Siemens - PPCL (1) (Process Control Lang)

APOGEE
Powers Process
Control Language
(PPCL)
User’s Manual
125-1896 Rev. 5, 10/00
APOGEE PPCL User’s Manual
Rev. 5, October, 2000

NOTICE
The information contained within this document is subject to change without
notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Siemens Building
Technologies, Inc. Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. assumes no
responsibility for any errors that may appear in this document.
All software described in this document is furnished under a license and

may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license.
WARNING
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy
and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions manual,
may cause interference to radio communications. It has been tested and
found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against such interference when operated in a commercial
environment. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference in which case users at their own expense will be required
to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interference.
SERVICE STATEMENT
Control devices are combined to make a system. Each control device is
mechanical in nature and all mechanical components must be regularly
serviced to optimize their operation. All Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
branch offices and authorized distributors offer Technical Support Programs
that will ensure your continuous, trouble-free system performance.
For further information, contact your nearest Siemens Building

Technologies, Inc. representative.
CREDITS
APOGEE is a trademark and Insight is a registered trademark of Siemens
Building Technologies, Inc.
COMMENTS
Your feedback is important to us. If you have comments about this manual,
please submit them to technical.editor@sbt.siemens.com.
© Copyright 2000, by Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.
Printed in U.S.A.
ii Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Table of Contents
1 - Introduction .................................................................. 1-1

Introduction to PPCL ................................................. 1-2
How to Use This Manual ........................................... 1-3
Manual Organization ................................................. 1-4
Text conventions .................................................. 1-5
The syntax page................................................... 1-6
DISALM ................................................................ 1-7
Compatibility bar ............................................. 1-8
Syntax ............................................................. 1-9
Use................................................................ 1-10
Notes............................................................. 1-11
See also ........................................................ 1-11
2 - Program Methodology ................................................. 2-1

Introduction................................................................ 2-2
PPCL rules ................................................................ 2-3
PPCL guidelines ........................................................ 2-6
Relational operators .................................................. 2-9
Equal to (.EQ.).................................................... 2-10
Greater than or equal to (.GE.) .......................... 2-11
Greater than (.GT.)............................................. 2-12
Less than or equal to (.LE.) ................................ 2-13
Less than (.LT.) .................................................. 2-14
Not equal to (.NE.).............................................. 2-15
Logical operators ..................................................... 2-16
And (.AND.) ........................................................ 2-18
Not And (.NAND.)............................................... 2-19
Or (.OR.) ............................................................ 2-21
Exclusive Or (.XOR.).......................................... 2-22
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Arithmetic operators ................................................ 2-23

Addition .............................................................. 2-24
Assignment ........................................................ 2-25
Division............................................................... 2-26
Multiplication....................................................... 2-27
Subtraction ......................................................... 2-28
Arithmetic functions ................................................. 2-29
Arc-Tangent (ATN)............................................. 2-30
Complement (COM) ........................................... 2-31
Cosine (COS) ..................................................... 2-32
Natural Antilog (EXP) ......................................... 2-33
Natural Log (LOG).............................................. 2-34
Root (.ROOT.).................................................... 2-35
Sine (SIN)........................................................... 2-36
Square Root (SQRT).......................................... 2-37
Tangent (TAN) ................................................... 2-38
Special functions ..................................................... 2-39
Alarm priority (ALMPRI) ..................................... 2-40
Totalized value (TOTAL) .................................... 2-41
Order of precedence ............................................... 2-42
Changing precedence levels with parentheses.. 2-43
Example ........................................................ 2-46
Resident points........................................................ 2-47
Alarm count (ALMCNT)...................................... 2-48
Alarm count 2 (ALMCT2) ................................... 2-49
Battery condition ($BATT) .................................. 2-50
Decimal time (CRTIME) ..................................... 2-52
Day (DAY) .......................................................... 2-53
Day of the month (DAYOFM) ............................. 2-54
Communications link (LINK)............................... 2-55
Month (MONTH)................................................. 2-56
Node number (NODE0 through NODE99) ......... 2-57
PDL monitor ($PDL) ........................................... 2-58
Seconds counters (SECNDS) ............................ 2-59
Seconds counter (SECND1 through SECND7) . 2-60
Military time (TIME) ............................................ 2-61
Local variables......................................................... 2-62
$ARG1 through $ARG15.................................... 2-63
$LOC1 through $LOC15 .................................... 2-65
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Table of Contents
At (@) priority indicators .......................................... 2-66

Emergency (@EMER)........................................ 2-67
PPCL (@NONE) ................................................ 2-68
Operator (@OPER)............................................ 2-69
Peak Demand Limiting (@PDL) ......................... 2-70
Smoke (@SMOKE) ............................................ 2-71
Point status indicators ............................................. 2-72
Alarm (ALARM) .................................................. 2-73
Alarm acknowledge (ALMACK).......................... 2-74
Auto (AUTO) ...................................................... 2-75
Battery status - discharged (DEAD) ................... 2-76
Battery status - almost discharged (LOW) ......... 2-77
Battery status - charged (OK)............................. 2-78
Day mode (DAYMOD)........................................ 2-79
Failed (FAILED).................................................. 2-80
Fast (FAST)........................................................ 2-81
Manual override (HAND) .................................... 2-82
Night mode (NGTMOD) ..................................... 2-83
Off (OFF)............................................................ 2-84
On (ON).............................................................. 2-85
Proof on (PRFON).............................................. 2-86
Slow (SLOW) ..................................................... 2-87
Structured programming.......................................... 2-88
Modular programming ........................................ 2-89
Using GOTO ...................................................... 2-92
Using GOSUB .................................................... 2-92
Multiple programs versus subroutines ............... 2-92
Program testing.................................................. 2-93
Program documentation..................................... 2-94
Internal documentation ................................. 2-94
External documentation ................................ 2-95
3 - Control Option Comparisons ...................................... 3-1

Introduction................................................................ 3-2
Duty Cycling (DC) ...................................................... 3-3
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Peak Demand Limiting (PDL).................................... 3-5

Example .......................................................... 3-5
PDL application programs .................................... 3-6
Insight for Minicomputers Peak Demand
Limiting............................................................ 3-6
Target Peak Demand Limiting (TPDL)............ 3-6
Distributed Peak Demand Limiting.................. 3-7
Point priority............................................................... 3-9
Physical firmware ................................................. 3-9
EMON and EMOFF commands ........................... 3-9
Logical firmware ................................................. 3-10
Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical firmware ..... 3-10
Releasing point priorities............................... 3-10
Revision 9.2 and higher logical firmware ...... 3-11
Commanding and testing priorities ............... 3-12
Releasing point priorities............................... 3-13
Release the point to NONE priority. .............. 3-13
Unitary firmware ............................................ 3-14
CM and APOGEE firmware .......................... 3-14
Point status.............................................................. 3-15
Determining point status with physical firmware 3-15
Testing for point status.................................. 3-15
Example ........................................................ 3-17
Single point testing........................................ 3-17
Single point proofing ..................................... 3-19
Bundled point testing..................................... 3-20
Bundled point proofing .................................. 3-22
Pulsed points................................................. 3-23
Failed point values ........................................ 3-23
Determining point status using logical firmware. 3-24
Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical firmware ..... 3-24
Testing point status ....................................... 3-25
Revision 9.2 through 11.2 logical firmware ... 3-25
CM 1.x and revision 12.0 and higher logical
firmware ........................................................ 3-26
APOGEE firmware ........................................ 3-26
Commanding and evaluating the HAND
status............................................................. 3-27
Unitary firmware ............................................ 3-29
vi Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Table of Contents
Start/Stop Time Optimization (SSTO) ..................... 3-30

SSTO adjusted start and stop time .................... 3-31
Formulas for SSTO ............................................ 3-32
Optimum start time in the cooling season..... 3-33
Optimum stop time in the cooling season..... 3-34
Optimum start time in the heating season .... 3-35
Optimum stop time in the heating season .... 3-36
Cooling mode at occupancy begin ................ 3-37
Cooling mode at occupancy end................... 3-38
Heating mode at occupancy begin................ 3-39
Heating mode at occupancy end................... 3-40
Time-Of-Day (TOD)................................................. 3-41
Time-Of-Day commands............................... 3-41
TOD examples .............................................. 3-42
Example 1: Holidays defined in TOD
calendar, but not in PPCL ............................. 3-42
Example 2: Holidays defined in PPCL, but not
in the TOD calendar ...................................... 3-43
Example 3: Holidays defined in both PPCL
HOLIDA and the TOD calendar .................... 3-43
IF/THEN/ELSE Time-Of-Day ........................ 3-45
APOGEE interaction with PPCL TOD ................ 3-46
4 - Syntax............................................................................ 4-1
ACT ...................................................................... 4-2
ALARM ................................................................. 4-3
AUTO ................................................................... 4-4
DAY ...................................................................... 4-5
DBSWIT ............................................................... 4-6
DC ........................................................................ 4-8
DCR.................................................................... 4-11
DEACT ............................................................... 4-13
DEFINE .............................................................. 4-14
DISABL............................................................... 4-15
DISALM .............................................................. 4-16
DISCOV.............................................................. 4-17
DPHONE ............................................................ 4-18
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EMAUTO ............................................................ 4-19

EMFAST............................................................. 4-20
EMOFF............................................................... 4-21
EMON................................................................. 4-22
EMSET ............................................................... 4-23
EMSLOW ........................................................... 4-24
ENABLE ............................................................. 4-25
ENALM ............................................................... 4-26
ENCOV............................................................... 4-27
EPHONE ............................................................ 4-28
FAST .................................................................. 4-29
GOSUB .............................................................. 4-30
GOTO................................................................. 4-38
HLIMIT................................................................ 4-39
HOLIDA .............................................................. 4-40
IF/THEN/ELSE ................................................... 4-42
INITTO ............................................................... 4-44
LLIMIT ................................................................ 4-45
LOCAL................................................................ 4-46
LOOP ................................................................. 4-47
MAX.................................................................... 4-57
MIN..................................................................... 4-58
NIGHT ................................................................ 4-59
NORMAL ............................................................ 4-60
OFF .................................................................... 4-61
OIP ..................................................................... 4-62
ON ...................................................................... 4-65
ONPWRT ........................................................... 4-66
PARAMETER ..................................................... 4-67
PDL .................................................................... 4-68
PDLDAT ............................................................. 4-72
PDLDPG............................................................. 4-74
PDLMTR............................................................. 4-76
PDLSET ............................................................. 4-80
RELEAS ............................................................. 4-82
RETURN ............................................................ 4-84
SAMPLE............................................................. 4-85
SET .................................................................... 4-86
SLOW................................................................. 4-88
viii Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Table of Contents
SSTO.................................................................. 4-89
SSTOCO ............................................................ 4-92
STATE................................................................ 4-95
TABLE ................................................................ 4-96
TIMAVG.............................................................. 4-98
TOD.................................................................. 4-102
TODMOD ......................................................... 4-102
TODSET........................................................... 4-104
WAIT ................................................................ 4-107
5 - Glossary ........................................................................ 5-1
Glossary of terms ................................................. 5-3

PPCL reserved word list....................................... 5-8
6 - Index .............................................................................. 6-1
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. ix

x Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

1
Introduction
Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-1

Introduction to PPCL
Imagine a world without computers. Suddenly, a

large number of daily functions that are controlled
by computers would have to be controlled by
hand. How would you like to solve arithmetic
formulas using a pad and pencil instead of a
calculator? If you had to make a telephone call,
you would have to ask the operator to connect you
to the right telephone line. Imagine trying to control
a 40-story building's environment without the use
of a computer.
Even though computers are very powerful devices,
they need instructions so they can process
information correctly. The instructions that the
computer uses are in the form of a programming
language. The programming language used with
APOGEE equipment is called Powers Process
Control Language (PPCL).
PPCL is a high level language developed
specifically to control Heating, Ventilating, and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) equipment. PPCL combines
the functionality of FORTRAN, yet uses a text-
based programming structure like BASIC.
There is much more to writing a PPCL program
than putting instructions and commands together.
Programs should be logically thought out and their
processes understood before writing program
code. You can also develop programs that are
organized differently, but still perform the same
function. Certain programming techniques can
work better than others, though no one program is
the best solution.
1-2 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Introduction
How to Use This Manual
To effectively use this manual, you should be

familiar with the equipment controlled by the PPCL
programming language. Some of the ways you
can become familiar with APOGEE products are
as follows:
• Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. Training
Classes
• Hands-on experience
• Reading APOGEE user documentation.
If you have knowledge or experience with HVAC
equipment, the task of learning the programming
language becomes easier.

Manual Organization
The PPCL User's Manual consists of the following

six chapters:
Chapter 1 – Introduction describes the manual
and the conventions used to convey information.
Chapter 2 – Programming Methodology gives a
complete overview of the PPCL environment. This
chapter includes discussions about relational,
logical, and arithmetic operators as well as
information about precedence levels, resident
points, special functions, point priority, point
status, and modular programming.
Chapter 3 – Control Option Comparisons
describes different control applications, how they
should be used, and how their PPCL commands
should be organized.
Chapter 4 – Syntax lists all control commands.
This chapter describes the syntax, functionality,
and special exceptions for each command, as well
as related commands.
Chapter 5 – Glossary consists common
programming terminology, as well as a PPCL
Reserved Word List.
Index allows you to quickly locate a specific
function or command.

Introduction
Manual conventions
Table 1-1 provides you with the text conventions
used in this manual. This list should help you
distinguish between the various syntactical items
used in this manual.
Table 1-1. Text Conventions.
Conventions Example Identifies
All bold and upper- ON Any command.

case letters
All upper-case letters FAILED A status or priority of

a point.
All upper-case and OATEMP A point name.
italics
Bold parentheses and (pt1, pt2, pt3) Parameters used with
commas a statement.
All lower-case and if (value1.EQ.value2) Other commands or
italics operators used in a
program statement.
Computer/printer type 500 A programming code
IF(FAN.EQ.ON) example.
Three periods placed 700 ON(SFAN) Denotes a
vertically or continuation of
710 ON(RFAN)
horizontally within program code. This
program code 720 . . . convention is used to
prevent programming
examples from
becoming cluttered.

The syntax page

Each syntax page consists of the following five
sections:
• Compatibility bar
• Syntax (may also be physical or logical
syntax)
• Use
• Notes (if applicable)
• See also (if applicable)
Refer to the following page for an example of the
DISALM command.

Introduction
DISALM
Physical Logical Unitary CM APOGEE
! ! ! !
Syntax DISALM(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Names of the points that should have
through alarm reporting disabled.
pt16
Use This command disables the alarm printing

capabilities for specified points. Up to 16 points
can be enabled for alarm reporting by one
command. The point status changes to *PDSB*
after it has been DISALMed.
Example
50 IF (SFAN.EQ.OFF) THEN DISALM(ROOM1) ELSE
ENALM(ROOM1)
Notes This command cannot be used for points that do

not reside in the device in which the control
program is written. DISALM cannot be used to
directly disable alarm reporting over the network.
See also ALARM, ENALM, HLIMIT, LLIMIT, NORMAL

Compatibility bar
At the top of each syntax page is a compatibility
bar. This bar identifies if a command can be used
with a specific type of firmware. When that
command is available for a type of firmware, a
symbol is placed under that firmware type's name.
This symbol identifies that the command is
available in all supported revisions of that specific
type of firmware. Figure 1-1 shows the symbol
used for all firmware revisions.
Logical
!
Figure 1-1. "All Revisions"
Logical Firmware Symbol.
When a command is not supported in any revision

of a specific type of firmware, no symbol appears
under the firmware type indicator.
During the life of a product, functionality is often
added. As new functionality is introduced, it
becomes necessary to distinguish when specific
features were added. When a new command is
added to the PPCL programming language, it is
recognized by placing the number of that firmware
revision under the firmware type's name. An
example of how a command added to revision 9.2
logical firmware is shown in Figure 1-2.
Logical
9.2
Figure 1-2. Revisions 9.2 and
Higher Logical Firmware Symbol.

Introduction
The five types of firmware are described as

follows:
• Logical − Logical firmware is designed to
accept engineering units (Deg F°, kPa, psi) for
parameters in PPCL commands.
• Physical − Physical firmware is designed to
accept values in physical, electrical or digital
units (for example: 0, 1 represents OFF, ON).
Conversely, logical firmware uses standard
engineering values instead of physical values.
• Unitary − Firmware that uses a subset of
PPCL commands found in logical firmware.
• CM − Firmware (1.x) used in Controller
Modules and Open Processors.
• APOGEE − Firmware (2.x) used in APOGEE
field panels.
Syntax
There are differences in logical firmware when
compared to physical firmware. In order to
describe the syntax of both firmware types, the
manual uses the following labels accordingly:
• Syntax - Describes the usage and parameters
for the command which applies to all firmware
types.
• Logical syntax - Defines the usage and
parameters for the commands that are only
used in logical firmware.
• Physical syntax - Defines the usage and
parameters for the commands that are only
used in physical firmware.
If you are unsure of the type of firmware running in
a field panel, contact your local Siemens Building
Technologies, Inc. representative.

Use
The Use section describes what function the
command performs. There are also some one-line
examples of program code that allow you to see
how parameters and values are defined.
To help explain conditional and comparison logic,
truth tables are provided. Truth tables define
inputs which are compared in a logical condition to
produce results (outputs). To help you understand
the concept of truth tables, imagine you have a
barrel of apples and oranges. You reach into the
barrel to select two pieces of fruit. To compare the
two fruits you selected, refer to table 1-2.
Table 1-2. Comparing Apples to Oranges.
Items Right hand Right hand

orange apple
Left hand apple Different Same

Left hand orange Same Different
Table 1-2 represents the possible conclusions you

can reach, according to the comparisons between
your left and right hand. To use the table, identify
the objects you want to compare. For example,
you are holding an orange in you left hand and an
apple in your right hand. Locate the heading along
the left side of the table that identifies the type of
fruit you are holding in your left hand. Next, locate
the heading across the top of the table that
identifies the type of fruit you are holding in your
right hand. The box where the vertical and
horizontal rows meet is the result of the
comparison between the two items. For the
example, the apple and orange are different.

Introduction
Table 1-2 is an example of how truth tables can

function. Even though truth tables usually compare
more complex items than apples and oranges, the
method for determining the result is always the
same.
Notes
The Notes section contains helpful hints that relate
to how the command operates, as well as specific
details that are commonly missed and
subsequently cause errors in a program. If the
command does not contain any notes, there is no
Notes section.
See also
The See also section directs you to other
commands, operators or sections that are related
to the command. If the command does not have
any cross-references, there is no See also
section.


2
Program Methodology

Introduction
Chapter 2 contains information related to the

design, coding, and implementation of a program.
In this section, you will learn about the following
concepts:
• Using the rules and guidelines of the PPCL
language
• Using resident points and storage locations
• Understanding the relationships between
priority and point status
• Converting a sequence of operation into
program code
• Designing programs using a modular structure

2 - Program Methodology
PPCL rules
When someone talks to you, they compose

sentences according to the grammatical rules of
the spoken language. PPCL also uses
grammatical conventions to create commands and
instructions. Each PPCL program you write must
conform to these rules, otherwise, the computer
will not understand what you are trying to
communicate.
The general rules for PPCL are as follows:
• Each PPCL program contains one or more
PPCL statements.
• Each programming statement must be
assigned a unique line number. Valid line
numbers are 1 through 32,767.
• The maximum number of program lines a
device can contain is limited to the amount of
free memory of that device.
• When entering program code through the field
panel MMI port (excluding APOGEE), the
maximum number of characters per line is 72.
If you need to enter more characters, enter an
ampersand (&) at the end of the line, and
continue entering characters on the next line.
The total number of characters on both lines,
including the ampersand, cannot exceed 144
characters.
• Program lines are executed in ascending
order according to their line numbers, unless
directed otherwise. When the last line of the
program is reached, the computer
automatically returns control to the first line of
the program and continues processing.

• For all types of firmware except APOGEE, the

last line of the program must be executed on
every pass of the program.
• All physical and virtual points used in the
program must be defined in the point
database.
• Point names that begin with numbers must be
prefixed with the at character (@).
• Program control must only be transferred from
a subroutine using the RETURN command.
In addition to the previous rules, the following rules

apply only to APOGEE firmware:
• APOGEE PPCL programs use an assigned
name. Valid names can use from 1 to 30
characters including: A-Z, a-z, 0-9, spaces ( ),
periods (.), commas (,), dashes (-), underlines
(_), and apostrophes (').
• If a point name is used in PPCL that is greater
than 6 characters or uses characters other
than A-Z or 0-9, the point name must use
double quotes. For example:
560 ON(B2SFN,”BUILDING1.AHU01.SFAN”)
The first point (B2SFN) does not require

quotes. The second point (BUILDING1.
AHU01.SFAN) is a long point name and
requires quotes.
• When entering program code through the
APOGEE field panel MMI port, the maximum
number of characters per line is 66 (including
line number). If you need to enter more
characters, enter an ampersand (&) at the end
of the line, and continue entering characters

on the next line. The maximum number of

characters allowed on total of three lines of
code (including the ampersands and line
numbers) is 198 characters.
• Each field panel running PPCL contains one
or more separate programs.

PPCL guidelines
A guideline is a declaration of a policy or

procedure. Guidelines are created to help you
avoid common programming errors. Guidelines
also help you write programs that run faster and
are easier to maintain. PPCL guidelines are as
follows:
• A program defined in one device should not
be used to control points in a different device.
• Control loops should not be closed across a
network.
• Time-based commands (for example, LOOP,
SAMPLE, TOD, WAIT, etc.) should be
evaluated through every pass of the program
for proper operation.
• When possible, a block of program code
should be used in other devices that require
the same control. Reusing program code in
other devices helps reduce testing time and
minimizes the number of errors in program
logic. Since PPCL requires a unique point
database, you must modify the point names in
the reused program code to reflect the
database for that device.
• Program lines should be initially numbered
using multiples of ten (10, 20, 30) or more.
This practice provides space between
program lines so that modifications can be
made without renumbering the program.
• The first line of the program should always be
executed through every pass of the program.
If program execution is interrupted (for
example, during a power failure), the system

always resumes processing at the first line of

the program.
• Routing commands (such as GOTO) should
transfer program control to a sequentially
higher line number. This practice prevents
programs from being caught in endless loops.
• When possible, program logic should be
documented using comment lines. This
guideline enforces one of the principles in
structured program design.
• Point names used in programs should be
meaningful and describe the function for
which they are being used. For example, a
point name monitoring outside air temperature
could be named OATEMP.
• A subroutine should only be used in situations
where it is more beneficial to place a block of
code in a subroutine instead of using straight-
line code.
• When using time-based commands, be aware
that devices evaluate as many lines of
program code as possible. For example,
Version 3.0 controller boards are capable of
evaluating an average of 350 lines of program
code in one second. Field panels using
Version 4.0 controller boards are capable of
evaluating an average of 500 lines of program
code in one second. Two devices can run a
program that contains the same number of
lines, yet one device may execute the code
several times faster than another device.
The factor that has the greatest influence on
program code evaluation speed, is the
number of FLN devices connected to the field
panel running PPCL. The line evaluation rate

is also affected by the number of program

lines defined in a device.
• When using multiple programs in an APOGEE
field panel, try to create programs that are
roughly the same number of lines per
program. APOGEE field panels sequentially
execute one line of each enabled PPCL
program. Programs that contain fewer line
numbers will be executed faster than longer
programs. For example, a field panel contains
two programs, one with 10 lines and the other
with 50 lines. The shorter program will be
executed five times before the longer program
is executed once.

Relational operators
Relational operators compare two values. The

result of a comparison, called a condition,
determines an action. The action depends upon
which condition is true. For example, one morning
you wake up. As you are eating breakfast, you
happen to look at the newspaper and discover that
it is going to be a beautiful day. You might say to
yourself, "If it gets warmer than 80°F, I will go to
the beach. If not, then I will stay home."
You have just used a relational operator to
determine your actions for the day. In the
statement, you said that the temperature must be
greater than 80°F. If the result of this condition is
true, then you get to go to the beach. If the result
of this condition is false, then you will stay home.
This example describes the function of the
relational operator.
A relational operator also has a precedence level
associated with it. Precedence levels represent
the order at which expressions and functions are
evaluated. A complete discussion of this topic is
located in the Order of precedence section. PPCL
supports the following relational operators:
• Equal to (.EQ.)
• Greater than or equal to (.GE.)
• Greater than (.GT.)
• Less than or equal to (.LE.)
• Less than (.LT.)
• Not equal to (.NE.)
Each relational operator is described in more
detail on the following pages.

Equal to (.EQ.)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (value1.EQ.value2) then...

value1, These values represent a number.
value2 Values are defined as analog or digital
numbers, local variables, or point
names.
Use Compares two values to determine if the first

value (value1) is equal to the second value
(value2). The comparison between the two values
is true if value1 is equal to value2.
Example
500 C IF THE ROOM TEMP IS EQUAL TO 80,
510 C THEN SET THE SET POINT TO 70.
520 C
530 IF (RMTEMP.EQ.80.0) THEN RMSET = 70.0
Notes Certain points (primarily analog input) may contain

precise values. When compared to a whole
number, the result would be false because the
actual value may not exactly match the compared
value. It is a good idea to know the resolution of a
point before comparing a value with this relational
operator.

Greater than or equal to (.GE.)

! ! ! !
Syntax if (value1.GE.value2) then...

names.

value (value1) is greater than or equal to the
second value (value2). The comparison between
the two values is true if value1 is greater than or
equal to value2.
Example
700 C IF THE ROOM TEMP IS GREATER THAN
710 C OR EQUAL TO 80, THEN SET THE SET
720 C POINT TO 70
730 C
740 IF (RMTEMP.GE.80.0) THEN RMSET = 70.0

Greater than (.GT.)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (value1.GT.value2) then...

names.

value (value1) is greater than the second value
is true if value1 is greater than value2.
Example
250 C IF THE ROOM TEMP IS GREATER THAN
260 C 80, THEN SET THE SET POINT TO 70
270 C
280 IF (RMTEMP.GT.80.0) THEN RMSET = 70.0

Less than or equal to (.LE.)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (value1.LE.value2) then...

names.

value (value1) is less than or equal to the second
value (value2). The comparison between the two
values is true if value1 is less than or equal to
value2.
Example
300 C IF THE ROOM TEMP IS LESS THAN OR
310 C EQUAL TO 80, THEN SET THE SET POINT
320 C TO 70
330 C
340 IF (RMTEMP.LE.80.0) THEN RMSET = 70.0

Less than (.LT.)

