Definition:
Automation is the use of control systems
for operating equipment with minimal or
reduced human intervention.
+save labour
+reproducibility
+accuracy
- high initial investment
- increased complexity
- knowledge loss
- erroneous behaviour in
unforesee situations
WIR SCHAFFEN WISSEN – HEUTE FÜR MORGEN
Andreas Lüdeke :: Operation Manager Swiss Light Source :: Paul Scherrer Institut
Automation Overview
with Examples from the SLS
at the MAX-IV Automation Review Meeting, 3. - 4. Dec. 2015
Best Practices
•Know the task!
desired sequence
possible failures
success?
•Avoid “black boxes”
knowledge loss
silent failures
critical situations
Page 3
Areas of Accelerator Automation
•Accelerator start-up
checklists
sequencing
reports
•Device automation
example: RF start-up
example: RF tuning-loop
•Semi-automated operator procedures
example: “Open ID gaps” / “Close ID gaps”
Page 4
Areas of Accelerator Automation
•Automated measurements
example: beam lifetime
example: BBA
•Failure reporting
example: RF first-fault
example: magnet PS failure reports
•Failure recovery
example: RF tuning loop
example: restore beam after trip
Page 5
Ergonomic Operator Interfaces
Consistent
Support
memory
Structured
Ergonomic
Tools
Task
focussed
Responsive
Fault
tolerant
Page 6
Task focussed Operator Interface
RF control
Operator tasks:
• Trip recovery
• Set voltage
• Set phase
Page 7
Task focussed Operator Interface
RF control
Operator tasks:
• Trip recovery
• Set voltage
• Set phase
Dedicated Panel
for Operation
Page 8
Alarm Management Best Practices
•B.R. Hollifield, Alarm Management: Seven
Effective Methods for Optimum Performance
•Alarm handler objectives
acoustic alarm if operator intervention required
every possible problem should raise an alarm
no alarm, if no operator intervention is required!
provide guidance
•Alarm handler is THE central operator tool
Page 9
Alarm Management Best Practices
•Characteristics of a good alarm
Relevant
Unique
Timely
Prioritised
Understandable
Diagnostic
Advisory
Focussing
HSE Alarms Strategy: EEMUA Guide, Experience, IEC61508/11
Page 10
Alarm Management Problems
•Nuissance / chattering alarms
•Operator action undefined
•Stale alarms  “Shelving”
•Alarm storms
•Wrong alarm priorities
Page 11
Alarm Management Best Practices
•Define “Alarm Philosophy”
Every alarm is documented and has an identified response
Alarm must not be ignored!
What alarms, which priorities and guidance?
Responsibilities, Key Performance Indicator
•Regular Alarm Performance Report
Analyse alarm frequencies
Lists of nuisance and stale alarms
Define action plan and assess progress
Page 12
Alarm Management Best Practices
•Alarm Documentation and Rationalization
Create alarm priority grid
Document each alarm type: causes, corrective actions,
consequences, time to respond, desired modifications, …
Alarm trip-point determination
Operator Training
 Alarm philosophy
 Handling and reporting nuisance alarms
 Controls applications regarding alarms
 Who can change what: alarm trip levels, alarm disabling
 Alarm handling strategies: Shelving, State-Based, Flood Suppression, …
 Proper and improper alarm suppression
Page 13
Ingredients to successful automation
• Know your tasks
• Avoid “black boxes”
• Comprehensive automation
Start-up
Devices
Operator procedures
Measurements
Failure reporting
Failure recovery
• Proper user interface design
• Alarm handler
• Alarm management