What system is responsible for the monitoring of automation system operations?

The system that is primarily responsible for the monitoring of automation system operations is the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. SCADA is designed to collect real-time data from various sensors and devices in the field, allowing operators to monitor system performance, control processes remotely, and perform data analysis.

SCADA systems are integral in large-scale industrial operations, offering operators the ability to view information such as current operational status, alarms, historical data, and trends across multiple locations. They facilitate the centralization of monitoring and control tasks, which is essential for efficient operations, especially in industries like manufacturing, water treatment, and energy distribution.

While other systems like Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) play significant roles in automation and control, their primary functions differ. DCS is more focused on controlling complex processes with a hierarchical structure, PLC is typically used for discrete control applications, and HMI serves as the user interface for operators to interact with the automation system, rather than being wholly responsible for monitoring system operations.