Programmable Logic ControllersPLC’s

Overview

• Overview of Technology

• PLC Configuration and Selection

• Programming PLC’s

What is a PLC ?• PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

• A PLC works by looking at its inputs and depending on their state, and the user entered program, turns on/off outputs.

• A PLC can be thought of as: Industrial Computers with specially

designed architecture in both their central units (the PLC itself) and their interfacing circuitry to field devices (input / output connections to the real world).

Overview of Technology

Basic PLC Schema

• CPU• Power Supply• Memory• Input Blocks• Output Blocks• Communications• Expansion

Connections

CPU Module

• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) Module is the brain of the PLC.

• Primary role to read inputs, execute the control program, update outputs.

• The CPU consists of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), timing/control circuitry, accumulator, scratch pad memory, program counter, address stack and instruction register.

• A PLC works by continually scanning a program

SelfCheck

ExecuteCode

ScanInputs

UpdateOutputs

PLC ProgramSCAN

Memory

• The memory includes pre-programmed ROM memory containing the PLC’s operating system, driver programs and application programs and the RAM memory.

• PLC manufacturer offer various types of retentive memory to save user-programs and data while power is removed, so that the PLC can resume execution of the user-written control program as soon as power is restored.

I/O Modules

• Input and output (I/O) modules connect the PLC to sensors and actuators.

• Provide isolation for the low-voltage, low-current signals that the PLC uses internally from the higher-power electrical circuits required by most sensors and actuators.

• Wide range of I/O modules available including: digital (logical) I/O modules and analog (continuous) I/O modules.

Inputs Modules

• Inputs come from sensors that translate physical or chemical phenomena into electrical signals.

• The simplest form of inputs are digital/discrete in AC/DC.

• In smaller PLCs the inputs are normally built in and are

specified when purchasing the PLC.

• For larger PLCs the inputs are purchased as modules, or

cards, with 8,16, 32, 64, 96 inputs of the same type on

each card.

Inputs Modules

The list below shows typical ranges for input

voltages.

5 Vdc

12 Vdc

24 Vdc

48 Vdc

12 Vac

24 Vac

120 Vac

240 Vac

Example of Input Card

Outputs Modules

• Output modules rarely supply any power, but instead act as switches.

• External power supplies are connected to the output card and the card will switch the power on or off for each output.

• A common choice when purchasing output cards is relays, transistors or triacs.

• Relay are the most flexible output devices. They are capable of switching both AC and DC outputs. But, they are slower, cost more, and they will wear out after millions of cycles.

Relays

• The most important consideration when selecting relays, or relay outputs on a PLC, is the rated current and voltage.

• For transistor outputs or higher density output cards relay terminal blocks are available. – Advantage of individual standard

replaceable relays

Outputs Typical output voltages are listed below,

5 Vdc

12 Vdc

24 Vdc

48 Vdc

24 Vac

120 Vac

240 Vac

WARNING: Always check rated voltages and currents for

PLCs and never exceed.

Example of Output Card

Analogue Cards

• Typical Analogue Input

signals are:– Flow sensors

– Humidity sensors

– Load Cells

– Potentiometers

– Pressure sensors

– Temperature sensors

– Vibration

• Analogue Output signals control:– Analogue Valves– Actuators– Chart Resorders– Variable Speed Drives– Analogue Meters

• Typical Analogue Signal Levels– 4-20mA– 1-5 Vdc– 0-10 Vdc– -10 – 10Vdc

Analogue Inputs/Outputs

• Analogue input cards convert continuous signals via a

A/D converter into discrete values for the PLC

• Analogue output cards convert digital values in then PLC

to continuous signals via a D/A converter.

• Resolution can be important in choosing an applicable

card

• Example, for a temperature input of 0 to 100 degrees C– For 8 bit resolution the value in the PLC is 0 to 255

– For 12 bit resolution the value in the PLC is 0 to 4095

– For 12.5 bit resolution the value in the PLC is 0 to 6000

– For 13 bit resolution the value in the PLC is 0 to 8192

– For 16 bit resolution the value in the PLC is 0 to 32768

Special Modules

• RF ID • Voice• Gas Flow Calculation• Weigh Cell• Hydraulic Servo• ASCII• Fuzzy Logic• Temperature Sensor• Temperature Control• Heat/Cool Control• Field Bus Cards

– DeviceNet, Profibus etc– Lonworks, BACNet

• Fast Response (Interrupt)• PID• Loop Controller• BASIC Cards• RS232 Comm’s • Modbus ASCII/RTU• Ethernet Comm’s• High Speed Counters• Position Control Cards• Per to Per Comm’s

– Controller Link– DH+– Modbus Plus

Available Instructions

• Sequence– Input– Output– Control

• Logic• Timer and Counters• Comparison• Range Comparison• Data Movement• Data Shift• Step / Step Next• Serial Communications• Text String Processing• File Manipulation

• Increment/Decrement• Conversion

– ASCII– Number Systems

• Math• Floating Point Math• Statistics• Scaling• PID• PID with Auto tune• Clock / Date• Block Processing

– IF,THEN,ELSE,LOOP

Table Processing– LIFO, FIFO

PLC Configuration

RACK

SHOE BOX

MINI

MICRO

The Configuration of PLC• The configuration of PLC refers to the packaging of the

components.

• Typical configurations are listed below from largest to smallest.– Rack Type : A rack can often be as large as 18” by 30” by 10”

– Mini: These are similar in function to PLC racks, but about the half size. Dedicated Backplanes can be used to support the cards OR DIN rail mountable with incorporated I/O bus in module.

– Shoebox: A compact, all-in-one unit that has limited expansion capabilities. Lower cost and compactness make these ideal for small applications. DIN rail mountable.

– Micro: These units can be as small as a deck of cards. They tend to have fixed quantities of I/O and limited abilities, but costs will be lowest. DIN rail mountable.

Sizing of PLC

Micro PLCs: I/O up to 32 points

Small PLC: I/O up to 128 points

Medium PLC: I/O up to 1024 points

Large PLC: I/O up to 4096 points

Very Large: I/O up to 8192 points

Selecting a PLC

• Criteria

• Number of logical inputs and outputs

• Memory

• Number of special I/O modules

• Expansion Capabilities

• Scan Time

• Communication

• Software

• Support

• Dollars

Example of PLC Specifications

Example of PLC Specifications

Manufactures

• OMRON• Allen Bradley• Schneider (Modicon, Telemecanique, Square D)• GE Fanuc• Siemens• Automation Direct (Koyo)• Toshiba• Mitsubishi• Hitachi

• Keyence• Festo• Eberle• Texas Instruments• April

MajorMajor BrandsBrands

Programming PLC’s

• Ladder Logic remains the most common technique for programming PLC’s

Thank you….