Development of PLC and SCADA-Based Automation Systems for Control of Irrigation Dam Gates

The control and monitoring system presented is based on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition concept. It provides GUI service for operators and data visualization capability to display data trends using an appropriate DBMS (database management system). The SCADA system also incorporates Alarm and PAS (public address system) for operational and functional safety. The remote control of the gates is carried out through PC based SCADA software from a centrally located control room. The SCADA system consists of a Master Terminal Unit (MTU) located in the control room, MicroLogix 1400 PLC-based Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) located in the control panels of dam gates, and ultrasonic sensors equipped with MODBUS/ RTU interface to measure upstream and downstream water levels. RTUs-MTU communication is realized using a dedicated LAN. This paper presents the system design along with hardware layout and software programs for both, RTUs and MTU. The program for PLC has been written in ladder logic using RSLogix 500, a powerful development software from Rockwell Automation.