Processbook PDI file showing messy data after PI Server Migration

By default, Processbook use pointid to get data from PI server instead of tagname.

When u have new PI server with same tagname but with different pointid, all your PDI files will give messy value.. so to fix that, simply edit your Procbook.ini file (using Notepad), and find this parameter...

PB2TagResolution=1

By default, the value is "0".. So change it to "1"..  Restart Processbook.. voila..

Where Procbook.ini is located?

Easy.. do this in the Command Prompt..

American Gas Association Report No. 8 (AGA8) application for GB3 Metering Project

For GB3 Metering Project, AGA8 refers to "AGA8-DC92" mentioned below.

The AGA8-DC92 (ISO 12213) standard is used to calculate the following:

a) Compressibility factor at Base conditions
b) Compressibility factor at Line conditions
c) Density at Line conditions
d) PTZ correction factor, (C)

Calculation inputs are as below:

a) Natural gas from the 10 gas component (output of the Encal 3000 Gas Chromatograph)
b) Base Pressure and Temperature
c) Line Pressure and Temperature.

The method of AGA8_DC92 in accordance of ISO 12213.

The module calculates also PTZ correction factor, C from which you can make further calculations:

- PTZ density, Volume and Total energy of gas

Reference:

http://www.gammadigital.hu/smart/html2/ENG/modules/aga8iso12213.html

Technical Papers for Power Plant Performance Engineers

Performance Engineers out there.. check this out.. wonderful place..

http://famos.scientech.us/Technical_Papers.html

The papers are categorized in 12 different sections..

1. Turbine Cycle Performance Analysis
2. Performance Testing
3. Operations and Economics
4. Fossil Boilers and Nuclear Steam Generators
5. Combined Cycles, Cogeneration, and Gas Turbine Cycles
6. Steam Turbines
7. Feedwater Heaters
8. Condensers and Cooling Towers
9. Feed Pumps and Feed Pump Turbines
10. Fuel Studies
11. Computer Applications
12. Performance Monitoring

Import User List from Old PI Server

Part of LPP PI Server enhancement is PI Server hardware/software/OS upgrade. A build-from-scratch method was used to upgrade their PI Enterprise Server (due to some technical reason not explained here).

Bcoz of that, some manual import is required and 1 of them is the PI User list.. To do that.. follow command below..

Note that the *.DIF file can be easily generated using PI-SMT from the old server.

D:\Program Files\PI\adm>piconfig < e:\userlama.dif *> abdhalim, abdhalim, ,
*> affendi, C&I Specialist, ,
*> ainuddin, MCB, ,
*> Aizuddin, Aizuddin, ,
*> amer, Chemical Engineer,Operation, ,
*PIconfig Err> Error in table interface... Rec:
*[-12001] Name Not Found in PInt
*> amiruddin0724, amiruddin0724, ,
*> ananthan, ananthan,
*> azhari, SCE, ,
*> azlan0941, azlan0941, ,
*> bs1, bs1,
*> bs2, bs2,
*> candi1, candi1,
*> candi123, candi123,
*> ckchow, Chow Kwong Jin,
*> ckfoo, Foo Chee Kong,
*> electech, electech,
*> Ezraila, Ezraila,
*> fasya0269, fasya0269, ,
*> Fauzan, Fauzan,
*> fauzi0277, Trainer,
*> fawi, Meor Safawi,
*> firdaus, Engineer,
*> GB3bs, Block Supervisors of GB3,GB3,
*PIconfig Err> Error in table interface... Rec:
*[-12001] Name Not Found in PInt
*> Gb3sce, Shift Charge Engineers of GB3,GB3,
*PIconfig Err> Error in table interface... Rec:
*[-12001] Name Not Found in PInt
*> Habib, Habib,
*> Hairol, Hairol,
*> halim, halim,
*> Hasanudin, Hasanudin,
*> Haslina, Haslina,
*> HCChong, HCChong,
*> ikram, ikram,
*> jainuddin, jainuddin,
*> Jsliew, Jsliew,
*> khairul, Operating Eng.,
*> kkchong, C&I Supervisor,
*> knizam, knizam,
*> kwlee0101, Lee Khean Wang,
*> LanSukaimy, Operration Mgr, ,
*> Laris2, Laris2,
*> lauwh, C&I Engineer, ,
*> leen, leen,
*> Loh, Senior Manager O&M,
*> Lutfi, TSG Engineer, ,
*> m_mech3, m_mech3,
*> Mahir, Elec. Engineer,
*> Masrip, Lab Technician,
*> Mech1, Mech1,
*> Mech2, Mech2,
*> mechtech, mechtech,
*> nazmin, C&I HOD,
*> Nikm, Nikm,
*> Norafinaz, Norafinaz,
*> norliza, norliza,
*> Nur Alyna, Nur Alyna,
*> piadmin, PI Administration, ,
*> pidemo, pidemo, ,
*> Proteknik, Proteknik,
*> Rahimi, Mech. Engineer,
*> Rasul, IT,
*> razak, razak,
*> Raziff, Senior Manager TSG,
*> ridzhuan, KLHQ Engineer,
*> roshidi, OE, ,
*> Rosli, AGM TSG,
*> rossly, rossly,
*> Rozail, Rozail,
*> saffuan, Operation Eng.,
*> sam, piadmin, ,
*> Scesap1, Shift Charge 1,
*> scesap2, scesap2,
*> Shahril, C&I,
*> Shahrul, Shahrul,
*> shamsul, shamsul,
*> Shokri, C&I Maint. Manager,
*> siva, Siva Ramalingam,
*> Sobri, Sobri,
*> Sobri0556, GB3 OE, ,
*> sobrimohd, sobrimohd,
*> sofi, Operation Eng.,
*> Subrina, Subrina,
*> TSG, TSG,
*> TSG-Workstation, TSG-Workstation,
*> Vipts, Vipts,
*> yjlee, TSG Planner,
*> Zaharin, Zaharin,
PIconfig 85 Data lines
3 Command line
3 Records in error...

79 Records Created
3 Records Edited

D:\Program Files\PI\adm>

Automatic Archive Creation for PI Enterprise

KB Article # 3122OSI8
___________________________________________________________________

How Automatic Archive Creation works
Product: PI Server, PI Archive
Version(s): 3.4 and later
Platform: N/A
Issue
How do you set up automatic archive creation?

Solution
In PI Server 3.4 and later, you can set the Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot parameter so that the PI Server generates new archives automatically when shifting.

Benefits
When enabled, the PI System Manager does not have to create all empty archives ahead of time. PI will create them for you.

Drawbacks
If you are not monitoring the disk space on your PI Server, you could potentially encounter a situation where your hard disk full and PI either overwrites old archives or data backs up in the event queue and is not archived.

Tuning Parameters
The following tuning parameters govern the behavior of the automatic archive creation feature:

Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot - Auto Archive Creation

This parameter enables automatic archive creation. If present, this parameter defines the path and file name prefix to be used for new archives. For example, a setting of "C:\PI\arc\auto_" defines that newly created archives should be placed in the "C:\PI\arc folder and have a file name prefix of "auto_". The tuning parameters Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat and Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt govern how the remainder of the archive’s name is formed.
Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat


Note: The Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat and the Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt parameters are only applicable for PI server version 3.4.375.67 and above.
This parameter governs the generated portion of the filename to be given to the archive file to be created. Possible values for this parameter and the corresponding filename are:
0 - _D_Mon_YYYY_H_M_S<.ext>
1 - < prefix >_YYYY-MM-DD_HH-MM-SS<.ext>
2 - < prefix >_UTCSECONDS<.ext>
Where < prefix > is the file name prefix specified in the Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot parameter and <.ext> is the file extension specified in the Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt parameter.Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt

This parameter specifies the file extension to be added to the name of the archive file to be created. The default value of this parameter is ".arc".

Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure
This parameter determines how the PI Archive subsystem behaves if it encounters an error (i.e. insufficient disk space or disk error) while attempting to create a new archive.

When Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure is enabled (set to "1") and an error is detected while attempting to create a new archive file (i.e. insufficient disk space or disk error), it will shift into the oldest filled archive on the hard drive and begin overwriting older data.

When Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure is disabled (set to "0"), and an error is detected while attempting to create a new archive file (i.e. insufficient disk space or disk error), archiving is disabled and data will queue in the Event Queue file. You can later detach the event queue file and reprocess it into an archive, but this is time consuming and can be disruptive.
Note: The default value of Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure is enabled by default in PI Server 3.4.380. In PI Server 3.4.380SP1 and later, it is disabled by default.

You can find more information about automatic archive file creation in the PI Server System Management Guide.

