Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Have some values being pushed to a BACnet Loytec L-VIS device via mirrored point in the AS, after the L-VIS screen is powered down/up the bound values are pushed on the next change, for analog value this does not present a big problem as they change frequently, but for binary values is a problem. Environment BACnet AS Cause Guaranteed transfer has not been configured on the binding. Resolution Set a transfer interval in 'Guaranteed transfer even if value has not changed' In the example below, the value will be pushed out once a minute regardless of whether it has changed or not.

Issue When opening a TGML graphic in Webstation using Internet Explorer you get a link to download the correct Java version even though Java is installed on the PC used Environment Java Vista Webstation Internet Explorer Cause Webstation has a built-in check to see if Java is installed which does not work in Internet Explorer Resolution Open this path "C:\inetpub\wwwroot\TACVistaWeb519" Version can be different depending what you have installed. Edit the file "TgmlDynamicGraphicsPage.aspx" and remove the lines in picture starting with <script< strong=""> and ending with /script></script<> NOTE: Make a backup of the file in case something happens. and save the file.   Also remember to set the viewer mode to "Dynamic" in TAC Vista Web Settings. The down side of this, is that Webstation will not work on PC's not having Java installed.

Issue In Vista, alarms are not appearing in the alarm handling window. Environment Vista Workstation Alarm Queue Cause If the alarm is set up for a priority of Zero the alarms will not shown in Vista alarm window. Resolution If you are online in Vista, you can change the priority directly in Vista. The changes will be done in your MTA file when you export the file. Go back into Menta change the priority level in the alarm block Redownload the Menta file. Go into Vista Open the object selection box Double click on the alarm object Click on the button Status button Change the priority level Click OK

Issue Accumulate KW consumption for seven days, then clear the data. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Cause How to accumulate KW consumption for seven days, then clear the data. Resolution Add a Consumption extension (CN) to the PI point. Collect the data in a docutrend cell. Consumption data is always reset to zero at midnight, even if the PI point is in test mode. Set the transient duration for seven days. Refer to TCON 237 and TCON 239.

Issue After installing an update to SmartXKiosk, an error message is shown when trying to launch the app License file not found. Please contact Schneider Electric. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartX Advanced Display SmartXKiosk Cause The SmartXKiosk update (apk file) needs to be installed on top of the factory delivered version. If the current version of SmartXKiosk is removed before installing the update, some files are missing on the tablet. Also refer to Which address and port does the SmartX Controller Advanced Display use for activation for additional information regarding license activation. Resolution A full installer of the app is needed. Contact Product Support and request a full installer.

Issue What is a node? Environment I/NET Site Cause What is a node? Resolution A node is a device, connected to a network, which can communicate with other nodes, using a common protocol, be addressed (having a unique identification and perform calculations) and/or exchange data with other nodes.

Issue Since the NPR supports Telnet and SNMP, can someone dial into the modem and gain access to a user's network? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site Cause Cybersecurity of the network is important, and any vulnerabilities should be identified and mitigated. IT professionals may ask about the Telnet and SNMP capabilities of an NPR and whether that represents a risk. Resolution The NPR cannot initiate a Telnet session, therefore it will only respond to Telnet prompts. It cannot create an outgoing Telnet session into the local LAN. It is also very limited in SNMP. It will respond to a query with a packet of information. That is all it can do. It does not conduct two-way or bi-directional communication. Hackers can not use these modes to "leapfrog" into a local LAN.

Issue I added some I/NET Tool Icons and Symbol Icons to a graphic page on one PC. Then copied the Graphic page to another PC and the link from these Icons are gone. What is wrong? Environment I/NET Seven Site using Graphics Cause I/NET tools Icons and Symbol Icons on Graphic pages does not save the link from one PC to the next Resolution The I/NET tools Icons and Symbol Icons on a Graphic pages does not save the link from one PC to the next. Copy the graphic page to the customer's PC. Copy any Custom Symbol to the customer's PC Then edit each of the Icons and re-connect the links.

