Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Customer has requested and received the Unlock code for WorkPlace Tech 5.7.7 and does not know where to enter it in WorkPlace Tech. Environment WorkPlace Tech Tool version 5.7.x or 5.8 Cause Needs to enter an unlock code for WorkPlace Tech Tool software. Resolution This process is documented in the section "Installing Unlock Codes" of chapter 5 of the WIBS Installation and Configuration Guide, document, F-26641 and is summarized here.  The installation instructions can be downloaded from the Publication Zone on iPortal (https://iportal2.schneider-electric.com/). Run "Purchase Workplace Tech Software" icon on computer desktop (See below if the ICON has been removed). Click "Unlock" Click on license to be unlocked. Enter unlock code in appropriate field on form Click [Generate License] Click [Done] to exit the Unlock window Click [Done] to exit "Purchase..." program. If the  "Purchase Workplace Tech Software" icon has been removed from the desktop, and WPT 5.7.x or 5.8.x was the first version ever loaded on the computer, the program will be found at: C:\Program Files\WorkPlace Tech\Licensing\Core\WPTLPurchase.exe After opening the program continue with step 2, above.

Issue Is there a template to help create the custom AccessFormat array? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Creating a Custom Card, Access Format array for non standard Wiegand formats Cause As there is sometimes confusion on the way that the bits are counted from 0 or 1 and how to use a Plain English program to initialize the array an easy way to lay out the data would be useful. Resolution The attached Excel spreadsheet works as a template to enter the Access Format data. Click here to download Format Template.xls. Enter your required Wiegand format bit definition in the box at the top, then this will allow you to define the numbers to go in the AccessFormat array lower left, which automatically fills in the example program on the right. Also see: Setting up a custom Wiegand format access cardfor information on setting up an AccessFormat array. Determining Custom Card formats on Deciphering Custom Card formats. What is the range of Wiegand Card numbers and Site Codes I can use on Continuum? on maximum card numbers.

Issue Configured Loytec LConfig application as a service but still do not get communication from the LonWorks Network. Not able to get Service pin from LON devices connected with Loytec NIC from Enterprise Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server 1.1 Loytec NIC852 (LConfig Tool) Windows 7 Cause LConfig tool version is too old. The LConfig tool, even if set to start as a service, also still needs to start before the Enterprise Server (ES), otherwise the Enterprise Server fails to establish its connection with the LonWorks interface. For information on how to set LConfig to run as a service refer to Not able to get Service pin from LON devices connected with Loytec NIC from ES. Resolution To rectify the cause 1, click here to verify if the LConfig version is the most recent one. If not please download the most recent NIC - LOYTEC Network Interface Software. To rectify the cause 2, you must set the Loytec (LConfig) application service to be a dependency of the Enterprise Server (ES), to do this follow these instructions: Using RegEdit (or similar) edit the Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\StruxureWare 1.1 Enterprise Server NOTE: For SmartStruxure version 1.3 and above, go to path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\Building Operation 1.3 Enterprise Server Locate and edit the DependOnService string Add the text LoytecSrv (service name for the LConfig application). Close the editor and reboot the PC Note: When running the LConfig as a service the LConfig Tool is not available from the System Tray and must be started from the program shortcut, located under Start > Programs> LOYTEC Network Interfaces> LConfig As a quick visual check, to see if configured correctly, you can perform a LonWorks Device Discovery on your Enterprise Server, this will show the NIC which has been defined with a red box (see image below). If these are all blue then you will not be able to receive any communications from your devices. Also remember if using the Loytec LIP devices that these should be configured in Smart Mode.

Issue Alarms stops coming into Vista from Xenta 280/300/401 in the Lonworks network under a Xenta 913 or a Xenta 701. Xenta 280/300/401 controller goes offline/online in Vista. Unable to disable an alarm from a Xenta 280/300/401 that are under a Xenta 913 running as Xenta Server in Vista. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista TAC Xenta 913 TAC Xenta 701 TAC Xenta 401 TAC Xenta 301 TAC Xenta 302 TAC Xenta 281 TAC Xenta 282 TAC Xenta 283 Cause There is no support for adding Xenta 280/300/401 to the Lonworks network under a Xenta 913/Xenta 701 running as Xenta Servers in Vista (even though if it is possible to do it in the software). Resolution Use a different Xenta Server that supports adding programmable Xenta controllers in the Lonworks network. Please see the table in chapter 1.1 of the TAC Xenta Server - Networks Technical Manual or Xenta Server version 5.1.5 and after Major Features.