Set up Automatic Archive Creation

Follow the six steps below to ensure that the automatic archive creation is properly configured. You can use either the Tuning Parameters in PI System Management Tools (PI SMT) or piconfig for all steps. Below are instructions for both.

I. Add the Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot parameter to the PI Tuning Parameters and set the Value field.
Using PI System Management Tools

Open the Operation> Tuning Parameters branch and click the Archive tab.
Select an existing timeout parameter, right-click and choose "New."
Add the timeout parameter "Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot" and set the Value to a path and file name prefix for the new archives, such as “"c:\pi\arc\piauto_".
The path you enter in the Value field must exist in order to work properly.


Using piconfig

Type "piconfig" at a command prompt in the pi\adm directory and press Enter.
Enter the following lines pressing Enter after each. Substitute "c:\pi\arc\piauto_"
with the path and file name prefix of your choice:

@table pi_gen, pitimeout
@mode edit, t
@istr name, value
Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot, c:\pi\dat\piauto_
@ends

II. If running PI Server 3.4.380 or later, set the Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure parameter.
Using PI System Management Tools

Open the Operation> Tuning Parameters branch and click the Archive tab.
Select an existing timeout parameter, right-click and choose "New."
Add the timeout parameter "Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure" and set the Value to 1 to enable or 0 to disable, depending on your preference.
Using piconfig

Type "piconfig" at a command prompt in the pi\adm directory and press Enter.
Enter the following lines pressing Enter after each. Substitute the value following the “Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure," with a value of 1 to enable or 0 to disable, depending on your preference.
@table pi_gen, pitimeout
@mode edit, t
@istr name, value
Archive_OverwriteDataOnAutoShiftFailure, 1
@ends

III. Add the Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat parameter to the PI Tuning Parameters and set the Value field.

Using PI System Management Tools

Open the Operation> Tuning Parameters branch and click the Archive tab.
Select an existing timeout parameter, right-click and choose "New."
Add the timeout parameter "Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat " and set the Value to 0, 1 or 2 to determine the format of the filename (see list above) for new archives.
Using piconfig

Type "piconfig" at a command prompt in the pi\adm directory and press Enter. Enter the following lines pressing Enter after each. Substitute the value following the “Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat," with a value of 0, 1 or 2 (see list above), depending on your preference.
@table pi_gen, pitimeout
@mode edit, t
@istr name, value
Archive_AutoArchiveFileFormat, 0
@ends

 
IV. Add the Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt parameter to the PI Tuning Parameters and set the Value field.
Using PI PI System Management Tools

Open the Operation> Tuning Parameters branch and click the Archive tab. Select an existing timeout parameter, right-click and choose "New." Add the timeout parameter “Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt” and set the Value to the extension to use for the filename for new archives.
Using piconfig

Type "piconfig" at a command prompt in the pi\adm directory and press Enter. Enter the following lines pressing Enter after each. Substitute ".arc" with the file extension of your choice:

@table pi_gen, pitimeout
@mode edit, t
@istr name, value
Archive_AutoArchiveFileExt,.arc
@ends
 

V. Make sure your primary archive is a fixed-size primary archive.


The auto archive creation will not work with a dynamic primary archive. The size of automatically created archives will always be taken from the size of that initial primary archive.
To do this, open Operation> Archive Manager in PI SMT 3 and look at the "Type" for the primary archive. (You can also run "piartool -al" at a pi\adm prompt.) Archive[0] should be set to "Type: 0" which is fixed.

VI. If running PI Server prior to 3.4.380, make sure you have one valid, shiftable, empty target archive available, even though it will not be used if automatic archives can be created.


This archive can be dynamic or fixed, unlike the primary archive. The purpose for this archive is to ensure you always have an archive to shift to if for some reason the auto archive creation fails.To test if the parameter is properly set, you can force an archive shift using the "piartool -fs" from a command prompt in the pi\adm directory. A new archive should be generated in the directory that you specified.


How to deactivate the Auto Archive Creation:


Using PI System Management Tools:

To turn off the Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot timeout parameter, set the value to blank (nothing) in the PI SMT Tuning Paramters table.

Using piconfig

You can also delete the parameter using piconfig.

Type "piconfig" at a command prompt in the pi\adm directory.
Next, list the content of the timeout table:

@table pi_gen,pitimeout
@mode list
@ostr *
@ends

You should see Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot parameter.

