3BSE025998 Alarm

OperateIT
Process Portal A
Version 2.1
Alarm and Event
User’s Guide
OperateIT
Process Portal A
Version 2.1
Alarm and Event

User’s Guide
NOTICE
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be
construed as a commitment by ABB Automation Technology Products AB. ABB Automa-
tion Technology Products AB assumes no responsibility for any errors that may appear
in this document.
In no event shall ABB Automation Technology Products AB be liable for direct, indirect,
special, incidental or consequential damages of any nature or kind arising from the use
of this document, nor shall ABB Automation Technology Products AB be liable for inci-
dental or consequential damages arising from use of any software or hardware described
in this document.
This document and parts thereof must not be reproduced or copied without written per-
mission from ABB Automation Technology Products AB, and the contents thereof must
not be imparted to a third party nor used for any unauthorized purpose.
The software or hardware described in this document is furnished under a license and
may be used, copied, or disclosed only in accordance with the terms of such license.
This product meets the requirements specified in EMC Directive 89/336/EEC and in Low
Voltage Directive 72/23/EEC.
Copyright © 2002-2003 ABB Automation Technology Products AB.

All rights reserved.
Release: March 2003

Document number: 3BSE 025 998R301
TRADEMARKS
Registrations and trademarks used in this document include:
The IndustrialIT wordmark and all product names in the form XXXXXXIT mentioned herein
are registered or pending trademarks of ABB.
Process Portal A Trademark of ABB Ltd., Switzerland.
Microsoft Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Windows Registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Windows 2000 and MS-DOS Registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
ActiveX and Visual Basic Registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About This Book

0.1 General ........................................................................................................................9
0.1.1 How to Use this Book .................................................................................10
0.2 Use of Warning, Caution, Information, and Tip Icons ..............................................11
0.3 Document Conventions .............................................................................................12
0.4 Terminology...............................................................................................................13
0.5 Related Documentation .............................................................................................19
Section 1 - Introduction
1.1 Product Overview......................................................................................................21
1.1.1 What You Can Do with Process Portal A Alarm and Event .......................22
1.1.1.1 Alarms Database Configuration ..............................................23
1.1.1.2 Alarm Server and Storage .......................................................24
1.1.1.3 Event Server and Storage ........................................................24
1.2 Prerequisites & Requirements ...................................................................................24
Section 2 - Installation
2.1 Installation Procedures ..............................................................................................25
Section 3 - Configuration
3.1 Getting Started...........................................................................................................27
3.2 How to Connect to the OPC Server (Collector) ........................................................28
3.3 How to add an Alarm and Event List Aspect to an Aspect Object ...........................30
3.4 The Default Aspect Philosophy.................................................................................32
3.5 Configuration of the Alarm and Event Lists .............................................................32
3.5.1 Setting Sort Order .......................................................................................33
3BSE 025 998R301 5

Table of Contents
3.5.2 Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds ......................................................... 34

3.5.2.1 Setting Number of Priority Levels.......................................... 34
3.5.2.2 Setting Colors ......................................................................... 35
3.5.2.3 Setting Sound .......................................................................... 37
3.5.3 Setting Column Options.............................................................................. 38
3.5.3.1 Selecting Message Fields for Display..................................... 38
3.5.3.2 Setting Order of Columns ....................................................... 39
3.5.3.3 Changing Column Header Names .......................................... 39
3.5.3.4 Changing Column Size ........................................................... 39
3.5.3.5 Blink Behavior ........................................................................ 39
3.5.3.6 Changing Font......................................................................... 39
3.5.4 Setting Date Format in Lists ....................................................................... 40
3.5.5 Setting Filter Options.................................................................................. 41
3.5.5.1 Filtering Process Alarm Messages.......................................... 42
3.5.5.2 Filtering Event Messages........................................................ 42
3.5.5.3 Filtering Event Categories ...................................................... 43
3.5.5.4 Filtering Alarm Categories ..................................................... 44
3.5.5.5 Check Box Settings under the Filter Tab ................................ 44
3.6 Configuring required Permissions and Roles............................................................ 45
3.7 Alarm and Event List Aspects................................................................................... 45
3.7.1 Opening the Config View ........................................................................... 46
3.7.2 Setting Config View Options ...................................................................... 46
3.8 Adding System Event Line to Application Bar......................................................... 49
3.9 Default Operator Message List ................................................................................. 50
3.10 Configuration Examples.......................................................................................... 51
3.10.1 Service Configuration ............................................................................... 51
3.10.1.1 Alarm & Event Service......................................................... 52
3.10.1.2 Alarm Logger Service........................................................... 56
3.10.1.3 External Alarm Service......................................................... 56
3.10.1.4 Soft Alarms Service .............................................................. 56
3.10.1.5 System Message Configuration ............................................ 56
3.10.2 Create a Default Alarm List Aspect.......................................................... 62
6 3BSE 025 998R301

Table of Contents
3.10.3 Create a Default Event List Aspect ...........................................................62

3.10.4 Create a Custom Alarm and Event List Configuration Aspect .................63
3.10.5 Associate Custom Configuration to Alarm List aspect.............................65
3.10.6 Creating an Alarm Logger aspect .............................................................65
3.10.7 Creating an Alarm Band aspect.................................................................66
3.10.8 Creating a Sequence Bar aspect ................................................................69
Section 4 - Operation
4.1 Getting Started...........................................................................................................71
4.2 Accessing Alarm and Event Lists..............................................................................71
4.3 Working with Alarm and Event Lists ........................................................................74
4.3.1 Alarm and Event List Window....................................................................74
4.3.2 Working within a List..................................................................................74
4.3.2.1 Marking and Selecting Rows in Lists .....................................74
4.3.2.2 Navigating within Message Lists ............................................75
4.3.2.3 Sizing Columns and Rows ......................................................75
4.3.2.4 Sorting on Columns.................................................................75
4.3.2.5 Moving Columns.....................................................................75
4.3.2.6 Error Indication .......................................................................76
4.3.3 Acknowledging Alarms .............................................................................77
4.3.4 Silence Alarms ...........................................................................................77
4.3.5 Deleting Alarms ..........................................................................................77
4.3.6 Stopping and Starting Alarm and Event Updates ......................................78
4.3.6.1 Stopping Updates ....................................................................78
4.3.6.2 Starting Updates ......................................................................78
4.3.7 View List Configuration .............................................................................78
4.3.8 Restoring Default Configuration ................................................................79
4.3.9 Adding Comments for an Alarm.................................................................79
4.3.10 Viewing Alarm and Event Message Detail Information ..........................79
4.3.10.1 Message Detail Dialog Buttons.............................................80
4.3.10.2 Message Detail Definitions ...................................................81
4.3.11 Help Button ..............................................................................................82
3BSE 025 998R301 7

Table of Contents
4.4 Working with Alarm Band ........................................................................................ 83

4.5 Working with Sequence Bar...................................................................................... 84
4.6 Working with the Alarm and Event Logger .............................................................. 88
Section 5 - Alarm Expressions

5.1 Some Examples ......................................................................................................... 90
5.2 The Valid Operators .................................................................................................. 93
5.3 Creation of a Separate Expression List ..................................................................... 95
Section 6 - External Alarm

6.1 General ...................................................................................................................... 99
6.2 Configuring External Alarm ..................................................................................... 99
6.3 Working with External Alarm ................................................................................. 102
Section 7 - Maintenance
7.1 Preventive Maintenance .......................................................................................... 103
INDEX ........................................................................................................................ 105
8 3BSE 025 998R301

About This Book
0.1 General
This book describes Process Portal A Alarm and Event software functions in
Process Portal A. Alarm and Event allows efficient response to abnormal transient
conditions defined by configurable filters. Alarms and events may be indicated
visually and audible.
Information in this user’s guide is intended for application engineers who configure
the alarm and event database, and operators and plant supervisors who view,
interpret and respond to alarm and event data during runtime.
As a prerequisite, you should understand distributed automated process control,
the hardware and software functionality of IndustrialIT System Products, and
the platform and operating system that the software is operating on.
Other instructions are also required for Process Portal A software as listed in
Related Documentation on page 19. Those people involved in operations should
attend the applicable training courses offered by ABB.
The alarm and event information is collected through a collector (OPC Alarm and
Event Server), which collect the information from the controllers.
You have to define a Logger function in order to get alarm printouts to an alarm line
printer connected to a server. By default the printer is connected to the
Aspect Server.
3BSE 025 998R301 9

How to Use this Book About This Book
0.1.1 How to Use this Book

This book contains the following sections:
Section 1, Introduction
This section gives the introduction to the manual.
Section 2, Installation
Process Portal A Alarm and Event software is installed as part of Process Portal A.
Refer to the Process Portal A Installation Guide for instructions on installing the
required software.
Section 3, Configuration
Refer to Section 3, Configuration for instructions on how to configure Alarm and
Event aspects. Included are quick summaries of the procedures you use to configure
Alarm and Event. This section also includes detailed descriptions of the
configuration Faceplates.
Section 4, Operation
This section provides guidelines for viewing and using Alarm and Event Lists,
the Alarm Logger, the Alarm Band Display, and the Sequence Bar.
Section 5, Alarm Expressions
This section describes the Alarm Expression, which is a useful tool to get
information in an Alarm and Event List based on property values.
Section 6, External Alarm
This section describes how to configure and work with External Alarm.
Section 7, Maintenance
This section describes error messages applicable to this software package.
Refer to the IntegrateIT Administrator’s Guide for instructions regarding system
administration procedures such as:
• licensing software
• managing users (creating new users, setting up passwords, and configuration
of user preferences)
10 3BSE 025 998R301

About This Book Use of Warning, Caution, Information, and Tip Icons
0.2 Use of Warning, Caution, Information, and Tip Icons

This publication includes Warning, Caution, and Information where appropriate
to point out safety related or other important information. It also includes Tip to
point out useful hints to the reader. The corresponding symbols should be
interpreted as follows:
Electrical warning icon indicates the presence of a hazard which could result in
electrical shock.
Warning icon indicates the presence of a hazard which could result in personal
injury.
Caution icon indicates important information or warning related to the concept

discussed in the text. It might indicate the presence of a hazard which could result in
corruption of software or damage to equipment/property.
Information icon alerts the reader to pertinent facts and conditions.
Tip icon indicates advice on, for example, how to design your project or how to use
a certain function.
Although Warning hazards are related to personal injury, and Caution hazards are
associated with equipment or property damage, it should be understood that
operation of damaged equipment could, under certain operational conditions, result
in degraded process performance leading to personal injury or death.
Therefore, comply fully with all Warning and Caution notices.
3BSE 025 998R301 11

