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Module 47 - WebScheduler

The document discusses the WebScheduler interface module in PcVue. It describes what the WebScheduler is, how to install and configure it in PcVue, and the main features of the WebScheduler HMI. It also covers using the WebScheduler to manage PcVue's native schedules and BACnet schedules and calendars.

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Rafaael Castro
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
217 views

Module 47 - WebScheduler

The document discusses the WebScheduler interface module in PcVue. It describes what the WebScheduler is, how to install and configure it in PcVue, and the main features of the WebScheduler HMI. It also covers using the WebScheduler to manage PcVue's native schedules and BACnet schedules and calendars.

Uploaded by

Rafaael Castro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Communication

Interface

Module 47
The WebScheduler
Contents

1 Introduction 4
1.1 PcVue version 4
1.2 In this module you will learn 4
1.3 Files used in this module 4
1.4 Third party products used in this module 4

2 This function in the PcVue architecture 5


3 Introduction 6
3.1 Overview 6
3.2 Installation and configuration in PcVue 6
3.2.1 Configuring a WebScheduler User 7
3.2.2 Starting the WebScheduler 8
3.2.3 Exercise 8

4 The WebScheduler HMI 10


4.1 Overview page 10
4.2 Schedules page 11
4.2.1 The Calendar tab 11
4.2.2 The Standard Week tab 12
4.2.3 The Special Days Behavior tab 13
4.2.4 The Effective Period tab 13
4.2.5 The Properties tab 14
4.3 The Schedule Control 14
4.3.1 About the interval bars 15
4.3.2 How editing the intervals affects the schedule 15
4.3.3 Adding a new interval 15
4.3.4 Editing an existing interval 16
4.3.5 Selecting intervals and other editing tools 16
4.4 The Special Days page 16
4.4.1 Adding Special days to a Calendar using the Special Days page 17

5 Using the WebScheduler with PcVue’s Native


Schedules (Cron) 19
Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 2/35
5.1 Schedule configuration in PcVue 19
5.1.1 Exercise 20
5.2 Network configuration in PcVue 20
5.2.1 Exercise 21
5.3 Using the WebScheduler with PcVue’s Native schedules 22
5.3.1 Changing the intervals of the Standard Week 22
5.3.2 Creating Exceptions 22
5.3.3 Undoing an exception 24
5.3.4 Exercise 24
5.3.5 Troubleshooting 24

6 Using the WebScheduler with BACnet Schedules and


Calendars 26
6.1 BACnet configuration in PcVue 26
6.2 Using the WebScheduler with BACnet schedules 27
6.2.1 Changing the intervals of the Standard Week 27
6.2.2 Exercise 28
6.3 BACnet Exceptions 28
6.3.1 Adding Special Day using the Calendar tab 29
6.3.2 Exercise 29
6.3.3 Adding a Special Day by reference 30
6.3.4 Applying a Calendar to a Schedule 30
6.3.5 Configuring the intervals for the Special Day 30
6.3.6 Exercise 31
6.4 Troubleshooting 32

7 Resume 34
8 Addendum – How the output of a BACnet Schedule is
calculated 35

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 3/35


1 Introduction
1.1 PcVue version
This module is for PcVue version 12.

1.2 In this module you will learn


What is the WebScheduler,
About the WebScheduler’s main features,
Using the WebScheduler with PcVue’s native timetables,
Using the WebScheduler with BACnet schedules and calendars

This module is for the WebScheduler. It does not cover the


configuration of Native Timetables within PcVue, or the
configuration of BACnet network, device and objects in PcVue.

1.3 Files used in this module


Copy the project MODULE_47 (Start) to the project folder USR. This is a copy of the
project as at the end of the main training but with the following pre-configuration for
this module.
An empty Native Timetable (Cron)
A BACnet network with a 1 device and 1 schedule and 1 calendar object.

