Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Version control issues with Echelon LonMaker Environment LonMaker Cause When a LonMaker database is opened by a PC using a version of LonMaker that is more current that the version used to create the database, the database will be automatically updated. The previous version of LonMaker can no longer be used to open the database. Resolution Control the version of LonMaker being used by all of your personnel. Keep all PCs on a project at the same revision to avoid problems and loss of efficiency.

Issue Filter an alarm listview by EventNotification Environment Alarm Listview Cause The way to do this is to create a listview of class AlarmEvents and put the columns you want displayed on the columns tab. Resolution To set up the filtering go to the Qualifiers Tab and under the database section select the checkbox "Advanced Database Qualifier". In the qualifier box you will need to type in the statement below EventNotificationClassID is like (put full path and name of the EventNotification here) id   You need to manually type the above in the qualifier box because if you use the wizard the attribute is not listed correctly.

Issue Xenta 913 will not communicate with the Bacnet device. Wireshark does not show any packets between 913 and Bacnet device Environment Xenta 913 Cause The Xenta 913 has been installed on a TCP/IP network with a switch between the Xenta 913 and Bacnet device. Resolution A basic switch does not pass broadcast messages that a Xenta 913 uses to talk to Bacnet device. The solution to this issue is to replace the switch with a Hub or use a managed switch. If a managed switch is used it will need to be configured to pass broadcast messages from the Xenta 913 to the Bacnet device.

Issue Workstation crashes when executing a search for “Graphic – TGML” with search property set to “Bindings”. Environment TAC Vista 5.1.7 Cause The binding column (and any other column too,) in the search window has an limit of 259 characters. If text is longer then 259 workstation will crash. Resolution This problem is fixed i TAC Vista version 5.1.8. If the text is longer then 259 it will be truncated down to 259 characters.  

Issue User over adjusts the setpoint on the STR612 Environment STR612 Cause The STR612 is used in conjunction with the CZU fan coil unit controller. The user over adjusts the setpoint.  Resolution The STR612 setpoint dial can be restricted. Under the dial cover are 2 plastic pegs that can be moved to the temperature extents that are required.

Issue PE programming required to display a check list doc, report etc on specific alarm link of an object such as a door. Environment Continuum provides built in functionality to run a program when any of the 8 alarms associated with an object goes into alarm. In order to execute some actions on a specific alarm some PE programming is required. This article provides sample User Defined PE Alarm function to display a particular document depending on which of the alarm links associated with a door object is active. Cause Not known cause Resolution Configure the Cyberstation that will be displaying the doc, report etc for User-Defined Alarm Function (See Cyberstation online help for instructions on how to do the configuration). In the PEAlmFunction use code to qualify the alarm and display the doc or report that applies to the particular alarm type. -- SAMPLE CODE Arg 11 AlarmENROLL Arg 12 EventNOTIF  if EventNOTIF is not "DoorAlarm" then return 'Only looking for door alarms in this example. if AlarmENROLL = "Door Forced Open" then SHELL "C:\Temp\CheckListForDoorForcedOpen.doc" if AlarmENROLL = "Door Ajar" then SHELL "C:\Temp\CheckListProcedureForDoorAjar.doc" -- END SAMPLE CODE NOTE: The alarm function will be invoked every time any alarm comes in; in the example above all door alarms have been associated with the same EventNotification (DoorAlarm) in order to make sure the function can execute only when door alarms are reported.

Issue Can not get xPBA4 / xPBD4 to operate on a b3 controller Environment xPBA4 xPBD4 b3 / i2 controllers xP Modules Cause When connecting a xPB module to an i2 or b3 module the CPU light does not flash Resolution The xPB modules are only supported on the master level controllers. They can be plugged into a ACX57xx,  a bCX1-CR 9640 or 4040 But not the bCX1 4000 router only or any of the field controllers.   The i2 and b3 controllers with expansion ports will only support the Input only or Output only modules. Maximum of  2 xP modules on any controller (plus an xP Display if required).

Issue Part of a TGML graphic is missing when viewed. Environment TGML editor 1.1.X - Xenta Server; Webstation; Workstation Cause The resolution of the TGML document is less than the resolution of the object created in the editor. Resolution Set the TGML document resolution to a resolution higher enough to show all objects.

Issue Sigma configurable Data location. Environment Sigma 4.05 SEB Sigma 4.06 RAM Remote Alarm Manager 1.2 2.0 Data location Cause Although Sigma 4.05 SEB and 4.06 support a configurable Data location, RAM does not. Resolution When using the Remote Alarm Manager version 1.2 with Sigma 4.05 SEB, the Sigma Data location must not be changed from the default of C:\Sigma\, as this is not supported by RAM version 1.2. Please note that the release note suggests that a "Compatible" version will be available, this is not the case. When using the Remote Alarm Manager version 2.0 with Sigma 4.06, the Sigma Data location must not be changed from the default of C:\Sigma\, as this is not supported by RAM version 2.0. To access the release notes for the releases mentioned above, please visit the Schneider Electric's Exchange/Download Center.

Issue A variable that is a NV-based CP and named nisse123 (for example), won't work in Xbuilder A variable that is a NV-based NV (i.e. not a CP) and named nci123 won't work in Xbuilder   Environment TAC Xbuilder Cause TAC Vista and TAC XBuilder handles SNVTs differently Resolution The general workaround is to ensure nci are named nci, nvi are named nvi, and nvo are named nvo.

Issue What is the Maximum character length that ID Works software supports? Environment IDWorks video badging system Cause Limitations of the text input fields. Resolution The Maximum character length for the Last name, First name and Field names 1-16 is 50 characters. Any longer names will be truncated.

