Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue "Completion event failure" and/or "Waiting for unit to restart" errors are received when attempting to download a controller which has already been commissioned and contains an existing Menta application. Product Line TAC Vista Environment LNS Network Xenta Programmable controllers Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B System Plug-in Cause The controller is busy responding to all other requests for communication and is not able to focus solely on the download. Resolution Before downloading, right-click on the controller and select Manage Set the node status to offline Download the controller Set the node status back to online. Alternatively, Before downloading, de-commission the unit. Select “Preserve neuron ID" to allow the plug-in to communicate with the controller and to avoid having to re-enter the ID or service pin. Download the controller Re-commission the device. This will prevent the controller from performing other communication while trying to receive the download and thus being unable to keep up.

Issue During installation of the Keeps software an exception is thrown in ExtentPlaceholderCreator. Environment Keeps On Premise Cause Microsoft SQL Server issue. Problem has been seen with MS SQL SERVER EXPRESS 2012 SP3 Resolution Edit the 'c:\Websites\Feenics\'web.config' file and insert the text below at the exact location shown in the screen shot below. --INSERT THIS TEXT <dependentAssembly> <assemblyIdentity name="Microsoft.SqlServer.Types" publicKeyToken="89845dcd8080cc91" /> <bindingRedirect oldVersion="1.0.0.0-11.0.0.0" newVersion="10.0.0.0" /> </dependentAssembly> --END OF INSERT TEXT                                                    

Issue Fluctuating temperature readings where they jump up to +327 randomly. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum controllers i2866-V Cause Readings like that are usually caused by wiring or power issues. There was also a Firmware fault that caused this in an old version of the i2866-V Firmware. Resolution Confirm the following wiring considerations:   That your input and output cables shield is wired to Earth ground at one end of the run only (preferably the controller chassis). That your controllers power supply is earthed on the secondary side of the 24vac transformer to ensure a proper controller ground to Earth. Confirm that the power supply is not being shared with any field devices, especially field devices feeding inputs back into the controller. One way to troubleshoot if it is a cabling or controller problem is to replace the sensor cable with a 10K ohm resistor. See Temperature inputs not reading the correct value for details. Also, in i2866-V controllers with firmware versions less than v3.501049, temperature inputs could randomly go to +327 when Analog Outputs were changing value frequently. Uprev your controller. See TPA-BOST-09-0007.00 for details.

Issue Is there any way to get calibration certificates for the Kamstrup meters and auxiliary equipment associated to the meters? Environment Kamstrup Heat meters cool meters flow meters Cause To fulfill the requirements of some standards, calibration certificates on the equipment may be required.  Resolution All new meters are delivered with approval and initial verification according to the standard for heat meters EN1434, and the European Measuring Instrument Directive MID. This warrants that each meter is within the Class and MPE stated by the standard. Kamstrup can provide certified calibration results for individual meters upon request. Please order these certificates through your regular Orders channels, and please confirm the meters/sensors serial number by filling in the Order form that can be downloaded here. Temperature sensors, calculator and flow part has each their own certificate, and can be replaced individually if broken or damaged. Please make sure to state serial number for each part when requesting the certificate(s).  

Issue Procedure for balancing a parallel fan VAV box with supply side flow sensing, using the WorkPlace Flow Balance Tool (WFBT). Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series MNB VAV Cause Request from field Resolution In summary, the procedure is to complete the balancing process with the fan disabled then enable the fan and use the verify functions to check operation with the parallel fan running. Perform all steps of the flow balance procedure as usual up through and including the maximum flow balancing and minimum flow balancing. For the first pass at balancing the reheat minimum flow, use the fan control on the screen to turn the fan ON then set the minimum flow setpoint to 0. Verify that the flow as measured by the pressure sensor goes to zero. Measure the total flow manually using the flow hood and adjust the fan speed so that the required airflow is obtained. The easiest way to do this is to take the first set of readings from all the diffusers then adjust the fan speed as needed and then recheck the sum of the new readings to confirm the adjustment is correct. Click the "Restart" button to restart the Reheat Min Flow balancing process. Set the parallel fan to OFF and re-enter the desired Reheat Min Flow setpoint value. Balance the Reheat Min Flow using the normal balance procedure. For reference, see Chapter 5 of the WorkPlace Commissioning Tool and Flow Balance Tool Users Guide (F-27358).

