SCADA system fundamentals for electrical engineering students

SCADA system types

SCADA system at its fundamental level is actually an industrial control system. It uses computer based control systems that monitor and control industrial processes that exist in the physical world.

SCADA systems can be found in manufacturing facilities, oil production and processing, pharmaceuticals, energy, water treatment and distribution, and the list goes on.

They are the best control method for processes that have large amounts of data that need gathering and analyzing, or are spread over large distances, or require critical control in fast paced processes.

Data gathering and system control at the highest level is broken into two basic systems:

1. SCADA – Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
2. DCS – Distributed Control System

Definition of SCADA is a Monitoring and/or Control System that utilizes a central computer for storing information, and onsite/remote hardware to monitor facilities and processes. Control may be automatic or manual and may occur at the remote units or the central computer.

Definition of DCS is a Monitoring and/or Control System that utilizes a central computer for storing information and onsite/remote hardware to monitor facilities and processes. Control may be automatic or manual and may occur at the remote units or the central computer.

Whereas, a DCS is process state driven. It is directly connected with field devices and control is done locally and automatically. The operator is just informed of what has happened.