FactoryTalk
Alarms and Events
System Configuration Guide
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Supersedes Publication FTAE-RM001L-EN-E - September 2020
Original Instructions
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events System Configuration Guide
WARNING: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a hazardous environment, which may lead to personal
IMPORTANT
Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the product.
BURN HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that surfaces may reach dangerous temperatures.
ARC FLASH HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a motor control center, to alert people to potential Arc Flash. Arc Flash will
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Important User Information
Read this document and the documents listed in the additional resources section about installation, configuration, and
operation of this equipment before you install, configure, operate, or maintain this product. Users are required to familiarize
themselves with installation and wiring instructions in addition to requirements of all applicable codes, laws, and standards.
Activities including installation, adjustments, putting into service, use, assembly, disassembly, and maintenance are required to
be carried out by suitably trained personnel in accordance with applicable code of practice.
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the protection provided by the equipment may be
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In no event will Rockwell Automation, Inc. be responsible or liable for indirect or consequential damages resulting from the use
or application of this equipment.
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described in this manual.
Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, Inc., is
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Throughout this manual, when necessary, we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.
injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.
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Attentions help you identify a hazard, avoid a hazard, and recognize the consequence.
Labels may also be on or inside the equipment to provide specific precautions.
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2
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Table of Contents
What you need to get started
Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms
and Events services
Plan your system
Define device-based alarms in
Logix 5000 controllers
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Chapter 1
IMPORTANT
This guide describes how to set up a local station application. However, the procedure for
and Events services.
Software
Version
FactoryTalk Services Platform
2.10 or later
RSLogix 5000
16.03 or later (or the Logix Designer application version 21.00 or later)
Logix Designer
21.00 or later (or RSLogix 5000® software version 16.03 or later)
RSLogix 500
Version that supports FactoryTalk Services Platform 2.10 or later
RSLogix 5
Version that supports FactoryTalk Services Platform 2.10 or later
FactoryTalk View SE
5.00 or later
FactoryTalk View Studio
5.00 or later
RSLinx Classic (used for Logix programming)
2.50.20 or later
ControlFLASH™
4.00.09 (used to download firmware)
SoftLogix™
16.03 or later
Microsoft® SQL Server®
Version that supports FactoryTalk Alarms and Events historical logging. For more information, see Supported SQL
Server databases on page 169.
Required software
Recommended hardware
Logix 5000 controllers
What you need to get started
The FactoryTalk® System Configuration Guide describes the tasks that are
required to install, configure, and use FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
as part of a FactoryTalk-enabled automation system. This guide also includes
references to additional documentation that provides more detail.
setting up a network station application or network distributed application is similar. This
guide provides information about the latter two applications where it is necessary. See
the Help included with the individual software products used to configure and use Alarms
T
he following software is required to configure and operate FactoryTalk
Alarms and Events services:
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events 2.10 or later (included with FactoryTalk View Site Edition and FactoryTalk® Linx™)
FactoryTalk Linx 5.00 or later
The hardware and supported operating systems that are recommended to run
and supported operating
systems
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events are the same as those recommended to run
FactoryTalk View Site Edition. For details, see the FactoryTalk View Site Edition
Installation Guide. To access the guide, in the FactoryTalk View Studio toolbar
click Help, point to Online Books, and then click Installation Guide.
The Logix 5000 controllers listed in the following table support FactoryTalk
Alarms and Events services. When you use built-in alarm instructions in
Logix 5000 controllers, these controllers require a firmware update to revision
16.20 or later (excluding 21 to 23). If you do not want to update the firmware in
your controllers, use a Tag Alarm and Event Server for software-based alarms
and events. See Decide what type of alarm monitoring you need on page 26
.
