Different levels of SCADA (Supervisory regulate and Data Acquisition) systems are used to manage and regulate industrial operations, keep monitoring on equipment, and gather data. The various SCADA levels can be divided into the following categories:
1). Level 0: Process Level
2). Level 1: Control Level
3). Level 2: Supervisory Level
4). Level 3: HMI (Human-Machine Interface)
5). Level 4: Enterprise Level
6). Level 5: Internet of Things (IoT) Integration
1). Level 0: Process Level
Physical processes are carried out at this level, which is the bottom of the SCADA system. It consists of
- Sensors,
- Actuators,
- Motors,
- Pumps, and
- Other field devices
that are in charge of gathering information and carrying out tasks in an industrial setting. These units are in charge of transforming actual physical variables (such as temperature, pressure, & flow rate) into digital signals that the SCADA system can process.
2). Level 1: Control Level
The control devices & PLCs that handle the data from Level 0 are located at this level. PLCs are in charge of carrying out control algorithms, rendering judgments, and giving instructions to actuators & other field devices. They are essential to the automation and management of industrial processes based on the information obtained from field devices.
3). Level 2: Supervisory Level
The SCADA system itself is involved at this level. It gathers information from PLCs & other control devices, keeps track of the process, and shows the entire system visually. The SCADA system is used by operators and supervisors to track the status of industrial operations in real-time, make informed choices, and take necessary action as necessary.
4). Level 3: HMI (Human-Machine Interface)
The operator and supervisor user interface for the SCADA system is called the HMI. It gives a visual depiction of the industrial processes, shows alerts, trends, and other pertinent data, and enables users to give instructions to the process and take control of it.
Graphical displays (or) touchscreens (or) other user-friendly interfaces can be used as the HMI.
5). Level 4: Enterprise Level
This level establishes connections between the SCADA system and higher-level business systems including
- Enterprise resource planning (ERP),
- Inventory control, and
- Manufacturing execution systems (MES).
At the organizational level,
production planning,
- Scheduling,
- Reporting, and
- Decision-making
can be aided by data gathered from the SCADA system.
6). Level 5: Internet of Things (IoT) Integration
Certain SCADA (Supervisory regulate and Data Acquisition) systems are integrating with cloud-based platforms & IoT devices as a result of the development of IoT technology. This makes it possible to utilize cloud services for
- Remote monitoring,
- Data storage, and
- Advanced analytics.
It’s essential to remember that the precise organization and identify of these levels can change depending on the sector and implementation.
Additionally, the SCADA system landscape is always changing due to technological developments and the fusion of IT & OT (Operational Technology).