About ANALOG METER

ANALOG METER is a user control in EOS SCADA implemented as the ANALOG_METER User Control type. It is designed to visually display an analog process value using a dial and a moving pointer.

Its basic operating principle is straightforward: a process value is positioned on the analog dial according to the measurement range defined by MinValue and MaxValue, and is indicated by the pointer whose color is defined by PointerColor. The starting angle of the dial scale is determined by TickStartAngle.


Dial readability can be adjusted through independently configurable frequency, line thickness, and size settings for minor, very minor, and major scale marks. The same control can therefore be used to display pressure, temperature, flow rate, level, motor speed, power, current, voltage, and other continuous analog values that operators need to recognize quickly on SCADA screens.

Basic principle: ANALOG_METER is neither a trend chart nor a numerical display. It presents an instantaneous analog value to the operator as a quick visual reference using a conventional dial and moving pointer.

How to Configure It

When configuring ANALOG METER, first define the measurement range and the dial's starting angle, then adjust the appearance of the pointer and scale marks.

Recommended Configuration Sequence

  1. General: Control type, update interval, background color, and text color.
  2. Measurement range: MinValue and MaxValue.
  3. Dial: Starting angle using TickStartAngle.
  4. Pointer: Color and appearance.
  5. Minor scale marks: Frequency, line thickness, and size.
  6. Very minor scale marks: Frequency, thickness, and size for intermediate scale lines.
  7. Major scale marks: Frequency, thickness, and size for primary scale lines.

Applications in SCADA

SCADA systems can display analog process variables received from sensors and instruments on operator screens. Common analog variables include level, temperature, pressure, flow rate, and motor speed. citeturn0search1turn0search7

Pressure, temperature, flow rate, and level are among the fundamental measurement variables used in industrial process instrumentation. These variables can be continuously monitored in power plants, process industries, refineries and petrochemical facilities, water treatment plants, and similar installations. citeturn0search0turn0search9

Variable Example Application Display Approach
Pressure Pipeline, tank, boiler, or process pressure The Min/Max range is set according to the pressure measurement range.
Temperature Process, equipment, or fluid temperature The pointer indicates the instantaneous value within the temperature range.
Flow Rate Water, steam, gas, or process flow A wide measurement range and readable scale marks can be used.
Level Tank, reservoir, or process level The measurement range can be configured as a percentage or a physical level unit.
Speed Motor, pump, fan, or turbine speed Helps operators quickly recognize the instantaneous speed from the dial.
Electrical Quantities Continuous values such as current, voltage, and power The value range is configured according to the engineering unit of the relevant electrical quantity.

Note: This control is intended for display purposes only. Using an analog meter on a SCADA screen does not, by itself, guarantee measurement accuracy or ensure that the process value is being measured correctly in the physical system. The measurement range, scaling, sensor/transmitter, input card, and SCADA data-processing chain must also be configured correctly.

General Properties

General properties define the control's basic operating and appearance settings. UpdateInterval specifies how frequently the displayed value is refreshed.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Where It Is Used
UCType Control Type ANALOG_METER Defines the User Control type within EOS SCADA. In the basic configuration where the control is defined as ANALOG_METER.
UCName Control Name Empty Specifies the name of the user control. On screens where the control needs to be identified in the editor.
UpdateInterval Update Interval 1000 ms Specifies the control's update interval. On screens where analog process values are refreshed periodically.
UCBackColor Control Background Color White Specifies the control's background color. For the dial's background appearance.
UCForeColor Control Foreground Color Black Specifies the control's primary foreground color. For the appearance of the title and text displayed on the dial.
UCFont Control Font Arial Narrow, 8.25 pt, Bold Specifies the control's primary font settings. For the appearance of titles and meter text.

Scale and Dial Settings

These properties define the analog meter's measurement range and the geometric starting point of the dial. MinValue and MaxValue define the engineering value range, while TickStartAngle specifies the starting angle of the first scale mark.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Where It Is Used
BorderColor Border Color Black Specifies the color of the meter's outer border. For the appearance of the analog meter's outer boundary on the screen.
TitleText Title Text Empty Specifies the meter's title text. For displaying variable names such as Pressure, Temperature, Flow Rate, or Power.
MinValue Minimum Value 0 Defines the lower measurement limit of the analog meter. For the minimum engineering value of the process variable being displayed.
MaxValue Maximum Value 100 Defines the upper measurement limit of the analog meter. For the maximum engineering value of the process variable being displayed.
TickStartAngle Scale Starting Angle 20 Specifies the starting angle of the dial's scale marks. To adjust the angle at which the dial's measurement range visually begins.

