300+ SCADA Protocol Articles & Guides
Deep dives on Modbus, DNP3, IEC 60870-5-101/104, IEC 61850, OPC UA, Profinet, MQTT, IEC 62443, and substation automation — written for practicing engineers.
ICCP vs IEC 61850: Two MMS Protocols, Two Jobs
ICCP vs IEC 61850 compared: why both run MMS on port 102, how their data models differ, control and reporting differences, and where the two meet in a utility.
IEC 61850 Report Control Blocks: BRCB and URCB Explained
IEC 61850 report control block reference: BRCB vs URCB, every attribute, TrgOps and OptFlds decoded, BufTm and IntgPd, and the write order that breaks clients.
ICCP Object Models: Indication Points and Control Points
ICCP object models from IEC 60870-6-802: the four point types, quality and validity flags, timestamps, the one-byte state encoding, SBO attributes, and tagging.
ICCP Operations and Services: The Complete TASE.2 Map
ICCP operations mapped to MMS services both directions: every TASE.2 operation and action, the variable names that disambiguate them, and the error codes that matter.
Industrial Dashboard Software: 6 Tools Compared
Industrial dashboard software compared: Grafana, PI Vision, Canary Axiom, Node-RED, FUXA and ThingsBoard, with protocol reach, cost and where each one fits.
Most Popular SCADA Systems and Where Each One Fits
Most popular SCADA systems compared: Ignition, WinCC, iFIX, AVEVA, FactoryTalk, MicroSCADA X and more, with protocol support, licensing, and fit notes.
SCADA as a Service Explained: Cloud SCADA for Utilities
SCADA as a Service explained: what SaaS means for grid control systems, which functions can move to the cloud, and which have to stay on the plant floor.
ADMS Vendors: Schneider vs Siemens vs GE vs Hitachi
ADMS vendors compared: Schneider EcoStruxure, Siemens Spectrum Power, GE Vernova GridOS, and Hitachi Network Manager. Architecture, DER, and protocols.
What Is an ADMS? Advanced Distribution Management System
ADMS platforms merge SCADA, DMS, and OMS into one real-time control system. Learn the architecture, core applications, protocols, and how vendors compare.
What Is a Communication Protocol? Rules, Types, Examples
Communication protocol basics: what it is, how services and protocols differ, how a message moves layer by layer, and the main types used in IT and industry.
What Is RabbitMQ? The AMQP Message Broker, Explained
RabbitMQ is an open source message broker built on AMQP 0-9-1. See how its routing model works, what the core objects do, and where it fits in real systems.
Modbus TCP Beckhoff TwinCAT: Client and Server Setup
Modbus TCP Beckhoff TwinCAT configuration with TF6250: client function blocks, server XML mapping, licensing by TwinCAT version, and the usual failure points.
MQTT Broker Redundancy and High Availability: Complete Guide
MQTT broker redundancy explained: clustering, bridging, active/passive failover, load balancing, client-side patterns, and broker-specific recommendations for HA.
Modbus TCP CODESYS: Step-by-Step Configuration
Modbus TCP CODESYS configuration for WAGO, Phoenix Contact, ABB, and Delta PLCs: master and slave setup, channel configuration, and vendor-specific notes.
IEC 61131-3: The Complete Guide to PLC Programming Languages
IEC 61131-3 defines how PLCs are programmed — the languages, data types, function blocks, and software model. A complete guide, current to the 2025 fourth edition.
Modbus TCP ControlLogix Setup in Studio 5000
Modbus TCP ControlLogix setup three ways: the ProSoft MVI56E-MNETC module, AOI socket messaging, and a gateway, with pitfalls and performance notes for each.
Modbus to MQTT: How the Gateway Bridge Works
Modbus to MQTT explained: how a gateway maps registers to topics, builds JSON payloads, and handles reads, writes, QoS and TLS. With a worked example.
What Is Sparkplug B? A Complete Guide to MQTT for Industrial IoT
Sparkplug B explained: the Eclipse Foundation MQTT specification for industrial IoT, topic namespace, protobuf payload, birth/death certificates, and state management.