GE Energy

Human-Machine Interface (HMI)

Product Description
GEI-100485D
This document is distributed for informational purposes only.
It is not to be construed as creating or becoming part of any
General Electric Company contractual or warranty obligation
unless expressly stated in a written sales contract.
2008 by General Electric Company, USA. All rights reserved.
Section Page
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 3
Related Documents...................................................................................................... 3
Networking/Distributed Operation .............................................................................. 4
Diagnostic Options........................................................................................ 5
Communications Drivers .............................................................................. 6
Time Synchronization ................................................................................... 6
Screen Description....................................................................................................... 7
Graphics Tools ............................................................................................................ 8
Alarm/Event Management......................................................................................... 10
Alarm/Event Log......................................................................................... 11
Dynamic Data Recorder .............................................................................. 11
Data Historian ............................................................................................. 11
Historical Trip Log...................................................................................... 11
Trending with CIMPLICITY .................................................................................... 12
Trending with Toolbox / ToolboxST .......................................................... 13
Security...................................................................................................................... 13
Hardware Options...................................................................................................... 14

ActiveX, Excel, Microsoft, PowerPoint, Visio, Visual Basic, and Windows are
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
AutoCAD is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc.
ARCNET is a registered trademark of Datapoint Corporation.
CIMPLICITY, and Symbols and OpenObjects are registered trademarks of GE
Fanuc Automation North America, Inc.
Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation.
EX2100 and ToolboxST are trademarks of General Electric Company, USA.
Modbus is a registered trademark of Schneider Automation.
Introduction
The HMI is also available as
an upgrade for installed units
including Mark V and
EX2000 control systems.
Related Documents
GEI-100485D
GE Energy uses the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) as its primary operator
interface for the control of turbines, generators, compressors, and balance of plant
applications. It typically consists of a Windows operating system, CIMPLICITY
graphics user interface Control System, Toolbox or ToolboxST maintenance
software, and a variety of application-specific software packages such as Network
Time Protocol (NTP).
The HMI is most commonly used for Mark VI, Mark VIe, and EX2100 excitation
systems, which are currently in production. There is little functional difference
between interfaces to Mark VI and Mark VIe controllers since they both
communicate on Ethernet networks and have similar maintenance software.
However, there are more differences when applied to Mark V and EX2000. These
systems can co-exist at the same site with Ethernet interface to Mark VI/Mark
VIe/EX2100, and with ARCNET interface to Mark V/EX2000, as an example.
HMIs are designed as important but non-essential components in the control and
protection of plant equipment. Vital control loops, sequencing, and trip protection
are located in the controllers and not in the HMI. Similarly, accurate alarm, event,
and Sequence of Events (SOE) data is fundamental to proper operation and
maintenance of the equipment, so this data is time-tagged in the controllers with
high-resolution time-tags and then transmitted to the HMI(s) for display and logging
to ensure optimum process and control diagnostics.
Operators and maintenance personnel interface with the controllers on modern
client/server networks with local and remote stations. Access can be restricted in
multiple levels for each user. Additional security is provided as part of the normal
software engineering process, which validates the various software packages as an
integrated system, and for compliance to international security standards.
The following documents also apply to the HMI.
GEH-6126 Volume I, HMI Operators Guide
GEH-6126 Volume II, HMI Application Guide
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 3
Networking/Distributed Operation
Controls currently in
production use 10/100MB
Ethernet at all levels.
4 Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
GE Energys current control systems use 10/100MB Ethernet for communication of
data between the controllers (peer-to-peer), and between the controllers and the
HMI(s). This internal GE network, referred to as the Unit Data Highway (UDH), is
available in redundant configuration. Network rules conform to IEEE 802.3.
Interface to other plant equipment is available through a separate 10/100MB TCP/IP
Ethernet network referred to as the Plant Data Highway (PDH). In general, the
internal UDH is considered a control network that commonly communicates
important equipment parameters at frame rate (the speed that the controllers are
executing the application software). The HMI(s) isolate the UDH from the plant
PDH, which is also available in redundant configuration. Tasks such as file transfers
are made on the PDH.
Plant Data Highway (PDH) - Ethernet
HMI
Operator and
Maintenance Stations
Unit Data Highway (UDH) - Ethernet Peer-to-Peer Communications
Mark VI, Mark VIe, EX2100, LS2100, GE PLCs, Protection Relays
Stage Link - ARCNET
Mark V and EX2000
HMI Networks for Current and Legacy Products
Standard network diagnostics include a message identifying system health. An
optional Network Diagnostics system is available to monitor the entire network
infrastructure, including switches, servers, and GE controllers on the UDH and PDH.
If a problem is detected, various alerts and notifications are issued. This system is
based on Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), which is applied in a site-
specific topology.
GEI-100485D
 ABC Energy

