Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue What version of Datacard ID Works Software integrates correctly with I/NET Seven? Environment I/NET Seven Datacard ID Works Cause Usually the customer wants to integrate the Access Control of I/NET Seven with Video Badging software. He is faced with what version is the correct one for this purpose. Resolution The ID Works Standard Version is the product you should choose for this integration. However, there are two different options in this Standard version: The “Full” Version - ID Works 6.5 with the designer option included With this version, badge templates can be modified and badges can be printed. This version will integrate into an I/NET Seven system. (Please Note that you cannot order Datacard thru Iportal anymore) You have to order thru Datacard.   The “Production” Version - ID Works without the designer option This version will not allow you to change any of the badge templates. It only allows for printing of badges. This version will integrate into an I/NET Seven system. (Please Note that you cannot order Datacard thru Iportal anymore) You have to order thru Datacard.  

Issue There are no existing objects in Niagara G3 that can split a 16-bit Modbus register into two 8-bit values with one representing the high byte (bits 8-15) and another the low byte (bits 0-7). Environment Niagara G3 all versions Cause Modbus integration of a 3rd-party product using 16-bit values which must be split into two 8-bit values. Resolution A program object is available below that will achieve this requirement.  The output of this object generates two 8-bit integer values and two string values for use with logic programming and display purposes.  Text file of program code

Issue ACX57xx supported communication channels  Environment CyberStation ACX5740 ACX5720 Cause Not known cause Resolution The ACX5740 and ACX5720 are ethernet devices only and can not be placed on the Infinet field bus.

Issue Not possible to download an application(.mta file) to a Xenta 401, Xenta 301/302, Xenta 281/282 The download process looks fine until the file transfer should start. Then it just hangs and nothing happens. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 401 Xenta 301/302 Xenta 281/282  Cause The problem is that a file transfer is already running for something else (trend logs or alarms) and only one file transfer can run at a time for each LON network. Resolution Shut all graphics pages and try again. Restart the Vista Server and try again. If that doesn't help, restart the Xenta's to stop the ongoing file transfers If that doesn't help, ensure you are running TAC Vista 5.1.9 and  Start the TAC Vista server communication log, let it run for 10 minutes and send that to your local technical support for investigation. To start the communication log: open the Log tab in the TAC Vista server, open "Comm.Log", Set the Physical layer to "Active" The log will be saved in the $Log folder in the Vista database and called PL_"network name"

Issue Can I purchase a replacement battery for part number E17-140? Environment DMS 35, DMS 350A, DMS 3500, DCM, MSC-MPC Cause E17-140 battery is obsolete and no longer available for purchase. Resolution Purchase replacement battery E17-131. The E17-131 battery is specified for use with the DMS-35, 350, 3500, and DCM.  This battery may also be marked N100-5058.   The E17-140 battery is specified for use with the MSC-MPC and may be marked N100-5074.    Both batteries are rechargeable Nicads.  The E17-131 battery has a slightly larger mAh capacity and a wider temperature operating range.  The E17-131 battery can be used in in place of the E17-140. UPDATE MARCH 2016:  The E17-131 is no longer available for purchase.  Try this supplier:  www.tnrtechnical.com

Issue Changed sa user name as requested and unable to log in to DbCreate using that username Unable to use standard "sa" password for "sa" username Environment DbCreate I/NET Seven SQL Cause Due to new security requirements from Windows and SQL you are unable to leave the SQL admin password as the default: Username: "sa" and Password : "sa".  When installing I/NET you will be asked to provide a new more secure password.  The "sa" username cannot and should not be changed. Resolution When installing I/NET have a new username for SQL ready.  This must be something that can be recorded and available to technician when needed When prompted, enter the new password.  You will have to enter in twice to verify the text To run DbCreate us the username: "sa" and the password that you entered during installation.

Issue If a constant is set to public (meaning it can be edited by the user from the front end) then it can only be used once in a Menta application. Options > Constants Table will show you which constants are set to public. Any attempt to use them more than once will result in the following error: Tam32 Public constant used more than once: Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause Typically a public constant is being used because the simplicity of a simple block is desired. A delay block may be used on three different fan commands and the user desires all of them to have the same delay attribute. Resolution To use one value for multiple simple blocks, the functionality of those simple blocks will have to be recreated using other Menta blocks until a single PVR can be sent to multiple HFBs. For example, instead of a delay block, some configuration of trigger and pulse blocks could delay the output and a PVR could be used to set the length of the delay. Note: Non-public constants can be used multiple times in simple block parameters and expressions. For example, "pi" could be defined as 3.1415926535 and used in multiple equations. It's just public constants that cannot.