Document Conventions About This Book
0.3 Document Conventions

The following conventions are used for the presentation of material:
• The words in names of screen elements (for example, the title in the title bar of
a window, the label for a field of a dialog box) are initially capitalized.
• Capital letters are used for the name of a keyboard key if it is labeled on the
keyboard. For example, press the ENTER key.
• Lowercase letters are used for the name of a keyboard key that is not labeled on
the keyboard. For example, the space bar, comma key, and so on.
• Press CTRL+C indicates that you must hold down the CTRL key while
pressing the C key (to copy a selected object in this case).
• Press ESC E C indicates that you press and release each key in sequence (to
copy a selected object in this case).
• The names of push and toggle buttons are boldfaced. For example, click OK.
• The names of menus and menu items are boldfaced. For example, the File
menu.
– The following convention is used for menu operations: MenuName >
MenuItem > CascadedMenuItem. For example: select File > New > Type.
– The Start menu name always refers to the Start menu on the Windows
Task Bar.
• System prompts/messages are shown in the Courier font, and user
responses/input are in the boldfaced Courier font. For example, if you enter a
value out of range, the following message is displayed:
Entered value is not valid. The value must be 0 to 30.
You may be told to enter the string TIC132 in a field. The string is shown as
follows in the procedure:
TIC132
Variables are shown using lowercase letters.
sequence name
12 3BSE 025 998R301

About This Book Terminology
0.4 Terminology
The list contains terms and abbreviations that are unique to ABB or have a usage or
definition that is different from standard industry usage.
Term Description
ActiveX Microsoft standard for user interface components, based
on definition of software interfaces.
Aspect An aspect is a description of some properties of a real
world entity. The properties described could be
mechanical layout, how the object is controlled, a live
video image, name of the object etc. In the Aspect
Integrator Platform is an aspect residing in an Aspect
Object. Some examples of aspects are circuit diagram,
process display and control logic.
Aspect Category A specialization of an aspect type. For example, the
aspect type Graphic Display includes the categories
Overview, Group and Object Display.
Aspect Integrator A collection of software that forms the basis for an
Platform IndustrialIT System, and provides the development and
execution environment for IndustrialIT Compliant
applications. The Aspect Integrator Platform includes the
Aspect Framework.
Aspect Objects A computer representation of a real world entity like a
pump, a valve, an order or a virtual object like a service.
This computer representation is implemented by the
Aspect Integrator Platform. An Aspect Object works like
an information container for it’s aspects.
3BSE 025 998R301 13

Terminology About This Book
Term Description
Aspect Object Type An Aspect Object Type defines certain characteristics
that are shared between several Aspect Object
instances, such as a basic set of common aspects.
This makes it possible to create and efficiently re-use
standardized solutions to frequently recurring problems.
For example, rather than building an Aspect Object from
scratch for every valve in a plant, you can define a set of
valve types, and then create all valve objects of these
instances.
Aspect Server A server that runs the central functions of the Aspect
Object architecture, such as Aspect Directory, Structure
and Name Server, Cross Referencing, File Set
Distribution, etc.
The Aspect Server is normally used as Windows domain
controller for the control and client/server networks.
Aspect System A software system, which implements one or several
aspect types by providing one or several aspect system
objects.
Client Client is the part of the software that supply data to a
subscriber.
Client/Server Network A client/server network is used for communication
between servers, and between workplaces and servers.
Connectivity Product Connectivity components, up-loader, supporting aspect
systems (e.g for the configuration), and graphical
elements, faceplates, Aspect Object Types, etc.,
bundled together to provide the integration of a certain
type of devices into the IndustrialIT system.
Connectivity Server A server that provides access to controllers and other
sources for real-time data, historical data, and alarm and
event data. A Connectivity Server runs services related
to OPC/DA, OPC/AE, OPC/HDA and SysMag.
14 3BSE 025 998R301

Term Description
Faceplate A faceplate is an aspect that provides a graphical
representation of a certain aspect object, with
presentation of certain properties related to the object,
and mechanism for operator interaction such as on/off,
increase/decrease, etc. Aspect Object types often
include several faceplate aspects, providing different
presentation and interaction possibilities.
Graphic Display A graphic display is an aspect that provides a visual
presentation. It consists of static graphics representing
for example tanks, pipes etc., and graphic elements that
present dynamic information. Graphic displays are often
used to present the state of a process or a part of a
process, but are useful in any context where dynamic
graphical information is needed.
IndustrialIT IndustrialIT is the umbrella concept for ABB’s vision for
enterprise automation.
IndustrialIT System A computer system that implements (part of) the
IndustrialIT vision. Aspect Integrator Platform is an
example of such a system.
Node A computer communicating on a network e.g. the
Internet, Plant, Control or IO network. Each node
typically has a unique node address with a format
depending on the network it is connected to.
OPC An application programming interface defined by the
standardization group OPC Foundation. The standard
defines how to access large amounts of real-time data
between applications. The OPC standard interface is
used between automation/control applications, field
systems/devices and business/office application.
3BSE 025 998R301 15

Term Description
Plant Explorer An application that is used to create, delete and
organize Aspect Objects and Aspects within the Aspect
Integrator Platform. The plant explorer organizes the
Aspect Objects in structures according to functionality,
location etc.You can also use it to browse and search the
structures of the plant.
Process Portal A Product containing functionality for efficient control and
supervision of an automated process. Key functions are
presentation of process graphics, process dialogs and
presentation of alarms and trends.
Permission A permission groups a set of operations that require the
same authority. For each operation defined for an
aspect, the aspect category specifies the permission
needed to use that interface.
Process Object A process concept/equipment e.g. valve, motor,
conveyor or tank.
Product Family A range of products within a Product Suite, forming a
scalable offering.
Examples: a range of controllers, a family of I/O
Products.
Product Suite Product with similar functionality are kept together in a
suite. Suite names have a superscripted IT-suffix.
Examples: OperateIT, ControlIT, IntegrateITetc.
Property A data field on an aspect of an Aspect Object that can be
accessed through OPC using the standard Aspect
Object reference syntax.
A data field on an ActiveX control accessible from the
Visual Basic editor.
16 3BSE 025 998R301

Term Description
Security Security controls a user’s authority to perform different
operations on Aspect Objects, depending on several
parameters:
• The user’s credentials, as provided by Windows
• The node where the user is logged in. This makes it
possible to give a user different authority depending
on where he/she is located, e.g. close to the
process equipment, in a control room, or at home
accessing the system through Internet.
• The operation the user wants to perform the
operation on.
Server A node that runs one or several Afw Services.
It is the part of the software that supply data to a
subscriber.
Structure A hierarchical tree organization of Aspect Objects.
Each structure is used to define a certain kind of relation
between Aspect Object. The functional structure defines
how a function can be divided into sub functions, the
location structure defines how different objects are
located within each other.
The control structure defines how functions are
executed by tasks, controllers etc. An Aspect Object can
be located in several structures, for example both in a
functional structure and in a location structure.
System Application A software package that provides functionality in the
IndustrialIT System. System applications cooperate
according to rules defined by the IndustrialIT
architecture, using mechanism provided by the Aspect
Integrator Platform. They are normally bundled into
System Products. To participate in Aspect Object
operations, and thus be an integrated part of an
IndustrialIT system, a system application must present
itself as an aspect system. When there is no risk for
confusion with user application, the term application may
be used instead of system application.
3BSE 025 998R301 17

Term Description
System Extension A system Extension consists of one or more applications
that are bundled as an extension to one or several
existing System Product(s). A System extension can
only be installed if (one of) the corresponding System
Product(s) has been installed previously.
System Product A system product consists of applications bundled
together with relevant parts of the Aspect Integrator
Platform. It is complete from installation point-of-view,
and requires only Windows 2000. Several System
Products can be installed on the same physical node.
Uploader An upload is used to import a configuration from
devices, to read in and build a set of Aspect Objects
from information present in the devices.
User application A configuration of software and hardware components
that applies to a specific problem, e.g. a specific process
control problem. A user application consists of a set of
simple and composite Aspect Object instances, with
parameter values and other configuration data for the
aspects, e.g control logic, process graphics, alarm and
event specifications, reports etc.
View An Aspect can have several ways to be presented
depending on the task performed, like viewing or
configuration. Each presentation form is called a view.
Workplace 1. User interactive functions that are combined for a
particular use, e.g, Operator Workplace.
2. A node that runs one or several workplace
applications.
18 3BSE 025 998R301

About This Book Related Documentation
0.5 Related Documentation
Category Title Description

Installation OperateIT Process Portal A This book describes how you install the
Installation Guide Process Portal A, including the
requirements on the hardware.
Software OperateIT Process Portal A This book describes how to configure
Graphics and use graphic aspects in Process
User’s Guide Portal A.
OperateIT Process Portal A This book covers how to use the
Graphics Builder Graphics Builder software to create
User’s Guide graphic aspects.
OperateIT Process Portal A This book describes the building blocks
Process Graphics Standard Building provided by ABB for the graphics in
Blocks Process Portal A.
User’s Guide
OperateIT Process Portal A This book describes how an operator
Operator’s Guide can control and operate a system.
OperateIT Process Portal A This book is intended as a guide for
Plant Engineering Methods plant engineering using
Reference Manual Process Portal A.
OperateIT Process Portal A This book describes how to use the
Trends and Historian Historian data logging and trend graphs
User’s Guide to view historical data.
3BSE 025 998R301 19

Related Documentation About This Book
Category Title Description

Software OperateIT Process Portal A This book describes everything about
(cont.) Workplace and Plant Explorer the user interface, for example how you
User’s Guide present information, navigate and
control objects.
IntegrateIT Aspect Integrator Platform This book describes how you configure
Administrator’s Guide products built on the Aspect Integrator
Platform and how you then perform
maintenance.
IntegrateIT Aspect Integrator Platform This book describes how to set security
Security in products built on the Aspect Integrator
User’s Guide Platform.
IntegrateIT Aspect Integrator Platform This book describes how to translate the
Translator’s Guide operator interface language in products
built on the Aspect Integrator Platform.
20 3BSE 025 998R301

Section 1 Introduction
1.1 Product Overview

Process Portal A Alarm and Event is an alarm and event message handler for
Aspect Objects. Alarm lists or event lists are presented in a table type format.
An alarm logger is supported for printer output. Alarm Bands provides a number of
unacknowledged alarms in a summary display for selected alarm lists.
The Sequence Bar is a status display, where the defined number of alarms is
displayed horizontally. The system message server holds a timestamped queue of
alarm and event messages. Alarms and events are treated in a consistent way
(an alarm is an event that alerts you to an abnormal state and needs to be
acknowledged). Process Portal A alarms handles alarm and event data for objects
and process graphics and provides alarm acknowledgement. Alarm list
configurations can be shared between lists.
Process Portal A Alarm and Event has five Services which provide the functionality
of Alarm and Event. The Alarm & Event Service is used to affiliate one or more
connectivity Alarm and Event OPC Servers to the Process Portal A. The Alarm
Logger Service is a service which makes it possible to print the alarms or write them
to file. The External Alarm Service makes it possible to enable external alarms.
The Soft Alarms Service is used for the Alarm Expressions and for Programmer
API, for more information about the latter please see IntegrateIT Programmer’s
Guide. The System Message Service is used for system events and messages.
3BSE 025 998R301 21

What You Can Do with Process Portal A Alarm and Event Section 1 Introduction
As an operator, you can view alarms according to the selected filter and presentation
settings or you can easily make changes. For example, a list can be sorted by double
clicking on a head line, columns can be resized or they can be moved using drag and
drop. Filtering and presentation functions let you view alarms in dedicated ways as
well as monitor and maintain the plant in a more effective way.
For example, a list can show all alarms or only those for the associated object and its
descendants. A details page is also associated with each item in the alarms list.
Alarm acknowledgment or silencing of local audible sounds is fast and easy.
You can also acknowledge an alarm when it occurs on an object within process
graphics.
Up to 1000 priorities can be defined with acknowledged and unacknowledged
colors. An audible sound can be set to any file (in .wav format) and played once or
until silencing. Date formats are selectable and time stamps can be generated
(as from the controller). Customized set-ups can be used for other alarm lists.
1.1.1 What You Can Do with Process Portal A Alarm and Event
You can access the alarm functionality as part of the Process Portal A configuration
(Application Bar, Status Bar, display shortcuts) or through aspects selectable from
the Process Portal A Workplace and Plant Explorer. Typical of what you can do
includes:
• Alarm List - view current alarm status for all objects or for a particular set of
object and descendants (optional)
• Event List - view events
• Alarm Acknowledge - you can acknowledge alarms from lists or from Process
Graphics displays or using the context menu Acknowledge verb
• Alarm Band - view the number of Unacknowledged Alarms and use the button
type link to the associated list view (commonly placed in the Application Bar)
• The Sequence Bar is a status display, where the defined number of alarms is
displayed horizontally
• Message List - view selected categories of messages in a list type format
• Logging - printout alarms and or events to a dedicated line printer
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Section 1 Introduction What You Can Do with Process Portal A Alarm and Event
• Acknowledge security - set up security to allow and deny groups or users to

acknowledge alarms.
• External Alarm - activate and deactivate an external alarm notification.
1.1.1.1 Alarms Database Configuration

You can reconfigure the default presentation layouts or create new layouts.
The default layouts are:
• Default Alarm Line (is used with the Alarm List aspect, and sets the filter for
alarm type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for three lines of
alarms)
• Default Alarm List (is used with the Alarm List aspect, and sets the filter for
alarm type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for 500 lines of
alarms)
• Default Event List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the filter for
event type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for 500 lines of
events)
• Default System Event Line (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the
filter for system type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for one
line of events)
• Default System Event List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the
filter for system type messages and the columns, that is appropriate,
for 500 lines of events)
• Default Logger Config (is used with the Alarm Logger aspect, and sets the
filter for alarm type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for alarms)
• Default Operator Message Line (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets
the filter for operator type messages and the columns, that is appropriate,
for one line of events)
• Default Operator Message List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets
for 500 lines of events).
• Default Audit List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the filter and
columns suitable for audit events generated from Security Definition aspects).
3BSE 025 998R301 23

Prerequisites & Requirements Section 1 Introduction
Among the things you can configure for each layout are:
• the filtering
• included columns, their size and name
• setting of presentation details, such as alarm color, date & time format
• time range
• sorting of the list
• WAV file alarm annunciation for audible signaling of alarms by priority.
1.1.1.2 Alarm Server and Storage

The Alarm Server holds the Alarm Database, storing the current status of alarms for
the objects accessed by the server. In other words, each process object added to your
system automatically gets alarm information stored.
1.1.1.3Event Server and Storage

The Event Server holds the Event Database storing all process events that occur as
well as all system messages. By default the system message server holds
approximately 6000 messages in a “circular” file but the size can be changed as
instructed in System Message Configuration on page 58.
1.2 Prerequisites & Requirements

The Alarm and Event software runs on a Windows 2000 workstation.
The computer must have the Process Portal A installed. General hardware and
software requirements for the platform are described in the Process Portal A
Installation Guide.
24 3BSE 025 998R301

Section 2 Installation
2.1 Installation Procedures

Process Portal A Alarm and Event is a part of the Process Portal A
software package. The whole Process Portal A software package is installed
according to documentation included in the Process Portal A Installation Guide.
3BSE 025 998R301 25

Installation Procedures Section 2 Installation
26 3BSE 025 998R301

Section 3 Configuration
3.1 Getting Started

This section describes how to use an Alarm and Event List Configuration aspect and
an Alarm and Event Logger Configuration aspect (or their default configurations) as
provided in the Library Structure in the Plant Explorer. Configuration requires the
Application Engineer privilege. A configuration aspect defines the layout and filter
parameters of a list and may be associated with a number of Alarm and Event List
aspects by name. A customized list can be saved with a descriptive name in the
Library Structure with other default configurations or within another structure
(usually where it is used). Working with lists, as described in Section 4, Operation,
the presentation of the view can be modified and the default configuration restored
as required by the operator.
Basic Steps
The basic steps you have to do to configure alarm and event are:
• The alarm and event information is collected through a collector (OPC Alarm
and Event Server), which collects the information from the controllers.
How to connect to the collector is described in How to Connect to the OPC
Server (Collector) on page 28.
• You have to define a Logger function if you want to have alarm printouts to an
alarm line printer. How to add an Alarm Logger aspect is described in
Creating an Alarm Logger aspect on page 65.
• Configuration and adding of Alarm and Event aspects to the Aspect Objects.
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How to Connect to the OPC Server (Collector) Section 3 Configuration
The examples in Configuration Examples on page 51 assumes that the basic

engineering tool, the Plant Explorer, is already running and that you are able to
select or create Functional, Control, Location or Library structures and objects as
required. For a description of the general user interface and configuration
procedures refer to Process Portal A Workplace and Plant Explorer User’s Guide.
Creating an Alarm Logger aspect is included in the basic configuration examples
Creating an Alarm Logger aspect on page 65.
Creating an Alarm Band aspect is included in the basic configuration examples
Creating an Alarm Band aspect on page 66.
Configuration is accomplished using the menus as described in Configuration of the
Alarm and Event Lists on page 32.
Association of a configuration to a list and definition of the alarm structure is set up
using the Config View menu as described in Alarm and Event List Aspects on page
45.
Adding a System Event Line to the Application Bar in the Operator workplace is
described in Adding System Event Line to Application Bar on page 49.
3.2 How to Connect to the OPC Server (Collector)

You have to connect to an OPC Alarm Server (collector) before you can get any
alarms and events. You do this collector connection as follows:
1. Open the Service Structure in the Plant Explorer and expand Services.
2. Open Alarm & Event, Service and select Basic, Service Group.
3. Select Service Group Definition in the aspect list.
4. Select the Special Configuration tab in the preview area.
5. An aspect dialog opens in the preview area (if set) or in a pop-up window.
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Section 3 Configuration How to Connect to the OPC Server (Collector)
Figure 3-1. Connecting to the Collector - Step 1
6. Click on the Add button (see Figure 3-1).

7. A new dialog window opens (see Figure 3-2). Select the OPC Server that is
your collector (supplier of alarm and event information).
8. Click on the OK button, and you have made the connection to the OPC Server
(collector). The name of the server appears in the Collector Programs ID area.
See Figure 3-3.
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How to add an Alarm and Event List Aspect to an Aspect Object Section 3 Configuration
3.3 How to add an Alarm and Event List Aspect to an

Aspect Object
You add an Alarm and Event List Object into an Aspect Object in a Plant Explorer
structure as described below:
1. Select the object in the Plant Explorer, to which you want to add an
Alarm and Event List.
2. Select New Aspect from the context menu.
3. Select Alarm and Event List.
4. Click on the Alarm and Event List aspect and choose the Config View.
5. Go to the Configuration Name drop-down menu and choose the default list
you want to use.
6. Go to the Alarm Filter area and choose filter function:
– All alarms
– Object alarms
– Object and descendents
– Object and descendents in structure (choose structure)
7. Mark the Show Tool Bar check box, if you want the alarms tool bar to appear
at the top of the Alarm List.
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Section 3 Configuration How to add an Alarm and Event List Aspect to an Aspect Object
Figure 3-4. Event and Alarm Aspect - Config View
8. Mark the Play Alarm Sounds check box, if you want sound when an alarm is
generated. This must be configured under the Priorities tab (see Figure 3-7).
9. If you are adding an Alarm Line, unmark the Show Tool Bar check box,
since it is to large to fit into the Alarm Line area.
You have now added an Alarm and Event aspect to your Aspect Object.
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The Default Aspect Philosophy Section 3 Configuration
3.4 The Default Aspect Philosophy

The default Alarm and Event List Configurations are located in the Library
Structure, see Figure 3-5. The setting of these are valid if no such aspect (Alarm and
Event List Configuration) is added to the actual object, where you add an Alarm and
Event List/Line aspect.
Figure 3-5. The Default Alarm and Event List Configurations

in the Library Structure
Please note that the filter is located on the template, not on the list. Therefore you
have to make your own template for filtering.
3.5 Configuration of the Alarm and Event Lists

Below is a description of how you can configure the default Alarm and Event Lists
in the Library Structure.
You configure an Alarm and Event List by:
1. Go to the Library Structure.
2. Select the object, which Alarm and Event List Configuration aspect you want
to configure.
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Sort Order
3. Open the Config View of the aspect.

You now have a dialog window with five tabs:
– Sort
– Priorities
– Column
– Time/Date
– Filter
Each of these tabs will be described in the following sections.
3.5.1 Setting Sort Order

Figure 3-6 shows the Sort tab of the Config View. Here you can set three (3),
which is max, sort orders for the alarms/events.
Figure 3-6. Configuration of an Alarm List
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Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds Section 3 Configuration
Use the Sort tab, Figure 3-6, to sort a list. The list will be based on three different
sorting criteria and the sort order you set. The sorting criteria depends on the
attribute.
• For text fields such as Condition and Sub Condition, the sorting is Ascending
or Descending alphabetic A, B, C and so forth.
• For numerical values such as Priority Level, the sorting is Hi -> Lo or
Lo -> Hi or for time values such as Event Time and Acknowledge Time it
is Newest -> Oldest or Oldest -> Newest.
• For the remaining attributes the sorting is based on possible values for the
column. For example, Acknowledge State can be Unacknowledged or
Acknowledged.
After selecting a sort criteria, the name of the field is added to the Sort Order list.
Subsequent selections are added to the beginning (up to three, where the last drops
out and the criteria is changed back to a blank).
The Sort Order list will represent the order in which the column sorting is applied.
To remove an item from the list, select the blank area in the Sort Criteria area.
You can change the sort order list by selecting an item and move it up or down in the
list with the arrows on the right side.
3.5.2 Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds

Use the Priorities tab, Figure 3-7, to configure the number of priority levels and
information about what colors and sounds are to be applied to each level.
3.5.2.1 Setting Number of Priority Levels

To configure a number, enter one (1 to 1000) in the Number of Priority Levels
text field. Use the Filter tab to set the actual levels that can be displayed. Entering 5
for example, sets up 5 levels with 200 priorities in each level.
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds
Figure 3-7. Alarm List Priorities Tab
3.5.2.2 Setting Colors
Setting Color
To select color for the Ack Text, Ack Back (Acknowledge Background),
UnAck Text and UnAck Back columns click on the respective box, which you
want to set a color for. A new window will appear, with predefined color groups,
so called Logical Colors, see Figure 3-8, or read about them below.
Setting Background Color

To change color, click on the field you want to change and choose color.
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Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds Section 3 Configuration
Figure 3-8. Logical Color
Logical Colors
Some colors have a special meaning for an operator, for example the color on an
active alarm or a warning message. Other colors need to be the same in all places,
to give the system a user friendly look (for example the background colors).
You also want to be able to change these colors in one operation for all occurrences.
Logical colors is the concept used in Process Portal A to be able to fulfill these
needs. A logical color is defined once, and the user of the color refers to it by its
name.
Logical color configuration

The Process Portal A contains a set of predefined logical colors divided into several
groups for their different purposes. The table below shows the predefined set of
logical colors.
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds
Table 3-1. Predefined Logical Color Tables
Color table Usage

Event Colors Used in faceplates, default Alarm and Event Lists
for different events etc.
Event Colors 3D Same as Event Colors, with support for 3D look.
(The color set contains two variations of each
color, one lighter and one darker, which makes it
possible to make 3D images.)
General Colors A general set of colors for faceplates.
Media Colors Used for multi-media presentations.
Object Colors Colors for object properties.
Object Colors 3D Same as Object Colors, with support for 3D look.
(The color set contains two variations of each
color, one lighter and one darker, which makes it
possible to make 3D images.)
Process Graphic Colors Faceplates colors.
Trend Colors Colors for the different trend traces.
Uncategorized Colors For special purposes.
A Logical Color Group is defined by a Logical Color Definition aspect, always

placed on the root object Web System Workplace in the Workplace Structure.
It may be overridden by changing the Logical Color Values aspect on the actual
workplace object.
3.5.2.3 Setting Sound

Click on the Sound column to preview or associate an individual .WAV file, with
each priority and set the duration of the sound as off (no sound), momentary (one
sound when a new alarm gets active) or continuous (a constant sound as long as the
alarm is unacknowledged). For more information see How to add an Alarm and
Event List Aspect to an Aspect Object on page 30, Step 8.
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Setting Column Options Section 3 Configuration
3.5.3 Setting Column Options

The Column tab, Figure 3-9, is used to configure the header names as well as what
column headers will be shown, and in what order. The check box at the bottom of
the dialog window (see Figure 3-9) can be set as described below:
• Use the check boxes at the bottom to show or not show Row or
Column Headers.
• Use the check boxes in the Blink Behavior area to set blinks on the alarms
or not.
• Enter a number, 1 to 500, in the Viewable Message text field to set how many
messages that shall appear in the list.
Other possible settings are described in the following sections.
Figure 3-9. Alarm List Column Tab
3.5.3.1 Selecting Message Fields for Display

Add or delete columns from the Message Layout area by marking or unmarking
one of the Message Fields attributes. When an attribute is marked, it is added
to the list. If it is unmarked (deselected), it is removed from the same list.
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Column Options
3.5.3.2 Setting Order of Columns

Move a column either by selecting the Message Field and using the positioning
arrows to move the column up (left) or down (right) or drag and drop the column
to the proper position within the Message Layout area. The arrow method is
generally easier.
3.5.3.3 Changing Column Header Names

Select the row to be changed and then click on the column header name.
An edit box will appear, where you can change the name. The customized name
appears in the column heading. Another way to change the name is to select the row
to be changed and then press F2.
3.5.3.4 Changing Column Size

Select the row to be changed and then click on the column with. An edit box will
appear, in which you can change the size. It is also possible to change the width by
dragging the columns to the right size in the Message Layout area.
3.5.3.5 Blink Behavior

In the Blink Behavior area you set the blink behavior. You have three choices:
• No Blink
No blinking.
• Unacknowledged Alarms
Unacknowledged alarms are blinking.
• Active & Unacknowledged Alarms
Active and unacknowledged alarms are blinking.
3.5.3.6 Changing Font

Use the Change button at the right hand bottom to change the shape of the font.
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Setting Date Format in Lists Section 3 Configuration
3.5.4 Setting Date Format in Lists

Use the Time/Date tab, Figure 3-10, to configure the date Format area from the
listed format options.
Figure 3-10. Alarm List Time/Date Tab
Use the same time separator as defined in Windows Regional Options, to be able
to copy data to other applications such as Excel.
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Filter Options
3.5.5 Setting Filter Options

Use the Filter tab, Figure 3-11, to make the message list show only the messages
that meet the filtering criteria. The filter criteria allows selection of filtering for
message type, message or acknowledge time with the option of specifying a specific
time range, priority.
How to set them are described in the following sections.
Figure 3-11. Alarm List Filter Tab
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Setting Filter Options Section 3 Configuration
3.5.5.1 Filtering Process Alarm Messages

To filter Process Alarm Messages, see below:
1. Select Process Alarms in the Message Type area. This enables the list of
process alarm message types.
2. Select the process alarm message types to be included in the list (Enabled,
Disabled, Acknowledged, Unacknowledged, Auto Disabled).
3. Select either Event Time or Acknowledge Time in the Time Stamp area and
then set the view range. Newest Event and Oldest Event apply no time filter.
To apply a time filter:
a. Select Time in either the View From or View To area.
b. Select the month, day, year, hour, minute or second segment of the Time
field and use the up and down arrows to the right of the field to adjust the
time. The actual format of the Time field depends upon how the Date tab
was set.
4. Enter a number (1-1000) for the From and To in the Priority Level area.
Only messages with priority levels that include this number range are
displayed.
3.5.5.2 Filtering Event Messages

To filter Event Messages, do as follows:
1. Select Events in the Message Type area.
2. Set the view range for Message Time. First Event and Last Event apply no
time filter. To apply a time filter:
a. Select Time in either the View From or View To area.
b. Select the month, day, year, hour, minute or second segment of the Time
field and use the up and down arrows to the right of the field to adjust the
time. The actual format of the Time field depends upon how the Date tab
was set.
3. Enter a number (1-1000) for the From and To in the Priority Level area.
Only messages with priority levels that include this number range are
displayed.
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Filter Options
3.5.5.3 Filtering Event Categories

Use the Categories area to select message category filters. The nature of these
events are described in the table below. These messages categories represent
Storage Classes as defined in System Message Configuration on page 56.
To filter Event Categories:
1. Select each category to be included in the Event List (shown with blue line).
A selection can be deselected by another click.
2. Click on the Apply button.
Categories
Description
(Storage Class)
AE Condition Event Used for condition process events (the event carries information about a
condition of the process object, for example, the condition PVLEVEL and
the subcondition can be HI_HI).
AE Simple Event Used for simple process events (does not include any state or condition
of the object).
AE Tracking Event Used for acknowledgement of alarms and other kinds of tracking events.
Audit Event Used for Security tracking events.
Default Class/Storage Used to store messages that haven’t been defined in the system yet.
Network Messages Used for important events that are not directly related to a process
object.
Operation Used to log operator interaction.
Services Used by the Service Manager and Services.
System Administration Used to log administrate actions in the system. This can, for example, be
that an aspect system is loaded to the system.
System Status Used to log status events regarding hardware.
User Annotation Used to log annotations that have been made by a user. This can be an
annotation associated with a process alarm.
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Setting Filter Options Section 3 Configuration
3.5.5.4 Filtering Alarm Categories

Use the Categories area to select message category filters. The nature of these
alarms are described in the table below.
To filter Alarm Categories:
1. Select each category to be included in the Alarm List (shown with blue line).
A selection can be deselected by another click.
Categories Description
Alarm Expressions Used for alarms which are generated from the Alarm Expressions you
have defined. (See Section 5, Alarm Expressions)
Soft Alarms Used by applications to create alarms. (For further information about soft
alarms please see the IntegrateIT Programmer’s Guide)
Please note that if you change the Message Type from Process Alarms to Events,
or vice versa, categories must be selected.
3.5.5.5 Check Box Settings under the Filter Tab

Under the Filter tab you have five check boxes, that can be set or not. They are:
• Enabled
Shows enabled alarms.
• Disabled
Shows disabled alarms.
• Acknowledged
Shows acknowledged alarms.
• Unacknowledged
Shows unacknowledged alarms.
• Auto Disabled
Shows auto disabled alarms.
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Section 3 Configuration Configuring required Permissions and Roles
3.6 Configuring required Permissions and Roles

Your possibilities to do tasks in the system is defined by your granted permission set
by Security Definition aspects.
Your user role defines the look of the user interfaces. The “higher” role the more
information you can see.
For further information about roles, security and security settings in IndustrialIT,
please see IntegrateIT Security User’s Guide.
3.7 Alarm and Event List Aspects

The Alarm and Event List aspect have two views - the Main View and the
Config View. Use the Config View to set up the association of the list to a selected
configuration aspect and what elements are to be displayed on the list (Alarm Filter
and Tool Bar).
Figure 3-12. Config View Tab
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Opening the Config View Section 3 Configuration
3.7.1 Opening the Config View

Open the Config View by selecting the Alarm and Event List aspect. Then open the
context menu and choose the Config View.
You can also select the aspect and then go to the selector of view (the eye) in the
menu bar. See Figure 3-13.
Figure 3-13. The Main/Config View Selector in the Display Bar
3.7.2 Setting Config View Options

You set Config View options by:
1. Select a Configuration Name from the drop-down menu to associate the
configuration with the Main View of the list.
The configuration name drop-down menu shows all the available Alarm and
Event List configurations. Selecting a configuration will associate with the
filled-in tabs of the configuration (see Configuration of the Alarm and Event
Lists on page 32) and with the Main View of the current list.
The default configuration names and uses are:
• Default Alarm Line (is used with the Alarm List aspect, and sets the filter for
alarm type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for three lines of
alarms)
• Default Alarm List (is used with the Alarm List aspect, and sets the filter for
alarm type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for the 500 lines of
alarms)
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Section 3 Configuration Setting Config View Options
• Default Event List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the filter for
event type messages and the columns, that is appropriate, for 500 lines of
events)
• Default Logger Config (is used to configure the Logger function for printout
of Alarm List)
• Default Operator Message Line (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets
• Default Operator Message List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets
• Default System Event Line (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the
• Default System Event List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the
• Default Audit List (is used with the Event List aspect, and sets the filter and
columns suitable for audit events generated from Security Definition aspects).,
Figure 3-14. Alarm and Event List Configuration in the Library Structure
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Setting Config View Options Section 3 Configuration
2. Define an alarm filter in the Alarm filter area,

• Mark the $OODODUPV radio button to allow this aspect to display alarms
and events for all objects.
• Mark the 2EMHFW$ODUPVradio button to show the alarms and events
related to the object the Alarm List aspect belongs to.
• Mark the 2EMHFWDQGGHVFHQGDQWV radio button to show the alarms and
events related to the object the Alarm List aspect belongs to and to all its
descendents independent of structure.
• Mark the 2EMHFWDQGGHVFHQGDQWVLQVWUXFWXUH radio buttonto show the
alarms and events related to the object the Alarm List aspect belongs to
and to all its descendents in the selected structure.
3. If the Object and descendants in structure radio button is marked as a filter,
then select the structure from the drop-down menu.
4. Mark the Show Tool Bar check box to make the tool bar visible in the
Main View. Otherwise, unmark (deselect) the box to hide the Tool Bar.
Figure 3-15. Alarm List Tool Bar
5. Mark the Play Alarm Sounds check box if you want sound when an alarm
is generated.
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Section 3 Configuration Adding System Event Line to Application Bar
3.8 Adding System Event Line to Application Bar

