Configure Event Configuration

When a DNP3 device sends event data to a SCADA Master, each event is sent in a format known as a DNP3 Object. The DNP3 standard specifies Objects and Variations, which define the type and format of the data sent between DNP3 devices. For example, Object 2 is defined in the DNP3 standard as a binary event object and is used to send binary event data between DNP3 devices. Object 2, Variation 1 is defined as a binary event object with no time stamp, while Object 2, Variation 2 is defined as a binary event object with a time stamp. DNP3 Object/Variations are usually written in abbreviated notation. For example, Object 2 Variation 1 is written as g2v1

When a DNP3 event object with a time stamp is specified, the time stamp for the event is applied by the SCADAPack E outstation at the time the event occurs. When these events are received by Geo SCADA Expert, the Geo SCADA Expert server stores the values in its historic database, using the time stamp supplied in the event object. When a DNP3 event object with no time stamp is specified, the values are stored in the Geo SCADA Expert history database using the system time of the Geo SCADA Expert server at the time the events are received by the Geo SCADA Expert server.

Use the fields within the Event Configuration section of the outstation’s SCADAPack tab to specify the DNP3 event objects that the outstation uses to send event data to Geo SCADA Expert.

Each Events field is a drop-down list. Select one of the DNP3 event objects supported by the SCADAPack E outstation.

We recommend that you choose With Time events, so that Geo SCADA Expert logs the data using its original occurrence time, rather than the time that the event arrives at the server. Choose from:

• Binary Input Events—Specify the DNP3 event object that the SCADAPack E outstation uses to send binary input point event data to Geo SCADA Expert. Choose from:
  • No Time— The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time they arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended, as the actual occurrence time is lost.
  • With Absolute Time— The outstation does time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.
  • With Relative Time— The outstation time stamps the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation. This option produces more efficient communications on a SCADAPack E outstation that regularly produces more than a few binary events every minute (either continuously, or in bursts).
• Analog Input Events—For firmware versions prior to 7.80, specify the DNP3 event object that the outstation uses to send analog event data to Geo SCADA Expert.

  In firmware versions 7.80 and later, the outstation automatically determines each point’s event size (16-bit or 32-bit), based on its configured DNP3 Object Type. You only need to specify a No Time or With Time option (you can choose either the 16-bit or 32-bit variation; both are equally valid). For more information about the DNP3 Object Type check box, see Configure Event Configuration.

  The option that you specify in this field is used for analog input points that are configured with an Analog DNP Object Type (see Configure Common Properties of DNP3 SCADAPack Points). Choose from:

  • No Time (32 bit)—In firmware versions prior to 7.80, the outstation sends event data to Geo SCADA Expert with 32-bit resolution. In firmware versions 7.80 and later, the outstation determines the resolution it uses to send event data (32-bit or 16-bit), based on the configured DNP3 static object data size, irrespective of the resolution option you choose here.

    The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time that the events arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended, as the actual occurrence time is lost.

  • No Time (16 bit)—In firmware versions prior to 7.80, the outstation sends event data to Geo SCADA Expert with 16-bit resolution. In firmware versions 7.80 and later, the outstation determines the resolution it uses to send event data (32-bit or 16-bit), based on the configured DNP3 static object data size, irrespective of the resolution option you choose here.

    The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time that the events arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended, as the actual occurrence time is lost.

  • With Time (32 bit)—In firmware versions prior to 7.80, the outstation sends event data to Geo SCADA Expert with 32-bit resolution. In firmware versions 7.80 and later, the outstation determines the resolution it uses to send event data (32-bit or 16-bit), based on the configured DNP3 static object data size, irrespective of the resolution option you choose here.

    The outstation time stamps the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.

  • With Time (16 bit)—In firmware versions prior to 7.80, the outstation sends event data to Geo SCADA Expert with 16-bit resolution. In firmware versions 7.80 and later, the outstation determines the resolution it uses to send event data (32-bit or 16-bit), based on the configured DNP3 static object data size, irrespective of the resolution option you choose here.

    The outstation time stamps the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.

• Float Input Events—Specify the DNP3 event object that the outstation uses to send floating point event data to Geo SCADA Expert. The option that you specify in this field is used for analog input points that are configured with a Float DNP Object Type (see Configure Common Properties of DNP3 SCADAPack Points). Choose from:
  • With Time—Analog event data is sent to Geo SCADA Expert as IEEE short floating point (32-bit) precision. The outstation time stamps the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.
  • No Time—Analog event data is sent to Geo SCADA Expert as IEEE short floating point (32-bit) precision. The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time they arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended, as the actual occurrence time is lost.
• Counter Input Events—Specify the DNP3 event object that the outstation uses to send counter point event data to Geo SCADA Expert. Choose from:
  • No Time (32 bit)—Counter event data is sent to Geo SCADA Expert with 32-bit resolution. The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time they arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended, as the actual occurrence time is lost.
  • No Time (16 bit)—Counter event data is sent to Geo SCADA Expert with 16-bit resolution. The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time they arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended, as the actual occurrence time is lost.
  • With Time (32 bit)—Counter event data is sent to Geo SCADA Expert with 32-bit resolution. The outstation time stamps the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.
  • With Time (16 bit)—Counter event data is sent to Geo SCADA Expert with 16-bit resolution. The outstation time stamps the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.

    The DNP3 standard specifies that analog values are signed, and counter values are unsigned. As such, the value returned by Analog Input Events - No Time (16 bit)or Analog Input Events - With Time (16 bit) has the range -32768 to 32767, whereas the value returned by Counter Input Events - No Time (16 bit) or Counter Input Events - With Time (16 bit)has the range 0 to 65535.

• Binary Output Events—Specify the DNP3 event object that the SCADAPack E outstation uses to send binary output event data to Geo SCADA Expert. Choose from:
  • No Time— The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time they arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended as the actual occurrence time is lost.
  • With Time—The outstation does time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.
• Analog Output Events—Specify the DNP3 event object that the SCADAPack E outstation uses to send analog output event data to Geo SCADA Expert. Choose from:
  • No Time—The outstation does not time stamp the event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time they arrive at the Geo SCADA Expert server. Not recommended as the actual occurrence time is lost.
  • With Time—The outstation does time stamp the output event data. Geo SCADA Expert stores the events in the history database using the time stamp applied by the outstation.
• Analog/Float Input Event Buffer Mode—Use to specify whether or not the outstation buffers multiple analog and floating point events. Choose from:
  • Multiple—The outstation buffers multiple events for each analog point generating events.

    We recommend using this setting for Analog/Float Event Buffer Mode.

  • Single—The outstation only buffers the last analog or floating point event that was generated for each analog point that can generate events. The Single option allows legacy support for older SCADA masters that are incapable of processing multiple analog events.
• Maximum Events Storage—Specify the maximum number of events, regardless of type, that the outstation can store.