CHAPTER – 6

SCADA INTRODUCTION
SCADA:
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system refers to the
combination of Telemetry and Data Acquisition. It consists of collecting information,
transferring it back to a central site, carrying out necessary analysis and control, and then
displaying this data on a number of operator screens. The SCADA is used to monitor and
control a plant or equipment. Control may be automatic or can be initialized by operator
commands.

TELEMETRY:
Telemetry is usually associated with the SCADA systems. It is a technique used
in transmitting and receiving information or data over medium. The information can be
measurements, such as voltage, speed or flow. These data are transmitted to another
location through a medium such as cable, telephone or radio.

DATA ACQUISITION:
Data Acquisition refers to the method used to access and control information or
data from the equipment being controlled and monitored. The data accesses are then
forwarded onto a telemetry system ready for transfer to different sites. They can be
analog and digital information gathered by sensors, such as flow meter, ammeter, etc. It
can also be data to control equipment such as actuators, relays, valves, motors, etc.

NECESSITY OF SCADA SYSTEMS:

The usual reason for installing of SCADA is to provide the system operator
sufficient information and control to operate the system, or some part of it, in a safe,
economical manner.
Occasionally, there is some prime reason for installing a system, but however
once the decision is made, modern hardware, software used in SCADA systems provide
mind boggling list of capabilities, features, options those are attractive to a large number
of potential users.
 Therefore it is essential that primary purpose be kept firmly on the forefront at the
design, specification and procurement stage. It is better to satisfy at least one group as
fully more possible than to end up with all groups being dissatisfied.
COMPONENTS OF SCADA SYSTEM:
A SCADA System is composed of the following
i) Field Instruments
ii) Remote Station
iii) Communication Network
iv) Central monitoring station
FIELD INSTRUMENTS:
It refers to the sensors and actuators that are directly interfaced to the plant or
equipment. They generate the analog and digital signals that will be monitored by the
remote station.
Signals are conditioned to make sure they are compatible with the Inputs/Outputs
of the Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) or PLC at the remote station. This part is also called
as the local system. It is responsible for acquiring data (status and actual value of
variables) and controlling the plant under the supervision of remote control center. They
communicate with control center at the lowest level of control hierarchy.
THE REMOTE STATION:
It is installed ate the remote plant or equipment being monitored and controlled by
the central host computer. This can be a remote Terminal Unit (RTU) or PLC. It gathers
information from various input devices, like valves, pumps alarms, meters, etc., located
in remote site and essentially data is either analog/ digital (on/off), or pulse data (e.g.
Counting revolutions of meters). Many RTUs hold the information gathered in their
memory and wait for a request from the CMS to transmit the data.
Many sophisticated remote terminal units have microcomputers and Programmed
Logic Controllers (PLCs) that can perform control over a remote site without the
direction of the CMS.
A typical remote unit consists of a base processing unit, power supply, modem,
input/output cards, relays, enclosure, battery backup, wiring terminals, lightning
protection and start-up. The RTUs are designed for extremes in temperature, humidity
and power conditions. This is one of the main advantages of the RTU.
It can survive through adverse environmental conditions. Hence it can collect all
the virtual information from the hazardous zone, which otherwise would not have been
possible for the operator to go and collect it directly.
In this way the information from all the places of the plant irrespective of the
environmental conditions, can be effectively collected with the help of these RTUs. This
allows us to realize the whole plant using the SCADA system.
THE COMMUNICATION NETWORK:
It refers to the location of the master or host computer. Several workstations may
be configured on the CMS, if necessary. It uses a Man Machine Interface (MMI) program
to monitor various types of data needed for the operation.
Input to the system normally is initialized from the operator via the Master
Terminal Unit (MTU) keyboard. The MTU monitors information from remote sites and
displays information for the operator. The relationship between MTU and RTU is
analogous to master and slave.
A typical master unit consists of a base processing unit, operator interface, power
supply, modem, input/output cards/relays, enclosure, battery backup, wiring terminals,
lighting protection, programming and startup.
FEATURES OF SCADA SYSTEMS:
A SMART WAY TO OPERATE:
SCADA systems are robust and ‘failure aware’. The SCADA doesnot wait for
things to go wrong, it continuously monitors itself for a signs of trouble. And, by do go
wrong the system is programmed to take immediate steps to circumvent it. The Remote
Telemetry Units that perform most of the data acquisition and control employ similar
redundant technology, so the personal can stay focused on recovery of service, and not on
keeping the SCADA system up and running. The SACAD system can be programmed to
monitor its major physical components and to automatically reconfigure new “virtual”
Components whenever failures are detected. For example, virtual remote telemetry units,
automatically redeployed to a functioning server whenever a communication link server
fails.
WELL CONNECTED:
A SCADA connects to third parties at both the process level, where we have sub
stations, signaling equipments and valves, and at the application level, where we have
database, control and management functions. Using standard communication protocols,
standard media interface and non-proprietary programming languages, SCADA can
simply “plug-in” our legacy systems and peer control centers.
ALARM FUNCTIONS:
It can use voice recording to communicate alarm conditions over telephones,
pagers, two-way radios or public address system. Remote computers can dial into the
SCADA system by modem and troubleshooting can be done remotely before traveling to
the site.
REAL TIME OPTIMIZATION:
SCADA is designed to function cooperatively with both business and personnel.
We can optimize our enterprise online, in real time, achieve quicker, better informed
decision making, and be assured of the highest possible asset utilization. SCADA allows
managers and engineers to view process data from their desktop whether the data is on-
site or miles away.
UNIVERSAL USE:
SCADA can be molded to fit, no matter what the industry or application. For
Example, it can run distribution management applications like busload allocation and
short circuit analysis in the power industry, tracking power and passenger information
applications in the rail transport industry, leak detection and cathodic protection
applications in the pipeline industry. Applications module plug straight into the SCADA
architecture and may be distributed across a local area network of machines, or left on a
single one, as governed by our choice.
 Plant operators can use windows-based screens to view data and, when allowed,
control equipment located in the next room or far away. The SCADA system
allows control using a graphical user interface and standard keystrokes rather than
remembering complex function key commands.
 Data can be retrieved from remote sites and an operator can control electrical,
mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic equipment without having to visit the site.
 SCADA system provide storage and retrieval of historical data used for
comparison with current process data.
 We Can monitor the system performance by tuning process controllers in
software at economical, “per loop costs”.
 Standard Personal computers (PCs) may be used for Human Machine Interfaces
and can be upgraded or modified as required.
 Network hardware technology has allowed for reliable data transfer using
standard equipment, which can be upgraded or replaced as needed.
 Network standards provide communication between equipment of different
manufacturers. This allows flexibility in purchasing new equipment or modifying
existing in a “least cost” manner.