Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue National Weather Service Data Showing Stale Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series N4 Enterprise Server I/A Series N4 Jace 8000 / 9000 Cause Due to recent changes with the National Weather Service, the current weather information displayed through Niagara is showing as “Stale” when using the NWS Weather Provider in the Niagara Weather Service. Resolution The Current Conditions “Last Update” time may be null or a current date, and the “Observed” time may be null or a date in the past. Current Weather View: Property Sheet:   This issue is being addressed in future releases. In the meantime to manually correct this behavior, make the below manual updates to the BNwsWeatherProvider components in the station: 1. Go to the Property Sheet view on the BNwsWeatherProvider component, click the ‘Slot Details’ button, then click the ‘Hidden Slots’ button to display the hidden slots. 2. Click the Flags for the “Conditions Server” slot which opens the “Configure slot flags” dialog.  Clear the checkbox for the Hidden slot flag, then click the OK button to clear the Hidden slot flag.  3. The “Conditions Server” slot should now display “(none)” in the Flags column.  4. Click the “Slot Details" button to toggle back to the default Property Sheet View.  The “Conditions Server” property is configured with the default value of “www.weather.gov”. 5. Update the “Conditions Server” property to “forecast.weather.gov” and save the change. 6. Invoke the “Update Weather Report” action on the Weather Report component and verify the Current data updates and no longer indicates a Stale status.              

  Issue Is it possible to host the same third party BACnet device on the AS-P private networks on multiple automation servers, which are all connected on the same network? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause The design in question is a 3-storey accommodation building which includes 1 x BMS panel/AS-P per level. However, only 1 x Mitsubishi EW-50E BACnet gateway is being provided for the building. Resolution It is possible to host the same 3rd party BACnet device in multiple AS-Ps. Some caution is required, however, because if the user makes changes to an object in that device through one AS-P, that change may not be reflected in other AS-Ps. When viewing runtime variables, such as 'Value' and 'Status Flags', this is not a problem because the EBO server will always get new values from the wire. Where the problem can present itself, is when changes are made to configuration values because these are only updated in an EBO server during an upload operation. For example, if you set the hi-limit and low-limit values in an analog-value object from one AS-P, those values will not be updated in other AS-Ps until you do an upload of that object.   The other place where this problem may present itself is in schedules. An EBO schedule only writes values to a device when that value changes. For example, if you have a schedule configured to change the setpoint to 65 degrees at 5pm, EBO will only write a value of 65 if the current 'local' value is not 65. If this schedule only writes 1 time per day and someone has set the value to 70 from another AS-P, the first AS-P does not realize the value has changed so that schedule will not generate a write request to set the value to 65 (it will stay at 70). However, if you have a program or trend-log monitoring the value, the AS-P will be tracking that value and realize it is not 65 so you will see a write request at the scheduled time.   The system works this way because reading all values of all devices and all objects all the time is simply not practical. As long as the user is aware of how the system is designed, they can avoid these potential issues.   Make sure to use Static IP, so IP do not change, or you get multiple DHCP servers on the same network.   Another alternative is to host the BACnet device in one AS-P only, then using internal bindings to share the data with other AS-Ps.

Issue WorkStation can't connect via secure communication (HTTPS) to EBO server, although it can connect via non-secure communication (HTTP). Cloud connectivity also fails. WebStation can still connect via HTTPS. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation WorkStation Cause TLS V1.3 is supported in Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 or later. Enabling it in earlier Windows versions is not support it can lead to problems, as explained in Protocols in TLS/SSL (Schannel SSP) - Win32 apps | Microsoft Learn Resolution Do not enable TLS V1.3, If the installed Windows version doesn't support it (Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 or earlier), or disable it if it is already enabled by following the below steps:  Open Windows Registry Editor, by writing "regedit" in Start menu.  Goto registry path "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Protocols\TLS 1.3\Client" Make sure that "Enabled" is set 0, and "DisabledByDefault" is set to 1, this will disable TLS V1.3 for clients.  Restart WorkStation.   For more information, refer to: Transport Layer Security (TLS) registry settings | Microsoft Learn Warning! Improper use of regedit may damage PC’s operation.

