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Home / Technical Articles / An Introduction To SCADA For Electrical Engineers – Beginners

Control and Supervision

It is impossible to keep control and supervision on all industrial activities manually. Some automated tool is required which can control, supervise, collect data, analyses data and generate reports. A unique solution is introduced to meet all this demand is SCADA system.

An Introduction To SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) For Beginners
An Introduction To SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) For Beginners // On photo Monitor iFIX By ServiTecno via FlickR

SCADA stands for supervisory control and data acquisition. It is an industrial control system where a computer system monitoring and controlling a process.

Another term is there, Distributed Control System (DCS). Usually there is a confusion between the concept of these two.

A SCADA system usually refers to a system that coordinates, but does not control processes in real time, but DCS do that. SCADA systems often have Distributed Control System (DCS) components.

Components of SCADA

1. Human Machine Interface (HMI)

It is an interface which presents process data to a human operator, and through this, the human operator monitors and controls the process.

2. Supervisory (computer) system

It gathers data on the process and sending commands (or control) to the process.

3. Remote Terminal Units (RTUs)

It connect to sensors in the process, converting sensor signals to digital data and sending digital data to the supervisory system.

4. Programmable Logic Controller (PLCs)

It is used as field devices because they are more economical, versatile, flexible, and configurable than special-purpose RTUs.

5. Communication infrastructure

It provides connectivity to the supervisory system to the Remote Terminal Units.


SCADA System Concept

The term SCADA usually refers to centralized systems which monitor and control entire sites, or complexes of systems spread out over large areas (anything between an industrial plant and a country).

Most control actions are performed automatically by Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) or by programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Host control functions are usually restricted to basic overriding or supervisory level intervention. For example, a PLC may control the flow of cooling water through part of an industrial process, but  the  SCADA system may allow operators to change the set points for the flow, and enable alarm conditions, such as loss of flow and high temperature, to be displayed and recorded.

The feedback control loop passes through the RTU or PLC, while the SCADA system monitors the overall performance of the loop.

A simple SCADA system with single computer
A simple SCADA system with single computer

SCADA/PLC Video Introduction/Example

Waste Water Treatment SCADA System Raising your Plant IQ

Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.


Introducing students to Industrial Programmable Controllers

Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.

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Bipul Raman

Bipul Raman (@BipulRaman) is a Technology Enthusiast, Programmer and Blogger. Read more at : https://www.bipul.in

47 Comments


  1. Srashti Jain
    Oct 19, 2021

    I really learnt very much from your blog. Thank you for share this information on PLC SCADA. Please keep share, I am waiting for your next blog. PLC SCADA has very good career, PLC programmer is the most attractive job in engineer field. PLC SCADA Training is must for doing the job in this field.


  2. hussein hakki
    Jan 13, 2019

    the subject need to be more advanced


  3. Ismail Abdullahi
    Oct 08, 2018

    I would like to give me a brief concept if its possible and can work that to design a hydropower plant using SCADA software.


  4. John,Prince Wurasi
    Aug 13, 2018

    I am in Port harcourt,Nigeria. I want to be a real time SCADA engineer, how do i get started


  5. Prasad Kuchimanchi
    Oct 20, 2016

    Hi I am a computer engineering student. My family members taken a municipal project for water purification worth of 35 crore. They asked me to join with them. I m good at test automation selenium likely that. I don’t know scada. But they pleased to . so can I join in that as scadac engineer???


  6. Manvi
    Aug 11, 2016

    Good blogging for beginners in engineering, the post also help everyone who wants to know about SCADA systems. It is one gateway to control all the activities in a plant or a company. You can get information on the equipment from a good and reputed manufacturer like Chemtrols. All you neded is to just log into the website and heck for details. You can even ask for a quote.


  7. kishore
    Jun 08, 2016

    I working on Twido PLC TWDLMDA20DRT and would like to control it using movicon-scada. For some reason I am not able to establish communication between PLC and movicon using Schneider comm drivers. Please guide me how to establish the communication.


  8. naresh
    Feb 10, 2016

    Dear sir,

    I am D.naresh, my designation is electrical engineer. Now am doing AUTOCAD Designer in panel board manufacturing company. Sometimes the clients are asking PLC & SCADA Connections to panel. But i dont know how to connect. I want to know that if PLC & SCADA Coaching is important for Electrical engineers


  9. Abdul
    Feb 08, 2016

    can you suggest a good training center to join the course…..pls


  10. Ankit
    Jan 19, 2016

    Hi, everyone.
    We deal with Scada compatible equipments used in electrical Systems.We need some help to integrate the equipments with SCADA system.


  11. rajshekhar
    Nov 22, 2015

    We welcome all Automation Professionals to join ISA (isa.org).

    We have a strong and vibrant section in Bangalore and ISA Bangalore Section has just received awards at the recently conducted Automation Week.
    Do contact us.

