Define the Time Zone for the Dial In Overactive Feature

The Dial In Overactive feature allows you to configure a PSTN outstation so that an alarm is raised if the outstation dials in too many times in a particular time period. For example, if an outstation dials in more than 5 times in a day. You can also use the Dial In Overactive feature to configure an outstation so that an event is logged if the outstation dials in too frequently. (For more information, see Configuring an Outstation to Raise an Alarm if it Dials In Too Frequently).

Many of the Dial In Overactive configuration settings are defined on the Outstation Form. However, you need to use the Server Configuration Tool to define the time zone for the Dial In Overactive time periods that are configured on the outstations. For example, if the outstation is configured to have an interval of one day and is synchronized to midnight, you can use the Time Zone setting to define whether midnight is midnight UTC or midnight local time (see Time Zone Support in Geo SCADA Expert).

The time zone is defined in the Global Parameters>Outstations settings on the Server Configuration Tool.

To define the time zone for the dial in overactive feature:

1. Access the Geo SCADA Expert Server Configuration Tool (see Accessing the Geo SCADA Expert Server Configuration Tool).
2. Expand the Global Parameters branch of the tree-structure.
3. Select Outstations
   The Outstations display is shown.
4. In the Dial In Overactive section, use the Time Zone combo box to choose the required time zone settings.

   

   You can choose from:

   • Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)—The system will use UTC to calculate the actual time of the start and end of the time period.
   • Local Time without Daylight Saving Time—The system will use local time to calculate the actual time of the start and end of the time period. For example, if the local time zone is EST (Eastern Standard Time), the system will use EST (the time for the east coast of the United States of America) in its calculation to determine the start time and end time of the time period. No adjustments are made for Daylight Saving Time (DST).
   • Local Time with Daylight Saving Time—This works in the same way as the Local Time without Daylight Saving Time option except that Local Time with Daylight Saving Time instructs the system to automatically adjust the time to allow for Daylight Saving Time (DST) adjustments.

     Using DST means that during the transition to/from DST, the overactive dial-in period will be extended or shortened. For example, a period of one day will become 25 hours or 23 hours (assuming one hour adjustment).

5. Right-click on the system icon in the tree-structure, and select the Apply Changes option to apply the changes.

When you have defined the Time Zone setting, you can continue to Define the Default Promoted Dial Out Settings or Define the Point Update Setting on the Outstations section, or you can continue with the rest of the server configuration.

If you are unfamiliar with the server configuration process, we recommend that you proceed to learn about Points Settings.