Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Cannot generate a report from Access Expert V2. Getting an error when attempting to generate the report "Could not load file or assembly Microsoft.ReportViewer.WebForms, Version=11.0.0.0"   Product Line EcoStrucure Access Expert Environment Version 2 Report Viewer Windows Cause The ReportViewer files that are from Feenics's website contain version 11. Microsoft does have older and newer versions of the file (i,e 10 and 12) so there is a potential that these files will not work. Resolution To resolve this issue 1. Download the Microsoft Report Viewer (Feenics Training> Web App V2> Miscellaneous Downloads) http://www.feenics.com/Downloads/ReportViewer.zip 2. On the Access Expert application PC (Not the SQL Server PC in a 2 PC system)     Uninstall all versions of Report Viewer and SQLClrTypes from Windows> Control Panel> Programs and Features 3. Stop the Feenics Keep Render Service 4. Unzip the Download files (Report Viewer.msi  and SQLClrTypes.msi) and install both of them 5. Restart the Feenics Keep Render Service Test Reports 6. If they are still not working, reboot the Access Expert PC and test again. If this is still not working, contact your local country support.

Issue Unable to have BACnet alarm trigger directly on a variable from a Function Block Program Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Cause Building Operation does not have the possibility for a BACnet alarm to directly monitor a variable from a Function Block Program.  The problem with doing this is that a Function Block Program is not a BACnet visible object (a BACnet client cannot see it, even as a proprietary object type), and we do not see any provision in the BACnet standard for an alarm object to reference something not visible to BACnet. Resolution The workaround is to create a BACnet point (a BACnet Value object would make the most sense), and bind it to the Function Block Program variable.   There is however an option which may avoid "double" work.  In Building Operation we have implemented intrinsic alarming on the BACnet points and values.  This means that the point can detect and report alarms without creating a separate alarm object.  (they still need to reference to a BACnet notification class just like normal BACnet alarm objects).   The only limitation is in the choice of algorithm: Analog objects (Input, output, Value) support the out-of-range algorithm (high-limit, low-limit). Digital and Multistate objects* (input, and value) support the change-of-state algorithm. *In Building Operation, we do not have digital or multi-state outputs with alarming, because we do not support "command-failure" type alarm that those require.