! ! ! !
Syntax if (value1.LT.value2) then...

names.

value (value1) is less than the second value
is true if value1 is less than value2.
Example
900 C IF THE ROOM TEMP IS LESS THAN 80,
910 C THEN SET THE SET POINT TO 70.
920 C
930 IF (RMTEMP.LT.80.0) THEN RMSET = 70.0

Not equal to (.NE.)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (value1.NE.value2) then...

names.

value (value1) is not equal to the second value
is true if value1 is not equal to value2.
Example
600 C IF THE ROOM TEMP IS NOT EQUAL TO
610 C 80, THEN SET THE SET POINT TO 70.
620 C
630 IF (RMTEMP.NE.80.0) THEN RMSET = 70.0

Logical operators
While relational operators compare two values

and produce a condition, logical operators
compare two conditions. The result of a
comparison between the two conditions is called a
condition. If the result of the conditions is true,
then a specific action is taken. If the result is false,
then an alternative action is performed. In the
example given for relational operators, you made
the following statement:
"If it gets warmer than 80°F, I will go to the
beach."
You might want to expand your statement to take
into account your work schedule. Your statement
then might look like the following example:
"If it gets warmer than 80°F and I do not have
to work, I will go to the beach."
In the second example, you have defined two
conditions. The first condition tests if the
temperature is above 80°F. The second condition
tests if you have to work. The determining factor in
this example, is that both conditions must be true.
The result of the comparison between the two
conditions determines the action of the statement.
Even if it is a nice day, you cannot go to the beach
because you have to work. This example
demonstrates how a logical operator works.
A logical operator also has a precedence level
evaluated. For a complete discussion about
precedence levels refer to the Order of
precedence section.

PPCL supports the following logical operators:

• And (.AND.)
• Not And (.NAND.)
• Or (.OR.)
• Exclusive Or (.XOR.)
Each logical operator is described in more detail
on the following pages.

And (.AND.)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (cond1.AND.cond2) then...

cond1, Defines a condition which is the result
cond2 of a comparison between two values.
Use Used to compare two logical conditions. The result

of the comparison is true if both conditions are
true. Refer to Table 2-1 for a comparison of
conditions used with the .AND. logical operator:
Table 2-1. Truth Table for .AND. Logical Operator.
Conditional Condition 1 Condition 1
Values False True
Condition 2 Result is False Result is False
False
Condition 2 Result is False Result is True
True
Example
200 IF (TIME.LT.19:00.AND.TIME.GT.5:00)
THEN ON(LIGHTS)
Notes A single statement can incorporate a combined

total of 16 relational and logical operators.

Not And (.NAND.)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (cond1.NAND.cond2) then...

Use Used to compare two logical conditions. Refer to

Tables 2-2 and 2-3 for a comparison of conditions
used with the .NAND. logical operator:
Revision 8.0 and lower logical firmware:
Table 2-2. Truth Table for .NAND. Logical Operator.
Conditional Condition 1 Condition 1 True
Values False
Condition 2 Result is True Result is False
False
Condition 2 Result is False Result is False
True

Revision 9.1 and higher logical, physical, CM

and APOGEE firmware:
Table 2-3. Truth Table for .NAND. Logical
Operator.
Values False
Condition 2 Result is True Result is True
False
True
Example
200 IF (TIME.LE.19:00.NAND.OCC.EQ.OFF) THEN
OFF(LIGHTS)


Or (.OR.)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (cond1.OR.cond2) then...


of the statement is true if at least one of the
conditions is true. Refer to Table 2-4 for a
comparison of conditions used with the .OR.
logical operator:
Table 2-4. Truth Table for .OR. Logical Operator.
Values False
False
Condition 2 Result is True Result is True
True
Example
200 IF (TIME.LT.5:00.OR.TIME.GT.17:00) THEN
ON(LIGHTS)


Exclusive Or (.XOR.)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax if (cond1.XOR.cond2) then...


of the statement is true if cond1 is true and cond2
is false. This statement is also true if cond1 is
false and cond2 is true. Refer to Table 2-5 for a
comparison of conditions used with the .XOR.
logical operator:
Table 2-5. Truth Table for .XOR. Logical Operator.
Conditional Condition 1 Condition 1
Values False True
False
True
Example
200 IF (PMP1.EQ.ON.XOR.PMP2.EQ.ON) THEN
NORMAL(PMPALM)


Arithmetic operators
Arithmetic operators are mathematically related

functions that are performed on two or more
operands (numbers). You can specify a maximum
of 15 arithmetic operators in one PPCL program
line. When used in PPCL, the value of the
calculation is determined and assigned to a point
name or local variable for future reference.
An arithmetic operator also has a precedence
level associated with it. Precedence levels
represent the order in which expressions and
functions are evaluated. A complete discussion
about precedence levels and the order in which
equations are evaluated, is located in the Order of
precedence section.
PPLC supports the following arithmetic operators:
• Addition (+)
• Assignment (=)
• Division (/)
• Multiplication (*)
• Subtraction (-)
Each arithmetic operator is described in more

Addition
! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = value1 + value2

pt1 A point name or local variable that
receives the value of the calculation.
value1, Point names, local variables,
value2 expressions, or numbers that are used
in the calculation.
Use Adds two or more values and stores the sum in a

defined location as pt1.
Example
560 COUNT = COUNT + 1.0

Assignment
! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = value1

pt1 The point name or local variable that
receives the value from value1.
value1 A point name, local variable,
expression, or number that pt1
receives.
Use Assigns the value of value1 to the value of pt1.

Example
560 COUNT = COUNT + 1.0
Notes When assigning values, be careful not to assign

values to reserved words. Refer to the Reserved
word list in the back of the manual.
Example
500 C = OATEMP
The code in this example would fail due to the “C”

being used like a variable, when instead the field
panel interprets the line as a comment.

Division
! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = value1 / value2

expression, or number used in the
calculation. In PPCL, value1
represents the numerator.
expression or number used in the
calculation. In PPCL, value2
represents the denominator.
Use Divides two values (value1 by value2) and stores

the quotient in a defined location (pt1).
Example
890 AVERAG = TOTAL / 5.0

Multiplication
! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = value1 * value2

value2 expressions, or numbers used in the
calculation.
Use Multiplies two or more values (value1 and value2)

and stores the product in a defined location (pt1).
Example
300 SETPT = TEMP * 0.00438

Subtraction
! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = value1 - value2

value2 expressions, or numbers that are used
in the calculation.
Use Subtracts a value (value2) from another value

(value1) and stores the difference in a defined
location (pt1).
Example
300 COUNT = COUNT - 1.0

Arithmetic functions
Arithmetic functions perform mathematical

calculations on a value (number). When used in
PPCL, the value derived from the calculation is
usually assigned to point name for future
reference.
An arithmetic function also has a precedence level
the order in which expressions and functions are
evaluated. A complete discussion about
precedence levels and the order in which
precedence section.
PPCL supports the following arithmetic functions:
• Arc-Tangent (ATN)
• Complement (COM)
• Cosine (COS)
• Natural Antilog (EXP)
• Natural Log (LOG)
• Root (.ROOT.)
• Sine (SIN)
• Square Root (SQRT)
• Tangent (TAN)
Each arithmetic function is described in more

Arc-Tangent (ATN)
9.2 ! !
Syntax pt1 = ATN(value1)

value1 A point name, local variable, or
number from which the value of the
arc-tangent is calculated. All values
are expressed in degrees.
Use A trigonometric function that calculates the arc-

tangent of a value (value1). That value is then
stored in a defined location (pt1). All values used
with this function are expressed in degrees.
Example
500 THETA = ATN(VALUE1)

Complement (COM)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = COM(value1)

number from which the complement is
calculated.
Use A function that calculates a one's complement

value for a point (value1). The one's complement
function converts digital values (0 or 1) to their
opposite values. That value is then stored in a
defined location (pt1).
Example
500 LLSTAT = COM(PROF01)

Cosine (COS)
9.2 ! !
Syntax pt1 = COS(value1)

cosine is calculated. All values are
expressed in degrees.
Use A trigonometric function that calculates the cosine

of a value (value1). That value is then stored in a
defined location (pt1). All values used with this
function are expressed in degrees.
Example
700 C
701 C THIS FORMULA COMPUTES REAL POWER
702 C WHEN VOLTS, AMPS, AND PHASE ANGLE
703 C ARE KNOWN.
704 C
706 PWR = V * I * COS(THETA)

Natural Antilog (EXP)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = EXP(value1)

antilog is calculated.
Use This function calculates the natural antilog of a

point (value1) and stores that value in a defined
location (pt1).
Example
860 NATANT = EXP(VALUE1)

Natural Log (LOG)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = LOG(value1)

number from which the value of the log
is calculated.
Use This function calculates the natural log of a point

(value1) and stores that value in a defined location
(pt1).
Example
200 ENTH = LOG(VALUE1)

Root (.ROOT.)
! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = (value1.ROOT.value2)

value1, Point names, local variables, or
value2 numbers from which the value of the
root is calculated.
Use This function calculates the root of the defined

points by raising the value of value1 to the inverse
power of value2. The value is then stored in a
defined location (pt1). The mathematical notation
for the root is represented as follows:
3
TEMP
The following example demonstrates the same
values defined as a line of PPCL program code:
Example
310 RVAL = (TEMP.ROOT.3.0)

Sine (SIN)
9.2 ! !
Syntax pt1 = SIN(value1)

sine is calculated. All values are
Use A trigonometric function that derives the sine of a

value (value1). That value is then stored in a
defined location (pt1). All values used with this
function are expressed in degrees.
Example
180 VAR = SIN(THETA)

Square Root (SQRT)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax pt1 = SQRT(value1)

square root is calculated.
Use Derives the square root of a value. The value

calculated by the square root function is stored in
a defined location (pt1).
Example
180 SRPT1 = SQRT(PT1)

Tangent (TAN)
9.2 ! !
Syntax pt1 = TAN(value1)

tangent is calculated. All values are
Use A trigonometric function that calculates the

tangent of a value (value1). That value is then
stored in a defined location (pt1). All values used
with this function are expressed in degrees.
Example
930 TANPT1 = TAN(PT1)

Special functions
A special function is used to access a specific

value that is unique to a point. The value of the
point can then be tested or assigned to other
points. Since special functions are maintained by
the system, they cannot be manually commanded
to a different value. Special functions cannot be
used over the network.
A special function also has a precedence level
evaluated. A complete discussion about
precedence levels and the order in which
precedence section.
PPCL supports the following special functions:
• Alarm priority (ALMPRI)
• Totalized value (TOTAL)
Each special function is described in more detail
on the following pages.

Alarm priority (ALMPRI)

12.0 ! !
Syntax ALMPRI(pt1)
pt1 A point name for which the current
alarm priority is taken.
Use This function accesses the alarm priority level of a

point defined in an enhanced alarming control
strategy. The value of ALMPRI can range from 1
through 6. Besides testing ALMPRI for a specific
value, you can also assign the value of ALMPRI to
another point.
Example 1
230 C
232 C THIS LINE TESTS IF THE POINT CALLED
234 C RMTEMP IS AT ALARM PRIORITY LEVEL 1.
236 C
240 IF (ALMPRI(RMTEMP).EQ.1) THEN ON (OPBELL)
Example 2
330 C
332 C THIS LINE ASSIGNS THE ALARM
334 C PRIORITY LEVEL OF RMTEMP TO THE
336 C POINT CALLED TMPPRI.
338 C
340 TMPPRI = ALMPRI(RMTEMP)
Notes ALMPRI must reside in the same field panel as

the point on which the function is being performed.

Totalized value (TOTAL)

! ! ! !
Syntax TOTAL(pt1)
pt1 A point name for which the totalized
value is taken.
Use This function allows you to access the totalized

value of a point.
Example 1
800 C
801 C THIS LINE COMPARES THE TOTALIZED
802 C VALUE OF FAN1 TO DETERMINE IF IT IS
803 C GREATER THAN 500. IF THE CONDITION
804 C IS TRUE, FAN1 WILL BE PLACED INTO
805 C ALARM.
806 C
810 IF(TOTAL(FAN1).GT.500.0)THEN ALARM(FAN1)
Example 2
800 C
801 C THIS LINE ASSIGNS THE TOTALIZED
802 C VALUE OF FAN1 TO THE POINT CALLED
803 C FANRUN.
804 C
810 FANRUN = TOTAL(FAN1)
Notes TOTAL must reside in the same field panel as the

point on which the function is being performed.
See also INITTO

Order of precedence
The order of precedence is the order in which

operators (mathematical, relational, logical, and
special function) are evaluated. Operators that
have a higher precedence are evaluated before
operators that have a lower precedence. If all the
operators in the formula have equivalent
precedence levels, then the operators are
evaluated from left to right. Refer to Table 2-6 for
a complete list of precedence levels for PPCL
operators.
The following example illustrates how precedence
levels are applied to operators:
10 - 5 + 2 * 3 = 11
The solution to this problem is as follows:
1. Multiplication has the highest precedence
level in this equation. The first step in
evaluating the equation is as follows:
2*3=6
After the first level of operators have been
evaluated, the equation now looks like the
following:
10 - 5 + 6
2. All other remaining operators are at the same
precedence level. Operators are then
evaluated in a left to right order. The last step
in evaluating the equation is as follows:
10 - 5 = 5
5 + 6 = 11
The solution to this equation is 11.

Order of precedence is also applied to statements

containing relational and logical operators. These
operators are assigned a precedence level.
In the following example, assume that both
comparisons (condition1 and condition2) are true:
If (value1 .EQ. value2 .AND. value1 .NE.
value3) then...
Since the problem compares values using
relational operators (.EQ. and .NE.), the result of
the comparison can change the output of the
statement. The following steps would solve this
problem:
1. The .EQ. and .NE. relational operators have
the highest precedence level in the formula.
Since those two operators have the same
precedence, they are evaluated from left to
right:
value1 .EQ. value2 (condition1 = true)
value1 .NE. value3 (condition2 = true)
After the first level of operators has been
evaluated, the problem now looks like this:
If (condition1 .AND. condition2) then...
2. The .AND. logical operator is then evaluated.
Since .AND. requires both conditions to be
true, the solution to this problem will also be
true.
Changing precedence levels with parentheses

The order of precedence can be changed to
override how the values are normally viewed.
Precedence is changed by placing parentheses
around specific values or operations. The
information contained within the set of
parentheses is evaluated before the information

outside of the parentheses. If all the operators in

the parentheses have equivalent precedence
levels, then the operators are evaluated from left
to right.
Table 2-6. Order of Precedence for PPCL Operators.
Precedence Command Syntax

Level
1 Parentheses (expression or
(Highest) value)
2 Alarm priority ALMPRI(pt1)

Arc-tangent ATN(value1)
Complement COM(value1)
Cosine COS(value1)
Natural antilog EXP(value1)
Natural log LOG(value1)
Sine SIN(value1)
Square root
SQRT(value1)
Tangent
TAN(value1)
Totalized value
TOTAL(pt1)
3 Root (value1.ROOT.value
2)
4 Multiplication value1 * value2
Division value1 / value2
5 Addition value1 + value2
Subtraction value1 - value2

Table 2-6 (continued).

Order of Precedence for PPCL Operators.
Precedence Command Syntax

Level
6 Equal to .EQ.
Not equal to .NE.
Greater than .GT.
Greater than or equal to .GE.
Less than .LT.
Less than or equal to .LE.
7 And .AND.
Not and .NAND.
8 Or .OR.
(Lowest) Exclusive Or .XOR.
When the computer evaluates multiple pairs of

parentheses, each pair is evaluated according to
how it is positioned in the formula. Multiple
parentheses are evaluated as follows:
• For a pair of parentheses defined within
another pair of parentheses, the computer
always evaluates the innermost set first.
• For parentheses defined as individual pairs,
each pair is evaluated from left to right.

Example
The following example will help you understand
how parentheses can change the way the
computer evaluates formulas. This example uses
two levels of precedence (Level 3 - multiplication
and Level 4 - addition/subtraction).
10 - 5 + 2 * 3 = 11
While the solution to this equation is 11, the same
equation would produce a different solution when
parentheses are inserted as follows:
(10 - 5 + 2) * 3 = 21
The following steps will solve this problem:
1. The parentheses is the highest level of
precedence and the expression with the
parentheses is evaluated first. Since all the
operators within the parentheses have the
same precedence, the operators are
evaluated in a left to right manner. The first
step of the problem is evaluated as follows:
(10 - 5 + 2) = 7
After the parentheses in the example have
been evaluated, the problem appears as
follows:
7 * 3 = 21
2. With the parentheses evaluated, the standard
precedence conventions apply. With only one
operation left, the multiplication operator is
evaluated and produces a value of 21.

Resident points
Resident points provide time-based and system

status information. The value of the point can be
tested or assigned to other points. Resident points
are predefined and maintained by the device.
Since each device maintains its own set of
resident points, a resident point cannot be directly
used across a network.
Resident points can be used in PPCL programs to
determine the time, date, month, and day of the
month. These points can also monitor alarms,
modes of operation (DAY or NIGHT), and
communications between nodes. PPCL supports
the following resident points:
• Alarm count (ALMCNT)
• Alarm count 2 (ALMCT2
• Battery status ($BATT)
• Decimal time (CRTIME)
• Day (DAY)
• Day of the month (DAYOFM)
• Communications link (LINK)
• Month (MONTH)
• Node number (NODE0 through NODE99)
• Peak Demand Limiting point ($PDL)
• Seconds counter (SECNDS)
• Seconds counters (SECND1 through
SECND7)
• Military time (TIME)
Each resident point is described in more detail on
the following pages.

Alarm count (ALMCNT)

! ! ! !
Syntax ALMCNT
Use The value of ALMCNT represents the number of

points within a field panel or unitary controller that
are currently in the ALARM state. When a point in
the device enters the ALARM state, the computer
adds one to the value of ALMCNT. When a point
returns to the NORMAL state, the field panel
subtracts one from the value of ALMCNT.
Example
340 IF (ALMCNT.GT.0) THEN ON(ALARM7)
Notes A point must be defined as alarmable in order to

be counted when that point enters the ALARM
state. In all revisions of field panel firmware, the
ALMCNT and ALMCT2 counters work the same
with enhanced alarms as they do with regular
alarms.
The specific alarm level of a point does not affect
ALMCNT and ALMCT2. These counters do not
increment again when an enhanced alarm point
changes from one alarm level to another.
If a point is disabled (*PDSB*) or operator disabled
(*ODSB*), ALMCNT will still increment and
decrement accordingly.
See also ALMCT2, ENALM, DISALM

Alarm count 2 (ALMCT2)

9.2 ! !
Syntax ALMCT2
Use This resident point is similar to the ALMCNT point.

ALMCT2 specifies if the second alarm counter
should be incremented when a point enters the
ALARM state. When a point in the device enters
the ALARM state, the computer adds one (1) to
both the value of ALMCNT and ALMCT2. When a
point returns to the NORMAL state, the field panel
subtracts one (1) from both values.
Example
300 C IF THE SECOND LEVEL ALARM COUNTER
310 C BECOMES GREATER THAN 5, COMMAND ON
320 C ALARM8
330 C
340 IF (ALMCT2.GT.5) THEN ON(ALARM8)
Notes A point must be defined as a digital point type,

alarmable, and enabled for ALMCT2 in order to be
counted when that point enters the ALARM state.
In all revisions of field panel firmware, the
ALMCNT and ALMCT2 counters work the same
with enhanced alarms as with regular alarms.
The specific alarm level of a point does not affect
ALMCNT and ALMCT2. These counters do not
increment again when an enhanced alarm point
changes from one alarm level to another.
See also ALMCNT, ENALM, DISALM

Battery condition ($BATT)

! !
Syntax $BATT
Use For field panels that have the ability to monitor the
strength of their backup battery, this resident point
allows you to access that status. The status of
$BATT can be tested for a numeric value. The
status can also be tested by using the backup
battery status indicators.
Testing can be implemented accordingly:
• Test $BATT for a numeric value (0, 50 or100).
If the value of $BATT is equal to 0, then the
battery has discharged and needs to be
replaced. If the value of $BATT is equal to
100, then the battery does not need to be
replaced. A value of 50 means the battery is
about to discharge and should be replaced to
prevent any loss of data.
• To test $BATT using status indicators (OK,
LOW, or DEAD). If $BATT has a status equal
to LOW or DEAD, then the battery has
discharged and needs to be replaced. If
$BATT has a status equal to OK, then the
battery does not need to be replaced.

Example 1
200 IF ($BATT.EQ.0) THEN ALARM(P26BAT)
Example 2
210 IF ($BATT.EQ.DEAD) THEN ALARM(P26BAT)
See also LOW, DEAD, OK

Decimal time (CRTIME)

! ! ! !
Syntax CRTIME
Use This resident point maintains the current time and

stores the value in a decimal format. Examples of
how CRTIME stores values are as follows:
7:15 a.m. = 7.25
7:30 p.m. = 19.50
The values for this point can range from 0.00 to
23.999721.
Example
500 C
501 C THIS CODE DEFINES A TIME PERIOD
502 C FROM 6:45 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. FOR
503 C SFAN TO OPERATE.
504 C
510 IF (CRTIME.GE.6.75.AND.CRTIME.LE.17.50)
THEN ON(SFAN)ELSE OFF(SFAN)
CRTIME can also be used to assign the current

value of time to a virtual LAO type point which
allows you to read the current time on a graphic,
point log, etc. For example:
100 VTIME = CRTIME
Notes CRTIME is updated every second.

Day (DAY)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax DAY
Use This resident point specifies the current day of the

week. The values used for the DAY point are as
follows:
Number Day of the Week
1 Monday
2 Tuesday
3 Wednesday
4 Thursday
5 Friday
6 Saturday
7 Sunday
Example
300 IF (DAY.EQ.1) THEN TOTRAN = 0
Notes These values are not related to the modes used in

the TODMOD statement.

Day of the month (DAYOFM)

! ! ! !
Syntax DAYOFM
Use This resident point specifies a particular day of any

month. The value for this point corresponds to the
numerical representation of a specific day in a
month. Valid values for the DAYOFM point are 1
through 31.
Example
160 C THIS SECTION OF CODE DETERMINES IF
162 C IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH.
164 C IF SO, SET TOTMON TO 0.
166 C
180 IF (DAYOFM.EQ.1) THEN TOTMON = 0
Notes This point is helpful when you have to perform

certain operations on a specific day (for example,
generating a report on the first day in the month).

Communications link (LINK)

! ! ! ! !
Syntax LINK
Use This resident point indicates the condition of

communications. Depending on the status of the
communications link, a point contains one of the
following values:
0 - The node where the LINK point resides is not
communicating with the network.
1 - The node where the LINK point resides is
actively communicating with the network.
Example
300 IF (LINK.EQ.0) THEN ON(ALARM)
See also Node Number

Month (MONTH)
! ! ! ! !
Syntax MONTH
Use This resident point specifies the current month.

The values for the MONTH point are as follows:
Number Month
1 January
2 February
3 March
4 April
5 May
6 June
7 July
8 August
9 September
10 October
11 November
12 December
Example
950 IF (MONTH.GE.4.AND.MONTH.LE.10) THEN
SEASON = 1 ELSE SEASON = 0

Node number (NODE0 through NODE99)

! ! !
Syntax NODEn
n Represents the number of a NODE.
Acceptable node numbers for the
NODE resident point range from 0
through 99.
Use This resident point allows the program to check

the status of a node on the network. All devices or
CPUs on the network occupy a node
corresponding to its address. This point is
generally used to test for normal operation of
nodes for control strategies that depend on
network communication.
Example
600 IF (NODE22.EQ.FAILED) THEN ON(ALARM)
Notes To check the operation of an Insight for

Minicomputer, the node number must be between
0 and 99.
See also Communications Link

PDL monitor ($PDL)

! ! !
Syntax $PDL
Use This resident point takes on the current value of

the demand prediction for each calculated interval
made by the PDLMTR statement. The point can
be assigned to a virtual LAO point, displayed, and
trended.
Example
350 KWH = $PDL

Seconds counters (SECNDS)

! ! ! !
Syntax SECNDS
Use This resident point counts real time seconds and

can be used as a timer. The computer adds one
(1) to the SECNDS variable for every one second
of real time that passes. The initial value of the
SECNDS point is set by a PPCL command. The
SECNDS point can be set to a maximum value of
9,999.
Example
890 IF (SFAN.NE.PRFON) THEN SECNDS = 0
Notes For APOGEE field panels, each program has a

unique SECNDS point. This point can also be
viewed in the interface using the program name,
system delimiter (:)SECNDS format.

Seconds counter (SECND1 through SECND7)

! ! ! !
Syntax SECNDn
n The number that describes which
SECNDn point is referenced. Valid
values are 1 through 7.
Use These seven resident points count real time

seconds and can be used as timers. The
computer adds one (1) to the SECNDn variable
for every one second of real time that passes. The
value of a SECNDn point can only be set by a
PPCL command. The maximum value a SECNDn
point can be set to is 9,999.
Example
600 IF(SECND1.GT.15) THEN ON(RF) ELSE OFF(RF)
Notes For APOGEE field panels, each program has a

unique SECNDSn points. These points can also
be viewed in the interface using the program
name, system delimiter (:)SECNDSn format.

Military time (TIME)

! ! ! !
Syntax TIME
Use This resident point maintains the current time and

stores the value in military time. The TIME value
can contain a value from 0:00 to 23:59. Examples
of how TIME stores values are as follows:
7:15 a.m. = 7:15
7:30 p.m. = 19:30
Example
500 C
501 C THIS CODE DEFINES A TIME PERIOD
502 C FROM 6:45 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. FOR
503 C SFAN TO OPERATE.
502 C
510 IF(TIME.GE.6:45.AND.TIME.LE.17:30)THEN
ON(SFAN)ELSE OFF(SFAN)
Notes The time is updated every second. TIME cannot

be used to assign a value to a virtual point since
its value is not in a standard decimal form.
CRTIME should be used for this purpose. TIME
can be used in PPCL for comparison in the
IF/THEN/ELSE statement.

Local variables
Local variables are storage locations for data.

Local variables function like virtual points except
that they require less memory, are predefined, and
cannot be directly displayed. Local variables can
contain analog or digital values.
Each set of local variables is designed for a
specific task. Local variables are divided into two
categories: subroutine and global storage
variables.
PPCL supports the following local variables:
• $ARG1 through $ARG15
• $LOC1 through $LOC15
• LOCAL (definition of user-defined local
variables in APOGEE field panels, discussed
in Chapter 4 – Syntax )
For APOGEE field panels, each program has a
unique $ARG and $LOC variables. $LOC points
can also be viewed and commanded through the
interface using the program name, system
delimiter (:), local variable name format.
Each local variable is described in more detail on
the following pages.

$ARG1 through $ARG15

! ! ! !
Syntax $ARGn
n The number that describes what
$ARGn point is referenced. Valid
Use A $ARGn variable represents an actual point

name used in a subroutine. Instead of defining
actual point names inside of subroutines, values
are transferred to $ARGn variables. The $ARGn
variables represent their corresponding points as
functions and calculations are performed in the
subroutine. When the value of a $ARGn variable
changes, the value of the corresponding point is
also updated.
When a $ARGn variable is encountered in the
subroutine section of the program, the computer
checks the calling GOSUB command for an
available point name.
The following example illustrates this concept:
1000 GOSUB 2000 OATEMP, RMTEMP, SETPT
The program branches to line number 2000.

When the computer encounters $ARG1 in the
program, the computer assigns the available point
name's (OATEMP) value to $ARG1. When the
computer encounters $ARG2, it assigns the next
available point as defined in the GOSUB
command.