Issue Problems communicating on your Laptop on a Direct Connect Environment I/NET Site Cause Laptop Problems communicating using Direct Connect Resolution Are you trying to connect directly to a system and you are unable to get any communications through the PC? Look at the flashing lights (Red/Green) on the I/O Server, does both of them flash simultaneously? Follow these steps to resolve this:   Open I/O Sever, modify the active profile, select Direct as the Link Type and Com Port 1 as the Port or Device. Select the proper Baud Rate (9600 or 19200) for communications. Close I/O Server and I/NET. Go to My Computer, right click and select Properties . Hardware, Device Manager, Ports, select Com Port 1 and Uninstall it. Shut down and restart your PC so that the Com Port automatically is detected by the OS. Log in and then launch I/Net, those light should be flashing red/green now to indicate that you have proper communications. Go to Host Computer, Network Configuration and verify that you can see your link and that the CNF column is blank or has a + sign. Save this and penetrate the link to see all your controllers, save these, penetrate each controller to save all the sublan devices and then close this editor You should now have the ability to connect to each controller and see all the points and work accordingly.

Issue There are two standard acronym video formats. What do PAL and NTSC stand for? Environment I/NET site Cause Answering the question of what do PAL and NTSC stands for. Resolution PAL This is short for Phase Alternating Line, the dominant television standard in Europe. The United States uses a different standard NTSC. Whereas NTSC delivers 525 lines of resolution at 60 half-frames per second, PAL delivers 625 lines at 50 half frames per second. Many Video adapters that enable computer monitors to be used as television screens support both NTSC and PAL signals. NTSC This is short for National Television System Committee. The NTSC is responsible for setting television and video standards in the United States (in Europe and the rest of the world, the dominant television standards are PAL and SECAM). The NTSC standard for television defines a composite video signal with a refresh rate of 60 half-frames (interlaced) per second. Each line contains 525 lines and can contain 16 million different colors. The NTSC standard is incompatible with most computer video standards, which generally use RGB video signals. However, you can insert special video adapters into your computer that convert NTSC signals into computer video signals and vice versa.

Issue Is there a way in I/NET Seven to determine the Hexadecimal number of a prox card? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site with Access Control Cause Determining the Hexadecimal number of a prox card Resolution Go into AMT and select "System" on the top task Bar. Choose the highlighted options. All you have to do in this window is the hit the "OK" button. This will set up an AMT screen called "No Filter" If the card you are seeking the Hex number IS NOT in the Individuals editor, and you read that card at any system reader it will give you the Hex number on the card under the “Message” area. The only other choice in getting this information is thru a RS232 device like the ones sold on RfIdeas.com.

Issue The standard graphic object does not exist in Vista 5 the same way it did in previous versions so an alternative method for creating a standardized graphic is necessary. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation TGML Graphics Cause The standard graphic object does not exist in Vista 5 as it did in earlier versions. Relative bindings and shortcuts replicate the functionality of having one graphic source file represent data from several different pieces of equipment. Resolution There are a couple of alternative methods to creating a standardized graphic that will work where many identical or similar devices exist. Below is an example of the first method. The scenario is a site where multiple Xenta 121 devices exist and each need individual graphics. In Vista Workstation locate the first Xenta 121 device in the folders pane on the left and right click and select New > Object > Graphic - TGML to create a new graphic that resides in the controller object.   Create a standardized graphic that uses naming conventions that are common to all of the devices that will use the graphic. In the example the actual SNVT names from the Xenta 121 are used for the point names. When the graphic is complete, save it and create the graphic bindings to the controller where the graphic resides.   From the bindings pane select all of the bindings then right click and select Apply Relative Address.   The addresses on the bindings will now only contain references to the points within the controller but will not have any reference to the controller name as shown below.   Close the bindings window and right click the graphic object and select copy.   Right click on the next device and select Paste Shortcut. Repeat this step for all of the relevant devices.   Now, clicking on the shortcut to the graphic from any of the devices will open up a copy of the graphic that is bound to the device in which the shortcut resides. The other is similar but places all of the shortcuts to the graphics in individual folders rather than down in the devices. It also requires that shortcuts be made in the folders to each of the devices. Create a graphic (use this graphic as a standard graphic) with relative bindings. Create folders for e.g. every room. In this folder, add shortcuts to the controllers, also add a shortcut to the graphic (with the relative bindings). By doing this you can have the function of "TGML standard Graphics" as in earlier OGC graphics.

