Communications for Automation | 207.775.

1660

OPC Alarms and Events Plug-In

KEPServerEX – Communications Platform
Kepware’s OPC Alarms and Events Plug-In for KEPServerEX can help users reduce costs
and improve performance by allowing OPC AE clients receive and monitor process
alarms, operator actions, informational messages, and to track and audit messages directly. Users can now
monitor areas of a process that require operator attention when defined thresholds are met (such as event
detection, abnormal situations, and the equipment’s safety limits). The Alarms and Events Plug-In can also be
used to identify faulty equipment, create maintenance work orders, improve operators’ effectiveness, and collect
and record alarm and event information for audits to use with other historical data.

OPC Alarms and Events Features Client Interfaces

OPC Alarms and Events is a plug-in module to Kepware’s industry lead-

Proprietary
ing communications server, KEPServerEX. It works in conjunction with

Database

OPC DA

OPC UA
OPC AE
DDE
KEPServerEX’s free Alarm and Events (AE) Client Interfaces. Users start
by creating an alarm, which is as simple as browsing KEPServerEX’s tags
and then selecting an item that will be used as the alarm. Once an item
is chosen, users must set its condition and sub-condition. A trigger can
be then be specify to compare the current data value with the thresh-
KEPServerEX Platform and Plug-ins
old. When the condition’s trigger is met, an alarm will be sent to the
Advanced Tags Alarms & Events Data Logger
corresponding Alarms and Events client application that provides the
user with unique alarm input, output, and acknowledgement messages.
Database
Custom

Client

DCS
PLC
IT

Communications Drivers

OPC Alarm and Events Plug-In Features

The OPC Alarms and Events Plug-In allows users to browse

KEPServerEX’s available tags, and then import the items to
be tested. Tags can represent specific areas and equipment
on the plant floor. To make Third-Party OPC DA and OPC
UA servers available for use with the Alarm and Event Plug-
In, users must both use and configure the OPC DA Driver
and/or the OPC UA Client Driver. 

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 Communications for Automation | 207.775.1660

Full OPC AE Client Severity Support

The severity value (which is commonly called the

“Priority” in relation to process alarms) is an indica-
tion of the sub-condition’s urgency. The valid range
is 1 to 1000, with 1 being the lowest severity and
1000 being the highest. Typically, a severity of 1
indicates an informational event, whereas a value of
1000 indicates a disastrous event.
Extensive Alarm Condition Support

KEPServerEX supports nine OPC AE standard

conditions, thus providing users flexibility when
calculating and prioritizing the Alarms and Events
conditions. Each condition has a unique name and
a unique set of sub-conditions. For more informa-
tion, refer to the list below.
• MULTI_LEVEL
MULTI_LEVEL conditions support multiple sub-conditions, which include HI_HI, LO_LO, HI, and LO. This
condition should be used if the source has multiple states of interest (and if users want to know when
the condition transitions between states). For example, this condition should be used if utilizing a tem-
perature tag with multiple temperatures of interest is being used.

The sub-conditions’ priorities are as follows from highest to lowest: HI_HI, LO_LO, HI, and LO. The prior-
ity is not configurable, and controls the active state of the condition if multiple sub-conditions are true.
For example, if both HI_HI and HI are true, the condition will be in the HI_HI state because it has a higher
priority.

• HI_HI, HI, LO, LO_LO

These single level conditions contain a sub-condition that matches the condition name. They should
be used if there is a single state of interest for the source. For example, this condition should be used if
utilizing a temperature tag with a single temperature of interest. Because the conditions are the same
functionally, user should select one with a name that makes the most sense for the application.

• ROC_HI, ROC_LO
Rate of Change (ROC) conditions have a single sub-conditon that matches the condition name. They are
used to compare the source data to a static or dynamic ROC. For example, this condition should be used
if utilizing a source tag that represents production output, and when users want to trigger the condi-
tion if the output falls below 100 units a minute. Because the conditions are the same functionally, users
should select one with a name that makes the most sense for the application.
Kepware Technologies | 400 Congress St. 4th Floor | Portland, Maine 04101 www.kepware.com
 Communications for Automation | 207.775.1660

• DEV_HI, DEV_LO
Deviation conditions have a single sub-condition that matches the condition name. They are used to
monitor the deviation of the source, and to trigger the condition if the source exceeds the limits set
by the deviation. For example, this condition should be used if utilizing a source that monitors power
consumption, and when users want to trigger the condition if the power consumption is outside of
100W ±20%. Because the conditions are the same functionally, users should select one with a name that
makes the most sense for the application.

