Building Automation Knowledge Base

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 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 Frequency of  Zigbee device SED-MTH-G-5045 sending its values Product Line Field Devices. Environment Zigbee SED-MTH-G-5045 Motion/Humidity/Temperature Sensor Cause Unsure how frequently the sensor updates it's values to the network. Resolution Motion Transmitted immediately on sensing of motion. Temperature  Transmitted, by default at least once every 10 minutes. If it has changed by 0.5 C or more, than it will be sent immediately with a limit on sending no more often than every 2.5 minutes. Minimum interval = 2.5 minutes Maximum interval = 10 minutes Reportable Change = 0.5 degrees C Relative Humidity Transmitted, by default at least once every 10 minutes If it has changed by 0.5%RH or more, it will be sent immediately with a limit on sending no more often than every 2.5 minutes. Minimum interval = 2.5 minutes Maximum interval = 10 minutes Reportable Change = 0.5% RH   These reporting rates are configurable for the sensor.  

Issue EP series information not available in documentation Product Line Field Devices Environment EP Series Pressure Sensor Cause Required information for planning installation. Resolution The EP 3x series consumes maximum 20mA input power as determined in loop powered mode (4-20mA).  When in three-wire voltage output mode, up to 2 mA of additional current may be drawn from the load. Further information is available on the Schneider Electric Exchange - EP Series Pressure Sensors.

Issue Is there any limitation for the number of local program variables that can be declared in a script program located in ExoStruxure BMS servers or BACnet/IP controllers?   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) 24 V Cause A script program has a lot of variables declared. Resolution There are no hard limits imposed by the script compiler. for the number of local program variables. The limits are performance and device resources. The bigger a program is, the more memory and processor bandwidth it will consume and the longer it will take to execute. 

Issue   A site has multiple locations in its instance. The goal is to restrict objects for a User in other locations by using permissions and tags which allow certain objects only for the local instance. The User also requires access to Event History, Live Monitoring and Floor plans.   After setting User permissions for specific objects, the object permissions work as expected, however clicking on Event History, Live Monitoring or a Floor plan shows: 'An error has occurred in the Live monitoring document while trying to execute initialize' Or Access Expert will show one of the following errors depending on which event object was selected: 'An error has occurred in the Event History document while trying to execute initialize' 'An error has occurred in the Floor Plan document while trying to execute initialize'   Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert V3 Hosted Cause Event-level permissions function differently than object-level permissions Resolution User permissions set up with tags to restrict access to other locations will work as expected with objects like hardware, but these restrictions will not work with event objects.   The options to accomplish this are: 1. Buy an enterprise license and divide up the sites with their own instance. Each location should be represented by a shared instance with its controllers configured. Those controllers will publish their event to only their instances which can be controlled using permissions. This is the preferred method.   2. Allow ALL Type permissions for the hardware and event objects to be accessed. Using this method allows the event objects to work, but allows Users from other locations to access the hardware.   Event-level objects use an entirely different mechanism than regular objects. The technology under the hood requires that an enterprise license be used to accomplish event-level permission restrictions.

Issue Need sample PE program for control of access to a storage cage gate by forklift operators where the gate is required to stay open (up) until the forklift operator cards at the reader a second time on his/her way out of the cage. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Net Controller II Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Cause Continuum PE programming guidelines Resolution This sample program was provided as proof of concept only and not intended as a complete solution to the use case.   Object : StorageCageControl Type : InfinityProgram LastChange : 1/29/2020 11:29:14 AM DeviceId : PSS\ACX2.10 Alias : StorageCageContr CreateTime : 1/29/2020 9:59:56 AM CreatedBy : Root\Acc TimeLocked : 1/29/2020 11:29:14 AM InstanceId : 7003/7002 ByteCode : 'SAMPLE program for controlling access to a Storage Cage gate 1/29/2020 AM 'Program is LOOPING/AUTOSTART ' 'DESCRIPTION 'On valid access to the cage by forklift operator, program will unlock the gate using the ' PermanentUnlock property to keep it unlocked until the forklift operator indicates the gate 'can be closed by presenting his/her card at the card reader. ' 'REQUIREMENTS '1. ACX2 or NC2 controller only, program wont work in NC1 or old ACX7xx as they don't support the PermanentUnlock flag '2. Set the StrikeTime attribute of the door controlling the gate to ZERO '3. Create GateLeftOpenALM InfinityNumeric, and attach to an alarm (Optional) Numeric CloseTimeOut Line Init CloseTimeOut = 15 'Notify gate may have been left open after CloseTimeOut minutes. Goto WaitToOpen Line WaitToOpen GateLeftOpenALM = False If CageGate ValidAccess then CageGate PermanentUnlock = True Goto WaitToClose Endif Line WaitToClose If CageGate ValidAccess then CageGate PermanentUnlock = False Goto WaitToOpen Endif If TM >= CloseTimeOut then GateLeftOpenALM = True 'Gate may have been accidentally left open Line E 'oops, runtime error, wait a bit then try again If TS > 30 then Goto Init EndByteCode Status : Active EndObject