Issue An error has occurred, please try the operation again later when opening a Digital Sentry video layout on a browser PC using Webclient 1.91 Environment Digital Sentry 4.3 or 7.x Webclient 1.91 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Cause There are 2 updated hotfix files necessary for video display in a browser with 1.91. Resolution Click the link below and follow the instructions for installing the DSConneX_VideoPatch contained in the file Click here to download the file

Issue Is it possible to convert a Xenta 121-HP to a Xenta 121-FC? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 121 Cause The hardware controller was purchased as a heat pump or fan coil unit, and the opposite is needed for the software application. Resolution As of August 2011, it is possible. Download the NXE file and XIF file for the desired application Download the files to the Xenta 121 using Lonmaker or NL220 This will be blocked in the future.

Issue A BCX PE program does not read / mirror value from its child 3rd party MSTP device (ALC IO6126).  The exact same PE program in workstation reads / mirrors value from the same 3rd party MSTP device correctly. When the PE uses just ReadProperty(BACnetDevices\BNet_2778\Dev100\Supply_temp), controller error log file shows message of "  0x8000001e - BACnet request timeout " & " 0xfffd001f -  BACnet error ".   Environment BACnet (BCX4040) ,  3rd party MSTP device ( ALC IO 6126 / IO6126 / Viconics ) Cause Case#1) The BCX's Foreign Device configuration page ( Foreign Device table ) was set up to have an IP address of a BBMD BCX on the same IP subnet by mistake. Case#2) The MSTP devices are consuming MSTP network resource by trying to send the token to non-existing MSTP device all the way up to ID127 as the BACMaxMaster attribute is set to 127. Resolution Case#1) BCX's Foreign Device Configuration / Table should be set up to have the IP address of the BBMD on the different IP subnet ( not the BBMD on the same IP subnet ).  Remove and zero out the Foreign Device Table of the problematic BBMD.  Case#2) Change the BACMaxMaster from the default value of 127 to the MacAddress of the last MSTP device on the network.

Issue Need to add new generation of Infinet controller(s) to existing NetController with old system such as Infinity system with SX8000 and Continuum 1.4 or older version. Environment Continuum ,   SX8000 Net Controller / NetController (CX9900 , CX9940 , CX9000 , CX9200 , CX9400 , CX9702 ) Infinet controller (i2 controller , i1 controller) Cause Older version of Continuum (v1.4 and older) and Infinity system (SX8000) does not  provide controller type of i2 controller when you create Infinet controller under NetController. Resolution The i2 controller (including i286x–V models) can be used as direct replacements for existing Continuum VAV controllers on all versions of Continuum and SX8000 installations.  Select the controller type of the same model number. I.e. : For i2865-V , select TCX865 .

Issue What are the differences between the Niagara G3 ENS-UNL, ENS-LMT-100 and ENS-LMT-3? Environment Niagara G3, Workbench all versions Cause The Enterprise Network Server datasheet does not indicate these part numbers and their differences.  Resolution - ENS-UNL (formerly ENS-1) Enterprise Network Server (ENS) with support for connection to Unlimited Enterprise Network Controllers (ENC). - ENS-LMT-100 Enterprise Network Server (ENS) with support for connection to 100 Enterprise Network Controllers (ENC). - ENS-LMT-3 (formerly ENS-LMT) Enterprise Network Server (ENS) with support for connection to 3 Enterprise Network Controllers (ENC). Note: All ENS includes Workbench as standard. - ENS-LMT-100-UP Upgrade from ENS-LMT-3 to ENS-LMT-100 - ENS-LMT-UNL-UP Upgrade from ENS-LMT-100 to ENS-UNL Upgrade of controller limit from 3 to no limit requires purchase of both upgrade parts. * Upgrade of controller limit from 3 to no limit requires purchase of both upgrade parts.  

Issue Communications cabling Environment MicroNet Cable LAN Belden Cause Communications wiring Resolution Belden 8762 cable  or an  equivalent cable should be used for standard on pair communications. Belden 9502 cable  or an  equivalent cable should be used for isolated LAN communications. Click here for the Belden 8762 data sheet. Click here for the Belden 9502 data sheet.

Issue Integrate a Datacard (ID Works) Video Badging system together with an existing I/NET Seven system. Environment I/NET Seven ID Works Video Badging software version 6.5 All Windows version that are supported in the current I/NET Version of 2.42 and below Cause I/NET Seven and ID Works need to work as an integrated system. Resolution The attached White paper defines the necessary steps required to modify the ID Works to operate in the I/NET system. Note: if using 64bit OS such as Windows 7, a patch is required which makes ID Works 64bit. It is available from the 3rd party vendor. http://www.datacard.com/id-software-support-and-upgrades/id-works-identification-software

Issue How to set a Xenta 102-AX back to factory default values.  Environment Xenta 102-AX Vista LonMaker NL220 Factory Default Cause Unwanted changes can be reset back to factory values. Resolution To reset a Xenta 102-AX back to factory defaults, recommission the device and select Source of CP Values to default.