Issue Tables needed for linearizing a 10K thermistors for an I/Net 7716, 7718, 7728 and 7756 (upper board). Product Line TAC INET Environment 7716 7718 7728 7756 Cause Thermistors require the use of a look up table to linearize the data. Resolution Thermistor Inputs on PCU's 7716, 7718, 7728 and the upper board of a 7756 Enter the Temperature data in °C (First Column - 31 entries) Enter the corresponding resistance data in Ohms (Second column - 31 entries) Enter the dissipation constant in milliwatts per °C: 2 Low Temperature: -22.11°F (-30.06°C) High Temperature: 247.92°F (119.95°C) Point Value in °F: M=0.065942; b=-22.11377 Point Value in °C: M=0.03663447; b=-30.063207 Look Up Table: °C Ohms Current Self Htg Adj °C Adj °F VDC Counts Adj Cts 120 389 0.000481 0.045052 119.95 247.92 0.1872172 153 4095 100 680 0.000468 0.074521 99.93 211.87 0.3183521 261 3548 90 917 0.000458 0.096177 89.90 193.83 0.4199872 344 3275 80 1258 0.000444 0.12407 79.88 175.78 0.5587138 458 3001 70 1753 0.000425 0.158633 69.84 157.71 0.745767 611 2727 60 2489 0.0004 0.199471 59.80 139.64 0.9964769 816 2453 55 3045 0.000383 0.223671 54.78 130.60 1.1671138 956 2316 50 3602 0.000368 0.243359 49.76 121.56 1.32407 1084 2179 45 4368 0.000348 0.264484 44.74 112.52 1.5200445 1245 2042 40 5326 0.000326 0.283435 39.72 103.49 1.7375701 1423 1905 35 6691 0.0003 0.300218 34.70 94.46 2.0043736 1642 1768 30 8056 0.000277 0.308878 29.69 85.44 2.2308374 1827 1631 28 8777 0.000266 0.311174 27.69 81.84 2.3371678 1914 1576 26 9572 0.000255 0.312351 25.69 78.24 2.4453301 2003 1522 25 10000 0.00025 0.3125 24.69 76.44 2.5 2048 1495 24 10450 0.000244 0.312349 23.69 74.64 2.5550122 2093 1467 22 11420 0.000233 0.311127 21.69 71.04 2.665733 2183 1413 20 12490 0.000222 0.308669 19.69 67.44 2.7767897 2274 1358 18 13680 0.000211 0.304953 17.70 63.85 2.8885135 2366 1304 16 15000 0.0002 0.3 15.70 60.26 3 2457 1249 14 16470 0.000189 0.29383 13.71 56.67 3.1110691 2548 1195 12 18090 0.000178 0.286579 11.71 53.08 3.2200071 2637 1140 10 19900 0.000167 0.278241 9.72 49.50 3.3277592 2725 1086 8 21920 0.000157 0.268921 7.73 45.92 3.433584 2812 1032 6 24180 0.000146 0.258715 5.74 42.33 3.5371562 2897 977 0 32660 0.000117 0.224329 -0.22 31.60 3.8279419 3135 815 -4 36200 0.000108 0.211999 -4.21 24.42 3.9177486 3209 706 -10 55340 0.0000765 0.162028 -10.16 13.71 4.234772 3468 543 -14 69000 0.0000633 0.138199 -14.14 6.55 4.3670886 3577 435 -20 97130 0.0000467 0.105789 -20.11 -4.19 4.5332773 3713 272 -30 177200 0.0000267 0.063207 -30.06 -22.11 4.732906 3876 0 This spreadsheet is for a thermistor rated at 10,000 ohms at 25°C. Install a 10K Ohm Resistor in the "B" terminal (consult the TCON for the controller you are using for details) This look up table program is based on using 31 entries The data points do not have to be evenly spaced For the look up table to the 7756 lower board, see 10k Thermistor Look Up Table for an I/Net 7756 (lower board).

Issue Automation Server is going online and offline when viewed from an Enterprise Server. NOTE: Depending on the network setup/IP switch arrangement, having a duplicate Automation Server (AS) IP address can manifest itself by the AS continually resetting itself (Status LED going red, then flashing green, then solid green, followed by red again) over a 1 to 2 minute cycle. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SmartStruxure Enterprise Server StruxureWare Building Operation Workstation Automation Server Cause Duplicate IP address assigned to the AS. IP conflicts will cause the AS to go offline in the ES. Resolution Check that the AS has a unique IP address on the network. If not, consult the IT department to verify that they can provide a unique static IP address. Also, isolate the AS temporarily using a switch and see if the issue stops.

Issue Error message when starting SigmaX, says "Failed to Create Object", once accepted SigmaX works correctly. Product Line Satchwell Sigma Environment Sigma SigmaX Tools Utilities Cause Sigma Graphics has not correctly registered in the system registry. Resolution This issue is rectified as detailed below. 1 - Close SigmaX if running. 2 - Start the Sigma server and client. 3 - Open the Sigma graphics editor, and either open an existing graphic, or start a new one. 4 - Modify the graphic and then save the changes. 5 - Shutdown the Sigma client and server, Start SigmaX and confirm its operation.

