Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue PE program in i28xx controller controls the VAV with TriState Triac output, and the Triac output gets damaged randomly. Environment i2 controller ( i28xx , i28xx-V ) with Triac output. Cause The output channel can get damaged / burned when Triac output value is changed to +ON from -ON ( or to -ON from +ON ) without setting the output value to OFF before the change. Resolution Check the VAV control PE program and make sure the program sets the Tri-state Triac output value to OFF before changing it to the opposite value.

Issue When tunnel through a UNC using an HTTP port other than 80 the Ax Serial Tunnel will not connect and locks up. Environment R2, G3 I/A Series tunneling Cause Including the port number after the IP address when entering the Host address in the Ax serial tunnel window will cause it to lock up trying to connect with the port entered. Resolution Do not include the port number after the IP address when entering the Host address in the Ax serial tunnel window.

Issue Error: "No Reply" when trying to connect to a controller on a remote site after dialing in Environment I/NET Cause Error: "No Reply" when trying to connect to a controller on a remote site after dialing in Resolution This symptom can be caused by the wrong settings in the host’s INET configuration profile. Check to see you are using the correct INET profile. Make sure “Dial Link” is NOT selected. (Fortunately, an Integrated NPR Dial profile does not give you the chance to make this incorrect selection.)

Issue Controlling a Forta actuator from PLC system using 0-10V output. Environment TAC Forta actuator  PLC controller Cause The PLC system is using a 0-10V control output to control the TAC Forta (MX and X1 input), powering the TAC Forta (G and G0 input)using a separate transformer. Resolution As long as the PLC system and TAC forta units are fed from separate transformers, this should cause no problem, and galvanic isolators on the control signal should not be required. Make sure to not mix up G and G0 in case several TAC Forta actuators are fed through the same transformer.

Issue Sensor DEGA is obsolete and no longer available for ordering. Environment DEGA: 00690080 00690543 00691544 00090563 STC300: 006920041 006920061 006920021 Cause Strap-on temperature transmitter with 4-20mA output signal Resolution The STC300 series sensor is replacing the DEGA series. Make sure to choose the appropriate sensor range for your application.

Issue Xenta 301XT/N/P is not available Environment Vista Xenta Cause Xenta 301XT/N/P is a Xenta unit made for the US market where some facilities needed some extra range of temperature. The XT stands for Extended Temperature. Resolution This unit is obsolete now and can no longer be ordered.

Issue When extended trend object was opened in the Xenta 401 the "Loading properties" does not close down.  The controller appeared fine in all other respects. Environment Xenta 401 Cause In this case two technicians coincidentally attempted to access the same object at the same moment. Resolution Problem was resolved once the controller was downloaded.

Issue How can a Network 8000 GCM-84000 or GCM-86000 be connected to the Niagara R2 UNC-520 RS-232 port? Environment Network 8000 GCM-84000 GCM-86000 Niagara R2 Cause To use Network 8000 GCM-84000 or GCM-86000 with Niagara R2, connect using a pre-built adapters and silver satin cables. Resolution Pre-built adapters and silver satin cables for this type of connection are available for order.   The RJ-45 to DB-9 adaptor (UNCC-405) will interface to the GCM-86000. The RJ-45 to DB-25 adaptor (UNCC-430) will interface to a GCM-84000. A series of pre-terminated silver satin cables are available in three standard lengths: CBL-RJ45-4 Silver satin patch cable, 4 feet in length CBL-RJ45-10 Silver satin patch cable, 10 feet in length CBL-RJ45-25 Silver satin patch cable, 25 feet in length

Issue Is there a way to keep resending alarm notifications until they get acknowledged in R2? Environment R2, WorkPlace Pro (all versions) Cause N/A Resolution R2 does not provide a way to resend an alarm, already in an alarm state, until it gets acknowledged.  Resending alarms is possible in G3

Issue Following a clean upgrade from Continuum 1.74 to 1.93, all ACX78x controllers show their No Server LED illuminated.  Environment ACX780 ACX781 Cause The SystemStatus system variable value is No Database. The AccessServer system variable on the ACX78x controller is not set to the ACCID of the primary access server workstation. Resolution Set the value of SystemStatus to Normal. An ACX78x controller must have it's AccessServer system variable set to 0 or to it's own ACCID.  While setting it to any other value, including the value of a workstations ACCID will cause the No Server LED to illuminate. 

Issue How many LonWorks groups is it possible to have in one LON network in Vista? Environment LNS Vista networks Cause When designing a LON network, it is important to consider both the physical and the logical organization of the network. When dividing controllers into logical LonWorks groups, the limitations should not be exceeded. Resolution There is a limitation of 50 LonWorks groups in one LON network.