In this example, the values would be assigned

accordingly:
The value of OATEMP = $ARG1
The value of RMTEMP = $ARG2
The value of SETPT = $ARG3
Notes $ARGn points can only be used in subroutines.

Refer to the GOSUB command for more
information.

$LOC1 through $LOC15

! ! ! !
Syntax $LOCn
n The number that describes what
$LOCn point is referenced. Valid
Use These points are used to store the results of

calculations. A $LOCn variable can store an
analog or digital value and can be used throughout
the program. The maximum value a $LOC point
can store is 32767. If you need to store higher
values, use a virtual LPACI or LAO point. If you
are using APOGEE firmware, you might consider
creating a local variable by using a LOCAL
statement.
Example 1
200 MIN ($LOC1,PT1,PT2,PT3)
Example 2
100 $LOC7 = (50/VALUE1+10.0) * 2.0
Notes Local points in APOGEE field panels can store

values greater than 32,767 (up to 10,000,000).

At (@) priority indicators
At (@) priority indicators are used to monitor the

priority status on points defined in a device. The
@priority indicators can be implemented to test if
a point is at a specific priority. An @priority
indicator can also be used to command a point to
a specific priority.
PPCL supports the following @priority indicators:
• Emergency (@EMER)
• PPCL (@NONE)
• Operator (@OPER)
• Peak Demand Limiting (@PDL)
• Smoke (@SMOKE)
When using an @priority indicator with PPCL
statements, the priority level you define in that
statement occupies one of the parameters.
Statements such as ON, OFF, RELEAS, and SET
allow you to define a total of 16 parameters in the
statement. When you incorporate an @priority
indicator within a PPCL statement, that indicator
occupies the first parameter location. The total
number of points you can define in that statement
then decreases to 15. When the @priority is not
used, the default priority is EMER.
Each @priority indicator is described in more

Emergency (@EMER)
9.2 ! !
Syntax @EMER
Use This command identifies the emergency priority

level indicator. The @EMER command is typically
used in one of the following situations:
To test if a point is currently at emergency priority,
an IF/THEN/ELSE statement would look like the
following:
300 IF (SFAN.EQ.@EMER) THEN ON(HORN)
To command a point at emergency priority, the

program code might look like the following
example:
500 ON(@EMER,SFAN)
To release a point in the device from emergency

to PPCL priority, an example of program code
might look like the following:
700 RELEAS(@EMER,SFAN)
Using the @priority indicator in this manner will not

release the point if it has a higher priority (SMOKE
or OPER).
Notes For logical firmware 9.2 and higher, CM and

APOGEE firmware, if the @priority indicator is not
specified, the field panel will release points from
PDL or EMER priority to NONE.

PPCL (@NONE)
9.2 ! !
Syntax @NONE
Use This command identifies the PPCL priority level

indicator. The @NONE command can be used to
test if a point currently is at PPCL priority. The
IF/THEN/ELSE statement would look like the
following:
300 IF (SFAN.EQ.@NONE) THEN OFF(HORN)

Operator (@OPER)
9.2 ! !
Syntax @OPER
Use This command identifies the operator priority level

indicator. The @OPER command is typically used
in one of the following situations:
To test if a point is currently at operator priority, an
following:
300 IF (SFAN.EQ.@OPER) THEN ON(HORN)
To command a point to operator priority, an

example of program code might look like the
following:
500 ON(@OPER,SFAN)
To release a point from operator to PPCL priority,

an example of program code might look like the
following:
700 RELEAS(@OPER,SFAN)

APOGEE firmware, the @priority indicator must
be specified to release points in any priority to
NONE.

Peak Demand Limiting (@PDL)

9.2 ! !
Syntax @PDL
Use This command identifies the peak demand limiting

priority level indicator. The @PDL command is
typically used in one of the following situations:
To test if a point is currently at PDL priority, an
following:
300 IF (SFAN.EQ.@PDL) THEN ON(HORN)
To release a point in the device from PDL to PPCL

priority, an example of program code might look
like the following:
700 RELEAS(@PDL,SFAN)
Using the @priority indicator in this manner does

not release the point if it has a higher priority
(EMER, SMOKE, and OPER).
Notes It is not recommend to release points from PDL

priority unless absolutely necessary.
For logical firmware 9.2 and higher, CM and
APOGEE firmware, if the @priority indicator is not
specified, the field panel will release points from
PDL to NONE.

Smoke (@SMOKE)
9.2 ! !
Syntax @SMOKE
Use This command identifies the smoke control priority

level indicator. The @SMOKE command is
typically used in one of the following situations:
To test if a point is currently at smoke priority, an
following:
300 IF (SFAN.EQ.@SMOKE) THEN ON(HORN)
To release a point in the device from smoke to

PPCL priority, an example of program code might
look like the following:
700 RELEAS(@SMOKE,SFAN)
Using the @priority indicator in this manner will not

release the point if it has a higher priority (OPER).

APOGEE firmware, the @priority indicator must
be specified to release points from SMOKE,
EMER, PDL to NONE priority.

Point status indicators
Point status indicators are used to monitor the

current status of points defined in the device. Point
status indicators can be implemented to test if a
point is at a specific status, and then act
accordingly. Since these points are related
specifically to the functions of the device, you
cannot use these points over the network.
PPCL supports the following point status
indicators:
• Alarm (ALARM)
• Alarm acknowledge (ALMACK)
• Auto (AUTO)
• Battery status - discharged (DEAD)
• Battery status - almost discharged (LOW)
• Battery status - charged (OK)
• Day mode (DAYMOD)
• Failed (FAILED)
• Fast (FAST)
• Manual override (HAND)
• Night mode (NGTMOD)
• Off (OFF)
• On (ON)
• Proof on (PRFON)
• Slow (SLOW)
Each point status indicator is described in more

Alarm (ALARM)
! ! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.ALARM) then...

pt1 A point name whose operational status
is compared to the status indicator.
This point can be a digital, analog,
logical controller, or pulsed
accumulator point type.
Use This status indicator determines if the status of

point (pt1) is in the ALARM state. This comparison
will be true if the point is in the ALARM state.
Example
200 IF (TEMP02.EQ.ALARM) THEN ON(FAN)

Alarm acknowledge (ALMACK)

Syntax if (pt1.eq.ALMACK) then...

pt1 A point name that is enabled for alarm
acknowledgement
Use Use this indicator to compare the operational

status of a point name to the alarm
acknowledgement status indicator. This
comparison will be true if the point alarm state has
been acknowledged by an operator.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.ALMACK) THEN ...

Auto (AUTO)
! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.AUTO) then...

This point must be a LOOAP or
LOOAL point type.
Use This status indicator compares the operational

status of a point to the AUTO status indicator. This
comparison will be true if the point is in the AUTO
state.
Example
200 IF (HOAFAN.EQ.AUTO) THEN ON(LIGHT3)

Battery status - discharged (DEAD)

! !
Syntax if ($BATT.eq.DEAD) then...
Use This indicator compares the value of the $BATT

resident point to determine if the backup battery is
discharged. The result of the comparison will be
true if the battery is discharged. This function can
only be used in field panels that have the ability to
monitor the strength of their backup battery.
Example
600 IF ($BATT.EQ.DEAD) THEN ALARM(P26BAT)
An alternate method to test the battery strength is

to use the numeric value (0) of DEAD.
Example
See also LOW, OK

Battery status - almost discharged (LOW)

! !
Syntax if ($BATT.eq.LOW) then...
Use This indicator compares the value of the $BATT

resident point to determine if the backup battery is
about to discharge. The result of the comparison
will be true if the battery is close to discharging.
This function can only be used in field panels that
have the ability to monitor the strength of their
backup battery.
Example
600 IF ($BATT.EQ.LOW) THEN ALARM(P26BAT)

to use the numeric value (50) of LOW.
Example
See also DEAD, OK

Battery status - charged (OK)

! !
Syntax if ($BATT.eq.OK) then...
Use This indicator is used to compare the value of the

$BATT resident point to determine if the backup
battery is operational. The result of the
comparison will be true if the battery is charged.
This function can only be used in field panels that
have the ability to monitor the strength of their
backup battery.
Example
600 IF ($BATT.EQ.OK) THEN NORMAL(P26BAT)

to use the numeric value (100) of OK.
Example
See also DEAD, LOW

Day mode (DAYMOD)

9.1 ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.DAYMOD) then...

This point must be defined as an
LCTLR point type.
Use This status indicator determines if an equipment

controller is in DAY mode. For some equipment
controllers, DAY mode is also referred to as OCC
(occupied) mode. If an equipment controller is in
occupied mode, PPCL recognizes this status as
DAYMOD.
Example
200 IF (CTLR1.EQ.DAYMOD) THEN DAYSP = 75.0
Notes This point is only valid for equipment controllers

and is only valid when used with the LCTLR or
LTCU point types.

Failed (FAILED)
! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.FAILED) then...

This point can be a digital, analog,
logical controller, or pulsed
accumulator point type.
Use This status indicator is used to compare the

operational status of a point to the FAILED status
indicator. This comparison will be true if the point
is in the FAILED state.
Example
200 IF (AHU2.EQ.FAILED) THEN ON(HORN)

Fast (FAST)
! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.FAST) then...

LFSSL or LFSSP point type.
Use This indicator is used to compare the operational

status of a point name to the FAST status
is in the FAST state.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.FAST) THEN DAMPER = 8.0

Manual override (HAND)

! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.HAND) then...

This point must be terminated on a
Point Termination Module (PTM) with a
manual override switch.

status of a point name to the HAND status
PTM is currently being controlled through the use
of a PTM manual override switch.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.HAND) THEN OADAMP = 8.0

Night mode (NGTMOD)

9.1 ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.NGTMOD) then...

LCTLR point type.
Use This status indicator determines if an equipment

controller is in NIGHT mode. For some equipment
controllers, NIGHT mode is also referred to as
UNOCC (unoccupied) mode. If an equipment
controller is in unoccupied mode, PPCL
recognizes this status as NGTMOD.
Example
200 IF (CNTRL1.EQ.NGTMOD) THEN NGTSP = 78.0
Notes This point is only valid for equipment controllers

and is only valid when used with the LCTLR or
LTCU point types.

Off (OFF)
! ! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.OFF) then...

This point must be defined as any LDI,
LDO, L2SP, L2SL, LOOAL, LOOAP,
LFSSL, or LFSSP point type.

status of a point name to the OFF status indicator.
The result of the comparison will be true if the
point is in the OFF state.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.OFF) THEN RTDAMP = 3.0

On (ON)
! ! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.ON) then...

This point must be defined as any LDI,
LDO, L2SP, L2SL, LOOAL, or LOOAP
point type.

status of a point name to the ON status indicator.
The result of the comparison will be true if the
point is in an ON state.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.ON) THEN RTDAMP = 3.0

Proof on (PRFON)
! ! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.PRFON) then...

This point must be defined as any
L2SP, L2SL, LOOAL, or LOOAP point
type.

status of a point to the PRFON status indicator.
This comparison will be true if the proof for the
point is in the ON state.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.PRFON) THEN OADAMP = 8.5

Slow (SLOW)
! ! !
Syntax if (pt1.eq.SLOW) then...

LFSSL or LFSSP point type.

status of a point name to the SLOW status
is in a SLOW state.
Example
200 IF (FAN.EQ.SLOW) THEN DAMPER = 13.0

Structured programming
Before writing a program, you must determine the

order in which PPCL statements are executed.
The method you use to organize your program
determines its ease of maintenance. During the
life of the program, you may need to make
modifications, such as:
• Changing the set point of a control loop.
• Adding code for new equipment.
• Modifying the control strategy.
If you organize the logic of the program, then the
program becomes easier to modify and maintain.
The following situations can make a program
difficult to maintain:
• Statements are not arranged in a logical order.
• Sections of common program code are
repeated throughout the program instead of
using a subroutine.
• Point names do not describe the function of
the point.
• Unnecessary use and misuse of routing
(GOTO) commands.
• With some firmware (such as APOGEE) the
control strategy is duplicated within a single
program using new line numbers, rather than
creating a separate program in the same field
panel.

It also helps to design your program code

according to a structured programming style. This
style produces an organized program. Errors are
easier to trace because the logic flow of the
program is from top to bottom. If you are
unfamiliar with the program, the comment lines in
the program help you understand what functions
specific groups of statements perform.
Characteristics of structured programming are as
follows:
• Program logic flows from the beginning to the
end of the program.
• A subroutine (module) is defined for a group
of statements that perform a specific task
more than once during each pass of the
program. A subroutine reduces the need for
duplicate code lines.
• If possible, each section of program code is
described and documented using comment
lines.
Modular programming
Modular programming is a style of programming
which logically organizes code into common
functions. This style of programming can be
applied to a single program, or to multiple
programs running on the network or in one field
panel. The objectives of modular programming are
as follows:
• To reduce program code. If you use a
section of code many times during one pass
of the program, that code can be defined as a
subroutine. When you need to access that
routine, you transfer control to that part of the
program.

• To standardize program code. By defining

functions, procedures, and formulas in
subroutines, programs become faster to
create, easier to write, and require less time to
test. The subroutine you use for one device
can also be adapted to other devices.
Subroutines also help set programming standards
that define where functionality is placed in the
program. If you use an established block of code
and you do not change the line numbers, then that
subroutine will always be placed in the same
location in the program.
For example, if you to have to perform a specific
operation five different times during one pass of
the program, you have two programming options.
The first option is to duplicate the code in five
different places in the program. This would add
five times as much program code. However, when
making a change to that segment, you would have
to remember to change all occurrences of that
code.
The second option is to use a subroutine (also
called a module). Every time you need to perform
the operation, just transfer program control to the
subroutine. This process allows for a smaller
amount of mainline program code. If you need to
change the code, you do not have to search for all
the other occurrences as explained in the first
option.
In order to get the most use out of a subroutine,
you should also determine if the subroutine will be
accessed enough times through one pass of the
program. If you implement a subroutine that has
only one line of code, and it is only called one time
in the program, you would create more program
code than by just using straight-line program code.

Note the use of a subroutine that only contains

one line of program code. A single line of program
code placed in a subroutine will never be executed
enough times to be of any benefit. Conversely, a
subroutine containing four lines of program code
becomes beneficial when it is called more than
once. Plan your programs carefully so you can
optimize your program code.
Table 2-7 helps you determine if a subroutine will
require more lines of program code than straight-
line code and when it becomes beneficial to use a
subroutine.
Table 2-7. Efficient Use of Subroutines.

Number of 1 Line 2 Lines 3 Lines 4 Lines or
calls more
1 Call No No No No
2 Calls No No Even Yes
3 Calls No No Yes Yes
4 Calls or No Yes Yes Yes

more
To use Table 2-7, determine how many lines of

code a subroutine will contain (excluding the
RETURN statement) and how many times it will
be called through one pass of the program. If the
result is "NO," then it is more efficient not to use a
subroutine. If the result is "EVEN," then there is no
benefit for using either method. If you find the
result is "YES," then it is more efficient to use a
subroutine.

Using GOTO
The GOTO command unconditionally transfers
control to another location in the program. A
GOTO command is commonly used to skip over
subroutines and blocks of code.
NOTE: Do not use the GOTO command to
transfer program control to and from subroutines
or to jump back in a program without first
executing the last line of the program.
Using GOSUB
The GOSUB command transfers control to a
subroutine. Variable arguments can be passed to
the subroutine from the mainline code using
$ARG local variables (if applicable). When the
subroutine processing is complete, the program
control is transferred back to the GOSUB
statement. The values in the $ARG points replace
their respective point values. The field panel then
continues processing at the next sequential line
number.
Multiple programs versus subroutines

For APOGEE field panels, the same concepts
apply as previously described, except individual
PPCL programs are used to replace subroutines.
In some cases, time-based statements should not
be used in subroutines, and therefore require a
program. The DEFINE statement can be used to
replace major portions of point names. Refer to
the following example.

Five Air Handling Units (AHUs) use the same

control strategy. Two possible options for PPCL
programming are as follows:
Option 1 - Use one PPCL program that contains
five duplicate blocks of program code.
Option 2 - Five programs that duplicate one block
of program code. Each block contains one
additional statement (DEFINE) for use with the
point names. Facilities that use a standardized
naming convention will benefit the most from this
structure.
Program testing
To ensure that a program is working properly, it
should be tested. Testing program code verifies
that the program works properly under normal
operating conditions. Testing also allows you to
check the durability of the program by providing a
wide variety of operating conditions that the
program must evaluate.
Structured programming practices allow program
testing to be more complete and less time
consuming. Tests can be developed so that
individual modules as well as the complete
program are tested. Programs with a modular
design are easier to test because the number of
variables and lines of code that must be tested are
small.
When a program is tested, the data used should
adequately test all conditions that the program
may encounter. Test conditions not only include
testing the range at which an input responds, but
also testing values outside the range of response.
If an input is defined to accept values from 50°F to
70°F, use an input value of 40°F to find out how
the system responds. If the program turns a point
ON, find out what happens when you turn it OFF.

Test how your program will react if a sensor or fan

motor would fail.
When you use values that are not expected to be
encountered by the program, you discover how
the program processes errors. The precautions
you take in programming and testing can save you
downtime when the system encounters unusual
operating conditions.
Program documentation
After you have written and tested your program,
the final step in completing a structured program
is documentation. When using a structured
method of programming, documentation of that
program becomes an easier task. Programs
should have some type of documentation written
about their functions and the equipment they
control.
The following sections describe the methods for
documenting programs. One or more of these
methods can be used to document operation of
the program. In addition to documenting the
program, these methods can also be used as
planning tools when designing your PPCL
program.
Internal documentation
Internal documentation refers to information
written into the program lines. To prevent that
information from being interpreted as program
commands, a comment line is used. Comment
lines allow you to enter text information describing
the functionality of a specific section of code.
Comment lines are especially helpful for
describing subroutines and areas of program code
that are difficult to understand.

The device and software you use to program

PPCL determines how you enter comment lines.
Comment lines require you to enter a line number
followed by the letter C. For example:
200 C THIS COMMAND WILL TURN ON IF

210 C SFAN'S VALUE FALLS BELOW 68 OR
220 C RISES ABOVE 78. THE POINT SFAN01
230 C WILL REMAIN ON/OFF FOR AT LEAST 5
For information on how to properly enter comment

lines, refer to the user's manual for the device or
software you are using.
External documentation
External documentation refers to physical control
diagrams, layouts, and information written about
the program. This information can be used as a
reference to learn about the functions of the
control system. This section describes two of the
more common methods of external
documentation.
Decision tables - Decision tables are similar to
truth tables. Like truth tables, a decision table
defines objects which are compared to each other
and produce a result. The objects for a decision
table are the equipment and modes of operation.
A result is determined by the comparison between
a piece of equipment and a mode of operation.
The result of this comparison is considered to be
the status of that piece of equipment during a
specific mode of operation. Decision tables are
useful because they provide a visual
representation of how the specific equipment
interacts with other equipment during each mode
of operation.
Table 2-8 provides an example of a decision table
that defines six pieces of equipment and four
modes of operation.

Table 2-8. Example of a Decision Table.

Equipment type Shutdown Day mode Smoke Warm-up
Supply Fan Off On On On

Return Fan Off On On On
CC Valve Closed Modulate Modulate Closed
Mixing Dampers Closed Modulate Modulate Closed
Supply Fan Vol Modulate Modulate Open Modulate
Return Fan Vol Modulate Modulate Open Modulate
Pseudocode - Another method used to document

a program is pseudocode. When solving a
programming problem, you might ask yourself
questions about what you have to accomplish. As
you define what must be accomplished, you create
a list of the logical steps the program should
perform. The following list is an example of how
pseudocode works:
1. Check mixed air temperatures
2. Check outside air temperatures
3. Open/close dampers as needed
4. Start/stop fans
Each line of pseudocode is written in a non-
syntactical manner. Programmers can quickly
organize their ideas before writing the code. After
the code is written, pseudocode can be used as a
reference to help others learn about the
functionality of the program.

Steps to solving a programming problem

When you first start programming in PPCL, you
should have some type of problem solving
method. The following problem solving method
begins with the sequence of operation, and
continues through the testing and documenting of
the final code solution.
Step 1 - Read through the problem. Read the
problem to gain an understanding of what the
sequence of operation is asking you to do. If you
have a large sequence of operation, you may want
to break it down into smaller, manageable
sections.
Step 2 - Determine modes of operation. Determine
the types of modes that will be used during the
operation of the system. Examples of operational
modes are:
• Day mode
• Night mode
• Emergency mode
Defining the modes of operation allows you to
design code in a highly organized fashion.
Step 3 - Identify specific controls. Identify
procedures and controls that you will write
program code to solve. You should look for key
phrases such as:
"This system must control..."
"Will perform..."
"Cycle..."
"Calculate..."

All of these phrases identify some type of control

for which you will write PPCL code. Classify each
control according to the modes you have defined.
Step 4 - Produce pseudocode/decision tables for
your modes. After you have written down all the
tasks you must accomplish, you must decide the
order in which those tasks should be performed.
There are various methods to organize
programming tasks. These methods include:
• Pseudocode
• Decision tables
Use the method which is the easiest and most
helpful for you. The time you spend organizing
your ideas will help you prevent program logic
flaws.
Step 5 - Design the modules of code. Once you
have your ideas organized, start writing program
code for each of the modes. Start with one mode
and code the solution. Refer to Section 4, "Syntax"
for help with PPCL statements. Remember to
comment the program where appropriate. If you
have had experience writing programs, you might
write two or three modes before continuing.
Step 6 - Enter the program into the system. Type
the program module into the computer.
Remember to define any points that you use in the
database.
Step 7 - Execute and test the program code.
Depending on the experience you have writing
PPCL programs, you may not write an error-free
program every time. Getting programs to work
properly takes time and patience.

Before you actually use a PPCL program, run the

program and verify that it works. The more testing
you do to simulate conditions that the program will
encounter, the better your chances of detecting
errors. Through testing, you may even discover an
easier method for accomplishing a particular
control strategy.


3
Control Option
Comparisons

Introduction
The APOGEE system has many different types of

control applications. To make these applications
work properly, you must apply the correct program
to the function you want to control. This chapter
discusses the concepts behind some of the major
applications. This chapter also helps you
understand the procedures the system uses in
performing everyday operations.
This chapter also discusses the organization of
PPCL statements and how they relate to each
other. For a complete description of PPCL
commands identified in this chapter, refer to
Chapter 4 – Syntax.

3 - Control Option Comparisons
Duty Cycling (DC)
To understand how the Duty Cycling (DC) function

works, imagine you have a home furnace to
control. The duty cycling function works much like
the thermostat that controls the ON/OFF times of
the furnace.
The DC function shuts down equipment for short
periods of time during the normal operational
period of the system. Shutting off loads helps
reduce operating costs. Most systems are
designed to meet the expected maximum
demand. Since the maximum demand is only
reached a few times a year and for a short period,
the system is usually oversized for the load.
When the system is not at maximum demand, the
extra capacity of the system is wasted due to the
system running at only partial capacity. If your
home furnace only needs to run 20 minutes out of
an hour to maintain the set point temperature,
then the other 40 minutes of run time are spent
overheating the space and wasting energy.
The following example uses DC to control a hall
fan in a school building. The fan you are
controlling is called HFAN. In order to conserve
energy, you have decided to run the fan during
times when students are in the hall. In this school,
classes start on the hour and last for 50 minutes.
There is a 10-minute period of time when the
students are in that hall before the next class.
Since the hall that HFAN serves has good
ventilation, you decide to run the fan for the last 15
minutes of the hour and for the first five minutes of
the next hour. The rest of the time the fan is shut
off.

Applications, which require ON/OFF switching in

hourly patterns, work well with a duty cycling
program.
You should be careful when points you use for DC
are commanded by other applications such as
Time-Of-Day (TOD). If a point is controlled by
Duty Cycling and TOD during the same time
period, one program may interfere with the
operations of the other. Be careful when designing
your programs so that functions do not conflict.
PPCL commands used for DC do not have to be
defined in a specific order. DC has two commands
that can be used independently of each other:
• DC - Turns points ON and OFF according to
the schedule defined for the points. This
command is best applied to equipment where
the load is constant or encounters minor
deviations in space temperature or humidity.
Some examples of where this command is
best used include a storeroom, maintenance
shop, building core, or service area.
• DCR - Turns points ON and OFF according to
a temperature defined with a dead band.
Every five minutes, the DCR statement
checks the value of the space temperature
point. The temperature sensor that monitors
the equipment for an area should be located
to provide an accurate representation of the
space temperature serviced by the equipment.
The DCR command is best used to control
areas where the load changes or when
deviations in space temperature or humidity
are undesirable. Such areas include a
classroom, meeting room, lobby area, or
areas located adjacent to an exterior wall of
the building.

Peak Demand Limiting (PDL)
To better understand how the Peak Demand

Limiting (PDL) function works, imagine you have
to control a home furnace. The PDL function is
similar to the high limit control on the furnace. If
the temperature of the furnace gets too hot, the
contacts for the burner open and shut down the
burner.
In the case of building control, PDL reduces the
electrical peak of a system. Electrical demand is
reduced by shedding (turning OFF) electrical loads
when the actual demand exceeds the set point.
When demand falls below the set point (if the
restored loads will not cause the set point to be
exceeded), the loads are restored (turned ON).
If you have some experience with APOGEE
functionality, you might identify that Duty Cycling
(DC) loads also reduces the demand for the
building. While this statement is true, duty cycling
only controls loads according to a time schedule.
The PDL function can monitor the total demand of
a building, but duty cycling has no way of knowing
when the system will exceed a demand set point.
When a peak set point is exceeded, building
owners might have to pay a higher electrical rate
over a long period of time.
Example
To help you understand how PDL works, refer to
the following example.
PDL is monitoring an electrical meter that supplies
power to three air handling units and some low
voltage equipment. Two of the air handlers are
currently ON while the third air handler is about to
be turned ON. When all three air handlers and the

auxiliary equipment are operating at one time, the

peak set point of 500 KWH will be exceeded.
After the third air handler is started, PDL predicts
that the load will exceed the set point. To prevent
the peak set point from being exceeded, PDL
shuts OFF (sheds) loads that are not critical. Once
the electrical demand of the building is operating
at a level where the actual demand is less than the
peak set point, the loads that were shed are
restored.
PDL application programs

There are several different types of PDL
application programs. A description of these
programs is as follows:
Insight for Minicomputers Peak Demand Limiting

This type of PDL is run on minicomputer based
systems. Refer to Insight for Minicomputers User's
Documentation Set (125-1910) for a complete
description of this PDL control method.
Target Peak Demand Limiting (TPDL)

With this version of PDL, Insight for
Minicomputers monitors demand meter readings,
makes a demand forecast, and assigns demand
shed targets to each field panel for the calculation
interval. The demand shed target is based upon
the percentage of total loads that can be shed by
the field panel.
Each field panel is responsible for shedding and
restoring loads defined in it. If communications are
lost, the field panel continues to limit demand to its
last assigned target.

