Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Automation Server CPU Specifications Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Basic Cause Automation Server Family CPU specifications are required for projects requirements and specifications. Resolution There are three Automation Server models, each with unique CPU specifications:   Automation Server (AS): The Automation Server (AS) has been withdrawn from sale. CPU: ATMEL AT91RM9200, ARM9 core microcontroller. Processor: ARM920T. CPU Clock Speed: 160 MHz. Automation Server Premium (AS-P): CPU: STMicroelectronics SPEAr1380, ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core microcontroller. Processor: ARM Cortex-A9. CPU Clock Speed: 500 MHz. Automation Server Bundled (AS-B): CPU: STMicroelectronics SPEAr320S, ARM926 core microcontroller. Processor: ARM926. CPU Clock Speed: 333 MHz.

  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 Safety information can be requested when distributing thermostats, particularly via airplane. Product Line Field Devices Environment Room thermostat Cause Not all documentation is available to download. Resolution TC300 3AxL Series Low Voltage Certificate of Conformity TC300 3AxL Series Electromagnetic Compatibility Certificate of Conformity TC300 3AxLM-DLS-DLMS Series Low Voltage Certificate of Conformity TC300 3AxLM-DLS-DLMS Series Electromagnetic Compatibility Certificate of Conformity Battery material safety data sheet. Identification and classification report for air transport of goods.  

Issue Cameras have learned in successfully but live video shows as black or the Video Administrator shows the preview as black. Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Continuum Endura Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Live video is showing black because of a configuration issue. Resolution There can be a number of reasons why live video is showing as black in Continuum. Here are some steps to correct or troubleshoot this: Time between devices is not synced. Verify that the controller(InfinintySystemVariable Date), Cyberstation(DateTime Date), and the Endura system(SM) time are all synced. Video Driver or Card. To allow for Sarix cameras in 1.92 changes were made that could cause a standard VGA driver to not display video. Update the standard driver or change the video card. (Test with a different PC which uses a different card) Multicast traffic. Check that the switches on the LAN are broadcasting traffic using multicast. Run the Sherlock utility which is a free codec utility to determine the codec on the Cyberstation and send the results to Product Support. It can be found at the following web site: http://www.free-codecs.com/Sherlock_The_Codec_Detective_download.htm Ensure that the cameras were renamed from the default name in Endura (defaults to camera, but it's actually a null). Ensure that each camera has its own unique non-zero input/channel number. Both of these two items can cause the Continuum camera learn to not be successful and cause issue when trying to access video. Video.log files. Configure the video.log files per How to create a log file for troubleshooting video integration issues in Continuum. Send these files to Product Support for analysis.

Issue The BACnet object goes into fault when writing a NaN to an MNB controller. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series MNB VAV I/A Series MNB 70 I/A Series MNB 300 Cause Firmware 1.424 and higher responds to receiving a NaN with an Error: "value out of range".  In firmware 1.420 it would accept the NaN and respond with a normal acknowledge message.  This is a result of a change required for BTL compliance. Resolution A slight setup change can accomplish the same result without causing the object to go into fault.  In the ENC edit the properties of the AVSPP object and set the fallback to "null".  Go to the slot sheet of the object being overridden to hide the "Set" option.  This will prevent the operator from attempting to send a NaN that causes the fault.  When a right-click override is performed only the emergency (priority1) and Override (priority8) choices are displayed.  When the override expires or the object is manually put back into “auto” the “fallback” value is output which is “null” and that is accepted at the controller and serves the same function as sending a NaN.

Issue Lookup table for the AIC Analogue Input Configuration for different sensors. What types of sensors can be used with the MPM controller? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Multi Purpose Manager AIC Cause A lookup table is required for a sensor that is not listed in the AICs. What sensors can be used? Resolution For the Satchwell range (new generation or T range) STP660, STC600, STR600 series. Note the engineering output is Celsius.   For the TAC range STP100 series, STC100, STR100 series, STD100 series. Note the engineering units is Celsius.   For the Andover range STP500 series, STC500, STR500 series, STD500 series. Note the engineering units is Celsius.   AIC 1 to AIC 10 are empty Analogue Input Configurations, the remainder are pre-configured as below. For 10K Type II in Celsius use AIC 11 For 10K Type II in Fahrenheit use AIC 12 For 10K Type III in Celsius use AIC 13 For 10K Type III in Fahrenheit use AIC 14 For 1K PT1000 RTD Platinum in Celsius use AIC 15 For 1K PT1000 RTD Platinum in Fahrenheit use AIC 16 For 1K PT100 RTD Platinum in Celsius use AIC 17 For 1K PT100 RTD Platinum in Fahrenheit use AIC 18 For 1K NI1000 RTD Nickel in Celsius use AIC 19 For 1K NI1000 RTD Nickel in Fahrenheit use AIC 20