Issue On December 13, 2012, the certificate verifying the authenticity of the Schneider Electric I/A Series G3 Workbench Applet (wbapplet) expired. Users will see the following error in their browser when accessing a station that is using a version of the wbapplet.jar with an expired code signing certificate: Environment Niagara G3 Cause When accessing an I/A Series G3 station through a web browser using a WbWebProfile, the web browser runs Workbench within a Java applet. To enhance security, this applet is 'signed' using a code signing certificate. This ensures that the applet has come from a reliable source and can be trusted to run with the proper permissions. Certificates used to sign applets are issued by a Certificate Authority (CA). Each code signing certificate issued by a CA has an established expiration date, with the maximum expiration being two years. Once this expiration date has passed, continuing to use a Java applet with an invalid certificate will result in warning messages within the browser. The applet will only be allowed to run after the user has acknowledged the warning and granted approval. Resolution An updated certificate is available in the new wbapplet.jar, available from The Exchange Download Center. This file will need to be added to the Enterprise Network Server, as well as on any ENCs that will be accessed from a browser. This file is for all released versions of TAC I/A Series G3 and is valid until March 30, 2015. Download wbapplet_March_2015.zip. Extract the wbapplet jar file  Click and Download The WbApplet Installation Guide. Note: Updated WbApplet files are available as part of upcoming Niagara 3.5 and 3.6 maintenance builds, as well as being from the Source website. In 3.7, wbapplet.jar is integral to the web.jar and contains an up to date certificate.;

Issue Require a method on how to apply individual setpoints in EBO when Users are granted access at a Security Expert  Door. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Security Expert EcoStruxure Building Operation 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 Services for assistance. Cause An example of this would be to have room temperature setpoints, or other specific settings, be changed when specific Users are granted access to a room or area. One method on how to do this would be to create a separate Access Level and Access Level Output for each user. When the User with that Access Level is granted access the associated output will be enabled. Using the EWS integration, the states of these virtual outputs can then be monitored within EBO and action were taken when they change state. Resolution Perform the following steps to configure this: Create an Access Level for each User object. Create a virtual output for each User object. A virtual output is an output object that is not assigned to an output expanders physical outputs. You could create outputs on existing expanders above the maximum output channel that you will be using but it is recommended putting these virtual outputs on a completely different module address outside the range that will be used for any physical modules. Module address = 32 would be a recommended starting value. Steps would be: Under Programming | Outputs create three new outputs. Set Module Type to "Output (PX)" Set module address to "32" or greater. Set Module Output to "1", "2", "3", etc... Save the changes. For each of the Access Levels add the corresponding virtual output to the Access Levels Output tab. Access Level OutputsAccess Level Outputs Ensure the Access Level has access to the Door(s) in question. Set the Time to Activate (seconds) in the Access Level | General tab to something appropriate such as 5s. The output will disable after this time period. Set the Reader Access Activates Output on the Access Level. Set Activate Access Level Output on the Reader Expander | Misc Options.    

Issue Cannot delete personnel. A personnel object will not be deleted due to distribution failures. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation Cause If a person has an area assigned and the controller or door has been deleted, the distribution to remove that person from that controller cannot be accomplished successfully. Resolution First, remove all areas from the personnel object before deleting the object. This is by design. The reasoning behind this is to allow a person to be removed from the network before disabling access. Other things to check if distributions are failing: If running MSDE or SQL2000: Check to make sure the Agent is running. Check for duplicate tables and make sure they're all DBO Check Security Continuum DB make sure there is only one DBO linked to Andover97. If using SQL 2005: Look at the jobs under the Agent. They trigger every 5 minutes and are responsible for the task of deleting the personnel objects marked for deletion. At times there are errors for why the jobs are not running properly. If the above steps do not correct the issue then it could be an issue with the database. The PSS engineer may request the database to perform analysis to reproduce what is happening and offer suggestions to correct the problem.

Issue Missing DLLs Environment SigmaX Sigma X DLLs DLL MFC71 mfc71u Cause The Microsoft Foundation Class libraries are normally installed as standard on a PC. But most applications these days are .NET. It may be that Windows 7 does not install all the MFC libraries as standard. Resolution Option 1: If the error shown below in Fig1. is displayed, you may be able to correct the problem simply by downloading this zipped file which contains both MFC71.dll and mfc71u.dll. Copy these to your "C:\Windows\System32" directory.   Fig 1. DLL files also available here. Option 2: The libraries can be installed by installing the Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 redistributable library which can be obtained free of charge from Microsoft. Copies are also available as a direct download. Click on the link below for the version required to download from the Microsoft website. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x86) Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x64) Click on the link below for the version required to download direct from here. Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x86) Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package (x64)

