Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The FDA requires Building Automation systems to meet their standards which are outlined in Chapter 21 CFR and FDA Part 11. Environment Vista I/NET Andover Continuum TAC I/A-series Satchwell Sigma Cause Finding documentation on Schneider Electric Building Automation Systems which comply to The Food and Drug Administration rules. Resolution Vista 21CFRPart11 support in TAC Vista 5.pdf FL-VISTA-REGIND-A4 mod RO.pdf I/NET - currently unavailable Andover Continuum With the addition of the 21 CFR Part 11 compliance pack, Continuum can meets these requirements. Satchwell Sigma SoftwareOverview.pdf Advanced Security Module.pdf Note: Validation to 21CFR Part 11 can only be performed on whole operational systems and as such, a sub-system comprising the Satchwell Sigma building management system cannot be validated in it own right. Satchwell Sigma would normally be validated as part of a whole operational system. TAC I/A Series - currently unavailable

Issue To assist locating data sheets if you do not have access to the Schneider Electric BBE and other company storage areas. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet 100 series Environment MicroNet 100 series Controllers, Touchscreens, LCD, Mi and Slink data sheets. Cause To assist customers that do not have access to our internet or partner websites Resolution Updated June 2019 The MicroNet 50 series range MN350, 450, 550, 650 LCD and Touchscreen have been withdrawn from sale. The IAC 420, 600 and Touchscreen have now also been withdrawn from sale. No direct replacement is offered. Further information on these changes can be found in PA-00495 - Notice of Withdrawal - Satchwell Sigma and PA-00528 - End of Commercialization - Satchwell Sigma. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Links below to download: MLi and data sheets for MicroNet LCD Displays MLi and data sheets for MicroNet Touch Screens User Guide for MicroNet Touch Screen User Guide MLi and data sheets for S-Link Sensors Data sheets for MicroNet Manager Interfaces Mli for MN Trunking kits (MN-TK) MLi for MN Wall Mounting Kits (MN-DK) MLis for Plug-In Cards MLi and data sheets for Satchwell MicroNet MN300 Controllers MLi and data sheets for Satchwell MicroNet MN440 Controllers MLi and data sheets for Satchwell MicroNet MN500 Controllers MLi and data sheets for Satchwell MicroNet MN620 Controllers Download all of the above (file size 10.50 MB) The data sheets for MicroNet 50 series controllers ETC. can be downloaded from MicroNet 50 series controller MLi's and Data sheets.

Issue Requirements / specifications on cables used in a LonWorks network Environment LonWorks Cable Wire Guide LonMark Cause There are special requirements on cables used for LonWorks networks between Lon devices. Resolution LonMark organisation is recommending cables according to their specification. An example of this is the Belden LonWorks cable guide. Also, Echelon has a Wiring Guideline and Users Guide.

Issue MNL-V1RVx, MNL-V2RVx and MNL-V1RVx-2, MNL-V2RVx-2 differences Environment I/A Series Micronet LON VAV controllers Cause Part number MNL-V1RVx has been replaced with MNL-V1RVx-2 and part number MNL-V2RVx has been replaced with MNL-V2RVx-2.  The datasheet F-26365 indicates the parts as MNL-V1RVx and MNL-V2RVx.  Resolution The MNL-VxRVx and the MNL-VxRVx-2 are functionally the same. The '-2' was added to the part number to indicate an enhancement to the VAV actuator assembly to reduce the operation noise level of the actuator. 

