Difference between PLC and SCADA

What is PLC?

PLCs(Programmable Logic Controllers) are small industrial computers with components used for industrial automation. These are designed to automate, customized control processes. PLCs are used in pumps, factories, industries, fans, lights, and other machinery.

What is SCADA?

SCADA(Supervisory control and data acquisition) is monitoring the software. It is used to control the PLC and record data. SCADA helps to control hardware elements and creates a record of data collected from remote locations. These are connected to computers, user interfaces, sensors, and data communications of the entire process.

PLC and SCADA work together

PLC and SCADA are different technologies. Actually, these are not connected. But these 2 are used in the same industry. So this two work together, then the result makes safe and effective operation in the industry.

PLC requires SCADA to control their operation, and SCADA needs the data collected by the PLCs.

Difference between PLC and SCADA

The PLC is physical hardware and SCADA is software. PLC inspected physically. SCADA works on a computer system.

SCADA can monitor and collect information from the output of a system. PLC only focuses on monitoring only one element within the system.

SCADA controls the entire system but PLC controls only the part of the system.

• In PLC, the piece of hardware is used to read sensors.
• In PLC, the information is received from sensors or input devices. And it processes the data.
• PLCs provide programmable controllers to replace the relays. heavy duty, timers, and sequences.
• PLCs are mostly suitable for harsh environments in many different industrial processes.
• PLCs, give results based on input conditions with a limited time for operations.
• In SCADA, the software is used to control the PLC and record data.
• SCADA systems use networked data communications, computers, and GUI for the high-level process.
• SCADA systems are handled by an operator by using the operator interface.

Modern SCADA systems

This system allows real-time data accessed from anywhere in the world. It will access to make decisions, then improves the process. For taking decisions, sufficient data has been gathered. By this SCADA, application design is easy without any software knowledge. SCADA systems are the backbone of modern industries like food and beverage, energy oil and gas, manufacturing, recycling, water, and waste, and power.

The modern IT standards include SQL and web-based applications in SCADA. By this, it improves security, efficiency, productivity, and reliability.  The best advantage of using an SQL database makes it easier to integrate into existing MES and ERP systems. It allows the data to the entire organization.

SCADA systems are crucial for future industrial automation. SCADA software allows more effective and safe and lowers cost product environment. These systems provide real-time information. The technology includes oil and gas, power utilities, the main benefits of SCADA include, cost, risks, and support.

SCADA has simple configurations for large, complex installations.

Modern PLC Systems

In industrial automation, PLC evolution is the best option for improvement.  In the future, the PLCs adapting the technology improvements in hardware and software. And this evolution will include the merging of PLC with PAC functionality. In the future, PLCs and PACs will continue to merge.

The innovation technologies are futuristic robotics, high-tech sensors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and big data analytics in the industry. In the manufacturing industry, the new generation is Industry 4.0.

By this evolution, there are low and high-end processors and include more features and options in the higher-end products.

The advanced features such as system integration, motion control, and multiple communication protocols with simplicity to many users. The advancement of PLCs providing memory expansion, connectivity, handling complicated applications, and maintenance.

In the future, PLCs are designed to robust in the industry. These are using materials are fiber signals. These are more durable. PLC can also be operated remotely. The new manufacturing is Industry 4.0. in this new technology, PLCs role as the main control, input center, and human workers. PLCs processor for real-time manufacturing processes with input sensors helps to communication.

The High-end PLC includes the communication ports to support multiple protocols. The advancements are to the use of ad hoc and mesh networking and the rise of Bluetooth for applications. In the future comes the adoption of wireless for good applications like RTUs. Here the real-time control is not required.

The relationship between PLC and SCADA are,

SCADA’s are the extensive software structure that supports the system. PLC’s are part of the system. For controlling the functions the PLCs must use SCADA. SCADA is based on the data.