Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk Original Instructions

FactoryTalk

Alarms and Events

System Configuration Guide

Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021

Supersedes Publication FTAE-RM001L-EN-E - September 2020

Technical Publications

Original Instructions

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events System Configuration Guide

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 impaired.

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.

The examples and diagrams in this manual are included solely for illustrative purposes. Because of the many variables and requirements associated with any particular installation, Rockwell Automation, Inc. cannot assume responsibility or liability for actual use based on the examples and diagrams.

No patent liability is assumed by Rockwell Automation, Inc. with respect to use of information, circuits, equipment, or software described in this manual.

Reproduction of the contents of this manual, in whole or in part, without written permission of Rockwell Automation, Inc., is prohibited.

Throughout this manual, when necessary, we use notes to make you aware of safety considerations.

WARNING: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can cause an explosion in a hazardous environment, which may lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss.

ATTENTION: Identifies information about practices or circumstances that can lead to personal injury or death, property damage, or economic loss. Attentions help you identify a hazard, avoid a hazard, and recognize the consequence.

IMPORTANT Identifies information that is critical for successful application and understanding of the product.

Labels may also be on or inside the equipment to provide specific precautions.

SHOCK HAZARD: Labels may be on or inside the equipment, for example, a drive or motor, to alert people that dangerous voltage may be present.

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 cause severe injury or death. Wear proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Follow ALL Regulatory requirements for safe work practices and for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

2	Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021

	Table of Contents
	Chapter 1
What you need to get started	Required software.......................................................................................	9
	Recommended hardware and supported operating systems .................	9
	Logix 5000 controllers ..........................................................................	9
	Compatible firmware...........................................................................	11
	Older controllers ..................................................................................	11
	How to get the information you need.......................................................	12
	Chapter 2
Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms	Choose between HMI Tag Alarm Monitoring and FactoryTalk Alarms
and Events services	and Events ..................................................................................................	15
	Where to start ............................................................................................	16
	FactoryTalk Alarms and Events components...........................................	16
	About monitoring for alarm conditions ..................................................	20
	About device-based alarm monitoring..............................................	20
	Device-based alarm monitoring workflow .................................	20
	About server tag-based alarm monitoring.........................................	21
	Server tag-based alarm monitoring workflow ............................	21
	Choose between device-based and server tag-based alarm monitoring
	.....................................................................................................................	22
	Graphic objects in FactoryTalk Alarms and Events .................................	23
	Chapter 3
Plan your system	Decide what type of application you are building..................................	25
	Decide what type of alarm monitoring you need...................................	26
	Follow these steps......................................................................................	26
	What you need...........................................................................................	27
	Install and activate FactoryTalk software................................................	27
	Typical stand-alone system ................................................................	27
	Install FactoryTalk software...............................................................	28
	Install Microsoft SQL Server ..............................................................	28
	Chapter 4
Define device-based alarms in	Alarm buffering during loss of connection to the controller ................	29
Logix 5000 controllers	Before you begin .......................................................................................	30
	What you need ..........................................................................................	30
	Follow these steps......................................................................................	30
	Define a Logix tag-based alarm.................................................................	31
	Create an alarm definition ..................................................................	31
	Download the program to controller and test the alarm ..................	32
	Define an instruction-based alarm: digital ..............................................	32

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Table of Contents
	Configure the digital alarm and download to the controller............	32
	Define an instruction-based alarm: analog..............................................	36
	Configure the analog alarm and download it to the controller........	36
	Chapter 5
Add a device server for Logix	Before you begin ........................................................................................	39
5000, PLC-5, or SLC 500	What you need ...........................................................................................	39
controllers	Follow these steps ......................................................................................	39
	Add a device server ....................................................................................	39
	Chapter 6
Add an OPC data server for	Before you begin ........................................................................................	47
third-party controllers	What you need ...........................................................................................	47
	Follow these steps ......................................................................................	47
	Add an OPC data server to an application................................................	47

Add a tag-based alarm server for Logix 5000, PLC-5, SLC 500, or third-party controllers

Chapter 7
Before you begin ........................................................................................	51
What you need ...........................................................................................	51
Follow these steps ......................................................................................	51
Create an application.................................................................................	51
Add a data server ........................................................................................	53
Add a Tag Alarm and Event Server ...........................................................	55
Define alarm conditions ............................................................................	56
Next steps....................................................................................................	57

