Concept
Alarm Functions
You can monitor variables and configure the alarms in many different ways. You can, for example, connect the alarm to a shunt variable, add dead band to the alarm limit, or configure the priority of the alarm.
Alarm Filter Conditions
Alarm filter conditions are used to set up the conditions for the alarms you want to be displayed in an Alarms pane or an Alarm View. You also use alarm filter conditions to determine the conditions that have to be met before a sum alarm is triggered, an email notification is sent, a write to file notification is written, or an alarm is automatically assigned to a user.
For more information, see Alarm Filter Conditions .
Time Delay
Time delay prevents unintentional activation-deactivation cycles. You can delay the time before the alarm is triggered when the alarm state goes from normal state to alarm state and when it goes from alarm state to reset state.
For more information, see Time Delay .
Shunt Variable
A shunt variable is a binary value that works as an on/off switch for the alarm.
For more information, see Shunt Variables .
Deadband
Deadband is an area of the alarm range where no reset action occurs. The purpose of the deadband is to prevent unintentional activation-deactivation cycles.
For more information, see Deadband .
Alarm Messages
When configuring the alarm, you can write a message that displays in the Alarms pane, Events pane, Alarm Views, and Event Views when an alarm is triggered or reset.
For more information, see Alarm Messages .
Priority
When configuring an alarm, you define the priority of the alarm. The priority is used to inform the operator of the importance of the triggered alarm. The priority is displayed in the Alarms pane, Events pane, Alarm Views, and Event Views.
For more information, see Priority .
Categories
You can group together alarms in categories to simplify the identification of the alarm. When the alarm is triggered, the category name is displayed together with the alarm in the Alarms pane, Events pane, Alarm Views, and Event Views.
For more information, see Categories .
Acknowledgements
When an alarm is triggered, you acknowledge the alarm to indicate to other users that you have responded to the alarm and intend to troubleshoot the problem that caused the alarm. The name of the user that acknowledges the alarm is displayed in the Alarms pane, Events pane, Alarm Views, and Event Views.
For more information, see Acknowledgements .
User Actions
You can add information when handling a trigger alarm. For example, you can add a comment to the alarm or open an action note that is connected to the alarm. When configuring an alarm, you can force the user to perform different actions when handling a triggered alarm.
For more information, see User Actions .
Notifications
Notifications are used for notifying users or user groups that a certain alarm or other event, such as a schedule or an application condition, has occurred in the system. The notification contains a prewritten message that can be displayed as a popup message, sent as an email, sent to an SNMP manager, or written to a text file.
For more information, see Notifications .
Automatic Assignments
A triggered alarm can be automatically assigned to a specific user or user group that is most suited to correct the problem. An assigned alarm indicates to other users that someone is working with the problem that caused the alarm. The name of the user that is assigned to the alarm and the assignment status are displayed in the Alarms pane, Events pane, Alarm Views and Event Views.
For more information, see Automatic Assignments .
Unit of Measure in Alarms
When creating an alarm, the alarm limit and deadband values inherit the unit of the monitored variable. You can change the unit of the alarm to any unit within the same unit category as the monitored variable.
You cannot define a unit to an alarm that monitors a unitless variable.
For more information, see Unit of Measure in Alarms .
Alarm Attachments
You can add attachments to alarm objects, except System Information alarms. An attachment is a link pointing to an object in the system. When an alarm that has an attachment is triggered, a paperclip icon is displayed in the Alarms pane and Alarm Views. It is also possible to configure the attachment to display when the alarm is going from Normal to Alarm state.
For more information, see Alarm Attachments .
Alarm Decoration
If you want to override an alarm configuration for a specific alarm or group of alarms you can use an alarm decoration rule.
For more information, see Alarm Decoration .
Alarms Overview
Alarm Filter Conditions
Shunt Variables
Categories
Priority
Time Delay
Deadband
Alarm Messages
Acknowledgements
User Actions
Notifications
Automatic Assignments
Unit of Measure in Alarms
Alarm Attachments
Create Alarm Wizard – Attachment Page
Alarms Pane and Alarm View Toolbar
Adding an Attachment to an Alarm
Adding an Attachment to Multiple Alarms
Alarm Decoration