Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue A jobsite of MNL controllers was done with WorkPlace Tech 4.x.  The original databases are no longer available.  Can they be uploaded with WorkPlace Tech 5.x and will the upload convert them from 4.x to 5.x? Environment WorkPlace Tech versions 4.x and 5.x MNL controllers Cause Loss of original controller databases Resolution Uploading a MNL controller's program does not change anything within the controller.  Only downloads do. If a MNL controller was programmed with WorkPlace Tech 4.x and is uploaded with WorkPlace Tech 5.x, the uploaded file can only work with version 5.x.  If the resulting file is then downloaded to the same controller, the program version in the controller will then be at 5.x.  It will no longer work with 4.x.

Issue RAM is unable to read the Sigma alarm record file. Environment Remote Alarm Manager 2.0 RAM 2.0 Sigma Alarms Cause Corruption has occurred in the files stored in the "Runtime Folder" Resolution Stop the Remote Alarm Manager services either via the "Services" window, or by selecting to change the RAM Computer Configuration, and when asked if you want to stop the services, answer yes. Locate the Remote Alarm Manager "Runtime Folder" and delete all of the files in this folder, make sure that the empty folder is left. The location of the "Runtime Folder" could vary from PC to PC and will be dependent on the operating system and installation, so it is best to use the "Search" function to locate it. Restart the Remote Alarm Manager services and test its operation.

Issue In a Niagara G3 station, attempts to send email fail with message:  invalid address error. Environment Niagara G3 Cause If spam filter is enabled the SMTP server will not route email, as long as the Reply to parameter is empty.  It will treat the message as spam. Resolution The Outgoing account under the email service should have an email address listed under the Reply to parameter. If an account is required in the Outgoing Account parameter, for example:  joe.jones@acme.com, the same email address can be entered in Reply to parameter. If no Account is required for the SMTP server to route email but the spam filter is enabled, enter a fictitious account.

Issue Incorrect image name is displayed in the download window. The IC-UNIFACT image is displayed in the download window instead of the IC-SNP image where Unifact URC1201/2201 controllers are installed on site. Environment Sigma IC and IC3 controllers Cause The site has Unifact 1201/2201 controllers integrated to an IC3-SNP, when the image is to be downloaded, the image file that is displayed is for an IC3-Unifact. Resolution IACs and Unifact 1201/2201 controllers use the IC SNP. Unifact Pro controllers use the IC UNIFACT. In this example the controller sub type was configured as IC UNIFACT when the correct setup should be an IC SNP. Only the specific image file will be displayed in the download window as determined by the controller version set in the controller setup.  1. Select the correct IC in System Setup > Network and Devices > Controllers as shown below and save. 2. Goto System Diagnostics > Options > Download Files. The correct image will appear.

Issue If having a Vista network and a OPC server installed on one Vista server can a OPC client connecting to the OPC server read values from another Vista server in the network?  Environment Vista 5.1.6 OPC server 1.6.2 Cause No it is only possible for the OPC client to read values on the Vista server where the Vista OPC server is installed. This is to avoid a lot of communication between the Vista server nodes which is pretty slow. Resolution Install a OPC server on every Vista server.

Issue TAC Xenta 300, How many I/O modules   Environment Vista Xenta Cause Trying to connect more then 2 I/O modules to a TAC Xenta 300.   Resolution Please look at TAC Xenta 300 Specification Sheet Always check the The Exchange Download Center for a more current release.

Issue Can I use one alternative schedule in TAC Vista Workstation over several days? Environment Vista Workstation Cause When you set a Range, From 2011-11-30 to 2011-12-01 and a start time 23:58 and stop 00:02 it will actually start 23:58 and stop 00:02 every day in the range 2011-11-30 to 2011-12-01. So it will actually start 23:58 both 2011-11-30 and 2011-12-01.   Resolution Create one alternative timechart for each day.

Issue How can the Microsmart Service in a Niagara R2 UNC be optimized for better performance? Environment Niagara R2 Microsmart Service Cause Slow / sluggish performance Resolution Keep the Poll Always count at the recommended level of 250. Observe the averageExecuteTime from the service's Poll - Status tab and increase the cycleTime (Poll - Config tab) to match plus one second.  This prevents poll overruns. For every Microsmart point shadow object, the setting minimumPollInterval should be reviewed and increased where possible from the default of 1000 ms.  For example, a shadow object displaying a space temperature can have its minimum poll interval increased anywhere from 30000 to 60000 ms. 

Issue When the mouse curser is hovered over bang in Continuum Explorer, the tool tip is not indicating what is wrong. Environment ACX57xx Cause Windows 7 is inhibiting tool tips on Bang indicators. Resolution The following registry entry is used to inhibit or expose the Tool Tips on a Mouse Over Note:  Always backup the registry before making any changes. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value] // Value Name: ShowInfoTip Modify/Create the Value Name [ShowInfoTip] according to the Value Data listed below. Value Data: [0 - ShowInfoTip Disabled / 1 - ShowInfoTip Enabled] Exit Registry and Reboot following changes to the registry.