TPDL requires the following two PPCL commands

defined in the load-handling field panel. They must
be specified in the following sequence:
• PDL - Maintains the target kilowatt
consumption level by shedding and restoring
loads as needed.
• PDLDAT - Defines a power consuming load
that will be controlled by a PDL command.
Distributed Peak Demand Limiting

This version of PDL is very similar to the TPDL. In
this implementation, a field panel on the network
reads the meters, forecasts the demands, and
sends out targets to the other field panels on the
network. Distributed PDL can only work on
Protocol 2 networks.
Distributed PDL can also be used on systems that
use Insight for Minicomputers, although the
minicomputer is not required. All meter monitoring
and demand predictions (called forecasts) for a
meter area are done by PPCL statements in one
specified field panel (also called the predictor
panel). All meter inputs from the field must be
connected directly to that field panel.
Based on the comparison of what is predicted for
demand and the demand limit set point, the
predictor panel decides how many kilowatts of
load must be shed for the meter area. In addition
to monitoring and predicting demand, the predictor
panel is also responsible for keeping data for the
reports.
Each predictor panel can control a total of seven
load handling field panels. Each panel receives
one demand target from the predictor panel. The
load handling field panels maintain their demand

target level by shedding and restoring loads

defined under its control.
Distributed PDL uses the following five
commands. These commands must be defined in
the following order:
• PDLMTR - Monitors consumption meters to
determine power usage, maintains
consumption reports, predicts usage, issues
warnings, and restarts meters.
• PDLSET - Assigns various consumption
limiting set points to specific time intervals.
• PDLDPG - Distributes the difference between
the PDL resident point and the set point.
• PDL - Maintains the target kilowatt
consumption level by shedding and restoring
loads as needed.
• PDLDAT - Defines a power consuming load
that will be controlled by a PDL command.
When using this PDL control method, the predictor
panel must have the PDLMTR, PDLSET, and
PDLDPG statements defined in its PPCL
program. This configuration assumes that the
predictor panel does not have any loads defined in
the panel. If the predictor panel is also controlling
loads, the PDL and PDLDAT statements must
also be resident in the PPCL program.
For load-handling field panels, the PDL and
PDLDAT statements must be defined in the PPCL
program.

Point priority
A point priority identifies the level at which a point

is commanded. When statements are examined,
the commanding priority of the functions is
compared to the priorities of the points. A point
can only be commanded by a program line whose
priority is equal to or higher than the current
priority of the point.
Physical firmware
Physical firmware PPCL has only two priorities:
NONE and EMER. All points are considered to be
at NONE priority unless their priorities are
changed with the EMON/EMOFF commands. The
EMON command turns the point ON and can
change its priority to EMER. The EMOFF
command turns the point OFF and can change its
priority to NONE.
This section discusses using the NONE and
EMER priorities. It does not address Insight for
minicomputers priorities such as the PDL priority.
Refer to the Insight for Minicomputers User's
Documentation Set (125-1910) for more
information about priorities and how they interact
with PPCL programs running in the field panel.
EMON and EMOFF commands

The EMON and EMOFF commands change the
status (ON or OFF) of a digital point. With that
change, you can also specify if you want to
change the priority of the point.
Note: Before using the EMON and EMOFF
commands, you should have a good
understanding of how they function. For complete

descriptions of the EMON and EMOFF

commands, refer to Chapter 4 – Syntax.
Logical firmware
The logical firmware revision you have determines
the functionality of your system. Your firmware
may not support the concepts presented in this
section.
Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical firmware

Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical firmware contains
the following four priority levels:
• NONE (PPCL priority, lowest priority level)
• PDL (Peak Demand Limiting)
• EMER (Emergency)
• OPER (Operator, highest priority level)
With the priorities organized in this manner, NONE
is the lowest priority. Points in PDL priority can be
commanded only by operations that have a PDL
priority or higher. Points in EMER priority can be
commanded only by operations that have an
emergency priority or higher. Points in OPER can
only be commanded by the operator.
Releasing point priorities

To quickly change the priority of a point to NONE,
you can use the RELEAS command. The
RELEAS command returns the priority of any
point to NONE. If you use this command and
monitor point priorities with flags, remember to set
the flags to the appropriate value. If you release
points to NONE priority and forget to set the
priority flags, the program will not work correctly.

Revision 9.2 and higher logical firmware

Revision 9.2 and higher logical firmware support
the following five priority levels:
• NONE (PPCL priority, lowest priority level)
• PDL (Peak Demand Limiting)
• EMER (Emergency)
• SMOKE (Smoke control)
• OPER (Operator, highest priority level)
The five priorities are listed in order from lowest to
highest. A point is only commanded if the
operation has a priority equal to or higher than the
point's current priority. For example, a point whose
priority is set to EMER can be changed by a
program line with a EMER, SMOKE, or OPER
priority.
The significant difference in revision 9.2 and
higher logical firmware is that priorities can be
directly monitored. This allows you to command
and test point priorities without using priority flags.
When referring to priorities, the at (@) symbol
must be placed before the priority syntax. Refer to
Table 3-1.
Revision 9.2 and higher logical firmware also
include the SMOKE priority. The SMOKE priority is
used for smoke control applications.

Table 3-1. System Variables for Priority

Monitoring.
Priority Priority syntax

Operator @OPER
Smoke @SMOKE
Emergency @EMER
Peak Demand Limiting @PDL
No priority (PPCL) @NONE
Commanding and testing priorities

Logical firmware offers various methods for
controlling point priorities. As previously discussed
in this section, earlier revisions of logical firmware
can only command a point to a specific status. For
example:
120 OFF(SFAN,RFAN)
Since the introduction of revision 9.2 logical

firmware, you can command points to a specific
priority, as well as a specific status. For example:
120 OFF(@OPER,SFAN,RFAN)
When this command is executed, SFAN and

RFAN are shut OFF and their priorities are
changed to OPER. You no longer have to use an
operator interface command (such as OIP) to
change the priority of a point.
When you design your program, you might have to
test the priority of the point. If you are performing
numerous tasks in the program, using point
priority levels is one method of preventing those

tasks from colliding. Sometimes programs fail

because a command, not related to a function
being performed, changes a point inside of that
function.
The following example demonstrates how to test
for a priority condition:
200 IF (SFAN.EQ.@EMER) THEN ON(@EMER,RFAN)
This line of program code tests SFAN to

determine if it's in EMER priority. If SFAN is at
EMER priority, RFAN will be command ON. This
statement verifies that SFAN is at EMER priority
before turning ON RFAN.
Releasing point priorities

You can use the RELEAS command to quickly
change the priority of a point or group of points.
When using the RELEAS command, you can only
change a higher priority to a lower priority. You
cannot command a point with a low priority to a
higher priority using the RELEAS command.
When using the RELEAS command to change
point priorities, you have two options:
Release the point to NONE priority

Release the point at a specific priority to the
NONE priority.
The first option allows you to release points to the
NONE priority. In the following example, the two
points (FAN1 and FAN2) are released to the
NONE priority.
160 RELEAS(FAN1,FAN2)
The second option allows you to release points at

a specific priority to the NONE priority. In the

following example, any of the included points in

the RELEAS command that have a priority of
EMER or lower, will be released to the NONE
priority:
300 RELEAS(@EMER,FAN1,FAN2)
Unitary firmware
Unitary firmware does not support the use of
priority indicators and manual priority
modifications.
CM and APOGEE firmware

CM and APOGEE firmware support the same
priority indicators as 9.2 and higher logical
firmware.

Point status
The operational condition of a point is called the

point status. This section discusses the different
methods used to determine the operational status
of a point.
Determining point status using physical firmware

Physical firmware does not use syntactical words
(ON, OFF, AUTO...) to check the status of a point.
Instead, status must be determined by comparing
a point value to a value.
Value Meaning
0 OFF
1 ON
Testing for point status

To understand the concept of testing point status,
you should be familiar with the point types of the
APOGEE system. Table 3-2 shows the number of
addresses used in each point type and the
functions each address performs. You should
know how these point types are addressed when
defining, testing, or commanding points in physical
firmware. The following 11 point types are
recognized by every field panel, equipment
controller, and mass storage device.

Table 3-2. The 11 Point Types and Their Organizations.

Point Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Address 4
type
LAI AI
LAO AO
LDI DI
LDO DO
LFSSL DO DO DI
(OFF/FAST) (OFF/SLOW) (PROOF)
LFSSP DO DO DO DI
(OFF) (FAST) (SLOW) (PROOF)
LOOAL DO DO DI
(ON/OFF) (AUTO) (PROOF)
LOOAP DO DO DO DI
(ON) (OFF) (AUTO) (PROOF)
LPACI DI
(COUNT)
L2SL DO DI
(ON/OFF) (PROOF)
L2SP DO DO DI
(ON) (OFF) (PROOF)
Each point type is assigned a specific number of

addresses. The point type determines the total
number of addresses you assign for that point.
Some point types require up to four addresses,
while others require only one.

Example
To explain testing a point for a status, an LFSSL
point type is used in this example. The LFSSL
point is similar to an OFF/SLOW/FAST switch that
could be used to control a fan. When you
command LFSSL point to FAST, it has the same
effect as turning the control switch on a fan to
FAST. The actual process that occurs is
somewhat more complex than turning a switch.
Single point testing

Single point testing refers to the individual
comparison of a point to an ON or OFF value. The
following example uses the conventions of an
LFSSL point (OFF/FAST/SLOW), except that two
independent LDOs and one LDI point are used in
place of the LFSSL. Even though the example
uses three points, those points work together like
a LFSSL point to control the operation of the fan.
The following names have been given to the
example:
FANDO1 Point 1
FANDO2 Point 2
FANDI1 Point 3
If you want to turn the fan ON, you must decide

which speed you want to set the switch (FAST or
SLOW). The position you set the switch
determines which point name you command. If
you decide to set the fan to FAST, you would
command FANDO1. If you decide to set the fan to
SLOW, you would command FANDO2.

CAUTION:
When using this method of point control, it is very
important that only one digital output point be ON
at any time. Commanding multiple digital output
points ON will cause serious damage to that piece
of HVAC equipment.
If you decide to set the fan to FAST, the program

code to command FANDO1 might look like the
following:
550 ON(FANDO1)
When you command FANDO1 to FAST, you are

really commanding FANDO1 to ON. Table 3-3
shows the comparisons between the ON/OFF
values of the digital points and how they relate to
their respective logical positions.
Table 3-3. Digital Point Values of Logical

Positions.
Names of digital Logical positions
output points
Off Fast Slow
Value of FANDO1 0 0 1
(OFF) (OFF) (ON)
Value of FANDO2 0 1 0
(OFF) (ON) (OFF)
To determine if the fan is ON, compare the values

of FANDO1 and FANDO2 to one. If either point is
equal to one, the fan is ON. A test for that
condition might look like the following:
600 IF(FANDO1.EQ.1.0.OR.FANDO2.EQ.1.0) THEN...

To determine the true status of the fan, you have

to define more specific conditions. The previous
example only tested for an ON status. If you want
to determine the position of the switch, you must
test both points individually. An example of
program code that can accomplish that test might
look like the following:
610 IF (FANDO1.EQ.1.0) THEN ...

620 IF (FANDO2.EQ.1.0) THEN ...
If the first test at line 610 is TRUE, then the fan is

set to the FAST position. If the second test is
TRUE, then the fan is set to the SLOW position. If
both tests are FALSE, then both digital output
points are OFF. Since both points are OFF, you
can conclude that the fan is OFF.
Depending on the application you are controlling,
the logical position (SLOW, FAST, AUTO...) can
always be represented in terms of being ON or
OFF. When you know what status the point is
controlling, you can test that point for a value of
zero or one.
Single point proofing

The digital input point defined as FANDI1 is used
to verify the operation of the fan. With most digital
point types, this point is optional. You can test the
proof point using the same concepts as described
above. When the digital input point is equal to one,
the point is considered ON. When the digital input
point is equal to zero, the proof point is OFF.

Bundled point testing

Bundled point testing refers to the comparison of
bundled point values to an ON or OFF status. For
this example, the LFSSL point will be defined to
control a fan (the point name is FAN). The point
requires three addresses, which are as follows:
Address 1 A digital output (DO) point that

controls an OFF/FAST switching.
Address 2 A DO point that controls an

OFF/SLOW switching.
Address 3 A digital input (DI) point used for

proofing. This point is optional.
If you want to turn the fan ON, you must decide

which position you want to set the switch (SLOW
or FAST). If you decide to set the switch to SLOW,
you would command the address that controls the
OFF/SLOW switching. If you decide to set the
switch to FAST, you would command the address
that controls the OFF/FAST switching.
Commanding a DO address to ON does not
command all other DO addresses to OFF. If two
addresses that are controlling one piece of
equipment are commanded ON at the same time,
damage will occur to that HVAC equipment.
For example, if you wanted to set the fan to FAST,
you could enter the following program code to
command the fan:
550 ON(FAN#1)

When you command the first address of the fan

ON, you really command that address to FAST.
Table 3-4 demonstrates the comparisons between
the ON/OFF values of the digital points and how
they relate to their respective logical positions.
Table 3-4. Digital Point Values of Logical

Positions.
Addresses for a Logical positions

LFSSL point
Off Fast Slow
OFF/FAST address 0 0 1
switch (OFF) (OFF) (ON)
OFF/Slow address 0 1 0
switch (OFF) (ON) (OFF)
The syntactical conventions used with this

command demonstrate how to change the value
of a bundled point. When you originally define a
LFSSL point, you define three point addresses.
The first address you define is a DO point
controlling the OFF/FAST switching. The second
address you define is a DO point that controls the
OFF/SLOW switching. The third address you
define is an optional DI point used for proofing.
Since one LFSSL point name controls three
addresses, you must use the pound sign (#) and a
number to distinguish which address the computer
should command.

To determine if the fan is ON, compare the values

of FAN to 1. A test for an ON condition might look
like the following:
600 IF(FAN#1.EQ.1.0.OR.FAN#2.EQ.1.0) THEN...
To determine the true status of the fan, you must

define more specific conditions. The previous
example only tests for an ON status. If you want to
determine the position of the switch, you would
have to test both addresses (1 and 2) individually.
An example of program code that can accomplish
that test might look like the following:
610 IF (FAN#1.EQ.1.0) THEN ...
620 IF (FAN#2.EQ.1.0) THEN ...
If the first test at line 610 is TRUE, then the fan is

in the FAST position. If the second test is TRUE,
then the fan is in the SLOW position. If both tests
are FALSE, then both digital output points are
OFF. Since both points are OFF, you can
conclude that the fan is OFF.
Depending on the application you are controlling,
the logical position (SLOW, FAST, AUTO...) can
always be represented in terms of being ON or
OFF. When you know the status that the point is
controlling, you can test that point for a value of
zero or one.
Bundled point proofing

The digital input point defined as the third address
is used to verify the operation of the fan. With
most digital point types, this point is optional. You
can test the proof point using the same concepts
as described in the Bundled point testing section.
When the digital input point is equal to one, the
point is considered ON. When the digital input
point is equal to zero, the proof point is OFF.

Pulsed points
When commanding pulsed points in physical
firmware, there are some precautions you should
program into your code. Since pulsed points can
be either ON or OFF, they are sometimes
commanded to the wrong position because their
status is not checked. If pulsed points are
commanded incorrectly, the relays in the point will
produce a chattering effect. A chattering relay
causes the point to wear out quicker and degrade
the response of the system.
Commanding pulsed points, using the following
code, will help your system run more efficiently.
This methodology for commanding a pulsed point
only works with physical firmware.
100 C
101 C THIS CODE PROVIDES A TEST FOR
102 C COMMANDING PULSED POINTS. TYPES CAN
103 C BE A L2SP, LOOAP, OR LFSSP POINT.
104 C ANY POINTS STARTING WITH "PUL" ARE
105 C PULSED POINTS. VLDO IS A POINT
106 C FLAG.
107 C
119 C CHECK IF THE PULSE POINTS ARE ON
120 IF (VLDO.EQ.1) THEN GOTO 140
129 C TURN ON PULSE FLAG
130 ON(PUL1#1,PUL2#1,PUL3#1,VLDO)
140 ...
159 C CHECK IF PULSE POINTS ARE OFF
160 IF (VLDO.EQ.0) THEN GOTO 190
169 C TURN OFF PULSE POINTS
170 OFF(PUL1#2,PUL2#2,PUL3#2,VLDO)
179 C TURN OFF PULSE FLAG
180 OFF(VLDO)
190 ...
Failed point values

If a point fails that is used in a PPCL statement,
the point's last known value is still used in the
PPCL statement. For example:
MIN(RMMIN,RM1TMP,RM2TMP,RM3TMP)

If RM1TMP is a physical point that fails when it

has the lowest value of the three RMTMP points,
the MIN statement will set RMMIN to the last
known value for RM1TMP.
Determining point status using logical firmware

Logical firmware uses syntactical words (ON,
OFF, AUTO...) to check the status of a point.
These commands are used with IF/THEN/ELSE
commands to determine the status of a point. The
following section explains the methodology for
determining the status of a point in logical
firmware.

Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical firmware supports
the following ten status indicators.
• AUTO
• ALARM
• DAYMOD (Rev. 9.1+)
• FAILED
• FAST
• NGTMOD (Rev. 9.1+)
• OFF
• ON
• PRFON
• SLOW
These commands eliminate the need to test points

individually for an ON or OFF status. For example,
a LOOAL point can have an ON, OFF, and AUTO
status. If you had to check the status of each of
those three points, that particular line of program
code might look confusing. Status indicators allow
you to easily check the status of a point without

having to compare point addresses to ON/OFF

conditions.
Point status indicators can be used with
IF/THEN/ELSE commands. When a point is at a
specific status, a certain action is taken. These
commands also make programs easier to
understand because the syntactical words relate
to the status of the point.
Testing point status

To explain the methodology of testing point status,
a L2SL point is used in this example. The name of
this point is LIGHTS and its function is to control
the lights for a large conference room.
The configuration for an L2SL point uses two
addresses. The first point address controls an
ON/OFF switch, while the second optional point
monitors a proof condition. If you have to verify
that the lights are ON in the conference room, you
could use the following test:
740 IF (LIGHTS.EQ.ON) THEN ...
When this line of code is executed, the LIGHTS

point is checked to verify it is ON. If the point is not
ON, then an alternate action will occur.

Revision 9.2 and through 11.2 logical firmware
uses the same syntactical conventions for status
indicators as Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical
firmware. For more information, refer to the
Revision 5.0 through 9.1 logical firmware section.

CM 1.x and revision 12.0 and higher logical firmware

CM version 1.0 and higher, as well as revision
12.0 and higher logical firmware support the
following status indicators:
• ALARM
• AUTO
• DAYMOD
• DEAD
• FAILED
• FAST
• HAND
• NGTMOD
• OFF
• OK
• ON
• PRFON
• SLOW
The three status indicators (OK, LOW and DEAD)

are used specifically to support the $BATT
resident point. The HAND status indicator is used
to monitor points terminated on Point Termination
Modules (PTMs) with an optional manual override
switch.
APOGEE firmware
In addition to CM 1.x and revision 12.0 and higher
logical firmware, APOGEE firmware supports the
following additional status indicator:
• ALMACK

Commanding and evaluating the HAND status

The HAND status is only used in conjunction with
Point Termination Modules (PTMs) in CM and
APOGEE firmware. Some PTMs are built with an
optional manual override switch that is a
mechanical switch that enables you to control
equipment at the PTM.
CAUTION:
The PTM manual override switch is not
intended to be used as a safety device when
performing maintenance. If you use the PTM
manual override switch as a safety device, it
can result in serious injury to personnel or
cause damage to property in the area.
Continue to follow safety procedures when
performing maintenance.
Because the HAND status identifies a point being

controlled by a PTM manual override switch, and
not the system, you cannot command points to
HAND by using an operator interface. For the
same reason, points cannot be commanded to or
removed from HAND status by using program
statements. The only method you can use to
control whether a point is placed into or taken out
of HAND status is by using the PTM manual
override switch.
When a point is placed in HAND, the ability to
control the point is taken away from the system.
Before attempting to command points that contain
PTM manual override switches, it is
recommended that you check the status of the
PTM to ensure that the point can be commanded.
The HAND status appears as part of the overall
point status and informs you that a PTM manual

override switch has taken the ability to control that

piece of equipment away from the operator
interface and PPCL. Whenever points are in
HAND status, you cannot control that equipment
until the PTM manual override is switched back to
the AUTO position.
When a point is at HAND status, PPCL continues
to issue commands to that point. Since the point is
being controlled through the use of a PTM, those
commands issued by PPCL do not take effect.
When the point is switched back to the AUTO
position, the last command issued to that point,
while in HAND, is executed.
To evaluate the status of a point while in HAND,
refer to the following list:
For the HAND status:
• The point is being controlled by the PTM
• The point value cannot be determined.
For the HAND OFF status:
• The equipment being controlled is OFF.
For the HAND ON status:
• The equipment being controlled is ON.

CAUTION:
Be aware of how your system will react before
attempting to take control of the system using
a PTM override switch. Manually controlling
equipment can cause the system to react in an
unstable manner. You may also need to
perform other functions once you return
control to the system before normal operations
can resume.
Unitary firmware
Unitary firmware uses the same syntactical
conventions for status indicators as Revision 9.2
and higher logical firmware, but does not support
FAST, SLOW and AUTO indicators. Refer to
Revision 9.2 and higher logical firmware under the
Determining point status using logical firmware.

Start/Stop Time Optimization (SSTO)
The Start/Stop Time Optimization (SSTO) feature

starts and stops equipment at variable times
based on calculations that determine the optimal
use of the system. Start and stop times of
equipment depend upon the outside and inside
temperatures of the building.
For example, SSTO is controlling a lobby of a
building. When the lobby opens at 8:00 a.m, the
temperature must be 75°F. If the temperature of
the lobby is 72°F at 7:30 a.m., SSTO determines
that the system will need 10 minutes to raise the
temperature 3°F to 75°F by 8:00. SSTO starts the
warm-up procedure for the lobby at 7:50 a.m.
On another day, the temperature of the lobby is
69°F. SSTO computes that the system needs 20
minutes to warm the lobby to 75°F by 8:00 a.m.
With this calculation, SSTO starts the warm-up
procedure at 7:40 a.m.
Each time the value of the indoor or outdoor air
temperature changes, SSTO recalculates the
optimal values. Those values are then applied to
the optimization equation so that the system does
not waste energy conditioning air that does not
need to be conditioned.
You should be careful when points you define for
SSTO are commanded by another application
such as Duty Cycling (DC). If you have a point
being controlled by SSTO and DC during the
same time period, one program could interfere
with the operations of the other. Be careful when
designing your programs so functions do not
conflict.

You should use the SSTO program in areas such

as extreme (outside) zones, unstable
environments, and zones where temperature is
affected by elements like wind, sunlight, or
auxiliary sources of heating or cooling loads.
There are three PPCL commands for SSTO
defined in the field panel. They must be specified
in the following order:
TODMOD - This command is shared with the
Time-Of-Day group of statements, but is
necessary for SSTO to work. TODMOD defines
the specific mode for each day of the week.
SSTOCO - This command establishes the thermal
characteristics of the building based on how the
building reacts to changes in temperature.
SSTO - This command calculates optimal start
and stop times.
All optimization calculations and equipment control
are performed in the field panel where the SSTO
and SSTOCO commands are defined. Each
program within a field panel may also perform
SSTO calculations for up to 5 zones.
SSTO adjusted start and stop time

Ast (start time) and Asp (stop time) times will be
added to or subtracted from the calculated times.
If these values become large enough, they can
force SSTO to start or stop at the earliest (est) or
latest (lst) times.
The total adjustment to the calculated start time
(ast) and the total adjust to the calculated stop
time (asp) in the SSTO PPCL statement are
variables used by each program within the field
panel to fine-tune the calculated start time (cst)
and the calculated stop times (csp). Each day, the

SSTO statement increments or decrements these

values by the heating auto-tune coefficient
(hceof4) and the cooling auto-tune coefficient
(ccoef4), defined in the SSTOCO statement. This
time will be added to or subtracted from the
calculation times.
The variables ast and asp should be set to zero
upon initial setup of the SSTO statement.
Typically, these values will stay below 5 times the
variables hcoef4 or ccoef4 in a SSTO statement
that has been set up properly. The variables ast
and asp may change to help tune the times. If
allowed to reach a high number, it is possible for
ast to adjust the cst past the earliest start time
(est) or latest start time (lst) and asp to adjust the
csp past the latest start time (lst) or latest stop
time (lsp). This means that the equipment will
always start or stop at the earliest or latest start or
stop time.
If the variables ast and/or asp are continually
incrementing or decrementing calculated times,
then the SSTO setup should be checked. The
SSTOCO coefficients should be examined. The
example values for these coefficients from the
PPCL manual should not be used without first
calculating what the number should be.
Formulas for SSTO

The formulas on the following pages are used for
calculating the optimal start and stop times during
the heating and cooling seasons.

For optimum start time in the cooling season

If indoor temperature is less than the desired
temperature, then the optimum start time is LB.
Where:
LB = latest begin time defined in the
SSTO command.
If indoor temperature is greater than or equal to

the desired temperature, then the optimum start
time is:
OB - (d * CC) - (d * f * (CT/10)) + AB
Where:
OB = occupancy begin time from SSTO

command.
d = indoor temperature - desired
temperature.
CC = cooling coefficient (ccoef1) from
SSTOCO command.
f = outdoor temperature - desired
temperature.
CT = cooling transfer coefficient (ccoef3)
from SSTOCO command.
AB adjust begin time from SSTO
command.

For optimum stop time in the cooling season

temperature, then the optimum stop time is:
OE + ((10 * CR * d)/f) + AE
Where:
OB = occupancy end time from SSTO

command.
CR = cooling retention coefficient
(ccoef2) from SSTOCO command.
temperature.
temperature.
AE = adjust end time from SSTO
command.

the desired temperature, the optimum stop time is
LE:
Where:
LE = latest end time from SSTO

command.

For optimum start time in the heating season

temperature, then the optimum start time is:
OB + (d x HC) - ((d * f * HT) / 25) + AB
Where:
OB = occupancy begin time from SSTO

command.
temperature.
HC = heating coefficient (hcoef1) from
SSTOCO command.
temperature.
HT heating transfer coefficient
(hcoef3) from SSTOCO command.
AB adjust begin time from SSTO
command.

the desired temperature, then the optimum stop
time is LB:
Where:
LB = latest begin time from SSTO
command.

For optimum stop time in the heating season

temperature, then the optimum stop time is LE:
Where:
LE = latest end time from SSTO
command.

the desired temperature, then the optimum stop
time is:
OE + ((25 * HR * d) / f) + AE
Where:
OE = occupancy end time from SSTO
command.
HR = heating retention coefficient
temperature.
temperature.
command.

For cooling mode at occupancy begin

If indoor temperature is greater than the desired
temperature plus one degree, then:
AB = AB - CA
Where:
AB = adjust begin time from SSTO
command.
CA = cooling auto-step coefficient

temperature minus one degree, then:
AB = AB + CA
Where:
command.

For cooling mode at occupancy end

AE = AE + CA
Where:
command.