Here we will create a System Event Line aspect and add it to the Application Bar of
the Operator workplace. The System Event Line provides a quick indication of the
most recent system event messages. Do as follows:
1. Select the Workplace Structure.
2. Create a new System Event Line aspect, for example in the Web System
Workplace object, as follows:
a. Browse to the Alarm and Event List aspect.
b. Name the aspect: System Event Line.
c. Click on the Create button.
3. Right click the System Event Line aspect and select Config View.
a. Select the existing Configuration Name: Default System Event Line from
the drop-down menu.
b. Leave the default filter ‘All Alarms’ and the Show Tool Bar marked.
c. Click on the Apply button.
4. Close the System Event Line aspect.
5. Open the Operator Workplace object.
6. Double click the Application Bar aspect (Config View is the default action).
7. Select Show Fixed Displays in the Main tab.
8. Select the Fixed Displays tab and add the System Event Line, Figure 3-16.
a. Select the Workplace Structure from the Structure drop-down menu.
b. Select the System Workplace object.
c. Select the System Event Line aspect.
d. Set the display width at 50%.
Total of fixed displays can not exceed 100%.
e. Click OK.
3BSE 025 998R301 49

Default Operator Message List Section 3 Configuration

10. Close the Application Bar configuration view. The Operator workplace will
now have an Application Bar with a System Event Line.
Figure 3-16. Adding System Event Line to Application Bar
3.9 Default Operator Message List

The Default Operator Message List is an aspect in the Library Structure,
that gives you the possibility to add an Operator Message List to your objects in
Plant Explorer.
This aspect is used as the Alarm and Event List. See How to add an Alarm and
Event List Aspect to an Aspect Object on page 30, for information how you can add
it to your objects and then use the filter function, color settings etc. in the same way.
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Section 3 Configuration Configuration Examples
3.10 Configuration Examples

These examples are a quick way to master the method of creating standard and
custom aspects of the Alarm and Event Lists, setting up an Alarm Logger and
configuration of an Alarm Band aspect.
3.10.1 Service Configuration

The services for Alarm and Event are found in the Service Structure.
See Figure 3-17.
Figure 3-17. Service Structure
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Service Configuration Section 3 Configuration
3.10.1.1 Alarm & Event Service

Under the Special Configuration tab (found in the Service Structure,
see Figure 3-18) you can configure the structure for the storage of alarm and
event items, the collector and the system message log.
Figure 3-18. Special Configuration Tab
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Section 3 Configuration Service Configuration
Storage Configuration
All alarms are stored, by default, in the main storage. The Alarm Server is capable
to save the 10000 (default) most recent alarms. Alarms belong to different
categories, and some categories are more important than others.
Less important alarms are therefore capable to cut out the more important ones.
It is possible to define the most important alarms (of a certain category) to be
excluded from the main storage and to be stored in a special storage instead.
Figure 3-19. Storage Configuration
You can set the following:

• Categories included in main storage
Gives the alarm categories (given by the OPC Server), that shall be stored in
the main storage area.
• Alarms in main storage
Gives the number of alarms, that can be stored in the main storage area.
• Categories excluded from main storage
By selecting a category in the main storage area and click on the Exclude
button you move it to the excluded area. Each category size is set individually.
• Alarms for this category
select each category in the excluded area and set their size in this field.
If you want to include (in the main storage) an excluded category, just select it and
click on the Include button.
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Figure 3-20. Storage Configuration Dialog Window
The alarm and event items are stored in one main data base and none, one or
more special data base(s).
Collector Configuration
In the Collector Config area you can set the collector configuration,
see Figure 3-21.
There are three options:
• Supports Refresh
If marked - when a refresh is issued towards the collector, then all alarms not
included in the refresh are removed.
• Supports Disabling
If marked - the possibility to disable alarms are enabled.
• Supports Disabling On Condition
If marked - the possibility to disable individual conditions is enabled.
Figure 3-21. Collector Configuration
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System Message Log Configuration

In the System Message Log Config area, you can set the system message log
configuration, see Figure 3-22.
You have three options:
• Log Acknowledge
If marked - the acknowledgement of alarms will be logged to the System
Message Server as an event.
• Log Active->Inactive Change
If marked - the active to inactive state changes of alarms will be logged to the
System Message Server as an event.
• Log Enable/Disable
If marked - the enabling and disabling of alarms will be logged to the Systems
Message Server as an event.
Figure 3-22. System Message Log Config
New Alarm When Condition Gets Active

If the check box New Alarm When Condition Gets Active is marked, each
inactive to active state change will result in a new alarm.
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3.10.1.2 Alarm Logger Service

No configuration is needed for the Alarm Logger Service.
3.10.1.3 External Alarm Service

No configuration is needed for the External Alarm Service.
3.10.1.4 Soft Alarms Service

No configuration is needed for the Soft Alarms Service.
3.10.1.5 System Message Configuration

The System Message server handles messages from the server, connected products,
and workplace clients.
Normally you do not need to alter the defaults of the System Message Server.
However, this section describes how to do it.
Configuration data is stored in the Service Definition aspect of the System Message
Service object in the Service Structure, that is Service Structure > Services >
SystemMessage, Service > Service Definition aspect. The System Message
Configuration appears on the Special Configuration tab for Service Definition
aspect.
Special Configuration
Each priority within a message class has its own storage.
Special Configuration Tab

The tree has two root folders, see Figure 3-23:
• Storage Classes
• Default Sizes
56 3BSE 025 998R301

You can also manipulate storage information for different message classes through
Edit String dialog, see Figure 3-24 on page 58.
Figure 3-23 System Message Configuration - Special Configuration
Storage Classes
Under the Storage Classes folder, each defined message class is listed. If a
message is unregistered, (that is not yet defined), it is stored in the Default
Class/Storage with priority 1. This can happen during a startup phase, when an
alarm or event message is sent to the operator before the corresponding message is
registered. In Figure 3-23, Network Messages have storage for messages with
priority 200. The list to the right shows the storage information for this storage.
Default Sizes
The Default Sizes folder defines the storage information for storages that have not
been defined. By default, those storages will get the size specified under this folder.
See Figure 3-23.
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Edit String
The list to the right shows the storage information for different storages. The values
can be modified by double clicking the Name field. The following dialog will be
displayed. Make changes in the Value Data field and then click OK.
Figure 3-24 Edit String Dialog
Click the Apply button on the Special Configuration tab to save the changes.
Values
The special configuration for System Message is shown in Figure 3-23. The storage
Network Messages with priority 200 is selected in the tree view. The list view, to the
right, shows the configuration settings for the selected storage.
The following values for every priority are specified under the Special
Configuration tab:
• File Count
• File Size
• Message Count
• Max File Count
File Size and File Count specify the storage size on the disk that is pre-allocated for
the storage. Message Count specifies the number of messages that the message
server tries to hold.
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If the specified storage size (File Size * File Count) is too small to hold the specified
number of messages, the message server will allocate more files on the disk.
Max File Count is the maximum limit of the number of files that can be stored.
The number of files allocated on disk will not exceed Max File Count.
Message sizes may vary, which means that the number of messages that can be
stored is not guaranteed by a certain amount of allocated disk space.
The values that can be configured for each storage are listed in Table 3-2.
Table 3-2 Values that can be Configured on the Special Configuration Tab
Number of files that are pre-allocated on disk for the

File Count
selected storage.
The size of the files that are pre-allocated on disk for
File Size
the selected storage.
The number of messages that the selected storage
Message Count
should hold.
The maximum number of files that are allocated on
Max File Count
disk for the selected storage.
The two reasons to change the default values for the system message configuration
are to increase/decrease the number of stored messages, or make sure the system
messages do not overflow the disc. By increasing the Message Count together with
the Max File Count the total number of stored messages increase. The File Size and
File Count should be adapted to the Message Count set.
A mean sized message is 150 bytes. This means that the File Size * File Count
should be close to Message Count * 150. Max File Count larger than File Count
means that more files can be allocated. Our recommendation is to keep the default
File Count and instead change the File Size.
The Message Count is a hard limit. Independent of the size and number of files used
Message Count is the upper limit for number of messages stored.
You could set the Max File Count to the same value as the File Count to be sure that
no extra disc space for the system messages is needed after startup.
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Setting FileCount
These settings are made by bringing up the Edit String dialog, by double clicking
the configuration settings for the selected storage in the list view to the right.
Table 3-3 File Count Settings
NewFileCount > FileCount

Increase New files will be allocated if the actual number of files is less
than the new FileCount so that the actual number of files will
be NewFileCount.
NewFileCount < File Count
The oldest files will be deleted if they are not needed to hold
MessageCount number of messages. Otherwise the files
Decrease
remain.
This is due to the fact that the MessageCount has higher
precedence than FileCount.
Setting the File Size

Table 3-4 File Size Settings
newFileSize > FileSize

Increase
All files will be resized to the new size.
newFileSize < FileSize
Decrease Files with no message data at a position greater than the
new size will be resized to the new file size. Other files will
be resized as messages are written to them.
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Setting MessageCount
Table 3-5 Message Count Settings
NewMessageCount > MessageCount

Increase
Sets the MessageCount to the new value.
NewMessageCount < MessageCount
Decrease
Sets the MessageCount to the new value.
Setting MaxFileCount
Table 3-6 Max File Count Settings
NewMaxFileCount > MaxFileCount

Increase The new MaxFileCount will allow the storage to grow to the
new value of MaxFileCount.
NewMaxFileCount < MaxFileCount
Decrease If the actual number of files is larger than maxFileCount, the
number of files will be reduced to MaxFileCount files.
Working with System Messages

System Messages are events created internally by the IndustrialIT System products.
System messages can be informational but can also report about error states.
There is a predefined list in the system that presents system messages. You can
bring this list up by pressing the System Message List button in the Operator
Workplace application bar. Details on how to use and configure the user interface
for system messages can be found in respective product’s User’s Guide.
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Create a Default Alarm List Aspect Section 3 Configuration
3.10.2 Create a Default Alarm List Aspect

This example show you how to make a default Alarm List aspect for an object
(the Alarm List Defaults are used without changes):
1. Create a new object (name it Test Object1) in the Functional Structure.
2. Add an Alarm and Event List aspect to the object.
Name the aspect: Alarm List.
3. Select Default Alarm List in the Config View.
4. Click Apply.
When do I create my own default Alarm List aspect?

Each user want to have his own filter setting for the Alarm List. This means that you
have to create “your own” default Alarm List aspect and use this for your filter
setting. If you use the “common default” delivered with the system, ALL users will
have your filter settings (or vice versa).
3.10.3 Create a Default Event List Aspect

This example show you how to make a default Event List aspect for an object
(the Event List Defaults are used without changes):
1. Create a new object (name it Test Object2) in the Functional Structure.
2. Add an Alarm and Event List aspect to the object.
Name the aspect: Event List.
3. Select Default Event List in the Config View.
4. Click Apply.
When do I create my own default Event List aspect?