Issue How to get SQL Server 2005 to work with a Niagara G3 Enterprise Network Server. Environment Niagara G3 Enterprise Network Server SQL Server 2005 Cause The SQL Server need to enable TCP/IP and open TCP port number 1433. Resolution "...To get SQL Server 2005 Express (the free edition) configured properly simply follow these steps... Download SQL Server 2005 Express Edition here. Download the SQL Server Management Studio Express from the above URL (note: advanced services are not needed). This is optional but it does provide a useful interface for running SQL queries if desired. Before installing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, ensure the user is logged on with administrative access to the PC and all older versions of SQL Server are uninstalled. When installing SQL Server 2005, ensure mixed mode is enabled and the give 'sa' user a strong password. Once installed, open the SQL Server Configuration Manager ('Start', 'Programs', 'Microsoft SQL Server 2005', 'Configuration Tools', 'SQL Server Configuration Manager'). Once the Configuration Manager has been opened, enable TCP/IP so G3 can connect to SQL Server (by default this is switched off). Using the tree, navigate to 'SQL Server 2005 Network Configuration' and then 'Protocols for SQLEXPRESS'. Right click TCP/IP and select 'Properties'. The TCP/IP Properties window should now appear. On the first tab labeled 'Protocol', ensure the 'Enabled' property is set to 'Yes'. Go to the second tab labeled 'IP Addresses'. In the section labeled 'IPAll' delete any entry in 'IP Dynamic Ports' and enter the value 1433 in 'TCP Port'. Once completed click ok.  Note that the default port is a 5-digit number that will NOT work.  It must be removed. Restart the SQL Server Express service. If it can't be located easily in Windows, then reboot the computer. Niagara G3 should now be able to connect to SQL Server 2005. Before attempting to connect, ensure all firewalls are properly configured so the connection can be made. If running the Enterprise Network Server on a different computer, then open up a Windows command prompt on the ENS computer and type 'telnet yourIPAddressGoesHere 1433'. If the command prompt window goes blank then connections can be made to this IP address and port number. Open Workbench and run up the desired station. Ensure the station is licensed to use the rdbSqlServer feature. Add the 'RdbmsNetwork' component to the server station. Add the 'SqlServerDatabase' component. Configure the properties for the 'SqlServerDatabase' component. Type in the IP address, port number (1433 in this example), user name and password for the connection. Ping the 'SqlServerDatabase' and ensure its status is 'ok'. Export historical data to the Sql Server database by adding a new 'SqlServerHistoryExport' component and setting up its 'History id' property to point to an existing history already in the station". Ensure Niagara G3 version 3.0.100 and above is used in order for the connection to work.

Issue Storage Temperatures for TAC BCX/I2/b3 Controllers Environment TAC BCX/I2/b3 Controllers Continuum SmartSensor Cause Example: This information was for units stored in Antarctica with no heat. Resolution All i2/b3 with and without LCD: -30°C to 80°C (-22°F to 176°F) BCX: Less than 30 days @ -40°C to 65°C (-40°F to 149°F) The specification for the BCX battery indicates a recommended minimum temperature of 20°C when the battery is discharging, with no time limitation. The battery could be potentially be stored at -20°C for longer than 30 days with no problems. As a side note, the minimum charging temperature is 0°C, so be careful to let the units warm up before applying power to the BCX to avoid battery damage. Continuum SmartSensor: -20°C to 65°C (-4°F to 149°F)

Issue What are the email addresses used for I/A Series license requests? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A series license Cause Request license to upgrade existing devices. Resolution All TIP and end customer WorkPlace Tech license requests and Niagara license requests are emailed to: bms.licensing@se.com

Issue How to permanently purge all alarms in Vista and start fresh. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation alarm queue Cause Sometimes alarms can get stuck in the alarm queue during certain engineering processes. In later versions, these can be erased using the purge feature. Resolution To get rid of all old alarms in Vista, browse to the database location: C:\Program Files\TAC\TAC Vista 5.x.x\Db\$thisdb Note: The example is using the default database path for Vista. If you are unsure of the database location, go to Vista Server Setup where your Vista Database path is from the Vista Database tab. Shutdown the Vista Server if it is currently running. In the vista DB folder, rename $this.alr and $this_bp.alr to something else (e.g. this.alr.old) for future offline use, or delete the files permanently. Restart the Vista server, and the alarms should be cleared with the exception of current active alarms.

Issue Web page cannot be found message when accessing http://IP/pe/home on a B4920 Environment B4920 Cause The B4920 does not allow access via Plain English to the web server. Resolution This feature is supported in the 99XXs, the BCX and NCIIs, but not on the B4920. This feature will not be added in the future.

Issue Creating Critical, Priority, Routine, Transaction event pages on a 527/731 Environment Xenta Server Xenta 527, 731 Cause When using Vista to access an I/NET network you have 4 views for the Alarms and transactions. To create these views on the web with a Xenta 527 or Xenta 731 you will need to create event pages with different filters. Resolution Add a new event page in Xbuilder and use the InetAMT filter file. Right click on the event page and select Setup Event Viewer. Click the filter icon in the top left corner and use the following guidelines for the type of page you are trying to create: Critical Alarms - Priority From 1 To 1 Priority Alarms - Priority From 2 To 2 Routine Alarms - Priority From 3 To 3 Transactions - Tenant: * Each event page will have a different filter. To match I/NET or Vista you will need to create four pages.

Issue Monitoring duct temperature on a Xenta 102-AX without putting it into Morning Warmup (Central Plant Heat) mode Environment Xenta 102-AX Cause The Xenta 102-AX Plug-in allows you to configure the hardware inputs for several different purposes.  If you configure Universal Input 1 as a duct temperature, that is assuming duct inlet temperature.  Any time the duct inlet temperature is higher than the room temperature (suggesting that central plant heat is being provided by the air handler) the action of the damper will reverse and the box will show HVAC_MRNG_WARMUP as its application mode.  If it is really the duct reheat outlet temperature that is being measured, this could be an undesirable result. Resolution There are two options to read in a duct temperature without it affecting the internal logic of the Xenta 102-AX.  The recommended method is: Connect the temperature sensor to Universal Input 1. Configure the Xenta 102-AX Plug-in, Hardware Configuration, Input 1 Section to "None." This will continue to report the temperature on UnivIn1_Sense.nvoAuxTemp1 but will not affect the internal logic of the controller. The other option is: Connect the temperature sensor to Universal Input 3. Configure the Xenta 102-AX Plug-in, Hardware Configuration, Input 3 Selection to "OA Temp. Sensor." This will report the temperature on UnivIn3_Sense.nvoAuxTemp2 but will not affect the internal logic of the controller.  

Issue Echelon now has an easier way to check the status of your LonMaker License. Determine the status of your credits in seconds. Product Line TAC Vista Environment LonMaker 3.1 LonMaker 3.2 (Turbo) LNS Cause Determine corrupted credits/licensing issues without the old method of using the command prompt. This will do the same thing with a click of a button. Resolution The tool will diagnose the license status and give you the solution you need to follow to fix the problem.   Download here: Echelon License Diagnostic Utility Save or run Choose LonMaker credits Copy to clipboard and email to Echelon if corrupted credits are shown. Screen shot of invalid LonMaker license:   This error occurs if the license file you specified is not located in the application directory. To resolve this, you will need to reboot your PC and log in as a user with Administrative privilege. Next, make sure the files listed below are located in the C:\Windows\LNS Licenses folder. Note that the "LNS Licenses" folder is a hidden one; therefore, in Windows Explorer, go to Tools - Folder Options..., and in the View tab, select "Show hidden files and folders." Now uncheck the "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)" option.