2977003/the-latest-supported-visual-c-downloads At the time of this article, Microsoft packages the 2015, 2017, & 2019 redistributables together. Select and install the x64 version.      https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe    

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 What are the alarm response times for StruxureWare Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation site Cause Requesting information concerning response times and maximum periods. Need to know when the response is met and provide a written description of the way in which they are met. Time from initiation of an alarm at the source to the annunciation on the engineering StruxureWare Building Operation server: Critical alarms (Plant Shutdown and Safety) <2 seconds Non critical alarms <4 seconds Time from initiation of an alarm to all other BACnet devices to StruxureWare Building Operation server: Critical alarm 20ms Non critical alarms 20ms Time from initiation of a change of state or value to all Lon devices to StruxureWare Building Operation Server: 20ms Resolution We have a requirement that says the following: The time from when a value, monitored by an alarm, passes the trigger value of the alarm, until the alarm is visible in a WorkStation logged onto the parent Enterprise Server shall be: - less than 1000 ms in average over 20 measurements -maximum 2000 ms for each measurement This requirement applies to the Performance Target System. This includes any multi-server environment and also if the value is out on a Lon device, BACnet device or any other device we support. The above requirement is met. We also don’t have different response-priorities for critical and non-critical alarms in StruxureWare Building Operation, they are treated the same.  

Issue Demand Control Information Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Cause Most issues with demand control will come from improper setup or lack of understanding of demand control processes. Resolution TCON 300 Technical Reference Guide is the best location for version specific information on  Demand Control.  Click here for the demand control sections of TCON 300 from version 2.43

Issue Controller labelling and documentation does not describe how to connect expander modules or which modules are supported. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert SP-ACX SP-ACX-V2 SP-O8 SP-I16 SP-MRDM2 SP-RDM2 SP-I01 SP-IO84 SP-MI16 Cause Documentation is scheduled to be updated but due to UL certifications for some of these documents the process may take some time to complete. Resolution Expander modules are able to be connected to the SP-ACX and SP-ACX-V2 controllers. There is no restriction to the type of Expander Module, all modules are supported unless specifically stated that they are not. The Expander Module network is connected to the RS-485 port on the right-hand side of the controller just above the Digital Outputs port. This port should be labelled with N+, N-, NA, NB and is to be wired up as per the below diagram. Expander Module RS-485 port

  Issue Site upgraded SmartX IP Controller from 2.00.03.1203 to  v3.02.03.02109. When the upgrade was completed, they attached the SmartX room sensor to the controller.  The sensor appeared to update but the screen display was distorted.             Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment • Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV • Building Operation SmartX Living Space Sensor • Building Operation Workstation   Cause With a blank database, an MP-V with firmware V2.00.03.1203, when the sensor is connected the screen is distorted, but  after upgrading the MP- V to firmware V3.02.03.02103 , the screen display shows up with no issues Something is breaking for the site when attempting to go from 2.0.3.1203 to 3.2.3.02103 Resolution Upgrade the firmware to a higher version (ex 4.x). After the MP-V is upgraded, the sensor will upgrade automatically which takes about 10 to 15 minutes and the status will be operational. The screen will then display properly.