Each user want to have his own filter setting for the Event list. This means that you
have to create “your own” default Event List aspect and use this for your filter
setting. If you use the “common default” delivered with the system, ALL users will
have your filter settings (or vice versa).
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Section 3 Configuration Create a Custom Alarm and Event List Configuration Aspect
3.10.4 Create a Custom Alarm and Event List Configuration Aspect

This example show you how to create a custom Alarm and Event List Configuration
object:
• Create a custom Alarm List Configuration object and place it with a unique
name into the Library Structure.
• Add the Priority column after Event Time.
• Add Current Value column after Priority column.
• Add the Comment column as the last column.
• Change the number of presented alarms to 50.
• Change the number of priority levels to 5 and customize colors and sounds.
We advice you to use logical colors in order to minimize your work and
maintenance of the system. It will be a lot easier for you to change colors if needed.
You perform this task as described below:

1. Select the Library Structure.
2. Add a new Alarm & Event List Configuration object to the existing defaults by
selecting Alarm and Event List Configurations (you may also start another
object grouping for other customized configurations).
a. Select Alarm and Event List Configurations object.
b. Select New Object.
c. Select Alarm & Event List Configuration.
d. Name it Custom Alarm List 50.
3. Select the new object, Custom Alarm List 50.
4. Double click the Alarm and Event List Configuration aspect within the object.
This opens the Config View.
5. Click on the Filter tab and mark the Process Alarms radio button in the
Message Type area.
6. Click on the Column tab and make the following changes.
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Create a Custom Alarm and Event List Configuration Aspect Section 3 Configuration
a. Mark the Priority, Current Value and Comment check boxes to be

included as columns.
b. Move the Priority column behind the Event Time column either by
selecting the Message Field and using the positioning arrows to move the
column up (left) or down (right) or by dragging the column to the proper
position within the Message Layout area. The arrow method is generally
easier.
c. In a similar manner, move the Current Value column after the Priority
column.
d. Click in the Viewable Messages text field and change the number to 50.
e. Click on the Apply button.
7. Click on the priorities tab to set the attributes for each priority.
8. Change the number to 5 in the Number of Priority Levels text field (1 would
be the highest priority level and would include all alarms of priority 801 to
1000).
9. Click on the UnAckText color field for priority 801-1000, and a new window
with logical colors will appear. Choose the color that you want.
10. Repeat with the UnAckText and AckText color for priority 601-800 and for
priority 401-600 and change it to one of the predefined colors.
11. Click on the Sounds color field for priority 801-1000 to get an Alarm Sound
Wave File Selection dialog. Use this dialog to browse to the directory, that
contains the chimes.wav file. Select the chimes.wav file.
13. Click the close button in the top right corner to close the window.
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Section 3 Configuration Associate Custom Configuration to Alarm List aspect
3.10.5 Associate Custom Configuration to Alarm List aspect

You associate the custom configuration to an Alarm List aspect as described below:
1. Select the Functional structure.
2. Select the test object you created previously.
3. Right click the aspect and select Config View.
4. Select the new Configuration Name: Alarm List 50, from the drop-down menu.
5. Mark the All Alarms check box in the Alarm filter area.
3.10.6 Creating an Alarm Logger aspect

Here we will setup a printer to function as an alarm printer. All alarms will be
logged on it. Since the alarms are printing on a per line basis, you should select a
line printer.
1. Create a local printer in Windows, on the same computer as the Alarm Logger
Service (which is located in the Service Structure).
2. Assign the Alarm Logger aspect and use the printer you setup as an alarm
printer in Windows 2000.
3. Select the Functional Structure.
4. Select the object to which you want to add an Alarm Logger aspect.
5. Select New Aspect from the context menu.
6. Go to the Alarm Logger aspect and select it.
7. Change the name to a proper one suitable in your plant.
8. Click on the Create button to create the Logger aspect.
9. Double click on the Logger aspect to edit it.
10. Select a Logger Printer Name from the list of available printers.
11. Select a Logger Configuration Name of Default Logger Config.
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Creating an Alarm Band aspect Section 3 Configuration
Please note that the following configurations are not available for
the Alarm Logger: All settings under the Sort tab, settings for color and sound
under the Priorities tab, and settings for showing row headers, showing column
headers, viewable messages, blink behavior and font under the Column tab.
12. Mark the Logger On or the Logger Off radio button to indicate if you want the
Logger aspect to send info to the printer or not.
3.10.7 Creating an Alarm Band aspect

Here we will create an Alarm Band. The Alarm Band provides an overview
indication of the status of Alarm and Event Lists selected for display. The number of
alarms or events are given in figures in the indicating squares and their highest
priority are indicated with the defined color. The operator may select a bands button
to call the list aspect.
Create the Alarm Band as described below:
2. Select the test object.
3. Create a new aspect,
a. Expand the Aspect System Structure.
b. Browse to the Alarm Band aspect (Alarms and Events > Alarm Band).
c. Give the new aspect a proper name.
d. Click on the Create button.
4. Right click on Alarm Band and select Config View to edit it, see Figure 3-25,
or select the aspect, and in the preview select the arrow head to the right of the
eye icon and select the Config View.
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Section 3 Configuration Creating an Alarm Band aspect
5. Select the Alarm and Event List aspects that are to be included in the
Main View of the Alarm Band. Make sure to select an aspect that has
process alarm configuration, and not event configuration.
6. Mark the Include Inherited check box to show (and by default add) any object
with an Alarm List that is a descendant of included objects. You may select to
uncheck any of the inherited lists.
If the Include Inherited check box is selected, this may cause high CPU-load for
a few seconds in the Aspect Server.
7. Mark the New alarmlists default included check box to automatically add a
new Alarm List aspect to the Alarm Band. This is normally not recommended.
8. Mark the Show Caption check box if you want to have a caption above the
alarm button in the Alarm Band.
In the Caption Format text field you can type in your own caption. If you
leave it empty the object name will appear by default.
In the Alarm Text Format text field you can type in your own text which will
be displayed in the Alarm Band button. If you leave it empty the total number
of unacknowledged alarms will be displayed by default.
9. Mark the Use Active Alarms check box if you want to use the active alarms.
If you mark the check box you have to type%3 in the Alarm Text Format
text field.
10. In the Button width and height text fields you can define the size of the Alarm
Band button in pixels.
11. Click Apply.
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Creating an Alarm Band aspect Section 3 Configuration
Figure 3-25. Alarm Band Config View
The result of the configuration according to Figure 3-25, is displayed in

the figure below:
Figure 3-26. Alarm Band
See Working with Alarm Band on page 83 for operation of the Alarm Band
Main View.
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Section 3 Configuration Creating a Sequence Bar aspect
3.10.8 Creating a Sequence Bar aspect

Here we will create a Sequence Bar aspect. The Sequence Bar provides an overview
indication of the status of the Alarm List selected for display. The number of alarms
are set at configuration, and may be between zero and ten.
The operator may select a band button to call the default aspect for the associated
object. See Figure 3-27 on next page.
Create the Sequence Bar as described below:
2. Select the test object.
3. Create a new aspect,
a. Expand the Aspect System Structure.
b. Browse to the Alarm Sequence Bar aspect.
c. Give the new aspect a proper name.
d. Click on the Create button.
4. Right click on the Sequence Bar aspect and select Config View to edit it,
or select the aspect and in the preview select the arrow head to the right of the
eye icon and select the Config View.
5. Select the Alarm List aspect that are to be displayed in the Sequence Bar.
6. Enter a number from zero to ten in the Alarms to display text field.
7. Click Apply.
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Creating a Sequence Bar aspect Section 3 Configuration
Figure 3-27. The Config View for the Sequence Bar Aspect
See Working with Sequence Bar on page 84 for operation of the Sequence Bar.
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Section 4 Operation
4.1 Getting Started

The user interface for the Alarm and Event functions is based on the
Process Portal A workplace window and Microsoft Windows. For information
regarding this user interface, refer to the Process Portal A Workplace and
Plant Explorer User’s Guide. Process Portal A workplace window controls the
runtime operation and handles the user presentation.
4.2 Accessing Alarm and Event Lists

There are several ways to access an Alarm or Event List for an Aspect Object.
The following are some typical examples that might be configured:
• from an Alarm or Event Line display on the Application Bar aspect of the
operator display using the context menu
• from an Alarm Band button on the Application Bar
• from a display shortcut on the Application Bar (always available) or
Display Bar (only available when display is active)
• from within a structure by selecting a list configured for an object
Details of the user interface and different display access methods are described in
the Process Portal A Workplace and Plant Explorer User’s Guide.
For example, to select a list from within a workplace with an application bar
configured with an Alarm Band and an Alarm Line, as shown in Figure 4-1:
1. Click on the appropriate Alarm List button, see Figure 4-1.
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Accessing Alarm and Event Lists Section 4 Operation
2. This will open the Alarm List showing all alarms.
Figure 4-1. Alarm List presentation in the Operator Workplace
3. You can right click on an alarm line to bring up the context menu where you
can perform some action on this alarm line. Using the context menu you can
also e.g. perform some actions on the alarm list or access any aspect of the
object in alarm.
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Section 4 Operation Accessing Alarm and Event Lists
Figure 4-2. Context Menu of Related Actions with Acknowledge Selected
You can work with the Alarm List as described in Working with Alarm and Event
Lists on page 74. Event and System Message Lists are handled in a similar manner.
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Working with Alarm and Event Lists Section 4 Operation
4.3 Working with Alarm and Event Lists

Alarm or Event Lists share common menu items. There are cases where a menu
item is not applicable. For instance, you can not acknowledge an event.
The window for using Alarm and Event Lists is described in Alarm and Event List
Window on page 74.
4.3.1 Alarm and Event List Window

After accessing the Alarm and Event List for an Aspect Object, as described in
Accessing Alarm and Event Lists on page 71, you can use this window to:
• Working within a List on page 74.
• Acknowledging Alarms on page 77.
• Silence Alarms on page 77.
• Deleting Alarms on page 77.
• Stopping and Starting Alarm and Event Updates on page 78.
• View List Configuration on page 78.
• Restoring Default Configuration on page 79.
• Adding Comments for an Alarm on page 79.
• Viewing Alarm and Event Message Detail Information on page 79.
• Help Button on page 82.
4.3.2 Working within a List

Operator activities describing how to work with a list are described in this section.
4.3.2.1 Marking and Selecting Rows in Lists

The different methods of selecting rows are:
• Click on a row to select it. A selected row becomes highlighted.
• Press the CTRL key and click on another row to select nonsequential rows.
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Section 4 Operation Working within a List
• Press the Shift key to select a sequential group of rows. For example, select
row 2, hold the Shift key and then select row 9 to select rows 2 through 9.
• Click and drag to select a sequence or rows.
When a row is marked/selected you can take ‘Actions’ on the message or view the
Details. If more than one row is marked then the action takes place on all the
marked rows if the action is applicable. For example, suppose 3 object lines have
been selected and 2 of the 3 objects are unacknowledged, then selecting Ack will
have no effect on the object which is already acknowledged.
4.3.2.2 Navigating within Message Lists

A list is like a big table. Navigating the table is much like moving around in a
spreadsheet. You can slide the scrollbars (if available due to window size) to view
an area.
4.3.2.3 Sizing Columns and Rows

Size a column by grabbing the column header edge and moving it right or left.
Size a row by grabbing a row bottom or select all rows and moving the bottom edge
up or down. This change is only in effect while this view is active.
4.3.2.4 Sorting on Columns

Double click on a column header with the left mouse button to sort the column.
Repeat this action to reverse the sort. For example, sorting Object Name once may
cause the items in the list to be sorted in alphabetical order (A...Z). Sorting a second
time will cause the sorting to be reversed (Z...A).
4.3.2.5 Moving Columns

