clears cada first project

7/26/2019 Clears Cada First Project

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Chapter 4 A First Configuration Issue 1 4-1

4 A First ConfigurationFor the following chapters, you will need to be logged onto the system to performconfiguration action. Ensure you are logged on by following these steps:

To login using ViewX:

1. From the Filemenu, select the Log Onoption.

2. In the Usernamefield, enter the username Eng.

3. Click the OKbutton.

Note: If you were able to successfully logon to the system, you will see the username Engdisplayed in the status bar at the bottom of the screen.

4.1 Organising Your Database

You should organise your database so that the tree-structure is logical and user-friendly. This allows you (and other users) to locate items quickly.

Organising your database is achieved through the use of Groups. Each Group cancontain other database items, including other Groups. This allows you to create amulti-level tree-structure in the Database Bar. The structure of the database can bestbe thought of as similar to the hierarchical folder structure found in Windows.

All items are created in the database using the same mechanism. Follow the stepsbelow to create a new Group, a Mimic and RTU Communications objects. InClearSCADA, an RTU is referred to as an outstation; however these terms may beused interchangeably in this training manual.

To create a new group:

1. Right-click on the System in the Database Bar.

2. On the Context Sensitive menu, select the New option. This displays a list ofcreatable objects in the database. Select theGroupoption followed by Group.

This adds a new Group to the tree-structure.

3. Name the new Group Training

Note: When new groups are created, they already contain a Mimic named Default. Thismimic is set as the Default Mimic of the new Group.


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Following the same process used to create the group, create and name the followingobjects in the groups specified.

Note: SCADAPack 350 supports both Modbus and DNP protocols. In the table below, selectthe appropriate protocol that you wish to work with during the training. If you are unsurewhich one to use, please ask your instructor.

The Base Group is the name of the group where you should create the object. TheObject Type is the type of object to create in the Base Group and the Object Name isthe name that you should give to the objects you create.

Base Group Object Type Object Name

Training Group Reservoir

TrainingDNP3 Direct Channel or

SCADAPack Modbus DirectChannel

Channel

TrainingDNP3 Direct Outstation Set orSCADAPack Modbus Direct

Outstation SetSet

ReservoirDNP3 Direct Outstation or

SCADAPack Modbus DirectOutstation

Outstation

Reservoir Group Pump 1

ReservoirDNP3 Analog Input Point or

SCADAPack Modbus AnalogInput Point

Level

Pump 1DNP3 Binary Input Point orSCADAPack Modbus Digital

Input PointRunning

Pump 1DNP3 Binary Output Point orSCADAPack Modbus Digital

Output PointStart


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Note: Crosses on the object indicate a configuration error related to that object. The crosses

are updated as objects are saved or when the F5 function key is pressed (assuming that theerror has been cleared). Note that the F5 key will refresh the Database Bar and alphabeticallyorganise the database. When you open the properties of an object with a configuration error,the error will be displayed at the bottom of the properties form. Double clicking on the errorwill move the cursor to the field which is causing the error.


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4.2 Configure Outstation and Points

Each database object has a large number of properties that define how the objectbehaves. Most objects have some properties that are common to all types of objectsand other properties that are specific to that type of object. For example, a channelhas some properties that are common to outstations, points, and other objects as well

as other properties that are only available to channels (or that particular type ofchannel).

You can modify the properties of an object by using the settings on the objectsconfiguration Form.

To access the configuration Form for an object:

1. Right-click on the object in the Database Bar.

2. Select the Propertiesoption to display the objects Form.

Note: You can also display the properties form of an object by double clicking on the object inthe Database Bar.

Each Form consists of a number of tabs, each containing a variety of fields thatcorrespond to the properties of the object. By changing the settings in these fields,you can alter the behavior of the object.

Outstation Form


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For each object we created in the last section, we need to now set the properties toenable RTU communications. We will start with the Channel.

Note: There are two sections below describing how to connect to the RTU using either serialor Ethernet communications for the appropriate Protocol. Please use the relevant section. If

you are unsure which one to use, please ask your instructor.

4.2.1 Serial Channel

If you are connecting to the RTU using a serial connection, then follow the steps inthis section. If you are using an Ethernet connection to the RTU, proceed to section4.2.2.

