Building Automation Knowledge Base

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue ACX5740 controller randomly re-boots and restore from flash, the controller does not attempt warm start but instead jumps directly to cool start.  Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Continuum Net Controller II Cause Door striker creating an electrical spike that can travel back down the output wiring to the controller. When this happens, it generally will not damage any of the hardware in the controller but it could cause it to reset or cause its memory to get scrambled. The fact that the controller does not attempt warm start but instead skips directly to cool start is a strong indication that memory corruption is taking place, on startup, the controller verifies RAM memory is intact and will not attempt warm start otherwise. Resolution Install Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV ) to add voltage suppression to the controller's output driving the door striker. (Put the MOVs at the end device and not the controller end)   Another option is to add an isolation relay to keep the electrical noise from reaching the controller's output. 

  Issue TAC Xenta devices suddenly indicate that they Needs commissioning. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment • Building Operation Workstation • Xenta 401 • Xenta 301 • Xenta 281 Cause The flag "Needs commissioning" is suddenly set.     Resolution If the property "Needs commissioning" is set, something has changed in the settings. This could be Subnet/Node address in the Domain table, or a change in any LonWorks binding, that caused a change in the Selector, Address, and or Alias tables.   The property Needs commissioning may also be set after a TAC Vista upgrade (conversion) or similar situations.  

Issue With the same time interval as the trend log, the traffic on the LonWorks network increases for a short period. This can be seen by a spike in the LPA log when viewing the bandwidth. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Lonworks Cause The LonWorks traffic increases with the same time interval as the trend log. Resolution To ensure we could log values in the trend log from a LonWorks device, a subscription is set up about 30 seconds before the value should be logged. After the value is logged, the subscription is removed until the next log interval. A good solution to flatten a spike caused by this issue is to stagger the times of the LonWorks trend logs. This will ensure the subscription for all the logs do not happen at the same time.

Issue Support for UI16A CIO with FW 2.016 and HW C How is CIO FW 2.016 distributed? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation I/O Module 16 Ch UI Cause Due to component changes in the UI16A CIO module, a new HW version C has been created. Consequently, a new firmware (FW) file has been created specifically for that new HW version, 2.016. Resolution This FW version will be installed already at delivery from the factory for the new version of UI16A modules. For this new UI16A model, one cannot install older 2.015 firmware as it is not compatible. All the older modules can remain at the latest published CIO release 2.015. The HW version which is printed on the product label is changed from B to C on the new UI16A version. The Hardware version can also be viewed in the module object through EBO. For all other modules, the HW version will stay at B.

Issue When setting up the TH90x series thermostats there are communication limitations.  Unable to pull multiple registers.  Some registers are only in Celsius, regardless of the display setting. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Field Devices Environment SpaceLogic TH903 Series Thermostat SpaceLogic TH907 Series Thermostat Cause The TH903/TH907 does not support multiple/block register reads in Modbus.    The following parameters will show their value in Celsius only via Modbus communication regardless of whether the display is showing values in Celsius or Fahrenheit:   All SpaceLogic Series TH9xx thermostats Register 30 - Function Code 3/6 - Room Temperature (from the remote Modbus Controller) Register 1 - Function Code 4 - Actual Room Temperature 7 Day Programming Versions of TH900: Register 26 - Function Code 3/6 - 7 Day program schedule, heat set-point Register 27 - Function Code 3/6 - 7 Day program schedule, cool set-point Register 30 is used by the customer to override the current temperature. This register expects a value to be written to it every 15 seconds. If no values are written to it every 15 seconds, then it will populate with our internal temperature sensor value. Resolution Registers must be read one at a time rather than in groups. When using Modbus write the set-point values in Celsius. 

  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 Frequency of Zigbee device SED-CO2-G-5045 sending its values. Product Line Field Devices. Environment Zigbee SED-CO2-G-5045 CO2 sensor with room temperature and humidity Cause Unsure how frequently the sensor updates it's values to the network. Resolution The sensor has a Transmission Period (writable) that sets how often the device will send a measurement. Default value = 150 seconds Minimum period = 30 seconds maximum period = 600 seconds   Note that there is also a “Night Mode” to help extend battery life. During “Night Mode”, the transmission period is multiplied by 4.   Night mode is entered when the CO2 level falls below the “Comfort Limit Value”, which is 600 ppm by default.  

  Issue TAC Xenta I/O modules working as LonWorks device, indicates offline, flashes fast after power restore. Product Line TAC Vista, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment XENTA421A XENTA451A Cause When the TAC Xenta I/O modules are used as Lonworks devices, this is indicated by the LED that flash once every tenth second. After a power failure, the device will indicate offline by 5 flashes per second.   The device will indicate offline until it gets an update to any nvi or nci variable. Resolution As soon as the device gets an update on any nvi or nci, it will again start to flash once every tenth second. This means, that if you only read variables from the device, that is, only uses its inputs, it may indicate offline until the next time the configuration is changed.   A workaround for this issue could be to just use a dummy output, that is updated regularly.  