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
9
Chapter 1 What you need to get started
Catalog number
Name
1756-L61
ControlLogix Processor
1756-L62
ControlLogix Processor
1756-L64
ControlLogix Processor
1756-5555
5555 ControlLogix Processor
1768-L43
CompactLogix L43 Controller
1769-L31
CompactLogix L31 Controller
1769-L32C
CompactLogix L32C Controller
1769-L32E
CompactLogix L32E Controller
1769-L35CR
CompactLogix L35CR Controller
1769-L35E
CompactLogix L35E Controller
1794-L34
FlexLogix L34 Controller
1756-L61S
ControlLogix Safety Processor
1756-L62S
ControlLogix Safety Processor
PowerFlex 700S 2
DriveLogix5370
1789-L60
SoftLogix5800
EMULATE
RSLogix Emulate 5000
Catalog number
Name
ControlLogix 1756-L71 Series B
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L72 Series A
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L72 Series B
ControlLogix Processor
GuardLogix 1756-L72S Series B
ControlLogix Safety Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L73 Series A
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L73 Series B
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L73XT Series B
ControlLogix Processor
GuardLogix 1756-L73SXT Series B
ControlLogix Safety Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L74 Series A
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L74 Series B
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L75 Series A
ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L75 Series B
ControlLogix Processor
CompactLogix 1769-L16ER-BB1B
CompactLogix L16ER-BB1B Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L18ER-BB1B
CompactLogix L18ER-BB1B Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L18ERM-BB1B
CompactLogix L18ERM-BB1B Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L24ER-QB1B
CompactLogix L24ER-QB1B Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L24ER-QBFC1B
CompactLogix L24ER-QBFC1B Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L27ERM-QBFC1B
CompactLogix L27ERM-QBFC1B Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L30ER
CompactLogix L30ER Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L30ER-NSE
CompactLogix L30ER-NSE Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L30ERM
CompactLogix L30ERM Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L33ER
CompactLogix L33ER Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L33ERM
CompactLogix L33ERM Controller
SoftLogix 1789-L60
SoftLogix5800
Tip: Firmware revisions 21 to 23 do not support the new alarms functionality.
1756-L63 ControlLogix Processor
The following controllers with firmware revision 24 and later support
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:
ControlLogix 1756-L71S Series B ControlLogix Safety Processor
GuardLogix 1756-L73S Series B ControlLogix Safety Processor
The following controllers with firmware revision 30 introduce support for
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:
The following controllers with firmware revision 32 introduce support for
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:
Automatic Diagnostics is supported only on Compact GuardLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5480,
ControlLogix 5580, and GuardLogix 5580 controllers, and the firmware revision must be 33 or later.
The controller firmware revisions listed in the following table are compatible
with FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:
16.20 or higher (excluding 21 to 23)
These controllers also support FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:
• Logix 5000 controllers that communicate with FactoryTalk Linx, using
Tag Alarm and Event Servers.
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
11
Chapter 1 What you need to get started
How to get the information
you need
• PLC-5® and SLC™ 500 controllers that communicate with FactoryTalk
Linx (or RSLinx Classic to bridge from Ethernet to DH+™ or DH-485
networks), using Tag Alarm and Event Servers.
• Third-party PLCs that communicate with OPC® Data Servers such as
KEPWare, using Tag Alarm and Event Servers.
For more information about the products and components discussed in this
guide, the following manuals and Help files are available:
• FactoryTalk Help
• Studio 5000 Logix Designer Help (for help with developing a controller
project)
• Studio 5000 Logix Designer Online Books
• FactoryTalk View Site Edition Installation Guide
• FactoryTalk View Site Edition User Guide
• RSLinx Classic Help (for help with configuring drivers and creating
topics)
• RSLinx Classic Quick Start Guide
• FactoryTalk Linx Getting Results Guide
• FactoryTalk Linx Help
12
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Chapter 2
IMPORTANT
FactoryTalk View version 10.00 is the last release to support the legacy HMI tag alarms.
and Events.
Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events
services
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events was introduced with FactoryTalk Services
Platform 2.0 (CPR 9) and FactoryTalk View Site Edition 5.0 (CPR 9) to provide
a common, consistent view of alarms and events throughout a FactoryTalk
system.
Beginning with FactoryTalk Alarms and Events 2.30 (CPR 9 SR 3), devicebased and tag-based servers support redundant server configuration.
We highly recommend that you update your alarming strategy to use FactoryTalk Alarms
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events supports two types of alarm monitoring:
• Device-based alarms, including:
• Logix instruction-based alarms
Alarm instructions are programmed and then downloaded into
Logix 5000 controllers. The controller detects alarm conditions and
publishes the alarm information, which is routed to FactoryTalk
Alarms and Events.
• Logix tag-based alarms
Logix tag-based alarms associate alarm conditions with tags for
Logix 5000 controllers. Logix tag-based alarms monitor tag values
to determine the alarm condition, but they are not part of the logic
program and do not increase the scan time for a project. Logix tagbased alarms are supported only on Compact GuardLogix 5380,
CompactLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5480, ControlLogix 5580, and
GuardLogix 5580 controllers.