The channel object specifies the type of communications that will be used to connectto the device, along with some timing parameters. A single channel can be used to

communicate with multiple RTUs, depending on the type of communications used.

Section 4.2.1.1 will cover the settings and configurations for the DNP3 protocol andsection 4.2.1.2 will cover Modbus protocol. Please continue with the relevant section.

4.2.1.1 DNP3

To configure the DNP3 Direct Channel:

1. Open the properties form of Training.Channelby right clicking on the channelobject in the Database Bar and selecting the properties option.

2. On the Channeltab, put the channel In Service.

By ticking or clearing the In Service field and then saving the change, youdynamically enable or disable this object in the database.


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Note: To determine the function of a specific property, hover the cursor over the property onthe Form a ToolTip will be displayed. The ToolTip contains a short description of the

property. When you select the property, the ClearSCADA status bar at the bottom of thedisplay will show the actual property name and its data type.

3. Ensure that Time Zoneis set to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

Advanced drivers in ClearSCADA allow the selection of either local time or UTCtime. This is the time used at the outstation for time stamping events, and insome cases it is also used for time based control sequences. It is also the timeused when ClearSCADA sets the outstations clock. Using UTC time allows fora common time base across an entire system and simplifies the handling ofdaylight savings times.

Note: In all places in this course, if specific properties are not mentioned, do not change themfrom their default values.

4. On the Connectiontab, configure the following settings:

Connection Type SerialPort Select an available port on your PCNote If using a full null modem cable set the Flow Controlto RTS/CTS.

Your instructor will tell you the Baud Rate required for connecting to your RTU.

These settings define the connection between the channel in ClearSCADA andthe DNP3 device that is connected to the system.


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Note: You need to ensure that the baud rate defined on the channel matches the baud rateconfigured in the RTU. SCADAPack RTUs default to 9600 baud.

5. On the Scan Parameterstab, configure the Line Speed to 57600.

The line speed is used internally by ClearSCADA drivers to help calculatedelays in responses to sent messages. On slower lines (such as serialconnections), message timeouts are automatically extended to allow forincreased transmissions times.

6. Save the Channel form by selecting the Saveicon from the toolbar.

You will note that the configuration error cross in the Database Bar disappearssince there are no configuration errors on this object.

4.2.1.2 Modbus

To configure the SCADAPack Modbus Direct Channel:

1. Open the properties form of Training.Channelby right clicking on the channelobject in the Database Bar and selecting the properties option.




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Note: In all places in this course, if specific properties are not mentioned, do not change them

from their default values.


Connection Type SerialPort Select an available port on your PCNote If using a full null modem cable set the Flow Controlto RTS/CTS.

Your instructor will tell you the Baud Rate required for connecting to your RTU.

These settings define the connection between the channel in ClearSCADA andthe Modbus device that is connected to the system.


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Note: You need to ensure that the baud rate defined on the channel matches the baud rateconfigured in the RTU. SCADAPack RTUs default to 9600 baud.

5. On the Scan Parameterstab, configure the Line Speed to 57600.




4.2.2 Ethernet Channel

If you are connecting to the RTU using an Ethernet connection, then follow the stepsin this section. If you are using a serial connection to the RTU, follow the stepsoutlined in the previous section (4.2.1).

The channel object specifies the type of communications that will be used to connectto the device, along with some timing parameters. A single channel can be used tocommunicate with multiple RTUs, depending on the type of communications used.


4.2.2.1 DNP3

To configure the DNP3 Direct Channel:

1. Open the properties form of Training.Channel.



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Advanced drivers in ClearSCADA allow the selection of either local time or UTCtime. This is the time used at the outstation for time stamping events, and insome cases it is also used for time based control sequences. It is also the time

used when ClearSCADA sets the outstations clock. Using UTC time allows fora common time base across an entire system and simplifies the handling ofdaylight savings times.



Connection Type NetworkTCP/IP Type UDPMerge Connections - YesListen Port Enabled YesListen Port Number 20000 (this is the default UDP port on whichClearSCADA will listen for incoming messages)


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These settings define the connection between the channel in ClearSCADA andthe DNP3 device that is connected to the system.

