Configure the Event Attributes

The SCADAPack x70 tab on the Forms of SCADAPack x70 Digital Configuration items contains an Event Attributes section. Use the section to define the circumstances in which the SCADAPack x70 device generates point value-related events for the item. The properties only apply when using a communications protocol that supports, and is configured to enable, event generation. The properties also only apply when the SCADAPack x70 device is operating as a Slave.

Use the Alert properties to prevent a change in value from affecting the point state until the point has been in that state for a specified time. Use the properties to reduce the requirement for the SCADAPack x70 device to needlessly report, and the SCADA master(s) to needlessly process, momentary changes of state.

The Event Attributes section includes these properties:

• Alert Set Time Deadband—Use to specify the amount of time that the digital's value has to have continuously remained in the point state that is configured as the Alert Active State, before it is considered to have fulfilled the alert and change of state criteria. If the digital value is still in that point state when the deadband expires, the SCADAPack x70 device generates events to indicate the point's change of state and its entry into an alert state.

  The deadband's time resets whenever the digital's point state reverts back to the point state that is considered the normal (non-alert) state.

  You can specify a value between 0 and 65535 seconds inclusive. The default is 0 (resulting in no time deadband). Enter the required interval in the OPC Time Format. You can enter the value directly in the field, or use the Interval window (accessed via the field's browse button) to specify the required value.

• Alert Clear Time Deadband—Use to specify the amount of time that the digital's value has to have continuously remained in the point state that is defined as the normal (non-alert) state, before it is considered to fulfilled the change of state criteria. If the digital value is still in that point state when the deadband expires, the SCADAPack x70 device generates an event to indicate the point's change of state.

  The deadband's time resets whenever the digital's point state reverts back to the point state that is configured as the Alert Active State.

  You can specify a value between 0 and 65535 seconds inclusive. The default is 0 (resulting in no time deadband). Enter the required interval in the OPC Time Format. You can enter the value directly in the field, or use the Interval window (accessed via the field's browse button) to specify the required value.

  If a DNP Class 0 Poll or DNP3 Level 3 Scan is performed during the Alert Set/Clear Time Deadband period, Geo SCADA Expert will log the changed state. The Alert Set/Clear Time Deadband settings determine whether the SCADAPack x70 device will generate a logged event. Use the Debounce Time (see Configure the Physical I/O Performance Properties) if you do not want the point state logged under such circumstances.

• Unsolicited Events (DNP3 Only)—Select this check box if the SCADAPack x70 device is to transmit the change of state events in an unsolicited message.

  The unsolicited message might be sent immediately, or might be delayed according to the unsolicited message generation settings of the device.

  Clear the check box (the default) if the device is not configured to send unsolicited messages, or is not to send such events as unsolicited messages. The SCADAPack x70 device will store the events in its internal Event Buffer until the SCADA master requests the data in a poll of the device.

  Regardless of the check box's setting, the SCADAPack x70 device will timestamp each event with the time that the change in point state is deemed to have occurred.

  For SCADA masters that are using the DNP3 protocol to communicate with the SCADAPack x70 device, the Unsolicited Events property only applies when the relevant 'Master Point Data Class' is set to Class 1, 2, or 3 Event on the Digital Configuration item's DNP3 tab (see Specify the Point Data Class used for DNP3 Communications).