Issue Maximum Limits for SmartStruxure Lite Design (Scalability, Capacity) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager (MPM) Cause What are the maximum number of communication between managers and end device Resolution Guidelines: number of end devices per node Wired ● 6 wired inputs (Ohms / Volts, Analog or Digital) ● 6 wired outputs (4 analog 0-12VDC, 2 digital) The analog output ports has a maximum nominal load of 50mA each. ● Need more? Modbus I/O extenders, SEC-TE, etc. Wireless devices ● In theory: almost unlimited (no physical constraints) ● In practice: limited by range and strength of wireless signal     ● EnOcean: Rule of thumb is within room (up to 75ft in building – line of sight)     ● ZigBee: Rule of thumb is within room (up to 150ft in building – line of sight)     Limited by application     ● Frequency of transmission     ● Efficient handling of data queues Guidelines: number of end devices per node BACnet - with the current basic client capabilities, the maximum number of devices supported on a single BACnet network is 1000. Modbus      Limitations for ModBus connectivity per MPM is 31 devices but depends on polling rate and amount of points:         ● Using pre-defined objects, polling rate is 30s / device         ● Using Lua script, polling rate variable ZigBee or EnOcean for the end devices? ZigBee ● Longer range ● Reliability built-in the protocol (ack, retries, …) ● Requires a battery ● Multiple channels available (possible to isolate networks / groups) EnOcean ● Self-powered (no battery) ● Easy to deploy ● Lower range ● Reliability must be ensured at the application level ● No retries ● ZigBee coordinator is a device that sets up the network, is aware of all the nodes within its network. Every ZigBee network must contain a network coordinator. ● ZigBee router can act as an intermediate router, passing on data from other devices. ● ZigBee end-device is part of the network, but doesn’t re-route information to neighbors. How many devices can I use? ZigBee ● A ZigBee network should not have more than 75 ZigBee devices in total (coordinator, router and end devices); ● A ZigBee network should not have more than 24 ZigBee routers (+1 coordinator) ● A ZigBee node (coordinator or router) should not control more than 10 peripheral end devices. EnOcean ● Using pre-built objects: ● 4 Thermostats ● 20 Switches ● 20 Relays ● The maximum number of devices added to each MPM is 49 ●The maximum number of EnOcean devices added to each MPM is 49 ●The maximum number of EnOcean devices with the same EEP added to each MPM is 49 .This only applies to firmware 2.13.1 and later, the limit for previous firmware is 20. An Exception is the following limits for devices/widgets per MPM: 20 EnOcean Switches 20 EnOcean Relays 4 EnOcean Thermostats The AV and BV variables The MPM-UN controller comes with 100 AV's and 100 BV's. MPM has capacity for up to 700 AV's and 700 BV's. After the initial 100 are consumed, add Value Banks of 100 for each AV and BV. Value Banks will be added as sub-devices under the main MPM.  Maximum data Points: MPMs can have up to 750 data points per monitor. What is the maximum size for background graphics? The maximum size of a background picture (in dashboard or section map) is 2Mbyte with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 (Width x Height). For analog inputs with a signal range in Ohms has no reading limit. You just need to configure the table in the AIC object assigned to referred input.