• Server tag-based alarms
If you are not using Logix 5000 controllers, or if you do not want to use
the built-in alarms or alarm instructions that are available with the
Logix Designer application, server tag-based alarm monitoring offers
the equivalent of HMI tag alarm monitoring, but with an expanded
feature set. Tag Alarm and Event servers monitor controllers for alarm
conditions through data servers and publish event information that
can be displayed and logged. Server tag-based alarm monitoring is
supported for Logix 5000 controllers, PLC-5, and SLC 500 devices
communicating through Rockwell Automation device servers
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
13
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
(FactoryTalk Linx), or for third-party controllers communicating
through OPC Data Servers.
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events:
• Provides a single, integrated set of alarm information.
All participating FactoryTalk products work together to provide a
consistent way to define, manage, log, and view alarm and event
information across a FactoryTalk application.
• Streamlines alarm programming and eliminates polling with devicebased alarm monitoring.
If your automation system includes Logix 5000 controllers, you can use
pre-built alarms or alarm instructions, available in the Logix Designer
application (RSLogix 5000 software version 16 or later), to simplify
coding, and then download them to the controller. Device-based alarm
monitoring eliminates the need for duplicating alarm tags in an HMI
server and requires fewer controller communication resources by
eliminating polling.
• Supports other controllers in the integrated system with server tagbased alarm monitoring.
If your automation system includes other Rockwell Automation
controllers, such as PLC-5s or SLC 500s, or if you prefer not to use the
alarms or alarm instructions with Logix 5000 controllers, softwarebased tag servers monitor controllers for alarm conditions and publish
event information.
• Monitors alarms and events from third-party controllers.
Server tag-based alarm monitoring also makes it possible to monitor
alarm conditions from third-party controllers, which communicate
through OPC Data Servers.
• Provides accurate time stamps on alarm conditions that are generated
from Logix 5000 controllers using device-based alarm monitoring.
When you use device-based alarm monitoring, timestamps are applied
immediately in the controller and are not delayed until alarms reach an
HMI server. To make sure that the timestamps on device-based alarms
are accurate, synchronize the clocks of all controllers that produce
alarms. The event time is propagated throughout the FactoryTalk
Alarms and Events system, so inaccurate timestamps can affect where
alarms are displayed in the Alarm and Event Summary or the Alarm
and Event Banner as well as reports about the alarm and event history.
For more information about synchronizing controller clocks, see
Time
synchronization on page 179.)
14
• Subscribes to and displays diagnostic events enabled by the Automatic
Diagnostics feature of Studio 5000 Logix Designer. Automatic
Diagnostics is supported only on Compact GuardLogix 5380,
CompactLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5480, ControlLogix 5580, and
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Choose between HMI Tag
Alarm Monitoring and
FactoryTalk Alarms and
Events
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
GuardLogix 5580 controllers, and the firmware revision must be 33 or
later.
• Sends process data with events and messages.
You can associate up to four tags with each alarm to include process
da
ta with event information and alarm messages.
• Secures access to alarm and event operations through integration with
FactoryTalk Security.
• Generates messages for logging.
Log messages include audit messages that track operator actions,
system-related diagnostic messages, and historical alarm and event
messages.
• Shows alarm messages and status information at runtime, in
FactoryTalk View graphic displays.
HMI tag alarm monitoring and FactoryTalk Alarms and Events are two
separate alarm monitoring systems that do not share alarm information with
each other. FactoryTalk tag-based and device-based alarm information can
only be displayed in the FactoryTalk alarm and event objects. FactoryTalk
View HMI tag alarm information cannot be displayed in FactoryTalk alarm
and event objects.
If you are already using HMI tag alarm monitoring in existing applications
you can continue using it. However, to take advantage of the new features of
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events you will need to migrate your existing alarm
monitoring system to FactoryTalk Alarms and Events.
Migrate to FactoryTalk Alarms and Events if you want to:
• Use device-based alarm monitoring. You can use a Logix 5000
controller not only to detect alarms, but also to monitor alarms. This
keeps all alarm and event processing in the controller. To use devicebased alarm monitoring, add the built-in alarm instructions, available
in the Logix Designer application (or RSLogix 5000 software version 1
o
r later), to a logic project and then download the project to a Logix
5000 controller. The controller detects alarm conditions and publishes
vent information, which can be displayed and logged.
e
• Use language-switching with alarm messages. Language switching is
not supported for alarm messages when you use HMI tag alarm
monitoring in FactoryTalk View Site Edition. FactoryTalk View
Machine Edition supports language-switching with alarm messages in
version 5.0 or later.
• Take advantage of the richer feature set offered by FactoryTalk Alarms
and Events, including:
6
• Redundant software-based Tag Alarm and Event servers that
monitor controllers for alarm conditions through data servers an
publish event information that can be displayed and logged.
