ELE-601 Industrial Electronics

Lecture 6 – PLC Timers

Dr. Arslan Dawood Butt

 CLO 1 -
Section 2
•PLCs provide a cost-effective alternative to using individual
hardwired timers and counters because the smallest PLCs
(nanos and micros) already contain 10 or more timers and
counters.
•Timer instructions contain three words, with word “0”
containing three bits that can be used in the program of a
PLC.
 Timers
There are very few industrial control systems that do not need
at least one or two timed functions. They are used to activate
or de-activate a device after a preset interval of time.
Time delay relays and solid-state timers are used to provide a time
delay. They may have displays, pots or other means of operator
interface for time settings and electromechanical or solid state
outputs.

Time Delay
Solid-State
Relay
Timer
 On-Delay Timing Relay

Operating coil Nontimed contacts are

NO controlled directly by
the timer coil, as in a
Instantaneous general-purpose control
contacts relay.
NC
When the coil is energized,
the timed contacts are
prevented from opening
or closing until the time
NO delay period has elapsed.
However, when the coil is
Time control de-energized, the timed
contacts contacts return
NC instantaneously to their
normal state.
Time adjustment
 Timed Contact Symbols
On-Delay Symbols

Normally open, timed Normally closed, timed

closed contact (NOTC) open contact (NCTO)

Contact is open when Contact is closed when

relay coil is de-energized relay coil is de-energized

When relay is energized, When relay is energized,

there is a time delay in there is a time delay in
closing opening
 Timed Contact Symbols
Off Delay Symbols

Normally open, timed Normally closed, timed

open contacts (NOTO). closed contacts (NCTC).
Contact is normally Contact is normally
open when relay coil closed when relay coil
is de-energized. is de-energized.
When relay coil is When relay coil is
energized, contact closes energized, contact opens
instantly. instantly.
When relay coil is de- When relay coil is de-
energized, there is a time energized, there is a time
delay before the contact delay before the contact
opens. closes.
 On-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NOTC Contact)

L1 S1
L2 Sequence of operation
S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 open, L1 is off.
L1
S1 closes, TD energizes,
timing period starts,
10 s
TD1 still open, L1 is still off.

10 s After 10 s, TD1 closes, L1 is

switched on.
Input
ON
S1 is opened, TD de-energizes,
OFF
Output TD1 opens instantly, L1 is
Timing Diagram switched off.
 On-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NCTO Contact)
L1 L2
S1 Sequence of operation
S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 closed, L1 is on.
L1
S1 closes, TD energizes,
10 s timing period starts, TD1
is still closed, L1 is still on.
10 s After 10 s, TD1 opens,
L1 is switched off.
Input
On
Output S1 is opened, TD de-energizes,
Off TD1 closes instantly, L1 is
Timing Diagram switched on.
 Off-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NOTO Contact)
L1 L2
S1 Sequence of operation
S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 open, L1 is off.
L1
S1 closes, TD energizes,
TD1 closes instantly,
10 s L1 is switched on.
S1 is opened, TD de-energizes,
10 s
timing period starts, TD1 is
still closed, L1 is still on.
Input
On
Off After 10 s, TD1 opens, L1 is
Output
switched off.
Timing Diagram
 Off-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NCTC Contact)
L1 L2
S1 Sequence of operation
S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 closed, L1 is on.
L1
S1 closes, TD energizes,
TD1 opens instantly,
10 s L1 is switched off.

10 s S1 is opened,
TD de-energizes, timing
period starts, TD1 is still
Input
On
open, L1 is still off.
Output
Off After 10 s, TD1 closes,
Timing Diagram
L1 is switched on.
 1. Timers are used to activate or de-activate a
device after a preset interval of time.
(True/False)

2. With most timers the time delay period is fixed

and can not be varied. (True/False)

3. ________ contacts are controlled directly by the

timer coil, as in a general-purpose control relay.

(a) timed (c) instantaneous

(b) NO (d) NC
4. When a relay timer coil is de-energized, the
timed contacts return instantaneously to their
normal state. (True/False)

5. Which of the following symbols represents a

normally open timed closed contact?
6. Which of the following symbols represents a
normally closed timed open contact?
7. The timed relay contact shown is designed to
operate so that:

a. when the relay coil is energized, there is a

time delay in closing
b. when the relay coil is energized, there is a
time delay in opening
c. when the relay coil is de-energized, there is a
time delay in closing
d. when the relay coil is de-energized, there is a
time delay in opening
 8. The timing diagram shown is that of an

10 s

Input
On
Off
Output
Timing Diagram

a. on-delay timer circuit (NOTC contact)

b. on-delay timer circuit (NCTO contact)
c. off-delay timer circuit (NCTC contact)
d. off-delay timer circuit (NOTO contact)
9. In the circuit shown, the light will stay off
L1 L2
S1

L1

10 s

a. as long as S1 is closed
b. for 10 seconds after coil TD is energized
c. for 10 seconds after coil TD is de-energized
d. both a and c
10. In the circuit shown, the light will stay on

a. as long as S1 is closed
b. as long as S1 is open
c. for 10 seconds after S1 is closed
d. both b and c
 Programmed Timer Instructions

PLC timers are output instructions that provide the same

functions as timing relays and solid state timers.

