Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Can not open LonMaker database Error window pops up saying "Invalid parameters - LNS error #44" When you click on OK it pops up another window asking you to either attach or detach the network. Once this is done, it comes up with an NSS assigned error. Environment Windows 2003 server, with SP1 installed. Cause If you have Windows Terminal Server installed (used for remote desktop connections to the server) then LonMaker does not work. Resolution Fully uninstall Windows Terminal Server (you don't need the CD for this operation) and reboot. You can not just turn the service off in Windows, this has no effect at all.

Issue When configuring reports there is no option to select the report to be exported once a month. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause There isn't an option to have a  report run only once a month. Resolution A workaround for this would be to select a single day of the week for it to run. This would reduce the frequency of the reports to once a week, then to have the operator check the export folder once a month for that months report.   Browse to the Event Report you want to export. Under File Export tab select the Enable File Export checkbox. Set the Time field to the time of day you want to run your report. Set the Export Directory to the folder you want to save your report export files to. Under Days to Export select one day of the week. Under Period select Last Month. Each time this report is run the same file will be overwritten, so when setting the report period to "Last Month" it will export the last months events from when it is run. Once a month the Operator would then select the file in the report folder which will have the last months events in it. The filename of the report is "EventReport" followed by that Event Reports Database ID number.

Issue HTML5 Java Environment Java HTML5 Webstation Vista Cause Java is not installed on PC and customer does not want to install it. Resolution There are no plans for Vista to stop using Java and move to HTML5  

Issue In the Security Expert v4.3.285.42 (current release), there is an issue assigning an OSDP Reader to an Elevator. With the reader expander port Network Type set to RS485, when configuring the Smart Reader record to use the OSDP reader, the option to assign it to an elevator is not available.   Product Line Security Expert Environment Elevator OSDP Security Expert Smartcard Reader Security Expert Server Cause The configuration steps are not obvious and a temporary workaround is required until the issue is fixed. Resolution This is a temporary workaround as the issue is fixed in a future version. Change the reader expander port network type to Third Party Generic and click save Navigate to the Smart Reader record and change the reader mode to the elevator and assign the elevator, click save Then change the reader expander port back to RS485.   *Note* The saved elevator settings on the Smart Reader’s Reader tab will not be visible but the settings you saved will be properly downloaded to the controller.

Issue Does the MPM have an internal power source to maintain the clock during an extended loss of power? Environment MPM Cause Clock maintenance during a loss of power Resolution The MPM has a Lithium battery that will keep the system clock online/accurate during a power loss. The battery life is very high, however leaving the MPM unplugged for many months will eventually wear out the battery. 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 When will the connection in a Dial network disconnect? Environment Xenta 901 Cause The 901 connection will continue as long as live values are being viewed. Resolution If the Status window is open (for example), the connection will continue until that window (and any other window viewing live data) is closed.

Issue Is it possible to use DC voltage to power the 7793, 7798, and the DPUs (7910, 7920)? Environment 7793 7798 7910 DPU 7920 DPU DC power Cause Although this is not the preferred method of powering these devices they are capable of this configuration. We strongly recommend the use of DC voltage be reserved for emergency backup power. Resolution The 7798B Controller, 7910, and 7920 DPUs can be powered by +24 VDC. The DC voltage should be at least +24 VDC - +27 VDC is best. Refer to the following TCONs for specific wiring detail and installation instructions: 7798B TCON 138 7910 TCON 116 7920 TCON 117

Issue Adding Custom Buttons in Vista 4.2 Environment Vista 4.2 Cause In Vista 4.2 you can add custom buttons to the Tools menu or the Toolbar. This can be useful to make shortcuts to the desktop, your Vista database directory, or WordPad. Resolution Right click on any tool bar and choose Customize. On the Tools tab, insert a new shortcut. Enter a name for the button and the Path for the EXE you wish to execute in the Command box. Click Close and your button should be visible from the Tools menu. You can also drag and drop this button on any tool bar.

Issue When creating links between an Enterprise Server and a UNC, the process takes 2 to 3 minutes per link. Why? Environment Enterprise Server UNC (Universal Network Controller) Cause The Enterprise Server station's address book may contain a UNC (or more than one) that does not exist or is offline. Resolution If a UNC no longer exist or is offline, it will slows down the link creation process. Remove the entry from the address book and restart the station, or, enable the UNC so that it is online.