Issue How to register LonTalk Protocol Analyzer Software Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment Vista LPA Cause The LonTalk Protocol Analyzer software is a tool for LonWorks network troubleshooting. There are two kinds of LPA license. Some customers may be confused about it. Resolution To use the LPA, you need to purchase the software license. There are 4 kinds of LPA license. Refer to this page for further explanation. LPA-SW: This license is bound to NIC709-USB.  Need to use specific NIC709-USB to be the network interface of the software. LPA-IP-SW: This license is bound to NIC852. Need to use specific NIC852 to be the network interface of the software. LPA-IP: Same as the above, but includes a dongle.   The steps of registration for the current version of LPA using the current NIC driver is the following: Install the drive for the LOYTEC Network Interface. Refer to Loytec's Website. Open the LPA program Click on "Help->Register Product"   Enter the Registration Code in the product package, and click Add.   The steps of registration for previous versions of LPA using the previous NIC driver is the following: Install the drive for the LOYTEC Network Interface. Refer to Loytec Website. Open the LConfig program.   Click Register / Activate to open the registration window. Enter the Registration Code in the product package, and click Add. Then the registration is finished. Open the LPA software to test whether the license works fine.

Issue Unable to log in to the report server via a web browser after successfully installing the WebReports package. No explanation is given as to why the login was unsuccessful.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Report Server Cause The most probable cause is that there is no connection with the ES. Without a connection to the ES, the Web Reports Server cannot confirm the account being used to log in is valid. Resolution Note: Report Server (WebReports) is not supported in EBO 2022 or higher.   Test the connection with the ES On the same PC as the ES is installed on, try logging on via Building Operation Workstation. If this is successful, try logging on to the Enterprise server from the same server as the Web reports server is installed on. To check the URL and port settings, open the Software Administrator on the ES server PC. If step 2 (above) is unsuccessful, go to step 3. Otherwise, go to step 4. Check the firewall setting on the 2 PC,s. Ensure that the ports used by the ES (Check the Software Administrator for information about ports) and the Web Reports Server are not blocked. Re-run the WebReports Installer (link to documentation). Pay particular attention to the Reporting agent section. Make sure that the Enterprise Server URL and port number are the same as that shown in the ES' Software Administrator. Once installation is complete, logging in to the WebReports web server should be possible. If there is still no contact with the ES the network should be checked. A network protocol analyzer (such as Wireshark) can be used to identify the cause of the problem.

Issue The Echelon LonTalk PCC-10 PCMCIA Network Adapter will not work with a Dell E6410 laptop. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC Vista Environment Echelon LonTalk PCC-10 PCMCIA Network Adapter Dell E6410 laptop Cause Dell E6400 Chipset Resolution To correct this, an entry needs to be added into the Windows registry. Option 1 Download a Windows registry import file from The Exchange. Navigate through Products > Satchwell > Sigma or MicroNet > Downloads > Hot Fix (Or you can download the file here RegedittoaddPCMCIACard.zip). Once downloaded, double click the file and the entry will automatically be added. Reboot the computer before the entry is read. Option 2 Manually add the entry into your registry. Use caution when making changes to the Windows registry. Mistakes can be fatal to the operating system. To manually add the entry, carry out the following: Go to Start > Run and use “regedit” to open the Windows registry. Navigate through to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet Services Pcmcia Parameters Add a new DWORD entry called “IrqRouteToPciController” Modify the new entry and give it a hexadecimal value of 8 Reboot the computer before the entry is read. If option 1 or 2 do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to perform the following:  Option 3 Open the registry editor. Go to the registry entry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{68EE3401-D4CA-11D3-8DBB-0060082936F2} or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{68EE3401-D4CA-11D3-8DBB-0060082936F2}\0000 and look for the key name "PcmciaExclusiveIrq". Delete the key name "PcmciaExclusiveIrq" (If it exists). You may need to reboot the PC. Further information may be available in the Echelon Knowledge Base on the Echelon website. This information can be found in Solution: KB763. For more information, please refer to TPA-SACH-10-0009.00 - LON PCC-10 PCMCIA Card with Dell E6410 Laptop