Issue Adding StruxureWare Building Operation license from file fails. The following are the error messages. "License Administrator Major error number: 50044 Minor error number: 71013 System error number: 1 System error message: Description: Error occurred during call to repair locally. Define: LM_TS_LOCAL_REPAIR"   Environment StruxureWare Building Operation License Administrator Cause The cause for this problem is unknown at this time.  Resolution If the problem is not resolved after an uninstall and re-install of the License Server / Administrator then follow the procedure listed below.  Please contact Product Support for further investigation if the problem is not fixed with this procedure.  Exit all StruxureWare Building Operation applications. Stop the License Server (in Windows Services). Uninstall the License Administrator / Server using Windows Add/Remove Programs. If you have multiple versions installed, uninstall all versions. In Windows paths detailed below, search for files that are in the format 'taclic_*_tsf.data' and delete them. There could be other files in the this directory that ends with 'tsf.data' as there could be other 3rd party applications using FLEXnet licensing. Delete only the files that starts with 'taclic'. Windows 7 go to the 'C:\Program Data\FLEXnet\' directory (Windows 7).  Note:This folder may be hidden by Windows 7, Click Here on how to view these paths. Windows XP, the path to the FLEXnet folder is 'C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\FLEXnet'. or C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.Windows\Application Data\FLEXnet). Note:This folder may be hidden by WindowsXP. Install the License Administrator and add the license file as per the normal procedure.  Note: If you are unable to delete the files in step number 4, go to Windows Services and stop the FLEXnet Licensing Service and try again. 

Issue Suggested configuration for Xenta 121, STR-150 in single occupancy zones (Hotel Operation): Single setpoint display for ease of use for hotel guests Erasing setpoint offsets between guests automatically on transition from unoccupied to occupied Disable fan overrides Product Line TAC Vista Environment Hotel rooms Xenta 121, ZBuilder STR-150 Cause A hotel room is a unique application of the Xenta 121 and must be tailored to fit the temporary residents and be as easy to use and understand via an STR-150 as possible to reduce the amount of calls to the on-call maintenance department. Resolution The important thing to remember is that the Xenta 121 and STR-150 do not have duplex communication capabilities. Communication is one way from the stat to the controller. There is no capability for the controller to override/control the stat display. Because of this, it will be very important to standardize setpoints between the stat, the controller, and system-wide. Set Up the STR-150 Refer to the STR-150 User’s Manual for additional information. Push the fan and bypass buttons simultaneously for 2 seconds to enter P0. In P0, hold down the bypass button and push the fan button three times. The wrench symbol is lit when the STR-150 is in configuration mode. Parameter Function Value/Range Set Value P0 Software Version - - P1 °C or °F temperature display 1=°C, 2=°F 2 P2 Reference temperature (Reftemp) 15-30°C / 60-90°F 72 1 P3 Setpoint or room temp. as default 1=Setpt, 2=Room 1 P4 Timeout 5-90 seconds 10 P5 Fan settings 0= No fan 1= On/Off fan 2= Two-speed fan 3= Three-speed fan 0 2 P6 Room temperature and setpoint display resolution 0.1 or 0.5°C 0.2 or 1.0°F 0.2 P7 Max adjustable setpoint span above or below Reftemp (P2). ±0 - ±5°C ±0 - ±10°F 10 P8 Bypass button and occupancy indication When = 2, no bypass command is sent to the controller 1= Symbol on, off or flashing 2= Symbol always off 2 1 Reference temperature should equal the average of the Xenta 121 occupied heating and cooling setpoints. Assuming 70°F heating and 74°F cooling for this example. 2 There is no way to give only AUTO/ON override control to hotel guests, so fan override capabilities should be disabled. Wire STR-150 to Xenta 121 STR-150 Xenta 121 Mode 11 Y1 5 Data 12 X1 7 M 13 M 6 Set Up the Xenta 121 - ZBuilder Connected devices > Room unit Select STR-150 and Check the box for "Activate STR-150 reset offset function." Engineering TAC Xenta 120 Manual Chapter 9.1.2 states: There is a so-called hotel reset function for room unit STR-150. When activated, an 'old' offset value is not taken into account when going from Unoccupied to Occupied until the Offset is changed (probably by a new hotel guest). Control > Setpoints Center all control setpoints around reference temperature of the STR-150. In this example, the reference temperature is 72°F, so cooling and heating setpoints have been centered around that. Setpoint calculation mode is set to method A which preserves symmetry around a base setpoint, but since these setpoints are already symmetrical, that is not of great importance. Expose normalize setpoint is important for the hotel staff to see the same setpoint as the stat is displaying to the hotel guest. Operation STR-150 defaults to reference temperature as setpoint 72°F. Xenta 121 uses default setpoints. In cooling maintaining 74°F. If the stat is set to display setpoint by default, the customer will only see the setpoint and won't be aware of the 2-degree dead band offset. Hotel guest decides 72°F is too hot and lowers the setpoint on the stat to 70°F. Xenta 121 interprets this as a -2°F offset on setpoints and now maintains 68°F heating/72°F cooling. Guest checks out and the room is set to unoccupied. Stat continues to display 70°F but the larger unoccupied dead band actually controls to set default of 80°F for cooling. Next guest checks in and the room is set to occupied. Stat continues to display 70°F but the Xenta 121 has erased the offset from its calculation and maintains 74°F. Guest feels this is too warm and lowers the stat from 70°F to 69.8°F. A new offset of -2.2°F is sent to the Xenta 121 which now controls the cooling setpoint to 71.8°F. The guest believes they have lowered their setpoint by 0.2°F  but in reality have effectively lowered it 2.2°F. As soon as they make a change to the setpoint, they resume control of the offsets.

