PLC vs RTU

PLCs and RTUs are both electronic devices; their functionalities overlap with each other. RTCs

are sold with PLC-like features, and PLCs are sold with RTC-like features. Many vendors sell

proprietary alternatives and different associated environments to run these programs since the

industry made the functional language running RTUs and PLCs standard.

RTU

“RTU” stands for “Remote Terminal Units.” They are also referred to as “Remote Telemetry

Units.” An RTU is an electronic device which is controlled by a microprocessor. The main

function of an RTU is to interface the SCADA to the objects present physically. “SCADA”

stands for “supervisory control and data acquisition.” The interface between objects and

SCADA takes place by using supervisory system messages to control all the objects connected

and by transmitting to the system all the telemetry data.

The RTU does not support control loops and control algorithms. The functionality of RTUs and

PLCs has started overlapping because of cheaper hardware, and thus the industry standardized
the language for programs on which RTUs run. IEC 61131-3 has been standardized.

It is different from a PLC because it is considered more suitable as it

uses wireless communication and is suited to a wider geographical telemetry whereas PLCs are

better with local controls, for example, production lines or plants, etc. In plants and production

lines, the system is more based on physical media. IEC 61131-3 is used more by PLCs, and

RTUs use other proprietary tools.

PLC

“PLC” stands for “programmable logic controller.” PLCs are digital computers. They are used

mainly for automating the electromechanical processes, for example, assembly lines in factories,
light fixtures, amusement rides, etc. They are specially designed for output arrangements and
 multiple inputs. They have electrical noise immunity, vibration and impact resistance, varied
temperature ranges, etc.

Some of the functions of PLCs are; process control, relay control, motion control, networking,

etc. They have started matching the desktop computers in storing, processing, communicating,
and handling data.

Summary:

1. “RTU” stands for “Remote Terminal Units.” It is also referred to as “Remote Telemetry Unit”;
“PLC” stands for “programmable logic controller.”
2. RTUs are considered more suitable for wider geographical telemetry, the reason being that
RTUs use wireless communication; PLCs are more suitable for local control, for example, for
assembly lines in factories, light fixtures, amusement rides, etc. PLCs are specially designed for
output arrangements and multiple inputs. They have electrical noise immunity, vibration and
impact resistance, varied temperature ranges, etc.
3. IEC 61131-3 is used more by PLCs, and RTUs use other alternative proprietary tools.

 RED670 IED (Perangkat Elektronik Cerdas) dirancang untuk perlindungan, pemantauan

dan pengendalian saluran udara dan kabel. Selain itu, IED ini mampu menangani
pengumpan transformer, generator dan blok transformator. Ini menyediakan
fungsionalitas yang luas dengan peluang konfigurasi dan perangkat keras yang dapat
diperluas untuk memenuhi kebutuhan spesifik Anda.
 REC650 menawarkan solusi 'off-the-shelf' yang optimal untuk kontrol aparat terhadap
satu pemutus dalam pengaturan busbar tunggal dan ganda. Jenis varian yang diuji
dilengkapi dan dikonfigurasikan dengan fungsi pemantauan yang luas, dan dengan
parameter standar untuk penanganan produk yang mudah - mulai dari pemesanan,
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 REF615 adalah perlindungan pengumpan khusus dan relai kontrol untuk perlindungan,
kontrol, pengukuran dan pengawasan saluran udara dan pengumpan kabel dalam sistem
distribusi listrik utilitas dan industri, termasuk jaringan distribusi radial, melingkar dan
jaring, dengan atau tanpa pembangkit listrik terdistribusi. Solusi ringkas dan serbaguna
untuk sistem distribusi listrik utilitas dan industri dengan integrasi perlindungan, kontrol,
pemantauan, dan pengawasan dalam satu relai.
 IEC 61850 diaktifkan REB500 IED dirancang untuk mendukung filosofi perlindungan
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semua fungsi yang diperlukan ke dalam satu atau beberapa bilik yang terpusat.

 Bay Control Unit

(BCU) adalah perangkat yang digunakan untuk melakukan kontrol atau kendali
terhadap bay-bay yang ada dalam gardu induk.

 IED ( Intelligent electronic device )

IED menerima data dari sensor dan peralatan listrik dan dapat mengeluarkan
perintah kontrol, seperti tripping circuit breaker jika mereka merasakan tegangan, arus,
atau anomali frekuensi, atau menaikkan / menurunkan level tegangan untuk
mempertahankan level yang diinginkan.
 Masterstation

Master Station merupakan pusat pengawasan atau inti dari suatu sistem SCADATEL

yang terletak di Pusat Pengatur (ACC). Master Station adalah kumpulan perangkat keras

dan lunak yang ada di control center, pada umumnya konfigurasi sebuah master station

tidak akan sama, disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan system scada-nya.

 Field Level

It is the lowest level of the automation hierarchy and consists of field devices such as

sensors and actuators. Sensors, the eyes and ears of automation, collect data on

temperature, pressure, speeds, feeds, and so on, convert it to electrical signals, and relay it

up to the next level. The main task of these field devices is to transfer data on processes

and machines for monitoring and analysis.

It also includes the actuators, which are controlled by the next level through electrical or

pneumatic signals, converting them into actions. Actuators are similar to the body’s

muscles, which are the only way humans can interact with their environments. Actuators

turn valves, relays, motors, pumps, and other devices on or off, or adjust their outputs to

control the processes.

 Control Level

This level consists of various automation controllers such as CNC machines that gather

process parameters from various sensors. The automatic controllers then drive the

actuators based on the processed sensor signals and the program or control technique.
 Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) are the most widely used and durable industrial

controllers that can deliver automatic control functions based on sensor inputs. They

consist of various modules such as the CPU, analog and digital I/Os, and communication

modules. It lets technicians program control functions or strategies that carry out certain

automatic operation on process.

 Supervisory Level

In this level, automatic devices and monitoring systems facilitate the control and

adjustment functions. These include Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), Distribution

Control Systems (DCS), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) devices

for monitoring various parameters, setting production targets, historical archiving, and

setting machine start and shutdown.