Issue Access Expert SEQ Log Installation Information Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Cause The SEQ Log is a valuable troubleshooting tool to be installed separately from Access Expert Resolution Overview Access Expert utilizes a system logging application called SEQ which is used for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes. While this service is not technically required to run any of the Feenics services, it provides valuable information when troubleshooting. Downloading SEQ The latest version can be downloaded at https://getseq.net/Download Installing SEQ Once the MSI is launched the wizard will prompt for installation as shown in the following Figures. SEQ service installation dialog Once the SEQ logs are installed, click 'Browse Seq' button to open the log in the default browser. Bookmark or Favorite It may be beneficial to set the SEQ logs as a bookmark for easy access. The example below is from Chrome. SEQ Settings Click on the 'Settings' option at the top of the page to access and change the defaults. Initially after clicking on Settings, the API keys page opens. Add an API key if required. API Keys Retention Policy From the settings page, select 'Retention' from the left-hand side menu. Once at the Retention page, click add and set the retention policy. The Access Expert/Feenics default is 21 days. This is adjustable to your needs, however, it is recommended to never go below 7 days. Note: Seq will periodically delete events covered by the policy based on their timestamp. Disk space will be reclaimed by a background compaction process and may not be available immediately. Default is ‘all events’ Example Seq Log Note: Left Click once to expand an event and click it again to shrink it Tips and Troubleshooting Ensure SEQ is installed on the PC where the Access Expert client is installed or it cannot ingest the Access Expert events. If a reinstall of SEQ is needed, manually deleting C:\ProgramData\Seq and subfolders is required after uninstalling SEQ from Windows Control Panel> Programs and Features. The SEQ uninstall does not remove the folder, subfolders and files. If the folder and files are not removed, the installation will fail. Before reinstalling SEQ, Grant the User that is running the installation full permissions to C:\ProgramData\Seq and subfolders if they do not have them. Installing SEQ using Windows Power Shell can be useful since it gives some feedback if something isn't working. Running the MSI installer within Windows doesn't give any feedback.   Command syntax:  seq service install --listen=http://localhost:5341/ -u "YourPCName\admin" -p "YourAccountPassword" Note: The username must be specified as DOMAIN\user or MACHINE\user PowerShell Install Example: SEQ Log documentation: https://docs.datalust.co/docs/getting-started https://docs.datalust.co/docs/ingestion-troubleshooting

Issue Reader beeper needs to be disabled so the reader makes no noise during operation including when a card is being badged at the reader. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Smart card readers Cause When attempting to disable reader beeper by toggling the Disable buzzer processing option under Reader expanders Reader options tab the reader will beep when a card is read. Disable buzzer processing: When this option is enabled the reader expander will not control the reader beeper. The reader will beep once when a card is read, but will not beep additional times to indicate access granted or denied. The BZ output can be used for another function. Disable buzzer processing Resolution Unfortunately the reader beeper cannot be completely disabled, it will continue to produce a single beep when a card is read. This single beep on card reads is hardcoded into the reader firmware.  

Issue Database maintenance has been keeping the event and extendedlog tables trim and someone decides they want to see data from a period of time that has been truncated from the Database. Environment Continuum Cyberstation SQL Server ActivityEvent AlarmEvent ErrorEvent ExtendedLog Cause Table truncation scripts have removed the events that a report is to be populated with. Resolution We can run reports on user activity and access event activity going back only as far as the information that is stored in the Continuum Database. This information is stored in specific tables that are normally truncated on a regular basis. The amount of time this information is saved for may be different for each installation.  (See articles Stand Alone Continuum using SQL Server 2005 Express is not purging the ExtendedLog table and How to setup automatic table truncation on Single-User SQL Express systems on how this is setup on a single-user system.) However, there is one possibility to being able to provide this information. If there has been a vigilant database maintenance schedule maintained and there have been periodic backups of the ContinuumDB, then the information stored in those backups can be retrieved and reports can be run. This would require a setup of a separate Continuum system (SQL Server and Cyberstation) that is able to have these backed up Databases restored to it. Restore each backed up copy of the ContinuumDB Run the required reports against this offline version of the Database. Do this one Database at a time until all the required data has been gathered.  

Issue The values from a script program are not showing up in Workstation in the correct format. For example, the values are Integers instead of a floating format that provides numbers down to the decimal. A second issue is that the data type icons are incorrect. The values used by the script program are not functioning because they are being calculated using the wrong units. The screen shot below shows a section of a binding page where the "Blr 1Failed" icon shows the correct data type (digital), but "Blr 2Failed and Blr 3Failed" do not. Environment Workstation Script Editor Cause The type of point and the units can be set inside the script program. This may cause a different format to be displayed in Workstation other than what is expected. When comparing values in a script program it may be required to set units to ensure that proper comparison is done. Resolution Check the settings of the points within the Script program.   Open up the Script program by right clicking on it in Workstation and going to Edit. With the script program open, look at the point and unit types in the Variables window at the bottom. Make sure that these are the desired settings and save the program.

Issue Steps for Troubleshooting Readers Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Cause Readers are offline or not returning the correct card data Resolution Common Issues Issue Solution My reader is not returning any data when I present a card Check to make sure the technology card you are using matches the requirements of the card reader. A prox card will not work on an iClass reader. Check the Reader wiring to confirm CLK and DATA on wired correctly. Check that the Reader addressing matches the reader port. Check the power being supplied to the reader. Multiclass readers cannot be powered off S2 (green boards). They require an external power supply. Bluetooth readers cannot be powered off the S2 (green) boards. The power required by the Bluetooth readers is directly related to the range at which the Bluetooth readers are programmed to work. My reader is returning different results every time I swipe my card. Check the power to the reader. If the reader requires more power than the board can provide, use a dedicated power supply. My reader is returning the correct number of bits but the encoded card information is incorrect. Check to make sure your CLK and DATA wires are not switched. If the CLK and DATA wires are switched the 0's and 1's will be inverted causing the card number reported to be wrong.  My reader is returning the correct number of bits but the raw HEX data is all 0's.  This is most often caused by a bad reader or a bad port on the Mercury board. Check the reader wiring and power first, then try the reader on a different port.    My EP1501 uses the Reader 1 port for my SIO, how do I utilize the on-board reader? The on-board reader for the EP1501 is placed on the internal port and is physically placed on Reader 2 (TB3); it should still be addressed as reader address '0' in Feenics. I wired my reader to Reader 1 on the board, what's my reader address? All reader addresses are -1 from the physical port the reader is wired to. Reader wired into Reader 1 is address 0. I don't understand what to set my offline access method to. No Change: Reader access will remain in the 'Online Access Method'. Facility Code Only: Only the facility code is required to receive and access granted event. Unlock: The reader will unlock during its offline state. Lock Down: The reader will be locked down during its offline state. OSDP Reader goes offline when I select 'Secure Channel'. From the top menu bar select 'Start Linking Mode'. The OSDP reader will come back online. Please Note: The OSDP reader must be new or never have been configured for Secure Channel previously. If it was previously configured for Secure Channel it will need to be reset with a config card. My Engage NDE/LE lock is showing a Magnetic Tamper Follow the manufacturers instructions to calibrate the door sensor. My reader is posting "Access Granted - Not Used" events. This can happen for two reasons. First, the cardholder badged at the door but never opened the door to enter. Second, the door does not have a door contact wired at the door and one is programmed into the system. Since there is no device telling the system if the door was used, the system reports no door use. My reader is posting "Access Denied" events immediately after "Access Granted" events. Whenever troubleshooting event data always be sure to expand the event message to learn more. If the event is returning data is without a card read following the first access event, it suggests there may be power coming back into the comms, or are sending feedback into the comms loop. You can test this by Does removing the load (pull the output/strike) oof the terminal render the same results? Is there any change when placing the reader directly onto the Mercury board? A thorough investigation of the power wiring on the board will help isolate the location of the issue. My reader is posting "Access Denied - Incomplete Card or PIN Sequence" The Card and PIN reader mode requires a valid PIN sequence followed by a valid card read. The Incomplete Card or PIN Sequence can occur Only the card was presented to the reader. Only the PIN Code was entered at the reader. The card was presented before the PIN code was entered. Keep in mind, if someone enters a random PIN sequence at a reader and happens to guess a valid PIN but does not present a card, this event will show. The reader is producing an "Unidentified Person on Site" event. This event is produced when a controller grants access at a reader to a cardholder that is on the controller database, but that is not currently within the Feenics Database. This can happen if a controller missed an event when a person was deleted from the database. The system will delete this card from the controller after this event. The next step is to identify the person and remove them from the building. The reader is posting "Access Denied - Invalid Facility Code" but showing the correct Facility Code in the expanded event data. This can occur if the Card Format programmed with the appropriate Facility Code on the controller does not have the correct parity bits for the card being used. The Mercury Service checks the Card number, the Facility Code, and the parity bits in that order. Due to this, when creating a card format, the parity bit is often the last part of the Card Format to be checked. Access Denied - Card/Pin Not Found The User does not have access to the door. Add the User to the door through an Access Level    

Issue Following a workstation crash and subsequent replacement of the workstation PC, cannot bring the existing CX9200 online with the new Continuum Installation. Environment Cyberstation 1.6 CX9200 Windows XP SP3 Cause Continuum 1.62 does not support Windows XP with Service Pack 3. Resolution Install Continuum 1.62 on a Windows XP SP2 platform.

