10.20 ExternalSensorType

ExternalSensor is an optional component from DeviceZoneType and includes variables for the operation with an external temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is connected at the TCD directly or the value can come from the connected machine.

Table 10 – ExternalSensorType Definition
Attribute Value
BrowseNameExternalSensorType
IsAbstractFalse
References Node Class BrowseName DataType TypeDefinition Other
Subtype of 0:aseObjectType defined in OPC UA Part 5
0:HasComponentVariableActualValue0:Double0:AnalogItemTypeM, RW
0:HasPropertyVariableUsed0:Boolean0:PropertyTypeM, RO
0:HasComponentMethodExternalSensorModeOnM
0:HasComponentMethodExternalSensorModeOffM
0:HasComponentVariableThermocoupleType0:UInt160:MultiStateValueDiscreteTypeM, RW
0:HasComponentVariableCommunicationProtocolType0:UInt160:MultiStateValueDiscreteTypeM, RW
0: HasPropertyVariableAutomaticModeSwitch0:Boolean0:PropertyTypeO, RW
0:HasComponentObjectClosedLoopControl3:ClosedLoopControlTypeO

10.20.1 ActualValue

Description:Actual value of external temperature sensor
Unit:°C or °F
Example:41.0

The value is only writeable if the CommunicationProtocolType is OPC_UA (value 3).

10.20.2 Used

Description:Return whether an external temperature sensor is used for control
Example:true

10.20.3 ExternalSensorModeOn

Description:Activate the mode where the external temperature sensor is used for temperature control

Signature

	ExternalSensorModeOn ();

10.20.4 ExternalSensorModeOff

Description:Deactivate the mode where the external temperature sensor is used for temperature control

Signature

	ExternalSensorModeOff ();

10.20.5 ThermocoupleType and CommunicationProtocolType

This two Variables are used to specify the type of connected external temperature sensor and the used communication protocol between the sensor and the control system of the TCD.

The TypeDefinition for both Variables is MultiStateValueDiscreteType, so the Properties EnumValues and ValueAsText must be filled with the supported values out of Table 11 and Table 12.

Table 11 – Values for ThermocoupleType
EnumValue ValueAsText Description
0OTHEROther sensor type
1EType E sensor: NiCr-CuNi
2JType J, L sensor: Fe-CuNi
3KType K sensor: NiCr-Ni
4NType N sensor: NiCrSi-NiSi
5TType T sensor: Cu-CuNi
6PT100Pt 100-Sensor
Table 12 – Values for CommunicationProtocolType
EnumValue ValueAsText Description
0OTHEROther connection type
1LOCALCommunication integrated in the local control system (local input)
2PROFIBUSValues via Profibus
3OPC_UAValues via OPC UA
4I2CValues via I2C
5CANValues via CAN

Which sensor types and protocols and combinations are supported is device dependent. Especially when the CommunicationProtocolType has the value 1 (LOCAL), the ThermocoupleType could be set to a fixed value by the TCD.

10.20.6 AutomaticModeSwitch

Setting whether switching to external sensor is performed automatically (TRUE) or manually (FALSE). If TRUE, temperature control is regulated to the external sensor when the external sensor is plugged, and again switched automatically to the internal measurement site when the external sensor is unplugged.

10.20.7 ClosedLoopControl

With this Object of ClosedLoopControlType (defined in OPC 40083) the client can do settings for the closed loop control for the sensor.