Issue Two different new batteries were installed into a DMS-350A. Neither of them has charged to the point of indicating GOOD. The voltage on the battery clips with the battery installed reads 4.5 Vdc. Why doesn't the battery charge? Environment DMS-350A Cause Poor connection between the battery and battery holder. Resolution Clean the battery holder contacts and bend them for a better connection.

Issue Added multiple Lon devices to Lon Network and need to mirror SNVTs from more than one device to the Local Node Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause Using SNVT bindings between devices and the Local Node of the EBO server allows LON communications bandwidth to be optimized by using the LonWorks protocol Send and Receive Heartbeats configured per device. However, it can be a time-consuming task to mirror SNVTs from multiple identical devices. This time can be reduced by selecting SNVTs in multiple devices using search. Resolution Create a new search Search for one SNVT that is available on multiple devices Use this article to create the mirrored SNVTs in the local node: Creating Network Variables Automatically Search for the next SNVT that is available on multiple devices Repeat until all desired SNVTs are mirrored. RECOMMENDATION: Save the searches for use later when adding more new devices.

Warning This article describes a feature that is not standard functionality within the Product Line.  It has been provided to allow customers the option to use this requirement.  Pay particular attention to the Prerequisites of the required programming. Issue Customer requires the functionality for Individuals  to double badge (present their credentials twice) to gain access. Product Line TAC INET Environment Access Control Cause Customer application requirement Resolution Prerequisites: LIMITATIONS: As this is not a standard access control feature within I/NET, it uses custom programming, which therefore reduces/limits the standard features within I/NET The description provided below must be set for ALL individuals with access to the door that requires double badging.  It does NOT cater to custom individual use.  It may be possible to provide additional programming to achieve this, but this is not detailed in this article. Door Automatic Time Schedules (ATS), if applied, can be overridden if the door reader is badged during the scheduled operation.  The functionality of this feature uses event-driven programming, which in its nature is single-shot programming and therefore relies on the following:  Requires reliable communication between SLI/MCI (779x) and the SCU (Door Controller).  The door reads from the SCU must be received by the SLI/MCI to activate the badge/read occurrence. Requires SLI/MCI (779x) CPU loading below 65%. LAN Load of this controller should be below 2%; anything above this can cause the operation to fail/be inconsistent.  Removes the standalone capability of the Door controller (SCU) POINTS The points required for each door that requires this functionality are Door Reader (Internal DO door point as required in I/NET)  Door Strike (External DO Point) must be programmed within the controller Door Intermediate (Internal DO Point). :: Scan Rate 1 second Door Read Count (Internal AO Point). :: Scan Rate 1 second I/NET Controller Summary Note: The address order, as shown in the screenshot above, is important for the overall operation.   That is Read Count must be at a lower address than all other points.  Next the Intermediate point.  The Strike and Reader addresses are fixed by I/NET but must be at a HIGHER address than the Read count and Intermediate points.    DOOR Intercard Interval (sec) should be set as low as possible.  This allows the card to be present within this time setting (minimum is 1 second) Door strike: Configuration of the door/reader must have this set to either. None: When a valid read is received, no action is sent to the strike Exit: Only when an Exit read to Request to exit (REX) is received by the door does it activate the strike.  Strike duration (sec): Should be set 1 second above the scan rate of the Intermediate / Read Count points above.  In this case, it is set to 2 seconds.  Note: this does not have any bearing on how long the strike remains "unlocked" Door editor Programming DOOR No additional programming is required for the door apart from the details provided in the above prerequisites.  ACCESS INITIATED CONTROL (AIC) Add an AIC that will trigger the Intermediate point on a "valid" reader entry for the nominated door. Select the Target point (DR1 Intermediate) Select either Use all individuals in the range which will trigger this action for all individuals.  Note: If selected Individuals are needed to activate this feature, then additional programming is required and not detailed in this article.    Select Reader entry to START the target point  Select which Doors are to trigger this action Access Initiated Control editor POINTS From the screenshots below, it can be seen that: Point DR1 Read Count has two extensions: Calculation (C)  Operation: The result of this calculation is displayed on the DR1 Read Count point.  The calculation adds the value of itself (P0) DR1 Read Count and point (P1) DR1 Intermediate point (where 0=OFF 1=ON), the result of which is then multiplied by the NOT (~) the value of (P2) Door Strike (where sec = 0 Unlk = 1). Result: DR1 Read Count is incremented by one on each valid read.  The counter is reset (zeroed) when the Door Strike is energized.        Event Definition (EV)   Operation: When the point DR1 Read Count crosses the value 1 (the value of 2 represents the double (2) badge), Sequence/Action #1 is triggered.  From the above Event Definition (EV), this runs Sequence/Action Num 1, which is shown below:  Operation: When triggered by the (EV) above, the Door Strike is immediately "Stop"  (Unlocked); after a 5-second delay, the Door Strike is "Start" (secured). Note: The delay of 5 seconds on line #2 determines how long the strike remains in the unlocked state.  Modifying this value will shorten or extend the unlocked state.     Point DR1 Intermediate has only one extension: Calculation (C)  SUMMARY OPERATION A valid card read is presented to the reader; this triggers AIC to turn point DR1 Intermediate to ON. This increments DR1 Read Count by 1 to the value of 1 via its Calculation (C) extension The additional card read repeats Steps 1 and 2 above;  DR1 Read Count value increments to a value of 2. Event Defintin (EV) high-value crossing (>1) triggers Event Sequence #1 Event Sequence #1 unlocks Door Strike 1 and, after a 5-second delay, relocks (secures) Door Strike 1 point. This relock (secure) of Door Strike 1 zeros the DR1 Read Count value via its Calculation (C) extension.  ATTACHMENTS - for reference showing the above details  I/NET Controller SAV file (DCU0201.zip) Backup InetDb (SQL.bak).  (InetDb_DoubleBadge.zip)  