Issue The outputs of three kitControl objects - Maximum, Minimum, and Average - will all go to Nan if any of its inputs are Nan. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series G3 (Niagara) station Cause The internal logic of these blocks is set to pass Nan through if all inputs are not valid for comparison. Resolution There are two potential work-arounds: Pass the inputs through some intermediate logic to ensure that a Nan value is never passed to the Minimum, Maximum, or Average blocks. Null values are valid and will allow the internal logic of the block to proceed. Use the MinMaxAvg block instead. It is located in the kitControl > Util folder. The internal logic of this block will ignore Nan inputs.

Issue Data Sync Service won't run after installation Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Cause Mismatch in authentication type during the installation of Security Expert Server and Security Expert Soap Service Resolution First completely uninstall the Security Expert Soap Service and Security Expert Server... Then reinstall Security Expert Server ensuring to UNTICK the box to hide advanced database configuration options When asked about Customize WCF TCP/IP Port, make note of your selection. Please note that using TLS 1.2 is the recommended method for authentication. Then reinstall the Security Expert Soap Service matching up the authentication type used for the Security Expert Server.

Issue Boiler plant is not operating. Environment DC1100 DC1400 Compensator Plant Off Day Economy Cause Controller is in a Day Economy mode. Resolution The DC1100 / DC1400 has a mode known as "Day Economy, this will prevent the plant from working. The controller display will show "Day Economy", its operation is as follows. Day Economy Day economy will allow the system to turn the heating off during an occupation period if the space temperature is at or above the Space Setpoint and the outside temperature is within 4 degrees of the Space Setpoint. When the heating is switched off by day economy, pump run-on will commence. If during a day economy period the space temperature drops more than 1 degree below setpoint or the outside temperature is no longer within 4 degrees of the Space Setpoint then the heating will switch back on. The Day Economy function can be disabled though the controller menu system. For further details please select the data sheet HERE.

Issue What is the BACnet point data refresh rate and how is the rate changed? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation AS-P and AS-B Cause Subscriptions are the connection between the value from the BACnet Interface point to the value on the ES or AS. Resolution These subscriptions can be edited using the Binding of the value. Using 1.4, edit the configuration of the Binding as shown below: Here, the default 10 seconds interval in the Requested Transfer Rate can be changed. The default is 10 seconds. This allows changing the default interval of 10 seconds down to a minimum 100 milliseconds a maximum 24 hours:  Using 1.3: Edit the configuration of the Binding as shown below:  Here the default 10 seconds interval in the Requested Transfer Rate can be changed. The default is 10 seconds.

