The Most Important Things You Need to Know About SCADA Systems
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems are used for monitoring and regulating the movement of materials in places like factories, warehouses, and distribution centers. They keep tabs on processes in real time and can raise alerts if something goes awry.
SCADA integrator systems consist of a network of specialized hardware and software that operate under the control of a supervisory system. They are often referred to as Industrial Control Systems (ICS).
You’ll find these systems in places like manufacturing plants, power plants, refineries, water treatment plants, and more. They are an indispensable part of modern manufacturing and many other industries.
If you work in a SCADA-related field or are interested in learning more, then you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about SCADA systems.
What is a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System?
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. It is a system that manages a process in a manufacturing facility, for example, or keeps track of the water treatment plant operations.
A typical SCADA system is made up of hardware devices and software that operate under the control of a supervisory system. The supervisory system is what regulates and manages the devices.
Some of the devices that are common in a SCADA system include:
Modems: Modems are the networking backbone of a SCADA system. They connect devices via a digital network.
Switches: Switches are devices that route information within a network. There are several types of network switches, each with different capabilities and functionality.
PCs: Personal computers play an important role in a SCADA system. They are used to collect data from sensors and transmit commands to actuators. They are also used to store data and configure devices.
Printers: Printers are used to print out reports and graphs from computers in a SCADA system.
What Devices Make Up a SCADA System?
In a manufacturing environment, you’ll find that the devices you’ll commonly find in a SCADA system include modems, switches, sensors, and actuators.
A typical SCADA system might have these types of sensors:
Position sensors: Provide accurate coordinates of their sensors’ position.
Motion sensors: Detect whether a certain part of the machine is moving.
Conveyor sensors: Help machines to understand the state of their components.
Temperature sensors: Detect external temperatures, such as the ambient air or water.
Pressure sensors: Detect the internal pressure of water or gas.
Other sensors: Other sensors exist that are specialized to specific industries.
How Does a SCADA System Work?
To operate a SCADA system, you need to know how each device connects to the others. The computers in a system form a network. These computers are connected by a network cable or wireless connection.
The software in the computers then communicates with and controls the hardware, allowing the system to perform its functions.
A typical configuration for a SCADA system might have a master computer, one or more slaves, and one or more databases.
The master computer acts as the central nervous system of the system. It contains the operating system, application software, and the hardware configuration.
The slaves are usually located at the devices that make up the plant or other machines. They communicate with the master via a network.
The databases manage the data collected by the sensors, such as the sensors’ reading of the variables being monitored, such as pressure, temperature, etc.
Advantages of SCADA
Easily integrated with other systems: SCADA systems are often connected to other systems via the network or to the internet. This allows them to receive data and send information to other systems or the internet.
Real-time data: Data generated by SCADA systems is almost always real-time, as opposed to data in a data warehouse which is usually near-term.
Remote monitoring: SCADA systems are often set up to allow remote monitoring, whether through a web browser or smartphone app. This allows managers to view data and make adjustments from their desks instead of being present at the plant floor.
Disadvantages of SCADA
Security issues: One of the biggest problems with SCADA systems is their susceptibility to hacking and cyber-attacks. As these systems are connected to the internet, malicious users can access them via the network.
Data inconsistencies: Data generated by SCADA systems can sometimes be inaccurate or inconsistent. The reasons for this can vary. Sometimes the sensors are faulty or inaccurate. Other times the sensors are reading the variables incorrectly or the software is in erro