Issue Failed to create or configure database on SQL Server! ([17] SQL Server does not exist or access denied.) Windows Event log reveals the following error:   Product: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition -- Error 28001. The sa password must meet SQL Server password policy requirements. For strong password guidelines, see Authentication Mode, in SQL Server Books Online. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Windows Server 2003 Cause When installing TAC Vista 5 on a 2003 Server you can get an error if the group policy require a certain complexity on the sa password. Resolution One possibility is to edit the group policy Go to Start > Run and type gpedit.msc In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Account Policies > Password Policy Set Password must meet complexity requirements to Disabled.     The other option is to install the SQL 2005 Express SP3 yourself. It is downloadable from Microsoft. Remove the checkmark in "Hide Advanced Configuration" Set the instance to TACVISTA. Use the "custom" option in TAC Vista Server setup, and select the local SQL server.

Issue For troubleshooting and information gathering database queries are useful Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation Microsoft SQL Cause At times engineers and onsite techs need some queries to gather information for troubleshooting or to correct issues. Resolution Click here to download some sample read only queries

Issue ETHERNET Cable Requirements. Environment Sigma 4.05 and earlier versions. V53 and ARM7 Processor Boards. Cause ETHERNET Network cabling advice. Resolution The Sigma Cabling Guide should be followed when installing an ETHERNET network: Sigma Cabling Guide 2.2 Further information about cabling can be found in the following guides: For V53 Processor Boards (UNC496, 596, UNC532, DNN and IC integration controllers): Cguide26.pdf For ARM7 Processor Boards (UNC696, 796 & UNC632): Cguide31.pdf Cguide32.pdf For ARM7 Processor Boards (DNN3 Decentralised Network Node): Cguide33.pdf For ARM7 Processor Boards (IC3 Integration Controller): Cguide34.pdf RJ45 Plug connections are:

