Development of PC-based SCADA training system

This paper describes successful and cost effective design & implementation of PC-based SCADA training system for the natural gas transmission and distribution industry. The design provides robust and automated environment for centralized control of a geographically scattered process. Microcontroller based data acquisition (DAQ) control units for distributed data processing are designed and serially connected with COM port of the remote terminal units (RTUs) via RS485/232 convertor. The real-time information gathered in RTU from sensors is fed to the master terminal unit (MTU) through a dedicated communication link. Visual Basic (VB) is used to develop Human-Machine Interface (HMI) environment for technicians and operators. The in-house HMI development aimed at reliable, cost effective, user friendly and easy to troubleshoot and update software. PC-based SCADA training system and HMI were developed to meet the training needs of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd. (SNGPL). The design work supports future updates and provides opportunities of research in rapidly evolving field of industrial automation and control.