AE = AE - CA
Where:
command.

For heating mode at occupancy begin

AB = AB + HA
Where:
command.
HA = heating auto-stop coefficient
If indoor temperature is less than desired the

AB = AB - HA
Where:
command.

For heating mode at occupancy end

temperature plus one degree, then
AE = AE - HA:
Where:
command.

AE = AE + HA
Where:
command.

Time-Of-Day (TOD)
The Time-Of-Day (TOD) function is the software

equivalent of the time clock. TOD starts and stops
equipment according to a defined schedule. TOD
can be used for running equipment on a
scheduled basis. Equipment that can use the
functionality of TOD are lights, doors (locking and
unlocking), or exhaust fans.
CAUTION:
Be careful when points you define for TOD
are commanded by another application such
as Duty Cycling (DC). If you have a point
being controlled by TOD and DC during the
same time period, one program could
interfere with the operation of the other.
Time-Of-Day commands
These commands are the actual TOD specific
functions used in TOD programs. The TODMOD
statement must come first before any number of
TOD or TODSET statements. Refer to the
following:
TODMOD - Defines the types of schedules
(normal, weekend, etc.) for each day of the week.
TOD - Commands up to 16 digital points ON or
OFF at specified times.
TODSET - Sets the values of up to ten analog
points at specified start and stop times during the
day.

You can also use the HOLIDA command in

conjunction with the group of TOD commands.
The HOLIDA command allows you to change the
schedules for equipment during holidays. This
command must be placed before any TOD or
TODSET commands.
NOTE: You can also create schedules using the
Time-of-Day (TOD) calendar that offers you a
menu-driven interface. For complete information
on defining and maintaining daily operating
schedules using the TOD calendar, refer to Field
Panel User’s Manual (125-1895). If there is an
APOGEE field panel available, refer to the
APOGEE Field Panel User’s Manual (125-3000)
for an alternate method of TOD programming.
TOD examples
The following examples illustrate the results when
defining holidays using the PPCL HOLIDA
statement or the TOD Calendar.
Example 1: Holidays defined in TOD calendar, but not in

PPCL
The TOD calendar has the following entries:
03-May-1994 Holiday
08-Sep-1994 Holiday
The program contains the following PPCL TOD

commands:
100 TODMOD(1,1,1,1,1,1,1)
110 TOD(1,1,18:00,07:00,LITE1)
120 TOD(1,1,18:00,19:00,FAN1)
130 TOD(16,1,17:00,10:30,LITE1)

Based upon this schedule, every day except May

3 or September 8, LITE1 will go ON at 18:00 and
turn OFF at 07:00, and FAN1 will go ON at 18:00
and turn OFF at 19:00. On May 3 and September
8, LITE1 will go ON at 17:00 and turn OFF at
10:30, while FAN1 will not be commanded.
Example 2: Holidays defined in PPCL, but not in the TOD

calendar
50 HOLIDA(5,3,9,8)
The following TOD commands are defined in the

TOD database:
Monday - Sunday
07:00:00 OFF LITE1
18:00:00 ON FAN1
18:00:00 ON LITE1
19:00:00 OFF FAN1
Holiday
10:30:00 OFF LITE1
17:00:00 ON LITE1
Based upon this database, everyday, except May

3 and September 8, LITE1 will go ON at 18:00 and
turn OFF at 07:00, and FAN1 will go ON at 18:00
and turn OFF at 19:00. On May 3 and September
8, LITE1 will go ON at 17:00 and turn OFF at
10:30, while FAN1 will not be commanded.
Example 3: Holidays defined in both PPCL HOLIDA and the

TOD calendar
Problems can occur if different holiday schedules
are defined in the HOLIDA statement and defined

in the TOD calendar, and then both methods are

used at the same time. The equipment
commanded by the PPCL TOD command for
holiday mode 16 will execute not only the holidays
defined in the HOLIDA statement, but also those
defined in the TOD calendar. As the following
example illustrates, the holiday schedule will result
in the equipment operating over its required
timetable.
NOTE: If you choose to define a holiday using the
TOD calendar and the PPCL HOLIDA statement,
make sure that the holiday is defined as the same
day in both places.
In Example 3, the HOLIDA statement defines
these holidays:
100 HOLIDA(4,1,6,14)
The TOD calendar defines the following holidays:

03-May-1994 Holiday
08-Sep-1994 Holiday
The following TOD commands are defined in the

TOD database:
Monday - Sunday
07:00:00 OFF LITE1
18:00:00 ON FAN1
18:00:00 ON LITE1
19:00:00 OFF FAN1

Holiday
10:30:00 OFF LITE1
17:00:00 ON LITE1
Because TOD recognizes holidays defined in

PPCL and in the TOD calendar, LITE1 will operate
according to the holiday schedule on four days:
4/1, 5/3, 6/14, and 9/8. This would cause a
problem if LITE1 was originally assigned to
operate on a holiday schedule of May 3rd and
September 8th.
IF/THEN/ELSE Time-Of-Day
Although Time-Of-Day uses actual commands
dedicated to performing TOD functions, time
scheduling can be accomplished using the
IF/THEN/ELSE commands.
The following example illustrates TOD scheduling
using conditional testing:
One of the simplest applications for time
scheduling using conditional tests is the control of
lights. You decide to control the outdoor parking
lights for a building using IF/THEN/ELSE
commands. You set up a schedule so that the
lights are ON from 7:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. The
IF/THEN/ELSE statement might look like the
following:
100 C THIS LINE OF CODE TURNS THE LIGHTS
102 C OFF AT 5:00 AM AND ON AT 7:00 PM.
104 C
110 IF(TIME.GT.5:00.AND.TIME.LT.19:00)THEN
OFF(LITES)ELSE ON(LITES)

APOGEE interaction with PPCL TOD

APOGEE field panels contain an application called
equipment scheduling, which replaces TOD in
PPCL. Some portions of TOD programming are
shared by equipment scheduling, specifically the
system calendar. Equipment scheduling uses
replacement days and special days. The R1
replacement day in equipment scheduling
corresponds to the holiday in the TODMOD
statement.

4
Syntax

ACT
! ! ! ! !
Syntax ACT(line1,...,line16)
line1 Valid line numbers for commands
through within the same device as the control
line16 command. You must enter line
numbers as integers, which can range
from 1 to 32,767.
Use This command activates from 1 to 16 lines of

PPCL code so they can be examined and
executed. ACT only enables PPCL lines that are
specifically defined in the command. A range of
PPCL lines cannot be defined using the ACT
command.
Example
100 IF (TIME.GT.8:00.AND.TIME.LT.17:00) THEN
ACT(120) ELSE DEACT(120)
Notes The ACT command only affects PPCL lines

defined in the same device as the statement.
See also DEACT, DISABL, ENABLE

4 - Syntax
ALARM
! ! !
Syntax ALARM(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Names of the points to be alarmed.
through They have to be in the same device.
pt16 They cannot be local variables.
Use This command forces a point into the ALARM

state. Up to 16 points can be placed into an
ALARM state on a single line.
Example
100 IF (ROOM.GT.80.0) THEN ALARM(ROOM25)
Notes The status *AC* is displayed when a point is

commanded to the ALARM state.
Points must be defined as alarmable and be
enabled for alarming in order to be placed into the
alarm-by-command state.
See also DISALM, ENALM, HLIMIT, LLIMIT, NORMAL

AUTO
! ! !
Syntax AUTO(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of LOOAL or LOOAP
through through type points.
pt16
Use This command sets an ON/OFF/AUTO point to

the AUTO position. It can be used only with
LOOAL or LOOAP points. Up to 16 points can be
changed with one command.
Example
100 AUTO(EFAN1,EFAN2,EFAN3)
See also FAST, OFF, ON, SLOW

4 - Syntax
DAY
! ! !
Syntax DAY(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of logical controller
through through (LCTLR) points.
pt16
Use This command changes a logical controller point

to DAY mode. Logical controller point types can be
commanded into DAY or NIGHT mode.
Example
NIGHT(LCTLR2) ELSE DAY(LCTLR2)
For some equipment controllers, DAY mode is

also referred to as OCC (occupied) mode. If an
equipment controller is in the occupied mode,
PPCL recognizes this status as DAY.
See also NIGHT

DBSWIT
! ! ! !
Syntax DBSWIT(type,input,low,high,pt1,...,pt12)
type The type of dead band switch action.
Valid values are 0 and 1.
0 = All output points (pt1,...,pt12) are
commanded ON when the input point
value rises above the high limit, and
are commanded OFF when the input
point value falls below the low limit.
1 = All output points (pt1,...,pt12) are
commanded ON when the input point
value falls below the low limit, and are
commanded OFF when the input point
value rises above the high limit.
input Point name of the analog point. This
can also be a local variable.
low Represents the low temperature at
which a switching action occurs. This
parameter can contain a decimal or
integer value. The parameter can be
defined as a point name, local variable,
or number.
high Represents the high temperature at
which a switching action occurs. This
parameter can contain a decimal or
integer value. The parameter can be
defined as a point name, local variable,
or number.

4 - Syntax
pt1 Names of the points to be turned ON

through and OFF. Local variables can be used.
pt12
Use This command is used to obtain an ON/OFF

switching action of an output point. The
operational status of the point is regulated by an
analog point using a predefined dead band. This is
the software equivalent of a thermostat.
Example 1
200 DBSWIT(1,RMTEMP,LDBAND,HDBAND,SFAN, RFAN)
Example 2
200 DBSWIT(1,RMTEMP,55,58,SFAN,RFAN)

DC
! ! ! !
Syntax DC(pt1,pat1,...,pt8,pat8)
pt1 Point names of the output points to be
through duty cycled. Acceptable point types are
pt8 LDO, LOOAL, LOOAP, L2SL, and
L2SP. Local, virtual, and physical
points are valid for pt1, pt2, pt3, and
pt4, although virtual and physical
points must be of the type specified.
pat1 Hourly pattern that describes how each
through point is duty cycled. Each pattern
pat8 consists of four code numbers
between 0 and 7. Each digit represents
the on/off pattern for 15 minutes of the
hour. Table 4-1 lists the code numbers
for each 15-minute interval. Valid
values include local, physical, and
virtual points, as well as integers.

4 - Syntax
Table 4-1. Duty Cycle Patterns and Numerical

Codes.
First 5 Second 5 Third 5 Duty cycling

minutes minutes minutes code number
for 15-minute
period
OFF OFF OFF 0

ON OFF OFF 1
OFF ON OFF 2
ON ON OFF 3
OFF OFF ON 4
ON OFF ON 5
OFF ON ON 6
ON ON ON 7
Use This command is used to save energy by reducing

the run time of oversized equipment. A 1-hour
interval of time is broken down into four 15-minute
segments. Each segment is then broken into three
5-minute patterns. The ON and OFF commands
defined in the patterns are represented by numeric
codes. Table 4-1 lists the numeric codes and their
ON/OFF patterns. After the patterns are defined,
the code numbers are entered in reverse order.
Refer to the following example:
1000 C THIS DC COMMAND DUTY CYCLES EFAN1

1010 C ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE:
1020 C
1030 C FIRST 15 MINUTES - OFF, OFF, OFF (0)
1040 C SECOND 15 MINUTES - ON, OFF, ON (5)
1050 C THIRD 15 MINUTES - OFF, ON, ON (3)
1060 C FOURTH 15 MINUTES - OFF, OFF, ON (1)
1070 DC(EFAN1,1350)

The code numbers and patterns are evaluated by

reading the time in 5-minute intervals from right to
left. The first 15-minute pattern is determined by
the right-most code digit. The last 15-minute
pattern is determined by the left-most code
number.
Notes The DC command has a priority of NONE.

Therefore, the PPCL program must be structured
with IF/THEN/ELSE commands to prevent
conflicts between DC and other commands with
the same priority.
See also DCR

4 - Syntax
DCR
! ! ! !
Syntax DCR(pt1,temp1,high1,low1,...,pt4,temp4,high4,low4)
pt1 Point names of output points to be duty
through cycled. Acceptable point types for this
pt4 command are LDO, logical, physical,
and virtual. Virtual and physical types
must be of the type specified.
temp1 Point names of the space temperature
through points.
temp4
high1 High temperature limits of the space
through points. Any number entered for this
high4 parameter can be a decimal, integer,
point name, or local variable.
low1 Low temperature limits of the space
through points. Any number entered for this
low4 parameter can be a decimal, integer,
Use This command duty cycles an output point to keep

a corresponding temperature within a dead band
defined with low and high values. This function
allows you to define up to four points (pt1 through
pt4). For each point, you must define a temp, high,
and low parameter. An ON/OFF decision is made
every 5 minutes according to the value of the
parameters. The output point is ON when the
temperature point is above the high limit or below
the low limit. When the point value is within the

range of the high and low limit, it is commanded

OFF.
Example
200 C THIS COMMAND WILL TURN ON IF
210 C SFAN'S VALUE FALLS BELOW 68 OR
220 C RISES ABOVE 78. THE POINT SFAN01
230 C WILL REMAIN ON/OFF FOR AT LEAST 5
240 C MINUTES ON EACH CYCLE.
250 DCR(SFAN01,RM109,78.0,68.0)
Notes The DC command has a priority of NONE.

Therefore, the PPCL program must be structured
with IF/THEN/ELSE commands to prevent
conflicts between DCR and other commands with
the same priority.
See also DC

4 - Syntax
DEACT
! ! ! !
Syntax DEACT(line1,...,line16)
line1 Valid line numbers for commands,
through which reside in the same device as the
line16 control command. The numbers must
be entered as integers ranging from 1
to 32,767.
Use This command allows you to disable a maximum

of 16 lines of PPCL which prevents them from
being examined or executed. DEACT only
disables PPCL lines that are specifically defined in
the command. A range of PPCL lines cannot be
defined using the DEACT command.
Example
100 IF (TIME.GT.8:00.AND.TIME.LE.17:00) THEN
ACT(120,130) ELSE DEACT(120,130)
Notes The DEACT command only affects the lines of

PPCL program for the device where the program
resides.
See also ACT, DISABL, ENABLE

DEFINE
Syntax DEFINE(abbrev,string)
abbrev Text string used in other PPCL statements,
representing the string parameter.
string Actual text string that will be substituted
where the abbreviation is used. The string
text usually contains a significant portion of
a long point name.
Use This statement creates an abbreviated notation for

a long point name. When used in the program, a
percentage (%) must be placed before and after
the abbreviation.
Example
10 DEFINE(AHU,”BUILDING1.AHU01.”)
20 ON(“%AHU%SFAN”)
Without the use of DEFINE, this same line of code

would look like the following:
20 ON(“BUILDING1.AHU01.SFAN”)
Notes This statement is executed when added to the

field panel and does not require enabling or
execution in the normal program flow.
DEFINE allows program logic to be easily
duplicated provided your facility uses structured
point names.

4 - Syntax
DISABL
! ! !
Syntax DISABL(line1,...,line16)
line1 Valid line number for commands which
through reside in the same device as the
line16 control command. The numbers must
be entered as integers ranging from 1
to 32,767.
Use This command allows you to disable a maximum

of 16 lines of PPCL which prevents them from
being examined or executed. DISABL only
disables PPCL lines that are specifically defined in
the command. You cannot define a range of PPCL
lines using the DISABL command.
Example
100 IF (TIME.GT.8:00.AND.TIME.LE.17:00) THEN
ENABLE(120,130) ELSE DISABL (120,130)
Notes The DEACT and DISABL commands can be used

interchangeably.
The DISABL command only affects the lines of
resides.
See also ACT, DEACT, ENABLE

DISALM
! ! ! !
Syntax DISALM(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Names of the points that should have
through alarm reporting disabled.
pt16
Use This command disables the alarm printing

capabilities for specified points. Up to 16 points
can be enabled for alarm reporting by one
command. The point status changes to *PDSB*
after it has been DISALMed.
Example
50 IF (SFAN.EQ.OFF) THEN DISALM(ROOM1) ELSE
ENALM(ROOM1)

not reside in the device in which the control
program is written. DISALM cannot be used to
directly disable alarm reporting over the network.
See also ALARM, ENALM, HLIMIT, LLIMIT, NORMAL

4 - Syntax
DISCOV
! ! !
Syntax DISCOV(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of the points for which
through Change-Of-Value (COV) reporting is
pt16 disabled. Up to 16 points can be
controlled by a single DISCOV
command.
Use This command is used to stop the reporting of

updated values (COVs) by devices to the Insight
Minicomputer on a Protocol 1 trunk. On a Protocol
2 trunk, the reporting of COVs will be stopped only
if the minicomputer is defined as node 100. When
this command is executed, all operations that use
COVs to function, will stop. Until the points defined
in this command are enabled, updates to graphics,
archiving, COV printing, alarming, and in some
cases evaluation of equations, will stop. Points
defined in the statement must reside in the same
device as the DISCOV command.
Example
50 IF (SFAN.EQ.OFF) THEN DISCOV(ROOM1, ROOM2)
ELSE ENCOV(ROOM1,ROOM2)
See also ENCOV

DPHONE
9.1 ! 2.1
Syntax DPHONE(pn#1,...,pn#16)
pn#1 Telephone ID numbers that are
through defined in the device.
pn#16
Use This command disables telephone ID numbers.

The telephone ID number represents the numeric
code given to the actual telephone number
defined in the device. You can disable a maximum
of 16 telephone number IDs with the DPHONE
command.
Example
532 DPHONE(1,2,3,5,6)
Notes The DPHONE command cannot be used over a

network.
See also EPHONE

4 - Syntax
EMAUTO
! ! !
Syntax EMAUTO(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of LOOAL or LOOAP
through points.
pt16
Use This command is used to change ON/OFF/AUTO

points to the AUTO (local control) state with
emergency priority. You can command up to 16
LOOAP or LOOAL points.
See also EMFAST, EMOFF, EMON, EMSET, EMSLOW

EMFAST
! ! !
Syntax EMFAST(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of LFSSL or LFSSP
through points.
pt16
Use This command is used to change FAST/SLOW/

STOP points to the FAST state with emergency
priority. You can command up to 16 LFSSP or
LFFSL points.
See also EMAUTO, EMOFF, EMON, EMSET, EMSLOW

4 - Syntax
EMOFF
! ! ! !
Logical EMOFF(pt1,...,pt16)
syntax
pt1 Point names of LDI, LDO, L2SL, L2SP,

through LOOAL, or LOOAP.
pt16
Physical EMOFF(prior,pt1)
syntax
prior Identifies the priority that pt1 should be

commanded to. Valid options are:
501 - Commands a point OFF and
places the point into EMER priority.
32523 - Commands a point OFF and
places the point into NONE priority.
pt1 Point name of a LDI, LDO, L2SL,
L2SP, LOOAL, or LOOAP point.
Use When this command is executed, the points

defined are commanded OFF. Depending on the
type of firmware you have and how you define the
parameters, the priority of the point can also be
changed. You can command a total of 16 points.
See also EMAUTO, EMFAST, EMON, EMSET, EMSLOW

EMON
! ! ! !
Logical EMON(pt1,...,pt16)
syntax
pt1 Point names of LDI, LDO, L2SL, L2SP,

through LOOAL, or LOOAP.
pt16
Physical EMON(prior,pt1)
syntax
prior Identifies the priority that pt1 should be

commanded to. Valid options are:
501 - Commands a point ON and
places the point into EMER priority.
32523 - Commands a point ON and
places the point into NONE priority.
pt1 Point name of a LDI, LDO, L2SL,
L2SP, LOOAL, or LOOAP point.
Use When this command is executed, the defined points

are commanded ON. Depending on the type of
firmware you have and how you define the
parameters, the priority of the point can also be
changed. You can specify a maximum of 16 points
with a single command.
See also EMAUTO, EMFAST, EMOFF, EMSET, EMSLOW

4 - Syntax
EMSET
! ! !
Syntax EMSET(value,pt1,...,pt15)
value All the points defined in the statement
will be commanded to this analog
value. This parameter can be a
integer, decimal, point name, or local
variable.
pt1 Point names of LAI or LAO points.
through
pt15
Use This command is used to set the value of analog

points with emergency priority. You can specify a
maximum of 15 points with a single command.
See also EMAUTO, EMFAST, EMOFF, EMON, EMSLOW

EMSLOW
! ! !
Syntax EMSLOW(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of LFSSL or LFSSP
through points.
pt16
Use This command is used to change

FAST/SLOW/STOP points to the SLOW state with
emergency priority. You can command a
maximum of 16 LFSSP or LFFSL points.
See also EMAUTO, EMFAST, EMOFF, EMON, EMSET

4 - Syntax
ENABLE
! ! !
Syntax ENABLE(line1,...,line16)
line1 Valid line numbers for commands
through within the same device as the control
line16 command. Line numbers must be
entered as integers from 1 to 32,767.
Use This command allows you to examine and execute

lines of PPCL code. You can enable a maximum
of 16 lines with a single ENABLE command.
ENABLE only enables PPCL lines that are
specifically defined in the command. A range of
PPCL lines cannot be defined with the ENABLE
command. You must specify each PPCL line
separately.
Example
ENABLE(120) ELSE DISABL(120)
Notes The ACT and ENABLE commands can be used

interchangeably.
The ENABLE command only affects the lines of
resides.
See also ACT, DEACT, DISABL

ENALM
! ! ! !
Syntax ENALM(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names whose alarm reporting
through through capabilities are to be enabled.
pt16
Use This command enables the alarm printing

capabilities for the specified points. Up to 16
points can be enabled for alarm reporting by one
command.
Example
50 IF (SFAN.EQ.ON) THEN ENALM(ROOM1) ELSE
DISALM(ROOM1)

not reside in the same device as the ENALM
command.
This command reverses the DISALM command.
Points must still be set up for alarming and have
the ability to report alarms.
This command does not override *ODSB*.
See also ALARM, DISALM, HLIMIT, LLIMIT, NORMAL

4 - Syntax
ENCOV
! ! !
Syntax ENCOV(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of the points for which
through Change-Of-Value (COV) reporting is
pt16 enabled. A maximum of 16 points can
be controlled by a single ENCOV
command.
Use This command is used to enable the reporting of

updated values (COVs) by devices to the Insight
Minicomputer on a Protocol 1 trunk. On a Protocol
2 trunk, the reporting of COVs can be enabled
only if the minicomputer is defined as node 100.
When this command is executed, all operations
that use COVs to function, will start reporting.
Unless the points defined in this command are
disabled, updates to graphics, archiving, COV
printing, alarming, and in some cases evaluation
of equations are reported. Points defined in the
statement must reside in the same device as the
ENCOV command.
Example
50 IF (SFAN.EQ.ON) THEN ENCOV(ROOM1, ROOM2)
ELSE DISCOV(ROOM1,ROOM2)
See also DISCOV

EPHONE
9.1 ! 2.1
Syntax EPHONE(pn#1,...,pn#16)
pn#1 Telephone ID numbers that are
through defined in the device.
pn#16
Use This command enables a telephone ID number.

The telephone ID number represents the numeric
code given to the actual telephone number
defined in the device. You can enable a maximum
of 16 telephone number IDs with the EPHONE
command.
Example
532 EPHONE(1,2,3,5,6)
Notes The EPHONE command cannot be used over a

network.
See also DPHONE

4 - Syntax
FAST
! ! !
Syntax FAST(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names of LFSSL or LFSSP type
through points.
pt16
Feature added to revision 9.2 logical firmware, CM

FAST(@ prior, pt1,...,pt15)
@prior Defines a specific point priority.
pt1 Names of LFSSL or LFSSP type
through points.
pt15
Use This command changes the operational status of

a FAST/SLOW/STOP point to FAST. A single
FAST command can be used to change the
operational status of up to 16 LFSSL or LFSSP
points. If you change the priority of the points, you
can only define a total of 15 points.
Example
10 IF (RMTEMP.GT.78.0)THEN FAST(@NONE,
FAN1,FAN2)
See also AUTO, OFF, ON, SLOW

GOSUB
! ! ! ! !
Logical GOSUB line# pt1,...,pt15

syntax
or - (parentheses are optional)
GOSUB line# (pt1,...,pt15)
line# Line number. This number indicates
which program command line is to be
executed next (i.e., where the
subroutine starts). This line must be a
value from 1 through 32,767.
pt1 Point name or local variables whose
through values are to be passed to the
pt15 subroutine. They can be omitted if the
subroutine does not use variable
arguments.
Physical GOSUB line#

syntax
line# Line number. This number indicates

which program command line is to be
executed next (i.e., where the
subroutine starts). This line must be a
value from 1 through 32,767.
Use When this command is executed, the next line to

be evaluated will be the line specified in the
command. When the computer encounters a
RETURN command in the subroutine, the next

4 - Syntax
line executed will be the line following the GOSUB

statement.
Subroutines are particularly useful for programs in
which the same calculation is carried out several
times using different values.
The variable parameters in a subroutine are
designated by the resident point names $ARG1
through $ARG15. These variables can be used by
PPCL code in the subroutine in the same way that
point names and constants are used. To explain
the concept of subroutine program control, a
hypothetical section of program code is provided.
Program flow sequence
The following example demonstrates how a
number of PPCL commands are used in
subroutines. The main subroutine commands,
GOSUB and RETURN are required for all
subroutines. The $ARG command demonstrates
how values are passed between subroutines. The
GOTO command, which is used to bypass
subroutines, is also shown in this example.
Refer to Figure 4-1 as you follow the program flow
sequence. This program uses the variables PT1
and PT2 to demonstrate the passing of values
between subroutines. The program flow through
one complete pass is as follows:
1. At line 130, the program branches to line
1010.
2. At line 1010, the program assigns a value of
10 to PT1 and the value of 20 to PT2. Line
1030 branches back to the line after the
GOSUB command (at line 130). After the
program returns to the main line code, the

values of the two points become:

PT1 = 10
PT2 = 20
3. The program continues to sequentially
evaluate program lines until it encounters the
GOSUB command at line 300. The program
branches to line 2010. This command also
defines two values that are passed (PT1 and
PT2).
4. At line 2010, a $ARGn point is assigned a
value. When the program encounters a
$ARGn point, it checks the calling GOSUB
command for point names. The GOSUB
command used to call this subroutine contains
two point names. When the program
encounters the first $ARGn variable at line
2010, it takes the first point name defined in
the GOSUB command (PT1) and stores that
value in $ARG1 (10). Line 2010 also adds one
(1) to the value of $ARG1.
When the program encounters the second
$ARGn variable at line 2020, it takes the
second point name defined in the GOSUB
command (PT2) and stores that value in
$ARG2 (20). Line 2020 also adds one (1) to
the value of $ARG2.
5. Line 2030 returns control of the program to
the line after the GOSUB command (at line
300). At line 400, the program executes the
GOTO command to line 3000 that returns
control back to mainline code. After one pass
of the program, the values of the points after
being updated by the $ARGn variables, will be
as follows:
PT1 = 11
PT2 = 21

4 - Syntax
Example
100 C MAINLINE PROGRAM FOR LOGICAL FIRMWARE
110 C LEARNING HOW TO USE GOSUB, RETURN, AND
112 C $ARG COMMANDS.***
120
130 GOSUB 1010
...
...
...
300 GOSUB 2010 PT1, PT2
...
...
...
400 GOTO 3000
1000 C --SUBROUTINE 1
1001 C THIS SUBROUTINE ASSIGNS NUMBERS
1002 C TO PT1 AND PT2. IT THEN RETURNS
1004 C CONTROL TO THE MAIN PROGRAM.
1008 C
1010 PT1 = 10
1020 PT2 = 20
1030 RETURN
2000 C --SUBROUTINE 2
2001 C THIS SUBROUTINE PASSES THE VALUE OF
2002 C PT1 AND PT2 TO THEIR RESPECTIVE $ARG
2003 C POINTS. IT THEN ADDS ONE TO BOTH $ARG
2004 C POINTS AND RETURNS THE NEW VALUES TO
2005 C PT1 AND PT2.
2006 C
2010 $ARG1 = $ARG1 + 1
2020 $ARG2 = $ARG2 + 1
2030 RETURN
3000 C After the subroutine is through

3002 C executing, the program returns to
3004 C mainline code.
Figure 4-1. Example Program with Two

Subroutines.