Issue Templates cannot be changed for personnel because the option is grayed out in the Personnel Manager Environment Personnel Manager Cause This is an issue that was fixed in 1.82 and above. Resolution There are a couple of work arounds for this issue: Go into each template and select the Attribute data source tab Go to RefTemplate and change it from InheritFromTemplate to CopyFromTemplate Go back to the personnel and the ability to switch to other templates works The other option is to switch the Personnel Manager to False in the Cyberstation preferences to use the Personnel Editor. This is not an issue in 1.82 and above.

Issue What are the proper steps in upgrading an I/A Series WorkPlace Pro site? Environment WorkPlace Pro Cause Instructions on upgrading an I/A Series WorkPlace Pro site Resolution The published upgrade instructions can be found on F-27334 TAC I/A Series® R2.301.522 Installation Instructions. However, there is another method. Using the existing version of WorkPlace Pro backup ALL of the UNC and Server databases into the XML format. Copy the stations containing the XML to the desired WPP revision. Enable and open the new revision of WPP. Use the Admin Tool to convert locally all of the stations from XML to DB. (If there are any errors, this will allow you to repair them with out affecting the running installation.) After all the databases have successfully converted to DB, convert them to SNS. (This will save you time later if you need to reload the UNC.) Now you can install the new desired revision into the Server, copy all of the stations into the new stations folder. Use the Enterprise Server to upgrade the UNC. During the upgrade process of the UNC you will be ask to backup the database. If the database had upgraded with no issue in the previous step, enter the username and password to proceed with this backup. What it will do is backup the station, upgrade the UNC, and then upgrade and reinstall the station. The previous station upgrade will be needed only if there is an issue. The only problem you may encounter would be on old Lon jobs. Some of the enumerated SNVT definitions were change by Echelon about the time we released WPP 431. If you run into the problem, the XML can typically be edited to resolve them.

Issue When the Xenta 104-A goes from occupied to unoccupied mode, it switches from HVAC_COOL to HVAC_HEAT. This shows up on the graphic by the nvoEffectiveStpt showing the UNOCCUPIED_HEAT setpoint when the UNOCCUPIED_COOL was expected. Environment Xenta 104-A Cause Switching from occupancy mode, or override mode, causes the 104-A to go into HVAC_HEAT mode unexpectedly. Resolution The above graphic shows the room temperature over time as a red/blue line. When the line is shown in red, the 104-A would be in HVAC_HEAT mode. When the line is shown in blue, the 104-A would be in HVAC_COOL mode. Make note that on the first program cycle, if the box is occupied, but the temperature is below the OCCUPIED_COOL setpoint, it will default to HVAC_HEAT mode. During the occupied time, the box performs as expected. If the temperature rises above the OCCUPIED_COOL setpoint, the box goes into HVAC_COOL mode. If the temperature falls below the OCCUPIED_HEAT setpoint, the box goes into HVAC_HEAT mode. Make note of the circled portion of the chart. When the RTU transitions from occupied to unoccupied mode, if the temperature is below the UNOCCUPIED_COOL setpoint, it will default to HVAC_HEAT mode, even if it was in HVAC_COOL prior to the transition. The unit will not be calling for heat, but will display the heating setpoint on the effective setpoint output.

Issue What is the maximum cable length for Continuum I/O bus (IOU Module)? Environment IOU Module Cause Need verification of cable length. Resolution Maximum Length of I/O Bus The Andover I/O Bus is a network. Networks are limited by cable lengths because electrical signals lose power and distort as they travel along wire. The longer the wire, the lower the signal strength. The following are the maximum cable length specifications: RS-485 2000 ft. (610 m) FTT-10A 8858 ft. (2700 m) double termination 1640 ft. (500 m) free topology

Issue How to print a Control back slash (CTRL\) from a PE program Environment CX9900 CX9680 Cause PE device driver expects escape sequence of CTRL \ followed by some code. Resolution The following line will send the expected esc sequence followed by the value of the Minute system variable out of comm1 (assuming the PE program has already opened the commport for printing) Print "|28",Minute to comm1 

Issue When a log is defined in Vista for a 24 hour log period no values are logged. Environment Vista 5.1.6. Windows 7 32 bit Cause There is a known issue with Vista 5.1.6 and time zones of the Vista server PC. 24 Hour logs do not start to collect information if the time zone is set to GMT +2 or greater. Resolution The only resolution currently is to change the log to 12 hourly. Then use Excel to add these together if this value is used in a Report. This problem has been fixed in the release of Vista 5.1.6. Upgrading to this version will fix the problem.

Issue When swiping card, the status of door point in Controller Summary doesn't change. Environment I/NET Cause This is so designed in I/NET Resolution In I/NET, the status door point doesn't change when swiping card. So if interaction with swiping card is needed, you need to use Access Initial Control or create another real External point for the door point. (00/01 Ext apart from 08/09 Int)

Issue Who edited an individual? Can I see in AMT who edited an individual? Environment I/NET AMT Cause When you want to know who last edited a individual you can track down this information in AMT. Resolution See the picture below. The first record, as an example, tells the following: Device name: 001-00003 - 001 stands for "Tenant 1" 00003 stands for "Individual 3" Event Type: Edit -Indiv. TAC - Tells that an individual was edited by user TAC   The editing user is recorded as the Initials assigned for the user; see image below.

Issue Receive "This Login does not match Windows login" error when trying to login to a client session of WebClient. Environment WebClient User Permissions Cause User account had not been granted Local Admin rights. Resolution Grant Local Admin rights to the account user.