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Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems

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Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems - Part 1

Posted by Austin Scott in ICS, SCADA, SCADA 101 on February 27, 2013
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Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems

Introduction
About a year ago I posted an article on the Key Differences between DCS and SCADA Systems which outlined the main differences between the two most common types of industrial control system. To date this has been one of our most popular articles. Since writing the original article we have significantly raised the bar on our blog article quality. So, I have decided to write a new article on this topic with some additional clarifications and diagrams.

Typical SCADA Network Example

SCADA Systems
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Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems

SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), is a system designed to gather information from various points within a system and present it in a central control room. It allows for the monitoring, controlling and setting of alarms. This industrial control system is used in many industries, including water treatment, power generation, oil and natural gas, communications, manufacturing and fabrication. A modern control ecosystem can perform high level activities such as pricing energy consumption, planning preventative maintenance, monitoring video security systems, and managing physical access capabilities. As technology advances and the barriers that once separated the SCADA system from traditional computers are lifted, we are seeing control systems integrated with new devices and the valuable data generated used in fascinating ways. The SCADA system begins with the sensor instrumentation located at each point in the process. Sensors within the process monitor the amount of input and output at each step of the way. Temperature, flow rate and valves are all monitored by sensors. From a simple process, such as milk pasteurization, to a complex distribution system covering an entire city, a modern SCADA has the capability to monitor a few sensors or millions of sensors. The values read from sensor instrumentation is often used to alter the process. The input can be directly applied to the output as is the case in a simple open-loop control system In a more complex process the input can be fed into an algorithm to adjust the desired output in order to maintain a required set point, as is the case of a closed-loop control system.

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SCADA Network Layers

The realtime display of a process is known as the Human-Machine Interface (HMI). Information is displayed through the HMI in easily understood forms, such as process flow diagrams, graphs and charts. The information is archived, which gives the human operator the ability to recognize trends that may indicate problems within the system. The HMI is comparable to a large computer that shows easy-to-read graphic displays useful in monitoring alarms and controlling the system. One of the major benefits of SCADA is in the reduction of time spent collecting and
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Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems

analyzing data. The HMI presents the data from all points of the operating system collectively and in real time. This allows operators to make decisions quickly and efficiently. In addition, labor costs are minimized as personnel are not required to monitor the individual steps of the process. The monitoring can even be performed remotely from the operators home, resulting in fewer calls for alarm situations after hours. SCADA takes the complicated task of monitoring millions of points of information and uses computer technology to present it in centralized, easy to understand ways. Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems - Part 2 Coming March 5th, 2013 Key Differences Between SCADA, DCS and HMI Systems Part 3 Coming March 12th, 2013

Further Reading
Top 10 Things we Love About Citect SCADA Key Differences between DCS and SCADA The Differences between PLCs, RTUs and PACs

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