Nested subroutines
A multiple level subroutine is a block of program
code that is called from within another subroutine.
Each call you make within a subroutine constitutes
a level. You are limited to a total of eight levels.
If you need to use multi-level subroutines, the
rules that govern $ARGn variables and point
name declarations for GOSUB commands change
slightly. When using $ARGn variables in a multi-
level subroutines, you cannot share the $ARGn
variables between subroutine levels. Once a value
is assigned to a $ARGn variable, you must retain
that value by not assigning another value to that
variable.
The following example demonstrates the use of
$ARGn variables and point declarations used in
multiple level subroutines. This example contains
a main line section of program code and three
subroutines. It demonstrates a method to preserve
the values of $ARGn variables as you transfer
program control among subroutines.
Refer to Figure 4-2 as you follow the steps of the
example program code:
1. During the evaluation of mainline code, the
program encounters a subroutine call at line
1500. The GOSUB command transfers
control to line 2030. This command also
passes the value of PT1 to the subroutine.
2. While executing the first subroutine, the
program encounters a call to a second
subroutine (located at line 2500). Since this
call is defined within another subroutine, and a
variable has been passed (PT1 to $ARG1),
you must retain the value of $ARG1 by

4 - Syntax
defining $ARG1 in the GOSUB command

used to call the second subroutine.
If you do not define $ARG1 in the call to the
second subroutine, any value you introduce in
the second subroutine replaces the value in
$ARG1. By redefining $ARG1, you protect that
value by passing it to the second subroutine.
As you introduce a new value in the second
subroutine (the example defines a point called
PT2), then that point is defined after the
$ARGn variable. Line 2500 demonstrates a
GOSUB command which saves a previously
used $ARGn value and passes a new point
called PT2.
As you work with the variables $ARG1 and
PT2 in the second subroutine, $ARG1
continues to represent the value of PT1, while
$ARG2 represents the value of PT2.
3. At line 3200, the second subroutine calls a
third subroutine. In order to preserve the
values of $ARG1 and $ARG2, you must
define them in the GOSUB command (as
shown in line 3200) that calls the third
subroutine. Note how $ARG1 and $ARG2 are
placed in a sequential order to maintain their
previous point values.

1000 C MAINLINE PROGRAM FOR LOGICAL FIRMWARE

1010 C
1020 C THIS PROGRAM TEACHES HOW GOSUBS AND
1030 C $ARG POINTS WORK IN MULTIPLE
1040 C LEVEL SUBROUTINES.
1050 C
1100 ...
1200 ...
1300 ...
1350 C THIS GOSUB CALLS THE FIRST SUBROUTINE
1360 C AND PASSES A VALUE DEFINED IN PT1 TO
1370 C TO $ARG1.
1380 C
1500 GOSUB 2030 PT1
2000 C
2010 C SUBROUTINE #1
2020 C
2030 ...
2040 ...
2050 ...
2060 C IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE VALUE LOCATED
2070 C IN $ARG1, YOU MUST DEFINE $ARG1 IN THE
2080 C SECOND SUBROUTINE'S CALLING GOSUB. THE
2090 C PROGRAM ALSO PASSES A SECOND POINT
2100 C VALUE NAMED PT2.
2110 C
2500 GOSUB 3030 $ARG1,PT2
2510 RETURN
3000 C
3020 C
3030 ...
3040 ...
3050 C IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE VALUES
3060 C LOCATED IN $ARG1 AND $ARG2, YOU MUST
3070 C DEFINE BOTH POINTS IN THE THIRD
3080 C SUBROUTINE'S CALLING GOSUB. THE
3090 C PROGRAM ALSO PASSES A THIRD POINT
3100 C VALUE CALLED PT3.
3200 GOSUB 4020 $ARG1,$ARG2,PT3
3210 RETURN
4010 C
4020 ...
4030 ...
4040 RETURN
Figure 4-2. Multiple Level Subroutines.

4 - Syntax
As the program branches from the second

subroutine to the third subroutine, $ARG1 and
$ARG2 continue to represent PT1 and PT2
respectively. Both $ARGn points retain their
values because they are passed as
parameters in the GOSUB command. Line
3200 also defines a new point called PT3.
Note how PT3 is placed after the two $ARGn
variables. Any new points you declare in the
subroutine must be placed after the variables
whose value you want to retain.
Notes The last line of a subroutine must be a RETURN

command.
Do not use time-based commands such as
LOOP, SAMPLE, TOD, and WAIT inside a
subroutine.
Do not transfer control out of a subroutine without
using a RETURN command. A GOTO command
can be used inside of a subroutine only if the
command does not transfer program control out of
that subroutine.
A GOSUB command cannot be used in an
IF/THEN/ELSE command.
A GOSUB command can only reference point
names or local variables.
See also RETURN, GOTO

GOTO
! ! ! ! !
Syntax GOTO line#

line# The next line number to which
execution is directed. This line must be
a number from 1 to 32,767.
Use This command is used to control program

execution by branching to a different section of the
program.
Example
10 IF (FANRUN.GE.1000) THEN GOTO 50
Notes A GOTO command should only transfer program

control to a sequentially higher line number.
If the line number indicated in the GOTO does not
exist, execution is transferred to the next line after
the line number specified in the GOTO command.
A GOTO command should not transfer program
control to a comment line.
Do not use the GOTO command to transfer
control to the top of a program. If the last program
line is missed because of this, time-based
commands (LOOP, WAIT, etc.) will not function
properly.
See also GOSUB

4 - Syntax
HLIMIT
! ! ! !
Syntax HLIMIT(value,pt1,...,pt15)
value New value to which the high limit is set.
This value can be a decimal, a point
name, or a local variable. Integers are
not allowed.
pt1 Logical names of analog points whose
through high limits are changed to the new
pt15 value. These points must be in the
same device as the command.
Use This command is used to set a new high alarm

limit for alarmable analog points. Up to 15 points
can be set to the same high limit with one HLIMIT
command.
Example
100 IF (OATEMP.GT.70.0) THEN HLIMIT(84.0,
ROOM16)ELSE HLIMIT(78.0,ROOM16)
Notes A point must be defined as alarmable if it is to be

used in the HLIMIT command.
This command forces an upload of PPCL code to
the mass storage device in all pre-Revision 11.1
logical firmware.
See also ALARM, DISALM, ENALM, LLIMIT, NORMAL

HOLIDA
! ! !
Syntax HOLIDA(month1,day1,...,month8,day8)
month1 Month of the designated holiday. Up to
through eight holidays can be specified with a
month8 single command (January = <1>, June
= <6>, December = <12>, etc.).
day1 Day of the month for the designated
through holiday. Up to eight holidays can be
day8 specified with a single command. The
first day of the month is entered as
<1>.
Use This command is used to define the dates of

holidays up to a year in advance. By entering the
pairs of numbers for the dates (month, day) up to
eight holidays can be defined by one HOLIDA
command.
Example
630 HOLIDA(12,24,12,25,12,26,12,27)
Notes Multiple holiday commands can be used to define

more than eight holidays.
The HOLIDA and TODMOD commands must
precede any TOD or TODSET commands in order
for the program to operate correctly.
A HOLIDA or TODMOD command in a device will
only affect TOD, TODSET and SSTO commands
in that device.

4 - Syntax
When a holiday date occurs in a HOLIDA

command, the mode number for that day in the
TODMOD command is set to 16.
If holidays are defined using the HOLIDA
command, as well as the TOD calendar in the field
panel firmware, make sure that the holidays are
defined as the same day in both places. For
example:
If holidays are defined using the PPCL
HOLIDA statement, and different holidays are
defined in the TOD calendar, the equipment
commanded by the PPCL TOD commands for
mode 16 (holiday schedule) will execute not
only on the holiday defined with the HOLIDA
statement, but also on the holiday defined with
the TOD calendar. In this case, the equipment
would run for more days than necessary
according to the holiday schedule.
See also TOD, TODMOD, TODSET

IF/THEN/ELSE
! ! ! ! !
Syntax IF(exp) THEN x

also
IF(exp) THEN x ELSE y
exp One or more logical or relational tests
that are the basis for the THEN/ELSE
decision making. The logical test can
compare variables, constants, status
indicators, priority indicators, and/or
numbers, state text, and system
points. Several logical tests can be
linked together with relational or logical
operators. You can test a maximum of
13 operands. Operands can be point
names, status indicators (i.e., ON,
ALARM, etc.), @ priority indicators,
and/or numbers.
x Represents a condition, assignment, or
course of action to take if the
expression (exp) is true.
y Represents a condition, assignment, or
course of action to take if the
expression (exp) is false.
Use This conditional logic command is used to provide

customized decision logic. When the IF
expression is true, the THEN command is
executed. If the condition is false, the ELSE
command (if defined) is executed. If the condition

4 - Syntax
is false and no ELSE command is present,

execution continues with the next line of code.
Example 1
110 IF (OATEMP.GT.70.0) THEN OADPR = 80.0
Example 2
ON(@NONE,SFAN) ELSE ON(@OPER, SFAN)
Notes GOSUB commands should not be used for the x

or y parameters.
Time-based commands such as WAIT, and
TODMOD should not be directly used for the x or
y parameters.

INITTO
! ! ! !
Syntax INITTO(value,pt1,...,pt15)
value The new value which replaces the
current totalized values for all specified
points. A number entered for this
parameter must be either a decimal, a
point name, or a local variable.
Integers are not allowed.
pt1 Names of points that are defined for
through totalization. Points must reside in the
pt15 same device as the control program.
Use This command is used to change the totalized

value of a point to a new value (generally 0). A
single command can define up to 15 point names
that will receive the new value.
Example
10 IF (DAYOFM.EQ.1.0) THEN INITTO(0.0,
PMP1,PMP2)
Notes The points defined in this command must reside in

the same device as the command.
The INITTO command cannot reset the value of
LPACI point types. Only points that are defined to
be totalized can be initialized by this command.
When used in APOGEE field panels (which can
totalize individual states of a point), INITTO will
reset all totalized states of a digital point to zero.

4 - Syntax
LLIMIT
! ! ! !
Syntax LLIMIT(value,pt1,...,pt15)
value New value to which the low limit is set.
This value can be a decimal, a point
name, or a local variable. Integers are
not allowed.
pt1 Logical names of analog points whose
through high limits are changed to the new
pt15 value. These points must be in the
same device as the command.
Use This command is used to set a new low alarm limit

for alarmable analog points. A maximum of 15
points can be set to the same low limit with one
LLIMIT command.
Example
100 IF (OATEMP.GT.68.0) THEN LLIMIT(76.0,
ROOM16) ELSE LLIMIT(68.0,ROOM16)
Notes A point must be defined as alarmable if it will be

used in the LLIMIT command.
This command forces an upload of PPCL code to
the mass storage device in all pre-revision 11.1
logical firmware.
See also ALARM, DISALM, ENALM, HLIMIT, NORMAL

LOCAL
Syntax LOCAL (pt1... pt16)

pt1 Names of virtual points created for the
through program.
pt16
Use The program can reference these points as $pt1

through $pt16. Other programs can reference
these points by referencing the program name,
followed by the system delimiter (:), followed by
the local point name.
Example 1
The following is an example of commanding a
local point contained within a program:
100 LOCAL(FANPT)
200 ON($FANPT)
Example 2
The following is an example of a program using
the value of a local point in a different program
(where PROG1 is the program name):
300 IF(“PROG1:FANPT”.EQ.ON)THEN ...

4 - Syntax
LOOP
! ! ! ! !
Logical LOOP(type,pv,cv,sp,pg,ig,dg,st,bias,lo,hi,0)
syntax
type Designates the type of control action.

Your choices are as follows:
0 = direct acting.
128 = reverse acting.
pv Point name of the process variable
which is being controlled or regulated.
It is usually an LAI point, but can be an
LAO point, which represents a
temperature, flow rate, air velocity, etc.
cv Point name of the loop output. It is
usually an LAO point that represents
an actuator signal such as pressure,
current, or voltage. This value can be
entered as a local variable.
sp Set point for the loop against which the
process variable is compared. This
parameter can be entered as a point
name or a decimal number. The value
of the set point should represent the
same engineering units as the process
variable. This value can be entered as
a local variable.
pg Proportional gain determines the part
of a PID control action that is directly
proportional to the error between the
set point (sp) and the process variable

(pv). This parameter can be entered as

a point name, local variable, integer, or
decimal. Proportional gain is calculated
using the following formula:
Full range of
controlled device
pg = Throttling range to x 1000
change the output
device from full open
to full close.
ig Integral gain - The contribution of
integral control action to the total
control action of the loop. Integral
action minimizes offset (the difference
between the process variable and the
set point).
When using integral gain, be sure to
reduce the proportional gain so that
the total gain of the loop is not high
enough to cause instability and cycling.
Begin with a low integral gain and
increase it slowly if required. A
recommended starting point is 2% of
the proportional gain. Adding integral
gain can increase the time required to
tune the loop. This value can be
entered as a point name, integer,
decimal, or local variable. Integral gain
should be calculated by using the
following formulas.
If using an integral gain:
ig = pg x .02
If not using an integral gain:
ig = 0

4 - Syntax
dg Derivative gain - The time rate of

response of the control system.
Derivative gain is usually applied to
fast responding systems. The
derivative gain is entered as an
integer, decimal, point name, or local
variable. When derivative gain is not
used, enter a zero. Adding derivative
tune the loop.
st Sample time. This is how frequently
the process variable (pv) is sampled in
seconds. The minimum sampling time
that can be specified is 1 second. The
sample time is entered as an integer,
decimal, point name, or local variable.
bias Bias (bias) is the value (in engineering
units) of the control output (cv), in a
proportional only loop, when the
measured variable (pv) equals the set
point (sp). The bias is entered as a
decimal number, integer, point name,
or logical point. The bias value should
always be between the high and low
value.
Bias is calculated by adding 50% of the
output control span to the low limit. For
example, you have a valve with a 3 to
8 psi spring range. To calculate the
bias, find one-half of the spring range
(5 psi / 2 = 2.5) and add that value to
the low limit (3 psi). The bias for this
device is 5.5 psi.
lo Low limit of the loop output. This
parameter should be set to match the
low end range of the controlled device.

The low limit is entered as a decimal,

integer, point name, or local variable.
hi High limit of the loop output. This
high end range of the controlled
device. The high limit is entered as a
decimal, integer, point name, or local
variable.
0 Not used. Enter zero.
Example
2000 C CONTROL LOOP STATISTICS (LOGICAL
2002 C FIRMWARE)
2004 C DIRECT CONTROL LOOP
2006 C INPUT = RM100 OUTPUT = HVALVE
2008 C SETPOINT = HSETPT
2010 C PROPORTIONAL GAIN = PGAIN-NO I OR G
2012 C GAINS
2014 C SAMPLE TIME = 1 SECOND
2016 C BIAS = 5.5
2018 C LOW = 3.0
2020 C HIGH = 9.0
2022 LOOP(0,RM100,HVALVE,HSETPT,PGAIN,0,0,1,
5.5,3.0,9.0,0)
Physical LOOP(type,pv,cv,sp,pg,ig,dg,st,bias,lo,hi,0)
syntax
type Designates the type of control action.

Your choices are as follows:
0 = direct acting.
128 = reverse acting.
pv Point name of the process variable
which is being controlled or regulated.
It is usually an LAI point, but can be a
LAO point, which represents a
temperature, flow rate, air velocity, etc.
cv Point name of the loop output. It is
usually an LAO point that represents

4 - Syntax
an actuator signal such as pressure,

current, or voltage. This value can be
entered a local variable.
sp Set point for the loop against which the
process variable is compared. This
parameter can be entered as a point
name or a decimal number. The value
of the set point should represent the
same engineering units as the process
variable. This value can be entered as
a local variable.
pg Proportional gain determines the part
of a PID control action that is directly
proportional to the error between the
set point (sp) and the process variable
(pv). This parameter must be entered
as an integer. Proportional gain is
calculated using the following formula:
Full range of
controlled device
pg = Throttling range to x 1000
change the output
device from full open
to full close.
ig Integral gain determines the
contribution of integral control action to
the total control action of the loop.
Integral action minimizes offset (the
difference between the process
variable and the set point).
When using integral gain, be sure to
reduce the proportional gain so that
the total gain of the loop is not high
enough to cause instability and cycling.
Begin with a low integral gain and
increase it slowly if required. A

recommended starting point is 2% of

the proportional gain. Adding integral
tune the loop.
This value must be entered as an
integer. Integral gain is calculated by
using the following formulas:
ig = pg * .02
If using an integral gain.
ig = 0
If not using an integral gain.
dg Derivative gain defines the time rate of
response of the control system.
Derivative gain is usually applied to
fast responding systems. The
derivative gain is entered as an
integer, point name, or local variable.
When derivative gain is not used, enter
a zero.
st Sample time is how frequent the
process variable (pv) is sampled in
seconds. The minimum sampling time
that can be specified is 1 second. The
sample time is entered as an integer,

4 - Syntax
bias This is the integer representation for

the percent value of control output (cv),
when the measured variable (pv)
equals the set point (sp), and
expressed in terms of low and high
range limits. Bias is entered as a
decimal number, point name, or logical
point. To calculate the bias, use the
following formula:
bias = value desired - lo * 10000
hi - lo
lo Low limit of the loop output. This
low end range of the controlled device.
The low limit is entered as an decimal
number, point name, or local variable.
Use the formulas and the values
shown in Table 4-2 and Table 4-3 to
calculate the low limit.
hi High limit of the loop output. This
high end of the range of the controlled
device. The high limit is entered as a
decimal number, point name, or local
variable. Use the formulas and values
shown in Table 4-2 and Table 4-3 to
calculate the low limit.
0 Not used. Enter zero.

Table 4-2. Loop Limit Calculations.
Output Range of Values Calculation
3-15 psi Desired PSI - 2.6

0.05
PO 8 - 248
Desired kPa - 17.9
(21-103 kPa) 0.3445
1-15 psi Desired psi
0.071
AO-P 14 -211
Desired kPa
(7-103 kPa) 0.4896
4-20 mA Desired mA - 4
0.015625
AO-E 0 - 1023
Desired Vdc
0-10 Vdc 0.09766
Input to another (Desired % Output *
loop (Used for set
point calculation) 4,100 - 20,900 16,800) + 4,100

4 - Syntax
Table 4-3. Loop Limit Values.

PO 3-15 PSI AO-P 1-15 PSI AO-E AO-E Input to another
LOOP
(21-103 kPa) (7-103 kPa) 4-20 mA 0-10 Vdc
PSI Value PSI Value ma Value Vdc Value % Value

(kPa) (kPa) Output
- - 1 (7) 14 4 0 0 0 0 0
- - 2 (14) 28 5 63 1 101 10 5780
3 (21) 8 3 (21) 42 6 127 2 204 20 7460
4 (28) 28 4 (28) 56 7 191 3 306 30 9140
5 (34) 48 5 (34) 70 8 255 4 409 40 10820
6 (41) 68 6 (41) 85 9 319 5 511 50 12500
7 (48) 88 7 (48) 99 10 383 6 613 60 14180
8 (55) 108 8( 55) 113 11 447 7 716 70 15860
9 (62) 128 9 (62) 127 12 511 8 818 80 17540
10 148 10 141 13 575 9 921 90 19220

(70) (70)
168 155 14 639 10 1023 100 20900
11 11
(76) 188 (76) 169 15 703 - - - -
12 208 12 183 16 767 - - - -

(83) (83)
228 197 17 831 - - - -
13 13
248 211 18 895 - - - -
(90) (90)
- - 19 959 - - - -
14 14
(96) - (96) - 20 1023 - - - -
15 15
(103) (103)
- -
- -

Use This command performs closed loop control by

using any combination of proportional, integral,
and derivative control actions in either direct or
reverse acting modes. It monitors an input point
(process variable), compares it with a desired
value (the set point), and adjusts an output
(control variable) to bring the input closer to the
set point. The LOOP command is the software
counterpart to a pneumatic receiver controller.
Anti-windup is automatically prevented for the
integral action once the hi or low limit is reached.
The following example illustrates this concept:
Example
2000 C CONTROL LOOP STATISTICS (PHYSICAL
2002 C FIRMWARE)
2004 C DIRECT CONTROL LOOP
2006 C INPUT = RM100 OUTPUT = HVALVE
2008 C SETPOINT = HSETPT
2010 C PROPORTIONAL GAIN = 4000 I GAIN = 10
2012 C D GAIN = 0
2014 C SAMPLE TIME = 1 SECOND
2016 C BIAS = 42
2018 C LOW = 20
2020 C HIGH = 120
2022 LOOP(0,RM100,HVALVE,HSETPT,4000,
10,0,1,42.0,20.0,120.0,0)

4 - Syntax
MAX
! ! ! ! !
Syntax MAX(result,pt1,...,pt15)
result Point name where the largest value is
stored. This can be a virtual point
name or a local variable.
pt1 Values which are compared. The
through values can be any combination of point
pt15 names, decimals, integers, and local
variables.
Use This command selects the largest value from 2 to

15 point names or numbers, (numbers must be in
decimal format), and stores that value in the result
point.
Example
10 MAX(HOTZON,ZONE1,ZONE2,ZONE3, 9.0)
See also MIN

MIN
! ! ! ! !
Syntax MIN(result,pt1,...,pt15)
result Point name where the lowest value is
stored. This can be a virtual point
name or local variable.
pt1 Values which are compared. The
through values can be any combination of point
pt15 names, decimals, integers, and local
variables.
Use This command selects the lowest value from 2 to

15 point names or numbers (numbers must be in
decimal format), and stores that value in the result
point.
Example
10 MIN(COOLZN,ZONE1,ZONE2,ZONE3,9.0)
See also MAX

4 - Syntax
NIGHT
9.1 ! !
Syntax NIGHT(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Names of logical controller points.
through
pt16
Use This command changes a logical controller point

to NIGHT mode. Logical controller point types can
be commanded into DAY or NIGHT mode. Refer
to the following example:
Example
NIGHT(LCTLR2) ELSE DAY(LCTLR2)
For some equipment controllers, NIGHT mode is

also referred to as UNOCC (unoccupied) mode. If
an equipment controller is in the unoccupied
mode, PPCL recognizes this status as NIGHT.
See also DAY

NORMAL
! ! !
Syntax NORMAL(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Names of the points to be taken out of
through the alarm-by-command state.
pt16
Use This command removes a maximum of 16 points

out of the alarm-by-command condition and
returns them to their normal operating mode.
Example
100 IF (RM90T.GT.80.0) THEN ALARM(ROOM90)
ELSE NORMAL(ROOM90)
See also ALARM, DISALM, ENALM, HLIMIT, LLIMIT

4 - Syntax
OFF
! ! ! ! !
Syntax OFF(pt1,...,pt16)
pt1 Point names that will have their priority
through set to NONE.
pt16
Featured added to revision 9.2 logical firmware,

CM and APOGEE firmware:
OFF(@prior,pt1,...,pt15)
pt1 Point names of the points to be
through commanded. Acceptable point types
pt15 are LDI, LDO, L2SL, L2SP, LOOAL,
LOOAP, LFSSL, and LFSSP.
Use This command can be used to switch a point to

the OFF state. You can change the operational
status for a maximum of 16 points using a single
OFF command. If you change the priority of the
points, you can only specify a maximum of 15
points.
Example
20 IF (OATEMP.GE.63.0) THEN OFF(@NONE,
PUMP1,PUMP2,PUMP3)
Notes FAST/SLOW/STOP points (LFSSL, LFSSP) use

the OFF command for STOP.
See also AUTO, FAST, ON, SLOW

OIP
! ! !
Syntax OIP(trigger, ''seq'')

trigger Point name of an LDO, LDI point, or
local variable used to trigger the
operator sequence.
seq This variable represents the sequence
of keystrokes you would enter if you
were using a terminal. The sequence
must be enclosed in double quotes '' ''.
For each level in the sequence that
you advance, you must enter a slash /.
The sequence must not exceed 60
characters (including slashes) in
length.
Use This command is used to mimic operator

sequences that are normally entered from a
terminal. This command allows most operator
functions to be executed from within a PPCL
program.
The OIP command uses a trigger point to
determine the conditions for execution. When the
trigger point is turned on, then the operator
sequence is executed once. To execute the
operator sequence again, the trigger point must be
turned OFF, and then turned ON again.

4 - Syntax
Example
100 C
102 C OIP COMMAND INFORMATION:
104 C OPERATOR SEQUENCE
106 C
108 C - POINT
110 C - DISPLAY
112 C - PRINTER
114 C - YES
116 C - VALUE
118 C - ANY
120 C - NAME
122 C - ALL NAMES
124 C
130 C TRIGGER POINT - RPT7AM
150 OIP(RPT7AM,"P/D/P/Y/V/A/N/*")
Notes OIP commands used to generate messages,

displays, and reports should be staggered in time
(that is, do not use the same trigger point for all
OIP commands). This allows one command to
complete before another begins.
The OIP command will appear as FAILED if the
operator sequence was entered incorrectly and
the control program attempts to execute it.
On return from power failure, after an enable
command has been executed, or during the first
execution of the control program after a database
load, the OIP command will not execute until the
trigger point toggles.
After the OIP command has been executed, the
trigger point must be reset (commanded back to
its original state) before the OIP command can be
executed again.
When using an OIP command with an LDO type
subpoint, you must command the point ON/OFF
with the number 1 or 0. Using any text other than 1
or 0 will cause the statement to fail.