1.4 Third party products used in this module


Internet Explorer.
SCADA Engine BACnet simulator. Normally installed on the Trainer’s PC.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 4/35


2 This function in the PcVue architecture

Figure 1

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 5/35


3 Introduction
3.1 Overview
The WebScheduler is a Web Browser application for managing the schedules that you
find in typical supervisory applications such as BMS. It is designed to manage
schedules from multiple sources and present them in a uniform manner independent
of the equipment or field device driver used.
This version of the WebScheduler supports PcVue’s native scheduler timetables and
the schedules found in BACnet devices (Schedule and Calendar objects).
The WebScheduler manages native scheduler timetables by directly
manipulating the scheduler configuration file CRON.DAT. Changes made to
CRON.DAT are distributed using a special Servers List (cf. Networking).
The WebScheduler manages BACnet Schedule and Calendar objects via PcVue’s
BACnet communication driver.

The WebScheduler is a management tool only. It allows the user to


visualize and edit existing schedules but it cannot create new ones.

3.2 Installation and configuration in PcVue


The WebScheduler is a PcVue installation option. Selecting it installs the
WebScheduler components and sets the Windows configuration necessary for the
WebScheduler to run. There are no additional licensing requirements.

Figure 2

Installing the WebScheduler also installs the Web Services Server if it is not
already installed.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 6/35


The only essential configuration requirement in PcVue is one or more WebScheduler
users and, of course, some native and / or BACnet schedules to manage.
If you are using the WebScheduler to manage PcVue’s native scheduler elements
there are some additional configuration requirements. See the section Using the
WebScheduler with PcVue’s native schedules.

3.2.1 Configuring a WebScheduler User


You must configure one or more users to be used when logging on to the
WebScheduler. The main requirement is that the user must have Authority to access
selected in the WebVue tab of the associated profile.
Step 1. Open the Application Explorer and navigate to User
Accounts.Profiles.
Step 2. Create a new profile. The only user right that is mandatory is
Authority to access in the WebVue tab. If the user is to be allowed to modify the
timetables the Timetable rights in the Administration tab is also required.

Figure 3

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 7/35


Step 3. Navigate to User Accounts.Users. Create a new user and associate it
with the profile just created.
It’s not mandatory to create a new profile although it is good practice. As an
alternative you could add the required rights to an existing profile (and
hence its associated users).

3.2.2 Starting the WebScheduler


The WebScheduler can be started either from the Start Menu shortcut created by
PcVue’s installation, or by typing in the URL into a Web Browser.
The following syntaxes can be used for the URL.
http://<Host computer name>/WebScheduler
http://<Host computer IP>/WebScheduler
http://LocalHost/WebScheduler - If accessing the WebScheduler on the same
PC as PcVue.
If everything is configured correctly, after a few seconds during which the Web
Browser loads the WebScheduler application, the Welcome (login) page is displayed.

Figure 4

Enter the Username and Password and click Login. The WebScheduler opens starting
at the Overview page.

If there are no schedules configured an error message will be


displayed instead of the Overview page.

3.2.3 Exercise

Exercise 1.
Pre-configuration for the WebScheduler.

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a. Modify your PcVue installation so that it includes the
WebScheduler. The simplest way to do that is to run the
installation again.
b. Start the project MODULE_47 (Start) and add a User Profile and
User configured for access to the WebScheduler (but nothing
else).
c. Start the WebScheduler using the LocalHost URL and login.

At this stage of the module the WebScheduler will start, but you may not be
able to see any schedules as the configuration in PcVue is not done yet.

Challenge !
Create a new mimic called Scheduler. Add a Log Viewer configured
to show Logon/Logoff only from the ALL_EVENTS log list. What do
you see?

You should see the user you just created logging in to the
WebScheduler. WebScheduler user login and logoff can be logged
in the same way as a local PcVue user.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 9/35


4 The WebScheduler HMI
The WebScheduler HMI is organized as a number of pages. At the top, in the title bar,
is a menu from which the various pages and other functions can be selected. The
following menu commands are available.
Schedules – Display the Schedules page.
Special Days – Display the Special Days page.
Settings – Displays the Settings page. The Settings page displays version
information and the copyright statement.
Help – Displays the WebScheduler help in a separate window.
Logout – Logs the current user out and displays the Welcome page.
In addition, clicking on the WebScheduler logo displays the Overview page.

