alarm-AlarmSourceExt

This component is the abstract super-class of all Baja control alarming algorithms. It is available in the alarm module. Alarm extensions are contained in the alarm palette and in other component palettes.

Figure 1. Example of Alarm Source Extension properties


To set up alarming on a component you add an alarm extension to the component’s property sheet. Alarm extension types must match their parent component type. For example, an OutOfRangeAlarmExt goes with a Numeric point type and a BooleanChangeOfStateAlarmExt goes with a Boolean point type.

Each alarm extension shares the same set of properties that specify the alarming conditions and certain routing options. Alarm extension properties define items such as alarm enable (annunciation) transition types, alarm delay times, associated alarm class, and alarm display text for different transition types. You define the actual alarm limits or state(s) in properties in the extension’s “Offnormal Algorithm slot.

PropertyValueDescription
Alarm Inhibittrue or falsetrue prevents all alarm generation due to any transition or state change, thus preventing unintended alarms in after-hours situations when a piece of equipment is turned off.Inhibit Time qualifies this behavior.

For example, if set to true and an Offnormal state is reached, a toOffNormal status is not communicated. When the state returns to Normal, a toNormal status also is not communicated. This property also prevents alarm generation during the fault state.

A difference between Alarm Inhibit and Alarm Delay is that the former is a boolean value (true/false) and may be controlled by another device (for example, the ON/OFF value of a fan).

false allows alarm generation. This value prevents alarms from being inhibited (even if an Inhibit Time is set).

Inhibit Timehours minutes secondsControls the length of time that the current Alarm Inhibit state remains in effect after an Alarm Inhibit state change.

When an Alarm Inhibit value changes from true to false, alarm generation continues to be inhibited for the time specified by the value set for Inhibit Time

When an Alarm Inhibit value changes from false to true, alarm generation may continue to be inhibited for a time that is dependent on the point type. For discrete points, the system increases the Inhibit Time value by a factor of three. If the point is a numeric point, nothing changes.

Alarm StateNormalLow LimitHigh Limit orFaultDisplays the current state of the alarms.
Time Delayhours: minutes: secondsDisplays the minimum time period that an alarm condition must exist before the object alarms. In other words, the object status must meet the alarm criteria for a continuous period equal to or greater than defined in the this property before an alarm is generated. Time Delay provides a way to prevent nuisance alarms that may be caused by a momentary change in a state value (Normal, Low Limit, High Limit).
Note: Time Delay does not affect alarms generated by a fault. There is no delay when transitioning in or out of a Fault generated alarm.
Time Delay to Normalhours: minutes: secondsSets the minimum time period that a normal condition must exist before the object may return to normal status.
Alarm EnabletoOffnormal ortoFaulttoOffnormal turns on the ability of the alarm to transition from normal to the alarm state Offnormal.

toFault turns on the ability of the alarm to transition from normal to the alarm state Fault.

To Offnormal Timestext
When a point transitions to an offnormal state, reports four pieces of information:

Alarm Time displays when the alarm condition occurred.

Ack Time displays the time that the alarm was acknowledged.

Normal Time displays the time that the to-normal event occurred.

Count displays the total number of offnormal events.

To Fault Timestext
When a point transitions to a fault state, reports four pieces of information:

Alarm Time displays the time that the to-fault event occurred.

Ack Time displays the time that the alarm was acknowledged.

Normal Time displays the time that the To Normal event occurred.

Count displays the total number of Offnormal events.

Time in Current Statehours: minutes: secondsDisplays the elapsed time since the component transition to the current state occurred.
Source Name%parent.displayName% (default)Displays the name of the alarm source. If you use the default script setting, the source name field shows the display name of the alarm extension parent. You can edit this script or type in a multi-line literal string to display.
To Normal Texttext
Configures what displays when the component transitions to a normal status. When applicable, text entered for Fault Algorithm, High Limit Text and/or Low Limit Text may override this text.
To Fault Texttext
Enters the text to display when the component transitions to a Fault status. When applicable, text entered for Fault Algorithm, High Limit Text and/or Low Limit Text may override this text.
To Offnormal Texttext
Enters the text to display when the component transitions to an Offnormal (alarm) state. When applicable, text entered for Fault Algorithm, High Limit Text and/or Low Limit Text may override this text.
Hyperlink Ord or HyperlinkOrd, BQL Query or path
Associates an ORD, BLQ query or path with an alarm state on the component. When an alarm is reported in the console, the Hyperlink button activates. Clicking this button links to the location you specify here.
Sound File 
Configures the path to a sound file that plays when the current component is in an alarm state. Use the folder icon to browse to the file. Click the arrow icon to the right of the folder icon to test the path.
Alarm IconordDefines the path to a graphic file to add to the display in the timestamp column of the alarm table in the Console Recipient view.
Alarm InstructionstextOpens a window in which you can provide customized instructions to the building attendant concerning how to handle the alarm.
Fault Algorithmadditional propertiesDisplays Fault options that depend on the alarm extension. You define the actual alarm limits or state(s) in subproperties in this slot.
Offnormal Algorithmadditional properties
Displays offnormal options that depend on the alarm extension.
Ordinalread-onlyProvides a unique identifier for the particular OnCallList. The OnCallService tracks the next free ordinal number.
Alarm Classread-only used in Lists, console columns, or %alarmClass% on a report.
Defines alarm routing options and priorities. Typical alarm classes include High, Medium and Low. An alarm class of Low might send an email message, while an alarm class of High might trigger a text message to the department manager.
Meta Datatext
Defines additional information for the extension.