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i4scada Knowledge Base

Set up Discrete Signal Values

Abstract

Learn how to set up Signals as discrete text-value pairs instead of using unintuitive numerical values to control your signal.

When using signals in visualizations it is often more intuitive to control processes discretely. For example, a light switch can be controlled to the best advantage by means of discrete values like light ON and light OFF instead of using unintuitive numerical values for the controlling signal.

In the Discrete Values view, the user can define discrete values as text-value pairs such as [light ON =1] or [light OFF= 0]. The defined pairs can be grouped into functional units in the Discrete Value Types view, which will eventually be assigned to signals. At the same time, the user can create multilingual texts for discrete values, which will then be available to the user when running the visualization at run-time.

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Discrete Values panel

To add a new discrete value, navigate to the discrete values view and follow the next steps:

  1. Right-click either on the Discrete Values node in the tree menu or in the discrete values view and select New Discrete Value.

  2. Using the Discrete Value Details Panel, enter the Name, Value, and translations strings.

  3. To store the new value once configured, click the Save button.

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Discrete Value Details panel

To group Discrete Values in functional units, navigate to the discrete value types view and follow the next steps:

  1. Right-click either on the Discrete Value Types node in the tree menu or in the discrete value types view and select New Discrete Value Type.

  2. Using the Discrete Value Type Details Panel, enter the Name and Description of the new type unit.

  3. Select the discrete values to be grouped under this type using the Add button. The Select Discrete Values dialog allows you to select one or more available discrete values.

  4. To store the new value once configured, click the Save button.

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Save Discrete Value Type

Discrete Values View Actions and Options

This section of the topic describes the actions that can be performed in the Discrete Values view.

Tree menu contextual menu

Right-clicking on Discrete Values in the Signals tree menu will open the contextual menu.

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Discrete Values contextual menu

Contextual menu of Discrete Values node

Description

Expand/Collapse

Expands/Collapses the clicked element. In the Discrete Values case, the option is disabled because the Discrete Values cannot have any sub-items.

New Discrete Value

Allows the user to add a new Discrete Value to the list.

Delete

Deletes the selected Discrete Value. Active only in the main view.

Refresh

Reloads the Discrete Values list.

Main panel contextual menu

Right-clicking in the Discrete Values main panel will open the contextual menu.

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Listed Discrete Value contextual menu

Contextual menu of Listed Discrete Values

Description

Edit

Edits the content of the cell where the contextual menu was triggered.

Copy

Copies the selected Discrete Value.

New Discrete Value

Allows the user to add a new Discrete Value to the list.

Delete

Deletes the selected Discrete Value.

Discrete Value Details

Toggles the Discrete Value Details panel on or off.

Refresh

Reloads the Discrete Values list.

Discrete Value Types View Actions and Options

This section of the topic describes the actions that can be performed in the Discrete Value Types view.

Tree menu contextual menu

Right-clicking on Discrete Value Types in the Signals tree menu will open the contextual menu.

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Discrete Value Types contextual menu

Contextual menu of Discrete Value Types

Description

Expand / Collapse

Expands / Collapse the clicked element. In the Discrete Value Types case, the option is disabled becasue the Discrete Value Types cannot have any sub-items.

New Discrete Value Type

Allows the user to add a new Discrete Value Type to the list.

Delete 

Deletes the selected Discrete Value Type. Active only in the main view.

Refresh

Reloads the Discrete Value Types list.

Main panel contextual menu

Right-clicking in the Discrete Value Types main panel will open the contextual menu.

Capture1549.jpg

Listed Discrete Value Types contextual menu

Contextual menu of Listed Discrete Value Types

Description

Edit

Edits the content of the cell where the contextual menu was triggered.

Copy

Copies the selected Discrete Value Types.

New Discrete Value Type

Allows the user to add a new Discrete Value Type to the list.

Delete

Deletes the selected Discrete Value Type.

Discrete Value Type Details

Toggles the Discrete Value Type Details panel on or off.

Refresh

Reloads the Discrete Value Types list.