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UNS →  Tutorial | Concept | How-to Guide | ISA-95 | Reference

Creating UserTypes

1. Navigate to Unified Namespace → UserTypes
2. Click New button
3. In dialog:
   • Name: Template identifier
   • Description: Documentation
4. Click OK
5. Add members in grid:
   • Type in first row
   • Press Enter to add
   • Configure properties per member

UserType Properties

Using UserTypes

Creating Tags from Templates

1. Go to Unified Namespace → Tags
2. Click New Item
3. In Type dropdown, select template
4. Tag inherits all template members

Template Instance Example

Template: Motor
Members:
  - Running (Digital)
  - Speed (Double)
  - Temperature (Double)
  - AlarmStatus (Integer)

Tag: Motor1 (Type: Motor)
Access:
  @Tag.Motor1.Running
  @Tag.Motor1.Speed
  @Tag.Motor1.Temperature
  @Tag.Motor1.AlarmStatus

Nested Templates

Templates can contain other templates:

Template: PumpStation
Members:
  - Pump1 (Type: Motor)
  - Pump2 (Type: Motor)
  - FlowRate (Double)
  - Pressure (Double)

Access:
  @Tag.Station1.Pump1.Running
  @Tag.Station1.Pump2.Speed

Security Settings

Member Configuration

Supported Base Types

• Digital
• Integer
• Long
• Double
• Decimal
• Text
• DateTime
• Custom Templates

Array Members

Template: TankFarm
Members:
  - Tanks (Type: Tank, Array: 10)
  
Access:
  @Tag.TankFarm1.Tanks[0].Level
  @Tag.TankFarm1.Tanks[1].Temperature

Relative Addressing

For device communication:

Template: AnalogInput
Members:
  - Value (RelativeAddress: ".PV")
  - Status (RelativeAddress: ".ST")
  
Device mapping automatically appends to base address

Important Notes

<ac:structured-macro ac:name="info"> ac:rich-text-body When setting properties for array elements or template members (StartValue, Min, Max), these values won't display in the Designer DataGrid. Access them through Tag Properties dialog or at runtime.

Property changes to one instance don't propagate to others - each template instance operates independently. </ac:rich-text-body> </ac:structured-macro>

Common Use Cases

Motor Template

Members:
  - Running: Digital
  - Speed: Double (0-1800 RPM)
  - Current: Double (0-100 Amps)
  - Temperature: Double (0-200 °C)
  - HoursRun: Long
  - LastMaintenance: DateTime

Tank Template

Members:
  - Level: Double (0-100 %)
  - Temperature: Double (-50-150 °C)
  - Pressure: Double (0-10 Bar)
  - HighAlarm: Digital
  - LowAlarm: Digital
  - Product: Text

Production Line

Members:
  - Station1: Motor
  - Station2: Motor
  - ConveyorSpeed: Double
  - ProductCount: Integer
  - BatchID: Text
  - QualityScore: Double

Best Practices Checklist 

•  Plan template hierarchy - Design before implementation
•  Use meaningful names - Clear member identification
•  Document templates - Describe purpose and usage
•  Standard units - Consistent engineering units
•  Reuse templates - Avoid duplication
•  Version control - Track template changes
•  Test thoroughly - Verify all members

Troubleshooting

Template not appearing:

• Save after creation
• Check for naming conflicts
• Verify no circular references
• Review template hierarchy

Members not accessible:

• Confirm tag uses template type
• Check member names
• Verify array indices
• Review security settings

Values not retained:

• Check retentive settings
• Verify database connection
• Review member configuration
• Test with simple template

In this section...

Defining UserTypes (Tag DataTemplates)

To define a tag template:

• Go to Unified Namespace → DataTemplates.

• Click New.

• The "Create New DataTemplate" dialog will open.

• In the "New Name" field, enter a name for the tag type. In the Description, enter a description of the template. Click OK. The Templates tab displays with the name of the new template at the top of the tab.

To create a new member for this DataTemplate, type into the first row of the table next to it and press enter after adding all the information. The properties here are the same ones for Tags. See Creating and Editing Tags for more information. 

To delete a template, select it from the User Custom Type drop-down list, then click Delete Item.

Using DataTemplates for custom Tag Types

DataTemplates streamline the creation of tags by supplying predetermined attributes. By employing these templates, users can efficiently manage data by upholding a logical and hierarchical structure representing assets or informational models.

To implement a DataTemplate in your project:

1. Navigate to the 'Tags' tab and click on 'New Item' to create a new tag.

2. In the 'Type' dropdown row, you can select the desired template. If a tag has already been created, select the desired template from the 'Type' column.

3. The tag will inherit the attributes from the chosen template.

DataTemplate Members Columns

In this section: