# Alarm limits

The alarm limits may be defined as warnings or alarms.

Alarm limits define when a measuring point reading becomes a **warning** or an **alarm**.

An example of a graph with limits is shown below.

See also: [Graph tab](https://help.boomerang3.com/boomerang-3-user-manual/dashboard/object_view/detailed-object-view/graph-tab).

<figure><img src="https://3588014471-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FEANwXRnuP0ug8971viyg%2Fuploads%2F7jrN1kxjCn5BoxQIgkHf%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ca53dcd0-4727-4883-a4e3-b34424d8be36" alt="Graph with alarm and warning limits"><figcaption><p>Alarm and warning limits on a graph</p></figcaption></figure>

### Warning vs alarm

* **Warning**
  * Indicates values outside normal range, but still acceptable.
  * Closes automatically when readings return within limits.
  * Usually does not require immediate intervention.
* **Alarm**
  * Indicates values outside allowed range.
  * Requires immediate attention.
  * Remains active until signed.

{% hint style="info" %}
Both warnings and alarms use [Alarm Filter](https://help.boomerang3.com/boomerang-3-user-manual/dashboard/alarms_and_warnings/alarm-filter) to require consecutive out-of-limit readings.
{% endhint %}

### Time-of-day schedules

Limits can be valid only during specific times of day.

Use this to ignore expected deviations (for example, defrost cycles).