Some sites are far from the control room, like a pumping station on the edge of town, a remote substation or a pipeline valve. Sending someone to check them every day is costly. An RTU, or remote terminal unit, collects data at the site and sends it back, so the operator can see and control it from a distance.
What an RTU panel contains
The panel houses the RTU itself along with signal conditioning, power supplies and communication equipment. Inputs may include water level, pressure, flow, motor status and voltage readings. Outputs can start pumps or open valves. The RTU packages all this and passes it on to the SCADA system through GSM, radio, fibre or Ethernet.
Power backup deserves attention in these panels. If the site loses supply, the RTU should keep working long enough to report the failure. We include batteries and a charger sized for the required backup time. Surge protection is added on power and communication lines, since remote sites often face lightning.
Signal handling
Analogue and digital inputs and outputs for field devices.
Communication
GSM, radio, fibre or Ethernet to reach the control room.
Battery backup
Keeps the RTU alive during a power outage.
Surge protection
Guards power and signal lines against lightning.
Status indication
Lights and display show health at a glance.
Standard protocols
Compatible with common SCADA systems.
Power backup, communication and maintenance
Ease of maintenance is another point. A technician may reach the site once in a few months, so the layout is kept simple, terminals are clearly marked and status lights show what is going on at a glance. We also try to use protocols your SCADA software already understands, to avoid gateway headaches.
Send us the list of signals you need to monitor and control, along with your communication method. We will design the RTU panel and share the drawings. Testing is done at our Greater Noida facility, including a communication check where possible.
Where it is commonly used
Before you place an order
Communication is often the trickiest part of a remote site. Before finalising the design, check the signal strength or network availability at the location. A brilliant RTU panel is no use if it cannot talk to the control room. We can suggest options based on what is available at your site.
It also pays to think about what should happen if communication is lost. Should the site keep running on its last settings, switch to a safe mode or shut down? Deciding this in advance and programming it into the RTU prevents unpleasant surprises when the network fails.