	Chapter 8
Set up graphic displays	Before you begin ........................................................................................	59
	What you need ...........................................................................................	59
	Follow these steps.......................................................................................	59
	Create a graphic display............................................................................	60
	Create an Alarm and Event Summary ......................................................	61
	Create an Alarm and Event Banner display ............................................	64
	Create a startup macro for the Banner display .......................................	69
	Create an Automatic Diagnostic Event Summary..................................	70
	Use color animation to indicate alarm state changes .............................	74
	Next steps....................................................................................................	81

Monitor and interact with alarms at runtime

Chapter 9
Before you begin .......................................................................................	83
What you need ..........................................................................................	83
Follow these steps .....................................................................................	83

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	Table of Contents
	Create and then run a FactoryTalk View Client configuration..............	83
	Monitor alarms and events.......................................................................	87
	Security for alarms and events...........................................................	88
	Acknowledge an alarm........................................................................	88
	Acknowledge the selected alarm..................................................	88
	Acknowledge the selected alarm and enter a comment ............	89
	Acknowledge all of the alarms displayed on the page................	90
	Acknowledge all of the alarms in the event list...........................	90
	Disable or enable an alarm ..................................................................	91
	Disable selected alarms .................................................................	91
	Enable selected alarms .................................................................	92
	Suppress or unsuppress an alarm.......................................................	93
	Suppress an alarm ........................................................................	94
	Unsuppress an alarm....................................................................	94
	Shelve or unshelve an alarm...............................................................	96
	Shelve an alarm .............................................................................	96
	Unshelve an alarm ........................................................................	98
	Chapter 10
Set up historical alarm and	Before you begin ......................................................................................	101
event logging	What you need .........................................................................................	101
	Follow these steps ....................................................................................	102
	Confirm that the SQL Server software is installed ................................	102
	Add a database definition to your FactoryTalk system .........................	102
	Associate a database definition with an alarm server ...........................	105
	Create an Alarm and Event Log Viewer display.....................................	107
	Create a button to open the Alarm and Event Log Viewer display. 110
	Create a startup macro for the Menu Bar display..................................	114
	View historical alarm data in a FactoryTalk View SE Client.................	115
	Run the application............................................................................	116
	Start the FactoryTalk View SE Client from within FactoryTalk
	View Studio ..................................................................................	116
	Chapter 11
Configure redundancy for	FactoryTalk server redundancy ..............................................................	119
alarms and events	Develop and test your application without redundancy ......................	119
	Before you begin ......................................................................................	119
	What you need..........................................................................................	120
	Follow these steps.....................................................................................	121
	Upgrade an existing device-based alarm server ....................................	121
	Upgrade an existing tag-based alarm server..........................................	123
	Check the status of an alarm server ........................................................	124

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Table of Contents
	Appendix A
Get started with language	Before you begin ......................................................................................	127
switching	What you need .........................................................................................	128
	Follow these steps ....................................................................................	128
	Create device-based alarm messages......................................................	128
	Translate alarm messages using import and export.......................	129
	Translate alarm messages in RSLogix 5000 version 16 or earlier
	.......................................................................................................	129
	Translate alarm messages using RSLogix 5000 version 17 or later
	.......................................................................................................	132
	Create tag-based alarm messages...........................................................	134
	Enter text strings in FactoryTalk View Studio.................................	135
	Add languages to the application............................................................	138
	Add buttons to a graphic display to switch languages at runtime .......	139
	Enter alarm messages in other languages..............................................	143
	Create a Display Client configuration file to test alarm messages.......	152
	Test alarm messages at runtime .............................................................	154
	Summary and tips for setting up language switching ..........................	157
	Text that supports language switching ............................................	157
	Text that does not support language switching ..............................	157
	Alarm and Event Summary and Alarm and Event Banner.............	158
	Alarm and Event Log Viewer.............................................................	158
	Appendix B
System performance and limits	Controller specifications .........................................................................	159
	Controllers with revision 24 and later ..............................................	159
	Controllers with revision 20 or earlier .............................................	159
	System sizing recommendations............................................................	160
	Appendix C
Install FactoryTalk Alarms and	Summary of steps ....................................................................................	163
Events manually	Confirm that FactoryTalk Services Platform is installed......................	163
	Install FactoryTalk Alarms and Events...................................................	164
	Appendix D
Install SQL Server 2014 SP3	Summary of steps ....................................................................................	165
Express	Step 1. Open the FTView folder...............................................................	165
	Step 2. Install the .NET Framework .......................................................	166
	Step 3. Run the SQL Server Install batch file (not the .exe)...................	166
	Step 4. Configure the Windows firewall.................................................	167
	Appendix E