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
d
15
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
Where to start
FactoryTalk Alarms and
• Configurable Alarm and Event Summary that includes the ability to
suppress alarms directly from the summary, without the use of
separate commands.
• Alarm and Event Banner, Alarm and Event Log Viewer, and Alarm
Status Explorer objects that are hosted in graphic displays. You can
use the Alarm Status Explorer to enable or disable alarms, suppress
or unsuppress alarms, shelve or unshelve alarms, and view operato
co
mments.
• System-wide views in the Alarm and Event Banner, rather than just
the alarms in a single HMI server exposed by th
em\AlarmBanner system tag.
syst
Here is an overview of the sections covered in this guide:
1. Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services on page 13
2. Plan your system on page 25
• Set up device-based alarm monitoring
efine device-based alarms in Logix 5000 controllers on page 29
a. D
b. Add a device server for Logix 5000, PLC-5, or SLC 500 controllers
on page 39
r
e
Events components
• Set up tag-based alarm monitoring
dd an OPC data server for third-party controllers on page 47
a. A
b. Add a tag-based alarm server for Logix 5000, PLC-5, SLC 500, or
third-party controllers on page 51
3. Set up graphic displays on page 59
4. Monitor and interact with alarms at runtime on page 83
5. Set up historical alarm and event logging on page 101
6. Configure redundancy for alarms and events on page 119
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Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
The following diagram shows a high-level view of the components of the
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events system. For more detailed information, see
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events Help.
Device-based alarm monitoring
With device-based alarm monitoring that are available with the Studio 5000
Logix Designer application, pre-built alarms or alarm instructions are
configured and then downloaded into a Logix 5000 controller. The controller
detects alarm conditions and notifies alarms and events services of alarm
states. Software components publish this information to a device server. From
the device server, the information can be logged to a database and monitored
from FactoryTalk View graphic displays.
Use device-based alarm monitoring with Logix 5000 controllers, programmed
with the Logix Designer application, communicating through Rockwell
Automation Device Servers (FactoryTalk Linx).
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
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Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
Server tag-based alarm monitoring
If you are not using Logix 5000 controllers, or if you do not want to use the
pre-built alarming available with the Logix Designer application, server tagbased alarm monitoring offers the equivalent of HMI tag alarm monitoring,
but with an expanded feature set. The server tag-based Alarm and Event
servers monitor controllers for alarm conditions through data servers and
publish event information for display and logging. These data servers serve
tags, or data items, contained in OPC-DA (Data Access) servers. Clients that
need access to data items, such as FactoryTalk View Studio and FactoryTalk
Transaction Manager, use data server application elements referenced from
the FactoryTalk Directory to locate the computers that are hosting OPC-DA
2.0 compliant data servers.
Use the server tag-based alarm monitoring for Logix 5000 controllers, PLC-5
devices, and SLC 500 devices communicating through Rockwell Automation
Device Servers (FactoryTalk Linx), or for third-party controllers
communicating through OPC data servers.
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
Both device-based and tag-based alarms and events are published to
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services, which then routes the information to
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events objects hosted in FactoryTalk View, the alarm
and event history log, and to diagnostic logs and audit logs.
Alarm and Event Historian
The Alarm and Event Historian is a logging component that installs silently as
part of the FactoryTalk Alarms and Events software. It manages connections
between alarm servers and databases and logs data from each alarm server to
an alarm history database. An Alarm and Event Log Viewer allows viewing and
printing data from alarm history databases. Third-party database tools can
also retrieve, view, analyze, and print alarm history information.
To use alarm and event logging, install SQL Server separately, or use an
existing SQL Server database. See the release notes for FactoryTalk Alarms
and Events for the latest qualified versions of SQL Server.
18
Diagnostic and audit logs
FactoryTalk Diagnostics routes messages generated by FactoryTalk Alarms
and Events to Local logs on the computers hosting FactoryTalk components,
and optionally to a centralized database log. Audit messages are routed to the
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
Local log as well and to the FactoryTalk Audit Log if FactoryTalk AssetCentre is
installed.
Alarm and event setup and monitoring
These components define alarm conditions, set up alarm servers, view and
interact with alarm conditions, and view and run reports on historical alarm
information:
• Alarm and Event Banner
Use the Alarm and Event Banner object, embedded in a FactoryTalk
View graphic display, to monitor and respond to the most seriou
arms requiring immediate attention.
al
• Alarm and Event Log Viewer
Use the Alarm and Event Log Viewer object, embedded in a
FactoryTalk View graphic display, to view, filter, and print historical
alarm information stored in SQL Server databases.
s
• Alarm and Event Summary
Use the Alarm and Event Summary object, embedded in a FactoryTalk
View graphic display, to acknowledge, disable, suppress, filter, and sort
alarms during runtime.
