PLC Basics: Introduction to Programmable

Logic Controllers
Last Updated on: November 8, 2022 by Rick Phillips

A commonly asked question of people who are new in the control

engineering world is just that–“What is the difference between PLC and
SCADA?”

The difference between them is that the PLC is hardware based and SCADA
is software based. While both fall under the category of “control systems”,

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 SCADA provides greater capability than the PLC with the help of several
components.

Optimally, you would want to use the capabilities of both types of control
systems in order to meet design expectations while becoming more cost-
efficient (in the long run).

Table of Contents [show]

What is SCADA?
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. It is a
technology that enables the user to collect historical information from
multiple facilities (even distant ones) and even supervise the control
operations.

Of course, the historical information acquired from the whole data gathering
system (usually from sensors and outcomes) are visualized by the user in
order to perform a control decision on his discretion.

Usually, these data are analyzed statistically in order to optimize processes

and/or systems. An example would be profit optimization for a production
line.

Lately, SCADA systems have used the concept of Machine Learning or even
Deep Learning to process data and automatically perform control decisions
for the system.

The Learning system can act as a “brain” that can be taught about desirable
or undesirable outcomes for a system based on VERY specific conditions of
 Menu 
inputs and other parameters. It’s like the “most raw (hence, inferior)
version” of Artificial Intelligence.

Components of SCADA systems

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 A SCADA system is much more of a large-scale system than that of PLC
systems. At the center of a SCADA system is the operator, whereas, in PLC
control systems, the center is the PLC itself.

Central Control Unit

The operator has access to a visualization unit, usually called VDU or Video
Display Unit in order to show real-time data regarding the conditions in the
monitored facilities of the whole SCADA control system. These are provided
to the operator via a Server computer (the “sink” of all data).

PLC systems, at large, operate independently even without the help of

computers because the controller IS a computer itself. This makes a large
difference between a PLC control system and a SCADA control system as
SCADA systems cannot work using just the central component alone (of
course, the statement assumes that there are input and output devices
present). More on that later.

Remote Terminal Unit

The Server computer is connected to different distant control units called

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 RTU or Remote Terminal Unit. Usually, the server computer connects to
these RTUs through a transmission media.

These RTUs are the ones connected to the physical facilities of a process
inside a SCADA system. The RTU pre-processes the data before sending it
to the Server via transmission media.

Going back to my previous point, the PLC does not require any other
interface for the input and output devices to become part of the system.
SCADA systems require Remote Terminal Units to do so.

Then, what is the difference between the PLC and the RTU?

Good point. Both certainly have overlaps but in terms of how they can be
controlled, as well as what tasks they were designed to do, they become
much more different than you think.

RTUs are usually designed for remote communications between the server
and itself. It is most commonly a pre-processor of the data that it receives
from the connected devices, as well as a device to relay the command
messages that come from the Server.

PLCs, on the other hand, are designed to actually control the devices in its
immediate surroundings based on the PLC programming.

The PLC does not rely on any other condition other than the signals that
come from the connected input devices.

However, the PLC does not concern itself of recording or relaying the data
regarding the processes involved.

Hence, the RTUs are more inclined towards a manually operated type of
control. In spite of being reliant on commands, RTUs have the advantage of
being controlled REMOTELY as well as intelligently through careful decisions
that are based on DATA.

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 On the other end of the spectrum, PLCs are more inclined towards an
automated type of control. They only rely on the instantaneous conditions of
the input devices connected but are more capable of controlling output
devices without much supervision.

Transmission Media

In this context, transmission media refers to a dedicated communication

medium between two Terminal Units–the Main Terminal Unit (Server) and
the RTU.

Fiber-optic cables are usually used for SCADA systems, while some use
regular Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) to interconnect the RTUs to the
main server computer. Radio technology is also used. Hence, almost every
communication technology available can technically be utilized for SCADA
systems.

Modems

It is worth noting that the digital information can not be directly sent from
one computer to another without modifying the signals in such a way that it
would be able to propagate through the air/cables with minimal error and
highest fidelity.

This is where modems are used. Modems stand for “Modulator-

Demodulator”. Modulators transform a signal into a media-friendly form, and
Demodulators transform that same signal back into the original signal.

Using these communication devices, SCADA systems are easily connected

as a Local Area Network. What this means is you can easily control the
processes in a SCADA system without you being physically present in the
actual facility. You just need to send out control commands using the Server
computer and you’re done.

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 PLC SCADA systems
Even though we wanted to differentiate the two systems in this post, some
people may also ask if PLC and SCADA systems could work together.

PLC systems can work UNDER a SCADA system. With proper

communication interfaces, usually Ethernet, you can definitely make a PLC
control system work under a SCADA system.

Where is SCADA used?

