JACE power monitoring configuration

A JACE’s “power monitoring” options may require adjustment from default settings. These parameters define the JACE’s backup-battery monitoring and AC power-fail shutdown routines.

NoteIf an NPM6E-based JACE with “onboard SRAM” (JACE-3E, JACE-6E, JACE-603, or JACE-645), or another JACE with an installed “SRAM option card” that is running build 3.6.44 or later, you now have several backup options that involve the PowerMonitorService under its station’s PlatformServices. Note the initial AX-3.6 support for an SRAM option card-equipped JACE automatically removed the station’s PowerMonitorService, replacing it with the DataRecoveryService for SRAM support. This changed starting in build 3.6.44, where the station’s PowerMonitorService is always retained. For details on the DataRecoveryService, refer to the JACE Data Recovery Service (SRAM support) - Engineering Notes document.

To review and configure a JACE’s power monitoring options, expand the station’s PlatformServices and double-click on the PowerMonitorService. See Figure 24.

Figure 24. PowerMonitorService default view in a JACE-6E station


PowerMonitorService default view in a JACE-6E station

To configure power monitoring for a JACE with backup battery (but no SRAM)

With a station in the JACE running, and that station opened in Workbench, do the following:

  1. In the Nav tree, click to expand the station’s Services, PlatformServices, containers to reveal all contained services.

  2. Double-click PowerMonitorService.

    Its Power Monitor Platform Service Plugin displays in the view pane, as shown in Figure 24.

  3. As needed, change configuration properties stored in the JACE platform, which include:

    • Shutdown Delay Timer

      Defines the period that the JACE waits between detecting loss of AC power and performing a graceful shutdown (backs up database and powers board off). Depending on JACE model, using either a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery or sealed lead-acid (Sla) battery, this varies.

      • For JACE-2/6 models (NiMH), the default value is 30 seconds, the valid range is 0 to 60 seconds (1 minute), maximum.

        NoteThe maximum value was formerly 30 seconds—the same as the default. Starting in builds 3.5.30 and 3.6.25, the maximum limit increased to 1 minute. Unless specifically needed longer, the default 30 seconds can be better in the case of multiple power outages that occur in quick succession. In that case, the NiMH battery may not become fully recharged, introducing a greater risk of the controller to be unable to complete a graceful shutdown upon loss of power.

      • For JACE-4/5 models (Sla), the default period is 1 minute, range is 0 to 15 minutes.

        Generally, for “Sla battery” models, the default value is recommended, as longer periods means more time running on battery power. Otherwise, in some scenarios with multiple lengthy power failures (in succession) the battery may become completely discharged.

    • Power Alarm Support

      Expand to access properties that define how “primary power alarms” are handled in the station, including alarm class to use and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    • Battery Alarm Support

      Expand to access properties that define how “battery alarms” are handled in the station, including alarm class to use and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    NoteSeveral settings reflect read-only status properties:

    • Primary Power Present — Boolean, Yes (true) if AC power is currently supplied to JACE.

    • Battery — container that shows two values concatenated on a single line:

      • State — (with icon) enumerated descriptor, typically “Idle” if fully charged, else “Charging”, “Discharging”, or “Unknown”.

      • If “Charging”, the estimated charge time left until fully charged (Charge Time Left).

    • Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if last JACE backup battery test was good.

    • Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last battery test performed by the JACE.

  4. Click Save to write the configuration to host platform.

To configure power monitoring for a JACE with SRAM and backup battery

This applies to any SRAM-equipped JACE controller that also has a backup battery installed. Controller types are JACE-3E, JACE-6E, any other NPM6E-based type (JACE-603, JACE-645), or any other JACE model with “SRAM option card”. The controller must be licensed with the “dataRecovery” feature.

If the controller is installed “battery-less”, do not use this procedure. Go instead to To review/adjust PlatformServices properties for the JACE.

With a station running in the JACE and opened in Workbench, do the following:

  1. In the Nav tree, click to expand the station’s Services, PlatformServices, containers to reveal all contained services.

  2. Double-click PowerMonitorService.

    Its Power Monitor Platform Service Plugin displays in the view pane, as shown in Figure 24.

  3. As needed, change configuration properties stored in the JACE platform, which include:

    • Shutdown Delay

      Defines the period that the JACE waits between detecting loss of AC power and performing a graceful shutdown (backs up database and powers board off). Depending on JACE model, using either a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery or sealed lead-acid (Sla) battery, this varies.