Issue How do you determine which version of Access Expert being used Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Cause Unsure which version of Access Expert is installed Resolution When opening Access Expert new users may not know what version they are currently running. The following differences can help to identify the version being used.   Version 2: Uses a url e.g. http://seba.accessxpert.com The Hardware tree is on the left pane when selected Only five tabs on the header Icons are larger on screen No Folder View  Version 3: Uses an app that needs to be installed The hardware tree is on the right Seven tabs on the header depending on the license Icons are much smaller Folder view when enabled  These are just a few of the differences that are visible to help determine which version is being used.

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 An explanation of Hosted backup options is needed to understand which objects are backed up and which are not. Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Cause It's important to understand the backup options available for an instance. Resolution By default, each instance includes a one-year transactional history retention, giving one year of Event History backup. Additional event history retention time can be purchased if required, and such purchases will be visible under "Manage License." Example: Note: There are currently no configuration specific backups that are retained or that can be restored to reinstate deleted hardware or objects into an instance.    Recommendations: Exercise caution when deleting objects, especially controllers, from Access Expert. A prompt requests confirmation before deletion. Generate snapshots of controller configurations and other detailed objects. These snapshots serve as references in case of accidental object deletion, assisting the reconstruction of controllers or other objects with their original configurations. Summary reports can also be useful when trying to rebuild objects. For example: Inputs, Outputs, Readers, etc.

Issue Servers not visible after upgrade due to permission change Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server ES Enterprise Central EC Cause The Domain Local Group " Reports Administrators" is removed when an ES is upgraded to v4.0 or greater. This Group is automatically deleted during the upgrade because Report Server is not supported in v4.0 or greater. It is possible for local users to be selected as User Group members of " Reports Administrators", so the permissions for these users may change after the upgrade. This is not good practice, only the Reports Server login user should be part of the " Reports Administrators" Group " After the upgrade the Group "Reports Administrators" is removed and the Servers are not accessible Resolution Any users that were part of Group "Reports Administrators" should be reassessed and their permissions corrected 

Issue Analog Producer value located in an RP-C controller cannot command light object(BACnet type: crs-lighting-output) or blind object(BACnet type: crs-blind-output) located in another RP-C's CRS expansion module. Analog Producer Value, Status flags: Fault and Reliability: communication-failure.     Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) 24 V Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) 230 V Cause Light and Blind objects support only two priorities (1 - Force, 2 - Normal). An error will be returned by the RP if the Priority in the Write request from the Producer Value is outside this range, ex. Priority 16. Resolution In the Analog Producer Value, set the default priority for writing to 2 (normal) or 1 (Force), as shown in below screenshot:  

Issue Could we have 128 characters passwords in Struxureware?  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Workstation Cause In earlier versions of SBO (version 1.7), the password was limited to 100 characters.   Resolution In EBO version 2.0 and 3.0, 128 character passwords are allowed. Passwords have been tested with 500 characters.    

Issue New user is unable to complete the BDP registration process Product Line EcoStruxure Building Data Platform Environment Building Data Platform Cause User clicks the registration button which has been mailed to them but get an “Opps! This page cannot be found.” error Resolution The user is already logged into BDP using another User account. This can occur if a SE user is using more than one email address to manage accounts with different business relationships. This can also occur if the user is a SE employee who is testing the system. The user should log out of BDP. Or use Incognito mode.   NOTE: If the user is logged into another SE app, this could also pose a problem. TBD

Issue Do the Xenta IO modules, when used under a programable Xenta device, need to have a Field Device license added? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Licensing Cause No clear information is provided on if the Xenta IO model needs a Field Device license. Resolution No Field License is needed for IO modules if they are set up under a Xenta programable device like a Xenta 400 or 300 series device. Only the devices that communicate to a Building Operation server require a license (Enterprise or Automation Servers). The Xenta IO modules only communicate with the Xenta programable device using LACNET communication and not the Building Operation servers.