The two systems, in terms of just controlling several devices and processes,
can absolutely rival each other even in terms of capabilities: the SCADA is
able to perform very well remotely and the PLC is able to perform very well
locally.

However, when it comes to safety systems and product measurement

systems, the convenience of SCADA may not be reliable.

That said, SCADA has a wide range of applications–not to mention they are
also BIG areas of application. Here they are:

Hydroelectric Power Plants

These power plants have plenty of small hydroelectric generators which are
grouped together. Based on the power demands, they are turned ON or OFF.

Obviously, it would be very difficult to do this switching using manual labor,

so instead, SCADA systems are used. That way, it would be easier to
visualize which group of generators are ON, and which are OFF.

In addition, the total generated power may also be monitored in real-time as

well as the total consumed or demanded power by the customers. This
allows the operator to provide control decisions that cater the demands of
the customers while being cost-efficient and timely.

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 Pipelines for fluids or gases
Pipelines can be controlled by opening or closing valves from the different
pumps that are connected to them. Because pipelines span a lot of distance,
they are a perfect application of a remote control type of system.

The thing here is that the leaks are dangerous to the environment (usually)
hence the control system must be able to immediately inform authorized
personnel about the problem. SCADA systems allow pipelines to be scanned
for trouble, as well as control very distant valves in an instant. This way,
leaks are easily mitigated.

Power Transmission
In transmission lines that propagate power to the country, it is obvious that
the entire system will cover thousands and thousands of miles.

Luckily, power is simply controlled by opening and closing switches that

allow the production line to meet the demands of the consumers. Similar to
the hydroelectric generator example, power transmission also benefits from
SCADA by allowing remote control of the switches through GREAT
distances.

Telecommunications
Telecommunications is where a LOT of data is present. Hence, SCADA
systems allow data logging and monitoring (real-time) through a central
computer.

Moreover, control of the different radio devices that allow propagation of

intelligible signals through modulation is also possible through remote
control in a SCADA system.

Using SCADA, even a Wide Area Network that could span an entire state or
country may be conveniently monitored and controlled.

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 Water systems
Irrigation systems, too, cover a very large section of a country. It is
impossible to manually control each station every time, though.

Similar to the generator application, water systems consist of valves rather

than switches that allow them to increase the delivered amount of water
based on the demands of the customer.

Using SCADA systems, you can monitor both the

consumer’s demands as well as your production rate and
certainly you can issue a command that will meet them
halfway.

When SCADA is NOT used

As said earlier, despite SCADA being a robust type of remote control and
monitoring system, it should be taken into consideration that IDEAL
conditions do NOT exist. Hence, because the SCADA is a REMOTE type of
system, it must not be relied on for critical applications.

For example, if a stream of data does not reach the server, it may seem like a
small nuance. But perhaps it might be one that could potentially cause a
company to lose millions of dollars. Here is the ONE application where you
should NOT use SCADA.

Safety-Instrumented Systems
In Safety Instrumented Systems, it is common notion that the instrumented
system must be designed to follow 3 main characteristics, which are:

Able to Override Normal Control

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 Being a control system itself, SCADA still allows you to override the normal
control of the whole system because the commands will follow the
supervision of the operator.

Has independent components

Now, this is where the problem comes into play. SCADA does have a lot of
common components between the normal control system and a supposed
safety instrumented system.

Because of this, the integrity of the safety system WILL rely on the integrity
of the components of the normal control system, because they are just the
SAME.

Now, the only solution to this is to add components (an RTU) that would
provide independence between the components of the safety and normal
control system.

Highest Simplicity

BUT, adding components violates this rule! A safety system must be

designed with the simplest form possible. The minimum number of parts or
steps are usually the target.

In remote systems like SCADA, however, this is already violated as there are
already a number of instructions and components that the process must
undergo before it is able to be executed.

Why PLC is better for Safety Instrumented Systems

With all that being said, SCADA may still be used to improve the safety of a
system, with the exception that the actual safety instrumentation is done AT
A LOCAL LEVEL using a different system.

PLC is best suited for this case because it is not only MORE suitable as a

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 rugged computer that can handle strenuous conditions, but it also relies on
just a handful of components to do the job.

Related: Why PLC is used over Microcontrollers

In addition, communication between the PLC and the devices are DIRECT
and does not require supervision.

Summing it up: Difference between PLC and

SCADA
To sum up this post, the difference between the PLC and SCADA is as
follows. SCADA is a system that relies on computers, software and
communication media to remotely monitor and control devices in a control
system, usually large-scale. SCADA systems are usually data- and decision-
driven control systems. PLC control systems rely on hardware and
immediate connections to effectively manage output devices in an instant
when an input device changes state. PLC systems, on the other hand, are
driven by instantaneous changes.

 PLC Basic Sensors and Input Devices – A Beginner’s Guide

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