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Table of Contents

Use an existing SQL Server database

Supported SQL Server databases ...........................................................	169
Remote connections to the SQL Server database..................................	169
Summary of steps ....................................................................................	169
Step 1. Install SQL Server Management Tools .................................	169
Step 2. Specify Mixed Mode authentication for the SQL Server
database ..............................................................................................	170
Step 3. Configure TCP/IP protocol for the database .......................	170
Step 4. Enable the SQL Server Browser service ...............................	170
Step 5. Configure the Windows Firewall...........................................	171

	Appendix F
Alarm time stamping	Overview of time keeping........................................................................	173
	Coordinated System Time (CST) ......................................................	173
	Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)..................................................	173
	Local Time (Wall Clock Time) ...........................................................	174
	ALMD and ALMA alarm blocks................................................................	175
	Insert time stamps manually ............................................................	177
	Example.....................................................................................................	177
	Appendix G
Time synchronization	Coordinate multiple controller wall clocks ............................................	179
	Install the Logix5000 Clock Update Tool ...............................................	180
	Start Clock Update Tool ...........................................................................	180
	Start the Update Tool automatically.................................................	180
	Use the Logix5000 Clock Update Tool ....................................................	180
	Synchronize devices on a schedule .........................................................	181
	Create a synchronization schedule...................................................	181
	Create a synchronization schedule.............................................	181
	Remove a synchronization schedule ..........................................	182
	Modify a synchronization schedule............................................	182
	Enable or disable a synchronization schedule...........................	182
	Add devices ...............................................................................................	183
	Add a device ........................................................................................	183
	Remove a device .................................................................................	184
	View details about a device................................................................	184
	Assign devices to synchronization schedules ........................................	184
	Synchronize devices manually ................................................................	185
	View the log file ........................................................................................	185
	Change the location of the log file ....................................................	186
	Time stamps with tag-based alarms .......................................................	187
	Supported devices ....................................................................................	187

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Table of Contents
	Appendix H
Reference for building a	When installing FactoryTalk Alarms & Events	......................................189
distributed system	Typical distributed system on a network...............................................	189
	Appendix I
Language identifiers	Language identifiers................................................................................	191
	Appendix J
Glossary	A - C ...........................................................................................................	195
	D ................................................................................................................	196
	E - P............................................................................................................	197
	R - T............................................................................................................	199
Legal Notices	Legal Notices ...........................................................................................	203
Index

8	Rockwell Automation Publication FTAE-RM001M-EN-E - March 2021

Chapter 1

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.

IMPORTANT This guide describes how to set up a local station application. However, the procedure for 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 and Events services.

Required software

The following software is required to configure and operate FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:

Software	Version
FactoryTalk Services Platform	2.10 or later
FactoryTalk Alarms and Events	2.10 or later (included with FactoryTalk View Site Edition and FactoryTalk® Linx™)
FactoryTalk Linx	5.00 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.

Recommended hardware and supported operating systems

Logix 5000 controllers

The hardware and supported operating systems that are recommended to run 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.

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Chapter 1	What you need to get started
		Catalog number	Name
		1756-L61	ControlLogix Processor
		1756-L62	ControlLogix Processor
		1756-L63	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

The following controllers with firmware revision 24 and later support

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:

Catalog number	Name
ControlLogix 1756-L71 Series B	ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L71S Series B	ControlLogix Safety 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-L73S Series B	ControlLogix Safety 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
CompactLogix 1769-L36ERM	CompactLogix L36ERM Controller
SoftLogix 1789-L60	SoftLogix5800

Tip: Firmware revisions 21 to 23 do not support the new alarms functionality.