Network Diagnostics

Diagnostic Options
Network diagnostics contain both messages and animated screen graphics.
Messages include:
Affected node
Affected link
Device affected by lost data
Time tag
Animated screen graphics include:
Topology screens
Switch port status screen(s)
Shortcut menus

GEI-100485D Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 5

 Communications Drivers
Operators can issue commands and monitor data through the HMI or through a link
to another system such as a Distributed Control System (DCS). Normally, any
command that can be issued at the HMI through a start/stop command or a numerical
setpoint can also be issued from a linked computer. Similarly, all sequential, analog,
alarm, and event data is available through communication links.
CIMPLICITY supports a wide range of communication drivers, and GE Energy
offers a subset of these drivers with supporting documentation. Each driver varies
according to data format, throughput, and functionality.
Primary Protocols for Communication to Remote Computers

Feature GSM OPC DNP 3.0

Modbus
Physical layer Serial/Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Serial/Ethernet
Client / Server Client/Server Server Client/Server Server
Time tags Yes Yes Yes
Alarm queue and commands Yes Yes
Alarm / Event exception reports Yes Yes
These protocols are available from major controls suppliers. A HMI client-to-
programming interface (PI) server is also available with Ethernet. This server
requires PI and application programming interface (API) node buffering, and
supports 500 points at 1 Hz without local time tags.

Time Synchronization
Inter-Range Instrumentation Group (IRIG-B) is most commonly used for time
synchronization between the HMI and a remote time source, as well as
synchronization between multiple GE controllers on the UDH. Refer to the following
table for levels of synchronization and methods for implementation.
Time Synchronization Options

Synchronization Time Reference HMI Accuracy Coherence

None None Drift Drift
Low resolution HMI CPU clock No server or client 30ms 30 to 200ms
High resolution bc635pci clock or NTP client-tracking 1ms 1ms to source
customer reference NTP server
2ms between units
High resolution Global Positioning bc635pci and NTP 1ms 1ms to source
Satellite (GPS) server
GPS receiver 2ms between units

Note Time accuracy is the difference between the time reported on a local
controller, such as a turbine control, and a time source. Time coherence is the
difference in time between controllers.

6 Human-Machine Interface (HMI) GEI-100485D

Screen Description
A typical screen (shown below) has a gray background with a title bar at the top, a
screen navigation bar on the right, and an alarm field at the bottom.
The title bar contains the site name, equipment identifier, screen name, time, and
date. In the unlikely event that communication is lost between the HMI and the
controller, the time-date field turns black. Also, animated graphics turn black, data
fields display with ###s, and an alarm message is generated.

Title Block Time & Date Screen Name

z Unit # (Gas Turbine #1)

z Typical System Responses

z Select Control Group

z Select Start-up Screen

z Functional Operator
Commands
z Command Acknowledge
Required for Most
Commands
z Active Status Feedback

z Active Trending

z Diagnostic Reset
z Active Alarm Management

Typical HMI Operator Screen

The navigation bar on the right-hand side of the screen is arranged according to
screen hierarchy (top-to-bottom).
System Overview displays all control equipment, including
Equipment selection (steam turbine, HRSG)
Screen categories (Control, Monitor, Auxiliaries, and Tests)
Specific screens within the screen category currently selected
Master and Diagnostic resets
The alarm field at the bottom of the screen displays new alarms without changing
screens. Also, any nuisance alarms, such as field grounds, can be locked out, alarm-
specific comments can be added, and alarm filtering is provided. The full alarm
queue is available, if needed.

