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PLC Langauges

The document discusses the different types of PLC programming languages according to the IEC 61131-3 standard, including ladder diagram, function block diagram, structured text, instruction list, and sequential function chart. It provides details on each language and recommends considering workplace standards, the application, PLC brand, and career goals when choosing a language to learn.

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Milind Khandave
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26 views13 pages

PLC Langauges

The document discusses the different types of PLC programming languages according to the IEC 61131-3 standard, including ladder diagram, function block diagram, structured text, instruction list, and sequential function chart. It provides details on each language and recommends considering workplace standards, the application, PLC brand, and career goals when choosing a language to learn.

Uploaded by

Milind Khandave
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PLC programming

languages

Snayush
·
Follow
6 min read
·
Jun 27, 2022

1
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Today in this blog, we are going to see different types of PLC


programming languages. What are the most common PLC
programming languages that often used most among the
programmers?

Five different types of PLC Programming Languages

There are five types of PLC Programming languages all are part
of IEC(International Electrotechnical Commission) 61131–
3 International Standard. According to this standard, the five types of
different PLC Programming Languages are:

1.Ladder Diagram (LD)

2.Function Block Diagram (FBD)

3.Structured Text (ST)

4.Instruction List (IL)

5.Sequential Function Chart (SFC)

These are all the five different types of PLC programming languages
but among all of them, Ladder Diagram (LD) is the most popular
PLC programming language.
Different Types of PLC Programming Languages

Let’s see all these languages in detail one by one.

1) Ladder Diagram (LD)


A ladder diagram is usually called a “Ladder Logic”, this represents a
program by a graphical diagram.
This looks like relay racks, each device in the relay rack would be
represented by a symbol on the ladder diagram.

The name ladder diagram is based on the programming language


pattern similar to a ladder, with two vertical rails that shows electrical
connection among a series of horizontal rungs between them.

Advantages of Ladder Diagram (LD):

· Easy to learn, understand and follow

· More reliable than electronic circuit controller


· A most convenient way to represent the discrete logic

· Easy to fault diagnose

2) Function Block Diagram (FBD)


Function Block Diagram (FBD) is another PLC programming language
that is a popular one and looks like a graphical type like a Ladder
Diagram (LD).

In Function Block Diagram inputs and outputs are connected in blocks


by connection lines.

Function blocks are mainly used to do repetitive tasks like starters,


closed-loop control, PID loops, etc.
Advantages of Function Block Diagram (FBD):

· Easier because of a graphical representation method

· One block consists of several lines of logic which is like a repetitive


task

3) Structured Text (ST)


The ST or STX is the short abbreviation of Structured Text, one of the
PLC programming languages. It is a high-level programming language
is like a ‘C’ or ‘Pascal’.

The ST consists of various statements with complex statements and


instructions like IF, WHILE, CASE, RETURN, FOR, REPEAT, etc.

It is a very powerful language that can easily execute complex


mathematical logic.
Advantages of Structured Text (ST):

· Very good with complex algorithms and mathematical logic.

· Easy to modify programming due to standard coding format.

4) Instruction List (IL)


Instruction List (IL) is one of the PLC programming languages which is
like an assembly programming language. You will find the series of
instruction lists in this language.
The mnemonic codes like LD, AND, OR, A, etc. are used in this PLC
programming language. Sometimes it is easy to remember the code
while using this programming language.
Advantages of Instruction List (IL):

· High Execution Speed.

· Less Memory Consumption as compared to other PLC programming


languages.

5) Sequential Function Chart (SFC)


Sequential Function Chart (SFC) is also a graphical programming
language that is like a flow chart like logic.

In this PLC programming language, the program is divided into steps


that act as a major role.
Steps consist of an action that occurs when a programmer wants them
to happen. Steps can be active or inactive.

Transitions are the instructions that are used to move the program
from one step to another.

Advantages of Sequential Function Chart (SFC)

· Easy to understand overall program control.

· Easy to design and modify logic due to repeated instructions.

How to choose which PLC programming


language to learn?
The answer to this question is going to depend on a couple of things:

1. What language your workplace or lab uses currently.

2. The application you’re designing.

3. The PLC brand you have, and the software packages you have access
to; and

4. Your career scenario.

Let’s look at each of these points in more depth.

1. What PLC language your workplace uses


à Typically, if you work in a factory or in a lab with PLCs, there’s
already a universal language that everyone is expected to use. Most of
the time it’s Ladder Diagram, regardless of the application. If you’re
getting into PLCs because your job demands it, I highly recommend
figuring out what language(s) the equipment uses already and then
becoming familiar with those first. It doesn’t make sense to learn ST if
all of your machines run LD.

2. The Automation Application you’re designing


à Secondly, if you work for an Automation, a Systems, or a Machine
Integrator, you might be required to know all five IEC 61131–3
languages and choose the best one based on the customer’s
application. As mentioned above, each of the PLC programming
languages has its advantages and disadvantages depending on what
you’re trying to do. Some customers might require that their machine
is written in a certain PLC programming language so that their
maintenance staff can debug and maintain the equipment after it’s
installed. It’s a good idea to check with the contract requirements to
ensure that you’re writing the code in the correct language.

3. The PLC brand you’re using


à Lastly, if you’ll want to figure out what PLC you’re using and what
language(s) it supports. Some PLCs only play nice with Ladder
Diagram. Some PLCs and PACs support all five IEC 61131–3 languages.
Even if your controller supports the language, you’ll want to make sure
that your programming software has the capability to write that
language. Ladder Diagram is a default option, the majority of the time.
Some brands require add-on packs for using additional languages.
Consult with the software and your brand’s documentation to figure
out which language is best suited for your system.

4. Your Career Path


Furthermore, if none of those points are applicable to you because
you’re just trying to advance (or start) your PLC programming career,
then I recommend learning the most popular PLC languages (LD, FBD,
ST) and then working your way through Instruction List and
Sequential Function Chart. You don’t need to be a master at every PLC
language. If you know LD very well, then you’ll be ready to tackle about
80% of the automation projects out there today. It’s more about having
a solid foundation in how to develop an automated system. Translating
it into a different language is secondary, so long as you understand at
least one language very well.

Places to Learn PLC Programming


There are a bunch of resources to learn PLC programming including
vendor training, online courses, and YouTube. Vendor training can be
thousands of dollars, so if you’re looking to fund your own PLC
development plan, I recommend a few Udemy Courses to get you
started

Final Thoughts
This is all the basic information about different types of PLC
programming languages. So, which is the best PLC programming
language as per your opinion? Let me know in the comment section.

As per most of the programmers and users of PLC, Ladder Diagram is


the most popular and used PLC programming language due to its easy
understanding and similarity to relay logic.

Please let me know your experience with the different types of PLC
programming languages and share your opinion about PLC
programming.

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