Figure 5

The lower border displays the name of the current user and the version of the
WebScheduler.

4.1 Overview page


The first page displayed after a login is the Overview. See picture above.
The left pane contains a configuration tree with two main branches, one for the
Schedules (BACnet and Cron), and the other for Special Days (BACnet). The
configuration tree can be used to navigate directly to a Schedule or Special Day
by clicking on the node.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 10/35


The right pane displays more detail about the available schedules in a tabular
format. Clicking on the down arrow button adjacent to the Select All tick box
displays a context menu that can be used to filter what is displayed in the table.
You can also filter by entering a filter string (like Calendar* for example) in the
field that appears above each column.

Figure 6

4.2 Schedules page


The Schedules page is where you will spend most of your time when using the
WebScheduler.
If opened from the menu the schedules page displays the available schedules in
tree and tabular format. Clicking one of the nodes will display a detailed view of
the respective schedule.
If opened by clicking on a node in the Overview page it displays a detailed view
of the respective schedule.
The detailed view of a schedule contains four tabs from where the various
configuration pages are selected and displayed.

4.2.1 The Calendar tab


The Calendar tab displays the actual schedule, as it will be executed, taking into
account the Standard Week, Exceptions and Special Days.
The Calendar page contains two groups of tools.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 11/35


Navigation - Tools to navigate through the days, months and years. One of the
most useful is the Calendar tool which allows you to navigate directly to a
specific date.
Edit - Tools to edit and save the schedule.

You cannot navigate into the past as it would make no sense to edit past
schedules.

The main part of the Calendar page is occupied by the Schedule Control which
displays and can be used to interactively edit the schedule. The Schedule Control,
which is also used in the Standard Week page, is explained in the next section.

Figure 7

4.2.2 The Standard Week tab


As its name suggests, the Standard Week tab displays the schedule configuration for
a standard week. That is the schedule for a week before any exceptions or special
days are taken into account. It is similar in appearance and operation to the Calendar
tab except that it does not have any navigation tools.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 12/35


Figure 8

4.2.3 The Special Days Behavior tab


The Special Days Behavior tab displays the day’s schedule for those day intervals
selected in the Special Days page. Only available for BACnet schedules.

Note that there is a Special Days Behavior tab and a Special Days page. They
are related but different.

Figure 9

4.2.4 The Effective Period tab


The Effective Period tab displays the dates between which the schedule is operational.
Only available for BACnet schedules.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 13/35


Figure 10

4.2.5 The Properties tab


The Properties tab displays some additional properties that are only available for
BACnet schedules. These properties are not covered in this module but you can find
out about them from the WebScheduler help.

Figure 11

4.3 The Schedule Control


The Schedule Control is the primary display and editing element of the Web Scheduler
and appears in the Calendar, Standard Week and Special Days tabs.

Figure 12

By default the Schedule Control displays 7 days with a 30 minute grid, but this can be
changed using the zoom tools.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 14/35


Right clicking in the Schedule Control displays a context menu from where the
intervals can be directly edited.

4.3.1 About the interval bars


The interval bar has a few subtle features which are worth exploring.
The color of the bar depends on the selected output. By default blue is used for
true (on, 1) and green for false (off, 0). Other colors can be configured to
represent other values but that is outside the scope of this module.
Each interval bar is made from two bars. The upper (narrow) bar is the actual
time period accurate to within one minute. The lower (wider) bar is the period
snapped to the time grid (30 minutes by default).
An interval’s properties are shown in the tooltip when the mouse hovers over.

4.3.2 How editing the intervals affects the schedule


The behaviour is different for BACnet and Cron timetables.

Page BACnet schedule Cron

Calendar Modifies the Exception-Period property of Modifies, creates and/or


the Schedule object of the BACnet device. deletes Exception Periods.

Standard Modifies the Weekly-Schedule property of Modifies the Standard Week.


week the Schedule object of the BACnet device.

Special Modifies the Exception-Period property of Not available.


days the Schedule object of the BACnet device.

