PLC Basics

The Most Unconventional Guide to PLCs on the Internet 

Since the late 1960's, the Programmable Logic Controller (or PLC) has become an essential aspect of any automated manufacturing process.  In recent times there have been contenders to replace the PLC but the priniciples and popularity of those early PLC's functions and concepts have continued unabated.  It is essential for many people from the technician to the engineer to understand these essential pieces of equipment.

PLCDev has developed this instruction manual "PLC Basics" in hopes it will serve the beginner to the advanced user.  Our goal is to make it comprehensive as possible, providing not only the generic principles in all PLCs, but to give practical examples from many different PLC manufacturers.  To this end you are welcome to comment on each section by registering as a user and clicking the "add a comment" link at the bottom of the page.

 

"I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers done. " --- Steven Wright

PLC Basics is a work in progress. If you wish to be notified of updates then please register for an account and make sure the email notification selection is checked.
Introduction to Programmable Controllers ›

About the next lesson

Submitted by shanmugam on Thu, 2010-01-28 03:44.

dear sir
i finshed the plc basic intro from these site how to get the next lesson what is the period to get the one lesson to another lesson
pl confirm me
thanks
shanmugam

PLC ebooks reference

Submitted by nugroho (not verified) on Sat, 2010-09-04 21:35.

Hi,

You can find the plc ebooks or reference by visiting controlmanuals

Regards,

Troubleshooting PLC

Submitted by Baskaran (not verified) on Sat, 2010-02-06 15:15.

Hi I'm Baskaran. Would really appreciate some guides and tips on troubleshooting PLC - RSlogix5000.

lpc books in uradu

Submitted by M.Ovais (not verified) on Mon, 2010-03-15 06:00.

I want plc book plz

What type?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-03-19 22:37.

What type of plc are you referring to?

plc

Submitted by sajin (not verified) on Wed, 2011-02-09 02:39.

i want a free software to check and simulate a plc ladder logic

plc progaming

Submitted by M.imran (not verified) on Mon, 2011-08-01 01:40.

we learn plc progaming.

May have an answer to help you.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2010-03-19 22:36.

What is the problem?

plc

Submitted by joseph machaki (not verified) on Thu, 2011-11-17 09:04.

please i have siemens plc but no program please help

what type of help

Submitted by sriramsureshaa on Fri, 2012-09-21 07:32.

Dear Mr.joseph machaki

what type of help u need and which type plc u have siematic s7 or s5?

A.Suresh

PLC (Matsushita)

Submitted by Sunesh Tyagi (not verified) on Fri, 2010-12-03 06:16.

How connect the plc (model no M2R) connected to computer. I don't have any data cable for above plc
Please help

Real Time Clocks

Submitted by Jon (not verified) on Sat, 2010-12-04 17:19.

RTC Day of the week , What figure is for Sunday , monday , tuesday etc

simatic manager simulator

Submitted by cidsamir on Tue, 2011-07-12 01:27.

sir,

i am astudent and i want to practice lad programming in siemens simatic manager.But i confuse in which version of simatic manager have simulator function.

i haver simati manager step7 v5.5 but simulator is off and i unable to on it.I found that option in "option>simulation" but that is inactive.

So could anyone please tell the exact version which have simulator.

cidsamir

The PLCSIM is optional pack,

Submitted by jlromero81 (not verified) on Wed, 2011-07-20 11:46.

The PLCSIM is optional pack, and you can install from DVD setup on Simatic manager, compatible with almost version to simatic manager 5.4 , 5.5, 5.3, etc.

operating system

Submitted by Vineet (not verified) on Sat, 2011-08-20 03:19.

Is it true that the plc software (of all companies) runs only on Windows XP and not on Windowz 7?

I use Siemens Step 7 V5.5 on

Submitted by Derek (not verified) on Tue, 2011-09-20 03:55.

I use Siemens Step 7 V5.5 on Windows 7. But it has to be professional or ultimate.... it wont load onto the basic version

Hi, This is nagesh Vaidya,

Submitted by Nagesh Vaidya (not verified) on Thu, 2011-11-03 06:38.

Hi,
This is nagesh Vaidya, from India. I am far away after completing my PG some 20 yrs ago and was able to get only the basic "ABC" of PLC.

however, this site and pages in tutorial are very useful in understanding what exactly the PLC means and how it works, although I had gone only partially.

trust, after going through the tutorial thoroughly, will be in a position to understand the PLC completely, since layman in the PLC field, at present. this site will be useful to get good basic concept clearance.

thanks a lot !!!

Nagesh

request for software

Submitted by fg.waryah (not verified) on Wed, 2011-12-07 12:41.

R/sir
i require v-eleq or v-meca simulation software
can you help me ,i have all type of softwares of misubishi plc
i am waiting for your reply

request for software

Submitted by fg.waryah (not verified) on Wed, 2011-12-07 12:41.

R/sir
i require v-eleq or v-meca simulation software
can you help me ,i have all type of softwares of misubishi plc
i am waiting for your reply

i wank e books

Submitted by skashafi (not verified) on Thu, 2012-07-19 03:52.

dear sir i just completed my post graduation in industrial automation ...with ab plc,siemens,scada,gefanuc,omron,mitshubishi,simantic manager wincc,dcs drives and panel designing..

now i want e book regarding these ...so please help me

thank u ......

TUTORIAL

Submitted by kesavraj on Mon, 2012-08-13 13:44.

sir i finshed the plc basic intro from these site how to get the next lesson what is the period to get the one lesson to another lesson
thanks
-kesavraj

plc

Submitted by faruk.duet on Thu, 2013-01-24 10:40.

i need a plc simulation software to see my ladder diagram(s7-300)
help me.