Issue The first batch of White TRCs (produced in 24H1) could appear too bright in some low-light level situations. All future batches (post 24H1) do not have the issue. See the precise list of affected serial numbers in the appendix section below. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SpaceLogic Touchscreen Room Controller Cause The housing color is set in the device’s manufacturing configuration to tell it what color the screen bezel is (black or white). White TRCs produced with an incorrect housing color will read a higher value for light level. This has a direct impact on the backlight dimming levels, and the only effect will be the screen staying brighter in dark rooms. Resolution Customers experiencing brightness issues may simply adjust the backlight brightness parameters to a lower value, which are configurable in the TRC configuration screens and via BACnet/Modbus. This would reduce the overall brightness of the devices immediately, without fixing the housing color. We recommend going with a permanent fix, by setting the housing color via the USB port. The steps to fix this permanently would be: Connect USB-C cable to TRC Log in as an administrator into the TRC’s configuration screens (to enable USB connection) Open a terminal app like hyperterm or putty, with settings: Speed (baud): 115200bps Data bits: 8 Stop bits: 1 Parity: None Paste in the command: #001000061009FE00009C! Device responds: #000E00071009FE0051! To confirm or test, paste in the command: #000C00001009FEE8! Device responds: White housing: #001200011009FE000000F9! Black housing: #001200011009FE000001FA! Examples Below is an example of 4 white TRCs: The two (2) outermost devices are too bright (leftmost and rightmost white TRCs). The two (2) devices in the middle have been corrected to show adequate brightness. Appendix Since the Touch Room Controller’s serial number includes the date code, knowing whether a unit is impacted is very straightforward. Follow these instructions to determine if the unit of interest is impacted: Retrieve the serial number from the unit you suspect has the incorrect housing color. Example: FL24075TRC00002 Examine the serial number date code, wrapped between the “FL” and “TRC” substrings. Example: 24075 Decrypt the date code, using this logic: 24: year 2024 07: week 07 of 2024 5: day 5 of week 7 of 2024 If the date code is between the values 24074 and 24285, the product is impacted. Products outside of this date code range are not impacted, and no fix to housing color will be needed.

Issue Details on Access Expert Keep Alert Feature Message usage Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Cause Details on Access Expert Keep Alert Feature Message usage Resolution The Keep Alert feature in Access Expert comes with a default 500 SMS messages a month. This can be used to send a broadcast to the users on the system. For example, if the administrator wants to send a text out to 50 people based on an event, then that would leave a total of 450 remaining.   Another use case would be if there was an active shooter at a school campus where there are 500 students, then this would be done one time and the max texts would be sent.   Additional amounts can be purchased in 500 amounts based on what the need is for the customer. so that their monthly usage stays within the amount purchased.

Issue Bitwise operations in script behave differently in the AS-P compare to ES regarding negative values. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause Bitwise operations in the script only defined for positive Integers. Resolution Enterprise Server processes negative operands as twos complement whereas Automation Server Premium does not handle negative operands. Behavior with negative integers is undefined.

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 Continuum NetController fails when a port scanning tool runs a network port scan on the ethernet network where the controller is connected. Some of the controller failures that have been reported to Product Support Services include controller scan locked, controller resetting, hanged, stuck in bootloader etc. In some cases the controller may be running but exhibiting very strange symptoms due to its tasks scheduling being disturbed by the scanning traffic and/or due to memory corruption. Product Line  Andover Continuum   Environment Continuum CX Gen 1 Continuum Net Controller II Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Continuum bCX4040 (BACnet) Continuum bCX4000 (Router) Continuum bCX9640 (Infinet)   Cause The legacy Continuum controller's network stack is not able to handle some of the packets generated by network scanning tools, most such tools explicitly point out that older internal systems may not be able to handle the port scanning traffic and may fail during the process.  The controller error log may show some variation of the following errors...   219 I 08/10/2024 13:14:53.35 0xbadd0018 0x00002500 0x001783f0 0x40602004 0x0017eeb4 Reset (Spurious interrupt)   4914 I 09/14/2022 09:00:54.00 0xbadd0002 0x00002600 0x02001bd4 0x48082600 0x020ffbb8 Reset (access error) Resolution The Continuum NetControllers are now legacy systems no longer in active development, therefore, the only known solution is to add  the controller's IP address to the tools white list so that no port scanning packets are directed to the controller.   It is important to note that NONE of the Continuum NetControllers listed above use Windows or Linux based OS, this makes them less vulnerable to the typical hacker attacks.    Andover Continuum is a legacy Schneider Electric product. We strongly encourage upgrading your system to the more secure and feature-rich platform, EcoStruxure Building Operation. 

Issue Identify which Access Expert LDAP Active Directory Keep version is installed Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted V3 Access Expert LDAP Active Directory Keep Integration Active Directory Cause Windows Control Panel Programs and Features doesn't indicate which version of the LDAP Active Directory Keep Integration is installed Resolution Login to Access Expert and the Instance that has LDAP Active Directory Installed Navigate to the General Configuration Tab> LDAP Agents LDAP Right Click on the LDAP agent and select View Event History Note: You may need to change the Priority from 50 to 0 and the Date Range to see an event Expand (Click the plus sign) of one of the LDAP Events (i.e LDAP Agent - Started) The version of the LDAP Active Directory Keep installation will show