Issue How can objects of a SmartStruxure™ Lite network be made available as BACnet points to third party BACnet building management system (BMS)? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure Lite BACnet Cause The BACnet protocol is always active, as long as the network cable is connected. However, two different BACnet options can be selected: IP or Ethernet. The default option is Ethernet and this will need to be changed if BACnet over IP is required. Resolution The BACnet protocol is always active, as long as the network cable is connected. However, two different BACnet options can be selected: IP or Ethernet. The default option is Ethernet. To verify or to change which BACnet protocol is currently in use, select the SmartStruxure Lite Manager that you want to configure from the left-side Network panel. Then choose the BACnet configuration list item. Define the Network Number (if the protocol selected is BACnet IP). Note: The Network number must be defined only on the monitor Manager. It shall be different then the Parent Network where the monitor is connected. A BACnet Device is uniquely located by a network number and a MAC address. Creating two or more B/IP networks, each with a unique network number, can be useful for limiting the propagation of local broadcast messages and for providing security by confining traffic to a particular geographic or logical area. Select the desired protocol type from the drop-down list between BACnet IP and BACnet Ethernet. Then choose an optional port number (if the protocol selected is BACnet IP). Default is 47808. Select the BACnet Priority of the BACnet write action of the SmartStruxure™ Lite's network monitor. Default is 10. Note: SmartStruxure™ Lite does not support BACnet Write Priority, per se. However, in Firmware version 2.4.x and newer, it is possible to assign the write priority for all SmartStruxure™ Lite BACnet points. Default value is 10, except if you upgrade a Manager using a version 2.3.x or older, BACnet priority will be 8, but can be changed. Click the Save button to apply the configuration changes. Click hit the Save All button to make the modifications permanent and reboot the Manager for the new options to enter into effect. Change the BACnet instance number of the Manager if required. IMPORTANT Each Manager must have a unique BACnet device instance number. A Manager device instance number can be changed by selecting the top-left icon inside the left-side Network panel.

Issue Basic Modbus RTU configuration to read a register from PM800 Power Meter. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server Modbus RTU PM800 Power Meter Cause Integrate power meters to a Building Operation front end for the user to view data and trend logs. Resolution Here are the steps to Configure a ModBus RTU interface in Building Operation to read the Line Voltage register from a PM800 Power Meter. (Assuming meter has already been properly wired to one of the serial ports on the AS) Create the Modbus Interface, in this case a Modbus Master Network.   Link the interface to a serial port in the AS in the Port Reference field, in this example to RTU device is wired to RS485-COMB   2. Under the interface create the RTU device. In this example the device id is 11, enter the appropriate id for the device. Once the device object is saved, the status should show 'Online' unless there is a communications issue. This is provided you have the online poll interval set. If this is disabled the device will stay offline until a Modbus register is polled and a valid response is received.    You can confirm that Building Operation is able to correctly detect the communications status of the device by disconnecting it from the commport and observing the status change to 'Offline', upon re-connection the status should once again display 'Online'   3. Under the device create a Modbus Point of type AnalogInput to get the value of the Line Voltage from the device. According to the documentation for the PM800 the register holding the line voltage is Function Code 3  and register  1124 The value of the point should now correspond to the line voltage in this case 125 volts.

Issue Automation / Enterprise Server configuration very slow Attempting to make any configuration changes in the AS such as creating a new point/value or modifying existing objects is extremely slow. Note: This applies to the ES as well although less of a problem since the ES has better resources than the AS. CPU usage as seen in the Status Information of the server is very high. (above 80%) Question marks are shown on many objects in the application folder of third party BACnet devices that have been uploaded to the AS Enterprise Server takes a long time to startup (15 minutes) before allowing users to log on with Workstation.  Deleting the BACnet Interface allows log on with 2 - 3 minutes on a restart. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server Enterprise Server BACnet Cause Uploaded BACnet devices contain unresolved references to notification class object(s) Resolution Ask for SE.SBO.ES-AS-1.5.0.1501-Hotfix. (SE.SBO.WS-1.4.1.16001-Hotfix for 1.4.1, there is no hot fix for versions before 1.4.1) After applying the hot fix the server should become responsive. The unresolved references can typically be cleaned up by creating a BACnet Notification object in the application folder of the third party BACnet device proxy that reside in SBO and manually setting the Instance ID to 0 (zero) NOTE: Cases have been seen where multiple notification class objects must be created using instance IDs 0,1,2,3,4 in order to clean up all the unresolved references. A few minutes after the notification class object with the proper instance ID is created the question marks should disappear from the icons and created notification class object will show up in the intrinsic alarm property as seen below.   If creating the notification class objects with the above instance IDs does not resolve all the references a backup of the server can be provided to PSS, a PSS/R&D engineer can look directly at the database to determine the proper instance IDs the unresolved references are looking for.