5. On the Scan Parameterstab, configure the Line Speedto 1024000.




4.2.2.2 Modbus

To configure the Modbus Direct Channel:

7. Open the properties form of Training.Channel.



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Connection Type NetworkTCP/IP Type TCP


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These settings define the connection between the channel in ClearSCADA and

the Modbus device that is connected to the system.

11. On the Scan Parameterstab, configure the Line Speedto 1024000.


12. On the Modbustab, configure the Protocol Typeto TCP.

This defines the Modbus protocol being used with the device




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4.2.3 Establishing Communications

To establish communications to the Outstation, both the Setand Outstationobjectsalso need to be configured.


4.2.3.1 DNP3


For the Outstation Set object named Training.Set, configure the following:

Tab Property Setting

Outstation Set In Service Yes

Channel Training.Channel

DNP3 DNP3 Local AddressIf using SCADAPack E-Series, 30000

Other SCADAPack RTUs, 100

Note: Where the field on the form has a browse button next to it (small button with threedots), ClearSCADA will display a dialog listing all the instances of the required object type forselection rather than having to type the information in manually each time.

For the Outstation object named Outstation, configure the following:

Tab Section Property Setting

Outstation n/a In Service Yes

n/a Outstation Set Training.Set

DNP3 n/a AddressRTU DNP3 address as provided

by instructor

Integrity (Class0) Polling Interval 10 Seconds (or 10S)


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If you are using an Ethernet connection to the RTU, you will also need to configure thefollowing:


Network n/a Network Single Network

n/a Host AddressRTU IP Address as provided by

instructor

n/a Port 20000

Now we need to verify that the communications to the device are working correctly.The simplest way to verify this is through the use of the Outstation View dialog. Todisplay the View dialog:

1. Right click on the Outstationobject in the Database Bar.

2. On the Context Sensitive menu, select the View Status option.

The View Status dialog for the DNP3 outstation object will display status informationsuch as Protocol Alarms, Communications State, Message Statistics, etc.

If the communications to the device is successful, the State field should be shown asHealthy, Multidrop. If communications are not Healthy, Multidrop then View thestatus for the other objects in the hierarchy of the communications settings (Set andChannel) to determine if these objects are in a healthy state.


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Check that you have configured the channel and set as described in the previoussections. If you have configured them correctly and the outstation is still not healthy,ask your course instructor for assistance.

4.2.3.2 Modbus


For the Outstation Set object named Training.Set, configure the following:

Tab Property Setting

Outstation Set In Service Yes

Channel Training.Channel

Modbus Set Address

10(Arbitrary value set for each group of

SCADAPack or Generic Modbus controllersthat communicate via a particular direct

channel)

Note: Where the field on the form has a browse button next to it (small button with threedots), ClearSCADA will display a dialog listing all the instances of the required object type forselection rather than having to type the information in manually each time.

For the Outstation object named Outstation, configure the following:


Outstation n/a In Service Yes

n/a Outstation Set Training.Set

SCADAPack n/a AddressRTU MB address as provided by

instructor


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If you are using an Ethernet connection to the RTU, you will also need to configure thefollowing:


Network n/a Network Single Network

n/a Host AddressRTU IP Address as provided by

instructor

n/a Port 502

Now we need to verify that the communications to the device are working correctly.The simplest way to verify this is through the use of the Outstation View dialog. Todisplay the View dialog:

3. Right click on the Outstationobject in the Database Bar.

4. On the Context Sensitive menu, select the View Status option.

The View Status dialog for the Modbus outstation object will display status informationsuch as Protocol Alarms, Communications State, Message Statistics, etc.

If the communications to the device is successful, the State field should be shown asHealthy, Multidrop. If communications are not Healthy, Multidrop then View thestatus for the other objects in the hierarchy of the communications settings (Set andChannel) to determine if these objects are in a healthy state.


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Check that you have configured the channel and set as described in the previoussections. If you have configured them correctly and the outstation is still not healthy,ask your course instructor for assistance.


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4.3 Configure and Test Outstation Points

The next step is to configure the DNP3 points so that ClearSCADA can retrieve datafrom the RTU points and store it accordingly. The points will also allow you to sendcontrols to the corresponding points in the outstation.