      • For models with a NiMH backup battery (JACE-3E, JACE-6E, or JACE-2,-6,-7 with an SRAM option card), the default value is 10 minutes, the valid range is:

        • 0 to 10 minutes, maximum— Providing the DataRecoveryService is enabled, else:

        • 0 to 60 seconds (1 minute maximum) — If the DataRecoveryService is disabled or absent.

        If the controller’s DataRecoveryService (for SRAM support) is enabled and operating, and the NiMH battery is known to be good, the default (and maximum) Shutdown Delay value of 10 minutes is typically reasonable. This provides extra time for continuous operation during a power outage of up to 10 minutes.

        Note the NiMH battery charge is monitored during this delay period, and if necessary, the shutdown is initiated before this timer expires. Further, even if the battery had insufficient charge to complete a “graceful shutdown”, the DataRecoveryService would successfully restore the runtime station data from SRAM upon controller bootup (when power is restored).

      • For JACE models with a sealed lead-acid (Sla) battery, such as a JACE-603 or JACE-645, the default period is 10 minutes, with a range from 0 to 15 minutes maximum.

        Again, providing the SLA battery is known good and the station’s DataRecoveryService is enabled and running, the default (maximum) shutdown delay of 15 minutes is typically reasonable, for reasons noted above.

      In either case, the “Battery Present” property in the station’s PlatformServices container must be set to true (the default). See To review/adjust PlatformServices properties for the JACE.

      Furthermore, if at some point you disable the station’s DataRecoveryService, (either set its “Service Enabled” property to false, or else uninstall its platDataRecovery module), it is recommended that you first set the Shutdown Delay no higher than the default 30 seconds (NiMH) or 1 minute (SLA).

      See JACE SRAM support enabling/disabling.

    • Battery Alarm Support

      Expand to access properties that define how “battery alarms” are handled in the station, including alarm class to use and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    • Power Alarm Support

      Expand to access properties that define how “primary power alarms” are handled in the station, including alarm class to use and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    NoteSeveral settings reflect read-only status properties:

    • Primary Power Present — Boolean, Yes (true) if AC power is currently supplied to JACE.

    • Battery — container that shows two values concatenated on a single line:

      • State — (with icon) enumerated descriptor, typically “Idle” if fully charged, else “Charging”, “Discharging”, or “Unknown”.

      • If “Charging”, the estimated charge time left until fully charged (Charge Time Left).

    • Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if last JACE backup battery test was good.

    • Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last battery test performed by the JACE.

  4. Click Save to write the configuration to host platform.

To configure power monitoring for a JACE-700

NoteSetup of the onboard “tamper switch” contact input (CI “TMP”) is at a different location. See Controller-specific PlatformServices properties.

With a station in the JACE-7 series controller running, and that station opened in Workbench, do the following:

  1. In the Nav tree, click to expand the station’s Services, PlatformServices, containers to reveal all contained services.

  2. Double-click PowerMonitorService for its Javelina Battery Platform Service Plugin (Figure 25).

    Figure 25. Javelina Battery Platform Service Plugin view for JACE-700


    Javelina Battery Platform Service Plugin view for JACE-700

  3. As needed, change configuration properties stored in the JACE-700 platform, which include:

    • Primary Power Settings

      • Shutdown Delay Timer

        Defines the period that the JACE-7 waits between detecting loss of AC power and performing a graceful shutdown (backs up database and powers board off).

        NoteAt shutdown, 12V battery power wired to any external I/O modules is also turned off.

        Depending on whether a sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery is connected to the JACE, and also that battery's capacity (as well as the loading factor of any attached remote I/O modules), the maximum recommended time can vary, Longer periods means more time running on battery power.

        • If no external SLA battery is present, a value from 30 seconds to 1 minute (default) is recommended.

        • If an external SLA battery is present, a time of one fourth or less than the “total possible” battery run time is conservative. Otherwise, in a scenario with multiple lengthy power failures (in succession) the SLA battery may become completely discharged.

      • Power Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “primaryPower” alarms are handled in the station, including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    • NIMH Battery Settings

      • Nimh Battery Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “nimhBattery” alarms are handled in the station, including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters. Such alarms apply to the onboard NiMH battery pack in the controller, which is always periodically tested.

