What Does Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) Mean?
A remote terminal unit (RTU) is a multipurpose device used for remote monitoring and control of various devices and systems for automation. It is typically deployed in an industrial environment and serves a similar purpose to programmable logic circuits (PLCs) but to a higher degree. An RTU is considered a self-contained computer as it has all the basic parts that, together, define a computer: a processor, memory and storage. Because of this, it can be used as an intelligent controller or master controller for other devices that, together, automate a process such as a portion of an assembly line.
Techopedia Explains Remote Terminal Unit (RTU)
Remote terminal units are more advanced versions of PLCs, which can only follow specific programming called ladder logic. An RTU is sophisticated and intelligent enough to control multiple processes without requiring user intervention or input from a more intelligent controller or master controller. Because of this capability, the purpose of the RTU is to interface with distributed control systems (DCS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems by sending telemetry data to these systems. But in most cases, even intelligent RTUs are connected to a more sophisticated control system such as an actual computer, which makes their reprogramming, monitoring and control of the entire system easier for a user.
