Module GEM classes, faceplates and detail displays

DeltaV Live provides predefined GEM classes, faceplates, and detail displays that are designed to function with the DeltaV module templates contained in the DeltaV Explorer library.

Faceplates and detail displays

A faceplate and, in most cases, a detail display, are configured for each DeltaV module template. The faceplate provides access to the most important operating parameters of a module, while detail displays provide access to most tuning parameters and diagnostic information. Each module template is configured with the names of a faceplate and detail display, which are entered as properties in the module's Properties dialog. For example, as shown in the figure below, the Properties dialog for the PID_LOOP module template defines LOOP_DT as its detail display and LOOP_FP as its faceplate display.

Note:

Modules created from scratch (that is, that are not created from a template or another module) do not have a faceplate defined.

In DeltaV Live, faceplates and detail displays are opened as pop-up displays from a display graphic, an alarm list's menu bar, an alarm's context menu, or a button on a faceplate. To configure a display graphic to open a faceplate or detail display, create an Open Faceplate or Open Detail Display action on the graphic. In the Tag property of that action, enter the module tag for that faceplate or detail display. As it opens, a technique called partial tag substitution provides data links with the appropriate paths for the module. Only one copy of a particular contextual display is required to operate all the modules that call it. You can also configure an action to open a faceplate on any elements that support interactions, such as a datalink or button.

By default, opened faceplates and detail displays remain open in DeltaV Live until you manually close them. However, you can configure a layout to participate in contextual display pinning and replacement behavior by enabling Contextual Display Pinning on a layout's Interaction tab. When this feature is enabled, a pushpin icon appears on faceplates and detail displays.(For more information on this behavior, see the topic, Allowing pinning and replacement behavior for contextual displays.)

Mini faceplates are included as well for several of the module templates. A mini faceplate is a smaller version of a main faceplate that shows only a module's critical values. This smaller faceplate allows operators to continually watch critical values without taking up a significant amount of screen real-estate.

Mini faceplates are included for the following module templates:

Table 1: Module templates with a mini faceplate
Module templates	Main faceplate	Mini faceplate
ANALOG monitoring	AI_fp	AI_fp_mini
All motor and valve module templates	DL_fp	DL_fp_mini
VLV_DCC_EDC	EDC_fp	EDC_fp_mini
PID loop (PID_LOOP, CASCADE_MASTER, CASCADE_SLAVE, PID_GAINSCHED, SIM_SR_PID)	Loop_fp	Loop_fp_mini
PID loop (PID_LOOP, CASCADE_MASTER, CASCADE_SLAVE, PID_GAINSCHED, SIM_SR_PID)	Loop_Ramp_fp	Loop_Ramp_fp_mini
MPC_LOOP	LOOPM_fp	LOOPM_fp_mini

Mini faceplates can be used as individual faceplates or can be opened, using the collapse button, from their corresponding main faceplate (see Figure 2). Similarly, you can return to the main faceplate using the expand button on the mini faceplate (see Figure 3). When opened from the expand button on main faceplates, mini faceplates preserve the pinning state of their main faceplates.

GEM classes

GEM classes are pre-defined with the necessary characteristics, algorithms, and information for their corresponding module templates. The module information shown in a GEM varies for each module and GEM. For example, the analog bar GEMs visually show a target value and process value using a graph, while other GEMs show PV and SP as numerical values. Most module GEMs visually indicate, through colors or icons, information such as the state of the module alarms or when the module is not in its normal operating mode.