Issue ROAMIO2 fails to connect to i2 controller when the controller is connected to Infinet.  But it succeeds to connect to the i2 controller when Infinet is disconnected from the controller. Environment Netcontroller - CX9900, CX9940, CX9702 Infinet controller - i2 controllers Cause When the netcontroller (CX9900, CX9940, CX9702)  version is old , the ROAMIO2 does not communicate well with the Infinet with the CX connected. Resolution Upgrade the Netcontroller OS (firmware) to the latest version.

Issue Cannot activate embedded license on Automation server, either online or offline, with error: FlexNet Embedded error: The allowed time to process the response has expired.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Edge Server - Standard Cause Automation Server has wrong date and time. Resolution Make sure that Automation Server has correct date, time and time zone. Automation Server can be connected to NTP server to synchronize its clock, refer to Synchronizing the Automation Server Clock.

Issue SLP BACnet Setpoint limits Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Andover Continuum, Field Devices Environment SpaceLogic SLP Series Cause The BACnet Object "Temperature Setpoint" includes properties Minimum and Maximum values These can be used to limit the setpoint, however the values are not saved in non volatile memory, thus the value revert to default after a power cycle (0 and 50 degC). The Setpoint object needs to be manually downloaded from EBO following a power cycle to set these properties. These properties cannot be written to individually. Thus changing these properties is unlikely to be good practice. Resolution A script program can be used to set limits to the Temperature Setpoint. Example below Note the "Value transfer settings" need changing to "Transfer value each time..." as below

Issue The TAC Xenta group master is online but not the other Xenta devices in the group. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.x Classic network Menta 5.1.x Cause The TAC Xenta Group Master is a TAC Xenta 301/302/401/901 (in the TAC Xenta Group) that monitors the on-line and off-line status of the TAC Group and its members. The Group Master forwards the on-line and off-line information to TAC Vista. If devices have been added it's possible that  the current group isn't updated. Resolution The entire Xenta group must know it has a new device for proper communication to occur. To accomplish this download the applications and parameters to the entire group.  If the Group master goes offline, the whole group will be considered off-line by TAC Vista. The separate on-line group members, however, can send alarms and other information directly to TAC Vista as usual. Information about resolving this issue with an LNS network can be found in Xenta Programmable Device is Offline in Vista but Online in LonMaker.

  Issue In a system that is working normally for about 3 years EBO 3.1.1.312, appeared an alarm message saying there is a “Duplicate of Local Network” in “BACnet Gateway to network 1”.     Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment • Building Operation Workstation • Building Operation Automation Server Cause Sometimes there is a device (you can check under device discovery) possibly a router or a gateway where the primary network has NOT been configured as 1, and the secondary network was set as 1 which should be assigned a unique network ID. Also sometimes gateways only require configuring one network which also in this case should be assigned the unique ID, not 1. Resolution The main site network was set as Network 2 Another network, that was routed from the site network was set as Network 1 The main site network was changed to 1 and the other network needs to have a unique network number, so was changed to 2. They also have Cisco and Philips controllers which have their standalone networks and had already been configured with used network numbers so were changed to 3 and 4 accordingly. *Please Note: All controllers must be warm started after the Network number changes so the BACnet network can be remapped in the controller

Issue How to protect an OAT sensor from the sun? Product Line Field Devices Environment Outside Air sensors, Outdoor Temperature Sensor STO100 System Vista, Xenta STO200 System I/NET STO500 System Continuum STO600 System Satchwell STO600D System Drayton STO300 Outdoor temperature transmitter ETO100, ETO200, ETO500, ETO800 Cause Direct solar heating will affect the outside temperature reading. Resolution We do not supply sun shields for an Outside Air Sensors as there should never be a requirement to fit one. The Outside Air Temperature sensor for a building should always be fitted to the North side of the building where it will not be in direct sunlight (or the South side in the southern hemisphere). The temperature on the East, South or West sides of any building will always be higher than the North side (in the northern hemisphere) and give inaccurate readings if the sensor is mounted there. Also any sort of sunshade will also act as a shield to retain the heat also giving an erroneously high reading. For sites like weather stations where the measurements are to be taken in a field installation a Stevenson screen could be used, these are available from specialist instrument suppliers. A web search should provide local suppliers. Also see Recommended locations for Temperature Sensors, Valves, and Actuators for further details on sensor location.

