Power Plants Automation and Control Using PLC Tehn
Power Plants Automation and Control Using PLC Tehn
Costianu Daniel Razvan1, Arghira Nicoleta2, Ioana Fagarasan3, Sergiu Stelian Iliescu4
Abstract: This paper describes the Advanced System Simulator ASIMA that uses a
microprocessor for its internal functions. In the existing configuration, a Siemens Simatic S7 300 is used
to study different the control functions. The automatic operating of a Conveyor Charging System is
illustrated in the paper taking in account the control scheme..
1. Introduction
Power plants control and automation is always a challenge for industry because electric power
has such an important roll in the development of civilization. Upgrading from first automation systems
(electromagmetic relays - cable logic) to modern systems that use Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
is an important stage in the development of automation systems used in power engineering (generation,
transport, distribution, consumption), followed by cost reduction.
The figure 3 presents the mask for a system of 4 conveyors. Conveyors 1 and 2 are for feeding
and 3 and 4 are for discharge. Each conveyor is driven by a motor (M1 - M4). These are connected to the
switches S1 - S4 that are controled by one ON button(S1 - S4). The operating state of the four conveyors
is indicated by its pilot lamp (H1, H2, H3 and H4). With pushbutton S0 (all off) the entire system is
switched off, independent of the operating status. The feeding conveyors can also be switched off with
pushbutton S5. Conveyors 1 and 2 feed the two discharge conveyors 3 and 4 through two ducts that
overlap. One of the two ways of feeding is chosen by the flap position:
a. If only one discharge conveyor is running, then only one feeding conveyor can be
switched on (the flap position allows feeding only for the working conveyor);
b. If both of the discharge conveyors are working, then both feeding conveyors
need to be switched on ( the flap position is central ).
Functional description a: Only one feeding conveyor can be switched on if the discharge
conveyor 3 or 4 is running. The flap position is detected by a cam on the flap shaft and the limit switches
S6, S7 and S8.
K1 = S 6 ⋅ K 2 ⋅ K 4 + S 8 ⋅ K 2 ⋅ K 3 + S 7 ⋅ K 2 ⋅ K 3
K 2 = S 6 ⋅ K1 ⋅ K 4 + S 8 ⋅ K1 ⋅ K 3 + S 7 ⋅ K1 ⋅ K 4
K 3 = K 4( S 7 + S 8)
K 4 = K 3( S 6 + S 7)
Functional description b: Both discharge conveyors and then both feeding conveyors can be
switched on when the flap is on centre position. Due to the uneven surroundings or operating conditions,
stoppages caused by jammed limit switches S6, S7 or S8 occasionally occur. Therefore, the limit switch
functions must be monitored, so that none of the conveyors can be switched on and an acoustic signal
sounds when two limit switches are simultaneously “activated".
Locking conditions for functional description b:
K1 = S 6 ⋅ K 4 ⋅ K 2 + S 7 ⋅ K 3 + S 8 ⋅ K 3 ⋅ K 2
K 2 = S 6 ⋅ K 4 ⋅ K1 + S 7 ⋅ K 4 + S 8 ⋅ K 3 ⋅ K1
K 3 = S 7 + S8
K 4 = S7 + S6
K 5 = S 6 ⋅ S 7 + S 6 ⋅ S 8 + S 7 ⋅ S 8 = S 6( S 7 ⋅ S 8) + S 7 ⋅ S 8
Current flow chart for functional description b is shown in figure 5:
Figure 5. Current flow for functional description b
Current flow chart for the power supply unit is presented in the following figure: