Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Bacnet Schedules stopped working due to "Effective To Date" Environment Bacnet Schedules Cause When creating a bacnet schedule on a bacnet controller the default "Effective To Date" is one year from the creation time. Bacnet schedules will stop working if the bacnet schedule exceeds the "Effective To Date." Resolution Always consider the "Effective To Date" when creating Bacnet schedules.

Issue How can I tell what device the alarm is coming from in the b0warlog.log file? The  b0warlog.log or "Warning Log" file does not reference individual devices therefore is difficult to see where the alarm happened. Environment Vista Alarms Cause A lot of  warnings are due to a mismatch in the Vista database and a device on the field. For instance, if you have a Xenta Server alarm that doesn't exist in the Vista database. Resolution You could see if the Xenta/Xenta Server is marked in Vista, look for the asterisk (*), to give you a clue where it came from.   An alternative way to do it is to use testclt program: Start testclt.exe from the root directory of you Vista installation. Login Go to File-Dbg Write alrproc Click Add Choose the Time radio button Click Poke Click Close Wait for the warning to happen in the b0warlog.log Open b0dbglog.logfile in notepad and search for "your error" Just above the line found you should see which alarm object that sent the alarm Example: (Searching for Error:81) Tue Nov 23 13:26:02 2010 :alrproc  >> ProcessAlarmEvent EventId:TGML_test-731-Lon-XG-Xenta401-$NETMON.offline EventType:1 Pri:9 Txt:Xenta group offline Tue Nov 23 13:26:02 2010 :alrproc  >> ValidateDataSpec Id:TGML_test-731-Lon-XG-Xenta401-$NETMON ObjType:EE_MESS Tue Nov 23 13:26:02 2010 :alrproc  >> Processed Error:81  

Issue Unclear information in data sheet Environment SLO320 006920640 SLR320 006920630 Cause During the Schneider Electric data sheet rebranding process, the Current consumption information got unclear. Resolution Current consumption should say: Typical: 0-400lx: 8mA 0-20klx: 13mA

Issue The "BACnet device proxy base" type is missing in the Search type after EBO 4.0 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation SmartX Living Space Sensor BACnet B3 IA SE8000 VT8000 Cause The "BACnet device proxy base" was removed from EBO 5.x and later. Resolution To search for a specific type, add individual type to "Include types" For example 'BACnet device' will return all 3rd party (generic) BACnet devices. 'SpaceLogic Series Device' will return all MP and RP devices. Sample Search all BACnet devices(excluding AS/ES) XML attached

Issue In what positions can Continuum controllers be mounted? Environment Continuum Product Line Cause Not sure if the controllers can be mounted on both the vertical and horizontal plane. Resolution There may be some specific mounting instructions for some of the controllers, but for the most part they can be mounted in any direction in the vertical plane. Controllers with relays should not be mounted with the edge the outputs are on facing down. Consult the installation instructions (found here) for each controller for any specific mounting requirements.

Issue Site has I/NET 2000 PCU set as an 06 TAP for ADAA, and PCU has a synchronous EPROM and ASYNCHRONOUS BIN file loaded Environment I/NET site Cause Should the site change the EPROM? Resolution We strongly recommend you do. If the PCU goes to “Boot-State”, the SYNCHRONOUS EPROM in the PCU will not reset the asynchronous ADAA modem correctly. You won’t be able to dial into the ADAA port of this controller until this is corrected by doing a download or changing the EPROM.

Issue How many messages are buffered on a 7801? Environment I/NET Seven 7801x, 7803x, 7804x External or Embedded TAPs. Cause Even though every device in the system contains a message queue, only a few of the devices will successfully buffer the queued messages for later distribution. All controllers and Taps distribute messages out of their RS485 port even with the absence of any LAN communication. This is due to the fact that there is no requirement for an acknowledgment to be received at the generating device. The RS485 LAN is for both solicited and unsolicited message traffic. The only devices that perform extended buffering are the ones which directly communicate to polling devices such as the 7801 Taps, 7803 Taps, 7804 Taps, and all DPUs/SCUs. The MRs, ASCs, and UCs do not generate messages; messages relating to these devices are generated by the relevant MRI, MCI, etc. Resolution A 78-01/03/04/06 EPROM tap can buffer approximately 1000 messages. A 78-01/03/04/06 MIP tap can buffer approximately 1200 messages.

Issue Using Russian language with I/NET Environment I/NET foreign language translations Cause I/NET (with SQL) that is installed on an English operating system will not be able to display Russian alphabet characters if regional settings are later changed to Russian. Resolution To avoid this problem, change the regional settings before the installation I/NET and SQL.

Issue A memory failure message in AMT for a DPU or SCU Controller When presenting a valid key card to a door reader, the LED on the SCU turns Green but the relay does not fire.  The relay can be controlled manually via the workstation in some instances. Environment I/NET Door Controllers  Cause This memory failure message is generated when the DPUs or SCUs do not have sufficient voltage supplied to the board. This can either be a bad 24 VAC Transformer or from a gel cell battery. In most cases if there is a battery backup of the controller, the gel cell battery has had a deep discharge applied to it. The charging circuit on the controller cannot recover the battery to its proper charge value. Even if there is a good voltage value from the transformer, the charging circuit load is so great, it restricts the main board of the necessary voltage to keep the RAM alive. Resolution Remove the two wires from the controller that go to the gel cell battery. Get a replacement battery as soon as possible.