Pointer Settings

PointerColor specifies the color of the moving pointer that indicates the analog value on the dial. The pointer directly communicates the corresponding measurement value to the operator visually.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Where It Is Used
PointerColor Pointer Color Red Specifies the color of the pointer that indicates the analog value. To distinguish the pointer from other visual elements on the dial.

Minor Scale Mark Settings

Minor scale marks divide the main scale into regular intervals. TickSmallFrequency specifies their frequency, TickSmallWidth specifies their line thickness, and TickSmallSize specifies their size.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Where It Is Used
TickSmallFrequency Minor Scale Mark Frequency 10 Specifies the intervals at which minor scale marks are created. For creating the dial's basic measurement divisions.
TickSmallWidth Minor Scale Mark Width 1 Specifies the thickness of minor scale mark lines. For the appearance of minor scale lines.
TickSmallSize Minor Scale Mark Size 15 Specifies the length of minor scale mark lines. To adjust the visibility of minor scale lines on the dial.

Very Minor Scale Mark Settings

Very minor scale marks create finer intermediate divisions between minor scale marks. They are particularly useful when a more precise-looking dial is required.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Where It Is Used
TickTinyFrequency Very Minor Scale Mark Frequency 2 Specifies the intervals at which very minor scale marks are created. For intermediate scale lines between minor scale marks.
TickTinyWidth Very Minor Scale Mark Width 1 Specifies the thickness of very minor scale mark lines. For the appearance of fine intermediate scale lines.
TickTinySize Very Minor Scale Mark Size 5 Specifies the length of very minor scale mark lines. For creating fine intermediate divisions on the dial.

Major Scale Mark Settings

Major scale marks form the dial's primary scale indicators. They are particularly important for helping operators read the dial quickly.

Property EOS Turkish Equivalent Default Purpose Where It Is Used
TickLargeFrequency Major Scale Mark Frequency 20 Specifies the intervals at which major scale marks are created. For marking the primary scale values on the dial.
TickLargeWidth Major Scale Mark Width 2 Specifies the thickness of major scale mark lines. To distinguish primary scale lines from minor scale marks.
TickLargeSize Major Scale Mark Size 20 Specifies the length of major scale mark lines. For the appearance of primary scale lines on the dial.

Application Examples

1. Pressure Gauge

Using TitleText="PRESSURE", process pressure within a range such as 0–10 bar can be monitored using a conventional analog dial. Major scale marks can indicate the primary pressure divisions, while minor scale marks show intermediate values.

2. Temperature Gauge

A suitable dial can be created for process or equipment temperature using TitleText="TEMPERATURE". MinValue and MaxValue are set according to the temperature engineering range.

3. Flow Rate Gauge

Using TitleText="FLOW RATE", the instantaneous flow rate of water, steam, or gas can be displayed with an analog pointer. Major, minor, and very minor scale marks can be adjusted according to the flow measurement range.

4. Power / Speed / Level Gauge

The same control can be adapted to other continuously varying analog process values, such as electrical power, motor speed, or tank/reservoir level. The variable's engineering range is defined using MinValue and MaxValue.

Meter Readability

When designing an analog meter, it is important not only to position the pointer correctly but also to ensure that operators can read the dial quickly. Making major scale marks prominent, minor marks finer, and very minor marks lighter when appropriate can strengthen the dial's visual hierarchy.

Recommendation: Using too many scale marks can reduce readability. The values of TickLargeFrequency, TickSmallFrequency, and TickTinyFrequency should be selected by considering the measurement range, the resolution required by the operator, and the physical size of the screen.

Quick Property Reference

Group Properties Primary Purpose
General UCType, UCName, UpdateInterval, UCBackColor, UCForeColor, UCFont Basic operating and appearance settings of the control
Dial BorderColor, TitleText, MinValue, MaxValue, TickStartAngle Scale, title, and dial geometry
Pointer PointerColor Display of the instantaneous analog value
Minor Scale Marks TickSmallFrequency, TickSmallWidth, TickSmallSize Basic intermediate scale
Very Minor Scale Marks TickTinyFrequency, TickTinyWidth, TickTinySize Fine intermediate scale
Major Scale Marks TickLargeFrequency, TickLargeWidth, TickLargeSize Primary scale indicators

Conclusion

ANALOG_METER (ANALOG METER) is a straightforward user control that enables continuously changing analog process values to be monitored quickly on EOS SCADA screens using a conventional dial and pointer.

Because the minimum and maximum value range, starting angle, pointer color, and three different levels of scale marks can be configured independently, the same control can be adapted to different process variables and screen designs.

It can be used as a complementary indicator alongside trend charts and numerical value displays, particularly on screens where operators need to perceive an instantaneous value visually before reading it as a number.

Source note: The application areas described on this page are supported by general industrial application sources covering the monitoring of analog variables in SCADA systems and the use of industrial instrumentation for variables such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, and level.

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