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Chapter 1

What you need to get started

The following controllers with firmware revision 29 introduce support for

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:

Catalog number	Name
ControlLogix 1756-L81E	ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L82E	ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L83E	ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L84E	ControlLogix Processor
ControlLogix 1756-L85E	ControlLogix Processor
CompactLogix 5069-L306ER	CompactLogix L306ER Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L306ERM	CompactLogix L306ERM Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L310ER	CompactLogix L310ER Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L310ERM	CompactLogix L310ERM Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L310ER-NSE	CompactLogix L306ER-NSE Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L320ER	CompactLogix L320ER Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L320ERM	CompactLogix L320ERM Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L330ER	CompactLogix L330ER Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L330ERM	CompactLogix L330ERM Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L340ER	CompactLogix L340ER Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L340ERM	CompactLogix L340ERM Controller

The following controllers with firmware revision 30 introduce support for

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:

Catalog number	Name
CompactLogix 5069-L380ERM	CompactLogix L380ERM Controller
CompactLogix 5069-L3100ERM	CompactLogix L3100ERM Controller
CompactLogix 1769-L37ERMO	CompactLogix L37ERMO Controller
GuardLogix 1769-L37ERMOS	CompactLogix Safety Processor

The following controllers with firmware revision 32 introduce support for

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:

Catalog number	Name
CompactLogix 5069-L46ERMW	CompactLogix 5480 Controller

Compatible firmware

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:

Controller	Firmware revision
ControlLogix
CompactLogix L3x and L4x	16.20 or higher (excluding 21 to 23)
DriveLogix
ControlLogix Redundant Systems	16.60 or higher (excluding 21 to 23)
SoftLogix	16.03 or higher (excluding 21 to 23)

Older controllers

These controllers also support FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services:

•Logix 5000 controllers that communicate with FactoryTalk Linx, using Tag Alarm and Event Servers.

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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

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.

IMPORTANT FactoryTalk View version 10.00 is the last release to support the legacy HMI tag alarms. We highly recommend that you update your alarming strategy to use FactoryTalk Alarms and Events.

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

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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 device-
	based 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 tag-
	based 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, software-
	based 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.)
	• 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

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Chapter 2

Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services

Choose between HMI Tag

Alarm Monitoring and FactoryTalk Alarms and Events

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 data 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 16 or later), to a logic project and then download the project to a Logix 5000 controller. The controller detects alarm conditions and publishes event information, which can be displayed and logged.

•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:

•Redundant software-based Tag Alarm and Event servers that monitor controllers for alarm conditions through data servers and publish event information that can be displayed and logged.

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Chapter 2

Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services

Where to start

FactoryTalk Alarms and

Events components

•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 operator comments.

•System-wide views in the Alarm and Event Banner, rather than just the alarms in a single HMI server exposed by the system\AlarmBanner system tag.

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

a.Define device-based alarms in Logix 5000 controllers on page 29

b.Add a device server for Logix 5000, PLC-5, or SLC 500 controllers on page 39

•Set up tag-based alarm monitoring

a.Add an OPC data server for third-party controllers on page 47

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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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).

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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 tag-
	based 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.
	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

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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 serious alarms requiring immediate attention.

•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.

•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 graphic 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 Servers to a FactoryTalk application.

•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

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Chapter 2

Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services

About monitoring for alarm conditions

About device-based alarm monitoring

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 devicebased 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.

Device-based alarm monitoring workflow

Alarm instructions or alarms are programmed and then downloaded 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:

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About server tag-based alarm monitoring

Server tag-based alarm monitoring workflow

•Alarm instructions are programmed only once, and then downloaded to the controller, reducing programming effort and errors.

•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 producing alarms 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 on page 179.

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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Chapter 2

Overview of FactoryTalk Alarms and Events services

Choose between devicebased and server tag-based alarm monitoring

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:

•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)

Use server tag-based alarm monitoring with:

•Logix 5000 controllers

•PLC-5, SLC 500 devices

•Third-party controllers that communicate through OPC Data Servers

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Graphic objects in

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events

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.