Some advantages of PLC timers:

 their settings can be altered easily

 the number of PLC timers used

can be increased or decreased by
programming changes without
wiring changes

 timer accuracy and repeatability

are extremely high
 RSLogic Timer Commands

TON

Timer/Counter

Command Name Description

TON Timer On-Delay Counts time base

intervals when the
instruction is “true”
 RSLogic Timer Commands

TOF

Timer/Counter

Command Name Description

TOF Timer Off-Delay Counts time base

intervals when the
instruction is “false”
 RSLogic Timer Commands

RTO RES

Timer/Counter

Command Name Description

Counts time base intervals
RTO Retentive Timer when the instruction is
ON “true” and retains the
accumulated value when
the instruction goes "false"
or when power cycle occurs

When this instruction is

RES Reset "true" it resets the count
of the RTO counter
 Quantities Associated with the Timer Instruction
Preset Time – Represents the time duration of the timing
circuit. For example, if a time delay of 10 s is required, the
timer will have a preset of 10 s.

Accumulated Time – Represents the amount of time that

has elapsed from the moment the timing coil became
energized.

Time Base – Timers can typically be programmed with

several different time bases: 1 s, 0.1 s, and 0.01 s are
typical time bases. For example, if you enter 0.1 for the
time base and 50 for the preset time the timer would
have a 5 s delay (50 x 0.1 s = 5 s).
 Coil-Formatted Timer Instruction
Contact determines The timer assigned
rung continuity an address
The type of timer
is specified XXX

TON

Preset value PR:YYY

Time base 0.1 s
Accumulated value AC:000
When the timer rung has logic continuity, the timer's accumulated
value increases. When accumulated value equals the preset value, the
output is energized, and the timed output contact associated with the
output is closed. The timed contact can be used as many times as you
wish throughout the program as a NO or NC contact.
 Generic Block-Formatted Timer Instruction
Timers are most often represented by boxes in a ladder logic.
Control line controls the actual timing operation of the timer.
Whenever this line is true the timer will time.
Retentive timer block

Preset time
Time base
Accumulated time Output line

The timer continuously compares its accumulated time

Reset line resets the
with its preset time. Its output is logic 0 as long as the
timer’s accumulated
accumulated time is less than the preset time. When the
value to zero.
two become equal the output changes to logic 1.
 On-Delay Timer Instruction
The on-delay timer operates
so that, when the rung Input Timer
containing the timer is true,
the timer time-out period
commences.
Timer Sequence True
False The timed output
Rung condition becomes true
sometimes after the
Timed period timer rung becomes
On delay
time duration true; hence the timer
is said to have an on
True
delay.
False ON
Timed output bit
OFF
 Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction
Allen-Bradley PLC-5 and SLC-500 controller timer elements
each take three data table words: the control word, preset
word, and accumulated word.

The control word uses three control bits: Enable (EN) bit,
Timer-Timing (TT) bit and Done-Bit (DN).

TIMER TABLE

/EN /TT /DN

T4:0 0 0 0
 Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction
The Enable (EN) bit is true (has a status of 1)
whenever the timer instruction is true. When the
timer instruction is false, the enable bit is false (has a
status of 0)
Enable bit false
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer T4:0 EN

T4:0
Enable bit true
EN
 Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction
The Timer-Timing (TT) bit is true whenever the
accumulated value of the timer is changing, which
means the timer is timing.

TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer T4:0 EN
Preset 50
Accumulated 10

T4:0
Timer-Timing bit true
TT
 Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction
The Done-Bit (DN) changes state whenever the
accumulated value reaches the preset value. Its state
depends on the type of timer being used.

TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer T4:0 EN
Preset 50 DN
Accumulated 10
50

T4:0
Done-bit changes state
DN
 Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction
The preset value (PRE) word is the set point of the
timer, that is, the value up to which the timer will
time.
The accumulated value (ACC) word is the value that
increments as the timer is timing. The accumulated
value will stop incrementing when its value reaches the
preset value.

TIMER TABLE
/EN /TT /DN .PRE .ACC
T4:0 0 0 0 0 0
 Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction
The information to be entered includes:
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer T4:0 EN
Time base 1.0
Preset 15 DN
Accumulated 0

Timer number which must come from the timer file.

