In machine control applications generally there are numerous digital inputs which need to be read to know the state of a switch / level / motor overload status etc. While it makes sense to show individual status on a page as bi-coloured LEDs, it become overwhelming when there are some 50 plus indicators.
I was just wondering if it could be done this way :
1. Group indicators of the same family … Like motor Overload relays or Filter Clog status and create a Combo indicator.
2. If all of them are healthy, then the combo reads " Motor OLRs Healthy " and shows a green back ground.
3. Even if one motor OLR is tripped then the combo reads " Motor OLR fault " and shows a Red back ground.
4. The user then can click the combo to see which particular OLR is showing Red.
Idea is to reduce the space on the FP and also group indicators of the same family. But as I can see the Combo does not allow selective BG colouring of Test strings. Maybe a cluster can be used, but it occupies space again.
I am attaching a sample Combo string which needs such a facility...
Another option is a small subVI that has all the grouped LEDs in its FP and invoked by a Button called " FILTER STATE ". If any filter clogs then this button turns to Red and user can click to open the VI and see ?
Any ideas apart from this ?