Issue When an object is edited the Apply button becomes selectable, but when selected no changes are saved. Environment Continuum ContinuumDB SQL ContinuumServer Cause Insufficient space on hard drive. Resolution Move database backup files. Truncate log tables. Install automated log table truncation routines. 

Issue Is it possible to use the VG221F valve in applications with a glycol content up to 50%? Environment VG221F Cause Some valves are not suitable for use in applications with glycol content in media. Resolution The VG221F can be used in applications with deaerated water with glycol-type antifreeze agent (max 50%)

Issue Multiple function blocks using the same SNVT names in each function block, cause the Lon plugin to crash. Environment IC-Lon Plugin Multiple function blocks Cause In LonMaker, controllers which has multiple function blocks, and use the same SNVT names in each function block, cause the Lon plugin to crash. Resolution Work around - This issue can be overcome by manually changing the SNVT names in the function blocks to be unique, before using the IC-Lon Plugin. Below is the standard function block.   Here is a SNVT name having been modified. The next screen shot shows the view in the Sigma IC-Lon Plugin with the modified SNVT names.  

Issue What happens to Sigma globals if the network fails? Environment Globals Communications Networks Cause Site is to have a planned network shutdown, how will the Sigma controllers react to this? Resolution The Sigma controller using the global update, will continue to operate normally, but will use the last value received, so any changes will not be responded to. If the Sigma controller controls critical plant then the loss of global communications should be taken into account when programming.

Issue Do any of the SmartStruxure Lite room controllers come with a morning warm-up cycle? Environment SmartStruxure Lite SE8x000 SE7x00 Cause Spec requirement Resolution None of the room controllers come with morning warm-up.  It would have to be provided at the network level (i.e. Automation Server).

Issue Xenta 104-A will control heating outputs but not cooling outputs. Environment Xenta 104-A Cause U1 is setup as a discharge temperature sensor if the outside air is bound into the controller. Resolution If the outside air is bound in as a SNVT connection and Bit 4 on nciAppOptions is set to on. When this occurs, U1 terminal 7 and 8 on the 104 become a Supply temperature sensor. If no 1.8k resistor is installed across these terminal the Supply temperature will read less than 0 causing the controller to think no cooling is needed as the supply temperature is so low. Install a 1.8k temperature across terminal 7 and 8 and this will allow normal control of the Xenta 104-A controller.

Issue What happens to an alarm message when the clocks go back during the BST/GMT changeover? Environment RAM Remote Alarm Manager Time Changeover BST GMT Cause This is an issue relating to RAM and how it handles BST/GMT changeover. If an alarm occurs, is it handled correctly by the Remote Alarm Manager? What will happen if the PC  time goes back, and the alarm is then cleared before the time passes the original alarm time. Will this cause any issues when viewing the alarm on the Remote Alarm Manager?   Resolution  Tests confirmed that there were no issues with this scenario; An alarm was generated at 15:46 and a text message was received. The PC time was put back an hour, and the alarm cleared at 14;52. . The alarm and the alarm cleared messages are shown in the RAM log below as 15:46 and 14:52 respectively.     The screen shot below shows the alarm status after the alarm was cleared.     The screen shot below shows the alarm properties, and here there is an error, the cleared state shows 15:52 which is incorrect.     When the time catches up everything returns to normal.

Issue Each time that a power failure happens on a sites MPM, the clock goes back to 1/1/2000. Environment StruxureWare Lite MPM Cause This is most likely due to the battery shelf life, this happens if the controller was purchased and left unused for over 5 months before being installed. Resolution ∙ BR1220 from Panasonic (Lithium Carbon-Monofluoride) ∙ nominal voltage 3V ∙ Capacity 35mAh ∙ Self-discharge 1%/year, under standard conditions ∙ Operating temperature range -30°C to 85°C Units manufactured after week 13 2016 have a super capacitor rather than a battery. The capacitor has a charge time of approximately 5 minutes after which it will provide backup for the RTC for approx. 48 hours

Issue NSS program ID changed. Requires upgrade or revert back to old interface. (Subsystem: NS, #171)  Environment LonMaker NL220 Vista LNS Cause If you open the Network Properties dialog, change the network interface from an LNS legacy Network Interface (also called NSI) to an LNS Fast Network Interface (also called VNI), or vice versa, and at the same time change from Offnet to Onnet, the LonMaker tool will report an NS #171 error (NSS upgrade required).  Resolution Change the network interface only -- remain offnet Click OK. Re-enter the Network Properties dialog and then change from Offnet to Onnet