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SCADA Full Form- Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

Updated on 18 January, 2024

Akansha Semwal

Akansha Semwal

Study Abroad Expert

What is SCADA? The full form of SCADA is Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.  Software applications in the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) category are used to control industrial operations, which involve real-time data collection from remote locations to regulate equipment and conditions. SCADA gives businesses the instruments they need to implement and make data-driven choices about their industrial operations. SCADA, one of the most widely used kinds of industrial control systems, is capable of handling practically any kind of industrial operation.  Both software and hardware are included in SCADA systems. Data is collected and fed into field controller systems via the hardware. These systems then relay the information to other systems for processing and timely presentation to a human-machine interface (HMI).

SCADA System Components

SCADA systems consist of field-deployed components for real-time data collection and associated systems to facilitate data collection and improve industrial automation. Among the components of SCADA are the following:

  • Sensors and Actuators: A device or system's sensor is a feature that allows it to recognize inputs from industrial processes. An actuator is a component of a system or device that manages the process's mechanism. To put it simply, an actuator is like a switch, dial, or control valve that may be used to control a device, whereas a sensor is like a gauge or metre that shows the status of a machine. SCADA field controllers oversee and manage both sensors and actuators.
  • SCADA Supervisory Computers: They are responsible for gathering data from field devices and sending commands to them in order to regulate industrial processes. They oversee all SCADA procedures.
  • HIMI Software: This gives operators access to a system that compiles and displays data from SCADA field devices, allowing them to comprehend and adjust the state of SCADA-controlled operations as needed.
  • Communication Infrastructure: Field controllers and devices can now connect with SCADA supervisory systems thanks to this. SCADA systems can operate and gather data from field devices thanks to this architecture.

Akansha Semwal

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.

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