Note: This article is written for S210, S400/500 and Symbio 800. For guidelines on Symbio 700 please see: Symbio 700 - Guidelines And Best Practices for Updating Firmware
Overview
The Symbio 800 platform supports multiple products including Air and Water Cooled Chillers, Ipak and Programmable controllers. As part of a continuous enhancements, Trane releases at least 1 firmware releases per year. The primary purpose of firmware updates are to introduce new features and resolve reported software-related issues. Adhering to the recommended guidelines ensures that firmware updates are conducted only when essential and avoids updates that offer minimal benefit.
For the Symbio210, Symbio 400B and Symbio 500 product line, the firmware does not provide additional application functionality or bug fixes to the applications as it pertains to Blower Coils, Fan Coils, Unit Vents, WSHP and VAVs. Those are addressed by updating the System Build of the controller via TU. What the Firmware will do for this controllers is provide additional capacity as its added for items like dual protocol, Symbio UI and support for the CM2 were appropriate. Additionally new firmware releases may address field reported issues as it pertains to these items or other items like TGP2 runtime, BACnet or Modbus protocol issues. In those cases, the Resolved Field Service Alerts would specifically call out what firmware addressed the issue. See: Field Service Alerts
Please see the specific Release notes to see if and when an issue was addressed in the Release Notes section of help Center. See: Release Notes
Updating Firmware
Updating a Symbio Controller Firmware requires in most cases for a technician to direct connect to a controller and utilizing Symbio UI or Tracer TU to send the firmware to the controller. Addionally if the controller is avalable directly in Trane Connect via an IP or Cell Modem connection, the firmware can also be updated remotely. The process of updating the controller can be 5 minutes or more once the transfer has started.
Symbio 210 and Symbio 400B/500 have also released patch files at times to address specific issues. Patch files can be sent from Tracer TU over the network or from Trane connect when connected to a Tracer SC+.
When to Update Firmware
When Replacing a Failed Controller
Best practice is to update the firmware of the replacement controller prior to installation. Replacement controllers may have been stored for an extended period and could contain outdated firmware. Additionally, backups created with newer firmware versions are not compatible with controllers running older firmware and cannot be restored.
New Control Features and Enhancements
When a new firmware update is released, it often includes additional control features or improvements to existing control functionalities. These enhancements are designed to optimize the performance and operation of the equipment, potentially providing a better user experience for the customer.
An example of this is the ability to utilize the CM2 on a Symbio 500.
Resolved Field-Reported Issues
Field-reported issues that have factory solutions are communicated through Service Alerts or Service Bulletins. In some cases, these corrective actions may require a firmware update. These corrected field reported issues can be viewed in the release notes, please refer to: Release Notes
Instructed by Technical Support
Technical Support may recommend upgrading the firmware during troubleshooting of a persistent issue. Additionally, Technical Support may require the firmware to be updated prior to escalating a potential new field-reported issue.