    • SLA Battery Settings

      • Sla Battery Present

        Boolean (checkbox) to specify if an external SLA battery is connected. If set to true (checked), the JACE-7 supplies trickle charge voltage, and also periodically tests this battery. Default value is false for no SLA battery (checkbox cleared).

      • Sla Battery Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “slaBattery alarms” are handled in the station, including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters. Such alarms apply to the external 12V sealed lead-acid battery connected to (and trickle charged by) the controller, if “Sla Battery Present” is true (checked).

    • UPS Settings

      • Ups Present

        Boolean (checkbox) to specify if one or two normally-closed (N.C.) alarm contacts are wired to onboard contact inputs (CIs) labeled “PWR” and “BAT” on the JACE-7. Default value is false (checkbox cleared) for no monitoring.

      • Ups Power Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “upsPower” alarms are handled in the station (based upon “open” at controller’s onboard CI “PWR” (UPS PWR)), including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

      • Ups Battery Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “upsBattery” alarms are handled in the station (based upon an “open” at the controller’s onboard CI “BAT” (UPS BATT)), including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    NoteSeveral settings reflect read-only status properties, as follows:

    • Primary Power Present — Boolean, Yes (true) if 15Vdc power is currently supplied to the JACE.

    • NiMH Battery — container for NiMH battery values concatenated on a single line:

      • State — (with icon) enumerated descriptor, typically “Idle” if fully charged, else “Charging”, “Discharging”, or “Unknown”.

      • If “Charging”, the estimated charge time left until fully charged (Charge Time Left).

    • NiMH Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if last JACE NiMH battery test was good.

    • NiMH Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last NiMH battery test performed by the JACE.

    • SLA Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if last JACE test of the external SLA battery was good.

    • SLA Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last NiMH battery test performed by the JACE.

    • UPS AC Power Present — Boolean, Yes (true) if the JACE-7 controller’s onboard CI “PWR” (UPS PWR) is closed.

    • UPS Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if the JACE-7 controller’s onboard CI “BAT” (UPS BATT) is closed.

    • UPS Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last poll of all onboard contact inputs on the JACE-7 controller.

  4. Click Save to write the configuration to the JACE-7 controller.

Configure JACE-x02 Express (M2M JACE) for dual battery monitoring

NoteThe following procedures apply only if you are commissioning a JACE-x02 Express that is installed with an optional external 12V sealed lead-acid battery. If the JACE-x02 Express only has the onboard NiMH battery pack, see the procedure To configure power monitoring for a JACE with backup battery (but no SRAM).

This configuration requires two procedures, summarized as follows:

  1. Enable the platform for dual battery monitoring. Do this by making a platform connection to the JACE, where yo u use the File Transfer Client to copy its existing platform.bog file to your local Workbench PC, where you can edit it. Then you copy the edited platform.bog file back to the JACE-x02 Express. Note that two JACE reboots are necessary. This process replaces the default “single battery” PowerMonitorService with a “dual battery” PowerMonitorService.

    See Enable dual battery (NiMH and SLA) monitoring for a JACE-x02 Express.

  2. Following the second JACE reboot, you can open the station and set configuration properties as needed for both batteries in the station’s PowerMonitorService.

    See To configure power monitoring for the JACE-x02 Express with dual battery support.

Enable dual battery (NiMH and SLA) monitoring for a JACE-x02 Express

To enable dual battery monitoring:

  1. In Workbench, open a platform connection to the JACE-x02 Express (M2M JACE). Use the platform credentials you specified when commissioning the JACE.

    In the Nav tree, click to expand the Platform node to reveal the different platform views (tools).

  2. Double-click the File Transfer Client.

    This two-sided view lists local PC folders/files (on left side) and remote JACE folders/files (on right side).

  3. In the view’s right side for the platform files, double-click the lib folder to see the list of files inside.

  4. Click to select the platform.bog file, and click the left arrow button to transfer to local PC.

    The file is transferred to your PC, ending with a confirmation “Transfer complete” popup (click OK).

  5. Note where the copied platform.bog file is on your PC (by default, in your ! Niagara release root).

  6. Open the file using your preferred text editor, and search for the text string:

    platpwr:PowerMonitorPlatformServiceQnx

  7. Replace the text string above with:

    platpwr:NpmDualBatteryPlatformService

  8. Save the edited  platform.bog file and close your text editor.

  9. In the Nav tree, double-click the Application Director platform tool for the JACE.

    The Application Director view appears, with checkboxes and buttons on the right side.

