Sensors are connected to a HJÄRTA. In VAKTEN, their signals are then assigned to a digital twin – called a Unit in VAKTEN.
A Unit can evaluate no sensor, one sensor, or multiple sensors and signals.
No sensor can be useful if VAKTEN is used only for digital maintenance and inspection records.
One sensor is often sufficient for simple installations such as doors, gates or barriers.
Multiple sensors allow more complex installations to be represented digitally. A Unit can combine information such as gate position, blockage, conveying rate, temperature and other states.
From sensor to Unit
It is important to distinguish between sensor, signal and Unit.
A physical sensor detects a state or measured value and generates a signal. HJÄRTA acquires this signal and transmits it to VAKTEN.
In VAKTEN, the signal is configured and then assigned to a Unit. The Unit represents the digital twin of the real installation.
In simple terms:
Sensor → Signal → HJÄRTA → VAKTEN → Unit
Connecting a sensor to HJÄRTA
Depending on the installation, sensors can be connected through Easy Access or PRO I/O.
The inputs of a HJÄRTA are clearly labelled and numbered. This allows VAKTEN to determine which connection a signal originates from.
With Easy Access, the two signal paths of a port are handled as separate channels. If, for example, a sensor cable with two sensors is connected to Easy Access Port 3, VAKTEN acquires them through the corresponding signal paths or channels of that port.
Selecting the channel opens its detailed configuration.
Configuring the signal
The signal is described so that VAKTEN knows what an input actually means.
Available settings include:
Port
The physical connection on HJÄRTA, for example Easy Access Port 4.
Signal path
The individual signal path within a connection, for example signal path 1.
Channel
The internal channel number under which the signal is managed in VAKTEN.
Measured activity
The raw value or measured value currently received from HJÄRTA.
Channel type
Describes the connection area or technical path from which the signal originates.
Signal type
Defines the type of information being processed, for example:
- state / binary
- temperature
- inclination or angle
- rate or cycle frequency
Binary signals may represent 0 or 1, on or off, open or closed, or light or dark.
Metric signals provide a specific measured value such as temperature or angle.
Sensor type
Describes the physical sensor connected, for example:
- reed contact
- light barrier
- proximity switch
- contact switch
- thermostat
- thermometer
- inclination sensor
Polarity / raw value
Defines which electrical state is interpreted as active.
- raw value 1 = active / occupied
- raw value 0 = active / occupied
This allows VAKTEN to interpret sensors correctly even when their electrical logic operates in opposite ways.
Signal meaning
This turns a technical state into understandable information.
- Closed ↔ Open
- Free ↔ Occupied
- OK ↔ Fault
- Normal ↔ Alarm
- Not present ↔ Present
- Below limit ↔ Above limit
- Off ↔ On
- Custom meaning
The meaning can be reversed when required.
Debouncing
Short electrical state changes can be filtered. Available times include:
0 ms · 50 ms · 100 ms · 250 ms · 500 ms · 1000 ms
This is particularly useful for mechanical contacts that may briefly switch between 0 and 1 several times during operation.
Active / inactive
A configured signal can be used or deactivated without completely losing its technical assignment.
Assigning a signal to a Unit
Once the sensor is connected and its signal configured, the signal can be assigned to a Unit.
Open the required Unit in VAKTEN. In the Signals section, existing active signals can be added to or removed from the Unit.
This keeps the technical signal level of HJÄRTA separate from the functional level of the Unit:
HJÄRTA knows which signal is present at which input.
The Unit knows what that signal means for the real installation.
Can a sensor be used more than once?
Yes. A signal can be used in different functional contexts and evaluated by different rules.
A temperature value can, for example, be checked against both an upper and a lower limit.
A simple example would be an outdoor thermometer:
- notification when the temperature is below 8 °C
- notification when the temperature is above 8 °C
In simplified terms, VAKTEN could even derive the highly scientific information: winter coat or no winter coat.
Can I remove a sensor again?
A configured sensor or signal receives a unique assignment in VAKTEN. Instead of losing historical references by deleting it, a signal that is no longer required can be deactivated.
In HJÄRTA sensor configuration, a signal can therefore be set to active or inactive.
Its assignment to a Unit can be changed or removed independently.