Issue If the Xenta Server IP address is unknown or lost, how can the user retrieve or reset the IP address? Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause Once the Xenta Server IP address is lost, the user has to use a serial connection cable to connect the Xenta Server to the HyperTerminal in order to retrieve the IP address. The serial cable is a RS-232 to RJ10 cable which can be purchase from Schneider Electric order entry (Part number: 00730920). For some reason, if the cable need to be home made, please follow the steps below to connect correct pins. Note: some third party IP search/scan software can be used to search all IP addresses in a range. User can also use this type of software to retrieve Xenta Server’s IP addresses. Resolution Xenta Server serial cable guide: Connect RJ10 pin 1 to RS232 pin 2. Connect RJ10 pin 2 to RS232 pin 3. Connect RJ10 pin 4 to RS232 pin 5. Connect RS232 pin 1, 6, 4 together. Refer to IP setup for a Xenta server (Xenta 5/7/9xx) through serial communication for how to set up HyperTerminal in order to retrieve/setup Xenta Server IP address.

Issue The first time a TGML graphic is opened after logging in through Workstation it takes a long time (approximately 30 seconds) before the graphic is shown Product Line TAC Vista Environment Windows Domain TAC Vista .NET Framework Cause This is usually only an issue when the PC has either no or a bad internet connection or is located behind a proxy server. The reason this is happening, is because an application using e.g. signed .NET Framework dll files will check for certificate revocation each time it's launched. That can only be done if the PC has internet connection. If the PC can't connect to Microsoft's server to get the newest list of revoked certificates, the application will appear to hang until a given timeout is reached. The default timeout is 35 (15+20) seconds. For a deep explanation of certificate revocation check and the base of this article, read this article. Resolution There are two solutions that can be implemented. The first is mandatory and the second is optional. The first solution solves the slow TGML opening issue, while the second seems to have a positive overall performance impact but doesn't solve the slow TGML opening issue. A third solution is to get internet connection for the PC, but that is usually not an option. Solution 1 : Lowering the timeout 1. Open the "Local Group Policy Editor" by typing "gpedit.msc" (no quotes) in "Start"->"Search programs and files..." 2. Navigate to "Local Computer Policy"->"Computer Configuration"->"Windows Settings"->Security Settings"->"Public Key Policies" 3. Open the object to the right called "Certificate Path Validation Settings" 4. In the tab "Network Retrieval" check "Define these policy settings" and write 1 in both retrieval timeout settings 5. Click "Apply" and "OK" and close "Local Group Policy Editor"   Solution 2 : Manually installing the newest certificate lists 1. Download the newest CRL updates from a PC with internet connection http://crl.microsoft.com/pki/crl/products/CodeSignPCA.crl http://crl.microsoft.com/pki/crl/products/CodeSignPCA2.crl 2. Copy the two files to the PC having the issue 3. Open a command prompt and navigate to the folder where the files are located 4. Install the CRL files using the following commands CertUtil -AddStore CA CodeSignPCA.crl CertUtil -AddStore CA CodeSignPCA2.crl

Issue How to connect a SpaceLogic IP Controller via MSTP Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Automation Server (ASP/ASB) Space Logic IP Controller RS-485 Adapter Cause Only certain SpaceLogic IP Controller models and versions support the new BACnet MSTP Adaptor and details are required on how to configure these controllers for BACnet MSTP. Resolution The following video will illustrate how to: Configure ASP/ASB for BACnet MSTP Communication. Configure a SpaceLogic IP Controller as a BACnet MSTP device. Discover the SpaceLogic IP Controller on the BACnet MSTP network. Things you need: Software EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation 2022 Building Commission Application (available from Google Play, Apple Store, or Microsoft Store) Hardware ASP/ASB version 4.0 or higher RP controller (hardware version 10 ) RS-485 Adaptor (Isolating or Non-Isolating) RJ45 UTP Straight Through Cable (12"/300mm or less) Note: - if the RP controller does not show MSTP settings check the Space Logic IP controller firmware release notes and install firmware corresponding to the EBO version.  For example firmware versions 3 and below do not have settings for MSTP configuration. Before attempting to install a SpaceLogic controller on MSTP consult the following: Isolated RS-485 Adapter and Non-isolated RS-485 Adapter for SpaceLogic IP controller types supporting the RS-485 MSTP adapter RP-C BACnet MS/TP Support for RP models supporting BACnet MS/TP Installing an RS-485 Adapter for information on installing the BACnet MSTP adapter Connecting an Isolated RS-485 Adapter and Connecting a Non-isolated RS-485 Adapter for port usage and CAT 5 UTP connection cable Allocating Flexible Ports for additional considerations on port usage Enabling the BACnet/IP Controller to Communicate on an MS/TP Network Please see the video below:

Issue What are the basic steps when doing a conversion from TAC Vista to EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO)? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Vista Server Cause When doing a conversion from TAC Vista to EcoStruxure Building Operation (EBO), a tool called TAC Vista Conversion tool is used to build the EBO database using an export file from TAC Vista. Resolution This video shows a basic conversion of a TAC Vista database to EBO, and the steps that needs to be taken for a successful conversion.

Issue The following error is generated during the SQL Configuration step for 1.8 Reports Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment WebReports Installer Cause This can happen for various reasons: Possible cause 1 The Microsoft .NET Framework installation is damaged after installing Microsoft SQL Server. Possible cause 2 In one of the steps during SQL installation, we have to configure NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM. If user fails to change this and move ahead with default user then create database step would fail. Possible cause 3 The operating system is not using English as its selected language. Resolution Solution 1 Quit the WebReports Installer Package Remove/reinstall or repair .NET Framework 4.5 (Available from Microsoft .NET download site or direct download - WebInstaller - OfflineInstaller) Repeat the installation of WebReports Solution 2 Set the SQL server service log on properties to "Local System" (NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM) Restart the SQL server service Repeat the installation of WebReports Solution 3 Replace the WebReports OS with an English version of Windows. 

Issue Configuration of BACnet Foreign Device Registration Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation,  Andover Continuum Environment BACnet IP  BBMD Foreign device Cause  Foreign Devices registration can be confusing Resolution When configuring a Foreign Device Registration on a B/IP BACnet Network. The Foreign Device only needs to register with the one BBMD on its B/IP Network Segment. The BBMD that has the Foreign Device registered with it creates a table called FDT (Foreign Device Table) internally which is different from the BDT(Broadcast Distribution Table) that the BBMD uses to communicate with other BBMDs.   Once the FDT confirms the Foreign Device, it is up to that BBMD to distribute BACnet communications to and from the necessary BBMD's in its BDT. and the all Foreign Devices in its FDT.  In this way the Foreign Devices does NOT perform Broadcasts.

Issue How is an active Orion Stack license transferred to another PC? Environment Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Loytec network interfaces Cause If you need to move your databases from one workstation to another then you must follow these procedures.  Resolution You will need to deactivate the License form your existing PC first. To carry out this follow these steps. Run up the LConfig application Select the register deactivate button Select the Deactivate NIC852-SW button Save the *.lac file on your PC Email this file to sales@loytec.com Once the license has been deactivated you can send an activation code request for the new PC. This procedure is described in the Loytec manual. Here is the NIC 852-SW extract   8.2 Product Activation When purchasing a LOYTEC product, which must be activated (e.g. NIC852-SW), you will have to go through the following steps for activation: - Start the LConfig Tool, click on 'Register / Activate'. The dialog as shown in Figure 36 will open. - If you have already purchased a NIC852-SW license, please enter your Serial Number (shipped with the NIC852-SW product) and click on ‘Request Activation File by Email’. Alternatively, write an e-mail to sales@loytec.com with both the Activation Target ID and your Serial Number in the subject. - If you have not yet purchased a NIC852-SW license, you can still send the e-mail as described in the previous point. Just click ‘not purchased yet’ before generating the email or indicate the missing Serial Number in the e-mail body. - You will receive a LOYTEC Activation file, which you import by clicking on ‘Activate NIC852-SW License...’. - Click on ‘OK’, close the LConfig tool with ‘OK’ and re-open the LConfig tool. - Configure the new NIC852 as described in Section 3.6. Here is a link to the Full NIC User manual

Issue If an application hangs or crashes, Windows systems are sluggish or have problems, or new software fails to install properly one of the first places to look for information on what may be happening is the Windows Event Log. Product Support personnel may ask to see a copy of the Windows Event Log. Product Line TAC INET, TAC Vista, Andover Continuum, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, Field Devices, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Other, EcoStruxure Building Expert, Access Expert, Security Expert Environment Windows Operating System Cause If an application hangs or crashes, Windows systems are sluggish or have problems, or new software fails to install properly one of the first places to look for information on what may be happening is the Windows Event Log. Resolution   Open the Event viewer by one of the ways below: Start Event Viewer by pressing Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box and type eventvwr. Right-Click on "This PC" and select "Manage" then navigate to Computer Management (Local) > System Tools > Event Viewer. Select the type of logs the need to be exported. Application, Security, and System logs in the Windows Logs and Schneider Electric Security Expert logs under Applications and Services Logs (for Security Expert cases) are required.  For each log, view recent messages then click the "Action" menu and select "Save All Events As". Enter the log name, include the log type (Application, Security, or System) in the log name, and location the click "Save". For non-English Windows, make sure to select English (United States) in "Display information" then click OK. 

Issue Common card vendors, types and formats commonly used by Continuum Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum HID Indala Corporate 1000 Cause There is a wide range of card formats available. It's necessary to understand the most commonly used options for Continuum. Resolution Credential Card Format H50932 - Schneider Corporate 1000(35) Format A10202 - Andover 37-bit Wiegand Format 4041X (ASP-ANDINF) - Andover 37-bit Indala Format 40045 (ASP-CSI) - CSI Indala Format Indala Reader Format (FP3511A, FP3521A) 10723 (ASP-ANDINF-1L) - Andover 37-bit Indala Format 1009X (ASP-CSI-2L) - CSI Indala Format 10022 (ASP 26-bit Wiegand-1L) - 26-bit Indala Format HID MultiCLASS Reader (9xx Series) 4041X (ASP-ANDINF) - Andover 37-bit Indalat Format For additional  information on other HID formats, see the following article: Which HID card formats are supported by Continuum?

Issue Receive “Timeout while waiting for server to get ready” error when starting PCT Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Project Configuration Tool Environment Project Configuration Tool, PCT Cause PCT can't reach DHCP-server from the virtual machine. Resolution To configure a port group or virtual switch to allow promiscuous mode: 1.Log into the ESXi/ESX host or vCenter Server using the vSphere Client. 2.Select the ESXi/ESX host in the inventory. 3.Click the Configuration tab. 4.In the Hardware section, click Networking. 5.Click Properties of the virtual switch for which you want to enable promiscuous mode. 6.Select the virtual switch or port group you wish to modify and click Edit. 7.Click the Security tab. 8.From the Promiscuous Mode drop  down menu, click Accept. Note: The setting on the port group overrides the virtual switch setting. For more information, see How promiscuous mode works at the virtual switch and portgroup levels (1002934).  

