Inspection
Work Planning

This is some text inside of a div block
← All terms
SCADA

SCADA — Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition

An industrial control system used to monitor, control and acquire data from geographically distributed assets and processes.

Definition

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) is an industrial automation system that enables operators to monitor, control and collect operational data from geographically distributed equipment, facilities and processes. SCADA systems integrate field devices, remote terminal units, communication networks and operator interfaces to support real-time operational monitoring and supervisory control.

Why It Matters

SCADA systems provide centralized monitoring, supervisory control and data acquisition for distributed industrial operations.

In Practice

SCADA systems are widely used to monitor and control geographically distributed infrastructure and commonly integrate with historians, Plant Information Management Systems, enterprise systems and OPC-based communication architectures.

Common Misuse

SCADA provides supervisory monitoring and control of distributed assets, whereas a Process Control System primarily controls equipment within a local process facility.

Term Details
Synonyms:
SCADA; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition; Industrial SCADA; Supervisory Control System
Classification:
Process Control
Concept
Advanced
Applications

Industrial Automation; Control Systems; Information Management.

Where It's Used

Utilities.; Pipelines.; Oil and gas.; Power generation.; Water and wastewater.

References

IEC 60870; IEC 62443; IEC 62541

See It In VisualAIM

VisualAIM connects glossary concepts to the asset records, inspection histories, and workflows they describe.

Explore the MI Suite