Issue The Xenta 104-A plug-in limits the temperature value input between 0°F and 18°F. It is not possible to input a negative value. Environment Xenta 104-A Plug-In Lonmaker 3.1 or Lonmaker 3.2 NL220 Cause The Xenta 104-A plug-in limits the temperature value input between 0°F and 18°F. It is not possible to input a negative value. Resolution In Vista follow these steps: Navigate to the Xenta 104-A controller. Browse down to the Node Object function block and find the nciSpaceTempOfst SCPT. Type in the designed space temp offset parameter from the default 32°F value. For example, if a -1°F offset is needed a value of 31 will need to be entered. If a +1°F offset is needed a 33 will need to be entered. 32°F represents zero offset.

Issue How to set the Network 8000 MicroZone II (MZ2) back to its factory-default settings? Environment Network 8000 MicroZone II (MZ2) Cause Need to set the Network 8000 MicroZone II (MZ2) back to its factory-default settings Resolution See Technical Bulletin 95-08 for a detailed procedure. Revised 12/22/2011

Issue When air temperature falls to 30 degrees F, the output values calculated by the Enthalpy object are incorrect as compared to performing manual calculation verification or humidity measurement Environment IA Series MNL-800 controller WorkPlace Tech Tool (any version) Cause The Enthalpy object limits the allowed range of its input values so as to maintain the resolution of the values it calculates.  These range limits are set based on the temperatures typically encountered when calculating enthalpy for mixed air, return air and supply air needs in air handlers. Resolution The following limits are used when processing the Enthalpy object inputs: Dry Bulb Temperature:  32 to 120 Degrees F (0 to 48.9 Degrees C) Dewpoint Temperature: 32 to 120 Degrees F (0 to 48.9 Degrees C) Relative Humidity: 1 to 100% Barometric Pressure: 19.94 to 39.79 in-Hg (506.5 to 1010.7 mm-Hg) Input values outside the ranges listed will be processed as if they were clamped to the listed limit.  For example if the air temperature (dry bulb) was 26 degrees F, it will be processed as if the temperature were 32 degrees F.

Issue How to implement a simple Man Trap using PE Environment CyberStation CX9900 CX9680 ACX5740/20 Cause A mantrap is an access methodology with an entry door and an exit door. One door of the mantrap can not be opened until the opposite door has been closed. Mantraps are most often used to keep non-secure areas separated from secure areas and prevent unauthorized access. Resolution 'This program implements a Man Trap that allows one person at a time in the man trap. 'Once a person is in the man trap no access is allowed until the occupant leaves the 'man trap via the REX. 'The occupant is allowed to exit at either door but once they have activated the REX 'at one door they are required to leave via that door. 'If occupant stays in the trap longer than TrapMaxOccTime and alarm can be sent via ManTrapStuck 'TrapMaxOccTime and ManTrapStuck are InfinityNumeric objects in the controller. 'Program is Looping and AutoStart TRAP_READY: ManTrap_A DisRdrKpAccess = False ManTrap_B DisRdrKpAccess = False ManTrap_A OpenOnExitReqst = True ManTrap_B OpenOnExitReqst = True If ManTrap_A ValidAccess or ManTrap_B ValidAccess then Goto TRAP_OCCUPIED TRAP_OCCUPIED: ManTrap_A DisRdrKpAccess = True ManTrap_B DisRdrKpAccess = True If ManTrap_B ExitRequest then ManTrap_A OpenOnExitReqst = False Goto WAIT_EXIT_B Endif If ManTrap_A ExitRequest then ManTrap_B OpenOnExitReqst = False Goto WAIT_EXIT_A Endif WAIT_EXIT_A: If ManTrap_A DoorSwitch = Opened then Goto TRAP_READY If TS > TrapMaxOccTime then ManTrapStuck = On WAIT_EXIT_B: If ManTrap_B DoorSwitch = Opened then Goto TRAP_READY If TS > TrapMaxOccTime then ManTrapStuck = On 'Keep program from disabling due to run time errors E: If TS > 30 then Goto TRAP_READY

Issue Using a door keypad to enter command codes to carry out commands such as arm/disarm system, extend door unlock on jet way etc. Environment CX9900 with AC1Plus CX9680 with AC1Plus ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause Requirements Resolution Click here for a PDF document with instructions on how to configure the system to capture command codes using a keypad at a door.