This article will guide you step by step through the process of configuring alarms for digital inputs directly from the FarmWatch Pro control panel.
NOTE
Before you begin configuring alarms, make sure that the digital inputs have been properly connected and configured on the FarmWatch Pro device.
If you haven’t already, refer to the article describing how to connect and configure the digital inputs. Click here!
1. Preview
1.1. Login to the dashboard
There are two ways to access the digital inputs panel.
Method 1
On the toolbar on the left side of the screen, click the Inputs icon (highlighted in red).
Method 2
Click the Menu button, then select the Inputs tile (highlighted in blue).
After accessing the control panel, you’ll see a list of all the digital inputs available on the device. By default, all alarms are disarmed.
To open the settings for the selected input, you will need to enter a PIN. The default PIN is 0000.
1.2. Possible Scenarios
Depending on the configuration and the current signal status, the input may be in one of the following states.
Case 1 – Alarm armed (low signal) – inactive
This means that the alarm is armed, but the signal is in the correct state.
Case 2 – Alarm armed (low signal) – active
This means that the signal has disappeared and the condition for triggering the alarm has been met.
Case 3 – Alarm armed (high signal) – inactive
This means that the alarm is armed, but no alarm trigger has been detected.
Case 4 – Alarm armed (high signal) – active
This means that an alarm signal has been triggered.
2. Arming/Disarming the Alarm
To arm the alarm, select the input you want (for example, IN1) (highlighted in red).
Next, click the alarm switch (highlighted in blue).
When the switch is turned on, the alarm will be armed.
To disarm the alarm, click the same switch again.
3. Shutter Settings
This is the most important part of the configuration. Here, you specify:
- when the alarm is to be triggered,
- how long the signal must last,
- when notifications are to be sent,
- how the alarm should be cleared.
To access the configuration, select the input you’re interested in (for example, IN1) (highlighted in red).
Next, click the gear icon (highlighted in red) and select the ” Set Trigger” option.
When you open the configuration panel, you’ll see the following items:
3.1. Alarm Trigger
The alarm trigger determines under what input conditions FarmWatch Pro should trigger an alarm.
There are two states to choose from:
- Low state (0) – signal loss.
- High state (1) – the signal is present.
If you’re not sure which mode to select, check the operation of the connected device or its documentation.
Example 1 – Checking the Device’s Operation
Let’s assume that a sensor is connected to FarmWatch Pro that continuously sends a signal during normal operation. The absence of a signal may indicate a device malfunction, a damaged cable, or a power outage.
In this case, you should select the low state as the alarm trigger. This will ensure that the alarm is triggered when the signal disappears.
Normal operation: signal is present → no alarm.
Device failure or disconnection: signal disappears → alarm.
Example 2 – Event Detection
Let’s assume that a motion sensor is connected. Under normal conditions, it does not send a signal; the signal is only triggered when motion is detected.
In this case, select “High” as the alarm trigger. This will cause the alarm to be triggered when the sensor detects motion and sends a signal.
No motion: no signal → no alarm.
Motion detected: a signal is generated → alarm.
How can I remember this?
If you want the alarm to trigger when the signal appears, select the high state.
If you want the alarm to trigger when the signal disappears, select the low state.
3.2. Minimum signal duration
The minimum signal duration specifies how long an alarm condition must persist at an input for FarmWatch Pro to recognize it as a genuine problem and trigger an alarm. This helps prevent alarms caused by brief disturbances or temporary changes in the input status.
Example of how it works
A climate controller is connected to FarmWatch Pro. As a result of a momentary power outage, the device stops transmitting a signal. If the minimum signal duration is set to 1 minute:
- If the signal returns after a few seconds, it will not trigger an alarm,
- If there is no signal for more than a minute, an alarm will be triggered.
Configuration
To change the minimum time, click on the sections to be changed (highlighted in red).
Next, select one of the three available time intervals (highlighted in blue):
- millisecond (ms)
- second (s)
- minute (min)
Enter the value using the on-screen keyboard, then confirm the change by pressing the green button.
Setting range: 0 seconds to 10 minutes.
