Instrument Mechanic Practice Test: DCS & SCADA — Flashcards

DCS and SCADA are both systems that control plant operations and the devices they can deploy. The main difference between the two is what they focus on:
 

DCS: Focuses on process control, such as closed-loop control, advanced regulatory control, and sequence control. DCS systems are designed for more complex process control functions, such as refineries.
SCADA: Focuses on data collection, primarily for monitoring and data collection. SCADA systems are primarily intended for operations that span broad geographical areas, such as pipelines and utilities. SCADA systems are event-driven and prioritize data gathering. SCADA systems can issue commands and alerts to operators.