fieldbus devices can be configured to detect and report specific device alert conditions directly to the DeltaV system. These conditions can range from potential problems (such as hardware failures within the device, loop problems, and misconfigured parameters) to proactive reporting of upcoming maintenance needed. To view fieldbus device conditions in DeltaV Explorer, right-click the device and select Device Diagnostics.
Optionally, device alarms can be enabled on a fieldbus device. When a device detects a condition, it generates an alarm and sets the appropriate condition on the status or conditions screen. The alarm is reported in the Event Chronicle, is displayed in alarm summaries, and may be displayed in the operator alarm banner, depending on user configuration (Series 2 H1 card required). A standard device faceplate shows the active alarms for a fieldbus device. The detail button on the faceplate accesses the same screen as the Device Diagnostics selection in the DeltaV Explorer.
Device condition functionality is dependent on the device. fieldbus devices support either standard fieldbus alerts or PlantWeb alerts.
Standard fieldbus alerts - Devices report alerts in a single alarm: abnormal. This alarm is based on the standard Block Alarm definition.
PlantWeb alerts - Devices report alerts in one of three alarms: Failed, Maintenance and Advisory. The device alerts have been organized into one of these alarms based on the importance of the alert condition to the health of the device.
With the DeltaV system, all fieldbus devices also have a communications failure alarm. This alarm is generated when the DeltaV software recognizes that a device is no longer communicating on the H1 segment.
fieldbus devices that support PlantWeb alerts also allow you to suppress conditions from the Device Diagnostics screen. Suppression from the Device Diagnostics screen prevents the device from reporting the condition to the DeltaV system. It is also possible to prevent reported alarm conditions from appearing in the alarm banner and alarm list.