To delete it, change to Delete mode:

@mode delete
@istr name
Archive_AutoArchiveFileRoot
@ends
Lastly, verify that this parameter is removed by listing the contents again:

@mode list
@ostr *
@ends
Notes
Caution: When relying solely on the automatic archive creation, you expose yourself to more points of failure. It might be easier to keep track of available disk space, then to keep track of what archives are mounted and what they contain and whether or not they can be allowed to be overwritten. But the downside to using the above is that one could run out of free disk space if one is not watchful.

We recommend using MCN to monitor disk space on the PI Server and using PI Notifications to warn when there is low free space on the PI Server. Both MCN and PI Notifications are included with PI Server 2010.


Article ID: 3122OSI8 Created: 2/14/2005 Created by: DPERROW
Article Type: Troubleshooting Last Updated: 1/10/2011 Modified by: cwong
____________________________________________________________________

Copyright OSIsoft, Inc., 2008 All rights reserved.
Users may print extracts of content from this website for personal use only.
Republication or redistribution of OSIsoft content is expressly prohibited
without OSIsoft's prior written consent.

Simple PI Performance Equation Totalizer Tags To Track Counter

#Courtesy of Fairuz from Tanjung Bin#

If u need to create a tag which auto-calculate or auto-track time lapse based on certain digital tags, see below..

archiving 1
changedate 40843.60343
changer TBPPPISERVER\Administrator
compdev 0.1
compdevpercent 0.5
compmax 5
compmin 0
compressing 1
convers 1
descriptor Wall Deslagger 1R Rest Time
digitalset
displaydigits -5
engunits min
excdev 0
excdevpercent 0
excmax 5
excmin 0
exdesc IF 'TBP.U10.10HCB21BN001.cs' = "TRUE" then 'TBP.U10.RestTimeWD1R'+ 1 else 0
filtercode 0
instrumenttag
location1 0
location2 0
location3 0
location4 1
location5 0
pointid 28769
pointsource C
pointtype float32
ptclassname classic
ptsecurity piadmin: A(r,w) | piadmins: A(r) | PIWorld: A(r)
recno 18045
scan 1
shutdown 1
sourcetag
span 20
squareroot 0
srcptid 0
step 1
totalcode 0
typicalvalue 10
userint1 0
userint2 0
userreal1 0
userreal2 0
zero 0

Linear and Non-Linear Flowmeter

There are two broad meter types, linear and differential (nonlinear) producer. The output of linear meters is proportional to flow rate. The output of differential producers is proportional to the flow rate squared. The preferred meter for measurement of liquids is a linear meter. Table 14.1 lists various meter types for volume determination.

Published Papers from International School of Hydrocarbon Measurement

Metering people... u will appreciate these papers.. it's just amazing..

http://help.intellisitesuite.com/Hydrocarbon/

PI Enterprise Server 3.4.380 SP1 aka 3.4.380.70 released

PI Server 3.4.380.70 (3.4.380 SP1) is released. This is the first service pack release to PI Server 3.4.380, and also an upgrade to all versions of the PI Server prior to PI Server 2010.

PI Server 3.4.380.36 (September, 2009) was the first release to deliver full integration with Microsoft Windows Integrated Security (WIS), as part of a new security model. As with the original 3.4.380 release, Windows Security is recommended but not required with PI Server 3.4.380 SP1, and can be enabled gradually over time without any disruption to users.
PI Server 3.4.380 SP1 is a complete setup kit that can upgrade existing systems, or install new configurations. This service pack release includes a total of 109 fixes and 37 minor changes or enhancements, which together increase the overall reliability and maintainability of your PI System. For all systems earlier than 2010, PI Server 3.4.380 SP1 is the most stable and most secure PI Server version, and is highly recommended for all customers. The fixes and enhancements in PI Server 3.4.380 SP1 are cumulative and address issues present not only in 3.4.380, but also in earlier versions of the PI Server.

PI Server 3.4.380 SP1 is recommended for all customers who have not upgraded to PI Server 2010, particularly if any of the following scenarios apply:

Running on 64-bit system with more than 2GB RAM
Running on VM with heavy Host CPU load
Installing on Windows Server 2008 R2 Core
Using High Availability over unreliable networks
Using Windows security over unreliable networks
Authenticating with Windows security on Citrix
Writing to PI archives stored on SAN/NAS
Sending large amounts of out-of-order events
Making large archive summary calls
Executing many batch queries
Applying VSS backups with large number of archives
Using COM Connectors

See the Release Notes for a complete list of changes, as well as information on how to plan your deployment.

