Difference between PLC and DCS (Mr.

Atul Anil Aphale)

No. 1. PLC PLC is a digital computer used for automation electromechanical processes. No. 1. DCS DCS is a automated control system that is distributed through a machine to provide instructions to different parts of the machine. DCS is number of PLCs distributed over a control network over the entire plant. DCS controls the many PLCs at a time. DCS is used Commonly with Process Control Systems as it is Combined of Many control Cards, PLCs.

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PLC is a one unit used to control particular machine or production unit PLC is a on/off controller. It Controls the only machine on or off. PLC is used Commonly with On\Off (Digital) Control and may be expanded with Analog I\O Modules for Analog Control and used for a Unique Task. PLC does not have wide range of communication. PLC is basically oriented for one job only, suppose if PLC fails then whole system will shut down.

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DCS have wide range of communication. In DCS there is redundant PLC for each PLC so that if primary system fails then its standby plc takes over the charge. DCS have many sub processors who update their data and give summery to DCS, so DCS have to scan only these sub cpu hence it improves the scan cycle and system becomes faster. Now PLC has also coming with big data handling capacity with low scan cycle. In DCS, parameters can be changed online. In DCS simple to advanced PID control up to advanced process control. Total cost and size is higher.

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PLC has to read all its data itself and to generate o/p accordingly, if the system is big the scan cycle goes high and any changes in i/p could scan & display little late

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In PLC, we cant change configuration online. We have to go offline to change configuration. In PLC analog control is simple PID control.

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Total cost and size is much less than DCS system.

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