What is SCADA System?

SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data

Acquisition; it is an industrial computer-based
control system employed to gather and analyze the
real-time data to keep track, monitor and control
industrial equipment's in different types of
industries.
“SCADA is an acronym for Supervisory Control and
Data Acquisition. SCADA generally refers to an
industrial computer system that monitors and
controls a process.”
Consider the application of SCADA in power
systems for operation and control.
SCADA in power system can be defined as the
power distribution application which is typically
based on the software package. The electrical
distribution system consists of several substations;
these substations will have multiple numbers of
controllers, sensors and operator-interface points.
• In general, for controlling and
monitoring a substation in real time
(PLCs) Programmable Logic
Controllers, Circuit breakers and
Power monitors are used. Data
is transmitted from the PLCs and
other devices to a computer-based-
SCADA node located at each
substation. One or more computers
are located at different centralized
control and monitoring points.
 Architecture of SCADA

• SCADA system includes the following components: local

processors, operating equipment, PLCs, instruments, remote
terminal unit, intelligent electronic device, master terminal
unit or host computers and a PC with human machine
interface.
• The block diagram of SCADA system shown in the figure
represents the basic SCADA architecture. The SCADA
(supervisory control and data acquisition) systems are
different from distributed control systems that are commonly
found in plant sites. When distributed control systems cover
the plant site, SCADA system cover much larger geographic
areas.
• Above figure depicts an integrated SCADA architecture which
supports TCP/IP, UDP and other IP based communication
protocols as well as industrial protocols like Modbus TCP,
Modbus over TCP or Modbus over UDP. These all work over
cellular, private radio or satellite networks.
• In complex SCADA architectures, there are a variety of wired and wireless media & protocols
involved in getting data back to the monitoring site. This allows implementation of powerful IP
based SCADA networks over landline, mixed cellular and satellite systems. SCADA
communications can utilize a diverse range of wired and wireless media.
• The choice of the existing communication depends on the characterization of a number of
factors. The factors are remoteness, available communications at the remote sites, existing
communications infrastructure, polling frequency and data rates. These factors impact the
final decision for SCADA architecture. Therefore, a review of SCADA systems evolution allows
us to better understand many security concerns.
Applications of SCADA

• SCADA systems are used for monitoring a variety of data like flows, currents, voltages,
pressures, temperatures, water levels, and etc., in various industries. If the system detects
any abnormal conditions from any monitoring data, then the alarms at the central or
remote sites will be triggered for alerting the operators through HMI.
• There are numerous applications of SCADA systems, but a few most frequently used SCADA
applications include:
1. Manufacturing Industries
2. Wastewater Treatment and Distribution Plants
3. SCADA in Power System
 Features of SCADA System

1) Control Feature using Graphical Representation

The main aim of the SCADA system is to establish the control of
the different machines of ground level from the main control
center. In an industrial process, it is necessary to start and stop a
manufacturing or industrial sequence.
With the help of SCADA, the operator can start and stop the
different industrial sequences from the control center as well as
monitor the status of different equipment.
Monitoring and controlling equipment from a text-only interface
are sometimes complicated. SCADA can graphically display
control, it will become very easy to understand the status of any
equipment.
2) Real-time/Historical Trend Feature
• The next useful feature of SCADA is Trend.
Many times it is necessary for any industrial
process that needs to be monitored as well
as logged.
• Trends are essential for any industrial
automation system. SCADA system is
capable to store real-time data from fields,
retrieve historical data, and graphically
present them.
3) Alarm Handling
• An alarm system is a system designed to
direct the attention of the operator to
significant aspects of the current state of the
plant. SCADA can perform this task with high
accuracy.
• It can track deviation in the rate of change
monitoring for analog values as well as a
change in the digital input/output values. It
can display historical alarms also.
4) Report Generation
• SCADA provides an amazing functionality –
Report. The user has to prepare a format in
which they want a report. The user can
select an event that triggers a report. There
is also the functionality that a user can
generate a report manually at any time.
 • Reduce Breakdown time by continuous
Advantages of monitoring of equipment status.
SCADA • Reduce manpower costs required for
operating and monitoring equipment in
System different areas.
• Flexibility to give report generation in an
auto manner as well as manual.
• Provide remote access to the real-time
display, alarm, trend, and report generation.
• Provide flexibility to choose equipment and
system based on performance.