Before any data collection or remote sensing can be achieved, information needs to be passed between the sensors and the communications system in a form that is compatible with the language of the SCADA system. To accomplish this, a field interface unit is required. The most basic of these units are known as remote terminal units or RTUs. RTUs convert electronic signals received from field sensors into machine language, known as a protocol, and transmit data over the communications network to the SCADA Master, where a human will use and manage that information. RTUs by themselves are not typically used to control equipment but rather to collect and transmit data to a controller, where controls are then exercised. When in the field, the RTU appears as a small box-like device (or several, depending on how many sensors are being utilized) within a panel. The simplified figure below illustrates a typical system.
SIMATIC RTU 3030C
The remote terminal unit (RTU) has typically been the control unit of choice for applications in the water distribution industry. RTUs were initially developed to provide digital communications between remote stations and a central facility. More recently, smart RTUs have been developed which also provide some level of local control. RTUs for use with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems typically consist of a box which contains a microprocessor and a database.
The RTUs normally provide stand-alone control at state component sites with a communication link to a central computer. In most cases, the RTUs can support sub remotes to bring control signals (i.e. Tank levels, pressures, etc.) Directly back to the RTU. These values can then be stored in the database for subsequent use or transmitted back to the central processor unit. The RTU can run automatic control strategies which scan the database, make control decisions, and change database output points to operate equipment (Riddle, 1989).
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IPCS Automation providing all type of Automation courses and also Digital Marketing courses we are ISO certified training institution in India and other outside part parts of India. now we are providing PLC Training in Chennai.
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Automation Training
Our foundation-to-advanced automation course training covers end-to-end industrial workflows used in modern plants. Learners practice the full cycle from basic circuits to commissioning and maintenance with hands-on labs, project-based fault finding, SOP creation, and documentation exposure (URS, FDS, FAT/SAT).
PLC Training
This PLC training builds controller fundamentals with ladder, FBD, and ST, including I/O wiring, PID tuning, diagnostics, and version control practices on live rigs.
SCADA Training
Our SCADA course covers tag databases, HMI graphics, historian/trends, alarm rationalization, redundancy, user security, backups, and deployment aligned to plant standards.
Panel Designing
This panel design course teaches standards-compliant MCC/PLC panel engineering, SLD/GA/wiring docs, device selection, heat-load, testing, and FAT.
BMS & Security
BMS training focuses on HVAC/lighting/utilities automation; CCTV & security covers design, storage, networking, and analytics.
IIoT
The Industrial IoT diploma spans sensors-to-dashboard pipelines: MQTT/OPC UA, gateways, historians, alerts/KPIs, and predictive maintenance basics.