Time base which is expressed in seconds.
Preset value which is the length of the time delay.
Accumulated value which is normally entered as 0.
 On-Delay Timer Program

Ladder Logic Program

L1 L2
Input A TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Input A Output B G
Timer T4:0 EN
Time base 1.0
Preset 10
Accumulated 0 DN
10 Output C R
T4:0 Output B

EN Output D Y
T4:0 Output C

TT
T4:0 Output D

DN
 On-Delay Timer Program
Timing Diagram

On
Input condition A
Off
On
Timer-enable bit
Off
On
Timer-timing bit
Off
4s 10 s
On
Timer-done bit
Off

Timer accumulated 0
value
 On-Delay Timer Program
Timers are 3-word elements

Word
EN TT DN Internal use 0
Preset value PRE 1
Accumulated value ACC 2

Word 0 is the control word

Word 1 stores the preset value

Word 2 stores the accumulated value

 On-Delay Timer With Instantaneous Output

Relay Ladder Schematic Diagram

Stop Start
L1 L2

1TD

1TD-1
(instantaneous M
contact)

1TD-2
(5 s)
(timed contact)
 On-Delay Timer With Instantaneous Output
Programmed Circuit

Ladder logic program

Inputs Internal
Stop Start Output
relay
L1 L2

Stop
Motor M
Start Internal Motor
relay M

Timer
PR: 5
TB: 1 s Output
line
 Start-Up Warning Signal Circuit
Relay Ladder Schematic Diagram
L1 Start-up Reset L2
PB1 PB2 CR1

CR1-1
1TD

CR1-2
Horn

CR1-3
1TD-1
(10 s)
 Start-Up Warning Signal Circuit
Programmed Circuit

Ladder logic program

Inputs
Output
PB1 PB2 TON
Start-up TIMER ON DELAY
Timer T4:0 EN
PB1 Time base 1.0
T4:0 DN
Reset Preset 10 Horn
PB2 Accumulated 0
10
EN
Horn
T4:0 T4:0

DN EN
 Timed Closed Solenoid Valve Program

Ladder logic program Output

Input
L1 L2
Switch TON
SW_1
Timer On Delay
SW_1 Timer timer_1 EN Valve
Preset 12000 DN
Accumulated 120000

timer_1.dn Valve
 Automatic Sequential Control System
L1 Start L2
Relay Ladder Stop PB2 Lube oil OL
PB1 pump motor
Schematic
Diagram M1

M1-1 Main drive

motor OL
PS1
M2

(lube oil
pressure switch) 1TD

OL

M3
1TD-1 Feed
(15 s) motor
 Automatic Sequential Control System
Programmed Circuit
Ladder logic program
Inputs PB1 PB2 M1 Outputs
OL
PB1
M1 M1
PB2 OL
PS1 M2 M2
PS1
OL
M3
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer T4:0 EN
Time base 1.0
DN
Preset 15
Accumulated 150

T4:0 M3

DN
 Off-Delay Programmed Timer
The off-delay timer (TOF) operation will keep the output
energized for a period after the rung till the timer has gone
false.

Ladder logic program Output

Input
L1 L2
TOF
S1 I:1.0/0 TIMER OFF DELAY
I:1.0/0 EN O:2.0/1 PL
TIMER T4:3
Time base 1.0 DN
Preset 15
Accumulated 150

T4:3/DN O:2.0/1
 Off-Delay Programmed Timer
Timing Diagram

True
Input condition
S1 False

Timed period

Off delay
timed duration

True (logic 1)
Timed output False (logic 0)
O:2.0/1 Preset value = accumulated value
 Off-Delay Timer Used To Switch Motors Off
Input Ladder logic program
Output L2
L1

5000

10000

15000
 Pneumatic Off-Delay Timer
L1 L2

Relay Ladder
Schematic
Diagram
 Programmed Pneumatic Off-Delay Timer
Equivalent Programmed Circuit
Input Ladder logic program
Outputs
L1 L2

5
 Fluid Pumping Process

Operation

 Before starting, PS1 must be closed.