• Alarm Status Explorer
Use the Alarm Status Explorer object, embedded in a FactoryTalk View
g
raphic display, to enable or disable alarms, suppress or unsuppress
alarms, shelve or unshelve alarms, and view operator comments.
• Automatic Diagnostic Event Summary
Use the Automatic Diagnostic Event Summary object, embedded in a
FactoryTalk View graphic display, to suppress, unsuppress, filter, and
sort diagnostic events during runtime.
• Alarm Server Setup
Use either FactoryTalk View Studio or FactoryTalk Administration
Console to add Rockwell Automation Device Servers (as part of
configuring FactoryTalk Linx data servers) and Tag Alarm and Event
ervers to a FactoryTalk application.
S
• Database definitions
Use database definitions to define logging options from an alarm
server to a SQL Server database.
• Diagnostics Viewer
Use the Diagnostics Viewer to view, filter, and export systemgenerated diagnostic messages. Run the Diagnostics Viewer from
either FactoryTalk View Studio or FactoryTalk Administration Console.
• FactoryTalk Audit Log
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
19
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
About monitoring for alarm
About device-based alarm
Device-based alarm
Use the FactoryTalk Audit Log to view and manage audit messages
routed by FactoryTalk Diagnostics. To access the Audit Log, use
FactoryTalk AssetCentre software.
You can monitor for alarm conditions in either of two ways--using device-
conditions
monitoring
based alarm monitoring, or server tag-based alarm monitoring.
With device-based alarm monitoring, detection and monitoring for alarm
conditions are both done in the controller. This is in contrast to server tagbased alarm monitoring, where alarm detection occurs in the controller, but
alarm monitoring is performed by software-based servers.
monitoring workflow
larm instructions or alarms are programmed and then downloaded
A
into a Logix 5000 controller.
The controller detects alarm conditions and notifies its device server,
FactoryTalk Linx, of alarm states.
The device server extracts alarms and publishes the information to
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services.
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services routes the alarm information to
logs and to Alarm and Event objects embedded in graphic displays in
FactoryTalk View.
Operators interact with alarms through objects embedded in graphic
displays, such as Alarm and Event Summary, Alarm and Event Banner, and
Alarm Status Explorer.
This approach offers a number of benefits over generic methods of alarm
detection:
20
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
About server tag-based
Server tag-based alarm
• Alarm instructions are programmed only once, and then downloaded
the controller, reducing programming effort and errors.
to
• Alarm conditions are detected more quickly.
• Real-time alarming is performed in the controller.
• HMI tags or alarms in a Tag Alarm and Event Server are not required,
reducing overhead and potential tag-mapping errors.
• Alarm states are managed, processed, and preserved by controllers,
even if a server goes down.
• Data polling is eliminated; alarm status is communicated only when
state changes, reducing network overhead and controller processing,
and improving overall system performance.
• Time stamps on alarm conditions are more accurate, because they are
applied in the controller, and not delayed until they reach the HMI
software or Tag Alarm and Event Server. Because device-based alarms
are stamped with the controller’s time, all controllers producin
al
arms must have their clocks synchronized. The event time is
propagated throughout the FactoryTalk Alarms and Events system, so
inaccurate time stamps can affect where alarms are displayed in the
Alarm and Event Summary or the Alarm and Event Banner as well as
reports based on the alarm and event history. For more information
about synchronizing controller clocks, see Time synchronization
page 179.
g
on
alarm monitoring
monitoring workflow
HMI tag alarm monitoring, offered by FactoryTalk View Site Edition (SE),
and tag-based alarm monitoring, offered by FactoryTalk Alarms and Events,
are both examples of software-based alarm monitoring.
Software-based alarm monitoring is a generic way of monitoring alarms from
legacy or third-party controllers.
With software-based alarm monitoring, alarm detection occurs in the
controller, but alarm monitoring is performed by software-based servers.
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21
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
Choose between device-
Logic in a controller is programmed to detect problems and latch alarm
conditions in tags.
Alarm conditions are defined through software hosted by FactoryTalk
View Studio or FactoryTalk Administration Console.
A Tag Alarm and Event Server polls controller tags and notifies clients,
including FactoryTalk Alarms and Events, of alarm conditions.
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services routes the alarm information to
logs and to Alarm and Event objects embedded in graphic displays in
FactoryTalk View.
