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What Is Programmable Logic Controller

A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a specialized computer used to control machines and industrial processes. Unlike typical computers, PLCs are designed to operate reliably in harsh industrial environments. PLCs were first developed for automating manufacturing and have since been widely adopted for automation. They are modular and can be programmed to perform tasks like discrete control, analog control, and motor control. PLCs monitor and control sensors and actuators through an input/output system. They offer advantages over conventional controls like flexibility, standardization, ease of use, compact size, and low power consumption.

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93 views

What Is Programmable Logic Controller

A programmable logic controller (PLC) is a specialized computer used to control machines and industrial processes. Unlike typical computers, PLCs are designed to operate reliably in harsh industrial environments. PLCs were first developed for automating manufacturing and have since been widely adopted for automation. They are modular and can be programmed to perform tasks like discrete control, analog control, and motor control. PLCs monitor and control sensors and actuators through an input/output system. They offer advantages over conventional controls like flexibility, standardization, ease of use, compact size, and low power consumption.

Uploaded by

Ngwe Soe Han
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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• What is Programmable Logic Controller?

•
A programmable logic controller is a specialized computer used to control
machines and processes. It therefore shares common terms with typical PCs like central
processing unit, memory, software and communications. Unlike a personal computer
through the PLC is designed to survive in a rugged industrial atmosphere and to be very
flexible in how it interfaces with inputs and outputs to the real world.
PLCs were first developed in the automobile manufacturing industry to provide
flexible, ruggedized and easily programmable controllers to replace hard-wired relays,
timers and sequencers. Since then , they have been widely adopted as high-reliability
automation controllers suitable for harsh environment. A PLC is an example of a “hard”
real-time system since output results must be produced in response to input conditions
within a limited time, otherwise unintended operation will result.
The majority of PLCs today are modular, allowing the user to add an assortment of
functionality including discrete control, analog control , PID control, position control,
motor control, serial communications, and high speed networking. Compared to older
technologies, the PLC is easier to troubleshoot, more reliable, more cost-effective, and
far more versatile.
BASIC COMPONENTS

A PLC is composed of a few basic parts. These include-

1. a power supply
2. a central processing unit or CPU
3. backplane or carrier that these parts are placed into

BACKPLANE CPU POWER SUPPLY

The backplane creates an electrical connection between all of the separate


components, given the PLC its modular design. This electrical connection includes both
power and communication signals. Many PLC manufactures use proprietary
communication protocols on the backplane so that I/O can surely talk to the CPU.
The power supply provides either 125VAC or 24VDC depending on the application and
the circumstances of the installation. As mentioned above, this voltage is bussed down
the backplane providing power for the CPU and I/O modules, which come in the form of
‘cards’. These cards can quickly be added or removed from their slots in the carrier.

Structure of a PLC

• APPLICATION •
A programmable logic controller (PLC) is an electronic device used in many
industries to monitor and control construction systems and production processes. Unlike
PCs and smartphones, which are designed to perform any number of roles, a PLC is
designed to perform a single set of tasks, expert in the case of limitations in real time and
with superior reliability and performance.

To meet the demands of rigorous industrial environments, PLCs are designed to


be extremely robust, often capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, humidity,
vibration and electrical noise. The logic controllers are commonly responsible for
monitoring and controlling a large number of sensors and actuators, and therefore are
different from other computer systems in their extensive input / output (I/O)
arrangements. PLC’s are used in several industries like petrochemical, biomedical,
cement manufacturing, oil and gas sector etc.

In large process plants PLCS are being increasingly used for automation start up
and shut down of critical equipment. A PLC ensures that an equipment can not be
started unless all the permissive conditions for safe start have been established. It also
monitor the conditions necessary for safe running of the equipment and trip the
equipment whenever the abnormality in the system is detected.
PLC are also used in

 civil applications such as washing machine, elevators working and traffic signals
control
 aerospace for water tank quenching system
 burner management system to control the process of purging, pilot light off, flame
safety checks, main burner light off and valve switching for changeover of fuels
 printing industry for multistage screen washing system and Offset web press print
register control system.

• ADVANTAGES •
The use of a PLC has several advantages including

Flexible 

Conventional Panel controls use relays and additional timers or system relationship
changes to respond to and modify or additional specifications, change lanes, transfers
products and others. Whereas the PLC only uses program changes that have been
written on memory.

High Standard Equipment 

Conventional panel controls have been produced in a way that each unit has its own
specifications. This requires a long manufacturing time and difficulty in maintenance.
But using PLC standardization control panel can be obtained.

Ease of equipment 

PLC provides a function that can check the state of facilities and programs so that if
there are problems or errors it is possible to make repairs quickly compared to other
control units. I/O indicators are quickly and easily known on system. Output
configuration that uses a type of relay plug-in.

Low Power and Compact Dissipation 

Most components contain highly-ability ICs in a lightweight and compact form.


Therefore it is possible to make a compact control panel s that it has relatively low
power dissipation.

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