PLC Articles

Programmable controllers (the shortened name used for programmable logic controllers) are much like personal computers in that the user can be overwhelmed by the vast array of options and configurations available. Also, like personal computers, the best teacher of which one to select is experience. As one gains experience with the various options and configurations […]

Any control system goes through four stages from conception toa working plant. A PLC system brings advantages at each stage.The first stage is design; the required plant is studied and the controlstrategies decided. With conventional systems design must be completebefore construction can start. With a PLC system all that is needed isa possibly vague idea […]

The complete command listing for this ladder rung including termination commands is:
LD IN1 ENTER
AND IN2 ENTER
STO OUT1 ENTER
The commands may be entered using a hand-held programmer, dedicated desktop programmer or a computer containing software that will allow it to operate as a programming device. Each controller command line contains (1) a command, (2) […]

Introduction
All discussions in previous sections have considered only the ladder diagram in all program example development. The next thing to be considered is how to get the ladder diagram into the programmable controller. In higher order controllers, this can be accomplished through the use of dedicated personal computer software that allows the programmer to […]

Introduction
A physical description of the various configurations of programmable logic controllers, the functions associated with the different components, will follow. The chapter will end with a discussion of the unique way that a programmable logic controller obtains input data, process it, and produces output data, including a short introduction to ladder logic.