What are Graphs?

IGSS offers the possibility of viewing statistic data in Graphs.

Graphs in IGSS display variations in object states or values with respect to time and can give a quick overview of the characteristic behavior of selected key process components.

Below is a graph showing wind speed data over a time period. Object signals on the Y-axis and time values on the X-asis:

Operators can use graphs to:

Get a graphical overview of the values and performance of one or more process components to evaluate their states over time.
Detect adverse trends at an early stage.
Monitor the effect of interventions by combining historical graph data with current process values.

IGSS graphs are capable of combining current trends and historical data in the same chart, enabling the operator to see at a glance what happened in the process just before and immediately after an intervention or incident.

Supported object types

A graph chart can contain values or states of up to 16 signals. A signal can be an IGSS object atom. All values and states from Analog, Counter, Digital and Table object types can be displayed in a graph.

The data source can be log data, (*.log), reduced data (*.bcl), HourDayMonth data (HDM) or a combination of the data types. Live object data can also be displayed in the graph.

Graphs in IGSS are considered to be container objects (auxiliary objects) and can be referenced as objects using descriptors such as buttons, rectangles or the graph object symbol.

The IGSS Object-Level Protection feature can also be applied, helping to prevent unauthorized users from opening the graph.

Graph types

Common methods of creating graphs are:

Predefined .. by System Integrator
Embedded .. by the System Integrator
Operator created
Dashboard (graphs only)

Predefined

A predefined Graph is created in advance by the System Integrator in the Definition module, and can be edited, maintained and deleted by anyone with System Integrator user rights.

The operator can open predefined graphs in the Supervise module from the Graph menu or by clicking on a descriptor such as symbols, buttons, images and clickable areas representing the graph in a process diagram.

Properties can be edited by the operator during supervision for temporary use, but the changes to the predefined graph/XY-plot will not be saved when the project is closed. However, the operator can use a predefined graph as basis for creating an Operator Graph with the same or changed properties and save it on the operator’s own local PC. Only people with access to this PC will be able to open, edit and delete it.

There are two ways of creating (and displaying) predefined graphs:

Graphs in separate windows

Graphs can be created and displayed in separate windows (not part of a process diagram), also referred to as Standard Graphs.

The Graph menu displays all available predefined standard graphs in the active area, provided the System Integrator has selected the Name to Menu or Description to menu option. This is done in the Window tab of the New Graph Properties form.

If the graph is displayed with a check mark in the Graph menu, the graph is open.

Example of a standard graph in a separate window.

Embedded Graphs

Embedded Graphs are displayed as an integrated part of a process diagram e.g. as part of a specific descriptor or object. These can only be created, defined, edited and deleted by the System Integrator in the Definition module.
Example of process diagram with 5 embedded graphs.
Operators are able to view embedded graphs in the Supervise module. Here, the operator can adjust some properties for temporary use, but these will not be saved. Once a diagram with an embedded graph is closed, it will reopen with the predefined properties, set in theDefinition module by the System Integrator.

Operator created graphs

The operator can create a graph on-the-fly in the Supervise module during supervision. In the Supervise diagrams, the operator selects which IGSS objects to include in the graph and then selects Graph -> Create Graph. This function is very useful if the operator wants to monitor a specific process component before and after an intervention.

The operator graph can be saved as user-defined (*.usr) on the local work station. When re-opened, the graph will be dynamically updated. User-defined operator graphs are not displayed in the Graph menu in Supervise.

Kindly refer to the help in the IGSS Supervise module for more information on how to create and use the operator graph.

Dashboard graphs

Dashboard graphs are created and displayed in the Dashboard module, which is used to provide the operator with a quick overview of the process by combining different data representations in one view.

Dashboard graphs are simpler with much less design and navigation options than the other graph types. They can be created and maintained by both the System Integrator and the operator in the Dashboard module using the Graph widget.

For more information on how to create and navigate Dashboard Graphs, please refer to the Dashboard Help.

Example of Dashboard Graph, a typical part of a Dashboard quick overview window.

Graph menu

The Graph menu displays all available standard graphs in the active area provided that the Name to Menu or Description to menu option is selected for each graph. If the graph is displayed with a check mark in the Graph menu, the graph is open.

Graph properties

When you create a graph, you specify a number of properties using the Graph Properties form, which is identical for all types of graphs (with a few exceptions)*:

Window properties incl. name to menu, protection etc. (predefined Standard Graphs only; Can only be defined by the System Integrator in the Definition module)
Period and duration to be displayed in the graph
Signals as input values in the graph, usually an object (atom), and graph axis
Chart appearance such as legend, object/atom information etc.
Options such as chart colors, graph tool bar, show/hide data points and values etc.
Visibility of embedded graphs e.g. according to object states (Predefined Embedded Graphs only; Can only be defined by the System Integrator in the Definition module).

The properties of pre-defined graphs can be changed at any time by the System Integrator in IGSS Definition. User-defined Operator Graphs can be changed in IGSS Supervise.

For detailed information on how to create and navigate graphs, define properties, etc., kindly refer to the How to …. guides in the Help section.

* Embedded graph basic/Dashboard graphs used in older versions of IGSS: Available, mainly for editing of already existing graphs. This is operated differently and provides much less options.