Difference Between a Null Modem and Straight Through Serial Cable

taken from:

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/1EE0DD8AF67922FA86256F720071DECF

The null modem cable is frequently called a crossover cable. It is used to allow two serial Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) devices to communicate with each other without using a modem or a Data Communications Equipment (DCE) device in between. For this to happen, the Transmit (TXD) pin of one device needs to be connected to the Receive (RXD) pin of the other device. To enable handshaking between the two devices, the Request to Send (RTS) pin of one device must be connected to the Clear to Send (CTS) pin of the other device. Because these pins are "crossed" on the two cable terminals, the name crossover cable is used.

A straight-through cable is used to connect a DTE device to a DCE device. The TXD-RXD and RTS-CTS pins are not cross-connected in this case, hence the term straight through cable.

The built-in serial port on a PC is a DTE device. Modems and printers are examples of DCE devices. Note that an instrument with serial interface could be either a DTE or a DCE device. It is best to check the user manual of the instrument to find out the device type. For more information regarding DTE and DCE devices, please see the links below.

To tell if your cable is null modem or straight though, you can search the part number at ni.com, the product description will tell if it is null modem. Alternatively you can use a hand held DMM to test continuity on the individual pins of your serial cable. If every pin is electrically connected to the corresponding pin on the other end, i.e.: pin 1 to pin1, pin 2 to pin 2, etc. then the cable is straight through.

Check whether your modem is a voice modem or not

ever wonder this?

20 Excel Formula

http://www.databison.com/index.php/20-useful-excel-formulas-you-must-know/

DATEVALUE = Converts a date in the form of text to a serial number
DAY = Converts a serial number to a day of the month
MONTH = Converts a serial number to a month
YEAR = Converts a serial number to a year
LEFT = Returns the leftmost characters from a text value
LEN = Returns the number of characters in a text string
RIGHT = Returns the rightmost characters from a text value
AVERAGE = Returns the average of its arguments
COUNT = Counts how many numbers are in the list of arguments
COUNTIF = Counts the number of nonblank cells within a range that meet the given criteria
MAX = Returns the maximum value in a list of arguments
AND = Returns TRUE if all its arguments are TRUE
IF = Specifies a logical test to perform
ROUNDDOWN = Rounds a number down, toward zero
ROUNDUP = Rounds a number up, away from zero
SUM = Adds its arguments
SUMIF = Adds the cells specified by a given criteria
OFFSET = Returns a reference offset from a given reference
VLOOKUP = Looks in the first column of an array and moves across the row to return the value of a cell
ISERROR = Returns TRUE if the value is any error value

Transformer Monitoring - Rule of Thumb

Ask any Electrical Engineer about transformer monitoring, what matters to them is the healthiness of insulation (normally paper or normally called "cellulose") and the winding itself.

Found a good summary explaining the relationship of "bad" gases and its origin.

Not only is hydrogen present in all transformer faults, it is also the gas appearing first when a problem is developing. This means that detection of hydrogen traces is the best way to find out that something is going on. Plus, unlike most other gases, the generation rate of hydrogen increases proportionally to fault severity. The more serious the problem, the more hydrogen is generated! This behavior, coupled with the fact that hydrogen very rarely varies with load, makes it truly representative of the transformer status, at all times.
Carbon monoxide on the other hand, will vary with load. However, significant increases of carbon monoxide may be indicative of excessive overheating of cellulose. CALISTO 2 independently measures carbon monoxide precisely and accurately thus allowing you to correlate this measurement with other key values like hot spot temperature.

http://www.morganschaffer.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=209

Real Power / Apparent Power / Reactive Power (P/S/Q)

Not only people with little to no technical expertise at all are the ones confused by the difference between Watts, VAs and VArs. Most people who study computers, small-scale electronics and other similar subjects quite often believe that Volt-Amperes are equal to Watts, which is actually true but only when working under DC voltage / current. On the other hand, when making calculations on any AC circuit there are three types of power to consider: Apparent (or Complex) power, Real (or True or Effective) power and Reactive (or Magnetic) power.

For DC circuits, power is calculated by using the definition: P (Power in Watts) = V (Volts) * I (Amperes). This definition is not valid for AC circuits because the vast majority of power loads will cause a phase shift between voltage and current (related reading: AC and DC current: Fundamental differences and a simple explanation).

