SCADA System for Power Network - Basic Overview

Name: SCADA System for Power Network - Basic Overview
Rating: 4.0 (261 reviews)

SCADA , Automation, Distribution Automation, RTU, SCS

Created byAhmed Elshebiny

Last updated 7/2026

English

What you'll learn

Introduction of the fundamentals of SCADA system
Provide broad details about SCADA system architecture
Detailed description of SCADA main components
Provide comprehensive understanding of how SCADA system work
Details of common types of SCADA signals
Cybersecurity considerations: This includes the cybersecurity threats facing SCADA systems and best practices for securing SCADA systems

Course content

5 sections • 17 lectures • 2h 0m total length

Getting Started6:18
Explore the essential elements of the SCADA system, its architectures and main components, and how it monitors and controls power distribution networks while addressing signal types and cybersecurity.
Power Electrical System10:36
Explore the power electrical network, from generation to transmission and distribution, including substations, transformers, protection, and monitoring, plus challenges like aging infrastructure, cyber threats, and renewable integration.

SCADA System7:57
Explore how the scada system enables remote monitoring and control of power distribution networks, gathering data from sensors and displaying it at a central site for operator decision-making.
SCADA Functions9:13
SCADA functions provide fault locating with real-time data from sensors and meters, fault isolation, event recording, constraint checks, metering and control, and safety checks to keep the distribution network reliable.
SCADA Features10:14
Leverage SCADA features to enhance reliability and economical operation of power distribution networks through real time monitoring, automatic control, predictive maintenance, power flow analysis, and robust cyber security.
SCADA Principles5:32
Learn scada principles from field data acquisition with sensors, through reliable communication networks to central control centers, where rtus process data, generate alarms and trends, and present via hmi.
SCADA System

SCADA Architecture4:03
Explore the SCADA architecture for power networks, including master station, substation level networks, RTUs/IEDs, and the communication network, plus historian data logging and protocol-based SAS/SCS alternatives.
Substation Level7:39
The substation level of a SCADA system enables real-time monitoring and control of transformers, switchgear, and protection devices, using RTUs, BCUs, IEDs, and IEC 61850 for data exchange.
Communication Network System2:41
Explore how wired and wireless SCADA networks connect master stations with remote terminal units and data acquisition units, using Ethernet, fiber, or wireless options.
Master Station6:24
The master station acts as a virtual brain of power automation system, receiving field data and deciding actions, with multi-server software and an HMI to monitor, raise alarms, and control.
SCADA System Description

Types of Signals13:25
Explore the common SCADA signal types, including analog and digital signals, SPI and DPI representations, and how transducers, CT/VT, and RTU convert field data for control.
SCADA Signals Transfer3:27
SCADA signals transfer through hardwire connections or protocols, linking field devices to RTUs via marshalling panels and serial and ethernet methods like Modbus, DNP3, IEC 104, and IEC 61850.
Typical Signals and Scenarios11:48
Understand substation types and SCADA signal transfer, including circuit breaker and earth switch status, feeder control, protection relays, measurements, and protocol vs hardwire communications to the RTU and control center.
SCADA Signals

Cyber Security Definition6:25
Protect critical SCADA assets by implementing comprehensive cyber security measures: risk assessment, patch management, access control, and encryption, to guard against malware, phishing, insider threats, and remote access risks.
Challenges in securing SCADA systems6:10
Secure SCADA systems by addressing legacy technologies, interconnections, and remote access. Implement multi-layered controls, patch management, user training, vendor oversight, and regulatory compliance.
Exploiting vulnerabilities in SCADA systems4:27
Explore how exploiting vulnerabilities in SCADA systems can disrupt critical infrastructure, threaten safety, degrade the environment, incur financial, legal and national security risks, and harm data integrity, with mitigation strategies.
Best Practices for SCADA Cyber Security4:23
Learn best practices for SCADA cybersecurity, including access control, patch management, network segmentation, encryption, monitoring, backups, and staff training.
Cyber Security

Requirements

Electrical Engineering
Project Management
No specific experience required in automation

Description

The main objective of this course is to provide students with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to build a strong foundation in SCADA systems and power distribution networks. Whether you're pursuing further education or looking to open new career opportunities in the power and energy sector, this course is designed to give you the working knowledge needed to take that next step with confidence.

Topics covered include:

Introducing the fundamentals of SCADA systems and their critical role in the electrical power industry
Explaining SCADA system architecture and its main components in detail
Building a comprehensive understanding of how SCADA systems work, and how they are used to monitor and control power distribution networks in real-world operations
Covering the communication protocols used in SCADA applications, including DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-104, which are widely used standards in the power industry
Introducing the cybersecurity risks associated with SCADA systems, and the growing importance of protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats

This course takes you through a structured, easy-to-follow journey into SCADA systems, starting from the basics and progressively building toward more advanced concepts.

It begins with a Getting Started section, which introduces the fundamentals of power system networks and distribution networks — giving you the context needed before diving into SCADA itself.

The next chapter, Introduction to SCADA Systems, covers the definition, applications, and major advantages of SCADA, along with an overview of its main components — each of which is explored in greater technical depth later in the course.

Following that, the SCADA System Description chapter dives into the technical details of SCADA component levels, including the field level, station level, and master station level — building the layered understanding needed to work confidently with real SCADA systems.

Who this course is for:

Electrical Engineer
Operation Engineer
SCADA Engineer
Automation Engineer
Project Engineer
Project Manager
Control Engineer
Maintenance Engineer

SCADA System for Power Network - Basic Overview

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 17min

SCADA System Introduction4 lectures • 33min

SCADA System Description4 lectures • 21min

SCADA Signals3 lectures • 29min

SCADA Cyber Security4 lectures • 21min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: