08 - What is automatic alarm notification?

Alarms and events are jointly referred to as Alerts. The function blocks into the devices detect alarms. When alarms and other critical events occur, the function block automatically notifies the MMI by sending an Alert. The MMI confirms receipt of alert notification to the field device. If the field device does not receive the confirmation, it will re-send the notification. Alerts are also issued when alarm conditions disappear. Thus the operator interface does not have to perform periodic polling to determine if there is an alarm condition, and surely any alarm can be detected. Information in the notification includes time and priority.

The current status of alarms and events may also be checked at any time from alarm and event parameters in each block.