What is a Distributed Control System (DCS)?

Distributed Control System (DCS) refers to a control system for a process or plant, wherein controller elements are not central in location, but are distributed throughout the system with each component sub-system controlled by one or more controllers. Each controller operates independently of others, but is interconnected with the rest through a high-speed communication network. The primary purpose of a DCS is to control complex, large, and geographically distributed applications in industrial processes.