Binary Types

Event Sequence

The Binary Output (Event Sequence) point type is a good place to put a Schedule, Overtime, or Logic that will control other points or operations. It works just like any other hardware binary output.

Logic

Since this is an Input, you cannot put a Schedule or Overtime on it, but it is a good place to put logic. Many times this point is used as a status point that monitors amps and can be linked to an output that controls a piece of equipment. It is also used to monitor other alarms and act as a “Master” or “Critical” alarm for a group of alarms.

Multi-State

Multi-State points are Output points that simulate 3 or 4 state outputs. They can be used to simulate the standard states of a wall thermostat (Off/Heat/Cool). Multi-State software points appear to be supervised points, but they are not.

System Types

The next section of points is the System Points. The term “System Points” means that the data for these points is derived locally from the system or DPU computer.

DPU Run Minutes

If added to a controller’s database, this point gives you the amount of time the computer on the controller has been running without rebooting. If added to the DPU database, it tells you how long the DPU has been running without rebooting. This point type is mainly used for troubleshooting purposes.

Month of Year, Etc

Month of Year, Day of Week and the rest of the time related points give you information from the calendar or clock of the DPU operating system. For example, the Month of Year point gives you a 1-12 depending on what month it is, and Day of Week gives you a 1-7 depending on what day it is (Sunday is 1). These points can be used for many things, but here is one example: Suppose you wanted a different schedule for each month to control when outside lighting is on. Create a Month of Year point and an Event Sequence for each month with a different schedule on each one, and add a Binary Out (Logic) with a logic like: If Month of Year is X

And X Month Schedule Point is ON

Then on Binary Out (Logic) point

Else if (Same thing for next month)

The final step would be to add logic to the point that is being commanded. This logic would turn the point on when the Binary Out (Logic) point is On.

DPU Communications Lost

This point works in conjunction with the DPU Comm Lost Timeout point and is mainly a tool for troubleshooting communication problems. When added to a controller, the Communications Lost point will output a status of YES if there is no communication between the controller and the DPU for a certain time period (default is 10 minutes). The time period is adjustable by commanding the timeout point to a value (in seconds).

You would have to add some logic to this point or another point on the controller to make use of this point, because you will never see it from the DPU when it is true.

The possibilities for using these system points are infinite. Use your imagination when programming a difficult sequence of operation and you can probably put some of these point types to use.