The method of sampling the selected variable and calculating the value to be compared against the thresholds. If the sample type (cpqMeAlarmSampleType) is absoluteValue(1), the most recent sampled value of the selected variable (cpqMeAlarmVariable) will be compared directly with the thresholds (cpqMeAlarmRisingThreshold and cpqMeAlarmFallingThreshold). If the sample type (cpqMeAlarmSampleType) is deltaValue(2), the most recently sampled value minus the previous sampled value is compared with the threshold values (cpqMeAlarmRisingThreshold and cpqMeAlarmFallingThreshold). If the sample type is absSupressRisingValue(3), only comparisons with the cpqMeAlarmFallingThreshold are performed. If the sample type is absSupressFallingValue(4), only comparisons with the cpqMeAlarmRisingThreshold are performed. This object may not be modified if the associated cpqMeAlarmStatus object is equal to valid(1).