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PLC Vs Microcontroller

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Yash Srivastava
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246 views2 pages

PLC Vs Microcontroller

Uploaded by

Yash Srivastava
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is a Microcontroller?

Let us understand the basics first. You have one push button and one lamp. You are asked to
turn the lamp on after 5 seconds of pressing the push button. From these, what do we require
to execute this task? You will require one input (push button), one output (lamp), one
controller to execute this task (processor type), one power supply to power the circuits, and
one memory to store this logic and the status of inputs and outputs. This, when combined in a
single package, makes a microcontroller.

In short, a microcontroller is a type of small computer that takes physical inputs, processes
the logic according to them, and turns on or off the physical outputs. It is a small chip-type
device that embeds all these circuits in it, like a small package, and does all the processing
and controlling work.

A microcontroller will handle a small number of inputs and outputs. For example, consider a
small display circuit like LED or LCD mounted on a handheld device. If you press a push
button on it, it will display the corresponding number on the display.

And when you press another push button, it will show some other number written according
to the logic inside the processor. This means it was first programmed to show a number, and
then by pressing the second button, a calculated number would be shown. All these
calculations, storage handling of variables, and IO processing are done inside this
microcontroller chip.

What is a PLC?
Let us go ahead to some higher level of processing. You have 50 number of sensors, either 4-
20 mA or thermocouple types. You have 20 different types of outputs, either 0-10V DC
actuators or relay outputs. You have been assigned the same task to accept inputs and control
outputs according to the logic written in it.

All the same components of IO’s, power supply, processor, and memory will be required.
But, you can see all these IO boards/pins with memory and processor cannot be embedded on
a small single chip. This is when PLC comes into the picture. PLC is basically an extension
of the microcontroller. It is a cabinet-box-type device that has IO boards, memory, and a
processor; all interfaced with each other on different chips. All these chips make a single PLC
cabinet.

The IO’s can be of different types, ranging from simple digital signals to complex analog
signals. They have special communication boards, which can communicate with real-life
protocols like Ethernet, Modbus, CAN Open, Profibus, Profinet, etc.
Difference between PLC and Microcontroller
1. In the definition only, we got to know that a PLC can handle a large number of
processes and cycles. That is why, it is best used for industrial applications.
Microcontrollers cannot cater to a large number of IOs with complex wiring and
communication requirements. It is best suitable for small-scale applications.
2. Signal processing is much more flexible in PLC as compared to a microcontroller.
This means, analog to digital conversion, high-speed counter inputs, and outputs are
more easily configured in a PLC than in a microcontroller.
3. Microcontrollers are cheaper in price than PLC, due to the limited amount of features
it provides.
4. The main advantage of PLC is its ruggedness and stability. With a very high
temperature and environmental stubbornness, it is the best suitable product for
critical, risky, and harsh environments.
5. PLC can be much better prone to electromagnetic noise and such other types, than a
microcontroller.
6. Programming is very easier in PLC than in a microcontroller. Microcontrollers use
complex software like C and C++ for programming, which is much easier in a PLC as
it has languages that easily co-relate to an electrical drawing understanding.
7. Microcontrollers require knowledge of embedded systems, VLSI, and software to
design it, whereas PLC programmers require knowledge of industrial automation,
instrumentation, and networking to design it.

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