Issue How to determine which version of the CPU card (GCMA-112-x) of the GCM-84000 series supports the GCS, ASD, or other communication protocol. Environment GCMA-112-x, CPU printed circuit board for the GCM-84000 series Cause Cross reference purposes.  Resolution   CPU Part No. Bus Type GCMA-112-000 GCS (standard) GCMA-112-001 GCS (standard) GCMA-112-002 ASD GCMA-112-003 CCL GCMA-112-010 GIM-21000 GCMA-112-011 GIM-MTECH This table shows which version of the GCM CPU card supports the different firmware and bus types.

Issue MNL-V3 application configured with an external actuator of 390 seconds drive time shows an excessive setpoint deadband of almost 20% of control range. Environment MNL-V3 controller Cause Unknown - Issue has been reported to product management. Here is an application fragment showing the issue.  Note the 390 second drive time. Resolution Use the following application fragment in your application to eliminate the excessive >22%) deadband. Here is an application fragment showing a suggested workaround:

Issue According to the datasheet, there should be a DIP switch for output voltage adjustment for Veris CO sensor. But some of them haven't such DIP switch. Environment Veris Sensor Cause There are several models for Veris CO sensor. For example, GWVAS is the wall mount sensor with voltage output signal, while GDMAS is the duct mount sensor with current output signal. The sensor with current output signal hasn't such DIP switch for voltage output. Resolution This model of product hasn't such DIP switch.

Issue Vista is very slow after a TGML graphic is opened, it takes like 30 seconds to open a small folder. Environment Vista 5.1.6 Cause A Loytec NIC USB used as the Lon interface is not online because the engineers computer is not connected to the Lon network. But the Xentas and Lon network under the Lon interface are online in Vista for some reason. So Vista tries to read the values from the Xentas and this makes Vista hang for periods of time. Resolution Create a new Lon Network interface Drag and drop the Lon network to the newly created interface Drag and drop the Lon network back to the original interface Now the Xentas show up as offline

Issue Where can I information on accessories for a job that needs to meet a UL-864 (UUKL) project specification? Environment UL-864 UULK/UUKL project requirements Cause Need various approved accessories to meet a UL-864 job specification. Resolution Due to regulatory issues, all current UL-864/UUKL information is published in the latest version of the TAC I/A Series MicroNet BACnet Smoke Control Systems Manual, F-27419.  Always refer to an online version of that manual for the latest approved information.

Issue The Link tab in Schedule Object shows " Prism Error " Environment R2 Niagara Cause Directly linking the schedule or calendar status output via external link to another station may cause the receiving station's object to not follow the associated calendar or schedule event.  The link tab will show "Prism Error" Resolution The schedule object output should only be linked to objects within the station and not between stations.  Schedule and calendar objects between stations should only be linked via the master/slave links.

Issue How to re-create the default objects such as default list views and alarm enrollments. Environment CyberStation Cause Not known cause Resolution Run the Continuum database initialization utility then go to the server or stand alone tab (depending on your configuration). Tick the Create Default List Views check box and/or any of the other check boxes that create default objects. Make sure the Update Existing Database is selected in the create or update group. Click Continue to update the database and create the default objects.

Issue When purging alarm in AMT, and the I/O server is configured as serial port communication, there will be "No Reply" window popping up and Retry is useless. Environment I/NET Cause This may be caused the network communication issue. Or it may be due to other issues. Resolution Disconnect the Server from network or disable the serial port in I/O configuration. After the alarms are purged, return to the original setting.

Issue Net-Point VAV Plug-In is not compatible with all Windows Operating Systems Environment Net-Point VAV Windows OS Cause Net-Point Plug-In is not registering or working in a Windows environment. The Net-Point VAV is a discontinued product of the former CSI company which was purchased by TAC. Resolution There has not been sufficient upgrades to the Plug-In software to allow compatibility above Windows XP. It will not function on Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, or Windows 7 environments. There are no plans to upgrade this Plug-In therefore there is not a workaround.

Issue When replacing a EM5C BB actuator with a TAC Forta, the EM5C BB may have had  220V running through the switches to control pumps or similar.  Environment TAC Forta with S2 option Cause Using the S2 option to control 220V power supply. Resolution The S2 option is in no way designed to handle 220V, and we do NOT recommend this.

Issue There is a difference between the STD300 sensor flanges compared to the ones pictured in the data sheets. Environment STD300 Cause Design differences between picture on data sheet and actual sensor. Resolution There was a slight design change on the sealing flange a while ago where the metal piece was replaced by a plastic flange. This to get a more flexible surface to the duct, and therefore a better seal.