Issue Which values in the 102-AX plug-in affect the ultimate airflow reading output on nvoBoxFlow? Formula for converting velocity pressure to flow. Setting air balance parameters -- airflow coefficient, velocity pressure gain, offset, and cutoff, duct area, pickup factor and box constant. Environment Xenta 102-AX Cause Incorrectly configured boxes can cause erroneous airflow readings or unexpected behavior during calibration. Resolution The Xenta 102-AX uses a differential pressure sensor to convert velocity pressure values from 0-1" water column to a 0.25-4.0 volt output. The voltage signal is converted to a 10-bit digital value. The digital value is filtered and passed through the calibration gain and offset adjustments. Any value below the lowest velocity pressure threshold will be treated as 0"wc. Airflow_Sense.UCPTairFlowCoeff Airflow Parameters > Airflow Setting > Airflow Filter Coefficients (%) This value ranges between 0 to 99% where 0 is no filter and 99% is the maximum amount of filter. All process controls using the airflow reading use the filtered value. The default filter is 80%. The filter equation is defined as follows: display value = [previous display value * filter] + [new data value * (1 - filter)]   Airflow_Sense.SCPTgain Airflow Parameters > Airflow Setting > Velocity Pressure Gain (multiplier/divisor) This value is multiplied with the raw velocity pressure reading to provide calibration gain to the final signal. The default gain is 10/10 (1). Resetting the box to factory calibration settings prior to calibrating the box will ensure that no invalid values are adversely affecting the operation.   Airflow_Sense.UCPToffsetPress Airflow Parameters > Airflow Setting > Velocity Pressure Offset (WC) This value is added to the raw velocity pressure reading to provide calibration offset to the final signal. The default offset is 0. Resetting the box to factory calibration settings prior to calibrating the box will ensure that no invalid values are adversely affecting the operation.   Airflow_Sense.UCPTpressCutOff Airflow Parameters > Airflow Setting > Lowest Velocity Pressure (WC) At the low end of the measurable velocity pressure, the sensor is inherently unreliable. The lowest velocity pressure threshold will zero out any value too low to reliably be measured. The default value is 0.016"wc. If airflow is reading 0 CFM despite the velocity pressure being above 0"wc, it may be that the threshold is set too high. The calibrated velocity pressure value is used in the following calculation for airflow: Airflow = Square Root(Velocity Pressure) * Duct Area * Pickup Factor -or- Airflow = Square Root(Velocity Pressure) * Box Constant The operator has the ability to enter the duct area and the pickup factor as separate values, or enter the box constant of the VAV terminal unit. The box constant is the duct area multiplied by the pickup factor. If the duct area or pickup factor is entered last, they will be used in the calculation. If the box constant is entered last, it will be used in the calculation. The pickup factor and box constant are sometimes referenced as the K-Factor(FPM) and K-Factor(CFM) respectively. This information must be taken from the VAV box itself and is usually displayed in a format such as the one shown below. Airflow_Sense.SCPTductArea Unit Parameters > Box Settings > Duct Area (sq feet) The cross sectional area of the duct in square feet. Most ductwork diameters are measured in inches. For round ducts, the equation for area is: Area = π * [(d/2)/12] 2 where d = diameter or Area = π * (r 2 / 144) where r = radius An 8" diameter duct would have a cross sectional area of 0.349 sq feet.   Airflow_Sense.UCPTpickupFactor Unit Parameters > Box Settings > Pickup Factor (Imperial Units) This coefficient is provided by the VAV manufacturer and represents the feet per minute flow speed of the air at 1"wc of pressure. Typical values in HVAC VAV applications are between 2200 and 3300. Default value is 2950.   Airflow_Sense.UCPTboxConstant Unit Parameters > Box Settings > Box Constants (Imperial Units) The box constant is the area multiplied by the airflow pickup factor. Airflow is determined by multiplying the square root of the velocity pressure by the box constant. The final value is reported out the following SNVT: VAV_Controller.nvoBoxFlow Status > VAV Status > Airflow (CFM) This is the final airflow value in CFM as measured by the Xenta 102-AX. After calibrating the velocity pressure probe, the displayed value should match the flow values measured by a highly accurate magnahelic hood.

Issue What Oil can be used for the DWT0001 pocket sensor to prevent problems with condensation? Condensation causes the temperature sensor to corrode. Environment Pocket sensor DWT0001 STP660 Cooling Condensation Cause If a pipe sensor pocket is mounted incorrectly on a cooling system condensation can build up in the pocket and corrode the sensor. Resolution Cooling system sensor pockets should be mounted at an angle to prevent condensation building up in the pocket.  See datasheet for the DWT0001, click here.  For the STP660 click here. The recommended oil to use is either  ‘Fina 'Solco' AC43 or Shell 'Dialo Oil B'.

Issue How can a webpage be integrated into Vista graphic pages for a seamless transition between a graphic page and a 3rd party website such as: Static information, such as a site webpage Device webpage (power meters, sensor, etc. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server 5.x.x Cause The Hyperlink database object in Vista can store a URL address. By linking to this Hyperlink object with a standard link in a Vista graphic page, standard components can be used and support common graphic pages for different sites and reusability. Note:  More complicated integration can be accomplished with javascript, but this requires custom components such as accessing web services such as weather.com data for actual display on your graphic page. Resolution Create a Hyperlink object in the Vista database for each page you want to make available. Use a link in the TGML graphic page to access this Hyperlink object. Clicking the link on your graphic page will display the webpage in the Vista Workstation window. Target Property The target property can be configured for Webstation display to control the window or frame the link is opened in. The options _top, _self, and _parent will be ignored in WebStation and treated as _blank, which will open a new tab or frame depending on your browser settings. If you specify a target frame you must match the exact syntax of the WebStation frame names from the following list: TAC_WebStation_header TAC_WebStation_left TAC_WebStation_contents TAC_WebStation_footer