The Running point is a binary input point reporting whether the pump is running orstopped. The Level point is an analog input point reporting the level of the water inthe reservoir. The Start point allows a user to send Start and Stop commands to theRTU (turning on and off a binary output on the RTU).

For the Binary Input point named Running, configure the following settings:


Binary Point n/a In Service Yes

n/a Outstation Training.Reservoir.Outstation

n/a Point Number 1

States State 0 Description Stopped

State 1 Description Running

State 0 Severity Event, Low

State 1 Severity Event, Low

Trend Update Rate 1 second (or 1S)

Logged Data Historic Data Filter Static and Event Data

Historic n/a Enabled Yes

Trend / List Use Raw Data Yes

Whenever we create objects in the database, it is good practice to verify that they areoperating as expected

Verify that the point is updating as expected using the points Viewdialog.


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For the Binary Output point named Start, configure the following settings:


Binary Point n/a In Service Yes


n/a Point Number 1




Control Actions Action 1 Enabled Yes

Action 2 Enabled Yes

Action 1Description

Stop

Action 2Description

Start

n/aUpdate point onsuccessful action

Yes

Verify that the controls work as expected by using the Controloption available on theobject menu (right click on the point).

Verify that the point is updating as expected on the outstation and by using the pointsViewdialog.


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For the Analog Input point named Level, configure the following settings:


Analog Point n/a In Service Yes


n/a Point Number 1

Alarm Limits High High Limits 80, Alarm, Critical

High Limits 60, Alarm, High

Low Limits 40, Alarm, Medium

Low Low Limits 20, Alarm, Low

Scaling Raw Full Scale32768

Check with your instructor as yourfull scale may be different.

Formatting Units %

Format 0.00


Logged Data Historic Data Filter Static and Event Data



Verify that the point is updating as expected using the points Viewdialog.


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4.4 Create a Mimic

The first Mimic that we create will contain outstation communications status as well asthe status for each of the points we configured. The image below shows the mimic weare going to create.

Open the mimic Training.Reservoir.Defaultin design mode by double-clicking on itin the Database Bar.

The design button on the toolbar will indicate that the mimic is in design mode. Youmay also see the grid dots on the mimic and a pink colored box in the status bar.

The mimic grid is a tool designed to help alignment of drawn objects and is only

available in design mode.

Display Communication StatusOne of the properties of the Outstation object is named StateDesc. This property isused to indicate the current state of communications to the device. This is the field weverified in the View dialog to check that our communications to the outstation wasworking as expected.

To display the outstation state description on the mimic:

1. Ensure the Mimic Training.Reservoir.Defaultis on display and in designmode.

2. Drag the Outstationobject from the ClearSCADA Data Bar onto the mimic.

3. From the displayed menu, select the Stateoption.


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The Healthy, Multidrop text will be displayed on the mimic in a text box.

Note: The drag menu displayed above provides a shortcut method to displaying the most

common object properties. These common properties provide the user with information aboutthe status of the object.

4. Put the mimic into run mode by clicking on the Designbutton on the tool bar.

5. Hover the mouse over the text box and you will notice that the cursor changesto a hand.

The hand indicates that there is a Pick Action available on this object.

6. Click on the object and from the Object Menu, select the Refreshoption.

When the refresh method is selected, ClearSCADA will initiate a poll of theoutstation. As you call the Refresh method, examine the lights on the RTU toverify that ClearSCADA has communicated with the RTU.

7. Disconnect the serial or Ethernet (depending on your connection) from the RTUport and verify that the communications state changes to Failed. Acommunication Failed alarm should also be shown in the alarm banner andalarm list. This information is also logged in the event list.

Note that the color of the communication status changes. This color indicates

that the object is bad quality in this case, communications have failed. Thecolor also indicates things such as alarm conditions, alarms disabled and localoverrides.

8. Replace the cable and verify that communications return to Healthy, Multidrop.

As the state returns to Healthy, Multidrop, the color should now indicate anunacknowledged, cleared alarm.


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9. Acknowledge the alarm from the object menu.

The color should now indicate the normal state.