For AC systems, a very similar definition is used to calculate Apparent power: S (Power in Volt-Amperes) = V (Volts RMS) * I (Amperes RMS). Apparent power has little to no meaning for residential and business users; however it is absolutely necessary for sizing any and all AC power equipment ranging from your household safety fuses and simple UPS systems to immense transformers and power generators, which is why even the least adept of electricians who work on AC systems should be trained to be able to measure and calculate it.

Apparent power is of little concern to home users, so what about Real Power? Real power is, much like the name suggests, the actual amount of power used by your equipment and it is commonly used to calculate the thermal loading generated by the equipment. For AC circuits, real power is calculated by using the following definition: P (Power in Watts) = V (Volts RMS) * I (Amperes RMS) * cos(φ). Real power is all that residential and business users care about because that is the amount of power you purchase from the utility company; unless of course the cabling/safety systems are sized incorrectly and high Apparent Power caused them to fail even though Real Power is low enough.

Reactive power is something not widely known and rarely ever used because it usually only matters to electrical engineers designing and sizing electric power transmission and distribution systems or working in the industrial sector and on large electric motors/generators. Any inductive and/or capacitive load which will cause a phase shift between the current and voltage waveforms will cause reactive power to be drawn by the equipment, even though the equipment will not actually use it. Reactive power moves no energy at all, which is why it is often referred to as the "imaginary" power; it is simply transferred from the utility company to you and from you back to the utility company, merely causing losses along the way. It can be calculated by using the following definition: Q (Power in VArs) = V (Volts RMS) * I (Amperes RMS) * sin(φ).

To summarize, apparent power is the total amount of power that will move through your equipment and therefore it is critical to size all wiring, circuit breakers and any other equipment according to it, yet residential and business users will not be charged based on their apparent power but by their real power consumption. Real power is the effective power used by your equipment and moves energy. Reactive power moves no energy but it will still be the cause of a higher, useless current. Even so, for the most part of the world only large businesses and industrial consumers are being penalized if reactive power exceeds a certain portion of their total power consumption at this point of time.

Read more: http://vr-zone.com/articles/why-ups-systems-are-rated-in-vas-and-psus-in-watts-explaining-watts-var-and-va/11473.html#ixzz1H6WJ6iVR

OPC Datahub Config File Backup

so u've customized so many things in OPC Datahub.. time for backup...

Hello Ainuddin,

The OPC DataHub configuration files by default are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\[USER NAME]\Application Data\OPC DataHub.

NOTE: Application Data is a hidden folder.

You can simply make a copy of this folder to back up your configurations.

Thanks,

Win Worrall
Support Engineer
Software Toolbox, Inc.

Optimizing PI Smart Alert Email

By default, using OPC Datahub i configured certain events to be alerted via email. Things like plant shutdown, tripped, 52G breaker status etc

Add below code, to trim the decimal values of the OPC tag.

Hello Ainuddin,

Something like below where you replace the DataSim:Sine with your tag name. This means that it will have 6 digits before the decimal and 2 after the decimal. Let me know if you have other questions.
<%= format("%6.2f", $DataSim:Sine) %>

Thanks,

Win Worrall
Support Engineer
Software Toolbox, Inc.

Simple VB.NET mathematical function

Nice and easy !!

http://www.maconstateit.net/tutorials/VBNET/VBNET01/vbnet01-06.aspx

Can be used in PI ACE or Exele OPCcalc software.

Cheers.

PI Processbook X-Y Plot Tools Max Event Limitation

10,000 event and not more !!

PI Processbook X-Y Plot Tools Pairing Option

Pls be very careful when plotting X-Y points in PI Processbook. This is such a powerful tool !!

Below is taken from help file.

Configure Pairings
Once the tags are listed in the Tags in Plot list, configure the method for pairing values between X and Y in the Data Retrieval Methods box.

X Tag—choose either Recorded or Interpolated for the retrieval method.
Interpolated—an interval may be entered in the Plot Time section. Interpolated is the default for tags and is disabled for ODBC and Custom data sets. This method retrieves interpolated values for the specified time range in regular intervals. For example, if the time range is *-1h to * and the Interval is 10m, then six values spaced 10 minutes apart are returned. This option provides a way to get evenly sampled data.
Recorded—Retrieves archive values between the specified start and end time.
Y Tag(s)—the Y tag data retrieval method applies to individually selected tags in the Tags in Plot list (unless the Use for all Y tags check box is selected). The default data retrieval method for Y tags is Synchronize.
Y Tags, paired by position in the list—To use multiple time ranges, select Recorded or Interpolated. In this case, data is paired by position in the point list. If Interpolated is selected for the X tag as well, the interval value for the Y tag defaults to the one for the X tag.
When Recorded is the retrieval mechanism, the results are not skewed by minor timestamp differences.

