Configuring The Alarms Module

To configure the Alarms Module follow the steps below:

1. First, access Alarms → Items and create an alarm item associated with a tag by inserting the desired tag's name into the Tag Name column. 
2. Define the alarm behavior, configuring the Condition to trigger the alarm and the Limit for the threshold value. Read the Alarm Items page for more details.
3. Define which Alarm Group the alarm will belong to. You can choose from one of the default Alarm Groups or create your own custom group.
4. Access Alarms → Groups to create or edit the Alarm Groups containing the alarm items that share common characteristics and use them to define several alarm attributes. Learn more on the  Alarm Groups page.
5. Create a hierarchically structured group of Alarms using Alarm Areas at Alarms → Areas, enhancing the organization and management of alarms. Learn more on the Alarm Areas page.
6. Configure database settings for logging alarm events, behavior upon system startup, and specific alarm handling parameters at Alarms → Global Settings. Read the Global Settings page for more details.

Once you have configured your Alarms, integrate them with other modules within the software environment, such as the Displays Module, to visualize alarms in real-time in tables, custom graphics, and objects.

Working with the Alarms Module

The modules inside the platform are connected and can be used together to create advanced solutions. This page presents how you can use the Alarms Module combined with other modules available on the platform.

Runtime Execution

You can control the Alarms Module execution while running your solution. You can Run, Pause, or Stop the Alarms Module directly from the platform. Access Runtime → Runtime Diagnostics to find the three buttons that you can use to control the module.

Intra-module interaction

The Alarms Module easily integrates with other modules within the software environment. Here are some examples of how to use the Alarms Module in conjunction with other modules:

• Displays Module:  Users can create displays that visualize alarms in real-time in tables, custom graphics, and objects,  with the ability to sort and filter based on various alarm properties. The displays can also include interactive components, such as acknowledging alarms and displaying alarm details, allowing operators to respond quickly.
• Scripting Module: Custom Scripts can handle alarm notifications, defining the behavior of the Notification Method property of the Alarm Group and allowing for more customized notifications based on the type and severity of the alarm. 
• Reporting Module: Users can generate detailed alarm reports.
• Datasets Module: The Alarm Historian database is where the Alarms Module stores all alarm events and audit trail information.

External system interaction

The Alarms Module can send alarm notifications through emails or SMS messages. For more details on this feature and how to use it access the Alarm Email Notifications page.

Monitoring the Module

The Alarms Monitor lets you see real-time information about the module when the solution is runtime. It showcases total, unacknowledged, active alarms, their priority, and the most recent alarm notification.

Additionally, the Runtime Diagnostic provides additional information from the modules through three essential diagnostic tools:

• Module Information 
• Property Watch
• Trace Window

You can read more about these tools and see a list of properties used to monitor the module on the Alarms Monitor page.

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