Issue Need to downgrade AS from 1.5 to 1.4,  quick press "reset" 3 time, AS geso to DFU mode, after select "new database", get an error "New database failed" Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server AS Device Administrator SBO 1.4 1.5 Cause AS and PC connected with USB and Network cable USB port on laptop (leveno) has additional power on one of the USB ports, switch to different port Firewall was enabled and disabled firewall Resolution Disconnect Network cable, use USB connection only (May need to select a different port on laptop, see Cause Notes above) Quickly press "reset" 3 time to DFU mode Click "Update Device" Icon and select "New database" If the above fails, try another USB port and disable antivirus software. In some cases, you will need to: Place the device in DFU mode Power down the AS Let it sit for at least an hour to let the capacitors lose their charge.   Power up the device again, place it in DFU mode Use the USB connection to load the correct version

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. Issue Time synchronisation is often an issue on large BMS installations. A central time signal is normally required to make sure all controllers, terminals or workstations have the correct time. If there is no internet connection available then the time has to be synchronised from a central source. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC Vista Environment Sigma Continuum Vista SmartStruxure Windows XP Windows 7 Server 2003 Server 2008 R2 Cause No internet connection available to synchronise the system time. Resolution Important The methods below contain steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. If using Windows XP, please use the following link - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314054 If using Server or Windows 7 OS, please use the following link - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816042 This has been tested for Time updates to an AS by simply using the PC IP address as the primary NTP Time Server. If the firewall is turned on you also need to make sure UDP 123 is open. Please note that Windows will add a dispersion to the time that may cause issues with time synchronization, please see Automation Servers ignore time sync message sent from Windows NTP server that uses local internal clock for details.

Issue A PCI I/O board added to allow a parallel port for a security key is not recognized by the key. Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The default setup for the Sentinel driver does not configure the PCI port Resolution After adding a PCI I/O board to allow a parallel key, the security key is not recognized. Even if a printer works on this parallel port and another machine reads the key perfectly, the security key does not work. Uninstalling and reinstalling the Sentinel driver does not make a difference. The Sentinel driver needs to be configured to allow the parallel port to be accessed via the PCI bus. By default, only the ISA and USB port types are shown. Follow these steps to add the port for the installed PCI board: From the Control Panel, double-click the System icon to open the System Properties page. Click the Hardware tab and then the Device Manager Button to open the Device Manager. Click the + sign next to Ports (COM & LPT) to expand the tree. Double-click on PCI Card (LPT1) to open the property sheet for the PCI adapter. Click on the Resources tab to see the resources used by the adapter. Under Resource Settings, make note of the first number in the range of the first line. Ex. I/O Range 0378-0374 (the number to make note of is 0378) Next, Start the driver configuration utility, SetupSysDriver.exe. It is usually located at C:\Program Files\Rainbow Technologies\Sentinel System Driver Click the "Configure Driver" button, then click the "Add" button. Enter the I/O address of the PCI parallel port adapter into the "Bus Address" field. Ex. 0378. For Port type select PCIbus and Click on OK It will show that a User Created port has been added at address 0378. The Sentinel System Driver should now be configured to use the Parallel PCI adapter.

Issue Dumping or reloading a NetController using HyperTerminal. Environment Windows HyperTerminal CX9900 CX9400 CX9200 Command Terminal Configuration Guide Infinity and Continuum Window Interface Cause Not known cause. Resolution Click here for instructions on using HyperTerminal to dump or reload controller.  For full details on using the Window interface as used on Infinity and 1st Generation Continuum controllers, you can download the Command Terminal Reference Guide.

Issue Modbus values are not not working reliably and are not updating as expected. Product Line Andover Continuum, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Xenta controllers 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731 and 913 Cause The amount of Modbus points being polled is excessive for the controller. Resolution The product data sheets indicates no limit to the Modbus points but only 31 Modbus devices over RS-485. With a practical install, a limit of 300-400 Modbus points per Xenta server  would be applicable. If you exceed this level, communications become slower than acceptable. Network performance can be affected when a large number of connection objects are in use ( direct transfers between Modbus and other protocols). There is no documented limitation, but the recommendation is not to exceed 300 connection objects per Xenta Server. Connection polling period should also be considered with a large amount of connection objects.

