Configuration Aspects for Programmers
Appendix C
C-26
NetScan User’s Manual
Configuring Alarms
NetScan can produce an internal event when the value of a channel is outside of user-defined limits. These
“alarm events” can be used as trigger or stop events, or as a stimulus for TTL-level signals on the NetScan back
panel.
To use alarms the channels in question must be part of the channel scan. The alarms will become active and
monitored only after an acquisition has been configured and armed, and only at the programmed scan rate.
Note:
To enable alarm monitoring prior to the trigger event, or to have an alarm condition serve as a
trigger event, you must first configure the acquisition with at least one pre-trigger scan.
Alarm Set Points
Each channel has an associated high and low set point. Set points are defined as part of a channel configuration
using the
C
command. These set points create the “envelope” that constitutes the channel’s normal operating
range.
If the channel value goes above the high set point or below the low set point, the channel is in the alarm state. If
any channel configured by the
C
command is in the alarm state, a system alarm event is posted. For example, if
the trigger source is on Alarm, the alarm event would cause a trigger.
Digital Alarm Outputs
If desired, you can use an alarm event [for a specific channel] as a stimulus for a digital output signal (TTL) on
the back panel of the NetScan. This signal can be used to set off an audible alarm (user-supplied) or to inform
another device of the alarm condition.
Thirty-two digital alarm outputs are available on the NetScan back panel. Although analog input channels on
the expansion chassis can be used to stimulate alarms, no digital output signals are available on the expansion
chassis. Regardless of the number of expansion chassis connected, no more than 32 digital alarm outputs are
available.
The Assign Alarm Output (
A
command) may be used to assign alarm conditions of various channels to one of
the 32 digital TLL level outputs located on the back panel. You can tie as many of the alarm conditions as you
want to any digital output. Use the
C
and
A
commands to configure alarm conditions for driving the digital
output lines (to enable alarm monitoring).
•
The
C
command - determines the high and low setpoints and hysteresis of the alarm condition.
•
The
A
command - assigns an input channel alarm to a digital output.
The following example indicates how to configure alarms and associate them with digital outputs for 24
channels on the NetScan.
PRINT #1 “C1-24, 1, -100.0, +100.0, 10.0X”
Setup channels 1-24, type J,low setpoint = -100.0°C
high setpoint = +100.0, hysteresis = 10.0°C
PRINT #1 “A1, 1X”
Assign alarm channel 1 to Digital Output 1
PRINT #1 “A2, 2X”
Assign alarm channel 2 to Digital Output 2
Summary of Contents for OMB-NETSCAN 1500
Page 6: ...iv NetScan User s Manual...
Page 18: ...1 12 Configuring and Starting NetScan NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 38: ...3 8 General Information and Specifications NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 82: ...4 44 ChartView Software Reference NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 118: ...6 20 Calibration NetScan User s Manual...
Page 140: ...A ii NetScan User s Manual...
Page 192: ...API Command Reference Appendix A A 52 NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 237: ...Appendix D Registers Data Formats Queries NetScan User s Manual D 13...
Page 244: ...NetScan Program Examples Appendix E E 2 NetScan User s Manual...
Page 248: ...ASCII Code Summary Appendix F F 4 NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 250: ...NetScan Error Messages Appendix G G 2 NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 252: ...Abbreviations Appendix H H 2 NetScan User s Manual Notes...
Page 254: ...NetScan User s Manual...