To move a column, do as follows:
1. Select the column you want to move by clicking on the column header
(as indicated by a down arrow cursor). This will highlight the column as
shown in Figure 4-3.
2. The cursor changes from a filled downward short cursor to a left upward thin
cursor. Now you can move the column.
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Working within a List Section 4 Operation
3. Click in the table head and drag the column to the new location. A red line
marks the position between columns where you can place the column.
See Figure 4-3.
In a similar manner, two adjacent columns can be selected and moved. This change
is only in effect while this view is active.
Marked column Red line indication drop zone
Figure 4-3. Moving a Column in an Active List
4.3.2.6 Error Indication

A red cross over the Alarm List indicates that the alarm list does not have contact
with all redundant service providers.
If the cross is green the redundant server is down and the list is trying to connect to
the other server.
Figure 4-4. Error Indication - Alarm/Event List
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Section 4 Operation Acknowledging Alarms
4.3.3 Acknowledging Alarms

You can Acknowledge Alarms for an Aspect Object in the following ways:
• Click on the Ack State box for the alarm in the list to acknowledge the
one alarm. If not logged on as operator blink behavior around check box will
not occur.
• Select a group of individual alarms and then,
– select Acknowledge Selected in the context menu or
– select the Acknowledge button (green check mark),
• By right clicking on an object in, for example, a process display or process
graphic, then clicking on the Acknowledge verb in the context menu.
To be allowed to acknowledge an alarm you need to be granted permission for
this operation. By default is Operator permission required.
See Configuring required Permissions and Roles on page 45 for details on how
to change required permission. For information about how to grant
permissions, see IntegrateIT Security User’s Guide.
Security is based on the permission on the alarm list available on the object to
acknowledge. If there is no alarm list on the object, there is not security check.
4.3.4 Silence Alarms

To silence an audible alarm, click on the Silence button or select Silence in the
context menu. This is a one shot type action that silences the current audible alarm.
If a new audible alarm then occurs, that alarm must be silenced again.
To be able to silence an alarm, the alarm sound duration must be set to Continuous.
If it is not, the Silence button is dimmed.
4.3.5 Deleting Alarms

To delete an alarm:
1. Select one or a group of rows to delete.
2. Press the Delete key, or choose the Delete command in the context menu.
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Stopping and Starting Alarm and Event Updates Section 4 Operation
4.3.6 Stopping and Starting Alarm and Event Updates

You can stop or restart list updates using the Stop button or the Stop Update line in
the context menu.
4.3.6.1 Stopping Updates

Select the Stop Update line in the context menu or the Stop button (see Figure 4-5)
to stop new alarms or events from being displayed. When stopping the update of an
alarm list there will not be any new alarms in the list. Those alarms already in the
list will however still be updated, e.g. inactive acknowledged alarms will disappear
from the list. This feature acts as a freeze frame. No messages are added to or
removed from the list and the current values are not updated. For example, if an
alarm is acknowledged and the alarm is currently being displayed, the
acknowledgement will not be displayed. To indicate that the updates are stopped, a
striped ribbon appears around the list (see Figure 4-5).
Stop button Striped ribbon
Figure 4-5. Stopping Updates in Alarm List
4.3.6.2 Starting Updates

Selecting Stop Update or the Stop button again, acts as a toggle and starts the
updates by posting the new alarms and events according to your configuration.
4.3.7 View List Configuration

If you want to configure the Alarm or Event List click on the View Configuration
button. The Configuration View of the Alarm or Event List aspect will appear.
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Section 4 Operation Restoring Default Configuration
4.3.8 Restoring Default Configuration

If you have made temporary changes and want to restore the default configuration,
click on the Restore Configuration button, or close the alarm list window and open
it again.
4.3.9 Adding Comments for an Alarm

Right click on the alarm, to which you want to add a message. The context menu
opens, and you select the Comment line. The Message Comment dialog box opens
and you can type a message in the Add Comment area. See Figure 4-6.
Figure 4-6. The Message Comment Dialog Box
4.3.10 Viewing Alarm and Event Message Detail Information

1. Select a message row.
2. Select Details... in the context menu to view the details dialog for a message,
or click on the Details button in the tool bar.
The Details dialog shows detailed information on all the possible fields for a
message type. You cannot edit this dialog; it is simply for viewing purposes.
The information given originate from the controller that is sending the alarm.
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Viewing Alarm and Event Message Detail Information Section 4 Operation
Figure 4-7. Message Detail Dialog
4.3.10.1 Message Detail Dialog Buttons

The dialog buttons in the Message Detail dialog are:
• Close - will close the dialog.
• Next - will show the Detail dialog for the next (going down the list) message.
• Previous - will show the Detail dialog for the previous (going up the list)
message.
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Section 4 Operation Viewing Alarm and Event Message Detail Information
4.3.10.2 Message Detail Definitions

Below you find descriptions of some of the information given in the
Message Detail Dialog:
• Object Name - basic property name of object (an aspect of every object).
• Object Description - object specific information entered in the
Object Manager.
• Event Time - time alarm was generated.
• Ack Time - time when you acknowledged alarm.
• Ack State - status of current message (acknowledged or unacknowledged).
• Condition - alarm condition, provided by control network.
• Sub Condition - state of the condition.
• Category - corresponds to the alarm and event categories you select in the
configuration - filter selection.
• Priority Level - Is the level which the priority belongs to. The level controls
the color and sound of the alarm.
• Comment - operator added information. See Adding Comments for an Alarm
on page 79.
• Message Description - the message text in most system messages.
• Priority - priority of alarm message, from 1-1000, with 1000 being the most
important priority.
• Component - Is added by the System Message Server to identify the
component that has submit the message.
• Enable State - The condition is currently being checked by the OPC Event
Server.
• Blocked Repetitive - AC 400 Connect specific.
• Uncertain Time Tag - The received event has an uncertain time tag. (AC 400
Connect specific.)
• Class - Used to classify the object. (AC 400 and AC 800 Connect specific.)
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Help Button Section 4 Operation
• Auto Disabled - The alarm is disabled automatically by the system. Normally

after repetitive failure. The need for the operator to acknowledge does still
exist, since there was an alarm in the first place. (AC 800 Connect specific.)
• Process Section - Section of the plant from which the event is received.
(AC 400 Connect specific.)
• Actor - The identifier of the Client, which acknowledged the alarm.
4.3.11 Help Button

Use the Help button if you want to read about things regarding Alarm and Event
Lists in the On-line Help.
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Section 4 Operation Working with Alarm Band
4.4 Working with Alarm Band

The Alarm Band Display is a status display that provides a link to the Alarm List
Display. The number within the band represents the number of unacknowledged
alarms or events. The color of the band represent the highest priority alarm or event
present. Click on the Alarm Band (button) to go to the Alarm List.
Figure 4-8. Alarm Band Display
A red cross over the Alarm Band indicates that the alarm band does not have contact
with all redundant service providers.
If the cross is green the redundant server is down and the alarm band is trying to
connect to the other server.
Figure 4-9. Error Indication - Alarm Band
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Working with Sequence Bar Section 4 Operation
4.5 Working with Sequence Bar

The Sequence Bar is a status display, where the defined number of alarms is
displayed horizontally. New alarms are introduced from the right side by default.
The order, in which new alarms are introduced, is configured under the Sort tab,
see Setting Sort Order on page 33.
Figure 4-10. Sequence Bar Display
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Section 4 Operation Working with Sequence Bar
A red cross over the Alarm Sequence Bar pop-up window indicates that the alarm
sequence bar does not have contact with all redundant service providers.
If the cross is green the redundant server is down and the sequence bar is trying to
connect to the other server.
Figure 4-11. Error Indication - Alarm Sequence Bar
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Working with Sequence Bar Section 4 Operation
Open the context menu to configure the alarms in the Sequence Bar.
Figure 4-12. Context Menu of the Sequence Bar
• Acknowledge Selected
To acknowledge the alarm you right clicked.
• Delete Selected
To delete the alarm you right clicked.
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Section 4 Operation Working with Sequence Bar
Figure 4-13. Details
• Details
A dialog with extended information about the alarm you chose is shown.
If you click on the Next button, information about the alarm to the right is
shown, and if you click on the Previous button, information about the alarm to
the left is shown.
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Working with the Alarm and Event Logger Section 4 Operation
4.6 Working with the Alarm and Event Logger

Operation of the Alarm and Event Logger is done through the Configuration dialog,
see Figure 4-14. Use this dialog to do the following:
• Logger Printer Name
Use the pull down list to select a line printer. The appropriate printer driver is
installed in windows and displayed in the pull down list of installed printers.
You can only access local printers connected to the server where the logger
service is running.
• Logger Configuration Name
As default the Default Logger Configuration.
• Logger On
Starts the logger function.
• Logger Off
Stops the logger function.
Figure 4-14. Logger Configuration Dialog
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Section 5 Alarm Expressions
The Alarm Expression is a useful tool to get information in an Alarm and Event list
based on property values. You can define an expression related to a property value
which gives you a predefined message line in the list.
The aspect is configured as shown below:
1. Add an Alarm Expression aspect to a Aspect Object associated to the property.
2. Configure this aspect according to below:
a. Select Process Alarm or Event in the Message Type area.
Note that the text fields Condition, Subcondition and Inactive Message Text are
only valid for alarms.
b. Type a name of the condition in the Condition field.

This will be the first name of the expression.
c. Type a sub condition in the Subcondition field.
This will be the second name of the expression.
d. Give a severity value between 0 and 1000 in the Severity field.
This value gives the presentation in the Alarm and Event list according to
its settings.
e. Type a message in the Message Text field.
Here you type the message which will be display in the Alarm and
Event list.
f. Type a message in the Inactive Message Text field.
This message is displayed when the alarm is inactive.
g. Type an expression in the Expression field.
This is the expression that gives if the message will be displayed or not.
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Some Examples Section 5 Alarm Expressions
5.1 Some Examples

The expression can be more or less complicated, and to give you a hint what you
can do, we give some examples below:
Example 1 - Boiler Temperature
Say for example that you have a boiler and you want to have an indication when the
temperature goes above 80 resp. 90 degrees centigrade. You do this as follows:
1. Add an Alarm Expression aspect to a propriety Aspect Object.
2. In the Condition field, type a name to identify the expression, in this case
Boiler Temperature.
3. In the Subcondition field, type a second description for identification, in this
case (80 degrees centigrade), type 80 degrees.
4. In the Message field, type the message you want to have in the Alarm and
Event list, in this case “The temperature is above 80 degrees centigrade”.
5. Set the severity. This value shall be between 0 and 1000. The value will give
the color of the alarm list line according to the setting in the Alarm and Event
list definition. For the temperature of 80 degrees we choose severity 400.
6. Give an expression in the Expression field, in this example TEMP > 80.
8. To create another limit for above 90 degrees, type in the Condition field a
name to identify the expression, in this case Boiler Temperature.
case (90 degrees centigrade), type 90 degrees.
Event list, in this case “Alert! The temperature is above 90 degrees centigrade”.
list definition. For the temperature of 90 degrees we choose severity 800.
12. Give an expression in the Expression files, in this example TEMP > 90.
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Section 5 Alarm Expressions Some Examples
Figure 5-1. Example - Boiler Temperature
Example 2 - OPC Server with no event handling