Issue The controller does not follow the programmed on/off times. Product Line Field Devices Environment CSC 5252 5352 Discrete Compensators Cause The flow temperature sensor has failed and is causing the controller to remain on. Resolution As part of it's "Out of Hours" operation, the controller will monitor the flow temperature and if it falls below 5'C, the controller will act to remove the risk of frost by starting the pump and opening the control valve. For a full description of this function, please refer to the CSC User Guide.

Issue It is not possible to select a "Trend 10K3A1" Thermistor when configuring a central or onboard IO input point. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Building Operation Automation Server (AS-P) Central IO Building operation Automation Server Bundled (AS-B) Onboard IO Cause The specific thermistor type is not available to be selected. Resolution Configure an input as a resistive Input with reliability level, electrical scale and engineering scale set to: Upper/Top: 0 Lower/Bottom: 587628 Then use a Function Block 10K3A1-Ohm-To-C sample program or Script program to convert from resistance to °C. NOTE Satchwell and Trend both use 10k3A1 Thermistors but the shunt resistance used within it will vary.

Issue The device is applicationless, or is not associated with a program record. (Subsystem:  NS, #5) The target device does not have a valid application loaded. To correct this problem, right-click on the device and select the "Load" option. Then, if necessary, repeat this operation. The device was discovered to be applicationless, or not associated with a program. If you encounter this error, load the application into the device. For host-based nodes, ensure that the host application is running Product Line Other, TAC Vista Environment LNS LonMaker Vista NL220 Cause Interrupting a download can cause the download to fail and render the controller applicationless.  Also, a corrupt Menta file can sometimes successfully download, but cause the controller to go into an applicationless state. Resolution An application must be downloaded through Menta while directly connected to the controller through the RS-232 serial port.  A blank Menta file with just one PVR is sufficient to restore an application to the controller and allow it to be downloaded; however, downloading the actual Menta file is better because it can expose parsing errors in the Menta file that need to be fixed before downloading it through the System Plug-in again. In some cases, an attempt to direct download can not establish communications to the controller and "timeout". In this event, download a new .mot file to the system using the Download Wizard. Instructions are located in Instructions on how to download an .MOT file into a Xenta Programmable controller. If the Download Wizard  is not able to establish communications with the device, the program should first be cleared using a Xenta Hardware Reset Tool. You can make one by following the instructions located in Xenta Controller Will Not Download / How to Clear the Xenta Application. If the Xenta firmware is older than 3.61, the method to clear the Xenta application is to power cycle the controller 10 consecutive times.

Issue How to print out alarms when they occur? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Cause Dot Matrix printers are no longer commonly used and alarm printing has been replaced by features such as SMTP email and Sysman text messaging.  Building Operation does not have native support for alarm printing. Resolution If alarm printing is needed, then a third party file to printer utility such as File2Print (https://community.se.com/) is required to print Building Operation alarms sent using write to file notifications.

Issue After upgrading a TAC Vista system on a site with high IT security you can end up with a wrong schema version in the SQL database causing issues such as failure to insert trend log data. Environment TAC Vista SQL Cause In some versions of TAC Vista, the SQL database upgrade carried out during the installation of TAC Vista doesn't upgrade the SQL database to the newest version. The first time you start TAC Vista Server, the server (TACOS) carries out the remaining upgrade steps. On a site with very high security standards, TAC Vista Server is however not able to apply the last SQL database upgrade scripts as those can only be carried out by the IT department directly on the SQL server, and as a result the SQL database is not fully upgraded. Resolution   1.      Note exactly what schema version the SQL database currently has This can be checked through SQL management studio with this query USE taclogdata; SELECT dbo.DSS_SchemaVersion() AS Db_SchemaVersion 2.      Note exactly what version of TAC Vista you have upgraded to 3.      Contact PSS to get a SQL upgrade script specific for the site and run that on the SQL database