Using FactoryTalk View SE Clients, operators interact with alarms
(acknowledge, disable, suppress, and other commands) from graphic displays,
such as the Alarm and Event Summary, the Alarm and Event Banner, and the
Alarm Status Explorer.
This approach has several disadvantages:
based and server tag-based
alarm monitoring
• Programming is required in both the controller, and the HMI software
or Tag Alarm and Event Server.
• Tags must be duplicated in the HMI server and mapped to the
controller. For Tag Alarm and Event Servers, controller tags must be
mapped to alarms--which can be a tedious, error-prone process.
• Alarms are detected and processed twice, first in the controller logic
and then again in the HMI software or Tag Alarm and Event Server.
• Polling between the HMI server or Tag Alarm and Event Server and
controller tags increases network overhead.
• Alarm time stamps are delayed because they are applied by the HMI
server or Tag Alarm and Event Server after polling and processing,
rather than immediately when they occur. Time stamps are not
synchronized among multiple alarm servers.
• Alarm acknowledge and enable states are held in the computer, and
not in the controller. If the computer fails, alarm state information is
lost.
Use device-based alarm monitoring with:
• Logix 5000 controllers, using downloaded alarms or alarm instructions
programmed with the Logix Designer application (or RSLogix 5000
software version 16 or later)
22
Use server tag-based alarm monitoring with:
• Logix 5000 controllers
• PLC-5, SLC 500 devices
• Third-party controllers that communicate through OPC Data Servers
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
To do this
way
do it this way
Acknowledge, disable, suppress,
HMI Tag Alarm Summary
Alarm and Event Summary
View, filter, and print historical
HMI Tag Alarm Log Viewer
Alarm and Event Log Viewer
Graphic objects in
FactoryTalk Alarms and
Events
Chapter 2 Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events graphic objects are on the Objects menu in the
graphics editor in FactoryTalk View Site Edition. The HMI tag alarm
monitoring objects remain available for compatibility with existing
applications.
filter, and sort alarms at runtime
Enable or disable alarms,
suppress or unsuppress alarms,
and view operator comments
Monitor and respond to the most
serious alarms that require
immediate attention
alarm information
In HMI tag alarm monitoring, you do it this
HMI Tag Alarm Summary (suppress only, using
the Execute feature)
SuppressOn and SuppressOff commands
Suppressed list
Alarm system tags Alarm and Event Banner
Alarms are logged to a proprietary format, and
can be exported to an ODBC-compliant
database.
With FactoryTalk Alarms and Events, you
Alarm and Event Summary (suppress only; to
unsuppress alarms, use the Alarm Status
Explorer)
Alarm Status Explorer
Historical alarm information is stored in
Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
23
IMPORTANT
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events is not supported for use with FactoryTalk View Machine
Decide what type of
application you are building
Chapter 3
Plan your system
Before you build and deploy FactoryTalk Alarms and Events as part of a local
or network application, consider which computer hardware and operating
systems you plan to use, and where to install the various hardware and
software components. The information in this chapter offers some guidelines
as you begin planning. See also Required software on page 9
Recommended hardware and supported operating systems on page 9.
You must decide whether you are building a local station application or
network station application on a stand-alone computer, or a network
distributed application distributed across multiple computers. This system
configuration guide primarily discusses how to install, configure, and use
software on a stand-alone system.
and
Edition.
• Network distributed applications are held in a FactoryTalk Network
Directory. Participating software products can be located on multiple
computers, distributed across a network. All of the computers
participating in a particular network distributed application share
common Network Directory Server located on a network computer.
See Typical distributed system on a network on page 189
graphical overview.
The application you create in the Network Directory can be divided
into any number of areas. Each area can contain one or more sub-areas
and one or more data servers. Each area or sub-area can contain only
one HMI server. A network distributed application supports
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events redundancy.
• Network station applications are held in a FactoryTalk Network
Directory. All participating software products (except for data servers)
must be installed on the same computer. Network station applications
can connect to data servers that are located on different machines. All
of the computers participating in a particular network station
application share a common Network Directory Server located on a
network computer. See Typical stand-alone system on page 27
graphical overview.
for a
for a
a
The application you create in the Network Directory can be divided
into any number of areas. Each area can contain one or more sub-areas
and one or more data servers. A network station application consists of
only one HMI server. You can add the HMI server in the root area or
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
25
Chapter 3 Plan your system
IMPORTANT
To use FactoryTalk Alarms and Events with a local station application, install all
applications and network distributed applications.
Tip: FactoryTalk Services Platform and FactoryTalk Alarms and Events software is installed
along with FactoryTalk View and FactoryTalk Linx software.