  Issue Identifying table sizes is useful when managing Security Expert databases Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment EcoStruxure Security Expert Microsoft SQL Server Cause Managing the size of a SQL database is crucial to system performance and archiving so understanding which tables are the largest provides needed data Resolution A report can be run from SQL Server Management Studio(SMSS) on the Security Expert and Security Expert Events databases to provide table sizes. Open SMSS Right-click on the database the report is needed (i.e. Security Expert or Security Expert Events) Select Reports> Standard Reports> Disk Usage by Table Scroll through and observe which tables contain the most data Examples: Security Expert DB Security Expert Events DB Print or Export the report to a file if necessary Print Export to Excel, PDF or Word Right-click on the data results and select Export Note: The disk usage built-in report was implemented in SQL 2008 and above. 

Issue The following record is seen in trace logs of EBO servers that have a BACnet Interface:   nsp.pin.BACnet.VariableProperty PollingVariableProperty: variable is a zomby!! Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Edge Server Cause A zomby variable is the BACnet plugin coming across an object that will be deleted but has not yet. Resolution No further action is required.

Issue How can thousands of unacknowledged alarms and exceptions be deleted quickly in SIGNAL? Environment SIGNAL (all versions) Cause Months of unacknowledged alarms and exceptions were allowed to accumulate. Resolution The files containing all the alarms and exceptions are located in the SIGNAL\ALARM and SIGNAL\EXCEPT folders respectively. Shutdown SIGNAL (all programs).  In the ALARM folder, delete the alarm_a.dat, alarm_u.dat, and alarm_l.num files. In the EXCEPT folder, delete the excep_a.dat, except_u.dat, and excep_l.num files. Reboot the computer.

Issue Unable to Access Access Expert after converting from V2 to V3 Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Cause Used the same Password as V2 Resolution When a site is converted from V2 to V3, Feenics sends out an email with a new username and password that can only be used within AX Version 3.   *Note* These new credentials cannot be used in V2. Once the conversion to V3 occurs, the V2 instance will be retired and you will only be able to use the V3 AX client to access your instance.

Issue What is Life Reporting? Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Schindler Elevator HLI Integration Cause What function does the Life Reporting feature in a Schindler Elevator HLI Integration perform Resolution Life Reporting is a feature in the Security Expert Schindler Elevator HLI Integration. The life reporting interface is how Access Events from the Schindler system are reported back to Security Expert via TCP port. When enabled, you can receive "floor unlocked" events. Multiple loggers can be configured for the life reporting interface using the same IP address. Up to 32 loggers can be configured for the life reporting interface. You can also use Schneider Electric card readers for elevator access control alongside the Schindler system. For more details including prerequisites and configuration, please read AN - 196 - Security Expert Schindler HLI Integration    NOTE: Security Expert Software v 4.1.180 or higher is required. SX Controller Firmware v 2.08.919 or higher is required. One Security Expert Schindler Elevator High Level Interface License (SX-ELV-HLI-SC) per controller is required.

Issue Can Enterprise Servers inherit licenses from a parent Enterprise Central? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Cause Need to know if Enterprise Central Licenses can be inherited by an Enterprise Server, and then, in turn by Automation Servers. Resolution An Enterprise Server cannot inherit its licenses from a parent Enterprise Central. Licenses can only be inherited from an Enterprise Server by the attached automation servers. Refer to WebHelp article Inherited Licenses and Knowledge Base article SmartX Server License Inheritance in EBO 3.x.