Issue Why is it recommended that the Firefighters Smoke Control Station Interface (FSCSI) database consists entirely of internal points and point extensions? Environment Firefighters Smoke Control Station Interface (FSCSI) Cause This allows the same database to be used regardless of whether the FSCSI is an ICI PCU or even an MRI. Resolution This allows the same database to be used regardless of whether the FSCSI is an ICI PCU or even an MRI. For more information see TCON 231, Smoke Control Systems Manual, Database Logic.

Issue MN-CI revision 4.1 returns an error 511 when sending a “Reset” command to a MicroNet 2000 controller. The controller does reset as commanded. Environment MN-CI rev. 4.1 software, MN-FLO, MN-FLO3T, MN-HPFC Cause The problem is caused because MN-CI rev. 4.1 sends the “Reset” command twice, and temporarily loses communications with the controller. Resolution The error is considered a nuisance and can be ignored.

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 There are 2 different packing types available for ordering when choosing connections for the V241/V341 Environment V241 V341 Cause There is a difference in material used in the gaskets included with the connection packages. Resolution The "Packing, std" is a standard type gasket. "Packing, spec" is intended to be used in primary circuit district heating applications. Material in gasket is PTFE.

Issue When UltiVist completes a backup, where is the backup file stored? Environment UltiVist Cause For copying to portable media and safekeeping offsite. Resolution The backup file is located in the \FI\UVDBSAVE folder.  The backup file is named:  UVBACK01.ZIP or UVBACK02.ZIP or UVBACK03.ZIP UltiVist will create one file each time a backup is done.  It will overwrite one of the three files above so that there will only ever be three backup files in this directory.

Issue When attempting to use the Door Entry Requires Verification option in a Door Type the verification window does not pop up when a User badges at the door. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause This option requires a Camera record to be assigned to the Door record even if there is no physical camera at the door. Resolution Create a Door Type that has the Door Entry Requires Verification option enabled. Door Type Create a Camera under Monitoring | Setup | Cameras and set the Type to Direct Camera and URL to any value (this needs to be set even if it is not correct). Camera Configuration In your Door set, the Door Type to the new one created earlier and the Camera (Entry) to the camera just created. Door Configuration Operation: Badging a valid User at the Door will create an Entry Verification event (1) that pops the camera window that includes an Unlock Door button (2) allowing the Operator to manually open the Door (3) once visually identifying the User. Operator Verification

Issue The SIGNAL serial numbers on the security plug and the first installation diskette are different. Will they work together? Environment SIGNAL computer Security plug installation diskette Cause Information about the date code found on SIGNAL system. Resolution Every SIGNAL serial number is 8 digits long. The first 4 digits are a datecode and the second 4 digits are the actual serial number: Serial# xxxx-yyyy where x = datecode  and y = serial number The first 4 digits will differ if either the original security plug or original installation diskettes were lost and replaced. As long as the last 4 digits are identical, they will work together.

Issue There is a position feedback signal feature on the Forta series actuators, how do I connect to it? Environment Forta series actuator Cause How to correctly connect the wiring for the position feedback signal. Resolution Connect between block "Y" and "MX" to get the feedback signal. It's a 0-100%, 2-10V, where 100% always refers to full open position.