Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) | Parts and Operation Of PLC

Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) | Parts and Operation Of PLC

Introduction to PLC:

A programmable logic controller, PLC, or programmable controller is a digital computer used for automation of typically industrial electromechanical processes, such as control of machinery on factory assembly lines, amusement rides, or light fixtures. PLCs are used in many machines, in many industries. PLCs are designed for multiple arrangements of digital and analog inputs and outputs, extended temperature ranges, immunity to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact. Programs to control machine operation are typically stored in battery-backed-up or non-volatile memory.
• A PLC (i.e. Programmable Logic Controller) is a device that was invented to replace the necessary sequential relay circuits for machine control.
• The PLC works by looking at its inputs and depending upon their state, turning on/off its outputs. The user enters a program, usually via software, that gives the desired results.

Example of PLC :

• Let’s assume that when a switch turns on we want to turn a solenoid on for 5 seconds and then turn it off regardless of how long the switch is on for.
• We can do this with a simple external timer. But what if the process included 10 switches and solenoids? We would need 10 external timers. What if the process also needed to count how many times the switches individually turned on? We need a lot of external counters.
PLC EXAMPLE
PLC EXAMPLE
What is Need Of PLC’S :
• The bigger the process the more is need for a PLC.
• Simply program the PLC to count its inputs and turn the solenoids on for the specified time.
• The primary reason for designing PLC was eliminating the large cost involved in replacing the complicated relay based machine control systems.

Major Components Of PLC Circuits: 

 
The PLC mainly consists of :
 
– A CPU,
– Memory areas, and 
– Appropriate circuits to receive input/output data.

PLC

• We can actually consider the PLC to be a box full of hundreds or thousands of separate relays, counters, timers and data storage locations.
• INPUT RELAYS-(contacts) : These are connected to the outside world. They physically exist and receive signals from switches, sensors, etc. Typically they are not relays but rather they are transistors.
• INTERNAL UTILITY RELAYS-(contacts) : These do not receive signals from the outside world nor do they physically exist. They are simulated relays and are what enables a PLC to eliminate external relays. There are also some special relays that are dedicated to performing only one task. Some are always on while some are always off. Some are on only once during power-on and are typically used for initializing data that was stored.
• COUNTERS : These again do not physically exist. They are simulated counters and they can be programmed to count pulses. Typically these counters can count up, down or both up and down.
• TIMERS : These also do not physically exist. They come in many varieties and increments. The most common type is an on-delay type. Others include off-delay and both retentive and non-retentive types. Increments vary from 1ms through 1s.
OUTPUT RELAYS-(coils): These are connected to the outside world. They physically exist and send on/off signals to solenoids, lights, etc. They can be transistors, relays, or triacs depending upon the model chosen.
DATA STORAGE : Typically there are registers assigned to simply store data. They are usually used as temporary storage for math or data manipulation. They can also typically be used to store data when power is removed from the PLC. Upon power-up they will still have the same contents as before power was removed.

PLC Operation :

• A PLC works by continually scanning a program. We can think of this scan cycle as consisting of 3 important steps.
Operation Of PLC
Operation Of PLC

• Step 1-CHECK INPUT STATUS :
First the PLC takes a look at each input to determine if it is on or off. In other words, is the sensor connected to the first input on? How about the second input? How about the third… It records this data into its memory to be used during the next step.
• Step 2-EXECUTE PROGRAM :
Next the PLC executes program one instruction at a time. Maybe program said that if the first input was on then it should turn on the first output. Since it already knows which inputs are on/off from the previous step it will be able to decide whether the first output should be turned on based on the state of the first input. It will store the execution results for use later during the next step.
 
• Step 3-UPDATE OUTPUT STATUS :
Finally the PLC updates the status of the outputs. It updates the outputs based on which inputs were on during the first step and the results of executing your program during the second step. Based on the example in step 2 it would now turn on the first output because the first input was on and your program said to turn on the first output when this condition is true. After the third step the PLC goes back to step one and repeats the steps continuously. One scan time is defined as the time it takes to execute the 3 steps listed above.

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Sachin Thorat

Sachin is a B-TECH graduate in Mechanical Engineering from a reputed Engineering college. Currently, he is working in the sheet metal industry as a designer. Additionally, he has interested in Product Design, Animation, and Project design. He also likes to write articles related to the mechanical engineering field and tries to motivate other mechanical engineering students by his innovative project ideas, design, models and videos.

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