Issue How can the default graphic for the Monitor Screens be modified in SIGNAL? Environment SIGNAL (all versions) Cause A re-installation of SIGNAL from floppy restores a default graphic called _MAINMAP.SSF when clicking on the Monitor Screens. Resolution Sign onto SIGNAL with administrative privileges and click on the Edit drop-down menu.  Select Edit Button. The mouse changes to a hand with an index finger pointer.  Select the Monitor button.  The pop-up below will appear:   Change the filename _MAINMAP.SSF to the desired ssf file and click Save/Done.

Issue When opening one of the pre defined list views there are many entries and can not find text required. Environment List views Filter, Qualifier, Query Wizard, Wildcard. Cause Default list views show all entries, how to define a qualifier to only show required data? Resolution Create a new list view and define the Class and path, add in the required columns. In the Qualifier tab select the "Query Wizard", for text comparisons use the required attribute e.g. Description, and "Is Like" as the Operator, enter the comparison text between wild card * characters (e.g. *Test* for the objects which contain the word Test) and it will filter only on objects whose attribute contain that text.

Issue Converting a IC type. Environment IC IC3 Type Converting Cause The customer has purchased the incorrect type of IC and wishes to convert it. Resolution An IC / IC3 has a personality built into it, therefore if you were to change the IC / IC3 firmware, it would still not work, as the personality and firmware would not match.  

Issue ClimateMaster controllers are an OEM version(s) of the I/A MNL LON controllers and can only be added as third party devices in SmartStruxure.   Environment ClimateMaster controllers SmartStruxure Cause ClimateMaster is a channel locked product and will not permit  WorkPlaceTech or WorkPlace Tech Editor to have access to the application via upload or download. Resolution ClimateMaster controllers can only be added as third party devices. For help on adding third party devices consult the StruxureWare Building Operation Web Help. There are three web help topics on adding third party devices: Enterprise Server Automation Server Third-Party Licenses

Issue How to monitor if equipment is running without running cables to additional sensors Environment Current Sensor switch Cause Running cables to and fitting sensors can be time consuming and expensive, are there other ways to monitor equipment? Resolution The current drawn by equipment can be monitored within a control panel using the Current Sensor devices.   This method of monitoring equipment will not replace other monitor methods, but will be suitable for some projects - Detecting belt loss, coupling shear and mechanical failures - Evaluating lighting circuit and other electrical service run times - Monitoring status of critical electrical equipment - Choose from Switch, 0-5VDC, 0-10VDC and 4-20mA     Information on current sensos can be downloaded from the Schneider Electric Exchange Extranet. Click here to be linked to applicable area.

Issue A MicroSmart controller is not communicating and the red watchdog timer (WDT) LED is on solid. Environment DMS Cause Possible hardware issue or power issue Resolution Things to try: - Power cycle the controller - Verify it has a good earth ground and 24 Vac - Hardware clear the controller - Replace the line driver and disconnect the communications trunk - If it is a MSC-MPC, remove all modules.  If the WDT LED begins flashing normally, re-connect the modules one at a time until the WDT LED goes solid   On-board hardware issue.  Replace with another controller

Issue Why won't the output relays on a 7780 energize? Environment 7780 Output Relays Cause If the fuse in F2 has blown, the output relays will not energize. Resolution Verify that fuse F2 is not open.

Issue When attempting to bind to SNVTs from a LON Field Server device a service_type_error appears. Environment Field Server UNC network management tool Cause The UNC network management for bindings is set to the "standard" service type (Unacknowledged) by default. Resolution The Field Server device requires something other than the "Unacknowledged" service type. Either change the Field Server service type to Unacknowledged or change the default service type in the UNC network management tool to match their type. Review the Niagara LonWorks Integration Guide for more details.

Issue A Graphic panel or other object needs to be opened by a Plain English program on Cyberstation, what command can be used? Environment Cyberstation Plain English Programs Cause It is often not clear what Plain English keyword can be used to open a Graphic Panel, or other object. Resolution The "Show" command can be used to open a graphic from Plain English For example: Show AirHandler1 This will open a graphic called AirHandler1, enter Show in the online help search for further examples.  

Issue Access denied Environment Vista Admin Root Cause If Vista user Everyone has no rights no user in the system will be able to add or modify root objects. Also, if the Vista server (or one of the Vista servers) is owned by someone else (eg. not $Administrators) you will get the same error. Resolution Change the user Everyone's rights to at least "read" In Vista right click Vista database Right click and choose authority Make sure the user Everyone at least have read right    If the Vista server is owned by someone else then $Administrator       1. Login as a user that belongs to the group $Administrator        2. Right click on the Vista database and choose authority       3. Click on take ownership

Issue In some projects, there is demand for consuming application with the existing access control system. I/NET can realize simple consuming function through existing controller and specific card reader for consuming application. In this simple consuming system, one card has only one consuming chance in a specific period of time. For example, this application can be used in the canteen of the plant or company for lunch or supper. Environment Consuming system I/NET Cause In some cases this application is needed. Resolution We can use Anti-passback/Anti-tailgate features of I/NET. The following steps should be followed: Select a separate card reader specific for consuming use. Open the Door parameter in I/NET. Check the Anti-passback and Anti-tailgate options in the Door setting. Set one zone number for the "Entry zone" and "Exit zone". Open the ATS window to set the automatic time schedule. Add an APB Reset time schedule for this door. This step is to set the reset time for the consuming accumulation time period. For example, if just for lunch, one APB reset schedule can be added after the lunch time. And if for additional supper, one more APB reset schedule can be added after supper time. Connect a LED indicator to the DO point of the current door. It is used to indicate that whether this card swiping is valid for the current consuming period. Then the simple consuming application is finished. During each consuming accumulation time period, one card can only have one chance for consuming, which is indicated by the LED. More tries will receive deny information and the LED will not light up.