 When the pump start button is pressed, the pump starts. The
button can then be released and the pump continues to operate.
 When the stop button is pushed, the pump stops.
 PS2 and PS3 must be closed for 5 s after the pump starts. If either
PS2 or PS3 opens, the pump will shut off and will not be able to
start again for another 14 s.
 Fluid Pumping Process Program

Ladder logic program

Inputs Output
L1 L2

05
 Retentive Timer
A retentive timer accumulates time whenever the device
receives power, and maintains the current time should
power be removed from the device. Once the device
accumulates time equal to its preset value, the contacts of
the device change state. The retentive timer must be
intentionally reset with a separate signal for the
accumulated time to be reset.
Electromechnical Retentive Timer
Once power is applied, the motor
starts turning the cam. The
Cam operated positioning of the lobes determines
contact the time it takes to activate the
contacts. If power is removed from
Motor-driven the motor, the shaft stops but does
cam not reset.
 Retentive On-Delay Timer Program
The PLC-programmed RETENTIVE ON-DELAY timer (RTO)
operates in the same way as the nonretentive on-delay
timer (TON), with one major exception. This is a retentive
timer reset (RTR) instruction.
Unlike the TON, the RTO will
hold its accumulated value
when the timer rung goes false
and will continue timing where
it left off when the timer rung
goes true again. This timer
must be accompanied by a
Same address timer reset (RES) instruction to
reset the accumulated value of
the timer to zero.
Retentive On-Delay Timer Program

093
 Retentive On-Delay Timing Chart
Enable bit is reset when
input pushbutton PB1 is
opened

Accum = Preset
Accum value retained
when rung goes false

When reset PB2 is

closed, the T4:2/DN bit is
reset to 0. Accumulated
value is reset and held at
zero until the reset
 Retentive On-delay Alarm Program
Ladder logic program L2
L1

60000
0

The purpose of the RTO timer is to detect whenever a piping system

has sustained a cumulative overpressure condition of 60 s. At that
point, a horn is sounded automatically. You can silence the alarm by
switching the key switch to the rest position.
 Bearing Lubrication
Program
Sequence Of Operation

 To start the machine, the operator turns SW on.

 Before the motor shaft starts to turn, the bearings are supplied
with oil by the pump for 10 s.
 The bearings also receive oil when the machine is running.
 When the operator turns SW off to stop the machine, the oil
pump continues to supply oil for 15 s.
 A retentive timer is used to track the total running time of the
pump. When the total running time is 3 h, the motor is shut down
and a pilot light is turned on to indicate that the filter and oil
need to be changed.
 A reset button is provided to reset the process after the filter and
oil have been changed.
Bearing Lubrication Program

10
0

15

10800
 Cascading Timers
The programming of two or more timers together is
called cascading. Timers may be interconnected, or
cascaded to satisfy any required control logic.

Relay Schematic
Diagram

Three motors started

automatically in
sequence with a 20-s
time delay between
each motor startup.
Equivalent Time-Delayed Motor-Starting Program

20000

2000
0
 Annunciator Flasher Circuit
Two timers can be interconnected to form an oscillator
circuit. The oscillator logic is basically a timing circuit
programmed to generate periodic output pulses of any
duration. They can be used as part of an annunciator
system to indicate an alarm condition.

The oscillator circuit output is

programmed in series with
the alarm condition. If the
alarm condition is true, the
appropriate output indicating
light will flash.
Annunciator Flasher Circuit
Cascading of Timers for Longer Time Delays

30000

12000
 Control of Traffic Lights in One Direction

A typical application for PLC timers is the control of

traffic lights.

Control of Traffic in One Direction

Sequence of Operation

Red Green Amber

30 s 25 s 5s
Control of Traffic Lights in One Direction

30

25

5
 11. The timed contact of a PLC timer can only
be used as a normally-open contact. (True/False)

12. The ______ bit operates the same as an

instantaneous contact on a timer relay.
a. enable
b. done
c. timer-timing
d. timer number
13. The preset time of a PLC timer represents the
amount of time that has elapsed from the moment
the timing coil became energized. (True/False)

14. If the preset time of a timer is 150 and the time

base is 0.1 seconds, the time-delay period would
be 1500 seconds. (True/False)
15. In general, the three different types of PLC
timers are:
a. TON, TOF, and PRE
b. TON, TOF, and RTO
c. TON, ACC, and RTO
d. TT, EN, and DN
16. The amount of time for which a timer is
programmed is called the

a. preset
b. set point
c. Done Time (DN)
d. accumulated time
17. The timer reset instruction must be addressed
to the same address as the ______ instruction.

a. TON

b. TOF

c. RTO

d. EN
18. Which of the following statements is not true
for a retentive on-delay timer?
a. The timer accumulates time when it is
energized.
b.The timer requires a reset instruction to reset
the accumulated value of the timer to zero.
c. The timer does not reset to zero when it is de-
energized.
d. The reset input to the timer will not override
the control input.
19. The timer instruction is:
a. an input instructionc. either a or b
b. an output instruction d. both a or b

20. The interconnection of timers is commonly

called :
a. grouping
b. programming
c. sequencing
d. cascading
 21. For the program shown, the pilot light will be:

a. on at all times
b. off at all times
c. switched on 15 s after the switch has been actuated
from the open to the closed position
d. switched off 15 s after the switch has been actuated
from the on to off position
 Q&A

73