Lessons from a large systems protect

A multinational control systems company was supplying a system to manage a large pipeline distribution network overseas. The project included the supply of the communications infrastructure and SCADA system required for the real-time control of the pipeline network. The pipeline network included pump stations, valve sites, treatment plants, tank farms etc. The paper gives a retrospective view of the effectiveness with which IEC 61131-3 has been put to use by systems integrators and end users using equipment supplied by Arcom. The case study used is fictional in order that several issues may be discussed within the context of a single project, but is a composite of experiences gained in real systems over 3 years