Automation & Control
RTU
Remote Terminal Unit: a controller designed for remote or geographically distributed sites.
IN ONE SENTENCE
It collects field data, performs local control and communicates back to a central system.
In normal English
RTUs are common in water, utilities, pipelines and outdoor infrastructure where communications may be intermittent and sites are unattended.
Why would I use it?
Use it for remote assets that must keep working even when the central connection drops.
THINK OF IT LIKE…
A small remote outpost that monitors locally and reports back to headquarters.
Related terms
SCADA, PLC, telemetry
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