4.3.3 Adding a new interval


You can add a new interval either by using click and drag in the grid or the context
menu
Using click and drag
Step 1. Click in the start cell and drag the mouse horizontally to the end
cell. Release the mouse button and the Add Interval dialog is displayed.
Step 2. Check the start and end times and select the mode.

Figure 13

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 15/35


Step 3. Confirm the interval by clicking OK. Save the Schedule.
Using the context menu
Step 1. Right click in the start cell and, from the context menu, select Add
interval. The Add Interval dialog is displayed.
Step 2. Repeat steps 2 and 3 from click and drag.

The text that appear in the Mode list box, of the Add Interval dialog, is
supplied by the Associated Label of the variable mapped to the Present-Value
property of the object affected by the schedule. If there is no variable or no
Associated Label then default texts are displayed.

4.3.4 Editing an existing interval


An existing interval can be edited either by clicking and dragging the end points or by
right clicking and selecting Edit Interval from the context menu.

4.3.5 Selecting intervals and other editing tools


You can select one or more intervals by clicking them. Clicking an interval again de-
selects it. Selected intervals are displayed in a hatched pattern.

Figure 14

When one or more intervals are selected you can use the various other edit tools to
manipulate them. You can also right click a selected interval to display a context
menu that contains various align tools (Align left, Align right etc.) See the
WebScheduler help for more information.

4.4 The Special Days page


The contents of the Special Days page represents a BACnet Calendar object.
If opened from the menu it first displays the available calendars in tree and
tabular format. Clicking one of the nodes will display a detailed view of the
respective calendar.
If opened by clicking on a node in the Overview page it displays a detailed view
of the respective calendar.
The Special Days page contains similar tools to the Schedules page to navigate, edit
and save the calendar.
Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 16/35
Figure 15

4.4.1 Adding Special days to a Calendar using the Special Days page
You can add special days by single day or a series of days (for example the first day
of every month, every Monday, etc.…).
Step 1. Click in the calendar on the requested day. A special day is created
with all parameters by default. It also appears in the list of configured intervals.
Step 2. Open the Edit Interval dialog. You can do this either from the
calendar control or the list of configured intervals. Configure the special day. In
the following screen shot a serie of days that repeats on the 1st day of every
month has been configured.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 17/35


Figure 16

Step 3. Confirm the interval configuration by clicking the OK button. Save


the calendar.

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5 Using the WebScheduler with PcVue’s Native
Schedules (Cron)
5.1 Schedule configuration in PcVue
The MODULE_47 (Start) project is pre-configured with an empty Native Schedule. As
a refresher we will first look at this configuration.
Step 1. Open PcVue’s Scheduler management dialog using the main menu.
Configure.Actions.Scheduler.
Step 2. There are two schedules configured. We are interested in the second
entry identified by the activity “BUILDING.Working_Hours. Double clicking on it
opens the schedule configuration.

Figure 17

Step 3. Note the schedule configuration.


a. Only schedules that set a bit to 0, set a bit to 1, or run a recipe can be
managed using the WebScheduler (The Inverse mode is not taken in
account).
b. Only schedules using the Agenda On time table can be managed by the
WebScheduler.
Step 4. Open the Standard week. It is currently empty – we will populate it
later. Then open the Attributes. There must at least be a Title. The
WebScheduler displays this as the schedule Name and, more importantly, uses
it to sort the list of schedules. Without a Title the schedule will not appear!

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 19/35


Figure 18

5.1.1 Exercise

Exercise 2.
Check the native schedule configuration in PcVue.

a. Open PcVue’s Schedule management dialog and check the


configuration.
b. Enter a Title in the Standard Week Attributes dialog. You can
also enter some text for the Standard Week. This appears in
the WebScheduler as the Description. (Limited to 15
characters.)
c. Save the configuration.

5.2 Network configuration in PcVue


The WebScheduler uses PcVue’s network configuration to know which stations
changes to the native schedules are to be distributed. This is a convenient way to do
it but it does mean that, even in a standalone configuration, you need some network
configuration. There are two items that must be configured both from the Application
Explorer.Communication.Networking.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 20/35


Step 1. Add an entry in the Stations node for each station to receive
changes to the native schedules. In the case of a standalone station the only
important part of the configuration is that it must have the correct TCP/IP
parameters as this identifies the station.