GEI-100485D Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 7


Flexible, user-friendly tools
are provided for screen-
building and editing.
8 Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
An animated graphic of the process is normally located in the middle of the screen
with relevant message fields and operator selections. Some objects, such as valves,
may have built-in trends related to the particular parameters being controlled by the
valve. Many applications display all primary operator commands and pertinent data
on one screen to minimize navigation. Operator commands such as start/stop
generate a dialog box requesting confirmation. Once the command is sent to the
controller and run, the command button changes color.
Graphics Tools
CimEdit
CimEdit is used to create screen graphics. It enables importing of OLE and Windows
Metafile (wmf) objects, plus ActiveX objects like trending, SPC charts, and Alarm
Viewers. Third-party OLE and ActiveX objects such as Excel spreadsheets and
charts, and bitmaps can also be imported.
Toolbars allow you to create and modify screens. Once objects are created, they can
easily be resized, rotated, or moved. After objects are placed on the screen, they can
be aligned automatically with a configurable grid, or in relation to each other.
Double-clicking an object opens its property page. These pages allow quick
navigation and specify animation attributes, including rotation, fill, movement, color
and text annunciation, geometry, scaling, events, procedures, and scripts.
Major features include the following:
Interactive, dynamic configuration is used to add or modify screens or live point
configuration data from anywhere within CimEdit without shutting down the HMI.
Point Browser dialog box provides access to any CIMPLICITY point on the
network for object animation.
Frame Animation is a compound object that defines a series of frames. Each frame
can consist of different objects, and displays based on the value of an expression. As
a result, areas of the screen can change like a slide show.
Metafile Import is used to copy and paste wmf objects produced by programs like
AutoCAD, Visio, and PowerPoint into CimEdit. The imported images can be
decomposed into CIMPLICITY objects. They can also be fully animated, unlike
bitmap imports, which remain single, static objects.
Online Help offers comprehensive, indexed documentation.
Object Help can be configured for any screen object and easily accessed at runtime.
Dynamic Screen Testing is used to test screen changes without changing the
original screen. By using the test button on the standard menu bar, a CimView
window lets you review edits prior to saving them.
Symbols and OpenObjects Library
Extensive symbols and objects libraries are provided. With objects, custom objects
can be created and dragged-and-dropped into screens from CIMPLICITY Object
Explorer. Once the objects are dropped, a prompt displays to enter configuration
information. Objects can also be generated that automatically create a complete point
configuration.
GEI-100485D
 OpenObjects
OpenObjects simplifies the creation of projects that involve common objects or
repetitive tasks. Point structure definition allows easy grouping of information.
OpenObjects can be linked to graphic objects with associated scripts. Point
configuration can be automated so all points associated with the object are
automatically configured by the system.

Application-specific Objects
GE Energy provides a library of objects tailored to applications of turbines,
generators, compressors, and plant controls. These objects are convenient to use, and
provide consistency of graphic standards throughout the plant and from site to site.

Linked Scripts
Scripts can be linked to objects. If a script is associated with a master object, it is
replicated in all linked objects. Changes made to the script automatically change all
the linked objects, as well.

Object Model
Using OLE automation, the object model offers an external programming interface
for CimEdit and CimView. Any screen can be automatically created and modified
using CimEdit features and enjoy complete control of CimView from either a script
embedded in CimView or from any Visual Basic application. The object model
reduces the time required to create new systems. If similar screens are needed, a
Visual Basic program can be written to automatically generate them.

CimView
CimView is the graphics runtime portion of CIMPLICITY. Process information
displays in both text and graphic formats. Alarms, dialog boxes, and animation
features enhance ease-of-operation and system maintenance.