Issue Where to find the documents for KNX System Integration with TAC Vista Product Line TAC Vista Environment KNX Protocol (LON) TAC Vista 5.x.x Cause When KNX Lighting system (LON) want to Integrate with TAC Vista system, It requires a Gateway to connect from KNX Protocols to TAC Vista. Resolution Download the KNX documents from the below link: Product Announcement - Field Devices Europe New 3rd Party Gateway between LON and KNX Learn more about LON-KNX Gateway

Issue The units of measurement or time zone on the Advanced Display differ from what is displayed in Workstation or Webstation.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Advanced Display (AD v1 v2 v3) Building Operation Technician Tool Cause If the language settings on the Advanced Display are not set properly, then the units of measurement and time zone can be displayed incorrectly. For example, the temperatures in EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation or WebStation may be in degrees Fahrenheit while the Advanced Display shows the values in degrees Celsius.  Resolution Ensure that the Language used by the Advanced Display is set properly to the region it is located. Advanced Display V1&2 Note: The SBOTechTool supports English, French, Swedish, Finnish, German, and Spanish. On the Advanced Display, go to Settings. If you cannot open up settings, ensure the AD Link app is in the disconnected state first. Go to Controls > Voice and input methods > Language and input. Verify that the Language is set to match the region where the Advanced Display is located. Advanced Display V3 WebStation uses the language settings of the operating systems to detect the units that should be used and the time display format. To access the Advanced Display v3 language settings: Exit the Kiosk application and drag up up from the bottom of the screen Click Settings Click System Click languages and input Click Add a language Reorder (Press and hold, then drag the desired language to position 1) To access the Advanced Display v3 Date & Time settings: From System, click Date & Time Click Select time zone and select the correct local time zone

Issue With Script Programs in Continuum we were able to check the variable time against an integer value. Like "if time>500 then...".  In StruxureWare Building Operation time is of the type datetime, no longer an integer. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Script Program Cause In StruxureWare Building Operation a datetime internally is now a 64 bit number, so dates can go beyond the year 2038 which was the top limit for Continuum.  Numbers in script for StruxureWare, like in Continuum are just floats ( 32 bits ) so when trying to map a 64 bit number ( the date ) into a float it is not going to work.  You will get very erroneous readings, therefore the ban. Resolution Here are some examples of the correct StruxureWare program: Remember that for the dates, you can only compare dates to dates, not dates to numbers… In general,   you CAN do the following:       compare dates to dates                ==>   if Date1 > Date2  then     add numbers to dates                   ==>    LaterDate = LastDate + 24*3600     subtract numbers from dates         ==>    EarlierDate = LastDate - 24*3600   you CANNOT do the following   compare dates to numbers                ==>   if Date1 > 500  then

Issue I cannot find any published instructions giving the procedure to install an updated version of one of the JAR files on my I/A Series (Niagara) system. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 software (any version) installed on a Windows computer Cause An updated version of one of the JAR files installed in an I/A Series (Niagara) R2 system has been published.  The updated file has been downloaded to my computer but there are no instructions on how to install it. Resolution For the purpose of this explanation of the procedure, the following steps reference an update to the "programlib" jar file for release 2.301.522.   Substitute the name of the jar file being updated and release number in the following steps. * NOTE: Before attempting to update a jar file, verify that Windows Explorer is configured to display file type extensions. (See * below for more information). The JAR file update is published, currently on the  as a .zip file containing two files.  Copy the file programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.emb to the \niagara\r2.301.522\emb folder. Rename the existing file  from programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar to programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.old. Rename new file from programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.emb to programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar (removing the .emb extension). Copy the file programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.nt to the \niagara\r2.301.522\nt folder. Rename the existing file  from programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar to programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.old. Rename new file from programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.nt to programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar (removing the .nt extension). Copy the file programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.nt  to the \niagara\r2.301.522\nre\modules folder Rename the existing file  from programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar to programLib-2.301.522.v1.jar.old. Rename new file from programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar.emb to programLib-2.301.522c.v1.jar (removing the .nt extension). To install the new jar file into a UNC, perform the following procedure after completing steps 1 through 9, above. Start the Niagara 522 version of the Admin Tool. Open a connection to the UNC Select the "Installation" tab then click the [Installation Wizard] button. Select the "emb" folder in the "Select Distribution Directory" window then click [Install] In the "Niagara Remote Installation" window, select the "Configure Modules Only" radio button then click the [Next >] button. Verify that there is a checkmark in the "Upgrade/Add" column for the updated jar file. Click the [Next >] button to continue. Make sure that on the "Database Backup" screen that you do backup the existing database. Continue through the remaining steps and allow the upgrade to install and the station to restart.   * To properly rename the files as described in this procedure, Windows Explorer must be configured to show file type extensions.  To configure this setting or verify it, proceed as follows: Open Windows Explorer by clicking on the My Computer (or Computer) icon on the computer's desktop or by making the selection from the Windows start menu. From the Windows Explorer "Tools" menu, select "Folder Options" Select the "View" tab. Scroll down through the "Advanced Settings" list to locate the entry "Hide extensions for know file types".  Verify that this entry is unchecked. Click the [OK] button to save the change, if any, and exit the Folder Options screen.

