What a rule condition can read field definitions

Description

• Contents: the readings a rule condition compares, the fields of the rule dialog, and the rule list
• Procedure: Build a rule list
• Fluctuation fixes: Stop rules from causing power fluctuations

Readings

Reading Meanings

• Fixed Value: a number that you type. It has the unit of the reading on the other side.
• Storage %: the average state of charge of the storage, in percent with no decimals for one storage. An average of two or more storages can have decimals.
• PV W: PV active power.
• PV VA: PV apparent power.
• PV Inv W: PV active power with the sign changed.
• Load W: load active power.
• Load VA: load apparent power.
• Grid VA: grid apparent power.
• Generator VA: generator apparent power.
• Storage VA: storage apparent power.
• Device Power W: active power of one device on the diagram.
• Grid Recover: minutes with no decimals since grid power became available again. It reads 0 while there is no grid power.
• Gen Up Time: minutes since the generator started. It reads 0 while the generator does not operate.
• Switch Close Time: minutes since the control switch last closed. It reads 0 until the first close.
• Switch Open Time: minutes since the control switch last opened. It reads 0 until the first open.
• Input State: the state of one digital input of the logger, 1 or 0. The Dev SN picker lists the inputs.
• System Variable: the current value of the variable that you select.

Device Pickers

• Total: the sum of all the connected, enabled devices of that kind that have Totals Calculation: set to Include.
• Total in: PV SN, Load SN, Grid SN, Gen SN and Storage SN.
• No Total in: Dev SN, Switch SN, and the pickers of Grid Recover and Gen Up Time.
• A serial number: that one device only. The pickers show serial numbers, not diagram labels.

Condition Row

• If: the start of the first row.
• Left and right side: a Fixed Value or a reading, each with its picker or Value box.
• Comparator: >, <, >=, <=, = or !=.
• AND, OR: the connector at the start of each row after the first.
• x: removes the row. It shows when there are two rows or more.
• + Add condition: adds a row.
• Must hold for, seconds: the time that the condition and the time filters must stay true before the rule wins. The time starts again when they become false.
• Expression summary: the condition as text, or None.

Chain Order

• Grouping: each connector joins its row to all the rows below it.
• Example: A AND B OR C is A AND (B OR C).
• Brackets: not available.

Select Variable Dialog

• Select: the button that opens the dialog. The label next to it shows the variable name, or No variable selected.
• User: a value that you set.
• DDP (device data point): one field of one installed device.
• Computed: the result of a formula that uses other values.
• Columns: Name, Desc, Value, Unit. The DDP tab also has Serial Number.
• Search: each tab has a search field.
• check icon: selects the variable.
• Listed: variables with a number value.
• Not listed: Boolean and String variables, variables that have no value at this time, and Plant and Digital IO values.

See System variables field definitions.

Value Sources

The value of a Target Power rule uses the same readings, but not all of them.

• Condition only, levels and power: Storage %, PV VA, Load VA, Storage VA, Grid VA, Generator VA.
• Condition only, time and state: Grid Recover, Gen Up Time, Switch Close Time, Switch Open Time, Input State.
• Value only: Remote Schedule, the setpoint from a remote schedule service.
• Condition and value: Fixed Value, PV W, PV Inv W, Load W, Device Power W, System Variable.
• Default row: Fixed Value only.
• Max Limit, Min Limit: a number only.
• On/Off State: On, Off or None.

Rule Dialog

• Title: Schedule rule or Default, then the value name and unit.
• Summary line: the full rule as one sentence, from When.
• What it does: the value of the rule.
• Grid/Storage Priority: on Target Power only. The side with the higher number leads. If the numbers are equal, storage leads.
• Do Nothing: the rule wins and sets no value. The last value that a rule set stays. If no rule set a value, the Default applies.
• Value: the number, in watts on a power list.
• When it applies: the filters of the rule.
• Years: the current year and the next nine. None selected means all years.
• Date range: From and To, as day and month. Both dates are part of the range.
• Weekdays: Mo to Su. None selected means all days.
• Hours: From and To, as HH:MM. Both times are part of the range.
• Expression: the condition rows.
• Save: keeps the rule in the list. The Save of the Settings dialog sends it to the logger.

Rule List

• Add: adds a rule at the bottom of the list.
• Row number: the position. The first rule that is true wins.
• Columns: Years, Date range, Weekdays, Hours, Target, Pri.
• EVERY YEAR, ALL WEEK DAYS, EVERY HOUR, ---: no filter on that column.
• Condition line: the condition below the row, after Trigger Delay and the seconds if set.
• Previous Eval: the target of a Do Nothing rule.
• pencil icon: opens the rule.
• bin icon: removes the rule.
• Default, FALLBACK: the row that applies when no rule above it is true.
• Green row: the rule or Default that wins at this time. On Target Power, On/Off State, Max Limit and Min Limit.
• Red row: an invalid rule. The plant control skips it, and the Diagram shows a red outline around the device.

Tips

• Power is in watts or volt-amperes, so 100 kW is 100000.
• Must hold for is in seconds. The four time readings are in minutes.
• A rule that reads a removed device or a deleted variable goes red, and the plant control skips it.