CG1401-FDT-FieldMate
CG1401-FDT-FieldMate
CG1401-FDT-FieldMate
CG1401-FDT-FieldMate
CG1401-FDT-FieldMate

Frame Application FieldMate and NE 107 Compliant Device DTMs Enable Diagnostic Tunneling and Alarm Management

Jan. 14, 2014
NE107 Exists Providing Standardized Alarm Functions Allowing End Users to Take Control of Setting Alarms Based on Their Application Needs
Author

Amit Ajmeri , Yokogawa Corporation of America

As plant operations become more complex, proper alarm monitoring becomes very critical to manage the correct operation of the plant. Nowadays digital field devices are increasingly utilized due to advanced diagnostic capabilities. With an increased volume of information created by the growing number of parameters from field devices, event and alarm functions issue more detailed information. Today a new standard, NE107 exists providing standardized alarm functions allowing end users to take control of setting alarms based on their application needs, to eliminate unnecessary alarm flooding.  This article introduces the NE107 standard and provides insight into how a Frame Application (FieldMate) and NE107 compliant device DTMs enable access to the advanced diagnostics and delivery of alarm status information to the right people at the right time in one standardized interface providing ease of use.

Also Read "Intelligent Device Configuration: How to Customize Your View — It's Simple!"

NE 107 Field Diagnostics Function

NE 107NAMUR NE 107 is a standard for preventing alarm flooding and offering appropriate diagnosis information to the relevant people when necessary. It was developed as a specification for self-diagnosing field devices and yields reliable results, categorizes alarms into four standardized statuses (F: failure, C: function check, S: out of specification, and M: maintenance required), allowing users to configure diagnostics, and provides detailed information for experts.
  • NE 107 Field Diagnostics Function of Yokogawa DTM and Flow of Alarm Information
    To enhance the setting and checking of field devices in accordance with NE 107, Yokogawa has incorporated the Field Diagnostics function in its device DTMs for FOUNDATION Fieldbus and PROFIBUS. This function conforms to the FOUNDATION Fieldbus Diagnostics Profile Specification (FF-912 FS1.0) and PROFIBUS Profile for Process Control Devices Version 3.02. This section outlines the NE 107-compliant alarm setting function for the FOUNDATION Fieldbus. Figure 1 shows the flow of alarm information through this function.
  • The flow starts at the Extended Field Diagnostic Alarm (the bottom of Figure 1). Alarms are defined by vendors for each device, and 32 alarms are grouped each into several blocks. Yokogawa specifies 256 alarms in eight blocks. Users can select or deselect these alarms at Escalation Enable, and the selected alarms are sent to the upper layer of Manufacturer-specific Condition, which is called Aggregated Field Diagnostic Alarms in DTM.

    Click here to enlarge image

    The selected alarms are aggregated in 32 alarms (see Figure 2). These alarms are common to transmitters, flow meters, operational devices, displays, and analyzers and they are arranged in order of priority. For each status signal, device-specific alarm bits are set.

    The aggregated 32 alarms are categorized into four statuses (F, C, S, and M). In the quick configuration window, users can map these alarms to any of four status signals by drag & drop and apply masks to them by checking the relevant box (see Figure 3).

    Conventionally, checking and changing the setting of many parameters and alarms was an extremely tedious task. This field diagnostic tool integrated in the device DTM offers graphical, intuitive operations, facilitating this task.

    • Recommended Action
      To help users respond quickly and appropriately to alarms, Yokogawa provides the status window in the device DTM based on the priority of 32 aggregated field diagnostic alarms (Figure 4), the recommended action is displayed to prompt users to deal with the alarms. In addition, the status (F, C, S, or M) of each aggregated field diagnostic alarm is displayed in the tree view. By unfolding each alarm, users can check detailed alarm information (status of respective extended field diagnostic alarms).

    Conclusion

    As digital field devices become more diverse and offer greater functionality it’s important for vendors to incorporate newer standards within their smart instrumentation and advanced control systems.  When coupling NE107 field diagnostics functions and the delivery method enabled with FDT Technology, both of which are incorporated in Yokogawa’s FieldMate R2.06, users have created peace of mind ensuring their assets and intelligent information available are being used to their full potential for improved operations and maintenance.

    * FieldMate and EJX are registered trademarks of Yokogawa Electric Corporation.

    *FOUNDATION Fieldbus, HART, and PROFIBUS are registered trademarks of the Fieldbus Foundation, HART Communication Foundation, and PROFIBUS User Organization, respectively.