Volume 8 – Mechanical and Electrical Services - Malaysia Geoportal

Chapter 10 SCADA AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM
10 SCADA AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM
10.1 INTRODUCTION TO SCADA AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM
10.1.1 Automation System
A procedure or method used to regulate a system by combination of mechanical and electronic
equipment that takes the place of human observation, effort, and decision. In content of gate
automation, there is a combination of controller, sensors, contactor together with actuator to
perform as Gate automation system. The equipment monitors water depths and gate positions so
call water level sensor will get the analogue information of water depth and gate position from time
to time. The sensed information is sent to controller to interpret by specially developed equations
referred to as control algorithms. Development of control algorithm in gate automation control is
very important which will determine the successfulness of the whole system. At the same time,
collected data will be sent to server for SCADA analyzing and supervision purpose.
10.1.2 SCADA System
SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition. As the name indicates, it is not a full
control system, but rather focuses on the supervisory level. As such, it is a purely software package
that is positioned on top of hardware to which it is interfaced, in general via Remote Terminal Unit
(RTU), or other commercial hardware modules or controllers. System operation and co-ordination
include all normal operations, maintenance operations and efficient method for responding to system
and/or device mis-operation, and an efficient critical event alert system for responding to emergency
situations that arise.
SCADA system requires a communication system to maintain the data links between the master and
site (Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)) where control and monitoring can be done through
communication. The master station will perform the function of data collection from each sites and
data storing logging, and manipulation tasks required by or for the operator. Each site requires
remote site monitoring and control equipment, referred as Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), to monitor
and control the remote site operations based on internal algorithms or commands received from
master station.
10.2 IMPLEMENTATION OF SCADA AND AUTOMATION SYSTEM IN BPME
[BAHAGIAN PERKHIDMATAN MEKANIKAL & ELEKTRIKAL], DID
There was another round of industrial revolution, when automation was first being introduced to
vary industries centuries ago. Things change rapidly especially in process industry. This brings
productivity and product quality increase in multiplying manner. As people take the advantages of
automation, it slips into every aspect of process control and needless to say Flood Mitigation and
Drainage Control system is no exception. The main implementation concept of SCADA and
Automation system in DID is to intergrates all drainage infrastructures through SCADA system to
perform as systematic, reliable, efficient, and cost saving drainage and flood mitigation management
system. Various sub-systems may operate alone or perform as control network when they are
integrated.
For BPME (Mechanical and Electrical Services Department in DID), sub-systems may include:-
a) Dam SCADA
b) Drainage structures, pump station and tidal control structures
c) Tidal and sea level monitoring
d) PTZ IP camera surveillance system
March 2009 10-1