Force Values

By forcing values to IOs, NVs or Objects, and Function blocks you can test the appropriateness of the application logic that you create. You can verify if the output values return desired values. If there are discrepancies you can fine tune your logic by forcing values by trial and error to generate the desired output. You can use the Force Values option to force values on physical points, software inputs in LonSpyder configured as constants and NVs, software points in BacnetSpyder such as Netwok Inputs, Network Setpoints and Constants, and Function blocks.

In the Simulation mode alone, you can override Functional block outputs. Use the Force Values dialog box to display the list of outputs of all functional blocks. You can also use the right-click menu to invoke the output of the selected function block alone. You can reset the overridden values of functional blocks using the Auto mode.

Note: While forcing values to SBus wall module, value from wall module and dynamic values which are not connected to any input slot can be over ridden.

When any one functional block output is overridden, the other outputs of that functional block also go into overridden state and the the mode of all the outputs of that functional block is changed to Override state with a default value of Nan (invalid value) for non-Enums and the first item for Enums.

Use the Force Values button to force the values of each field in an NV, Bacnet Object, Physical point, Constant, or function block. Alternatively, right-click on the desired IO, NV, Object, or Function block and select Force Value.

To force write points to the Controller:

  1. Right-click the IO, NV, or Object you want to force value to, and select Force Values. In this case only the selected point is seen.
    Alternatively, click the Force Values button on the toolbar. The Forced Values Screen dialog box appears. In this case, all points, that you can force values to, on the wiresheet are seen. The following table defines the fields shown in the dialog box.
Name Definition
Input Point Name Shows all the Software input points, physical points, Bacnet objects, and function blocks. It is non-editable.
Mode You can select the following options for the points as mentioned:
  • Emergency Override: Emergency Override has the highest priority and value written through Emergency override is assigned to the point.
  • Emergency Auto: Use this option to remove the Emergency Override. In this case, the point is assigned a value based on the values defined by Override, Sine/Cosine/Range or Set, depending on whichever is defined. If all three are defined, Override has the higher priority
  • Override: This has the second highest priority. A point is assigned this value if Emergency Auto is selected and the Override value is already defined
  • Auto: Use this option to remove the Override option. Auto clears off the Override state of the point and the point is assigned the Sine/Cosine/Range value, if it is set.
  • Set: This has the least priority. A point is assigned this value if Clear Sine/Cosine/Range option is selected and the Set value is already defined.

Note: The value written to a LonSpyder NCI point using the Set option changes the configuration of the point. That is, the value configured for the NCI point can also be changed using the Set option in both Online Debugging and Simulation

  • Clear Set: Use this option to remove the Set value. Not available for NCI.
  • Sine/Cosine/Range: This has the third highest priority. A point is assigned this value if Auto is selected and the Sine/Cosine/Range value is already defined. The value that you specify is written to In9 slot of the point so that it goes to the point out slot.
  • Clear Sine/Cos/Range: Use this option to clear the Sine/Cosine/Range value. This option removes the Sine/Cosine/Range value and assigns the Set value, if it is already defined.

Clear Set option is available for NVIs, Network Inputs, and Physical inputs.

The value set to the NCI points through either Override, Emergency Override or Sine/Cosine/Range does not change the actual value configured for the point.

Units This is editable only when the Mode is Emergency Override, Override, Set, Sine, Cosine, and Range. It shows the unit you selected.

This is not applicable o function blocks.

Value This is editable only when the Mode is Emergency Override, Override, or Set. It shows the value that you want to write to the controller.

Note: You can force write invalid values to a point by keying in alphabets. Such an invalid value is displayed as Nan. Any value outside the specified range is also considered invalid. For example, if the lower range is 0 and the upper range is 20, values such as 21 or -1 are considered invalid.

Upper Range It shows the upper limit of the Network Variable/ Object. This is non-editable except for Sine, Cosine, and Range.
Lower Range It shows the lower limit of the Network Variable/Object. This is non-editable except for Sine, Cosine, and Range.
Select point path Indicates the location of the component. It is a relative and not an absolute path
Select point ord Indicates the absolute path. It can be used to resolve the component.
Clear All Invoke this option to put all the points/Function blocks to the default state. NCIs/Network Setpoints go back to their configured value, NVIs/Network Inputs go to null, function block outputs go back to null.
OK Saves the entered information and closes the dialog box.
Cancel Closes the dialog box. Any information entered is lost.
  1. Click OK to close the dialog box. 

Actions

Use the Actions options to quickly force values. You can use these options to set values based on the priority: Emergency Override > Override Sine/Cosine/Range > Set.

An explanation of the actions allowed in the Online Debugging mode follows:

Note: The value written to a LonSpyder NCI point using the Set option changes the configuration of the point. That is, the value configured for the NCI point can also be changed using the Set option in both Online Debugging and Simulation.

Right-click the point on the wiresheet and select Actions to get to this option.

Related Topics

Simulation

Select Points to View in Log Window