Maple Systems MAPware-7000 - Manual (Page 219)

MAPware-7000 Programming Manual 219
1010-1040, Rev. 02
Chapter 7 - Alarms
What are Alarms?
At the most basic level, alarms are simply predefined messages that display on the HMC7000
screen when a bit attached to each message triggers. This is used in circumstances in which the
HMC operator must be notified immediately of a problem or event that is occurring in the
system.
Configure up to 256 unique alarm messages for each project.
Other features:

Auto acknowledge feature allows one key press to acknowledge each particular alarm or
all active alarms at once

Option when alarm memory is full, to erase the previous alarms and log new alarms
from the beginning or simply to stop logging any new alarms that occur.

Alarm messages trigger by bits that are part of ‘word’ registers. Option to select
random 16-bit word registers (more versatility but slower response time) or 16
consecutive word registers (less versatile but quick response time)

Log feature: captures event to non-volatile memory to view at a later date

Severity (range 0 to 9) – determines priority of alarms

Alarm Print Notification: if selected, alarm message is sent to serial printer that is
connected to the HMC.
Constructing an Alarm Database
1. Configure the alarm global parameters
First, you must select three parameters that determine how your HMC unit works with
alarms. These settings are configured either in the Project Configuration dialog box
(select Project menu, then Properties…, then click on the Alarm tab) or go directly to the
Alarm Project Configuration Properties dialog box (click on the Alarms folder in the
Project Information window) and then click on the Change Properties button.
Parameter 1 - 16 random or consecutive registers
Each alarm message must tag to a bit. When the bit is set, it will trigger the display of
the alarm message. The HMC monitors bits in word registers to ensure a fast response
time. Therefore, each group of 16 alarm messages requires one 16-bit word register.
Therefore, for 256 alarm messages, the HMC must monitor 16 word registers. The
MAPware-7000 software provides two options for the HMC to read word registers
allocated for alarms:
- 16 consecutive words: this option reserves sixteen word registers in consecutive
order.