To test the operation of the points:

1. Drag the Nameof the three points onto the mimic.

2. Next to the name of the Binary points, display the Stateof the point.

3. Next to the Analog point Level, display the Value Formatted Value.

Note: The Formatted Value is a property of Analog points (FormattedValue) that returns astring made up of the units appended to the current value (with a space in between).

4. Add headings to the mimic using the text tool in the Mimic Editing toolbar. Thetext tool icon is shown below.

The mimic you have created should look similar to the one shown below.

5. Ensure the mimic is in run mode.

6. Turn On and Off Binary Input 1 on the RTU and verify that the mimic updateswith correct values.

7. Open the Historic Trend from the Runningobject menu and verify that multiplechanges of the switch within a single poll period are all logged in theClearSCADA Historic database.

8. Verify that state changes are logged in the event list as expected.


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9. Using the Startobject menu, verify that controls to this point result in outputrelay being operated.

10. Verify that the Analog Input point can be changed and ClearSCADA logs thechanges in the Historic database for the Levelpoint.

11. Verify in the Event List that alarms are generated as the analog value passesthe configured alarm limits.

12. Disconnect the communications cable to the RTU.

13. Manipulate the inputs to the RTU.

14. Reconnect the RTU and verify that inputs made while the communications weredisconnected are reflected in the ClearSCADA database.

Note: Handling of historic time-stamped data is natively supported in the ClearSCADAsoftware. Since DNP3 supports the transmission of time-stamped data, this allows theClearSCADA historian to log all event type data received from the RTU. This includesalarming from historic time-stamped data.


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Chapter 5 Animating Mimics Issue 1 5-1

5 Animating MimicsIn this chapter, we will draw and animate a reservoir. In this mimic, the level of thereservoir will move up and down based on the value of the analog input to the RTU,and the pump will change color to indicate whether it is stopped or running.

The final mimic will look similar to the image below.


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5.1 Draw the Reservoir

Use the drawing tools to draw a reservoir on the Training.Reservoir.Defaultmimic.

1. Using the Polygon drawing tool, draw a tank similar to the picture shown below.

2. Draw a rectangle over the top of the tank that will be used to show the level inthe tank as shown below. You will need to change the color to differentiatebetween the two shapes.

3. Select the front rectangle and send it to the back so that the tank outline is ontop.

Note: Arrangement tools can be found in both the Context Sensitive menu available whenright-clicking on the object, and in the Arrange Menu.


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5.2 Animate the Reservoir

Simply drawing a set of objects on a mimic does not provide much benefit unless theobjects can indicate the status of what is really happening to the physical device. Inthis section we will update the reservoir to indicate the water level.

Mimic elements can be animatedto control their behavior. An animation is a propertyof a mimic element, which may be dynamically altered according to values ofdatabase object properties.

In this section of the course, we will be animating the Reservoir to indicate the waterlevel by a change in size. Not surprisingly, this is referred to as a size animation.

Before you begin to animate the reservoir, we are going to discuss two importantconcepts that relate to animations:

Each object in the ClearSCADA database is referenced by its location in the

hierarchy, i.e. the Level point is known as Training.Reservoir.Level. Each folder levelis separated by a . in the same way that folder levels in Microsoft Windows areseparated by a \. This means that multiple objects in the database can be named thesame thing, assuming that they are contained in different folders.

QuotationsAny string placed in an animation enclosed in double quotes will be evaluated. Forexample, entering the string .Level.FullScale will return the value of the Full Scaleproperty of the Level point. All animations related to database properties will be withindouble quotes.

Any text placed within single quotes is considered a static string, i.e. it does notchange.

Relative and Absolute AddressesWhen using the objects in an animation, either a relative or an absolute address canbe used. An absolute address contains the full path name for the object.

A relative reference uses a notation where the point is named relative to the locationof the calling animation. For example, if we were to call the FullScale property of theLevel point from the mimic Training.Reservoir.Default, the following would be used .Level.FullScale.

Notice the . in the animation. The first dot means to start in the current group. Anysubsequent dot means go up one further level in the group hierarchy. In our case, ifwe had a point named Test in the root of our system, a relative address from themimic Training.Reservoir.Default would be ...Test.FullScale. The first dot means tostart in the Reservoir group. The second dot means go up one level (to the Traininggroup) and the third dot means go up one more level again (which is the root of thesystem).


