Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: What is the OPC Server?
Share
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > Control Systems > What is the OPC Server?

What is the OPC Server?

The OPC server is a program that often connects with hardware like HMI to get the data and convert it into OPC protocol.

Last updated: March 4, 2021 11:05 am
Editorial Staff
Control Systems PLC Tutorials
No Comments
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

OPC stands for Open Platform Communications or some say  OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) for Process Control. It is a type of protocol used in Industrial Automation. 

Contents
OPCAdvantages of OPC

The OPC is always used in the Client/Server pair. The OPC server converts the hardware communicated data from PLC into  OPC protocol. So that other software like SCADA can access the data. 

The OPC server is a program that often connects with hardware like HMI to get the data and convert it into OPC protocol.

The OPC client communicates with the OPC server to receive data or send commands to the hardware.

OPC

OPC Server

Image Credits: halvorsen

Usually, the OPC is implemented in a Single Server – Client in a single system format. But there are some famous alternate methods,

  • OPC aggregation – In this method, the OPC Client is connected to several OPC servers to acquire data
  • OPC bridging – In this method, the OPC server is connected with another OPC server to share data.
  • OPC tunneling – In this method, the OPC client is connected to an OPC server over a network.

The combination of OPC server and OPC client supports many connections. The OPC datahub is designed in such a way to handle all those connections.

In addition to improving OPC server and client connections, the OPC datahub can connect any OPC server or client to other applications as well, including Excel, a web browser, or any other database.

The Following are some of the OPC specifications that are used in Industries,

  • OPC AE ( Alarms and Events) – OPC AE servers are used to accept and exchange process alarms and events.
  • OPC-HDA (Historical Data Access) – This is used to retrieve historical process data for analysis. This data is typically stored in files, databases, or remote telemetry systems.
  • OPC-DA (Data Access) – Provides access to real-time data. We can query the most recent values of temperature, pressure, density, acceleration, and other types of process control data from the OPC-DA server.

Advantages of OPC

Some of the benefits of using OPC are,

  • Interoperability. 
  • Since the client software always going to access data from the server, the Client software has no need to know the hardware protocol.
  • Scalability of the system.

Author: Abishek D

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for PLC and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

  • OPC Questions & Answers
  • DNP3 Protocol Basics
  • Compare Modbus & Fieldbus
  • SCADA Communication
  • What is the HART Protocol?
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

Troubleshooting Current Loops with Voltage Measurement
Feedback Control Principle
Design Process Graphics in Factory Talk View Studio with an Analog Input
Vijeo Designer software – Import and Export
Hardware Troubleshooting Steps for PLC Automation Systems
Basics of Wellhead Control Panel (WHCP)
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

Top Non-PLC Certification Courses for Automation Professionals
PLC Program for Stage Control: Curtains and Stage Elevation
Typical HMI Screen Design for Water Treatment Plant
Proportional-only Offset
PLC Memory Mapping and I/O addressing
Problem on Pressure and Level Control Loops
PID Controller Loop Tuning Questions and Answers – Part 1
Difference between Fieldbus, Profibus and HART Protocols

Keep Learning

Downloading Free PLC software

Step by Step Guidelines for Downloading Free PLC software

What is Instrumentation and Control

What is Instrumentation and Control ?

Structured Text PLC Example for Motor Interlocking and Control

Structured Text PLC Example for Motor Interlocking and Control

What is Siemens TDC - Siemens Control System

What is Siemens TDC? – Siemens Control System

PLC Lamp Control using Logic Condition

Lamp Control using PLC Logic Condition

SCADA Systems

SCADA Systems

Process Control Fundamentals

Process Control Fundamentals

Structured Control Language (SCL) Elements

Value Assignments in SCL Language – Single, Multiple, Combined

Learn More

Circuit diagram of Liquid level measurment using Adruino C

Level Measurement and Control using Arduino C

Instrument Turndown Ratio

Instrument Turndown Ratio

Power Electronics Objective Questions

Single-Phase Half Wave AC-DC Converter Questions

Limit Switch Working

Limit Switch Animation

Calculate-current-4-20ma-from-process-varibale-pv

Calculate Current (4-20ma) from Process variable PV

Basics of Cable Shields

Basics of Cable Shields

Electric Circuits Objective Questions

Electric Circuits Objective Questions – Set 17

Classification of Steam Turbines

Classification of Steam Turbines

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?