By Don Fitchett

• What is a PLC?
• How many PLCs is your bottom line depending on?
• Do you have an up to date list of all PLC model types, part availability, program copies, and details for your company?
• Do you have at least one trained person per shift, to maintain and troubleshoot your plant PLCs?
• Does your maintenance personnel work with PLCs following written company or corporate policy, and procedures?

If you could not answer with confidence or you answered "No" to any of the above questions, you need to read this article on maintenance management of PLCs. Why? Because the PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) are the brains of your operation. When the PLC is not functioning properly, lines shut down, plants shutdown, even city bridges and water stations could cease to operate. Thousands to millions could be lost by one little PLC in an electrical panel that you never even knew existed. But most importantly, damage to machine and personnel could result from improper maintenance management of your company's PLCs.