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Overview of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCS)

This document provides an overview of programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It describes PLCs as specialized computing systems used to control industrial machines and processes. PLCs are equipped with input/output interfaces and programmed using ladder logic to read sensors, execute program instructions, and control actuators. Originally, hardwired relay networks were used for industrial control, but PLCs offer advantages like increased reliability, flexibility, lower cost, and easier troubleshooting compared to relay networks.

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sujith
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63 views

Overview of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCS)

This document provides an overview of programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It describes PLCs as specialized computing systems used to control industrial machines and processes. PLCs are equipped with input/output interfaces and programmed using ladder logic to read sensors, execute program instructions, and control actuators. Originally, hardwired relay networks were used for industrial control, but PLCs offer advantages like increased reliability, flexibility, lower cost, and easier troubleshooting compared to relay networks.

Uploaded by

sujith
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Overview of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Dr. Fernando Rios-Gutierrez ECE4951- Design Workshop Spring 2007

Lecture Objectives
Expose basic characteristics of PLC. Describe the various subparts of a PLC hardware and modules. Outline the basic sequence of operation for a PLC. Describe the hardware input/output sections available.

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PLC
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is a specialized computing system used for control of industrial machines and processes. A PLC is a computer designed to work in an industrial environment PLCs are equipped with special input/output interfaces PLCs are programmed using a control programming language.
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PLC Applications
Originally hardwired arrays of relays were used to control the operation of heavy machines that contain motors and other high power devices. PLCs were originally used to substitute the switching relay networks used in industrial applications, but now they can also be used implement other tasks such as timing, delaying counting, calculating, comparing and processing of analog signals.
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Relay Networks

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PLC Advantages
Increased Reliability More Flexibility Lower Cost Faster Response Easier to troubleshoot Remote control capability Communication Capability
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PLC Disadvantages
In contrast to microcontroller systems that have what is called an open architecture, most PLCs manufacturers offer only closed architectures for their products PLC devices are proprietary, which means that parts and software from one manufacturer cant easily be used in combination with parts of another manufacturer, which limits the design and cost options
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PLC Basic Architecture

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PLC Configurations
There are two PLC basic configurations that commercial manufacturers offer. Fixed Configuration Modular Configuration

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Fixed Configuration

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Modular Configuration

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Input/Output Modules

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Programming the PLC

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Principles of Operation
To get an idea on how PLC operates lets consider the following simple process control problem.

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Process Control Description

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PLC Inputs Connection

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PLC Output Connections

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Programming the PLC


To implement the described system using the PLC, a description in ladder logic should be provided. Next the ladder logic is complied and translated to basic instructions and down loaded to the internal memory. During programming the PLC should be in the Terminal or Programming mode.
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Ladder Logic Program

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Running the Program


For the program to operate the PLC should be put on the Run mode or Operating cycle. In the operating cycle first the controller examines the inputs and their status is recorded in the PLC memory, then the ladder diagram is evaluated, and changes are send to the outputs accordingly.
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Scan Time
The completion of a cycle of the controller is called a Scan. The scan time needed to complete a full cycle by the controller gives the measure of the speed of execution for the PLC. Generally outputs are updated in memory during the scan but the actual output is updated until the end of the program during the I/O scan.
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Process Modification

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PLC VS Computer
PLC
Designed for extreme industrial environments Can operation in high temperature and humidity High immunity to noise Integrated command interpreter (proprietary) No secondary memory available (in the PLC) Optimized for Single task

Computer
Designed mainly for data processing and calculation Optimized for speed Cant operate in extreme environments Can be programmed in different languages Lost of secondary memory available Multitasking capability

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PLC Size
Manufacturers offer five sizes of PLCs:
Nano (up to 16 I/O points) Micro (more than16 I/O points, up to 64 I/O points) Small (up to 960 I/O points) Medium (multitasking - control of several processes) Large (control management of several PLCs)

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PLC Instruction Set


The instruction set for a particular PLC could range from 15 instructions for small units up to 100 instructions for larger units

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