Event Log Data Support

Event Log Data (Events) is a standard KEPServerEX feature that is exposed to OPC AE Client applications. The
Event server works in both Runtime Mode and Service Mode, and supports three event categories: Information,
Warning, and Error. The Alarm and Event Condition Plug-in expands this interface to include Alarm and Event
Conditions.

OPC AE Client Filtering

Users can filter by area, source, event type (simple and conditional), severity, and category.

Enabling/Disabling Sources and Conditions

Users have the ability to enable and disable communication areas, sources, and conditions through the Alarms
and Events Plug-In user interface.

Defining Alarm Inputs, Outputs, and Acknowledgements

Uses can create unique alarm input, output, and acknowledgement messages in addition alarm to acknowledg-
ment rules for Alarms.

Defining Alarems and Events Plug-In Terms

1. An alarm is an abnormal condition. As such, it is a special case of a condition.

2. A condition is a named state of the Event Server. If it is also an OPC Data Access Server, a condition may be a
contained Item that is of interest to its Client. An alarm is merely a special case of a condition that is considered
abnormal and requires special attention.

3. An event is a detectable occurrence that is significant to the Event Server, the device it represents, and its OPC
Clients. An event may or may not be associated with a condition (such as set point changes, informational mes-
sages, logins, and operator requests).

4. An area is a grouping of plant equipment that has been configured by the user according to areas of operator
responsibility.

Kepware Technologies | 400 Congress St. 4th Floor | Portland, Maine 04101 www.kepware.com
Proven Interoperability Requirements
• 150+ Communication Drivers with More than 250 Unique Supported Operating Systems
Protocols.  Windows 7
• Supports Open Standard Interfaces:  Windows Server 2008
• DDE Formats: CF_Text, XL_Table, Advanced DDE, and  Windows Vista Business/Ultimate
Network DDE.  Windows Server 2003 SP2
• OPC Alarms and Events (OPC AE): 1.0 and 1.10.  Windows XP SP2
• OPC Data Access (OPC DA): 1.0a, 2.0, 2.05a, and 3.0.
• OPC .NET: 1.20.2. Minimum PC Hardware Requirements
• OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA): 1.01.  2.0 GHz Processor.
• Thin-Client Terminal Server: Windows Remote Desktop.  1 GB installed RAM.
 180 MB available disk space.
• Supports Native Vendor Interfaces:
 Ethernet Card.
• Wonderware FastDDE & SuiteLink.  Super VGA (800x600) or Higher Resolution
• GE NIO for iFIX. Video.
• Oracle.
• Advanced OPC and Channel Diagnostics.
About Kepware
Kepware Technologies, established in 1995,
develops a wide range of communication and
Centralized Communications interoperability software solutions for the
Automation industry. Our reliable, user-friendly,
• Single Server Platform for All Communications. high-performing applications connect disparate
• Consistent, User-Friendly Interface. software and hardware systems. Communica-
tions are managed through robust software
• Automatic Tag Generation.
platforms that support an array of open
• CSV Import/Export. standards, propriety communication proto-
• Advanced Tags for Linking and Computations. cols, APIs, and automation systems’ interfaces.
• Write Optimization and Error Recovery. We strive to deliver ideal-fit solutions that are
• Advanced User Management. designed and tested to meet the demands of
industrial automation applications. Our quality
software applications improve operations and
On-Demand Scalability decision-making throughout all levels of an
organization. Kepware Technologies’ mission is
• Plug and Play Device Drivers and Communication Options. to become “Your Standard for Connectivity.”
• Parallel Configuration and Live Operation via Separate
Configuration and Runtime.
• Multi-Threaded Channel Architecture.
Contact Information
Support
1 (207) 775-1660 extension 211
[email protected]
Industrial Strength Sales
• OPC Certified Compliance. 1 (207) 775-1660 extension 208
• Strict Internal Quality and Control Standards. [email protected]
• Endorsed by 15 Top OEMs.
SKU: OPCAEPI-2SD-SS-LT-6-2012

Kepware Technologies | 400 Congress St. 4th Floor | Portland, Maine 04101 www.kepware.com