SCAN1000 -Scada

Alarms are an essential part of most configurations and SCAN1000 includes powerful tools to create useful alarm systems. These can be used to:

• Alert users to problems via Displays and Sirens
• Automatically trigger other system events, e.g. sending an SMS or Email
• Record Alarm events and actions (Event Loggers and Alarm Logs)

It is useful to group similar Alarms for easier alarm handling and quicker configuration.

The Alarm Bar is used to show an instant overview of alarms on a system. Like a toolbar, the Alarm Bar can be positioned anywhere in the display as required.

Each Alarm Group has a corresponding button on the Alarm Bar which is titled with the name of the Alarm Group and offers quick access to the associated list of alarms.

Audible alerts are recommended to assist with alarm identification.  Research suggests that high pitched sounds, repeated frequently, i.e. < one second, are used for urgent alarms and low pitch sounds repeated slowly, i.e. >one second, are used for non-urgent alarms.  A collection of alarm sound files (.wav) are installed with the software.

Alarm Structure

An alarm tag is a single data point which senses and indicates when an item is in alarm.  Alarms are normally created and maintained in sets, known as ‘Alarm Groups’.

The Alarm root object contains:

• Alarm Groups (normally these are related alarm items)
• Alarms (individual alarm data points)

This structure allows individual alarms to be grouped for common display and output purposes.

For clear indication and easy-access, Alarms are indicated on an alarm banner on the user display.

Audible Alerts are also available and are configured in the Alarm Group.

Alarms may be triggered by a wide range of events, from simple, single, out of bound triggers to complex, multi-input, chained operations. Alarm logic can also be used to generate simple ‘logic step’ operations which can be integrated into the overall system design.

Alarms are arranged in Groups to allow for easy handling. Sometimes users arrange alarms by plant layout, such as Pump Room, Main Conveyor, etc.

Alternatively, the groups may be used to indicate the priority of an alarm:

• AlarmGroup-1 = High Priority Alarms
• AlarmGroup-2 = to record minor events.