Preface SCADA (or supervisory control and data acquisition) systems are a rapidly growing field with the emphasis being on software and industrial data communications. It should be noted at the outset that the term SCADA has different meanings depending on the industry you are working in, For example, if you are installing a process control system for an industrial piant or factory you will understand SCADA to mean the software operating on a PC which enables you to get a ‘window into your process plant’ and also to control your plant from a keyboard. On the other hand if you are a water utility engineer and have your water reticulation network scattered over a few thousand square kms with operator stations in a central control room indicating the levels of the various water reservoirs and flow rates in the pipes and activities of the various pumping stations, you will understand SCADA in its traditional role of mainly data acquisition with a small amount of control. In this case the transfer of data will be across radio communications links that are operating over significant distances. This book covers the fundamentals of SCADA systems hardware, software and the associated communications systems (such as RS-232 and Ethernet) that connect the SCADA operator stations together. It provides you with the tools to understand the basic concepts of SCADA and thus to design and install your next SCADA system more effectively. ‘After reading this book we hope you will be able to: * Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of SCADA systems ‘* Understand the typical SCADA protocols used « Set up basic industrial networks for SCADA systems * Grasp some of the basics of troubleshooting the SCADA system hardware This book is intended for engineers and technicians who are: + Instrumentation and control engineers * Process control engineers « Electrical engineers * Sales engineers + Project engineers « Maintenance supervisors A basic knowledge of electrical principles is useful in understanding the concepts outlined in the book. But the contents are of a fundamental nature and hence easy to comprehend. The structure of the book is as follows. Chapter 1: Background to SCADA. This chapter gives a brief overview of what is covered in the book with an outline of the essentials and a background to SCADA systems. Chapter 2: SCADA systems, hardware and firmware. The aim of this chapter is to review the typical hardware underpinning SCADA systems with an emphasis on remote terminal units (RTUs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Chapter 3: SCADA systems software and protocols. The software and associated protocols are the key to understanding SCADA systems and these are examined in some depth in this chapter.xiv Preface Chapter 4: Landlines. Most SCADA systems have some connection to the telecommunications infrastructure, This chapter assesses the different options open to you in using these different systems. Chapter 5: Local area network systems. Very few SCADA systems operate in isolation today and depend on a connection to other computers forming a local area network; invariably based on industrial Ethemet. This chapter covers this in some depth. Chapter 6: Modems. Modems and the ubiquitous RS-232/RS-485 standards are discussed in this chapter. It should be noted that although this is perhaps not as important as in earlier years due to the use of direct digital communications and local area networks, modems and RS-232 are still widely used. Chapter 7: Central site computer facilities. An oft neglected area, this is examined with a discussion on appropriate installation practises and ergonomic requirements. Chapter 8: Troubleshooting and maintenance. One of the most interesting areas is ‘encapsulated in this chapter with a discussion on fixing typical RTU problems. Chapter 9: Specification of systems. This chapter contains a short discussion on specification of SCADA systems and some of the trends in the market.