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Now that you are familiar with the concepts of quotations and relative and absoluteaddresses, you can begin to create your size animations.

5.2.1 Size Animations

To implement the size animation, perform the following steps:

1. Select the rectangle that forms the water part of the reservoir.

Note: To select elements, which are hidden behind each other, select the front item and useAlt Double Click. This will select the item behind the one, which is currently selected.

2. Right click on the selected rectangle and select Animations from the ContextSensitive menu displayed.

The following window will be displayed.

The animations window allows you to associate the properties of a mimicelement with the values of database object properties. For example, you canassociate the Valueproperty of a text box with a point such that the text boxwill show the current value of a point in the database (and will updateautomatically each time the point value changes).

3. Select the SizeMaxanimation. This represents the maximum size of therectangle (the size at which it was drawn).

4. Select the Editbutton to display the expressions window (or double click theSizeMax animation).

The Expressions dialog below will be displayed.


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5. Select the browse button next to the expression field to display a Context

Sensitive menu. Select the OPC Tag option.

Note: Browse buttons are indicated by buttons with three dots. All browse buttons provideaccess to a browse dialog that you can use to search the system for the property or value yourequire.

The OPC Tag browser window is displayed. This window allows you to browsethrough every object and its associated properties in the ClearSCADAdatabase for use in an expression.


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6. Use the browse window to locate and select the FullScaleproperty of theLevel point (the FullScale property tag is within the $Configbranch of tags asit is a configuration setting).

The FullScale property is the highest permitted value for the point (as

configured on the point form).

Note:TerminologyObject any item within the database.Property one of the fields associated with an object.Tag (OPC Tag) the combination of the object and property separated by a ..

Close the dialogs to return to the animations window. Note that the expressionentered in the SizeMax field is .Level.FullScale.

7. Repeat steps 3-6, only this time associate the SizeMinanimation with theZeroScaleproperty.

The SizeMin animation associates the point minimum value with the minimumsize for the rectangle.

8. Repeat steps 3-6, only this time associate the SizeValanimation with theCurrentValueproperty. In step 4, tick the Fast Updatestick box.

Note:You will not find this in the $Config branch.

The SizeVal animation sets the rectangle size to relate to the current value ofthe point (between the min and max value).

The Fast Updates tick box tells the server to update the client at a faster updaterate for the Tags referenced in this animation. This will be covered in moredetail in a later section.

9. Close the animations window and open the properties dialog for the rectangle.

10. On the displayed dialog, set the Dynamic Sizing Directionto Bottom to Top.


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This sets the rectangle to resize from the bottom upwards, so that the higherthe value, the taller the rectangle will be.

11. Place the mimic in Run Mode and verify that the water level in the reservoirchanges as the Level Analog input is adjusted.

5.3 Draw the Pump

When you install ClearSCADA, a range of symbols are available in the symbol library.Over the next few exercises we will show examples of how these pre-built symbolscan be used to generate objects in ClearSCADA.

This exercise will look at using one of the predefined pump symbols to animate ourmimic. To add a pump to the mimic, perform the following steps:

1. Display the Mimic Symbol Library.Symbol Library Indexin Run mode.

2. On the Symbol Library Index Mimic, click on the Pumps group. This acts as ahyperlink to another Mimic that contains all of the pump symbols.

3. Click on the pump symbol named Pump A1.

The group structure in the Database Bar is expanded and the Pump A1 Mimicis highlighted.

4. Open the Pump A1 Mimic in Design mode.

5. Right-click on the pump symbol in the Pump A1 Mimic and select the Copy

option from the context-sensitive menu.

6. Return to the Reservoir Mimic, right-click in the design area and then selectthe Paste option from the context-sensitive menu.

A copy of the Pump A1 symbol is added to the Reservoir Mimic.

7. Position the pump symbol as required.

8. Close the Pump A1 Mimic.


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5.4 Animate the Pump

The next stage in drawing our mimic is to animate the pump to reflect whether it isrunning or stopped.