Say for example that you have an OPC server without event handling. You want to
have an alarm related to a special property value - say the value VALUE in this
example. You can easily do this with help of the Alarm Expression aspect.
1. Add an Alarm Expression aspect to a relevant object in the Functional
Structure.
2. In the Condition field, type a name to identify the expression, in this case
OPC property.
case Property #1.
Event list, in this case “Alarm from the OPC server”.
3BSE 025 998R301 91

Some Examples Section 5 Alarm Expressions
list definition. In this case we choose severity 1000.
6. Give an expression in the Expression field, in this example
OPC_Property_1==true.
You now have an “alarm expression” that will indicate when the OPC_Property_1 is
true.
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Section 5 Alarm Expressions The Valid Operators
5.2 The Valid Operators

The valid operators are specified in Table 5-1.
Table 5-1. The Valid Operators for the Alarm Expression Aspect
Operator Description
+ Addition
- Subtraction
* Multiplication
/ Division
% Reminder
= Assignment
> Larger than
< Less than
>= Larger than or equal to
<= Lesser than or equal to
== Comparison
!= Not equal to
& Bitwise AND
| Bitwise inclusive OR
^ Bitwise exclusive OR
>> Right shift
<< Left shift
&& Logical AND
|| Logical OR
?: Condition
ex: expr1 ? expr2 : expr3
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The Valid Operators Section 5 Alarm Expressions
Table 5-1. The Valid Operators for the Alarm Expression Aspect (Continued)
Operator Description
! Logical NOT
~ Bitwise complement
() Parenthesis, encapsulates expression
iif Condition
ex: iif(expr1,expr2,expr3)
: Resolution
ex: object:value
Field, BitField BitField
ex: BitField(field,shift,mask)
Bit Bit
ex: Bit(variable,bit)
$ Quote
ex: $’Object1:VALUE’
[] Structure specification
ex: $’[Control structure]/Object:VALUE’
true Keyword that can be used as one of two
possible boolean values
false Keyword that can be used as one of two
possible boolean values
If numbers are used as names in the Expression field you must use “ “ around them.
For example: “1”>3.
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Section 5 Alarm Expressions Creation of a Separate Expression List
5.3 Creation of a Separate Expression List

You may easy create a special Expression List for the presentation of the
expressions created by the Alarm Expression aspect.
You do this as described below:
1. Add an Alarm and Event List aspect and an Alarm and Event List
Configuration aspect to a proper Aspect Object. Give them the name
Expression List and Expression List Configuration. See Figure 5-2.
Figure 5-2. Expression List and Expression List Configuration

added to an Aspect Object
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Creation of a Separate Expression List Section 5 Alarm Expressions
2. Select the Config view of the Expression List Configuration aspect. Go to the
Filter tab and select Alarm Expression from the Categories.
Figure 5-3. List Configuration - Filter Tab
3. Go to the Column tab and for example uncheck and check so only Event Time,
Object Name and Message Description are set.
Figure 5-4. List Configuration - Column Tab
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Section 5 Alarm Expressions Creation of a Separate Expression List

5. Go to the Expression List and open the Config View. Open the Configuration
Name drop-down menu and select your object. See Figure 5-5.
Figure 5-5. Expression List Config View
You have now configured a special Expression Line, to which you can refer to see
all messages created by you Alarm Expressions.
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Creation of a Separate Expression List Section 5 Alarm Expressions
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Section 6 External Alarm
6.1 General
The External Alarm function provides aspect systems and components to make it
possible to activate and deactivate an external alarm notification.
The user of the external alarm selects an alarm list and a destination output in the
configuration view. The alarm list filter is used to subscribe for alarms and events
from the alarm and event server. Set and silence are done via Data Subscription to
the destination output.
When alarms fulfilling the filtering criteria are received by the external alarm
function the destination output is set.
The operator can silence the external alarm through the silence view. Silence can be
done for all configured alarms or for one explicit external alarm.
6.2 Configuring External Alarm

The External Alarm consists of two views, the External Alarm
Configuration View and the External Alarm Silence View.
Before you add an External Alarm you have to connect to an Alarm and Event
Server. For further information about this please read How to Connect to the OPC
Server (Collector) on page 28.
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Configuring External Alarm Section 6 External Alarm
External Alarm Configuration View

In the External Alarm Configuration View (see Figure 6-1) you select the
Alarm List and which filter criteria the external alarm uses to subscribe
alarms from. You also configure the path to the destination output.
To create an External Alarm Configuration aspect follow the instructions below:
1. Select the object you want to add an External Alarm Configuration aspect to.
2. Click the right mouse button in an empty part of the aspect list and select
New Aspect from the context menu.
3. In the New Aspect dialog, select the External Alarm Configuration.
4. Type a name in the Name text field and an aspect description in the
Aspect description area before you click Create.
5. In the External Alarm Configuration dialog box, select alarm list in the
Alarm List drop-down menu.
6. Write the destination output to be used in the Destination text field.
The destination can be an alterable OPC property. The syntax for the
destination is: <Object:Aspect:Property>.
Note! The digital output signal of an AC 400 must be in ‘Man’ mode to work
properly.
Examples of destination for AC 410/450:

Digital Output (DO): DO4_1.10:Control Connection:VALUE
Boolean data (DAT): DAT10:Control Connection:B0_VAL
Examples of destination output for AC 800M/C:

Application variable: Application_5:Application:ExternalAlarm2
Function Block variable: MyBlock_1:Function Block:In
Control Module variable: Tank1:Control Module:ExtAlarm
7. Click Apply.
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Section 6 External Alarm Configuring External Alarm
Figure 6-1. External Alarm Configuration View
External Alarm Silence View

In the External Alarm Silence View (see Figure 6-2) a list with all the configured
external alarms is shown. You have the possibility to silence all alarms that are
active. Silence is possible for each individual external alarm or as a general silence
for all displayed alarms.
To create an External Alarm Silence View aspect follow the instructions below:
1. Select the object you want to add an External Alarm Silence aspect to.
2. Click the right mouse button in an empty part of the aspect list and select
New Aspect from the context menu.
3. In the New Aspect dialog, select the External Alarm Silence.
4. Type a name in the Name text field and aspect description in the
Aspect description area before you click Create.
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Working with External Alarm Section 6 External Alarm
Figure 6-2. External Alarm Silence View
6.3 Working with External Alarm

In the External Alarm Silence View all the external alarms are shown and here the
operator has the possibility to silence the active external alarms. This can be
performed for each individual external alarm or as a general silence for all displayed
external alarms.
To silence an individual external alarm the operator can select the external alarm
in the External Alarm Configurations area and then click the Silence Selected
button, or just double click on the external alarm.
To silence all the displayed active external alarms the operator just clicks the
Silence All button.
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Section 7 Maintenance
7.1 Preventive Maintenance

Process Portal A Alarm and Event is a part of the Process Portal A
software package. Any required maintenance should be performed according to
instructions in the IntegrateIT Administrator’s Guide.
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Preventive Maintenance Section 7 Maintenance
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INDEX
A Configuration
Acknowledge Special 56
Alarm 22 System Message Server 56
Acknowledge State, Sort 34 Configuration Aspect 27
Acknowledge Time, Sort 34 Configuration Name 46
Acknowledged 34 Configuration View
Alarm Show Tool Bar 48
Acknowledge 22
Band 66 D
External 99 Date
Filter 48 Format 40
List 22 Duration of sound 37
Logger 28
Server 24 E
Alarm Band 22, 28 Event List 22
Application Bar 28, 49 Event Server 24
Aspect Event Time, Sort 34
Alarm Band 66 Events
Alarm Logger 65 Filter 42
C F
Column Filter
Header Names 39 Acknowledge Time 42
Move 75 Events 42
Order 39 Process Alarms 42
Size 39 Filter dialog 41
Sort 75 Filter Tab
Column Dialog 38 Check box settings 44
Column Header 75
Condition 34 L
Config View 28 Layout
Column Names 39
Column Order 39
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Index
Column Size 39 R
Message Fields 38 Remove
Library Structure 27 item from Sort Criteria 34
Line Printer 65
List S
Alarm 22 Sequence Bar 22
Event 22 Show Tool Bar 48
Selecting Rows 74 Sort
List Window 74 Acknowledge State 34
Logger 28 Acknowledge Time 34
Configuration Name 65, 88 Column 75
Printer Name 65, 88 Condition 34
Logging 22 Criteria
Numerical Values 34
M Text Fields 34
Message Fields 38 Event Time 34
Message List 22 Priority 34
Sub Condition 34
N Sort Dialog 34
Number of Priority Levels 34 Sort Order 34
Sub Condition 34
O System Message Line 49
Operator Message List 50 System Messages
Order of Columns 39 Default Sizes 57
Edit String 58
P File Count 60
Printer File Size 60
Line 65 Max File Count 61
Priorities Message Count 61
Color of 35 Storage Classes 57
Number of 34
Sound of 37 T
Priorities dialog 34 Time/Date dialog 40
Priority 34
Process Alarms U
Filter 42 Unacknowledged 34
Unacknowledged Alarm Indicator 22
Update
Start 78
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Index
V
View
Configuration 28
W
WAV file sound 37
3BSE 025 998R301 107

Index
108 3BSE 025 998R301

3BSE 025 998R301. Printed in Sweden March 2003
Copyright © 2002-2003 by ABB. All Rights Reserved
® Registered Trademark of ABB.
™ Trademark of ABB.
http://www.abb.com/control
Automation Technology Products Automation Technology Products Automation Technology Products

Västerås, Sweden Wickliffe, Ohio, USA Mannheim, Germany
www.abb.com/processautomation www.abb.com/processautomation www.abb.de/processautomation
email: processautomation@se.abb.com email: industrialitsolutions@us.abb.com email: marketing.control-prod-

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Alarm and Event

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About This Book

3BSE 025 998R301 5

3.5.2 Setting Priorities, Colors and Sounds ......................................................... 34

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3.10.3 Create a Default Event List Aspect ...........................................................62

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4.4 Working with Alarm Band ........................................................................................ 83

Section 5 - Alarm Expressions

Section 6 - External Alarm

INDEX ........................................................................................................................ 105

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0.1.1 How to Use this Book

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0.2 Use of Warning, Caution, Information, and Tip Icons

Caution icon indicates important information or warning related to the concept

Information icon alerts the reader to pertinent facts and conditions.

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0.3 Document Conventions

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0.5 Related Documentation

Category Title Description

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Category Title Description

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1.1 Product Overview

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• Acknowledge security - set up security to allow and deny groups or users to

1.1.1.1 Alarms Database Configuration

3BSE 025 998R301 23

1.1.1.2 Alarm Server and Storage

1.1.1.3Event Server and Storage

1.2 Prerequisites & Requirements

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2.1 Installation Procedures

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3.1 Getting Started

3BSE 025 998R301 27

The examples in Configuration Examples on page 51 assumes that the basic

3.2 How to Connect to the OPC Server (Collector)

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Figure 3-1. Connecting to the Collector - Step 1

6. Click on the Add button (see Figure 3-1).