Figure 19

Step 2. Create a specially named station list: LConfServer__Scheduler. This


must contain the names of all stations which will receive changes to the native
schedules. Of course this might only be one station as in our example.

The name LConfServer__Scheduler contains two underscores. It


is not a typo!

5.2.1 Exercise

Exercise 3.
Change the network configuration on your copy of the project
MODULE_47 (Start) so that it reflects the configuration of your
PC.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 21/35


5.3 Using the WebScheduler with PcVue’s Native schedules
Now everything is prepared we can manage some schedules. The first step is to run
the WebScheduler and select the schedule.
Step 1. Start the WebScheduler and login.
Step 2. Open the native schedule by double clicking its node in the schedule
tree.

5.3.1 Changing the intervals of the Standard Week


Changing the standard week is just a matter of clicking and dragging to add new, or
edit existing, intervals. See section 4.3 The Schedule Control. Don’t forget to select
the Standard Week tab first and, after you have done, select the Save button.

Figure 20

Changes you make here appear in PcVue as entries in the schedule’s Standard Week
dialog.

5.3.2 Creating Exceptions


Creating exceptions in the WebScheduler is a similar process to changing the
standard week except that you use the Calendar tab.
Changes that you make appear in PcVue as entries in the schedule’s Exception dialog.
The following screenshots show a change to the Calendar in the WebScheduler and
the corresponding Exception in PcVue.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 22/35


Figure 21

Figure 22

One exception is created for each day that is changed in the Calendar – even if the
days are contiguous. For example, if you created an exception for the 29th, 30th and
31st of August, 3 exceptions would be created to the schedule in PcVue.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 23/35


5.3.3 Undoing an exception
If you want to undo an exception of course you can click and drag to create a new
interval to replace the one you removed using the exception. However this has the
effect of creating two exceptions, one for the original exception, and another to
reverse the effect. The correct way to do it is by using the Undo button. This reverts
to the standard week by removing the exception altogether.

Figure 23

5.3.4 Exercise

Exercise 4.
Use the WebScheduler to change a native schedule.

a. Start the WebScheduler and locate the pre-configured native


schedule.
b. Change the Standard Week to add intervals of 08:30 to 17:30,
Monday to Friday inclusive.
c. Change the calendar to add exceptions for the Christmas break.
d. Close the WebScheduler and open the schedule configuration in
PcVue. Check the configuration of both the Standard Week and
the Exceptions to see what has been generated.

5.3.5 Troubleshooting
Using the WebScheduler with PcVue’s native schedules is not difficult but there are
lots of little things to remember or it will not work!

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 24/35


Change the file ScheduleDataDrivers.CronDat.dll.config to point to the correct
project.
Add at least the local station to the Stations List LConfServer__Scheduler.
Save after you have made any changes using the WebScheduler.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 25/35


6 Using the WebScheduler with BACnet Schedules
and Calendars
6.1 BACnet configuration in PcVue
The MODULE_47 (Start) project is pre-configured with the necessary BACnet items
comprising a BACnet network and a device with scheduler and calendar objects. The
BACnet network configuration has been done in such a way as to be independent of
the PC’s IP address so no configuration changes should be necessary.
Your trainer will have a SCADA Engine BACnet simulator with matching configuration
with which your PcVue project will be able to communicate. The trainer will have
changed the configuration of the simulator to match the IP address of his PC.
You can check the status of the communication in PcVue using the Application
Explorer. The communication status must be Connected.

Figure 24

The PcVue communication status must be Connected for the


WebScheduler to access the BACnet schedule and calendar as
PcVue acts as a “gateway”. The WebScheduler does not
communicate directly on the BACnet network.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 26/35


Changes made to BACnet Schedule and Calendar objects, using the
WebScheduler, have no effect on the PcVue project configuration.
They directly change the physical BACnet device.
No other configuration is necessary for this module. There is a configuration file
similar to that used for the native schedules, used to change advanced options, but it
is not necessary to change it for the default operation.

