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Alarms Module
The Alarms Module monitors and manages real-time alarm events, notifications, and audit trail information. It provides critical event alerting and stores data for compliance and future analysis.
Alarms Module links: How-to Guide, Reference(Concept) provides the critical event detection and notification layer for FrameworX solutions, enabling operators to respond quickly to abnormal conditions and maintain safe, efficient operations.
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Understanding Alarms in Automation
Industrial processes require continuous monitoring to detect deviations from normal operation. The Alarms Module bridges the gap between raw sensor data and actionable operator responses by:
- Condition Monitoring - Detect when process values exceed safe or optimal ranges
- Event Notification - Alert operators through multiple channels
- State Management - Track alarm lifecycle from detection to resolution
- Compliance Recording - Maintain audit trails for regulatory requirements
Key Concepts
*- AlarmItem
What It Does
- Monitors real-time tag values against defined limits
- Triggers notifications via multiple channels (Display, SMS, Email)
- Stores alarm history in any configured database
- Organizes alarms in hierarchical groups and areas
- Tracks operator actions and system events for compliance
- : Individual condition monitored for alarm generation based on tag values and defined limits
- AlarmGroup: Collection of alarm items sharing common acknowledgment, notification, and logging behaviors
- AlarmArea: Hierarchical organization structure for grouping alarms by location or function
- AuditTrail: Chronological record of system events, operator actions, and alarm occurrences for compliance
What It Does
The Alarms Module provides comprehensive alarm management through:
- Real-Time Evaluation - Continuously monitor tag values against configured conditions
- Intelligent Notification - Multi-channel alerts via sound, visual, email, SMS, or custom methods
- Acknowledgment Workflow - Require operator confirmation of critical alarms
- Hierarchical Organization - Group alarms by area, system, or responsibility
- Historical Logging - Record all alarm events for analysis and compliance
- Deadband Management - Prevent alarm flooding through time and value hysteresis
- Shift-Based Limits - Different alarm thresholds for different operational periods
Configuration Workflow
Alarms ModuleConfiguration Workflow
| Step | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Create AlarmItems |
Select tags to monitor
| Define conditions | Specify tags and limits to monitor |
| Configure AlarmGroups |
Use predefined or create custom
| Set behaviors | Define |
| acknowledgment and |
| notification |
| Build AlarmAreas |
Optional organization
Create hierarchical structure
| Create hierarchy | Organize by plant structure | |
| Set Global Settings | System configuration | Database and audit trail setup |
Runtime Behavior
Alarm States
The module manages alarms through defined state transitions:
- Normal - No alarm condition exists
- Active - Condition detected, awaiting acknowledgment
- Acknowledged - Operator confirmed awareness
- Normalized - Condition cleared, awaiting final acknowledgment
Notification Methods
Alarms trigger notifications based on group configuration:
- Visual indicators on operator displays
- Audible alerts with configurable sounds
- Email and SMS through script integration
- External system interfaces via custom methods
Performance Management
Built-in features prevent alarm system overload:
- Deadbands prevent rapid re-triggering
- Priority levels highlight critical conditions
- Area filtering focuses operator attention
- Acknowledgment requirements ensure awareness
Feature Highlights
- Pre-Defined Groups - Critical, Warning, and AuditTrail groups ready to use
- FDA Compliance - 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail capabilities
- Flexible Database - Support for SQLite, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and more
- Runtime Control - Start, stop, pause alarm evaluation dynamically
- Display Integration - AlarmViewer and AlarmArea controls for HMI
- Script Integration - Custom notification methods via Script Classes
- Distributed Architecture - Alarms evaluated centrally, viewed anywhere
- Localization Support - Multi-language alarm messages and displays
In this section...
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Runtime Behavior
Monitoring and Evaluation
The module subscribes to all configured tags and evaluates alarm conditions on each value change. When conditions are met, alarms trigger according to their group settings.
Visualization and Interaction
The AlarmViewer component displays real-time and historical alarms. Users can acknowledge, filter, and manage alarms through the interface.
Features Highlights