Johnson Controls FEC

**woodtke** · 06-10-2011, 02:34 AM

I have very little experience with FECs. I have one that is not communicating with the BAS. Before I condemn the device, I would really like to prove that the com. is actually bad. It looks to me like the device is trying to communicate from the lights. I did all the stupid stuff already (i.e. power down/up, pulled the com. bus, pulled and plugged back in the RJ45s from the max net and further down). All other devices in the building are communicating. I'd be interested to hear some suggestions. Thanks in advance.

**jciguy** · 06-10-2011, 02:30 PM

can you ping it using the ping command at a dos prompt?

**davem** · 06-10-2011, 05:06 PM

Once you get an MS/TP device to respond to a IP ping, let me know...

Not sure which BAS front-end device you have, but does the device respond to a BACnet device discover (however you execute it, whether from an NAE, or a JACE, or some other front-end)? I had an FEC once "spontaneously" generate a random Device ID that prevented it from being seen at its original address on the trunk...redefining the object in the database kept it online for good.

**desert guy** · 06-10-2011, 06:47 PM

MS/TP Bus Checkout and TestingVoltage readings on the MS/TP Bus should fall within the following voltage ranges:Measurement Lower Limit Upper Limit+ to COM 2.45 VDC 2.98 VDC– to COM 2.06 VDC 2.54 VDC

Do you have CCT? TRy uploading the file then do a full download (all three files). Another option is to download it with a file from another controller I would also power it down and re-address it to the same address as another controller (but turn that one off).

**berg2666** · 06-10-2011, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by jciguy

can you ping it using the ping command at a dos prompt?

Exaaclty can you tell me how to ping an fec.

**berg2666** · 06-10-2011, 10:03 PM

Check the revision because at 5.0 first release there was an issue were the fec would NOT talk 76kbs and must be at 38 or below. or have it reloaded 5.0 patched or 5.1...

**puniverse** · 06-10-2011, 11:04 PM

I had a few fec's do that to me. If you have cct try to upload with the btcvt from the fc port first. if it fails there is an SA rj11 jack underneath and it is kind of hidden. Try to upload and redownload from there. Or use a small nae to discover it at the location of the fec to determine if its the cable.

**woodtke** · 06-11-2011, 01:08 AM

My understanding is that you can't ping an FEC. You can only ping the NAE from the head-end. We are using both PMI (which is the best thing since sliced bread) and ADX/extended architecture only for the VPN (which everyone complains about) at Yale. We do have the CCTs but we don't have access to the database. I think that I may try to upload a similar FECs program and re-download it. I just want the poor guys watching the head-end to be able to see this little FCU. They get upset when they see red Xs.
Thanks all for your comments !
P.S. Why can't we all just get Automated Logic ? LOL !

**berg2666** · 06-12-2011, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by woodtke

My understanding is that you can't ping an FEC. You can only ping the NAE from the head-end. We are using both PMI (which is the best thing since sliced bread) and ADX/extended architecture only for the VPN (which everyone complains about) at Yale. We do have the CCTs but we don't have access to the database. I think that I may try to upload a similar FECs program and re-download it. I just want the poor guys watching the head-end to be able to see this little FCU. They get upset when they see red Xs.
Thanks all for your comments !
P.S. Why can't we all just get Automated Logic ? LOL !

OK you got PMI and an ADX. So you have at least one NIE for the PMI to be brought into the ADX. And you have a bacnet NAE somewere that the FEC talks to. Right click the FC bus trunk under the NAE and right click then analyze field bus and see if the fec even shows up. Just do a power cycle of the fec first of allll.

Can you upload it at all either from the fc port on front or the SA bus jack,which is under the FEC to the left of the SA bus plug. Try controller information from CCT and see what devices you have and check the revisions out there.

You mean Yale the college??

**woodtke** · 06-13-2011, 01:38 AM

Thank you ! I'm going to try as many of the suggestions as needed until the device is communicating again. I do know that the FEC is standing alone and has a working program that might not be compromised. That may be important in the resolution of this problem. Yes, I work at Yale University (FUE local 35).

**blackbelt3677** · 06-14-2011, 11:21 AM

FYI, if you cycle power 5 times in a row you have no more program..... True story

**myjohnson** · 06-15-2011, 12:51 PM

If the lights on the FEC show communication then the FEC is most likely communicating. Why do you think the device is bad? Does the device work stand alone? Check all FC Bus connections at devices before and after the device in question. Check for coils of wire 4" in diameter or less with 5 loops or more in the coil. Check for wire restrictions as outlined in JCI FAN 428.1 or FAN 436.4. These are great resources for wire restrictions and maximum loopage as well as FC Bus migration ranges and FEC protocols. Of the three busses, the FC Bus is the most effected by excessive loopage. Hope this helps

**myjohnson** · 06-15-2011, 01:04 PM

Hey, do you work at Yale? About 13 years ago I was in a JCI class with a guy, I think from Yale, Mike something, maybe Mike S. He told me he took care of alot of Buildings with automation, PMI. Couldn't believe the number of DX controllers he said they had, all networked. He seemed ok, pretty smart. Do you know a Mike, been there long?

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