  10. In the Application Director, uncheck (clear) Auto-Start, then click the Reboot button.

    Answer Yes to the confirmation dialog to reboot the system.

    If a station is running, a dialog appears during shutdown, then a “Rebooting” dialog appears. Click OK to proceed (a “Cannot display page” may appear when the JACE reboots).

  11. After a minute, double-click on the Platform node again to reopen a platform connection.

    Double-click the File Transfer Client

  12. In the left side of the File Transfer Client, select the edited platform.bog file.

    Click the right arrow button to transfer it back to the lib folder of the JACE platform.

    A “Replace File” confirmation popup appears asking if you wish to replace existing platform.bog file.

  13. Click Yes.

    The file is transferred to the JACE, ending with a confirmation “Transfer complete” popup (click OK).

  14. Access the Application Director platform tool for the JACE again.

  15. In the Application Director, re-check (set) Auto-Start, then click the Reboot button.

    Answer Yes to the confirmation dialog to reboot the system.

    A “Rebooting” dialog appears. Click OK to proceed.

    After a couple of minutes, you should be able to open the restarted station and continue configuration of its PowerMonitorService. See To configure power monitoring for the JACE-x02 Express with dual battery support.

Figure 26. Property sheet of “Npm Dual” PowerMonitorService in JACE-x02 Express


Property sheet of “Npm Dual” PowerMonitorService in JACE-x02 Express

To configure power monitoring for the JACE-x02 Express with dual battery support

With a station in the JACE running, and that station opened in Workbench, do the following:

  1. In the Nav tree, click to expand the station’s Services, PlatformServices, containers to reveal all contained services.

  2. Double-click PowerMonitorService to see its NPM Dual Battery Platform Service Plugin view in the view pane, as shown in Figure 26.

  3. As needed, change configuration properties stored in the JACE platform, which include:

    • Primary Power Settings

      • Shutdown Delay Timer

        Defines the period that the JACE-x02 Express waits between detecting loss of AC power and performing a graceful shutdown (backs up database and powers board off).

        NoteAt shutdown, 12V battery power wired to any external I/O modules is also turned off.

        Depending on whether a sealed lead-acid (SLA) battery is connected to the JACE, and also that battery's capacity (as well as the loading factor of any attached remote I/O modules), the maximum recommended time varies. Longer periods means more time running on battery power.

        • If no external SLA battery is present, a value from 30 seconds to 1 minute (default) is recommended.

        • If an external SLA battery is present, a time of one fourth or less than the “total possible” battery run time is conservative. Otherwise, in a scenario with multiple lengthy power failures (in succession) the SLA battery may become completely discharged.

      • Power Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “primaryPower” alarms are handled in the station, including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters.

    • NIMH Battery Settings

      • Nimh Battery Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “nimhBattery” alarms are handled in the station, including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters. Such alarms apply to the onboard NiMH battery pack in the controller, which is always periodically tested.

    • SLA Battery Settings

      • Sla Battery Present

        Boolean (checkbox) to specify if an external SLA battery is connected. If set to true (checked), the JACE-7 supplies trickle charge voltage, and also periodically tests this battery. Default value is false for no SLA battery (checkbox cleared).

      • Sla Battery Alarm Support

        Expand to access properties that define how “slaBattery alarms” are handled in the station, including alarm class and other “alarm source info” type parameters. Such alarms apply to the external 12V sealed lead-acid battery connected to (and trickle charged by) the controller, if “Sla Battery Present” is true (checked).

    NoteSeveral settings reflect read-only status properties, as follows:

    • Primary Power Present — Boolean, Yes (true) if 15Vdc power is currently supplied to the JACE.

    • NiMH Battery — container for NiMH battery values concatenated on a single line:

      • State — (with icon) enumerated descriptor, typically “Idle” if fully charged, else “Charging”, “Discharging”, or “Unknown”.

      • If “Charging”, the estimated charge time left until fully charged (Charge Time Left).

    • NiMH Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if last JACE NiMH battery test was good.

    • NiMH Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last NiMH battery test performed by the JACE.

    • SLA Battery Good — Boolean, Yes (true) if last JACE test of the external SLA battery was good.

    • SLA Battery Time of Last Test - provides a timestamp (in AbsTime format) of the last NiMH battery test performed by the JACE.

  4. Click Save to write the configuration to host platform.