Issue TLS Error seen when attempting to export WebReports data from the displayed report as follows: Unable to download ReportsView.aspx (IP address) Unable to open Internet site, the requested site is not accessible or can not be found  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WebReports 3.0.x and above  Internet Explorer (used within WorkStation) and Google Chrome Web Browsers Cause To download files, Internet Explorer must create a cache or temporary file. In Internet Explorer 9 or a later version, if the file is delivered over HTTPS, and any response headers are set to prevent caching, and if the Do not save encrypted pages to disk option is set, a cache file is not created. Therefore, the download fails Resolution See Microsoft documentation on how to correct this.  Typically Method 1 will correct the issue. Cannot download files from secure websites - Browsers | Microsoft Docs

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 Unable to configure the OA (outside Air) Damper control of SE8000 to work as desired for free cooling and CO2 (Ventilation) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server SSL SE8000 Cause The damper control on the SE8000 is restricted to the minimum position under the following conditions: Econo.config parameter is set to off The CO2 value is 0 or lower than Min CO2 Parameter (adjustable) The OA (Outside Air) is warmer than Changeover SP (adjustable) The SA (Supply Air) temperature is colder than Supply air SP (adjustable) The parameter Mech. Cooling is set to OFF Resolution

Issue Service Containers crash and Gateways fall offline even after Containers coming back online Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software Cause The services crash and are offline long enough for the token to expire. Since these services don't store passwords on the machine, they require an authenticated user to reset the flag. Resolution Open the service containers within AX and untick the Authenticated box and click save.

Issue The sequence numbers for Alarm Events are changing daily for all active alarms in the system. This can be a problem for applications using sequence number as alarm identifier. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server. Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause Every night there is a cleanup in the alarm table and alarms can then get new sequence numbers. Every night historic updates with old time stamps are removed in the alarm table.   When this cleanup takes place, there is a reorganization of sequence numbers of current alarms. They all get a new sequence number.   The new sequence numbers are always higher than the latest sequence number before the cleanup. Resolution Do not use alarm sequence number for alarm identifier, use triggered time stamp instead.

Issue AS-P that has infinet devices connected to it, crashes during the Spring time-change of daylight savings. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Andover Continuum, infinet devices Cause Infinet schedules are sent down to the controller on a weekly basis. Having changed from default to be on Sunday between the time of 2:00 AM and 2:59 AM causes issues during daylight savings time "spring forward" due to that hour time span not existing. This causes the AS-P to crash. Resolution If you have schedules being download differently from the default time interval, ensure that they are not being done on Sundays, between the time of 2:00 AM and 2:59 AM. If they are, update them forward or back an hour to avoid further issues.

Issue Detailing configuration and starting DWiz on a computer running EcoStruxure for Buildings Operation. Product Line EcoStruxure Buildings Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Xenta 281 Xenta 301 Xenta 401 Cause DWiz (Download Wizard) was a part of the TAC Vista installation, but not so commonly used in EcoStruxure Buildings Operation, and therefore no longer included in the Start menu. It is however still installed and could be started from Windows File Explorer. Resolution   Verify the Com port used. If your computer does have a serial port, this is normally Com1 or Com2. If you are using a USB to RS232 adapter (like Aten), you could get a much higher number. The program requires a port number between 1 and 9. You may need to change the port number. This could be done via Windows Device Manager. In Windows File Manager, go to the directory where EcoStruxure Buildings Operation Workstation is installed. Here you will find DWiz.exe as well as MentaSetup.exe. Start MentaSetup.exe, adjust Com Port, select Apply and Close. MentaSetup        5.  Now it should be possible to start DWiz.exe located in the same directory.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue Using DSS to import PhotoIDTemplate (Users | Photos | Card Templates in SX) requires that you use the Database ID for the object you wish to use. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Cause This information is not readily visible in Security Expert, but it is found in the Card Template's Database ID (dbo.FloorPlanID | FloorPlanID) Resolution Use the template's name instead of the Card Template's Database ID   Modify the appropriate column in the CSV file to specify the name of the template rather than its ID In the Data Sync application, where you are mapping that CSV column (i.e. column 14), go to the Advanced Column and click the ellipsis button [...]. A dialogue window will pop up. Go to the Find ID section and enable the Target Field Record Type option. Next to this option, use the drop-down list to select "Floor Plans". Click "OK" button to close the dialogue window. Click Save. This will save the modified Settings.xml file. Sync the CSV file and confirm by checking the results.

