Supervisory control and data acquisition, or SCADA, is a software application that is used to remotely gather real-time data from the equipment in order to manage industrial processes. Businesses can use data-driven insights from SCADA to make well-informed decisions regarding their industrial processes.It is a highly versatile industrial control system that is effective for managing different industrial processes.
SCADA systems available in the SCADA market are made up of Hardware and software parts. The hardware collects data and sends it to field controller systems, which then forward the data to other systems. These systems quickly handle and display the data on a human-machine interface (HMI). All events are recorded and logged by SCADA systems, providing comprehensive reporting of process status and issues. Additionally, SCADA applications utilize alarms to warn when situations become hazardous.
Components of SCADA:
Components deployed in the area to collect real-time information, as well as related structures to allow data gathering and boost industrial automation are included in SCADA systems. The following are the components of SCADA systems in the SCADA market.
- Sensors and Actuators: A device or system incorporates a sensor that identifies inputs from industrialized procedures. The mechanism of the method is controlled by an actuator, which is also a feature of the device or system. A sensor operates much like a gauge or meter that presents the condition of a machine, whereas an actuator functions as a control valve, switch, or dial that can be utilized to switch a device. Together sensors and actuators are managed and supervised by SCADA field controllers.
- SCADA field controllers: There exist two types of field controllers that directly connect with sensors and actuators. The first type consist of remote telemetry units, also known as remote terminal units (RTUs), which are utilized to interface with sensors to collect telemetry data. This data is then forwarded to a primary system where further action can be taken. The second type of field controllers is made up of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which communicate with actuators to control industrial procedures. Typically, this is done based on current telemetry data gathered by RTUs, as well as the standards set for these methods.
- SCADA monitoring systems: All SCADA procedures are regulated by monitoring systems that collect information from field devices, and issue instructions to those devices in order to manage industrial procedures.
- HMI system: An HMI system is responsible for collecting and displaying data from SCADA field devices. This allows operators to comprehend the status of SCADA-controlled procedures and make necessary modifications.
- Communication infrastructure: SCADA supervisory systems can interact with field devices and field supervisors through communication infrastructure. This infrastructure allows SCADA systems to gather data from field devices and also control them.