Issue Script program Halts with error “Datetime calculation with overflow” resulting in the program not controlling Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Observed in versions 4.0.1.86 and 4.0.3.176 Cause When a script program subtracts one datetime from another it can result in a negative value if the datetime being subtracted (subtrahend) is a later datetime than the one being subtracted from (minuend).  This causes the program to halt with error “Datetime calculation with overflow”.  The issue can also occur when a script program calls a function that involves a datetime subtraction resulting in a negative value, for example the standard PID function.   The image below illustrates the issue where DT1 is a later time than DT2.     The problem has typically been seen to occur when using the PID function and the ASP is set to obtain updates from an NTP server.  The PID function uses the current time and the last time the function was called to calculate the time passed, for example: -   TimePassed = CurrentDate – LastTime   Ignoring the date portion consider the scenario where the ASP time is currently 14:01:00 but is one minute ahead of the actual time of the NTP server.  If the function has just been called the LastTime variable will be 14:01:00.  However, in the meantime if the ASP time is updated by the NTP server it becomes 14:00:00 and hence when the function is called again the calculation is: -   TimePassed = 14:00:00 – 14:01:00    This results in a negative value halting the program on error “Datetime calculation with overflow”.   Resolution Either of the two workarounds below can be used but each will need to be considered based on their overall impact.    Use the DIFFTIME function If calling a function check the subtrahend is not a later datetime than the minuend before calling.   This is reported in defect #50263

Issue What is the Schneider Electric part number for the DIN Rail base used with the Echelon router LPR-10 (ECH-4210R)? Environment Echelon router LPR-10 (ECH-4210R) Cause Echelon router LPR-10 must be mounted on DIN rail. Resolution The Schneider Electric part number is ECH-48222R, as found on the iPortal. See the attached Data Sheet.

Issue How to reconfigure the IP address of a L-IP if not knowing its IP address? Environment LNS Turbo Lonmaker turbo Lonworks Network Interfaces Loytec L-IP Cause In order to use a L-IP, its IP address need to be known for configuration, otherwise this L-IP cannot functioning at all. Resolution Please follow the steps below to retrieve a L-IP’s IP address. 1. At first prepare a RS232 serial cable of which two sides are 9-pin female connector, or one side is 9-pin female connector and another side is 9-pin male connector. Then one side of the RS232 cable connects to the L-IP’s Serial port (See the red ring of the Figure 1) and another side connects to the PC Serial port (if PC is no Serial Port, the MOXA RS232 USB-to-Serial Adaptor can also be used).                                                         Figure 1：L-IP and PC Connection   2. Use a PC Hyperterminal with the communication settings set to 38,400 bps / 8 data bits / no parity / 1 stop bit / no handshake. On the L-IP use a serial cable (1:1 male-female or female-female cable) to connect COM port (like comm1) on the PC to the Console on the L-IP. Power up the L-IP or press Return if the L-IP is already running. The following menu (See the Figure 2) should appear on the HyperTerminal:                                                                                                                                    Figure 2:Main L-IP menu 3. Select 5 and press Enter, then the following menu (See the Figure 3) would appear on the HyperTerminal. The current IP Address, IP Netmask and IP Gateway of L-IP would be displayed in this menu.   Figure 3: IP Configuration Menu 4. If modifying the IP address, select 2 and press Enter, type in the new IP address behind Enter new IP address and press Enter button (See the Figure 4). Figure 4: Enter new IP address 5. If modifying the IP Netmask, select 3 and press Enter, then type in the new IP Netmask. 6. If modifying the IP Gateway, select 4 and press Enter, then type in the new IP Gateway. 7. After finishing all modifications, select X and press Enter, then save your modifications and return to the main L-IP menu. Please refer to the L-IP user manual for more detailed information.