6.2 Using the WebScheduler with BACnet schedules


Now everything is prepared we can manage some schedule objects. The first step is
to run the WebScheduler and select the schedule.
Step 1. Start the WebScheduler and login.
Step 2. Open a BACnet schedule by clicking its node in the schedule tree.

6.2.1 Changing the intervals of the Standard Week


Changing the standard week is just a matter of clicking and dragging to add new, or
edit existing, intervals. See section 4.3 The Schedule Control. Unlike native
schedules, you must also select the mode.
Don’t forget to select the Save button when you are finished.

Figure 25

The changes that you make will appear in the Weekly-Schedule property of the
physical BACnet Schedule object.
In the BACnet configuration of the PcVue Module 47 project, the variable
BUILDING.HVAC_on is mapped to the output of Schedule0 (via a Binary-
Value object).

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 27/35


6.2.2 Exercise

Exercise 5.
Use the WebScheduler to change a BACnet schedule.

a. Start the WebScheduler and locate the BACnet schedule.


b. Change the Standard Week to add intervals of 09:00 to 12:30
and 13:30 to 17:00, Monday to Friday inclusive, Mode on.
c. Close the WebScheduler.

Question!
There may be several trainees on your course. What happens if
you all run the WebScheduler at the same time and try to make
changes?

The WebScheduler does not prevent concurrent access. Instead it


provides information to the User about when each schedule was
last accessed and last changed so that the User can make an
informed decision about making any changes. The information is
updated every 30 seconds and is displayed in the top right hand
corner of the Calendar, Standard Week, Special Days Behavior and
Effective Period pages.

6.3 BACnet Exceptions


Exception does not really exist in BACnet terminology, the official term is Special Day.
Special Day is defined by 2 parameters (the When and the How):
The Date: When is the Special Day.
This date can be a single day or a serie.
It can be defined “hardcoded” in the Schedule object or comes from a Calendar
object.
The behavior: How behaves the Schedule object during the Special Day.
The Behavior is defined by 2 parameters:
o The time intervals
o The output value(s) to set.
Special Day can be defined in 2 ways:
In the Calendar tab of the Schedule object (see chapter 6.3.1 Adding Special
Day using the Calendar tab). In this case, the date and the behavior are created
in one shot.
In the Special Days page (to create the date) then in the Special Days behavior
tab (To create the behavior). We could call it “Special Day by reference”. (See
chapter Erreur ! Source du renvoi introuvable. Adding a Special Day by
reference)

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 28/35


6.3.1 Adding Special Day using the Calendar tab
Creating a Special Day using this way is more dedicated to a punctual exception
affecting only 1 Schedule. For example, a building has 3 rooms (1 lobby, 1 office and
1 meeting room) and each room is managed by 1 dedicated Schedule (S1, S2 and
S3). We know the 01/08/2016 there will be a very longue meeting therefore we will
create one Special Day only for S3.
Adding a single exception to a BACnet Schedule is a similar process to that used for
PcVue’s native schedules. However there is one significant difference in that BACnet
intervals also require a mode which provides the value.

Figure 26

If you make an exception by deleting an interval that is configured for the Standard
Week, an exception with a null (indeterminate) value is created.
Changes that you make appear in the Exception-Schedule property of the physical
BACnet Schedule object.
In the case of the SCADA Engine simulator null values are not well
supported. Instead we must edit the existing interval creating an interval
(exception) with new properties. This behavior may or may not be the same
on any actual device that you use – you will need to check!

6.3.2 Exercise

Exercise 6.
A fault has been reported to the maintenance department and
they must shut down the building HVAC for a short period to
make a repair.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 29/35


a. Start the WebScheduler and locate the BACnet schedule.
b. Using the Calendar tab change a single week day of your choice
so that, for the afternoon period, the Mode is off.
c. Save the configuration.

