A gate in SCADA refers to a physical barrier that can be used to control the flow of data between two areas. This can be done by using a relay-based system or by using a limit switch. A gate may also refer to an electrical circuit breaker that can be manually opened or closed.
The benefits of creating a gate in automation are that it ensures that human workers are not taken out of the equation and their skillsets are still utilized. It also ensures that processes are well-designed and implemented so as to avoid any potential errors or consequences.