Decide what type of alarm
Follow these steps
within the areas you have created. A network station application
supports FactoryTalk Alarms and Events redundancy.
monitoring you need
• Local station applications are suitable for self-contained, stand-alon
rocesses that do not interact with other processes or systems. Local
p
station applications are held in a FactoryTalk Local Directory and are
accessible only from the local computer where they reside. Even if th
c
omputer is connected to a network and even if a network applicatio
esides on the same computer, the applications you create in the
r
FactoryTalk Local Directory remain self-contained and do not share
data or project elements.
Local station applications do not support areas, and all application
components and participating software products are located on a
single computer. See Typical stand-alone system on page 27
for a
graphical overview.
software on the same computer.
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events redundancy is only supported in network station
actoryTalk Alarms and Events supports two types of alarm monitoring:
F
• Device-based alarm monitoring
Built-in alarms or alarm instructions, that are available in the Logix
Designer application (RSLogix 5000 software version 16 or later), are
programmed in a logic project and then downloaded to a Logix 5000
controller. The controller detects alarm conditions and publishes event
information, which can be displayed and logged.
e
e
n
• Server tag-based alarm monitoring
Software-based tag alarm and event servers monitor controllers for
alarm conditions through data servers and publish event information,
which can be displayed and logged. Tag-based alarm monitoring is
supported for Logix 5000, PLC-5, and SLC 500 devices communicating
through Rockwell Automation device servers (FactoryTalk Linx), or for
third-party controllers that communicate through OPC Data Servers.
You can use a mix of both types of alarm monitoring. Choose server tag-based
alarm monitoring if you do not want to change the logic in your
programmable controllers, or if you do not want to update the firmware in
Logix 5000 controllers.
Follow these steps to plan your system:
• Determine network configuration
• Install and activate FactoryTalk View software
• Install FactoryTalk Linx software
26
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
IMPORTANT
This guide describes how to set up a local station application. The procedure to set up a
Reference for building a distributed system on page 189.
What you need
Install and activate
FactoryTalk software
Typical stand-alone system
Chapter 3 Plan your system
• Install RSLinx Classic software
• Install and activate RSLogix software
• Update Logix 5000 firmware to V16 or later (optional if using Ta
Al
arm and Event Servers)
• (optional) Install Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP3 Express
• Decide what type of application you are building.
• Decide what type of alarm monitoring you need.
• Install and activate FactoryTalk software.
• Update Logix 5000 firmware to revision 16.20 or later (excluding 21 to
23), if you plan to use device-based alarm monitoring and alarm
instructions that are built into Logix 5000 controllers. If you do no
lan to use device-based alarm instructions, you can skip this step and
p
use tag-based alarm monitoring with a Tag Alarm and Event Server
instead.
Follow these procedures to install and activate the software products required
for FactoryTalk Alarms and Events.
network station application or network distributed application is similar. This guide
provides additional information about the two applications where it is necessary. See also
g
t
For more information about each software product, see its respective product
Help.
To use FactoryTalk Alarms and Events with a local station application or a
network station application as part of a stand-alone FactoryTalk system,
install all software on the same computer. Use this diagram only as a starting
point--your own system will vary.
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
27
Chapter 3 Plan your system
IMPORTANT
This guide provides additional information about network distributed applications
Tip: To take advantage of the new alarms functionality in the v24 firmware, we recommend you
revision 24 or later.
Tip: If you already have Microsoft SQL Server installed, you may need to change the configuration
SQL Server database on page 169.
Install FactoryTalk software
Install Microsoft SQL Server
For specific installation instructions, refer to the installation guide for each
product.
• To develop or run local station applications, install all the necessary
software components on one computer.
• To develop or run network station applications, install all the necessary
software components (except for data servers) on one computer.
Network station applications can connect to data servers that are
located on different machines.
• To develop or run network distributed applications, install different
ombinations of software on each computer, depending on you
c
n
eeds. For more information, see FactoryTalk Help. Click Start > All
or network station applications where it is necessary.
To set up a FactoryTalk system, install the following software:
• FactoryTalk Services Platform
• FactoryTalk Activation
• FactoryTalk View Site Edition
• FactoryTalk Linx
• RSLinx Classic
• The Studio 5000 Logix Designer application (known previously a
s
RSLogix 5000 software)
• Update Logix 5000 firmware to revision 16.20 or later (excluding 21 to
23). If you plan to use device-based alarm monitoring see
Decide what
type of alarm monitoring you need on page 26.