    Regards

    Rajshekhar Uchil
    President
    ISA Bangalore Section


  12. walling
    Aug 24, 2015

    Dear sir,
    I mr walling working as a ppo in moulding department in which i had done my course,
    ppt in cipet but i am not satisfying with my present work becuase i want to engage in maintainence and not as a ppo. Therefore is it helpfull by taking course on PLC repearing,SCADA to get opportunity in maintainance field,i will b very gratefull to you ,thinking you


  13. reddy sekhar
    Jun 19, 2015

    we want some other information about PLC scada


  14. K.C.SHARMA
    Jun 17, 2015

    We have bid for providing SCADA automation system for a rural water supply project. We need to understand SCADA and locate the best in the industry SCADA providers and installers. These can be Indian or international.


    • Satyapal
      Aug 31, 2015

      Introducing ourself as a complete scada/dcs system provider for automation in water supply system used in the department of jal nigam/sansthan. Electrical and Technologies Engineers(E&T Engineers) is a complete solution for that u want & desire. We will provide u a complete scada system for ur bid as per instruction. If u r interested plz contact 7037189489.


  15. bugdroid
    Jun 08, 2015

    hi ! i’m prepararing for my ppt projet about SCADA and HMI .. can you help me please ??


    • Kalirajan Narayanasamy
      Oct 24, 2015

      Hi Engineer

      What kind help you need.? Let me know. As i know the part ill help you on the subject layouts.


  16. Sanjeev kumar
    Jun 01, 2015

    I want more information


  17. Andrew Odihi
    May 13, 2015

    please am just newly recruited in the SCADA dept.need more information.


  18. satish
    May 05, 2015

    Very useful domain….regarding plc,scada,dcs


  19. morris
    Apr 06, 2015

    Interested in knowing more for plc and scada filed of work and studies.
    Thank you.


  20. brij kishor rai
    Mar 28, 2015

    Sir me scada ralated information and vedio in electrical engineering career growth me increased .so please help me . more information send me sir


  21. mohamed
    Mar 25, 2015

    hi frnds,

    lot’s of automation institute is there but less no of opportunities, whenever i am searching job in automation field at web portal i am facing only institute advertisement only,can u please tell me automation job portal name please suggest me.

    thank ui


  22. bashkim
    Mar 17, 2015

    Hi do you have a scada for street lighting


  23. tema
    Feb 10, 2015

    BONSOIR .. je prépare mon mémoire de fin d’étude et j’aimerai bien avoir plus d’information (en français si c’est possible ) Merci


  24. swati
    Jan 21, 2015

    sent more details about scada & plc &sir tell me even about training centres nearest to belgaum


  25. Sachin Naik
    Jan 20, 2015

    Please share more scada videos. also provide tutorial links to learn about scada and plc automation system. also please let us know how to do PLC programing.


  26. kundan singh
    Nov 15, 2014

    Sir, Can u send me more scada video tutorial links? i want to learn about scada and plc automation system.


    • LOVEMORE MUNGUNI
      Oct 10, 2015

      do you offer scada training videos for RSVIWE32.


  27. mohammad
    Nov 09, 2014

    please sent me article


  28. obari johnson
    Aug 13, 2014

    I love this
    O


  29. ADEPOJU OLUSOLA
    Jul 02, 2014

    I really enjoy the lecture and it is well understand. but i really want to no difference between RTUs and PLCs. Thanks while waiting for your respond as soon as possible.


  30. asajile
    Jun 30, 2014

    More details required


  31. Nathan Valencia
    Jun 03, 2014

    Is SCADA different to BMS? Or it is just the same?


  32. Pravin Arun Jagdale
    Apr 30, 2014

    classic information abt PLC S SCADA rather than wikipedia
    Heartly THANKS


  33. Tom Neilson
    Apr 27, 2014

    Hi,
    For some examples of what can be done with all the data that is generated by a wind farm typical SCADA system, check out http://www.scadaminer.com/applications/wind-turbine-scada-analysis/
    Regards,
    Tom


  34. MOHAMED BILAL
    Apr 01, 2014

    useful for beginners .


  35. Seta Shandolo Shabolyo
    Mar 30, 2014

    am an electrica/electronics technician and interested to study SCADA


  36. chima victor
    Mar 28, 2014

    i like this course


  37. chima victor
    Mar 28, 2014

    i like this, and am about to implement on eof its kind


  38. S NOOR MOHAMMED
    Dec 04, 2013

    I am very much passionate to do a job in scada as i completed my course in Industrial automation (plc scada hmi ), i did b.tech in electrical & electronics please send me the details regarding jobs on scada. please do the needfull.

    Thanks & regards.


  39. [email protected]
    Jun 19, 2013

    please give the detailed information and other processing processes involved in SCADA


  40. robsot
    Jun 19, 2013

    Great article! However, you need to improve on your writing skills…


    • Bipul Raman
      Jun 19, 2013

      Thanks for your kind suggestion. I will try my best to improve it.


      • thirumalesh jalli
        Jun 26, 2013

        Good article for beginners.. Thanks Mr. Bipul

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