GEI-100485D Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 9

Alarm/Event Management
If application software is
running at 20 ms to control a
turbine, the alarm time tags
will have 20 ms resolution.
10 Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
Alarm View is an ActiveX object embedded in CimView screens. An alarm field is
normally located at the bottom of most screens; the full queue can be observed on a
separate screen, as well.
As previously mentioned, alarms and events are normally time-tagged locally, within
the controllers, and transmitted to the HMI where they are placed in the alarm queue
with the local time tag. These time tags have the resolution of the controllers frame
rate for the application software. This is true for alarms (process and diagnostic) and
events, but SOE is a special category. SOE is intended to identify the source of a trip
at the plant level. Therefore, most GE Energy control systems have standard 1ms
time tags for all contact inputs. For effectiveness at the plant level, each controller
needs to be synchronized to each other and to other systems in the plant, as
previously discussed.
The alarm queue contains messages for:
Process alarms (example, high HP-bearing vibration)
Process events (example, breaker closed)
SOE (example, changes to the state of contact inputs)
Diagnostic alarms (example, power supply voltage low)
Filtering allows any combination of these four categories to display on a particular
HMI. They can then be grouped with any combination of alarms/events from specific
equipment in the plant, such as a HRSG or generator.
The alarm field at the bottom of the screen shows the most recent alarm messages
with:
Date
Time
Alarm ID
Device/equipment number
Confirmation of whether the alarm has been acknowledged
Current state of the origin of the alarm
A text field describing the alarm condition
The alarm summary allows operators to acknowledge and silence new alarms, lock
out nuisance alarms, add comments, and provide filtering. It can be sorted according
to:
Time
Tag
Area
Priority
Status
GEI-100485D

Dynamic data recording
provides either fast or slow
trending.
Precision trip logs are
provided on all systems to
minimize mean-time-to-repair
(MTTR)
GEI-100485D
Alarm/Event Log
In addition to the alarm summary, alarms and events are logged in memory on the
HMI. Thirty days or 10 MB of storage is provided per unit (equipment) with logging
in chronological order or according to the frequency of occurrence. This is a rolling
log that will overwrite when the queue is full.
The log can be exported through printing in its entirety to a printer on the network,
logged spontaneously as new alarms/events occur on a dot matrix printer, or
extracted as a file (dca or csv).
For products currently in production, the embedded software package that stores
historical data is the Data Historian, which is part of the Toolbox and ToolboxST
maintenance software. Different software tools are used for legacy products, and the
logs reflect differences in the controllers, such as time resolution.
Dynamic Data Recorder
Controllers currently in production have a feature called Dynamic Data Recorder,
which is part of the Toolbox/ToolboxST software. Capture buffers embedded in the
application software capture data at frame rate. This provides high-resolution time
tags (at frame rate) for a large quantity of data. Resolution can range from frame rate
to frame rate x 1,500. A process variable is used to trigger data recording; data can
be captured with a predetermined number of samples prior to and after the trigger.
Data collection can also be triggered by a comparison between variables. Up to 96
variables can be collected in each capture buffer, and up to 12 capture buffers can be
provided per unit.
Data Historian
The Data Historian in Toolbox and ToolboxST stores short-term historical data
including alarm/event data and high-resolution or low-resolution data from the
Dynamic Data Recorder. Capacity is rated at 200 points collected every eight
seconds for 30 days. Data can be exported through printouts or files in .dca/.csv
format.
Historical Trip Log
A historical trip log is provided for all controls of rotating machinery. It uses the
Dynamic Data Recorder and Data Historian to build an application-specific trip log
for analysis of the key control parameters, alarms (up to 200), events (up to 200),
and SOE data (up to 200) leading up to, and immediately following, the trip event.
Capture buffers in the controllers application software collect the data at frame rate
for best resolution. The data for the last 30 trips is stored online and available for
export through printouts or files in dca and csv format.
Data Samples
Pre-trip 19 hours at 10-minute intervals
Pre-trip Four hours at one-minute intervals
Pre-trip 40 minutes at 10-second intervals
Pre-trip 19 minutes at one-second intervals
Pre-trip 45 seconds at 200ms intervals
Pre-trip 15 seconds at frame rate
Post-trip 15 seconds at frame rate
Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 11
Trending with CIMPLICITY
The trending tools are used to analyze data collected by the CIMPLICITY system or
from other third-party software packages. Current and past trends can be compared
to quickly identify and correct process problems.
Features include:
Full integration with CimView
Multiple charts per graphic screen
Default parameters for easy setup
Unlimited number of pens per chart
Configurable colors, fonts, line styles, and legend
Pens that represent multiple data sources on the same chart
Real-time and historical data on the same chart
Trend third-party data files (csv)
Trend array points
Different plotting rates per pen
Ability to dynamically switch pens
Separate axis availability for each pen
Ability to scroll plotted data
Smooth and step lines
User-definable labels for pen lines
Ability to dynamically change trends at runtime
Quick Trend short-cut menus
From the CIMPLICITY workbench or point control panel, any point on the screen
can be selected for a Quick Trend short-cut menu without pre-configuring the trend.
An ActiveX object and XY plots are available to plot process data. Two or more
variables can be plotted against each other with multiple X or Y axes.

12 Human-Machine Interface (HMI) GEI-100485D

 Trending with Toolbox and ToolboxST
In addition to the CIMPLICITY trending tools, the HMI contains the trending tools
inherent in the GE controller with which it interfaces. Modern turbine, generator, and
compressor controls are standardized in Control System Toolbox and ToolboxST
software, which are fully integrated with editors for application software,
diagnostics, and so on. Typical trending attributes are shown in the following figure.

Features
Features
z Automatic Upload of Capture Blocks
z Automatic Upload of Capture Blocks
z Micro-second Resolution
z Micro-second Resolution
z Drag & Drop of Variables to Trender
z Drag & Drop of Variables to Trender
z
z
Browser
Browserfor
forVariables
VariablesSelection
Selection
z
z
100s
100s of Signalsper
of Signals perTrend
Trend
- -Mask
Mask&&Unmask
UnmaskofofSelected
SelectedVariables
Variables
z
z
Video Type Forward-Reverse
Video Type Forward-Reverse
z
z
Left-Right
Left-RightDrag
DragofofTime
TimeAxis
Axis
z
z
Dual
Dual Cursor (Delta,Min,
Cursor (Delta, Min,Max,
Max,Average)
Average)
z Stacked Traces
z Stacked Traces
z Alarm Messages on Trip Trend
z Alarm Messages on Trip Trend
z Events Log Linked to Trend
z Events Log Linked to Trend
z Export to .CSV
z Export to .CSV

ToolboxST Trend

Security
Security attributes assigned to individual users restrict access to specific operations
and maintenance tasks. A valid user ID and password are required to access
CIMPLICITY HMI functions.
A users view determines what resources are available. For example, alarms for
resources outside a users view do not display in the Alarm View window.
Emerging international regulations on security are also reviewed and incorporated in
the HMI design. GE software, vendor software, and the integrated system software
are validated for performance and compliance with current security standards prior to
shipment. Several maintenance programs are also available to upgrade the security of
installed systems, as well as for on-going security updates.

GEI-100485D Human-Machine Interface (HMI) 13

Hardware Options
The HMI consists of hardware from multiple vendors. Constantly changing
technology determines specific details of processor speed, hard drive size, and such.
Hardware Options
Basic component Description
Typical computer Commercial-grade only
hardware
Processor, hard drive, keyboard, mouse, internal
speakers, and so on.
CD-RW and floppy drives
Six USBs; one serial and one parallel port
Ethernet for UDH and PDH
Network interfaces for legacy products as needed (for
example, ARCNET for Mk V/EX2000)
Enclosures Tower
Rack-mount shelf
Monitor options 17 CRT monitor (desktop and panel-mount)
19 CRT monitor (desktop)
21 CRT monitor (desktop)
19 LCD monitor (desktop)
20/21 LCD monitor (desktop)
Dual monitors
Printers Black/white laser
Color laser
Dot matrix (for logging)
Inkjet (8 1/2 x 11)
Other Time synch board with IRIG-B input
Time synch board with GPS receiver
Trackball mouse (standard)

g
14 Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
GE Energy
1502 Roanoke Blvd.
Salem, VA 24153-6492 USA

+1 540 387 7000

www.geenergy.com
GEI-100485C
Revised 080603
Issued 050307

GEI-100485C