Issue A script program status is halted with an error indicating "Tried to divide a value by zero"   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation MP-C Controllers  Building Operation MP-V Controllers  Building Operation RP-C Controllers  Building Operation RP-V Controllers  Cause The halted program, or a function used within the program, has within itself a divisor that equals or can equate to zero.  An example would be if using Scan as a divisor - (Err - Lerr) / Scan Resolution Ensure that no divisor within the program or function can possibly become zero.  One way to do this would be to either set the divisor to a value greater than zero prior to using it or add a small value to the divisor.  For example:  (Err - Lerr) / (Scan + 0.00001)

Issue Some Modbus meters can be integrated to a MPM using the built-in widgets (MOD1 checkbox enabled).  Other Modbus meters require a LUA script. With LUA scripts, the MOD1 object (Modbus config) must be disabled (MOD1 checkbox disabled). Can two Modbus meters be integrated to the same MPM, with one using the built-in widget and the other using a LUA script? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment SmartStruxure Lite Multi-Purpose Manager (MPM) Modbus devices Cause Unfortunately, both meters must be integrated with LUA scripts or both must be integrated via built-in widgets. By keeping the internal Modbus driver enabled (MOD1 checkbox enabled), the Modbus component in the script will not work.  The two will conflict. Resolution The two Modbus meters must both be integrated via LUA script or by built-in widgets.

  Issue Performing an Enterprise Server upgrade preview from 3.2.3.59 to 5.0.3.117, the upgrade fails with the error "INET legacy interface no longer supported." message      Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause An existing folder in the Enterprise Server contained graphics underneath the INET interface. This folder was moved within the system, and the INET interface was deleted. However, the moved folder still had links to the INET interface, causing the upgrade to fail since this interface is not supported in Building Operation 2022 (v.4) and above.  Resolution Delete any references in the database linked to the INET Interface. Bindings Diagnostics provides a quick method for locating these unresolved references.   After deleting these objects and/or references, the upgrade will completed successfully.

Issue Continuum presents an error when starting up. "Either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging request. Please run Microsoft Outlook and set it as the default mail client" Environment Continuum Cyberstation Microsoft Outlook Cause When Outlook is installed on the Workstation, Continuum will try to make a connection to Outlook when it starts up. If Outlook has not been configured as the default mail client then it can't make this connection and presents the error. Resolution Either make Outlook the default email client or uninstall from the Workstation. See Microsoft KB here that describes how to set your default email client.

Issue Despite using valid credentials at the Web Client login screen, the attempt fails with no error being shown and the user is dumped back to the login screen once more. These login failure events can be seen in Windows Logs with the error 'Too many connections' Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Schneider Electric Security Expert Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Security Expert Web Client Security Expert SOAP Service Cause When the SOAP service attempts to connect to Security Expert it performs an Operator login to the Data Service, pulls/pushes the information it needs, and then closes the connection. If all concurrent Operator Logins are already in use (with Thick Client connections for example) SOAP will not be allowed to log in, and any services requiring the SOAP connection will not work. The specific operators that are consuming the licenses can be seen once again in Windows Logs Event Viewer > Applications and Services Logs > Schneider Electric Security Expert An Operator Logging on is shown as a 'New Operator Logon' Event (Concurrent Client + 1) Operator Log in An Operator Logging off is shown as a 'Remove Operator by Disconnect' Event (Concurrent Client - 1). Operator Log off Resolution If all the Client Connections are being consumed with Thick Client logins etc, then reduce the number of connections that are logged in at any given time or purchase an additional concurrent client license SX-CLNT so there is always one free for SOAP to use. Note:  SOAP will only use one concurrent connection even if it has multiple services connected to it, so you would not need multiple client licenses if you had Web Client, Data Sync, and EWS, for example.

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.