Y Tags, paired by timestamps—to pair values by time, rather than by list position, choose one of these retrieval methods: Synchronize, Match, Match or Previous, or Match or Next.
Synchronize—synchronizes data found for X with data for Y using the timestamps for the X data. This may result in interpolated data values for Y.
Match—find the event for Y corresponding to the exact timestamp as X. If no matching event is found, no match is made for that X value.
Match or Previous—find the event for Y corresponding to the exact timestamp as X. If there is none, find the event that is the closest but earlier in time.
Match or Next—find the event for Y corresponding to the exact timestamp as X. If there is none, find the event that is the closest, but later in time.
Synchronize and Match—use different PI SDK value retrieval methods. Synchronize uses TimedValues. Match uses RecordedValues and then uses the values where the timestamps match.

Note: Synchronize is disabled for ODBC and Custom data sets.

If you select Synchronize or any of the Match options, the start and end times for that tag are set the same as for the X tag and cannot be changed.

Note: The XYPlot supports ODBC data sets that don't contain timestamps. This type of entry must be plotted as a Y-tag, and data values must be retrieved using the Recorded retrieval method. If a tag is changed from a Y tag to an X tag and has a value for Retrieval Method that is only valid for Y tags, the method is changed to Interpolated. If the tag is a data set, the method is changed to Recorded.

In all cases, if a pair is not made, the unmatched X or Y events are ignored.

Use for all Y tags—Selecting this box indicates that the Y-tags data retrieval mechanism applies for all Y-tags. If one of the tags is a Custom or ODBC data set and the selection mechanism is Interpolated or Synchronize, the selection mechanism will be Recorded or Match respectively for that tag only.

Speedtronic Mark V Rung Scanning Period

Ever wonder whether there is scanning "phasing" like what u use to have in Foxboro IA DCS in Mark V? The answer is yes. Look at your MSTR_SEQ.CFG file..

Foxboro I/A Series Version 8.6 Release

Customer Notification
I/A Series Version 8.6 Release with 100 Series FBM Upgrade
February 16, 2011

Invensys Operations Management is committed to ensuring that our customers and employees are kept current on issues that might affect or improve product, system or process operation. We are dedicated to providing product and application reliability, and exceptional client service.

Customer Notifications are intended to inform you of the availability of new hardware, software, and special programs, product release information, training opportunities, and service-related information of a non-technical nature.

I/A Series Release Version 8.6 software provides enhancements to I/A Series core software and provides additional functionality and security to I/A Series control systems, including:
1. 100 Series Fieldbus Modules Upgrade.
2. Several software packages are upgraded.
3. Several Control Blocks are upgraded.
Benefits
The V8.6 release continues to provide security features for I/A Series systems that were initially added in V8.5. It allows you to maintain customized security according to the needs and requirements of your site. During V8.5 Day0 I/A Series software installation, you were provided a choice to 1) install I/A Series software with Security Enhancements (known as I/A Series Secured Enhanced, or SE, software) or 2) install standard I/A Series software without security enhancements. This V8.6 release is an update to V8.5, and supports both options.

I/A Series V8.6 software supports the 100 Series Fieldbus Module (FBM) Upgrade subsystem, which provides equipment to upgrade sites with existing 100 Series FBMs and Termination Cable Assemblies (TCAs) to 200 Series equivalents. Important features of this software provide Upgrade Support for 100 Series FBMs and Expansion FBMs, and preserve existing field wiring/existing enclosures, while minimizing plant downtime during the upgrade project. This upgrade will move clients to 200 Series FBMs and 2MB Fieldbus, and provide HART capability.

Software Applications Upgraded for V8.6 :
• System Definition, V2.11
• I/A Series Configuration Component (IACC), V2.4
• System Manager Software, V2.1
• Intelligent Field Device Configurator (IFDC), V3.1
• Extended Frame Service (EFS) Software, V2.2
• FoxAPI, V4.3.3
• Control Block and Parameter Additions and Changes

Requirements:
• Loading of V8.6 is a delta upgrade install of I/A Series software.
• Loading a new system (day 0 install) will start with V8.5.
• Requirements established for V8.5 continue in V8.6
• Hardened OS images must be purchased for each workstation as 3rd party licenses are invoked per machine.
• Hardened OS images are available for Invensys Dell supplied machines.
P92 XP workstations PW360 through T3500 models
Server 2003 Class machines PE2800 through the T610 and R710 models
• Only V10.2.2 FoxView/FoxDraw is qualified to run on V8.5 and V8.6.

