Feature Notes
Network Alarm Annunciator with 3 x Triac Outputs
ALM / DIN / 3T /
Main Features Monitors Network Alarms from SeaChange Controllers on the Network Alarm Filtering allows only Alarms from specific module types to be reported Generates Alarms for reporting at Doorway Supervisor On-board relays for local alarm annunciation Input for Local Alarm mute button

Description of Features

General

The Network Alarm Module monitors Network Alarms sent from SeaChange Modules. It can accept an alarm from any Module. An internal filter can be used to limit alarms accepted to only one type of Module, it could be set to receive alarms from AHU Controllers and AHU Submodules only, and to ignore any other kind of alarm.

Triac outputs are provided for local alarm annunciation using an external lamp or buzzer. An input is provided for an external pushbutton to mute the alarm.

Alarms - Filtering

The Network Alarm Module has a filter which can be set, using Configuration Parameter ALMF, to accept all alarms on the network, or to accept alarms only from certain types of Modules.

Alarm Filtering

By setting Configuration Variable 'ALMF' to a none zero value the unit will only respond to certain alarms, this is done by grouping the modules by type as listed.

All sub modules registered to a module are included in that Alarm group, i.e. Cascade's registered to a Boiler will be pass filter 5, but a cascade registered to a heatsource will not.

Alarms - Displaying

The Network Alarm Module stores the last 15 alarms that it received (it does not store “clear” alarms or “NOAL” no alarm events, only fault events are recorded). These stored alarms can be displayed using the Doorway Supervisor, or using a Zone Controller.

Alarms are stored as pairs of Configuration Parameters; the first of each pair shows the Source of the alarm, e.g. if the parameter was displayed as MON 2, the alarm would have been sent by Monitoring Module with address 2.

The second of the pair of parameters shows the Type of alarm (e.g. if the Monitoring Module had sent a Sensor High Alarm on Channel B, the display would alternate between ALMB 31 to show the alarm channel and value as it entered alarm, and HIGH 31, to indicate a High Alarm condition).

If viewing this second parameter using Doorway, the displayed characters will alternate every time the screen refreshes automatically. If a Zone Controller is used, the Select Button must be pressed in order to refresh the display.

Alarm Information

The module holds the last 15 alarm events from the system, these can be accessed via Configuration Variables. The list is ordered so C50 is always the oldest alarm, Clear and NOAL alarms are not stored only fault conditions are recorded.

When viewed from Doorway C50 will display as the device type and number i.e. MON  2 = monitoring board 2,  C51 will display the alarm name and value, the module alternates between sending alarm name and the alarm condition to Doorway. When viewed from a zone controller the module will alternate between sending alarm name and alarm condition, this can be done by selecting the configuration variable and pressing the select button to display the alternate text.

Earlier modules did not send the alarm condition and value with the alarm, for these modules the value is displayed as 0 and the alarm condition is displayed as 'ALRM'.

The alarm history list is purged on power failure or if the module is reset. If more than 15 alarm events are received, the module will overwrite the oldest alarm is list but will maintain C50 as the oldest.

Note If using InSite to view the alarm history it will appear fixed as the labels are only recovered once and then stored in InSite's local database, this can be got around by recollecting the devices configuration parameters, or using the engineering mode user node in InSite then the labels for the device can be flushed from the database by pressing the modules register button. Alternate a Zone control could be used to view the alarm log.

Alarm outputs and Common Alarm

The Network Alarm Module functions as an Alarm Annunciator; the Module uses two of its triac outputs to drive an external lamp and/or buzzer. One of the outputs, called Alarm Current is energised whenever a valid alarm (determined by the filter setting) is current in the system, and will de-energise when all alarms clear.

This is intended to drive an external lamp to indicate to the user that alarms are present.

The other output is called Alarm Received; this has a latching action. It will energise as soon as a valid alarm is processed, and will not de-energise until the override button is pressed, or an external pushbutton, wired to input terminals 5&6, is pressed to mute the alarm.

This is intended to drive an external buzzer to alert the user that one or more new alarms have been received.

Local Alarm Input

In addition to collating alarms from other devices over the network, the module can also have a single volt free contact from a local alarm input connected to it. The alarm signal is connected to input terminals 3&4. It can be used for monitoring only or for alarm generation. When alarm reporting is enabled (ALRM=1) the module will generate an alarm (for displaying at the Doorway Supervisor) whenever the local input is in an alarm condition.

The local alarm input can also be set to bypass the alarm filter (ALMF). When a separate parameter ALDF (Alarm Defeats Filter) is set to 1, the module's Alarm Received/Alarm Current outputs will operate whenever the local input is in an alarm condition, plus the alarm will be added to the module's alarm history list. For example if the alarm filter ALMF=8 and ALDF=1, all AHU alarms and the local input will trigger the module's outputs. If ALDF=0, the module's outputs would only trigger on AHU alarms but would still report the local input alarm condition to Doorway.

Status lamp

The lamp condition indicates 'green' when the mute button is pressed, other wise is 'off'

Error lamp

The lamp condition indicates 'green' when no alarms are present, normal state.

The lamp condition indicates 'flashing red' when alarms are present in the system.

Registration

Registration is the simple process by which logical connections are made between Controllers in a SeaChange system; it is done during commissioning and involves pressing buttons on the Controllers in a specific sequence.

The Network Alarm Module must be registered in order to receive its System Address; this is done by briefly pressing its Register button; the Status Lamp should flash to indicate the address that has been allocated. The Module will be registered as a Slave Zone device, with a Z address; this enables the module to be retro-fitted to any existing site.

For further details of the registration process, see our ‘Commissioning Guide’ publication.

Accessing Configuration and Monitoring Parameters

The Parameters may be viewed, and in the case of Configuration Parameters, adjusted by one of two methods; either by using a Zone Controller connected to the network, or by using the SeaChange Doorway Supervisor.

See our “Commissioning Guide” document for details of how to use the Zone Controller to access parameters.

Using SeaChange Doorway:

Data Points may be added to a Doorway page to access/adjust any Configuration or Monitoring Parameter. The code used to access a Monitoring Module is Zn, where n is the address of the Network Alarm Module. The code for each parameter is shown in the adjacent tables.

Further details of how to set up Doorway pages may be found in the SeaChange Doorway Manual, or in the online help facility supplied with SeaChange Doorway.

Options and Product Codes

Alarm Annunciator Module

ALM / DIN / 3T / [option]

Options

SC Controls Ltd

PO Box313
Wadhurst
East Sussex
TN5 6JL

phone 08707 606040
fax 08707 606041
e-mail seachange@sccontrols.co.uk
http:// www.seachange.co.uk