If the trigger point name begins with a number,

then the point name should be preceded by an @
sign. If a variable in the keystroke sequence
begins with a number, then the point name should
not be preceded by an @ sign. For example:
The following statement is incorrect:
100 OIP(TRIG,"P/T/D/H///FAN/@1FAN//60/")
The following statement is correct:

100 OIP(TRIG,"P/T/D/H///FAN/1FAN//60/")
The OIP command must be executed with every

pass of the program in order to see the trigger
point change value.
The OIP command cannot be used to perform
loop tuning.
In an OIP statement, a slash / can be used to
represent a carriage return. An example of a multi-
point trend display would look like:
OIP (TRIG, "P/T/D/P///
Name1/Name2/Name3//10/")
Changes were made in revision 12.4/12.4.1 logical

firmware to allow you to enter which trend instance
you want to display. Use the following syntax for
the Multi-Point Trend Report:
OIP (TRIG, "P/T/D/P///
Name1//Name2//Name3//10/")

4 - Syntax
ON
! ! ! ! !
Syntax ON(pt1,...,pt16)
pt16
Featured added to revision 9.2 logical firmware,

CM and APOGEE firmware:
ON(@prior,pt1,...,pt15)
pt1 Point names of the points to be
through commanded. Acceptable point types
pt15 are LDO, L2SL, L2SP, LOOAL, and
LOOAP.
Use This command can be used to switch a point to

the ON state. You can change the operational
status for a maximum of 16 points using a single
ON command. If you change the priority of the
points, you can only specify a maximum of 15
points.
Example
100 IF (OATEMP.LT.60.0)THEN ON(@NONE,
PUMP1,PUMP2)
See also AUTO, FAST, OFF, SLOW

ONPWRT
! ! ! !
Syntax ONPWRT(line#)
line# Line number at which execution begins
in the control program after returning
from power failure. This number must
be an integer in the range of 1 to
32,767. If the line number is invalid,
this command is ignored.
Use This command is similar to a GOTO command

and allows you to select the first program line that
is executed when power has returned. The
ONPWRT command is only executed once and is
then ignored as long as power stays ON.
Example
10 ONPWRT(1800)
Notes The ONPWRT command should be the first

command in a PPCL program since program
execution returns to the first line of a PPCL
program after a power failure.
If the database for a field panel is lost due to a
power failure, the ONPWRT command is not
executed when power is restored.

4 - Syntax
PARAMETER
Syntax PARAMETER A = B
A A valid label name. This name cannot
be defined in any database and cannot
start with a number.
B The value that is assigned to the label
name.
Use The PARAMETER command defines a label that

is used as a storage location for a value. When
the PPCL program compiles, the computer
assigns every occurrence of the label (A) with the
value (B). The compiled version of the program
then contains the actual value represented by the
label.
Example
PARAMETER DELAY = 15
100 WAIT(DELAY,FAN1,FAN2)
Notes PARAMETER commands are usually placed at

the top of the program so they are easy to find.
This command does not require a line number.

PDL
! ! ! !
Physical PDL(totkw,target,g1s,g1e,...,g4s,g4e)
syntax
Logical PDL(area,totkw,target,g1s,g1e,sh1,...,g4s,g4e,sh4)
syntax
area Meter area number. Enter this number

as an integer.
totkw The amount of power that is consumed
by the loads which are under control of
the PDL command. A power
consuming load is considered to be
under control of a PDL command if it is
defined in the PDLDAT command that
is associated with the PDL command
and the following criteria are met:
• The load is currently in NONE or
PDL priority.
• The PDL command is traced and
is enabled.
The totkw parameter should be the
same virtual LAO point that is specified
as the kwtot parameter in the owning
PDLDPG command. The value of this
parameter is calculated by the PDL
command.

4 - Syntax
target The power consumption limit which is

to be maintained by the PDL
command. This parameter must be the
same virtual LAO point that was
specified as the target parameter for
the corresponding PDLDPG
command. The value of this parameter
is calculated by the PDLDPG
command.
g1s Start line for priority group 1 (first
group to shed) load definition in
PDLDAT commands.
g1e End line for group 1 load definition.
sh1 0 - fixed shedding in group 1, or
1 - round robin shedding in group 1.
g4s Start line for priority group 4 (last group
to shed) load definition in PDLDAT
command.
g4e End line for group 4 load definition.
sh4 0 - fixed shedding in group 4 or
1 - round robin shedding in group 4.
Use A single PDL command is used in conjunction with

a group of PDLDAT commands in a load handling
field panel to define load parameters and maintain
a defined kilowatt level (or target) for that group of
loads.
The PDL command is responsible for the direct
control of a group of PDLDAT commands. This
control includes:
• Maintaining a target kilowatt (kW) value by
shedding and restoring loads. This value is

passed to the PDL command by the value of

an LAO point.
• Monitoring the total available kilowatts under
its control. The PDL command determines
which of the loads defined in the PDLDAT
command associated with it are actually
available for peak demand limiting control.
The total kilowatts available to the PDL
command are placed in an LAO point.
• Maintaining the timing as defined in the
PDLDAT statement for minon, minoff, and
maxoff.
• Defining how each load under PDL control fits
into one of four priority groups. This is
accomplished by checking the line numbers of
PDLDAT commands.
• Defining and controlling the sequence of
shedding and restoring for each priority group.
(The two types of shedding and restoring are
fixed and round robin). In logical firmware
revision 11.2 and higher, shedding begins at
90% of the set point, and not 100% as in
earlier revisions.
Example
100 PDL(1,TOTKW1,TGT1,100,199,0,200,299,1,
300,399,0,400,499,0)

4 - Syntax
Notes With logical and CM firmware, you can only have

one meter defined in a field panel. APOGEE
firmware can have one meter defined in each
program.
When points are controlled by the Peak Demand
Limiting function, they are placed into PDL priority.
Group 1 is shed first, while Group 4 is shed last.
Even if all groups are not used, the remaining
definitions should contain the integer 0.
See also PDLDAT, PDLDPG, PDLMTR, PDLSET

PDLDAT
! ! ! !
Syntax PDLDAT(ptname,minon,minoff,maxoff,kwval)
ptname Point name of the load. In a network
system, a load defined by a PDLDAT
statement must reside in the same
field panel as the PDL statement.
minon Minimum time (in minutes) that PDL
must keep the load on after restoring
it. This parameter must be less than
546 and can be defined as an integer,
decimal, point name, or a local
variable.
minoff Minimum time (in minutes) that the
load must remain OFF before PDL can
restore it. This parameter must be less
than 546 and can be defined as an
integer, decimal, point name, or a local
variable.
maxoff Maximum time (in minutes) that PDL
can keep the load off after shedding it.
This parameter can be defined as an
integer, decimal, point name or a local
variable. The maximum allowable
value of maxoff is (minoff + 546).
kwval Kilowatt rating for the load. This
parameter can be a decimal, integer, a

4 - Syntax
Use A group of PDLDAT commands are used in

conjunction with a single PDL command in a load
handling field panel to define load parameters and
maintain a certain kilowatt level (or target) for that
group of loads. This command defines the
minimum on-time, minimum off-time, maximum
off-time, and kilowatt value for a specific load.
Example
100 C
102 C PDLDAT COMMAND INFORMATION:
104 C
106 C - CONTROLLED POINT - FAN17
108 C - MINIMUM ON TIME - 10 MINUTES
110 C - MINIMUM OFF TIME - 5 MINUTES
112 C - MAXIMUM OFF TIME - 180 MINUTES
114 C - KILOWATT RATING - 10KW
116 C
118 PDLDAT(FAN17,10,5,180,10)
Notes A PDLDAT should only be reference by a single

PDL statement. Multiple references will produce
unpredictable results.
See also PDL, PDLDPG, PDLMTR, PDLSET

PDLDPG
! ! !
Syntax PDLDPG(area,kwtot1,target1,...,kwtot7,target7)
area The meter area designation. This
parameter must have the same
numeric value as the area parameter
that is specified for the corresponding
PDLMTR statement.
kwtot1 The amount of power that is consumed
through by the loads which are under control of
kwtot7 the PDL command. A power
consuming load is considered to be
under control of a PDL command if it is
defined in the PDLDAT command
associated with the PDL command
and the following criteria are met:
• The load is currently in the ON
state and was placed in this state
at a priority level that is below or
equal to PDL priority.
• The load is currently in the OFF
state and was placed in this state
at PDL priority (that is, if it was
shed by the PDL algorithm).
• The PDLDAT command is being
traced and is enabled.
The totkw parameter must be the
same virtual LAO point that is specified
as the kwtot parameter in the owning
PDLDPG command. The value of this

4 - Syntax
parameter is calculated by the PDL

command.
target1 The power consumption target value.
through One target parameter must be
target7 specified for each PDL command in
this digital point group. One kwtot
parameter must be specified for each
PDL statement that is a number of this
meter area. Each of these kwtot
parameters must be the same virtual
LAO point that is specified as the kwtot
parameter for the corresponding PDL
command. The value of the parameter
is assigned by the PDL statement in
which it is defined. The sum of the
value of all kwtot parameters is used
by the PDLDPG command to calculate
the power consumption target value for
each PDL command. Note that for
each of these virtual LAO points, the
slope should be defined as one, the
intercept should be defined as zero,
and the COV limit should be defined as
one.
Use Associates a power consumption target parameter

with each PDL statement. This command also
calculates the amount of power that is used by all
the loads that are under the control of each PDL
command in its meter area.
Example
100 PDLDPG(1,TOTKW1,TGT1,TOTKW2,TGT2)
See also PDL, PDLDAT, PDLMTR, PDLSET

PDLMTR
! ! !
Syntax PDLMTR(area,hist,calc,window,plot,warning,mt1,
def1,...,mt5,def5)
area Meter area, entered as an integer (1 to
32,767). This value is usually entered
as an integer, but can be a point name
or a local variable.
hist Historical forecast weighting factor as
a percent. This parameter should be
less than 50% to anticipate demand.
The recommended value is 30% and
can be a decimal or integer value.
calc Calculation interval in minutes (one
minute is the minimum). This value is
usually entered as an integer or
decimal, but can be a point name or a
local variable.
window Sliding window interval in minutes (up
to 30 samples can be stored per
window). This value is usually entered
as an integer or decimal, but can be a
point name or a local variable.
plot Maximum value for Time versus
Demand plot section of PDL Activity
Report. This value should be greater
than the highest set point used in
PDLSET. This value can be entered as
a decimal, integer, point name, or a
local variable.

4 - Syntax
warning Warning messages enabled = 1.

Warning messages disabled = 0.
mt1 Logical point names for
through demand/through consumption meters
mt5 (can be LPACI or analog points).
def1 For historical (latest, best) reading
through enter -1 (also default value) or enter a
def5 constant or a fixed default value.
Default values are expressed in
kilowatts (demand) for both analog and
pulse inputs. The default value is used
to replace the meter values (mt1
through mt5) when communication is
lost. Acceptable values for this
parameter include integers, decimals,
point names, or local variables.
Use The primary role of this command is monitoring

meters, making predictions on demand, and
keeping report data up-to-date. Only one
PDLMTR command can be defined per meter
area. For APOGEE field panels, one PDLMTR
command can be defined per program.
PDLMTR commands are used for defining:
• Meters by point name
• Calculation intervals (how often are demand
predictions made)
• Predictions on the width of the sliding window
• Historical weighting factors for the sliding
window predictions
• Default values to be used if meters cannot be
read

• Whether or not warning messages are issued

as predicted demand nears or exceeds the set
point
• Full-scale demand for Time versus Demand
plot section of reports
The PDLMTR command is responsible for the
following actions:
• Making sliding window demand predictions
• Updating report information pertaining to
demand and consumption
• Deciding when warning messages should be
issued
• Initializing a meter area
Example
200 C
202 C PDLMTR COMMAND INFORMATION:
204 C
206 C - HISTORICAL WEIGHTING FACTOR - 30%
208 C - CALCULATION INTERVAL - 1 MINUTE
210 C - PREDICTION WINDOW - 15 MINUTES
212 C - THE TIME VERSUS DEMAND SECTION OF
214 C THE ACTIVITY REPORT PLOT HAS A
216 C FULL SCALE OF 500 KILOWATTS.
218 C - WARNING MESSAGES ARE ENABLED TO
220 C BE SENT TO ALARM DEVICES.
222 C - THE DEFAULT VALUES OF THE TWO
224 C METER POINTS (METER1 AND
226 C METER2) ARE 100 KILOWATTS AND
228 C 50 KILOWATTS RESPECTIVELY.
230 C
250 PDLMTR(1,30,1,15,500,1,METER1,100,
METER2,50)
Notes With logical firmware, you can have one meter

area defined in a field panel.
If a LPACI point is used in a PDLMTR statement,
then PDL should be restarted for that meter area
after the LPACI is reset. If the LPACI is being

4 - Syntax
used with the Minicomputer's Peak Demand

Limiting (PDL), then PDL must be stopped, the
LPACI reset, and then PDL can be restarted.
When analog points are used for mt1 through mt5,
the engineering units are KW. When LPACI points
are used for mt1 through mt5, the engineering
units are KWH.
See also PDL, PDLDAT, PDLDPG, PDLSET

PDLSET
! ! !
Syntax PDLSET(area,exceed,set1,time1,...,set7,time7)
area Meter area. This is entered as an
integer.
exceed DO point which is commanded OFF at
the end of each set point interval. It is
then turned ON if the actual floating
window peak exceeded the set point at
any time during the preceding interval.
set1 Demand set point (in kilowatts) which
through is not to be exceeded. This parameter
set7 can be a decimal, integer, a point
name or a local variable.
time1 The time at which the corresponding
through set point ends. This parameter is
time7 usually entered as a clock time in
military format (24-hour clock). It can
also be entered as an integer, a
decimal, or a local variable. Times
must be in ascending order.
Use The PDLSET command is responsible for

designating the peak demand limiting levels and
ensuring that these levels are not exceeded for a
meter area during the time of day during which
those set points are in effect. The demand
predictions made by the PDLMTR command are
compared with the appropriate set points defined
by this command which determine the number of

4 - Syntax
kilowatts (if any) which must be shed or restored

for the meter area.
Example
100 C
101 C PDLSET COMMAND INFORMATION:
102 C
103 C - THIS COMMAND CONTROLS METER AREA 1.
104 C - THE VIRTUAL LDO POINT WHICH WILL
105 C TOGGLE ON AND OFF AT THE END OF
106 C THE SET POINT INTERVALS WHEN THE
107 C SET POINT WAS EXCEEDED IS
108 C CALLED PEAKEX.
109 C - PDLST1 SET POINT ENDS AT 11:00 A.M.
110 C - PDLST2 SET POINT ENDS AT 4:30 P.M.
111 C
120 PDLSET(1,PEAKEX,PDLST1,11:00,PDLST2,16:30)
Notes The PDLSET command requires at least two set

point/time definitions for each day. Reports will not
generate unless there are at least two set points
See also PDL, PDLDAT, PDLDPG, PDLMTR

RELEAS
! ! !
Syntax RELEAS(pt1,...,pt16)
pt16
Change added to revision 9.2 logical firmware, CM

RELEAS(@prior, pt1,.....pt15)
@prior Defines a specific point priority that the
point is being released from.
pt1 Point names of the points that are to
through be released.
pt15
Use This command changes the priority of up to 16

points to a NONE priority. The feature added to
logical firmware allows you to release up to 15
points to NONE priority.
A LAO or LDO point that is used in a RELEAS
statement can generate multiple entries in the
Trend Data Report if a command statement such
as SET, =, ON, or OFF is used on the same point
at the same time.

4 - Syntax
Notes Always use a priority at least as high as the one

that the point will be in to ensure proper release. If
the point has been commanded from the
keyboard, it will require an @OPER entry to
release the priority of the point to NONE.

RETURN
! ! ! ! !
Syntax RETURN
Use This command marks the end of a subroutine. It

must be the last command of any GOSUB
subroutine. When a RETURN command is
encountered, the program will return to the line
following the GOSUB command
Example
100 GOSUB 310
110 ...
120 ...
130 ...
290 ...GO TO 350
300 C THIS SUBROUTINE PERFORMS...

310 ...
320 ...
330 ...
340 RETURN
350 CONTINUE WITH REST OF PROGRAM
See also GOSUB

4 - Syntax
SAMPLE
! ! ! !
Syntax SAMPLE(sec) line

sec Interval in seconds (1 to 32,767)
between evaluations of state. This
value is entered as an integer.
line Any PPCL statement that does not
include its own timing function (WAIT,
PDL, TOD, TIMAVG, LOOP, SSTO, or
another SAMPLE command).
Use This command allows you to define how often a

command is evaluated. It can be helpful in
situations such as preventing short cycling in
ON/OFF decisions, and reducing COVs from noisy
flow transmitters. Valid commands can include
assignment, calculations, and program control
(GOTO, GOSUB).
Example
200 SAMPLE(600) ON(HALFAN)
Notes The SAMPLE command executes immediately on

a return from power failure, after an ENABLE
command, or during the first execution of PPCL
following a database load.

SET
! ! ! !
Syntax SET(value,pt1,...,pt15)
value Value to which points should be
commanded. This number can be a
decimal, logical point, or local variable.
Integers are not allowed.
pt15

SET(@prior, value, pt1,...,pt14)
value Value to which points should be
commanded. This number can be a
decimal, logical point, or local variable.
Integers are allowed in APOGEE
firmware.
pt1 Point names of LAO or LDO, LFSSL,
through LFSSP, LOOAL, LOOAP, L2SL, L2SP,
pt14 and LPACI point types.

4 - Syntax
Use This command is used to change output points to

a new value. Up to 15 points can be assigned a
new value (14 points when including a priority)
with a single set command.
Example 1
450 SET(75.0,RMSET1,RMSET2,RMSET3)
Example 2
550 SET(@EMER,75.0,RMSET1,RMSET2,RMSET3)

SLOW
! ! !
Syntax SLOW(pt1,...,pt16)
through are commanded to slow.
pt16

SLOW(@prior,pt1,...,pt15)
through points.
pt15
Use This command is used to change

FAST/SLOW/STOP points to the low speed
(SLOW). A single SLOW command can be used
to change the operational status of up to 16
LFSSL or LFSSP points. If you change the priority
of the points, you can only define a total of 15
points.
Example
20 IF (RMTEMP.LT.75.0)THEN SLOW(@NONE,
FAN1,FAN2)
See also AUTO, FAST, OFF, ON

4 - Syntax
SSTO
! ! !
Syntax SSTO(zone,mode,cst,csp,est,lst,ost,esp,lsp,
osp,ast,asp)
zone SSTO zone number (valid values are 1
to 5).
mode Mode number. Valid entries are any
combination of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 as
defined in the following table. Mode
numbers can be added together to
create customized schedules for the
TOD program. Refer to the TODMOD
command for more information.
MODE Schedule
1 Normal Schedule
2 Extended Schedule
4 Shortened Schedule
8 Weekend Schedule
16 Holiday Schedule
cst Point name of the virtual LAO point
which stores the calculated start time.
If SSTO is disabled (season = 0 in the
SSTOCO command), then cst is
assigned to the latest start time.
csp Point name of the virtual LAO that
stores the calculated stop time. If
SSTO is disabled (season = 0 in the
SSTOCO command), then csp is
assigned the latest stop time.

est Earliest start time. This can be entered

in military time, decimal time, or as a
logical point name or local variable.
lst Latest start time. This can be entered
ost Occupancy start time. This can be
entered in military time, decimal time,
or as a logical point name or local
variable.
esp Earliest stop time. This can be entered
lsp Latest stop time. This can be entered
osp Occupancy stop time. This can be
entered in military time, decimal time,
or as a logical point name or local
variable.
ast Total adjustment to the calculated start
time. This value is changed from day
to day. A decimal value or virtual LAO
point type can be defined to store the
adjustment value.
asp Total adjustment to the calculated stop
time. This value is changed from day
to day. A decimal value or virtual LAO
point type can be defined to store the
adjustment value.
Use The SSTO command calculates the optimal start

and stop times for each zone based on

4 - Syntax
information derived from the SSTOCO command

(outside air temperature, zone temperature,
desired zone temperature, etc.) as well as
parameters for earliest, latest, and occupancy
start times provided in the SSTO command.
This command has the ability to tune itself by
incrementing or decrementing the start time after
calculating an adjust time (ast) when errors
between actual temperatures and desired
temperatures occur.
Example
60 SSTO(1,1,ONTIM,OFTIM,6:30,7:45,8:00,15:30,
16:45,17:00,0.0,0.0)
Notes The SSTO command only calculates the optimal

start and stop times. TOD and TODSET
commands are needed to command the point.
When ast or asp are entered as zero, the current
adjustment value is displayed each time the
command is displayed. If a virtual LAO point name
is entered, the operator can specify (command) an
initial value for ast or asp.
See also SSTOCO, TOD, TODSET

SSTOCO
! ! !
Syntax SSTOCO(zone,season,intemp,outemp,ctemp,
ccoef1,ccoef2,ccoef3,ccoef4,htemp,hcoef1,
hcoef2,hcoef3,hcoef4)
For variables used in this command, you can use
numbers, point names, or local variables. The
values for the coefficients must be entered as
follows:
• in minutes for revisions 5.0 logical firmware
only.
• in fractions of an hour for all other revisions of
firmware
zone SSTO zone number. Valid values are 1
to 5.
season Current season. Point name whose
value represents the coefficients to be
used (heat = 2, cool = 1, and disable
SSTO = 0).
intemp Point name or average of indoor zone
temperature sensor.
outemp Point name or average of outdoor air
temperature sensor.
ctemp Desired zone temperature for cooling
season. This can be entered as a
floating point (decimal) number, a
integer, a point name, or a local
variable.

4 - Syntax
ccoef1 Cooling coefficient - The time, in

hours, required to lower the zone
temperature one degree while ignoring
external load factors.
ccoef2 Cooling retention coefficient - The
time, in hours, required to raise the
zone temperature one degree with the
cooling equipment off, outside air
dampers open, and the outside
temperature 10 degrees higher than
the desired zone temperature for the
cooling season.
ccoef3 Cooling transfer coefficient - The time,
in hours, required to lower the zone
temperature 1 degree with outside air
dampers closed and the outside
temperature 10 degrees higher than
the desired zone temperature for the
cooling season.
ccoef4 Cooling auto-tune coefficient - The
time, in hours, added to or subtracted
from the adjust time in the SSTO
command as part of the self-tuning
feature.
htemp Desired zone temperature for heating
season. This can be entered as a
floating point (decimal) number, an
variable.
hcoef1 Heating coefficient - The time, in
hours, that is required to raise the zone
temperature one degree while ignoring
external load factors.

hcoef2 Heating retention coefficient - The

time, in hours, that is required to lower
the zone temperature 1 degree with
heating equipment off, outside air
dampers open, and the outside
temperature 25 degrees lower than the
desired zone temperature for the
heating season.
hcoef3 Heating transfer coefficient - The time,
in hours, that is required to raise the
zone temperature 1 degree with
outside air dampers closed and the
outside temperature 25 degrees lower
than the desired zone temperature for
the heating season.
hcoef4 Heating auto-tune coefficient - The
time, in hours, that is added to or
subtracted from the adjust time in the
SSTO command as part of the self-
tuning feature.
Use This command defines the thermal characteristics

of a zone based on the season, indoor
temperature, outdoor temperature, and a variety of
heating and/or cooling coefficients that are
necessary to calculate optimal start and stop
times.
Example
100 SSTOCO(1,1,ROOM10,OATEMP,75.0, 0.01,0.3,
0.05,0.083,72.0,0.1,0.1,0.2,0.083)
See also SSTO, TOD, TODMOD

4 - Syntax
STATE
Syntax STATE(@pri,statetext,pt1...pt14)
@pri Specifies an optional parameter that
designates a specific point priority.
statetext State text that can be found in the
associated state text table
pt1 Points that can be commanded to a
through particular state. If using the @pri
pt14 parameter, only 14 points can be
defined.
Use This statement commands points using a state

text value.
Example
500 STATE(NIGHT,TEC1,TEC2,TEC3,TEC4)

TABLE
! ! ! !
Syntax TABLE(input,output,x1,y1,...,x7,y7)
input Point name of the input (x) variable. A
local variable or virtual LAI point type
can be used.
output Point name of the output (y) variable. A
local variable or virtual LAO point type
can be used.
x1,y1 Pairs of coordinates that define the x-y
through relationship. y1 is the value of the
x7,y7 output when the input equals x1; y2 is
the value of the output when the input
is x2, etc. The coordinates can be
entered as integers or decimals.
Use This command allows you to define a general

function of two variables by specifying pairs of
coordinates (x,y).
The TABLE command makes a straight line
interpolation for the output (y) when the input is
between a pair of x values. The x points must be
entered in ascending order (that is x3 must be
larger than x2, etc.). For inputs lower than x1, the
output will always equal y1. For inputs larger than
the last x used, the output will equal the last y
value entered.

4 - Syntax
Example
500 C
502 C TABLE COMMAND INFORMATION:
504 C
506 C OATEMP (X) HWSP (Y)
508 C ---------- ----------
510 C 0 DEG F 180 DEG F
512 C 60 DEG F 100 DEG F
514 C
520 TABLE(OATEMP,HWSP,0,180,60,100)
The hot water set point will remain at 180°F when

the outside temperature is below 0°F. The hot
water set point will remain at 100°F when the
outside temperature is above 60°F.
Notes Table statements can be cascaded by overlapping

x-y pairs using virtual points.

TIMAVG
! ! !
Syntax TIMAVG(result,st,samples,input)
result A point name used to store the result
of the average value. Local variables
can also be used.
st Number of seconds between each
sample. This can be entered as an
variable.
samples Number of samples to be used to
calculate the average. This must be an
integer between 1 and 10.
input Point name of the LAI or LAO point
whose average value is to be
calculated. A local variable can also be
used.
Use This command is used to find an average value

over time. You decide how often the values should
be taken (sample time) and the number of values
to be taken. The average is always over the most
recent sample count and all previous values are
discarded.
Example
10 C SIX SAMPLES WILL BE TAKEN TO
20 C CALCULATE THE RMAVG.
30 C THE INTERVAL BETWEEN EACH SAMPLE
40 C WILL BE 10 MINUTES. RMTEMP WILL
50 C BE AVERAGED EVERY 60 MINUTES.
60 TIMAVG(RMAVG,600,6,RMTEMP)

4 - Syntax
The average value will be updated every sample

time.
Example
100 TIMAVG (RMAVG, 600, 6, RMTEMP),
In the following statement, RMAVG would change

every 600 seconds, not every 100 seconds,
(assuming RMTEMP is changing frequently.)
Notes On a return from power failure, after an ENABLE

command, or during the first execution of PPCL
following a database load, the TIMAVG command
begins executing with one sample. The value of
the result will equal the current value of input.

TOD
! ! !
Syntax TOD(mode,recomd,time1,time2,pt1,...,pt12)
mode Mode number. Valid entries are any
combination of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 as
defined in the following table. Mode
numbers can be added together to
create customized schedules for the
TOD program. The mode number 16
should only be used with the HOLIDA
command.
MODE Schedule
1 Normal Schedule
2 Extended Schedule
8 Weekend Schedule
16 Holiday Schedule
recomd Determines if the points defined will be
commanded after a return from a
power failure (fail-safe position).
Recomd is sometimes necessary for
field panel warmstarts.
Valid entries are as follows:
0 = Does not recommand the points,
pt1 through pt12, on return from power
failure.
1 = Recommand the points, pt1
through pt12, on return from power
failure.

