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FEE 512 Tutorial 1

This document discusses timers and counters in programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It provides questions about timer on/off delays, preset times, applications that use timers, and the components of timer instructions. It also asks questions about counter instructions, information associated with counters like count values and resets, cascading counters, and applications of counters. The document concludes with ladder logic questions involving motor control, pump control using permissive switches, and a gas pressure control system using timers and counters.

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BILLY
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68 views5 pages

FEE 512 Tutorial 1

This document discusses timers and counters in programmable logic controllers (PLCs). It provides questions about timer on/off delays, preset times, applications that use timers, and the components of timer instructions. It also asks questions about counter instructions, information associated with counters like count values and resets, cascading counters, and applications of counters. The document concludes with ladder logic questions involving motor control, pump control using permissive switches, and a gas pressure control system using timers and counters.

Uploaded by

BILLY
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FEE 512: INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION

PLCs TUTORIAL
Timers
1. When does the timer on delay energize its DN (output) bit?
2. Which timer accumulates the total amount of time the instruction has been energized
and reigns this value even when de-energized?
3. Which timer does not maintain its elapsed time if its input resets while it is timing?
4. What is Preset time?
5. List THREE applications that may use timer instructions.
6. List the EIGHT components of the TON timer instruction.

Counters
1. Name 3 forms of PLC counter instructions, and explain the basic operation of each.
2. State FOUR pieces of information usually associated with a PLC counter instruction.
3. In a PLC counter instruction, what rule applies to the addressing of the counter and
reset instructions?
4. When is the output of a PLC counter energized?
5. The counter instructions of a PLC are normally retentive. Explain what this means.
6. What type of counter would you choose for the following cases? Justify your answer.
i) Count the total number of parts made during each shift.
ii) Keep track of the number of bottle crowns remaining in a hopper that
originally contained 100 crowns in the full hopper.
7. Describe the basic programming process involved in the cascading of 2 counters.
8. Describe TWO common applications for a PLC counter.
9. What determines the maximum speed of transitions that a PLC counter can count?

Ladder Diagrams
Question1
A PLC has been programmed to control the starting and stopping of a three-phase electric
motor as shown below.

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Identify the problem(s) with each of these PLC programs, and modify them to work as they
should.
1.

2.

3.

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Question 2a
An engineer needs to write a PLC program to control a water pump driven by an electric motor.
This water pump will be manually started and stopped by pushbutton switches, and shut down
automatically by any one of several “permissive” switches.
The operating statuses of these switches are listed here:
 Start pushbutton (normally-open): open when un-pressed, closed when pressed
 Stop pushbutton (normally-closed): closed when un-pressed, open when pressed
 Low water level (normally-closed): closed when level is low, open when level is
adequate
 Low oil pressure (normally-open): open when pressure is low, closed when pressure is
adequate
 High vibration (normally-closed): closed when still, open when vibrating
 Water leak detector (normally-open): open when dry, closed when wet (leak detected)
The engineer’s first attempt is shown below, but it contains a serious error. Identify and correct
this error:

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Question 2b
The engineer’s second attempt is shown below, but it also contains a serious error. Identify and
correct this error:

Question 2c
The engineer’s final attempt is shown below. Does it contain an error? If yes, identify and
correct the error:

Question 3
Vivo Kenya has hired you as one of its engineers. Your first assignment is to write a program
to control a pressure relieving solenoid valve in a gas processing system.
A pair of high-pressure control switches signals the PLC when to open the solenoid valve: one
telling the PLC to open the valve after a 3-second time delay and the other (called the “high-
high” switch, with a higher trip setting) telling the PLC to open the valve immediately.

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A pushbutton switch serves as a manual override to open the solenoid valve immediately
when pressed.
In all cases, the solenoid vent valve will remain open (energized) until pressure falls below
the setting of a low-pressure gas switch.
The operating statuses of these switches are listed here:
 Override pushbutton (normally-open): open when un-pressed, closed when pressed
 Low gas pressure (normally-closed): closed when pressure is less than 10 PSI, open
when pressure exceeds 10 psi
 High gas pressure (normally-closed): closed when pressure is less than 30 PSI, open
when pressure exceeds 30 psi
 High-high gas pressure (normally-open): open when pressure is less than 40 PSI, closed
when pressure exceeds 40 psi

Write a PLC program to accomplish the task given and test it in a simulator of your choice.

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