Pamaglawe · Objects

Configure an alarm object on a process page

An alarm object displays messages from its own configured data source, address range and message definitions on the page where it is placed. Project-wide Global alarms are a separate feature and help topic.

Help ID OBJ-ALARM7 original screenshotsExample version 2.61.501

1. Insert the alarm object

In design mode choose Basic objects (Grundobjekte) → Alarm and click an area with enough space. The new object initially has name Alarmanzeige and heading Aktive Alarme. Move and resize it for the page layout.

Select Basic objects → Alarm. The small image is shown at its natural size.

The alarm object on the main page initially previews Keine Alarmereignisse vorhanden (no alarm events).

2. Open the properties

Double-click or use the context menu. The example uses name Alarm, heading Aktive Alarme, X/Y 20/130, width/height 400/190 pixels, rotation 0°, opacity 100 and heading size 20 pixels. Configure alarms opens this object’s settings. Assign area optionally attaches the complete object to a tab, collapsible or scroll area.

Example: name Alarm, heading Aktive Alarme, position 20/130 and size 400 × 190 pixels.

3. Define the alarm range

Click Configure alarms (Alarme einstellen). Select PLC/device, optionally via Symbol. Enter the first complete address, 40001 in the example, and a contiguous range of 1–64 words. Highlight unacknowledged messages emphasizes open events awaiting acknowledgement. These settings belong to this specific alarm object.

Initial configuration: start address 40001, one word and no message definitions.

4. Define messages

Each entry maps a complete address and bit 0–31 to a message and alarm class. Fill Edit entry and click Add as new entry. To edit, select an existing definition and save its changes. Clear fields prepares a new entry; Delete entry removes the selected definition. CSV import accepts multiple definitions; Save CSV template provides Address, Bit, Message and Class columns. Load simulation example fills a local test configuration. Simulation · 40001 and Modbus_Testserver · 40001 are different address spaces, so the example alarm does not conflict with the tank level.

On one real device, allocate a dedicated alarm range agreed with the PLC program, for example the prepared Modbus_Testserver · 40020 alarm word. Address and register fields contain full addresses; only offset/register-offset fields are added to the start address. Definitions sort by address and bit. Check source, address, bit and message, then Apply to save them at the object.

The simulation example uses two words starting at 40001 and defines fault, warning and information messages.

5. Preview and runtime

Design mode shows three colored sample rows for sizing and readability; both buttons are disabled. These are design samples, not PLC events or history. In test mode the object evaluates its range. It initially shows Aktiv: 0 with an empty event list until suitable data arrives. Events then carry timestamps and KOMMT (became active), GEHT (cleared) and QUITT. (acknowledged). Select a message before acknowledging it. Acknowledge requires the alarm-acknowledgement permission; History as CSV requires permission to view the logbook and remains disabled without history.

Missing permission leaves the button visible but disabled. If scrollbars appear, enlarge the object until messages and controls fit, then save Ctrl+S.

Design mode: sample events and two disabled buttons show the future layout.

Play mode before the first event: active count 0, no history yet and both controls in their fixed positions.

Common questions

For an empty display check source, start address, word count, definitions and incoming or simulated values. A missing message can indicate an address/bit outside the range or an incorrectly entered full address. Increase dimensions for unwanted scrollbars. Highlight unacknowledged messages emphasizes events awaiting an authorized acknowledgement. Include OBJ-ALARM, version, process page, connection and alarm address when requesting help; omit credentials.

Keyboard shortcuts

Apply or close property dialogs, select objects on the canvas and leave any active text field before using an object shortcut.

Delete — delete selection: Deletes selected simple objects without another confirmation. Check the selection first.
Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y — undo / redo: Undoes or restores an available object edit. This is not a recovery mechanism for deleted pages or files.
Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V — copy / paste: Copies the selection and inserts an offset copy. Check names and process assignments afterward.
Ctrl+X — cut: Copies objects to the internal object clipboard and removes them from the page. Paste with Ctrl+V.
Ctrl+A — select all: Selects unlocked objects on the current page.
Arrow keys — move precisely: Moves the selection one pixel in the chosen direction within the page bounds.
Shift+Arrow — next grid position: Moves the selection in the grid direction using the page grid spacing.
Ctrl+L / Ctrl+Shift+L — lock / unlock: Locks the selection; Ctrl+Shift+L unlocks all locked objects on the current page.
Esc — end editor action: Cancels an action such as placement or clears the current selection.
Ctrl+S — save project: Saves applied changes. Save again after deleting, moving or copying.

The fixed global alarm area cannot be deleted or copied. Structural objects with assigned contents can ask an additional question about those contents.