Issue The WorkPlace Tech application drawing contains a hardware tag that is outlined in red and displays this error message when viewing the right-click Display Errors option for the tag Product Line TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Building Operation Workstation (WorkPlace Tech Editor) Microsoft Visio Cause The issue may be caused by incorrect copying and pasting of objects inside or between drawings.  An absolute cause has not been determined  Resolution Open the application in WorkPlace Tech or Editor.  Don't open the .vsd or .vsdx file in Visio alone. Enable the Developer in the Visio ribbon. File/Options/Customize Ribbon/check "Developer"  The Developer must be enabled to have the Show ShapeSheet option available  Right-click the Input object and select Show ShapeSheet In the ShapeSheet:  Step 1. Select the corrupted string for the Connection Points Step 2. Delete the string Step 3. Click the green check mark to save Unlink and Relink the connector between the previously corrupt object, UI01 in this case, and the Analog Input object.  Note, that this could be a Binary Input object as well.  This will add the correct string to the Connection Points.  

Issue Guidance is needed for creating a PE program for announcing access by VIP to a door Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation Continuum Net Controller II Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Cause Need a way to identify a sub-set of credential holders, (Personnel Objects), with access to the site and take some action when one of those individuals gain access to a door. Resolution The subset of credential holders is defined via the Department Code which is an attribute of the personnel object.   PERSONNEL CONFIGURATION   Any person with a Department Code of 600 will be identified as VIP by the PE Program.   DOOR CONFIGURATION  The door(s) need to be configured with a department point (InfinityNumeric)  *** In this example we are only doing the entry side of the door, the program can be easily modified to handle the exit side of a door as well. Upon valid access, Continuum will automatically place the department code from the personnel object in the value of the InfinityNumeric configured at the door for department point.   INFINITY PROGRAM CONFIGURATION (Program resides at the controller)  ***In this example an alarm is sent when VIP enters a door, program/configuration can be easily modified to take other actions such as sending email, sounding an audible alarm, etc.   Here is the code for the InfinityProgram  'This program monitors the Front Lobby door for access by VIP individuals 'an alarm is dispatched upon door access by VIPs 'Program is LOOPING/AUTOSTART Object theDOOR Numeric theCODE Object theDepPOINT Line INIT theDOOR = MainLobby 'PUT THE FULL PATH TO THE DOOR TO MONITOR HERE theDepPOINT = theDOOR LastDepEntrdPnt theCODE = 600 'PUT THE DEPT CODE THAT DENOTES VIP HERE Goto MONITOR Line MONITOR VIP_Flag = False If theDOOR ValidAccess then If theDepPOINT Value = theCODE then Goto SendALM Endif Line SendALM VIP_Flag = True Goto MONITOR Line E If TS > 0 then Goto INIT

Issue When trying to browse for Areas to assign to the Area Inside Door and Area Outside Door fields in Door records, not all Areas are shown or available to be selected. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Cause The Programming Mode selector is set to "Local" which is the default value. This will only show objects that are already attached to the controller this record resides in.   Programming Mode Resolution Change the Programming Mode to "Global" which will now show all Area records, including those unassigned or assigned to other controllers.   Programming Mode Global

Issue What is the b2 and i2 Controller Object Format property used for? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum Conversion i2 Controller objects b3 controller objects Cause i2 and b3 Controller objects include a a Format field for objects created using the Continuum Conversion tool. What is this used for and how does the value effect the operation?     Resolution These Format values are propagated through the Continuum Conversion Tool for reference only and have no impact on operation in EBO. The values cannot be modified. In EBO there are two ways to configure numeric display formats. -In WorkStation property pane and watch window, the number of decimals displayed to the right of the decimal point is inherited from the WorkStation PC's regional settings. This setting applies to all values displayed in WorkStation except for values in graphics. -In graphics, the number decimals displayed to the right of the decimal point is configured value-by-value in the Graphics Editor.   The format value is not stored in an EBO export and if objects are manually created, then standard formats are used for the type of object created .

