Modbus alarm handling

Alarm list

The alarm list allows to read out the actual alarms including warnings, criticals and faults.

When power-cycling the module or providing a reset command, the inactive alarms will be cleared from the list. The alarm list is identical and shared between the IQ products CSV, CM-RC-01, CM-RC-02, CM-SW-01 and SE-i1.

Overview of the relevant Modbus registers

Register

Name

Description

Type

11100 (I)

Active alarms

Number of active alarms

uint16

11101 (I)

Not cleared alarms

Number of listed alarms that has not yet been cleared

uint16

11102 (I)

Highest alarm state

Highest state of any listed alarm
0 = Clear
1 = Inactive
2 = Active
3 = Set (alarm condition is present)

uint8

11103 (I)

Highest active alarm state

Highest severity level of any active alarm
0 = None
8 = Warning
16 = Critical
32 = Fault

uint8

11104 (I)

Device locked

If locked, device is waiting for external reset command or restart
0 = No
1 = Yes

uint8

11105 (I)

Fault reset level

Reset level required to clear any active alarm
0 = NA
1 = Auto
2 = Timed
3 = External
4 = Restart

uint8

11201 (I) .. 11210 (I)

Alarm 1 .. 10

Alarms are ranked in the alarm list according to severity:
alarm 1 is highest ranking, alarm 10 is lowest ranking.

  • Bit 0 .. 9 (binary to decimal): Index number, see in BEST Software under "Product" --> "Documentation" --> "Alarms" for the translation of index numbers into alarm texts. The table can be exported as csv file via the "Export..." button in the top menu all the way to the right.
  • Bit 10 .. 12 (binary to decimal): Alarm severity
    3 = Warning
    4 = Critical
    5 = Fault
  • Bit 13: Reserved
  • Bit 14 .. 15 (binary to decimal): Alarm state
    1 = Inactive
    2 = Active
    3 = Set (alarm condition is present)

Excel tool for decoding:

An Excel tool which allows to decode actual alarm values received via Modbus and visualizes the decoding step by step can be downloaded here.

uint16

Alarm severity types

There are the following alarm severity types:

Fault :
If a fault alarm condition is detected, the device will open the relays for the motor contacts and stop the compressor motor.

Critical :
If a critical alarm condition is detected, operation may continue but for a limited time or with reduced performance.

Warning :
A warning is signalled when a condition occurs which may require attention but is not severe enough to stop operation of the compressor. The compressor keeps running.

Alarm reset types

Auto:

Timed:

External:

Restart:

Possibilities for providing a reset command

The module can be unlocked in various ways:

Compressor damage!

Compressor damage!

Repeated resetting of external reset faults may lead to breakdown of the compressor if the cause is not resolved.