	In HMI tag alarm monitoring, you do it this	With FactoryTalk Alarms and Events, you
To do this	way	do it this way
Acknowledge, disable, suppress,	HMI Tag Alarm Summary	Alarm and Event Summary
filter, and sort alarms at runtime
Enable or disable alarms,	HMI Tag Alarm Summary (suppress only, using	Alarm and Event Summary (suppress only; to
suppress or unsuppress alarms,	the Execute feature)	unsuppress alarms, use the Alarm Status
and view operator comments	SuppressOn and SuppressOff commands	Explorer)
	Suppressed list	Alarm Status Explorer
Monitor and respond to the most	Alarm system tags	Alarm and Event Banner
serious alarms that require
immediate attention
View, filter, and print historical	HMI Tag Alarm Log Viewer	Alarm and Event Log Viewer
alarm information	Alarms are logged to a proprietary format, and	Historical alarm information is stored in
	can be exported to an ODBC-compliant	Microsoft SQL Server databases.
	database.

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Chapter 3

Plan your system

Decide what type of application you are building

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 and 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.

IMPORTANT FactoryTalk Alarms and Events is not supported for use with FactoryTalk View Machine 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 a common Network Directory Server located on a network computer. See Typical distributed system on a network on page 189 for a 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 for a 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. A network station application consists of only one HMI server. You can add the HMI server in the root area or

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Chapter 3

Plan your system

Decide what type of alarm monitoring you need

Follow these steps

within the areas you have created. A network station application supports FactoryTalk Alarms and Events redundancy.

•Local station applications are suitable for self-contained, stand-alone processes that do not interact with other processes or systems. Local station applications are held in a FactoryTalk Local Directory and are accessible only from the local computer where they reside. Even if the computer is connected to a network and even if a network application resides on the same computer, the applications you create in the 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.

IMPORTANT To use FactoryTalk Alarms and Events with a local station application, install all software on the same computer.

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events redundancy is only supported in network station applications and network distributed applications.

FactoryTalk Alarms and Events supports two types of alarm monitoring:

•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.

•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

Tip: FactoryTalk Services Platform and FactoryTalk Alarms and Events software is installed along with FactoryTalk View and FactoryTalk Linx software.

• Install FactoryTalk Linx software

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Plan your system

What you need

Install and activate

FactoryTalk software

•Install RSLinx Classic software

•Install and activate RSLogix software

•Update Logix 5000 firmware to V16 or later (optional if using Tag Alarm 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 not plan to use device-based alarm instructions, you can skip this step and 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.

IMPORTANT This guide describes how to set up a local station application. The procedure to set up a network station application or network distributed application is similar. This guide provides additional information about the two applications where it is necessary. See also Reference for building a distributed system on page 189.

	For more information about each software product, see its respective product
	Help.
Typical stand-alone system	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.

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Chapter 3	Plan your system
Install FactoryTalk software		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
			combinations of software on each computer, depending on your
			needs. For more information, see FactoryTalk Help. Click Start > All
			Programs > Rockwell Software > FactoryTalk Tools > FactoryTalk
			Help.
			IMPORTANT This guide provides additional information about network distributed applications
			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 as

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.

	Tip: To take advantage of the new alarms functionality in the v24 firmware, we recommend you
	install FactoryTalk Services Platform v2.71 or later and update your controller firmware to
	revision 24 or later.
Install Microsoft SQL Server	If 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 Install
	Microsoft SQL Server 2014 SP2 Express on page 165.
	Tip: If you already have Microsoft SQL Server installed, you may need to change the configuration
	options to log alarm and event messages. For configuration instructions, see Use an existing Microsoft
	SQL Server database on page 169.

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Chapter 4

Define device-based alarms in Logix 5000 controllers

Alarm buffering during loss of connection to the controller

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.

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.

Tip: Logix tag-based alarms are supported only on Compact GuardLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5380, CompactLogix 5480, ControlLogix 5580, and GuardLogix 5580 controllers.

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).

Tip: If your FactoryTalk application does not include Logix 5000 controllers, or if your controllers are not 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 a tag-based alarm server for Logix 5000, PLC-5, SLC 500, or third-party controllers on page 51.

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.

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Chapter 4

Define device-based alarms in Logix 5000 controllers

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.

IMPORTANT Firmware revision 21 to revision 23 do not support the new alarms functionality. The 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 buffering time unless instructed by Technical Support.

•Review 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).

Tip: To take advantage of the new alarms functionality in the revision 24 firmware, we recommend you install FactoryTalk Services Platform software version 2.71 or later, and update your controller firmware to revision 24 or later.

•Logix 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

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