For most applications involving climate controllers, power outages, and device monitoring, we recommend setting the value to 1 minute.
This ensures that the system will not respond to brief signal interruptions, which typically do not require intervention.
A time setting that is too short may result in a large number of unnecessary alarms and faster depletion of the notification quota.
3.3. Delay in reporting an alarm
The alarm delay specifies how long the system should wait before sending a notification after an alarm is detected. The alarm will be detected immediately, but an SMS, phone call, or in-app notification will not be sent until the set time has elapsed.
What is the purpose of the delay?
The delay gives the user time to respond before the notification is sent. It is particularly useful in alarm systems, where authorized personnel can enter the premises and disarm the alarm before a notification is sent.
Example of how it works
Motion sensors and an alarm disarm panel were installed on the farm. When motion is detected, a countdown begins.
- If an employee disarms the alarm before the set time has elapsed, no notification will be sent.
- If the alarm is not disarmed, the system will send a notification about the detected event.
Configuration
To change the delay, click on the sections to be modified (highlighted in red).
Next, select one of the three available time intervals (highlighted in blue):
- millisecond (ms)
- second (s)
- minute (min)
Enter the value using the on-screen keyboard and confirm the change by pressing the green button.
Setting range: 0 seconds to 10 minutes.
For alarms triggered by motion sensors, we recommend setting the delay to at least 2 minutes.
3.4. Manual/Automatic Alarm Reset
When an alarm is triggered, the system can clear it in two ways.
Manual Alarm Reset
Once an alarm is triggered, it remains active until the user manually clears it. Even if the cause of the alarm no longer exists, the alarm will still be displayed as active.
When is it best to choose manual cleaning?
This option works best in security systems where a single event notification is sufficient.
Example of how it works
A motion sensor is connected to the system. When a person is detected, an alarm is triggered and remains active until it is manually deactivated. This ensures that the user does not miss any information about a possible intrusion onto the premises.
Automatic Alarm Cleaning
Once the cause of the alarm has been resolved, the system will automatically clear the alarm. If the problem occurs again, a new alarm will be triggered.
When should you choose automatic cleaning?
This option works best for monitoring environmental parameters and device operation.
Example of how it works
FarmWatch Pro monitors the temperature inside the building. If the temperature exceeds the threshold, the system triggers an alarm. Once the temperature returns to normal, the alarm is automatically cleared. If the temperature later exceeds the threshold again, another alarm will be triggered.
4. Alarm Schedule
The schedule allows you to automatically arm and disarm the alarm at specific times.
Example of how it works
At the farm, employees are on the premises from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The alarm should only be active outside of working hours. In this case, you can set:
- automatic arming of the alarm at 4:00 p.m.,
- The alarm is automatically disarmed at 8:00 a.m.
As a result, the alarm will be active only when there should be no employees on the premises.
Configuration
Select the input you’re interested in (for example, IN1) (highlighted in red).
Click the gear icon (highlighted in red) and select the ” Set Alarm Schedule” option.
When you open the window, you’ll see the following settings:
Click on the time-setting section (highlighted in red).
In the window that appears, set the hour, then the minutes.
After setting the times, activate the function using the appropriate switches.
5. Name Change
To rename an input, select the input you want (for example, IN1) (highlighted in red).
Click the gear icon (highlighted in red) and select the “Rename” option.
The rename panel will appear. Click the current name.
Once the on-screen keyboard appears, type in the new name.
It’s a good idea to give inputs names that clearly describe their function and where they are supposed to be located.
After entering the new name, click Save to confirm the changes.
6. Historical Data
To view the alarm history for a selected input, click the corresponding input in the list (for example, IN1) (highlighted in red).
Next, select the ” Historical Data ” option (highlighted in red).
Click Historical data (marked in red).
A list of all registered alarms will be displayed.
Historical data allows you to check:
- when the alarm was reported,
- when it was cleaned,
- how often the alarms went off,
- history of changes in the input status.
We hope this article has helped you set up alarms on the FarmWatch Pro digital inputs. If you encounter any issues, we encourage you to check out the other articles in the Fetura CLOUD knowledge base.