Issue Is it okay to leave BACnet/IP or BACnet/Ethernet port enabled on an I/A MNB-1000 even if it's not physically connected to a network? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment WorkPlace Tech MNB-1000, all versions Cause Leaving BACnet/IP or BACnet/Ethernet enabled means that the MNB-1000 is acting as a router. The MNB-1000 thinks there are networks present and tries to route to them. This produces routing loops. Resolution When an MNB-1000 is configured as an MS/TP-only device, and does not use BACnet/IP or BACnet/Ethernet, be sure that BACnet/IP and BACnet/Ethernet are both disabled. Caution: The MNB-1000 is not recommended to be use as an MSTP device.  It is meant to be used as a BACnet/IP or BACnet/ Ethernet device. Note: If either BACnet/IP or BACnet/Ethernet is needed for maintenance reasons, you can access the MNB-1000 via the MS/TP trunk and enable the necessary port. Once you maintenance is completed, disable the unused port again.

Issue At time it is necessary when troubleshooting to check specific communication settings on a comm port Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Specific commands needed to check communication parameters with precision and to edit them if necessary Resolution Examples of command line parameters needed for Xdriver modbus communication. Command Result p comm2 defaultbaud 9600 comm2 defaultbaud=baud19200 (To set) p comm2 defaultbaud 19200 p comm2 parity None comm2 parity=Odd (To set) p comm2 parity Odd p comm2 stopbits stopbits1 comm2 stopbits=stopbits2 (To set) p comm2 stopbits stopbits2 p comm2 datalength databits8 comm2 databits=databits7 (To set) p comm2 datalength databits7

Issue When creating a FB program and use WDAY, change the date on the AS or ES to Sunday, the WDAY changes the day to 0 (zero). Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation and all compatible operating systems including Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, and virtual machine environments. Cause Create a FB program and use WDAY, then change the date on the AS or ES to Sunday, the WDAY changes the day to 0 zero. Steps to reproduce problem: Create FB Program in AS or ES Use the WDAY While using the Graphics Viewer in the AS or ES, WDAY shows correct weekday (today is 2) Change the date on the AS or ES to a Sunday i.e. 12-09-16 which is Sunday,September 16, 2012 View FB program in Graphics Viewer, which now shows 0 as if today were now 0  The WDAY FB program should show 7 which is Sunday. Monday=1 Tuesday=2 Wednesday=3 Thursday=4 Friday=5 Saturday=6 Sunday=7 Resolution This will be resolved in a future release. Currently, there is a alternative: with an XPI block, make WDAY 0 = 7.A second alternative would be to add an if-statement: if(output = 0){output = 7}  

Issue When using the Roam IO 2 tool, you are unable to connect to the controller using the infinet tool, but you can connect using the BACnet tool. Bluetooth has connected fine using both tools. Environment Windows 7 Roam IO 2 Infinet BACnet Cause This issue is due to a firmware mismatch. Resolution There is a new version of the RoamIO tool firmware available,  You must update to this version for the tool to connect correctly. Download the update RoamIO tool here. Using a 3rd party unzip program, Unzip the file. Update the Roam IO 2 tool with the Roam IO 2 connected Using the BACnet RoamIO software, goto tools and then update. Select the update .UPD file you have just downloaded, this will flash upgrade the Roam IO 2 to the latest firmware