Industrial Controls Types and Styles
Learn about industrial control panels and the types and styles of industrial control systems
Industrial control systems take data or information and transmit it in a variety of ways. Some industrial control components can be used in conjunction with each other as well.Industrial controls types and styles come in three main categories: distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLC) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Remember the following when researching the types and styles of industrial controls:
1. Distributed control systems (DCS) connect different sub-systems together, and can use programmable controllers.
2. Programmable logic controllers (PLC) can work in conjunction with a DCS or stand alone for smaller systems.
3. Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems depend on remote terminal units that use programmable controllers.
Learn about industrial control systems like distributed control systems (DCS)
Distributed control systems (DCS) have industrial control components over connected sub-systems. These types of systems are often used in wastewater treatment plants and in oil and gas refineries.
Try: GlobalSpec gives a detailed description of DCS. WaterandWastewater.com describes how a DCS is used at a wastewater treatment plant.
Look into programmable controllers
Programmable logic controllers (PLC) can be used in DCS systems or on their own, but are primarily use for controlling computer-based processes, like power plant and other industrial plant processes.
Try: Frost Environmental Rooms shows an example of a PLC industrial control panel that works with a PLC system.
Consider SCADA industrial controls
A supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) industrial control system is used to collect data from several different locations, route that information to a central location where the data is then controlled and monitored.
Try: Gopher Utility Services has a detailed description of SCADA industrial control equipment. Tech-FAQ clearly describes a SCADA system, including its user interface and software and hardware components.
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