In this section, we will be animating the pump to indicate the state by a change in

color. To do this, we will use the Flow Chart Editor.

5.4.1 Flow Chart Editor for Animations

The flow chart editor provides a graphical way of building complex animations. In itssimplest form, the flow chart editor provides two alternate returned values dependingon the value of a single input value. For example, the pump will be red when runningand green when stopped. In other systems, the pump may be red when stopped andgreen when running.

For more complex arrangements, one result may be returned based on the

combination of a number of inputs which are related by a complex expression. Forexample, if the pump is running and the pump is in fault, then make the pump flashingred.

All these things can be achieved using animations. The simplest way to configure theanimations is to use the flow chart editor.

To configure the pump color to indicate pump run status, follow the steps below:

1. Right click on the pump symbol on the mimic and select Animations.

2. For the PolyFill -> FillColoranimation, select the Flowchart button

The three sets of groupings in the animation list (Button, Poly and Text)are used in place of the simple Fill, Font, Pen and Line groups. This is to

provide individual control of the properties of these items when the group maycontain multiple types of objects.

In this case, the pump is made up of multiple objects, and so the PolyFill groupis used.

The following screen will be displayed.


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3. Right Click on the 0 box and from the context menu select Insert.

4. Double click on the decision block (the one containing the text TRUE) and inthe window displayed, browse to find the Runningpoint.

This is the decision point that evaluates which result should be returned. If theexpression in this block is evaluated as TRUE, then the result returned will bethe box along the True path. Similarly, when the expression is evaluated asFALSE, the result returned will be the box along the False path.

Note that in this case we have used the point itself rather than an individual

property of the point. This is because when no property is specified for a pointvalue, it returns the default property which is the value of the point.

5. Double click the box to the right of the decision box.

The Expression window is displayed.

6. Select the Browse button to the right hand side of the window and chooseColor. From the displayed color chart, choose Red.


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Note that the expression RGB( 255, 0, 0 ) is automatically entered into the expressionwindow for you. If you know the specific color reference it can be added manually ifrequired.

Note: More colors are available by clicking on the three dots on the bottom right hand cornerof the color chart. The dialog then displayed allows the full range of RGB colors to beselected (over 16 million colors).

7. Click OK to close the Expression window.

Note that the Flowchart changes to indicate the color returned on the Truebranch is Red as show in the image below.

8. Repeat Steps 5-7 to select the False state to display Green.


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9. Click OKto close the flowchart editor.

You can see that the animation has been filled in for us based on the flowchart.The decision tree we just developed relates to the expression:

iif(.Pump 1.Running, RGB(255,0,0), RGB(0,255,0))

The iif statement returns a value based on the evaluation of its expression field.

The structure of this statement is as follows:iif(expression, TRUE value, FALSE value)

In this example, if the current state of the Running point is TRUE, then the colorwill be red (RGB(255,0,0)). If the current state is FALSE, then the color will begreen (RGB(0,255,0))

If you know the format of the statement and the results that you require, there isno reason that you cannot enter the statement directly.

10. Put the mimic in Run mode and verify that the pump changes color when youtoggle the Runningpoint.

11. Note that the pump has tinges of red at the extremities of the object. Repeatsteps 1-10 so that the pump gradient fills are also animated based on the digitalinput.

Note that the animation of interest is GradColour.

12. Verify that the entire pump symbol now animates as expected.


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5.5 Completing the Mimic

Using the skills learned so far complete the mimic so that it looks similar to the oneshown below.

Note: Holding down the Alt key while dragging objects will disable the snap to gridfunctionality.


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5.6 Exercises

1. Display on the mimic, the time that each point was last updated. This isavailable as a standard option when dragging and dropping the points onto themimic.

2. Create a tooltip on the pump that shows the current state of the pump i.e.Stopped or Running.

5.7 Exercises (Advanced)

1. Modify the tooltip on the pump such that the text shows the following:

Pump State is Running OR Pump State is Stopped.

2. Analyse the animations used in the text fields on the mimic. Which animationsare used by default when dragging an item onto a mimic? What does each of

these animations do?

3. Change the color of the water in the reservoir such that it turns brown whenbelow 15%.

clears cada first project

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