6.3.3 Adding a Special Day by reference


The procedure to create a Special Day by reference is:
Configure the Calendar object (see chapter 4.4 The Special Days page).
Define the Behavior by:
o Applying (or link) the Calendar to the Schedule.
o Configuring the intervals for the Special Day.

The same Calendar can be used by 1 or several Schedule objects.

6.3.4 Applying a Calendar to a Schedule


To apply a calendar to a schedule you use the Schedule Page’s Special Days Behavior
tab.
Step 1. Start the WebScheduler and login.
Step 2. Open a BACnet schedule by clicking its node in the schedule tree.
Select the Special Days Behavior tab.

Figure 27

Step 3. Select the calendar to use from the List of Special Day Groups. Click
OK button.

6.3.5 Configuring the intervals for the Special Day

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 30/35


Step 1. Configure the interval in the same manner as you would in the
Calendar or Special Days tabs. The interval configuration overrides that of the
standard week for those days defined in the calendar. Click Save.

Figure 28

6.3.6 Exercise

Exercise 7.
Use the WebScheduler to change a BACnet calendar and use it
to change the behavior of a schedule.

a. Start the WebScheduler and open the BACnet calendar


configuration (Special Days page).
b. Add non-repeating date intervals representing each of the
national holidays in your locale.
c. Add a 2 day date interval, 25 & 26 December, for Christmas.
Configure the interval so that it repeats every year at the same
time.
d. Save the calendar configuration.
e. Open the schedules configuration (Schedules page) and select
the Special Days Behavior tab.
f. Apply Calendar0 to the schedule and configure the intervals so
that they are the same as the Standard Week except that the
mode is off.
g. Save the Special Days Behavior.
h. Review what you have done using the Calendar tab. You should
be able to see the interval differences for each of the special
days defined by the BACnet calendar.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 31/35


Challenge !
Add some useful content to the previously configured Schedule
mimic.
a. A color-on-bit animation showing the value of the bit linked to
the native schedule (CRON).
b. A color-on-bit animation showing the value of the bit linked to
the present-value of property of the object that is the output of
the BACnet schedule.
c. A button from where the WebScheduler can be opened (Hint
use the Run-application animation).

6.4 Troubleshooting
A good tool to see what has been configured in the physical BACnet device, schedule
and calendar objects, is PcVue BACnet Helper. This is available from the task pane of
the Application Explorer whenever a BACnet device is selected in the configuration
tree.
The BACnet Helper contains three tabs, Alarms, Logs and Schedules. The Schedules
tab contains a list of known Schedules and Calendars. Selecting a Schedule or
Calendar will display its properties. Of particular interest to us in the context of this
module are:
For a schedule:
 Exception-schedule
 Weekly-schedule
For a calendar:
 Datelist
The syntax of the properties means that they are not always easy to understand but
with some perseverance you should be able to recognise the configuration that you
have just created as part of this module.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 32/35


Figure 29

For more information on the BACnet Helper see the PcVue help:
The Application Explorer. Communication.Data acquisition.BACnet.Using the BACnet
helpers

The BACnet Helper is a powerful tool. It should be used with


caution as it can also be used to directly change BACnet object
properties.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 33/35


7 Resume
The WebScheduler is a Web Browser application for managing the schedules
that you find in typical supervisory applications such as BMS.
The Web Scheduler does not create either schedules or calendars but it does
allow you to edit them.
The current version of the WebScheduler supports PcVue’s native timetables
and BACnet Schedules.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 34/35


8 Addendum – How the output of a BACnet
Schedule is calculated
The method used by a BACnet device to calculate the value of the Present-Value
property as a result of a schedule is logical but perhaps not as simple as it first
seems. You can imagine the algorithm as in the following illustration.
First to be taken into account is the Special Day interval with the highest priority. If
this is set to NULL at any point in time the value defined by the next highest priority
Special Day is then used. This process continues until the standard-week and finally
the schedule-default.

Exception interval priority #16

Exception interval priority #15

Exception interval priority #n

Exception interval priority #1

Standard week

Schedule default

For a full explanation refer to the ASHRAE BACnet specification.

Module 47 – The WebScheduler Page 35/35

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