Issue In the Workstation, old alarms are showing in the alarm pane. Recheck does not remove, and the only option left is to "Hide". The same goes for disabled alarms. Is there a way to erase or scrub these 8-month-old alarms? When checking disabled alarms, there are a lot of alarms that have been disabled, but no one has disabled any alarms. When right-clicking on the alarms to get the context menu, most of the alternatives are greyed out. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation version 1.2 or higher Cause First, check the disabled cause to see what disabled the alarms. If it is "user," a person has disabled them. If it is "system," the system has automatically disabled them because the alarm object has lost its monitored value. Resolution Alarms in the alarm view "Recheck" command does not help then try the "Alarms Integrity Check" commend, please see LL Removing invalid alarms  Check the source path on the alarms, do they point to actual alarm objects? If the alarm objects that triggered the alarm in the first place still exist, you should be able to disable them then just enable them again. If you cannot, use the disable button in the alarm viewer then you can use the Disable alarm property in the editor (assuming version 1.2 or higher). If you can’t disable them then try to trigger them back and forth once. If the alarm objects don’t exist anymore, create alarms that would fit the source path, then just trigger those. After that, it should be safe to delete the alarm objects again. Basically, the alarms you create will take ownership of the old alarms in the viewer. Also, add the column Type in the alarm viewer and see what type they are. It would be helpful to know what the Source path and System alarm id (if there is one) are. Remove old Alarms in Alarm Pane Disabled alarms If the monitored values are not used anymore delete the alarm object that monitors the value If this is not enough make sure the path exists in the system, it can be needed to recreate the alarm in the correct path meaning the folder structure needs to be recreated. There is also the choice of right-clicking on the Alarm which gives the following menu: From this menu, one can Disable the alarm or alternatively, Hide the alarm. To view Hidden or Disabled alarms once they are not shown in the Alarms window, select one of the two Icons from the Alarms window icons as shown below:

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation Demo Database Package Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation site Cause EcoStruxure Building Operation Demo Database Package and going between releases. Resolution All current and previous sales packages/demo databases can be found on the Exchange for download. Note: The Demo Database package is a sales and marketing tool for your use "as is." It is not supported through Product Support Services (PSS). If you have product specific technical issues such as installing the software applications (e.g. License Administrator, Enterprise Server) PSS may be able to help. However, PSS does not support the Demo Database contents or features. The Demo Database can be re-installed to return to its original state.

Issue Factors to consider using oBIX vs. BACnet IP to exchange data between Niagara R2 and G3 systems Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Niagara R2 version 522 and later Niagara G3 version 3.4 and later Cause Planning factors to consider as to which method is better suited for the customer Resolution Either solution has pros and cons regarding implementation. One needs to think about what fits and how much engineering is required.  If the R2 UNCs (Jaces) are nearly full (CPU and/or memory or less than 40% idle time), then oBIX probably can't be used. It requires some resources to drop in the oBIX service. But if their CPU usage is good (> 40% idle time) and the resource count isn't near the limit, the oBIX service should fit into the UNC. With oBIX, one has access to much more information in the R2 station than with BACnet. BACnet just gives access to its standard objects (BV, BO, AV, AO, etc). oBIX would provide access to just about anything in the station, though some things might be in a string format. One could get trend logs and such using oBIX.  Please also note that R2 oBIX is server only - no R2 "shadow objects" exist to obtain remote oBIX data (e.g. from a G3 station). For additional details, refer to the following documents: Niagara AX-3.x oBIX Guide Niagara R2 to Niagara AX via oBIX Engineering Notes   With BACnet IP, one would need to set all the R2 points 'Foreign Address' field for any point to be available to the G3 station.  Then, configure the G3 BACnet network, and discover the R2 devices and points (Note that if the G3 station is a supervisor, or Enterprise Server, a BACnet license feature with the appropriate number of BACnet points must be purchased).   A G3 supervisor PC should handle 5000 oBIX or BACnet points, provided the station is properly licensed.