Issue DPU Offline shows up when the Door Configuration is selected from the Summary Controller. Product Line TAC INET Environment All versions of I/NET Cause The Resident I/O Points for those doors are either non existent in the save file, offline or have lost communications to the controller. Resolution Verify that the DPUs are Online and communicating to the Controller by clicking connect Controller/MCU Configuration and verify that the addresses are blue and communicating Select Resident I/O Points and verify that the 08 and 09 points does exist for the respective points If not add and then update the database Select Summary/Door Configuration/ and verify that the doors are now in blue rather than red indicating that they are online. Temporary Individuals have the DPU RES check box, which means the information is stored in the DPU (such as a SCU) until the battery runs out.

Issue Unable to back up the Automation Server Unable to retrieve a working backup from an Automation Server Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Cause Corrupt configuration.db Network environment issues Power failure Resolution Database Corruption When the server backup process is initiated, the server tests the integrity of the configuration.db.  If the database does not pass the integrity test, the backup process is terminated, and no resulting backup is produced. In this case, an older backup will need to be used.  The backup should be bench tested for integrity before restoring to the production server.   Network Environment In some cases, the AS may produce a valid backup file, but when the backup is saved off of the server the file size is unusually small.  This can happen when network issues interfere with the backup save to disk process.   In such cases, Automation Server backups taken from the Enterprise server will usually be damaged as well.    You can work around this problem by connecting a Workstation laptop PC directly to the AS with an ethernet cable, thus eliminating the network from the process. Backups can also be retrieved in this way using most versions of Device Administrator.    Power Failure The power fails while the EcoStruxure BMS server is backing up and the system displays a “Failed backup” message in the Event view. The solution is to initiate a new backup when the power resumes and the EcoStruxure BMS server goes back online. Power Failure Occurs During Backup     

Issue Procedure to Install and Configure Continuum Reports Suite Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Reports Suite Cyberstation 1.81 and above Cause Need to generate Continuum Reports using the Continuum Reports suite package Resolution

Issue Has the AC256 Xdriver been qualified or modified to work on any second generation controllers (NC2, bCX)? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment bCx9640 CX9680 Xdriver AC256 LA-1 Cause With the obsolescence of the NetC (CX99xx), will the AC256 Xdriver be updated to work with NC2 and/or bCX controllers? Resolution There are no plans to upgrade the AC256 Xdriver for the NC2 and/or bCX. One option, if a site only has AC256 IOU boards, is to use the NC2 and the LA-1 LBus Adapter module or the NC2 with built in LBus support (on comm4 or comm1 with an RS232-to-RS422 converter) to communicate over the LBus with Plain English programming in the NC2. Note: If you configure the controller for Lbus (using the LA-1 or directly to comm1 or comm4) you cannot use Continuum IO modules on that controller. For further information on X Driver compatibility and how to request new drivers/ upgrades, please see Will Continuum communicate with a third party system?

Issue This is a short guide to show the correct use of output blocks with forced values in Function Block programs Environment SmartStruxure AS using Function Block programs Cause There is a design difference between the Vista Menta function block programming and the new version for SmartStruxure. In the old Menta programs it is possible to connect the output from an output block and connect it to an expression block. The forced value from the output block was passed to an expression block connected downstream of the output block. This is NOT supported in SmartStruxure at the current release Ver 1.3 (April 2013) If this is done in SmartStruxure then should the output block be forced in any way the forced signal is ignored by the downstream block Resolution Follow the guidelines as detailed in the attached document.

Issue Sigma Release note for 4.07 makes reference to the Sigma Standard Edition Installation and Users Guide.   Environment Electronic documents Cause Location Resolution Click here to download the Sigma Standard Edition Installation and Users Guide.