Issue Upgrading an end customer copy of WorkPlace Tech from version 5.8.1 to 5.8.2. Is there a charge for it? Environment WorkPlace Tech Cause Cost estimating for end customer's system upgrade Resolution There is no charge when upgrading WorkPlace Tech from 5.8.x to 5.8.y. Charges apply when upgrading WorkPlace Tech 5.7.x to 5.8.x.  

Issue Since the ZS106 is obsolete, a replacement is requested. Environment ZS106 - 007309220 STR106 - 004600500 Cause Replacement for obsolete product. Resolution The STR106 wall module, part no 004600500, is replacing the obsolete zone sensor ZS106.

Issue Replacement required for obsolete product. Environment SPD160 004700180 SPD360 004700360 Cause Replacement for obsolete product. Resolution SPD160 is replaced by SPD360. For more information ad details, please see the data sheet for each product.

Issue After upgrading a site that contains MicroNet or IAC controllers from SBO to EBO the time Schedules no longer display time periods entered. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation (from v2.0.1) Building Operation WebStation (from v2.0.1) Building Operation Enterprise server (from version 2.0.1) Building Operation Automation Server (AS Classic from v2.0.1 to v3.1 and AS-P from v2.0.1) Cause From EBO 2.0.1 release includes support for MicroNet time and holiday schedules in WebStation, to achieve this the existing SBO schedules have been replaced by a TGML graphic for both WebStation and WorkStation. Resolution To enable the new schedules, run the Data Importer on each MicroNet interface, this will add new TGML schedule objects for all existing MicroNet and IAC Time and Holiday schedules. Before upgrading. After upgrading. Carry out a Data import. After the Data import, then the associated TGML graphics can be seen. Further information is available in the EBO 2.0.1 release note. The graphic creation is confirmed in the trace information presented when Data importing: The trace will be sent to: C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation n.n\DataImport\Trace.DataImport.MicroNet Interface.txt and the following is seen: Source: C:\Satchwell\Projects Full URL: C:\Satchwell\Projects Processing XML... Committing to server... Creating object editor graphics (3) ... Object editor graphics created

Issue Getting error message when selecting Character set file for the TAC  Xenta Operator Panel (OP).     Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista, Xenta OP Environment TAC Xenta OP EcoStruxure Building Operation Microsoft Windows 10 Cause Microsoft Windows 10 does no longer allows the software to change files in all directories. Resolution Manually open up the directory C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation 3.2\WorkStation\CharSet.lib Select the Charset you want to use, depending on the language, and copy the file. Remove the extension, so that the file is named Charset, without any extension. Manually open up the directory C:\ProgramData\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation\WorkStation\Function Block Editor Paste the copied file here.

Issue Does the short yoke Forta actuators fit on the current portfolio of valves?  Environment MG600C Venta Forta Cause With the new short stroke actuator MG600C soon available, will it work with the regular valves? Resolution The MG600C is designed to be used with the VG210R / VG310R valves that will be released in the near future. 

Issue Samsung’s Knox security protection on your phone or tablet data is out of date. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation SmartX Advanced Display v2 Cause   One of the security features contained within the Android operating system is Samsung Knox which the Advanced Display uses. Samsung Knox needs to get security updates periodically and needs to be online to the Internet to receive these updates. As a security feature if Samsung Knox is out of date it can stop the operation of some of the apps. For further information, see the Samsung’s Knox website. If Samsung Knox security needs an update when the AD-Link is launched then one or both the following messages may appear on your display.   Resolution Firstly, if the Advanced Display v2 is not running SmartXKiosk v8.2 and SmartX AD-Link v8.0.apk, then the latest versions are not installed and a request can be made by raising a case with your local product support team for the latest releases. To resolve the Samsung Knox issue, carry out the following procedure: Connect the Advanced Display to a WiFi network that has Internet access. Re-start the device. Confirm the phone or tablet still has an internet connection. Launch AD-Link. (several license windows will appear on your display). The SmartX AD-Link app should now run.