Issue Troubleshooting Sigma IC LON Values going on and offline Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma Release 4_05-SEB (Build 3_43_18) Sigma Release 4_05-SP2 (Build 3_42_48) Sigma Release 4_06 (Build 3_44_14) Sigma Release 4_06 SP1 (Build 3_44_16) Sigma Release 4_07 (Build 3_45_48) Sigma Release 4_07-SP1 (Build 3_45_51) Sigma Release 4_07-SP2 (Build 3_45_58) Sigma Release 4_08 (Build 3_46_57) IC LON Cause Lon Values going into and out of default Resolution Compare the IC-LON’s Receive heartbeat set in the “gateway.txt” file in the IC-LON controller, to the send heartbeat set in the controller. The recommendation is for the receive heartbeat be set to 2-5 times the send heartbeat of the field controller. Starting at 2 times, then increasing if the problem persists. If the controller doesn’t have a heartbeat and the LON value rarely changes, disable the receiver heartbeat in the IC-LON’s gateway.txt file by setting the heartbeat to 0. Example: 1     2     3        4      5   6  7 2,   2,  112,  1293,  0,  0, 0   The Sigma system is now out of its support period, consideration should be given to transitioning or upgrading to SpaceLogic - EcoStruxure Building Operation.

  Issue Information needed to work with Access Expert Custom Forms Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert V3 Hosted Cause Access Expert Custom Form configuration Resolution Custom Forms Overview Forms can be designed and applied to maintain additional people & reader information outside of traditional documentation or notes. Unlimited customer forms/fields can be added to the system and associated with a person or reader. The layout of the forms can be built to accommodate customer needs and can even be segmented. A good practice is to group additional information into common groupings such as Car Information, Health Information or Department Information. This type of approach will make the data entry easier. Information captured in a Custom Form can also be searched on and reported on. Once a custom form is created it will be available for use from either the person menu or the reader menu. Custom fields can then be utilized for applications such as customizing people reports, capturing additional information about employees, doing system searches as well as badge designing.   New Custom Form To start creating a custom form: Select the ‘General Configuration’ Select "Custom Forms”. Click “Add Custom Form”. Choose which editor the form will apply Enter the name of the Custom Form in the Application Name. (OPTIONAL) Choose the casing for the form. This is only important when leveraging the API or LDAP integration. Click “Save” or “Save & Close”. Below is an example of a Custom Form that has been created. The header, fields, titles, and placement of information on the form is customizable by clicking, dragging and dropping. The initial series of editors that support the creation of the form are across the top of the screen. Add Text Box – Adds a free form text box. Add Combo Box – Adds a free form text box that allows for multiple pre-selected entries from a picklist. Add Date Time – Adds a time and date entry box. Add CheckBox – Adds a checkmark box. Add Group Box – Adds a split box where the top section can be used as a title then other fields can be added. Add Header – Adds a header field that can be used for a single line title. Group Box When one of the box types is added to the form, the Properties section can be used to apply additional information and modify the data as it resides in the box. Every Content field that is added to a Custom Form must have a name. In this example, we will add a Group Box to capture information about an employee. Clicking the ‘Add Group Box’ provided the initial field. The title was applied by clicking the blank box and adding the name in the Properties editor under Content. This information can also be positioned to the left, center, stretched or to the right. The overall box can be enlarged by clicking the perimeter and then dragging to the desired size. Text Box Additional fields of information can be added to the Group Box by clicking on the desired data field type and it is applied to the Group Box. To ensure the new field is added inside the perimeter of the Group Box make sure to click inside the Group Box prior to selecting the data field. The new field can be dragged into the Group Box if it is added outside the group box. Once the field is added to the Group Box the Properties editor will allow the same type of modifications to be made. Once the new blank field is added you can click into the Header field under Content to apply a descriptive name. This same process can be repeated to add as many fields as needed.   Combo Box A Combo Box is added to a Custom Form just like the other box types. With a Combo Box, the Properties editor will display a new field called Items. Clicking the “…” will allow the operator to add the information that will be available when data entry is being performed. The completed form will look like this from the custom data menu on the cardholder.

Issue The following error message appears when trying to change the system security settings of an Enterprise Server in Webstation:   An error has occurred Object protected ~/System/Security Manager/Global Security Settings     In Workstation the same settings are disabled (greyed out) and cannot be edited at all:   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Webstation Building Operation Workstation Cause The probable cause of this issue is that the Enterprise server is part of an EC - ES multiserver system setup. Then some settings are in a Lead - Shadow relationship and can only be controlled from the top EC (Enterprise Central) server. Resolution Edit these settings on the top Enterprise Central server.

  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.