Issue How to populate customized information on the SpaceLogic Sensor display Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SpaceLogic Living Space Sensor Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation Room Controller (RPC) Building Operation Workstation Cause Additional information required on how to customize information to be displayed on the SpaceLogic sensor Resolution Note: This feature may not work in controller FW V4.00.x, due to know issue Custom value text is not displayed and/or updated on the SmartX sensor device, in this case please upgrade controller firmware to V5.00.1 or higher. Before starting, make sure the Integrator Menu icon and the custom information page have been activated: The Integrator Menu icon can be configured under "SmartX Sensor Device/ Display/ Button and Scene configuration" as shown in the screenshot below: Turn on "Allow custom information page" under "SmartX Sensor Device/ Display /Advanced" tab. By doing this, the custom information page is created under the Integrator menu icon of SmartX Sensor Display:        To show how to add custom information to the custom information page of SmartX Sensor display, create a sample script program, where DI1 is a digital input and Status1 is a string output. numeric input DI1 String output Status1 If DI1 = on then Status1="running" Else Status1="not running"​   In this program, when DI1 is on, the Status1 gets the string value of “Running”, otherwise the Status1 gets the string value of “Not Running”. DI1 is bound to a Digital Value (Green Arrows) under the Application folder and Status1 is bound to the CustomValueText1 (Red Arrows) as shown below:   Open the Watch pane, under the View tab, and add Digital Value and CustomValueText1 (access it through the “SmartX Sensor Device/ Display/ Basic” tab) to it.  When the Digital Value is Active the Custom value text 1 shows “Running”. On the SmartX Sensor, navigate to the custom page through the Integrator menu icon, this will show the “Running” string. Likewise the “Not Running” string would be populated on the SmartX Sensor custom information page screen when the Digital Value is Inactive.  

Issue Explanation and detail required for Client Access License (CAL). Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment Windows  SQL Server Cause Information on Client Access License (CAL). Resolution Server licensing and Client Access Licenses (CALs) for the MS Server or MS SQL can become complex. It may be worthwhile to research further through Microsoft resources. SQL Server 2008 is available under three licensing models: Server plus device client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each client device. Server plus user client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each user. Processor license. Requires a single license for each CPU in the operating system environment running SQL Server. This license includes unlimited client device access. SQL Standard will normally come with 5 CALs. If more than 5 connections exist, then ore SQL CALs need to be purchased. See Microsoft Volume Licensing for more information. Note: MS Server CALs are separate and are also required. EcoStruxure Building Operation does not check CAL Client Access Licensing. EcoStruxure Building Operation Reports Server can be run using Microsoft SQL Express.  

Issue License Administrator fails install with an "Uninstall failed, installer cannot continue" error Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation License Administrator Cause Building Operation uses Flexera (Revenera) Software Technology for licensing. Other Schneider-Electric products may also use this technology for their licensing. Resolution Check to see if the site has other software programs/products using the Flexera (Revenera) Software Technology. Other Schneider Electric offers such as Unity Pro - IEC Programming Software for Modicon PAC, Power Monitoring Expert & TAC Vista as well as third party programs also use Flexera (Revenera) for their licensing. During installation of the Building Operation License Administrator the dialog below is shown: The default behavior of the Building Operation License Administrator installation program is to install both Building Operation License Administrator and a new local license server instance. If the default behavior is accepted, the installation program will attempt to uninstall any previously installed local license servers. If the Building Operation License Administrator installation program  does not have sufficient access rights to uninstall the license server previously installed by another product a "Failed to install Building Operation License Administrator" error will occur.   Multiple products can share a single Flexnet License server instance. If there is an existing Flexnet install then the License Server checkbox should be unchecked during installation of the Building Operation License Administrator This leaves the existing local license server installed by the other product intact, while still allowing Building Operation License Administrator to run. The license server used by Building Operation License Administrator can easily be changed by the user on the License Server Address tab in Building Operation License Administrator, if necessary.  

Issue Outside sensor not working on a DC1100 or DC1400 Environment DC1100 DC1400 Cause Outside sensor not working on a DC1100 or DC1400 All wiring and terminations have been checked but the outside air sensor is not working. Resolution On the DC1100 and DC1400, the outside air sensor can be shared between a maximum of 3 controllers. The switch on the rear must be in the up position on one of the controllers. If there is only one controller fitted, the switch on the rear must be in the up position.