SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.
- It is a software and hardware system that allows industrial organizations to monitor, control, and acquire data from equipment, machinery, and processes in real-time.
- It acts as a central control system managing large-scale infrastructure like factories, power grids, and water utilities.
Usage Examples of SCADA:
- Manufacturing: Monitoring production lines, automating assembly, and managing robotic arms.
- Energy & Power: Tracking power grids, controlling substations, and managing renewable energy generation.
- Water Management: Controlling water distribution systems and treatment plants.
- Logistics: Managing automated warehouse conveyors, cranes, and sorting systems.
- Oil & Gas: Monitoring pipelines and drilling equipment.
Components of a SCADA System:
- HMI (Human-Machine Interface): Displays data to operators and allows control.
- PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) / RTUs (Remote Terminal Units): Field devices that directly interact with machines and sensors.
- Data Acquisition & Communication Networks: Protocols connecting field devices to the central system.
- Historian: Software that records and logs data over time