Adding an alarm

You can set an alarm to create an error message when a measurement falls outside the range that you specify. For example, you can specify that the alarm creates an error message based on a digital input from the Automation Control Unit.

Note: The alarm can only be used if your lab automation system is equipped with an Automation Control Unit.

IMPORTANT You can add User Message tasks in the protocol to remind the operator to empty or fill containers or reservoirs at the appropriate steps in the protocol. For instructions on adding User Message tasks, see User Message.

Procedure

IMPORTANT The alarm settings apply only to the current protocol and do not impact other protocols.

To set up alarms:

1	In the Protocol area, click Protocol Options.

2	Click the Measurement Manager tab and specify the alarm parameters.

The Measurement Manager tab displays all the measurements for the devices you want to monitor.

If you do not see the device information in the Measurement Manager tab, check that you have added the device in the device file and configured the signal channels in ACU Diagnostics.

 

 

Parameter	Description
Device Name	The name of the device for which the alarm is set. If you have two devices of the same type, each device is distinguished by its device name.
Device Type	The Agilent ACU.
Measurement Name	The measurement you want to monitor.
Unit	The unit of measure.
Poll Frequency	The frequency at which the software takes the measurements. For example, 1 s means the software will check the device every second and display the measurement in the log.
Critical Time	The length of time the measurement is allowed to be above the upper limit or below the lower limit before it is considered to be out of range. For example, the upper limit of a measurement is 5 volts and you specify a 2 s critical time. When the software takes a measurement, the reading fluctuates and is at 6 volts for longer than 2 s overall. So it is considered to be out of range.
Lower Limit	The low value at which the alarm is turned on.
Upper Limit	The high value at which the alarm is turned on.
Log Action	The action to record the error: • LOG_ACTION_ALWAYS. Records the measurements in the log. For example, if the Poll Frequency is 1 s, the measurement for every second is recorded in the log. • LOG_ACTION_NONE. Does not record the measurement in the log. • LOG_ACTION_LOW. Records the measurement when it exceeds the lower limit. • LOG_ACTION_HIGH. Records the measurement when it exceeds the upper limit. • LOG_ACTION_HIGHLOW. Records the measurement when it exceeds the upper or lower limit.
Pause Action	The action to pause the run: • PAUSE_ACTION_NONE. Does not pause the run when the measurement is out of range. • PAUSE_ACTION_LOW. Pauses the run when the measurement exceeds the lower limit. • PAUSE_ACTION_HIGH. Pauses the run when the measurement exceeds the upper limit. • PAUSE_ACTION_HIGHLOW. Pauses the run when the measurement exceeds the upper or lower limit.

3	When you are finished, click Apply.

Related information

 

For information about...	See...
ACU Diagnostics	Automation Control Unit User Guide
I/O-handling tasks	Setting parameters for I/O-handling tasks
Adding User Message tasks	User Message
Protocol options	Setting protocol options