Defer with alarms? Who uses?

[ToLearn]

I was just curious who has a defer code built into their alarms? The New User Guide mentions using it just in case there is any random noise. I've never experienced any random noise, perhaps because I have all new Apex and no older AC stuff, but regardless if there was noise in the system I would like to know about it. It would seem as if putting the defer code into the alarm would be a way to ignore the fact that your equipment was malfunctioning some how.

Am I missing something?

Just trying to understand why someone would use this. Thanks in advance for helpful responses.

[kenargo]

I suspect a 'small' amount of time in a Defer statement would be OK on the email timer. I don't specifically use it that way though; I try to keep the outlets correct and use the Defer in them; then trigger warning and alarm sounds based on the outlets and probes and email based on the state of the warning and alarm outlets but that is just how i do it and shouldn't be taken as the only way.

[aquamanic]

The example I gave in the User Guide was to address hysteresis - the situation being the temp where you're bouncing around + or - a degree and the alarm is going off. As Ken says, for small amounts of time it's OK and the example was for 2 min. Recently someone had a situation where they had a 30 minute defer and it caused him problems not seeing the alarm condition right away so large delays are a bad thing on the email outlet. It wasn't about ignoring malfunctioning equipment or random noise.

Best thing is to use virtual outlets, put the Defer in them then test for the virtual outlet being on in the email alarm but for the example I gave, it's not a problem.

[ToLearn]

I thought the "Re-email delay (minutes)" in the last several firm ware version would prevent the need for the virtual outlets you are mentioning.

Just trying to understand. My brain doesn't function like your average persons.

[kenargo]

I thought the "Re-email delay (minutes)" in the last several firm ware version would prevent the need for the virtual outlets you are mentioning.

Just trying to understand. My brain doesn't function like your average persons.


Re-email delay is the time between sending an email and sending the next one. The value only comes into play if the email outlet turns on AND remains on for the duration. If the email turns on, then off, then on again quickly then you will get a new email for each on; think of the re-email timer as resetting each time the email outlet turns off and it will make more sense.

[ToLearn]

Ah, thanks Kenargo. I understand now.

I haven't had any issues yet with repetitive e-mails due to up and down swings. That may change when I get my Calcium reactor hooked up tomorrow.