For InFusion CE (Control Edition) users, the latest version InFusion CE V2.5 is the only qualified version for V8.6

To take advantage of FF CIF offering, Control Configuration MUST be performed through InFusion IEE environment.
(No ICC or IACC support)

Osisoft OPC Interface - Update Rates

In 1 of my OPC interface, i faced a problem whereby data quality is inconsistent, out of like 80++ tags, i will have 10++ tags showing "Bad" quality...

and the culprit is the Update Rate settings !!

Ensuring TMOS DEAViewer in healthy mode

DEAViewer is a program which is part of TMOS system from Industrial Turbine Services. Used for Mark V SOE / Alarm logging.

The software can be executed without installing it. Just copy the whole folder and run the EXE. The folder structure looks like below:

"Settings.TXT" is the script file defining your MYSQL server IP address, port no, username etc. if u're behind a firewall, make sure the port is opened.

And finally, the log files which explains the behavior of the program. useful when troubleshooting..

Checking NTP Service and Time-Sync Status

By default, NTP package comes with NTPD and NTPQC command line utility which is quite useful in troubleshooting NTP related problem.

Disable Host Time-Sync on Virtualbox

by default, a VirtualBox Host will always keep its Guest time-synchronized. U can disable this feature by performing this from terminal / DOS prompt:

vboxmanage setextradata “VBoxInternal/Devices/VMMDev/0/Config/GetHostTimeDisabled” “1″

Note: U may need to run it as "root" by typing sudo in front of the command.

PING utility with trending tools

PING command is damn good tools to quickly check network connection healthiness. But it's too simple for network monitoring. Found a free tools from Colasoft. Now u can trend the time response, and even export it to TXT file for further analysis.

http://www.colasoft.com/ping_tool/

Using 3rd party NTP timesync software in Windows XP

Found a way to disable default Windows NTP service in WinXP. Also managed to replace it with a much better tools from Timetools UK !!

http://www.timetools.co.uk/time-servers/ntp-client.htm

4 simple steps involved:

1) Disable Windows Time service. U can verify by looking at "RPC error" at the time applet.
2) Make sure good connection to your NTP server - verify using PING tool
3) Run Timetools NTP Client software - refer link above
4) Make sure the software running good and giving status "OK"

NTP Service in Windows

Ever wonder what is the Windows service which controls your NTP sync?

Windows Atomic Clock NTP Client Software and Windows Time Synchronisation Service.

TimeTools SNTP client software and the Windows Time Synchronisation service ('Windows Time') cannot co-exist on the same system, since they both attempt to use UDP port 123 (NTP). You can disable the Windows Time service from the service manager to avoid this problem and rely on the NTP time server monitor to synchronise time.

Operation with Windows XP SP2 Firewall

To operate any NTP or SNTP client on Windows XP SP2 or later, you must open the NTP port (Port 123) in the Windows XP firewall. From the Firewall Control Panel add UDP port 123 in the exceptions tab.

http://www.timetools.co.uk/time-servers/ntp-client.htm

Which Station Hosting Which Control Processor?

In case u need to know this, follow this nice guide from Ricardo;

To find out what AW is hosting what CP you need to look on each AW inside the “/usr/fox/sp/files/” folder and look for files with this format:

DB.UC

Ex: /usr/fox/sp/files/DBCP0001.UC

Ex: /usr/fox/sp/files/DB02CP02.UC

Etc...

Nexenta Storage with VMware ESXi 4.1

this is 1 nice article about setting up Nexenta open storage system with ESXi 4.1

http://v-reality.info/2010/06/using-nexentastor-zfs-storage-appliance-with-vsphere/

Change motherboard and prevent B.S.O.D in WinXP

Unlike Windows Vista or Windows 7 (or Linux of course), WinXP is not smart to "re-align" itself when a motherboard is replaced with a difference chipset.

Most of the time, u will be greeted by a nice BSOD and more often than not u will need to do a clean WINXP install or repair it via orig. CD.

found some nice links on several options on how to avoid this.

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/install/other/motherboard/win2k.htm