‘1119123, 9:21 PM Difference between PLC and DCS f Home Coding Ground (6 Jobs [1 Whiteboard & Tools Both PLC and DCS are extensively used in industrial automation to control and automate a machine or a process. Both PLC and DCS monitor the input and field signals and take the decisions based on how they are programmed. S a ral Versus There are many differences between PLC and DCS which we will highlight in this article. Let's start with some basics of PLC and DCS so that it becomes easier to understand the differences between them. What is a PLC? PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller. The PLC is a microcontroller device that is used to control and automate a machine or a process in the industry. The PLCs are mainly designed to replace the hard wired relay logic controllers so that the industrial processes can be improved. rntps:hwutlorialzpoint comidference-between-ne-and-des| wr‘1119723, 9:21 PM Difference between PLC and DCS oO is used. There are many types of programming languages developed to program a PLC such as ladder logic, structured text, functional block diagram, instruction list and structured functional blocks. What is a DCS? DCS stands for Distributed Control System. A DCS is a computerized control system which has a collection of multiple control components distributed throughout a process or a plant. A DCS does not have central operator supervisory control. The DCS system makes the process more reliable and minimizes the installation cost by localizing the control functions near the plant or the process, with remote supervision and monitoring. The DCS is highly scalable and is used to control complex industrial processes which need large interaction between multiple controllers. The major parts of a typical distributed control system (DCS) are: multiple controllers, IO (input-output) modules, operator stations, engineering stations, and storage and communication system. The most extensive applications of DCS are in petro-chemical industries, paper industries, power plants, pharmaceutical industries, refineries and many other manufacturing and processing industries and plants. Difference between PLC and DCS Both PLC and DCS are used in industrial automation to control and automate the processes and the plants. However, there are several differences between them that are given in the following table — Basis of PLC Dcs jifference Full form PLC is an acronym for DCS is an acronym for Programmable Logic Distributed Control System. Controller. Definition APLC is a microcontroller A DCS is a computerized designed to control and control system consists of automate the processes in multiple controllers that are industries. distributed throughout the hips: wu tlorialspoint comidference-between-ple-and-dessnin9i2s, 21 oO Pu Major parts Objective Type of control Operator interface Development of logics Programming Redundancy Architecture Difference between PLC and DCS A typical PLC consists of five major parts namely a processing unit, a memory unit, an inputoutput interface, a power supply and a communication interface. PLCs are mainly designed to replace the hard wire relay logic controllers that consist electromagnetic relays, PLC involves discrete control. PLC uses simple graphics human machine interface. PLCs are programmed based on the application. For PLCs, various high level programming languages are available for creating custom logic. In case of PLCs, the redundancy may not be cost justified. It is because the additional hardware are used to make PLCs redundant which makes them costlier, PLC has comparatively simple and flexible architecture. tntpshwutlorialzpoint comidference-between-pe-and-tes| The major parts of a typical distributed control system (DCS) are: multiple controllers, 10 (input-output) modules, operator stations, engineering stations, and storage and communication system. DCS is primarily designed to replace the pneumatic or single loop controllers (SLCs). DCS involves regulatory control, The interface of DCS has sophisticated graphics. DCS has in-built control functions that are configured according to application. For DCS, the existing function blocks are used to create custom logic, DCS has redundancy as its default feature The architecture of a DCS system is relatively complex and less flexible, a7‘1119123, 9:21 PM oO capacrry Response speed Storage of application data Number of controls Processes Predictable Alert Cost Size Applications Conclusion Difference between PLC and DCS nunarea 1us, The response speed of a PLC is comparatively high, i.e. a PLC can typically respond to a change within 1/10th of a second In case of PLCs, the application data are stored on several databases, PLC has a limited number of controls. PLC performs batch processing with low level of process interactions. The processes of PLCs are not completely predictable PLCs diagnostic to inform you when something is broken. PLCs are cheaper than DCS hardware but their engineering is expensive. PLCs are compact in size PLCs are mainly used in discrete production industries, such as steel industry, automobile industry, chemical industry, etc. tntpshwutlorialzpoint comidference-between-pe-and-tes| PLU, 1 1S around tnousanas of IOs. The response speed of a DCS. is relatively slower. For a DCS, the typical response time is around 30 ms. The application data of DCS are stored on a single database, DCS can handle many controls. DCS involves inter related continuous complex processes. The processes of DCS are predictable. DCS alters you to what might break before it does, DCS hardware is expensive but the engineering involved is relatively cheaper. DCS is larger in size. DCS is mainly used in process industries such as refineries, paper mills, power plants, water management and treatment plants, boiler controls, etc. an‘1119123, 9:21 PM Difference between PLC and DCS oO Related Articles > Difference Between DCS and SCADA > Difference between Relay and PLC > Differences Between a PLC and an RTU What are the differences between DCS Network and Field Communication Protocol? > Power line communications (PLC) > Difference between Analytical Engine and Difference Engine > Difference between Voltage Drop and Potential Difference > Difference between \'and\' and \'&\' in Python > Difference between Covariance and Correlation > Difference between Buffer and Cache ~ Difference between JCoClient and JCoDestination > Difference between String and StringBuffer. > Difference between StringBuffer and StringBuilder. > Difference between Process and Thread > Difference between Concurrency and Parallelism Career Get Started rntpshwutlorialzpoint comidference-between-nle-and-des| 57‘1119723, 9:21 PM Difference between PLC and DCS < Previous Advertisements‘1119123, 9:21 PM Diference between PLC and DCS @ About us Terms Our Products Company Terms of use Free Library Our Team Privacy Policy Articles Careers Refund Policy Coding Ground Jobs Cookies Policy Certifications Become a Teacher FAQ's Courses Affliates eBooks Contact Us Corporate Training Free Web Graphics Contact Us Tutorials Point India Private Limited, Incor9 Building, Kavuri Hills, Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana - 500081, INDIA © Copyright 2023. 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