Of Operation 2

Protocol A set of rules to be used in generating or receiving a message


PV See Process Variable.


Remote Terminal Unit A self-contained control unit that is part of a SCADA system


RTU See Remote Terminal Unit.


SCADA See Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition.

Slave Device
A device (e.g., transmitter or valve) in a master-slave system that receives commands from a master device; a slave device cannot initiate a transaction

Smart Instrumentation
Microprocessor-based instrumentation that can be programmed, has memory, is capable of performing calculations and self-diagnostics and reporting faults, and can be communicated with from a remote location

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition
A control system using communications such as phone lines, microwaves, radios, or satellites to link RTUs with a central control system

Zener
Type of shunt-diode barrier that uses a high-quality safety ground connection to bypass excess energy