4 - Syntax
time1 Time at which an ON command is

executed. Time1 can be entered in
military format, decimal format, as a
time2 Time at which an OFF command is
executed. Time2 can be entered in
military format, decimal format, as a
pt1 Point names of digital output points
through that are commanded to a value.
pt12
Use This command changes digital output point ON

and OFF based on the day of the week and the
time of day. If the mode number in the TOD
command matches the mode number in the
TODMOD command, then TOD commands the
particular output points ON and OFF at the
specified times.
Example
10 TOD(1,1,17:00,07:00,OLITE1,OLITE2)
The command time can also be a relative time

point that is assigned a value of time. When you
calculate a value of time to be used in a TOD
command and assign it to the relative time point,
make sure that the calculated time is either
greater than or equal to the current time. The TOD
command will not execute properly if the relative
time point is commanded to a time that precedes,
or is equal to, the current time.
See also HOLIDAY, SSTO, TODMOD, TODSET

TODMOD
! ! !
Syntax TODMOD(momode,tumode,wemode,thmode,
frmode,samode,sumode)
For all modes values, refer to the table following
the mode descriptions:
momode Mode number for Monday. Valid
entries are 1, 2, 4 or 8.
tumode Mode number for Tuesday. Valid
wemode Mode number for Wednesday. Valid
thmode Mode number for Thursday. Valid
frmode Mode number for Friday. Valid entries
are 1, 2, 4 or 8.
samode Mode number for Saturday. Valid
sumode Mode number for Sunday. Valid entries
are 1, 2, 4 or 8.
MODE Schedule
1 Normal Schedule
2 Extended Schedule
8 Weekend Schedule
16* Holiday Schedule

4 - Syntax
Days that have the same schedule are assigned

the same MODE.
*Mode number 16 is not entered into the
TODMOD command.
Use This command defines specific modes (normal,

weekend, etc.) for each day of the week. The
mode assigned to a specific day of the week is
then used in conjunction with the TOD and
TODSET commands to command points on that
day.
Example
110 TODMOD(1,1,1,1,2,4,8)
In this example, Monday through Thursday are

assigned to a normal schedule, Friday is assigned
to an extended schedule, Saturday is assigned to
the shortened schedule, and Sunday is assigned
to the weekend schedule.
Notes The HOLIDA and TODMOD commands must
precede any TOD or TODSET commands in order
for the program to operate correctly.
A HOLIDA or TODMOD command in a field panel
will only affect TOD and TODSET commands in
that field panel .
When a holiday date occurs in a HOLIDA
command, the mode number for that day in the
TODMOD command is set to 16.
See also HOLIDA, TOD, TODSET

TODSET
! ! !
Syntax TODSET(mode,recomd,time1,val1,time2,val2,pt1,.
.., pt10)
mode Mode number. Valid entries are 1, 2, 4,
8, or 16 as defined in the following
table:
MODE Schedule
1 Normal Schedule
2 Extended Schedule
8 Weekend Schedule
16* Holiday Schedule
Mode numbers can be added together
to create customized schedules for the
TOD program. The mode number 16
should only be used with the HOLIDA
command.
recomd Determines if the points defined will be
commanded after a return from a
power failure (fail-safe position).
Recomd is sometimes necessary for
field panel warmstarts.
Valid entries are as follows:
0 = Does not recommand the points,
pt1 through pt10, on return from power
failure.

4 - Syntax
1 = Recommand the points, pt1

through pt10, on return from power
failure.
time1 Time at which the output points (pt1
through pt10) are commanded to val1.
Time1 can be entered in military
format, as a decimal, a logical point
name, or a local variable.
val1 Analog value which the output points
(pt1 through pt10) assumes at time1. It
can be entered in military format, as a
decimal, a logical point name, or a
local variable.
time2 Time at which the output points (pt1
through pt10) are commanded to val2.
Time2 can be entered in military
format, as a decimal, a point name, or
a local variable.
val2 Analog value which the output points
(pt1 through pt10) assumes at time2. It
can be entered in military format, as a
decimal, a logical point name, or a
local variable.
pt1 Names of analog output points that are
through commanded ON and OFF.
pt10

Use This command is the counterpart of the TOD

command for analog points. It commands analog
output points based on the day of the week and
the time of day. If the mode number in the
TODSET command matches the mode number in
the TODMOD command, then TODSET will
command the particular output points to val1 and
val2 at the specified times.
Example
550 TODSET(1,1,9:00,72.0,17:00,55.0, SPTEMP)
See also HOLIDAY, TOD, TODMOD

4 - Syntax
WAIT
! ! ! ! !
Logical WAIT(time,pt1,pt2,mode)
syntax
time Time delay can be entered in the

range of 1 to 32,767 seconds. This can
be entered as an integer, a point
name, or a local variable.
pt1 Point name of a digital trigger point.
Valid point types are LDI, LDO, L2SL,
L2SP, LOOAL, and LOOAP. You can
also use local variables.
pt2 Point name of digital point to be
commanded. Valid point types are LDI,
LDO, L2SL, L2SP, LOOAL, and
LOOAP. You can also use local
variables.
mode Defines the value to which pt2 should
be commanded based on the value of
pt1. The following table lists valid
modes.

Mode Meaning
11 When pt1 turns ON, wait
time seconds then turn pt2
ON.
10 When pt1 turns ON, wait
OFF.
01 When pt1 turns OFF, wait
ON.
00 When pt1 turns OFF, wait
OFF.
Physical WAIT(time,pt1,pt2)
syntax
time Time delay can be entered in the

range of 1 to 32,767 seconds. This
must be entered as an integer.
pt1 Point name of a digital trigger point.
Valid point types are LDI, LDO, L2SL,
L2SP, LOOAL, and LOOAP.
pt2 Point name of digital point to be
commanded. Valid point types are
LDO, L2SL, L2SP, LOOAL, and
LOOAP.
Use For physical firmware, the WAIT command

changes the value of a digital point based on the
value of another digital point (the trigger point)
after a desired time delay in seconds. When the
trigger point is turned on, the program waits the

4 - Syntax
amount of time defined, then turns on the digital

point (pt2).
For all other firmware, the result point can be
turned ON or OFF, based on the trigger point
switching ON or OFF. Selection of trigger/result
action is based on a mode you enter.
Example of a logical WAIT
70 C EXAMPLE OF A WAIT COMMAND IN LOGICAL
71 C FIRMWARE. WHEN CNPUMP IS TURNED ON,
72 C THE FIELD PANEL WAITS 60 SECONDS
74 C BEFORE TURNING CHPUMP ON.
75 WAIT(60,CNPUMP,CHPUMP,11)
Example of a physical WAIT

80 C EXAMPLE OF A WAIT COMMAND IN PHYSICAL
81 C FIRMWARE. WHEN CNPUMP IS TURNED ON,
82 C THE FIELD PANEL WAITS 60 SECONDS
84 C BEFORE TURING CHPUMP ON.
85 WAIT(60,CNPUMP,CHPUMP)
Notes On a return from power failure or when the WAIT

command is enabled, the trigger point must be
toggled before the command executes regardless
of the current state of either pt1 or pt2.
The command to pt2 is only issued once during
the normal operation of the program until triggered
again.


5
Glossary

This chapter contains programming terminology

you will encounter in this manual. Refer to this
chapter when you need information about a
specific term.
This chapter also contains the PPCL Reserved
Word List. The words, letters, and groups of
letters placed on this list are used by the PPCL
compiler. If you use any of the entries on the word
list in a way other than the way they are designed
(for example, defining a reserved word as a point
name), your PPCL program will not operate
properly.

5 - Glossary
Glossary of terms
APOGEE firmware
Firmware used in APOGEE field panels.
Argument
Type of variable whose value is not a direct
function of another variable. Arguments can
represent the location of a number in a
mathematical operation, or the number with which
a function works to produce its result.
Arithmetic function
Function that performs mathematical calculations
on a value (number). When used in PPCL, the
value derived from the calculation is usually
assigned to a point name for future reference.
Arithmetic operator
Mathematically related functions that are
performed on two or more operands (numbers).
When used in PPCL, the value of the calculation is
determined and assigned to a point name or local
variable for future reference.

Indicators that are used to test if a point is at a
specific priority, or to command a point to a
specific priority. A maximum of 16 parameters can
be used in one PPCL statement. When using a @
Priority indicator with PPCL statements, the priority
level you define in that statement occupies one of
the parameters.

CM firmware
Firmware used in Controller Modules and early
revision Open Processors.
Command
Instruction evaluated by the computer.
Comment line
Information that is written into the program but is
not interpreted as a program command. The
compiler skips over the comment line during
compilation. Comment lines allow you to enter text
information describing the functionality of a
specific section of code. Comment lines are
especially helpful for describing subroutines and
areas of program code that are difficult to
understand.
Condition
Result of a comparison between two values.
Debugging
Process by which the logic of the program is
tested for errors. A program is said to have “bugs”
when it fails to function properly.
Device
In PPCL, a device represents any field panel or
equipment controller that can execute PPCL
statements.
Execute
To carry out the instruction of an expression or
program.

5 - Glossary
Expression
Statement that describes a set of variables,
constants, or values combined with arithmetic,
logical, or relational operators.
Firmware
Portion of software used in a controller that is
stored in non-volatile memory. See Logical,
Physical, Unitary, CM or AOPGEE firmware.
Integer
Whole number (non-decimal number).
Line
Statement of program code assigned to a unique
line number.
Local variable
Points in a program of a field panel that can be
used in place of user-defined points to store
temporary values ($LOC1 through $LOC15).
Logical firmware
Logical firmware is designed to accept
engineering values (Deg °F, kPa, psi) for
parameters in PPCL commands.
Logical operators
Operator that compares two conditions. The result
of a comparison between the two conditions is
called a condition. If the result of the condition is
true, then a specific action is taken. If the result is
false, then an alternative action is performed.

Modular programming
Style of programming that logical organizes code
into common functions, such as operational
modes.
Order of precedence
Order in which operators (mathematical, relational,
logical, and special function) are evaluated in a
command statement. Operators that have a higher
precedence are evaluated before operators that
have a lower precedence. If all the operators in the
statement have equivalent precedence levels,
then the operators are evaluated from left to right.
Physical firmware
Physical firmware is designed to accept values for
parameters in PPCL commands derived from
formulas and calculations.
Program
Collection of instructions combined in a logical
order to accomplish a specific task.
Pseudocode
Non-syntactical description of program logic.
Relational operators compare two values. The
result of the comparison is called a condition, and
determines the type of action that should be taken.
Resident point
Predefined logical point that permanently resides
in the PPCL program in the field panel.

5 - Glossary
Routing
Method for altering the flow of a program to
transfer control to a line of the program other than
the next sequential line number.
Special function
PPCL functions such as Alarm Priority (ALMPRI)
that are used to access a specific value that is
unique to a point. The value of the point can then
be tested or assigned to other points. Since
special functions are maintained by the system,
they cannot be manually commanded to a
different value. Special functions cannot be used
over the network.
Statement
Collection of instructions to the computer in order
to perform an operation. A statement can also be
considered a line of PPCL code.
Subroutine
Portion of program code referenced repeatedly
through one pass of the program.
Unitary firmware
Firmware that uses a subset of PPCL commands
found in logical firmware.

PPCL reserved word list

The following predefined points permanently
reside in the field panel’s point database. These
names are reserved for specific functions and
should not be used as point names
$ARG1 through $ARG15 $BATT

$LOC1 through $LOC15 $PDL
.AND. .EQ.
.GE. .GT.
.LE. .LT.
.NAND. .NE.
.OR. .ROOT.
.XOR. @EMER
@NONE @OPER
@PDL @SMOKE
ACT ALARM
ALMACK ALMCNT
ALMCT2 ALMPRI
AND ARG1 through ARG15
ATN AUTO
C (comment) COM
COS CRTIME
DAY DAYMOD

5 - Glossary
DAYOFM DBSWIT
DC DCR
DEACT DEAD
DEFINE DISABL
DISALM DISCOV
DPHONE ELSE
EMAUTO EMER
EMFAST EMOFF
EMON EMSET
EMSLOW ENABLE
ENALM ENCOV
EPHONE EQ
EQUAL EXP
FAILED FAST
GE GOSUB
GOTO GT
HAND HLIMIT
HOLIDA IF
INITTO LE
LINK LLIMIT
LOC1 through LOC15 LOCAL
LOG LOW
LOOP LT
MAX MIN
MONTH NAND

NE NGTMOD
NIGHT NODE1 through NODE99
NONE NOR
NORMAL OFF
OIP OK
ON ONPWRT
OPER OR
PDL PDLDAT
PDLDPG PDLMTR
PDLSET PRFON
RELEAS RETURN
ROOT SAMPLE
SECND1 through SECNDS
SECND7
SET SIN
SLOW SMOKE
SQRT SSTO
SSTOCO STATE
TABLE TAN
THEN TIMAVG
TIME TOD
TODMOD TODSET
TOTAL WAIT
XOR

6
Index
$
$ARG1 through $ARG15 (local variable) ........................... 2-63
$BATT (resident point)....................................................... 2-50
$LOC1 through $LOC15 (local variable) ............................ 2-65
$PDL (resident point)......................................................... 2-58
A
ACT (command) .................................................................. 4-2
Addition (arithmetic operator)............................................. 2-24
ALARM (command) ............................................................. 4-3
ALARM (status indicator)................................................... 2-73
Alarm acknowledge (status indicator) ................................ 2-74
Alarm Priority (special function) ......................................... 2-40
ALMCNT (resident point) ................................................... 2-48
ALMCT2 (resident point).................................................... 2-49
ALMPRI (special function) ................................................. 2-40
AND (logical operator) ....................................................... 2-18
Antilog, natural (arithmetic function) .................................. 2-33
Arc-Tangent (arithmetic function)....................................... 2-30
Arithmetic functions
Arc-tangent ................................................................... 2-30
Complement.................................................................. 2-31
Cosine........................................................................... 2-32
Natural antilog ............................................................... 2-33
Natural log..................................................................... 2-34
Root .............................................................................. 2-35

Sine............................................................................... 2-36
Square root ................................................................... 2-37
Tangent......................................................................... 2-38
Arithmetic functions ........................................................... 2-29
Arithmetic operators .......................................................... 2-23
Addition ......................................................................... 2-24
Assignment ................................................................... 2-25
Division ......................................................................... 2-26
Multiplication ................................................................. 2-27
Subtraction.................................................................... 2-28
Assignment ....................................................................... 2-25
EMER ........................................................................... 2-67
OPER............................................................................ 2-69
PDL............................................................................... 2-70
PPCL (NONE) ............................................................... 2-68
SMOKE ......................................................................... 2-71
ATN (arithmetic function)................................................... 2-30
AUTO (command) ............................................................... 4-4
AUTO (status indicator) ..................................................... 2-75
B
Battery condition (resident point) ....................................... 2-50
Battery status - Almost discharged (status indicator) ......... 2-77
Battery status - Charged (status indicator)......................... 2-78
Battery status - Discharged (status indicator) .................... 2-76
C
COM (arithmetic function).................................................. 2-31
Comment Lines ................................................................. 2-95
Communications link (resident point)................................. 2-55

6 - Index
Complement (arithmetic function)...................................... 2-31

Conditions ........................................................................... 2-9
COS (arithmetic operator).................................................. 2-32
Cosine (arithmetic function) ............................................... 2-32
CRTIME (resident point) .................................................... 2-52
Current time (resident point) ..................................... 2-52, 2-61
D
DAY (command).................................................................. 4-5
DAY (resident point) .......................................................... 2-53
DAYMOD (status indicator) ............................................... 2-79
DAYOFM (resident point) .................................................. 2-54
DBSWIT (command) ........................................................... 4-6
DC (command) .................................................................... 4-8
DCR (command)................................................................ 4-11
DEACT (command) ........................................................... 4-13
DEAD (status indicator) ..................................................... 2-77
Decimal time (resident point) ............................................. 2-52
Decision tables .................................................................. 2-96
DEFINE (command) .......................................................... 4-14
DISABL (command)........................................................... 4-15
DISALM (command) .......................................................... 4-16
DISCOV (command).......................................................... 4-17
Division (arithmetic operator) ............................................. 2-26
DPHONE (command) ........................................................ 4-18
Duty Cycling (control option)................................................ 3-3
E
EMAUTO (command) ........................................................ 4-19
EMER (priority) .................................................................. 2-67
Emergency (priority) .......................................................... 2-67
EMFAST (command)......................................................... 4-20

EMOFF (command)........................................................... 4-21

EMON (command)............................................................. 4-22
EMSET (command) ........................................................... 4-23
EMSLOW (command) ....................................................... 4-24
ENABLE (command) ......................................................... 4-25
ENALM (command) ........................................................... 4-26
ENCOV (command)........................................................... 4-27
EPHONE (command) ........................................................ 4-28
EQ, equal to (relational operator)....................................... 2-10
Equal to (relational operator) ............................................. 2-10
Equals (assignment).......................................................... 2-25
Exclusive OR (logical operator).......................................... 2-22
External Documentation
See
Decision Tables ........................................................ 2-96
Pseudocode.............................................................. 2-97
F
FAILED (status indicator)................................................... 2-80
FAST (command) .............................................................. 4-29
FAST (status indicator)...................................................... 2-82
G
GE, greater than or equal to (relational operator)............... 2-11
GOSUB (command) ................................................. 4-30, 2-92
GOTO (command).................................................... 4-38, 2-92
Greater than ...................................................................... 2-12
Greater than or equal to..................................................... 2-11
GT, Greater than (relational operator)................................ 2-12
Guidelines ............................................... see PPCL guidelines

6 - Index
H
HAND (status indicator) ..................................................... 2-82
HLIMIT (command)............................................................ 4-39
HOLIDA (command) .......................................................... 4-40
I
IF/THEN/ELSE (command) ............................................... 4-42
INITTO (command)............................................................ 4-44
Internal documentation
See
Comment Lines ........................................................ 2-95
L
LE, Less than or equal to (relational operator) ................... 2-13
Less than (relational operator) ........................................... 2-14
Less than or equal to (relational operator) ......................... 2-13
LINK (resident point).......................................................... 2-55
LLIMIT (command) ............................................................ 4-45
LOCAL (command)............................................................ 4-46
Local variables
$ARG1 through $ARG15............................................... 2-63
$LOC1 through $LOC15................................................ 2-65
Log, natural (arithmetic function) ....................................... 2-34
Logical operators ............................................................... 2-16
AND .............................................................................. 2-18
Exclusive Or.................................................................. 2-22
Not And ......................................................................... 2-19
Or 2-20
LOOP (command) ............................................................. 4-47
Loop Limit Calculations. .................................................... 4-54
LOW (status indicator)....................................................... 2-78
LT, less than (relational operator) ...................................... 2-14

M
Manual conventions............................................................. 1-5
MAX (command)................................................................ 4-57
Military time ....................................................................... 2-61
MIN (command)................................................................. 4-58
Modular programming........................................................ 2-89
Monitoring points
See
Point status indicators............................................... 2-73
MONTH (resident point)..................................................... 2-56
Multiple programs vs. Subroutines..................................... 2-93
Multiplication (arithmetic operator)..................................... 2-27
N
NAND (logical operator)..................................................... 2-19
NE, not equal to (relational operator) ................................. 2-15
Nested subroutines............................................................ 4-34
NGTMOD (status indicator) ............................................... 2-83
NIGHT (command) ............................................................ 4-59
NODE0 through NODE99 (resident point) ......................... 2-57
NONE (PPCL, priority)....................................................... 2-69
NORMAL (command) ........................................................ 4-60
Not equal to (relational operator) ....................................... 2-15
O
OFF (command) ................................................................ 4-61
OFF (status indicator)........................................................ 2-84
OIP (command) ................................................................. 4-62
OK (status indicator).......................................................... 2-79
ON (command).................................................................. 4-65
ON (status indicator).......................................................... 2-85

6 - Index
ONPWRT (command) ....................................................... 4-66

OPER (priority) .................................................................. 2-69
Operator (priority) .............................................................. 2-70
OR (logical operator) ......................................................... 2-21
Order of precedence
changing with parentheses............................................ 2-43
P
PARAMETER (command) ................................................. 4-67
Parentheses ...................................................................... 2-43
PDL (command) ................................................................ 4-68
PDL (priority) ..................................................................... 2-70
PDL Application Programs................................................... 3-6
Distributed Peak Demand Limiting .................................. 3-7
Insight for Minicomputers Peak Demand Limiting............ 3-6
Target Peak Demand Limiting (TPDL)............................. 3-6
PDLDAT (command) ......................................................... 4-72
PDLDPG (command)......................................................... 4-74
PDLMTR (command)......................................................... 4-76
PDLSET (command) ......................................................... 4-80
Peak Demand Limiting (control option)
See also .......................................................................... 3-5
Point Priorities
commanding and testing ............................................... 3-12
releasing ....................................................................... 3-13
Point Priority ........................................................................ 3-9
Logical firmware ............................................................ 3-10
Physical firmware ............................................................ 3-9
Point Priority Indicators
Unitary firmware ............................................................ 3-14
Point Status ....................................................................... 3-15

Physical firmware .......................................................... 3-15

using Logical firmware................................................... 3-24
Point Status indicators
ALARM.......................................................................... 2-74
AUTO............................................................................ 2-76
Powers Process Control Language
See
PPCL .......................................................................... 1-2
PPCL
Introduction ..................................................................... 1-2
rules for using ................................................................. 2-3
PPCL Program Documentation.......................................... 2-95
PPCL Program Lines
assigning line numbers.............................................2-3, 2-6
execution......................................................................... 2-3
extending the line .....................................................2-3, 2-4
maximum number permitted............................................ 2-3
PPCL Program testing....................................................... 2-94
PPCL reserved word list ...................................................... 5-8
predictor panel..................................................................... 3-7
PRFON (status indicator)................................................... 2-86
Program Lines
maximum number of characters ...............................2-3, 2-4
using point names beginning with numbers..................... 2-4
Program logic
documenting using comment lines .................................. 2-7
Pseudocode ...................................................................... 2-97
Q
Quotes in programs ............................................................. 2-4

6 - Index
R
Equal to......................................................................... 2-10
Greater an or equal to ................................................... 2-11
Greater than .................................................................. 2-12
Less than ...................................................................... 2-14
Less than or equal to..................................................... 2-13
Not equal to................................................................... 2-15
order of evaluation........................................................... 2-9
RELEAS (command) ......................................................... 4-82
Resident points
Alarm count................................................................... 2-48
Alarm count 2................................................................ 2-49
Battery condition ........................................................... 2-50
Communications link ..................................................... 2-55
Day ............................................................................... 2-53
Day of the month........................................................... 2-54
Decimal time ................................................................. 2-52
Military time................................................................... 2-61
Month ............................................................................ 2-56
Node number ................................................................ 2-57
PDL monitor .................................................................. 2-58
Seconds counter .................................................. 2-59, 2-60
RETURN (command) ........................................................ 4-84
ROOT (arithmetic function)................................................ 2-35
S
SAMPLE (command)......................................................... 4-85
SECND1 through SECND7 (resident point) ....................... 2-60
SECNDS (resident point)................................................... 2-59
SET (command) ................................................................ 4-86

SIN (arithmetic function) .................................................... 2-36

Sine (arithmetic function)................................................... 2-36
SLOW (command)............................................................. 4-88
SLOW (status indicator) .................................................... 2-87
SMOKE (priority) ............................................................... 2-71
Special functions
ALMPRI......................................................................... 2-40
limitations...................................................................... 2-39
TOTAL .......................................................................... 2-41
SQRT (arithmetic function) ................................................ 2-37
Square Root (arithmetic function) ...................................... 2-37
SSTO
formulas ........................................................................ 3-32
SSTO (command) ............................................................. 4-89
SSTOCO (command) ........................................................ 4-92
Start/Stop Time Optimization (control option) .................... 3-30
STATE (command)............................................................ 4-95
Status indicators
ALMACK ....................................................................... 2-75
DAYMOD ...................................................................... 2-80
DEAD............................................................................ 2-77
FAILED ......................................................................... 2-81
FAST............................................................................. 2-82
HAND............................................................................ 2-83
LOW ............................................................................. 2-78
NGTMOD ...................................................................... 2-84
OFF............................................................................... 2-85
OK................................................................................. 2-79
ON ................................................................................ 2-86

6 - Index
PRFON ......................................................................... 2-87

SLOW ........................................................................... 2-88
subroutine.......................................................................... 2-90
Subroutines ................................................................ 2-7, 2-91
nested ........................................................................... 4-34
transferring program control ............................................ 2-4
Subtraction (arithmetic operator) ....................................... 2-28
Syntax page......................................................................... 1-6
Compatibility bar ............................................................. 1-8
Notes ............................................................................ 1-11
See also ........................................................................ 1-11
Syntax............................................................................. 1-9
Use ............................................................................... 1-10
T
TABLE (command)............................................................ 4-96
TAN (arithmetic function)................................................... 2-38
Tangent (arithmetic function) ............................................. 2-38
THEN (from IF/THEN/ELSE command)............................. 4-42
TIMAVG (command).......................................................... 4-98
TIME (resident point) ......................................................... 2-61
time-based commands ........................................................ 2-7
Time-Of-Day (control option) ............................................. 3-41
TOD (command).............................................................. 4-100
TODMOD (command)...................................................... 4-102
TODSET (command)....................................................... 4-104
TOTAL (special function) ................................................... 2-41
U
Unoccupied mode (UNOCC)
See ............................................................................... 4-59

W
WAIT (command) ............................................................ 4-107
X
XOR (logical operator) ....................................................... 2-22

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APOGEE

Rev. 5, October, 2000

All software described in this document is furnished under a license and

For further information, contact your nearest Siemens Building

ii Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

1 - Introduction .................................................................. 1-1

2 - Program Methodology ................................................. 2-1

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. iii

Arithmetic operators ................................................ 2-23

iv Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

At (@) priority indicators .......................................... 2-66

3 - Control Option Comparisons ...................................... 3-1

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. v

Peak Demand Limiting (PDL).................................... 3-5

vi Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Start/Stop Time Optimization (SSTO) ..................... 3-30

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. vii

EMAUTO ............................................................ 4-19

viii Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

5 - Glossary ........................................................................ 5-1

Glossary of terms ................................................. 5-3

6 - Index .............................................................................. 6-1

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. ix

x Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-1

Imagine a world without computers. Suddenly, a

1-2 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

How to Use This Manual

To effectively use this manual, you should be

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-3

The PPCL User's Manual consists of the following

1-4 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

All bold and upper- ON Any command.

All upper-case letters FAILED A status or priority of

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-5

The syntax page

1-6 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Use This command disables the alarm printing

Notes This command cannot be used for points that do

See also ALARM, ENALM, HLIMIT, LLIMIT, NORMAL

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-7

When a command is not supported in any revision

1-8 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

The five types of firmware are described as

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-9

Items Right hand Right hand

Left hand apple Different Same

Table 1-2 represents the possible conclusions you

1-10 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Table 1-2 is an example of how truth tables can

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 1-11

1-12 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 2-1

Chapter 2 contains information related to the

2-2 Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.

When someone talks to you, they compose

Siemens Building Technologies, Inc. 2-3

• For all types of firmware except APOGEE, the

In addition to the previous rules, the following rules