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it depends on the size of the projects (number of inputs and outputs you will deal with) and also what communication you will use.
by the way, both can do the job but the project itself can determine which fits better.
RTUs differ from Programable Logic Control (PLCs) in that RTUs are more suitable for wide geographical telemetry, often using wireless communications, while PLCs are more suitable for local area control (plants, production lines, etc.) where the system utilizes physical media for control.
that is basic difference , so if i am working in local area control i will prefer PLC and in the other case if i am working in the wide geographical area i will prefer RTU.
plc rules these days
plc is easy and not complicated
I prefer RTU though it is costlier but its one time investment more option of communication.
It depends on various factors.
The general rule is that for a complex solution use a RTU and for a simple solution use a PLC. However, these days simple systems can become complex in an instant and as engineers we shouldn't solve today's problems, but our solutions should be robust enough for the next10-20 years. This drives me towards RTU's, with higher processing power, more memory and numerous communication options I would certainly stick with RTU's as long as possible and only move to PLC's when the budget forces us (although if we look at a total cost of deployment, we might find that RTU's are more economic - depending on the type of system)
I liked the answers of both Mr Crafford and Mr. Hafeez.
There seems to be no actual answer unless a client has definitivly specified a particular system.
However, PLCs seem best suited to a market that requires robustness and redundancy, such as the process and petrochem world.
RTUs (Remote Terminal Units) seems quite a poor acronym to be used for the high tech BMS/BEMS world, where it's controllers are able to support dazzling graphics, cloud technology and versatility with communications, often being able to talk to multiple controllers and field devices on differing protocols all at the same time (take a look at Tridium's solution, Nagara AX for an example of this).
Remember also that a system is often only engineered to a specification and is often able to do much more, therefore the specification will ultimately decide your solution and maybe the answer to this question.
Whatever you decide, the technology is certainly available, but a further question, do the people providing it have the knowledge and resources to install and maintain it.
I prefer PLC, because cheaper price and easy to learn.
PLC will be preffered due to low cost and easy to use. Where as if you have to monitor/control two or more facilities spread over a distance and have some interlocks depending upon each other then you may have to go with RTUs being local controllers and a PLC system as Central control unit.
many factors must be taken into consideration, each has it's Pros and cons, your choice is based on project requirement, PLC is suitable for centralized control with low cost compared to RTU and easy to use whereas RTU is used in distributed control
For control system experts working in a local area PLC is preferable for the SCADA system and RTU for wide geographical area control.
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