Temperature and Fan Alarms

The hardware alarm module supports the IMG 2020 platform by configuring the fans and temperature sensors for optimal cooling and temperature control. There are five fans located inside the front panel. The IMG 2020 uses the fans in the front of the panel to draw air into the unit to cool the board inside. The air exhausts out of vent holes on the side and rear of the docking station.

The hardware alarm module monitors sensors on the fans and temperature sensors placed at strategic locations on the main board and reports Major, Minor, and Critical alarm conditions through the EventView application. The fans in the front panel are variable speed and work in conjunction with temperature sensors  When an event such as a temperature sensor reaches a pre-defined temperature, the software will increase the fans speed to aid in the cooling process.

For example, if one fan fails, the remaining fans will increase their speed to supply the required cooling -or- if any of the temperature sensors detect an over temperature condition, the fans will increase their speed to supply the required cooling. The hardware alarm module monitors the sensor temperature and fan speed using the following parameters:

• Fan status in revolutions per minute (RPM)

• Temperature sensor status in degrees Celsius (°C)

See below for more information. 

Fan Alarms

A fan alarm is sent to EventView when the specifications below are exceeded.

• Minor Alarm- A minor alarm is sent to EventView when one or more of the fans cross one of the normal fan speed thresholds. See fan speed specifications in Table above. When fans return to normal fan speed, a Fan Alarm cleared message is sent which clear any minor alarms previously sent.

• Major Alarm- A major alarm is sent to EventView when one or more of the fans fail. See specifications in Table above. If a Major Alarm occurs to one or more of the fans, the IMG 2020 will send a signal to other fans to increase to full speed until the failure can be resolved.

• Clear Alarm  - An alarm cleared message is sent to EventView when the fan speed crosses one of the minor alarm fan speed thresholds, and returns to the point where the fans are running at normal speed. All minor alarms are cleared when this message is sent.
   

Temperature Sensor Alarms

There are nine temperature sensors in the IMG 2020. The alarms below are sent when one or more of them gets above a specific threshold explained below.

• Minor Alarm- A Minor Temperature Alarm is sent to EventView when one or more temperature sensors go above 75° C and enter the Minor Temperature Alarm Range. See temperature sensor table above. A normal alarm is sent to EventView when temperature falls back to the normal temperature range.

• Major Alarm- A Major Temperature Alarm is sent to EventView when one or more temperature sensors output a temperature above 80° C. See temperature sensor table above. After the temperature issue is resolved and the temperature falls back to normal, a Minor Alarm is sent when temp gets into the Minor Alarm range. When the temperature falls to within the normal temperature range a normal alarm message is sent.

• Critical Alarm- A Critical Temperature Alarm is sent to EventView when one or more temperature sensors output a temperature above 85° C. See temperature sensor table above. When a critical alarm is received, the system automatically resets and the fans all come on at full speed to cool the system.

• Normal Alarm- A Normal Alarm is generated when the temperature falls to within Normal Temperature Range after being in the Minor Alarm Temperature range.
  
  

The consequential actions for the above alarm conditions are as follows:

• Major Temperature Alarm = Fans increase speed to full on.

• Critical Temperature Alarm = System resets. 

Additional Information

• Once one temperature sensor sends an alarm each subsequent temperature sensor will not send an alarm for going over the threshold values.