I
f you plan to log historical alarm and event messages to a database, you must
install Microsoft SQL Server software on the computer you want to use for
logging. If you do not have Microsoft SQL Server software installed, see
Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP2 Express on page 165.
options to log alarm and event messages. For configuration instructions, see Use an existing Microsoft
28
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
install FactoryTalk Services Platform v2.71 or later and update your controller firmware to
Install
Chapter 4
Tip: Logix tag-based alarms are supported only on Compact GuardLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5380,
CompactLogix 5480, ControlLogix 5580, and GuardLogix 5580 controllers.
Tip: If your FactoryTalk application does not include Logix 5000 controllers, or if your controllers are not
a tag-based alarm server for Logix 5000, PLC-5, SLC 500, or third-party controllers on page 51.
Alarm buffering during loss
Define device-based alarms in Logix 5000
controllers
To set up device-based alarm monitoring, you program alarms or alarm
instructions that are available with the Logix Designer application (RSLogix
5000 software version 16 or later), and download them to a Logix 5000
controller. The controller detects alarm conditions and notifies alarms and
events services of alarm states. Software components publish this information
to a device server, where it can be logged to a database, and interacted from
FactoryTalk View graphic displays.
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events can handle many different types of alarms.
The controller limits the alarms to Logix tag-based alarms and instructionbased alarms. The instruction-based alarms include digital and analog alarms.
An analog alarm instruction monitors two types of alarm conditions: Level
and Rate of Change. A server tag-based alarm supports three alarm types:
Digital, Level, and Deviation.
of connection to the
controller
Logix tag-based alarms associate alarm conditions with tags for Logix 5000
controllers. Logix tag-based alarms monitor tag values to determine the alarm
condition, but they are not part of the logic program and do not increase the
scan time for a project.
A digital alarm instruction is based on the input rung state (in ladder logic) or
on the alarm input (for function block). The trigger condition compares the
value of the tag to either zero or one.
An analog alarm defines a condition that evaluates a single analog tag against
up to four limit values (high-high to low-low) and up to two rate of change
limits (positive and negative).
programmed with the alarm instructions included in the Logix Designer application (RSLogix 5000
software version 16 or later), see Add an OPC Data Server for third-party controllers on page 47 and Add
To receive device-based alarms, the alarm server (FactoryTalk Linx)
establishes a subscription to the alarms in the Logix controller. The controller
maintains a connection to each subscriber and monitors the status of that
connection.
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
29
Chapter 4 Define device-based alarms in Logix 5000 controllers
IMPORTANT
Firmware revision 21 to revision 23 do not support the new alarms functionality. The
buffering time unless instructed by Technical Support.
Tip: To take advantage of the new alarms functionality in the revision 24 firmware, we
your controller firmware to revision 24 or later.
Before you begin
What you need
Follow these steps
As alarm state changes occur, the controller caches information such as
timestamps, alarm state and associated tag values, and transmits the
information to all of the subscribers.
If any subscriber fails to confirm the receipt of the alarm information, or if the
connection to a subscriber is not good, the controller stores the undelivered
alarm information in a 100 KB buffer. Each subscriber has its own buffer and
communication problems with one subscriber do not interfere with alarm
delivery to other subscribers. When the buffer is full, newer alarm
information is discarded and a FactoryTalk Diagnostics message is logged.
The buffer is created when the subscriber establishes its initial connection,
and is maintained for a length of time after a subscriber loses its connection.
The length of time is specified in the Buffer Timeout setting on each
FactoryTalk Linx device shortcut. See step 3, "Create a new shortcut to the
controller," in Add a device server on page 39
.
buffer timeout setting is not available to controllers with firmware revision 24 or later. For
controllers with version 20 or earlier, we recommend that you do not change the default
• Rev
iew Plan your system on page 25
.
• Verify that you have installed and activated the software listed in the
next section under What you need on page 30
.
• Verify that the Logix 5000 firmware has been updated to revision 16 or
later (excluding revisions 21 to 23).
recommend you install FactoryTalk Services Platform software version 2.71 or later, and update
• L
ogix Designer application (RSLogix 5000 software)
• ControlFLASH
• RSLinx Classic
Follow these steps to define a digital or analog alarm:
• Plan your system
• Run Studio 5000 Logix Designer software
• Create a project
• For a digital alarm, define a boolean tag or a rung state on which to
alarm
For an analog alarm, define a analog tag on which to alarm
• Add a digital or analog alarm instruction
• Configure the digital or analog alarm properties
• Downland the project to the controller
• Test the alarm instruction
• Add a device server
• Add a data server
30
Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021
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