5. PLC AND SCADA
5. PLC AND SCADA
1. Increase Efficiency – Machines work faster and more accurately than humans.
2. Reduce Human Effort – Automa on reduces the need for manual work.
3. Improve Safety – Dangerous tasks can be done by machines, keeping people safe.
4. Ensure Consistency – Automated systems produce the same quality every me.
7. Handle Complex Tasks – Machines can perform difficult calcula ons and opera ons.
Advantages of Automa on
4. Faster Work – Tasks are completed much quicker than manual work.
7. Less Human Error – Computers and machines work with high accuracy.
A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is an industrial computer used to control machines and processes
automa cally. It takes input from sensors, processes the data, and gives output to control devices like
motors, lights, and valves.
Advantages of PLC
1. Easy Programming – PLCs use simple ladder diagrams and logic programming.
2. Fast and Reliable – PLCs work quickly and accurately without errors.
3. Compact Size – They take up less space compared to tradi onal control systems.
4. Flexible and Scalable – The same PLC can be reprogrammed for different tasks.
5. Low Maintenance – PLCs have fewer moving parts, reducing wear and tear.
6. Handles Complex Tasks – Can control mul ple machines and processes at once.
7. Improved Safety – Reduces the risk of human errors and accidents.
1. Power Supply
o Provides the required voltage (typically 24V DC or 230V AC) to the PLC system.
o Processes input signals, executes the control program, and sends output signals.
3. Memory Unit
o Includes ROM (Read-Only Memory) for permanent data and RAM (Random Access Memory)
for temporary storage.
4. Input Module
o Receives signals from input devices such as sensors, switches, and push bu ons.
o Converts real-world signals (analog or digital) into data the CPU can process.
5. Output Module
o Sends signals to output devices like motors, solenoids, relays, and lights.
6. Programming Device
PLCs are used in various industries for automa on and process control. Some common applica ons include:
1. Manufacturing Industry
2. Power Plants
3. Automobile Industry
5. Building Automa on
7. Tex le Industry
8. Agriculture Sector
A Ladder Diagram (LD) is a graphical programming language used in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
It looks like an electrical circuit diagram and is widely used for automa on and control processes.
1. Uses Symbols – Represents electrical components like relays, switches, and contacts.
4. Simple Programming – Uses logical condi ons like AND, OR, and NOT.
5. Widely Used – Common in industrial automa on, manufacturing, and process control.
A Ladder Diagram consists of two ver cal lines (power rails) and horizontal rungs (control logic).
3. Coil (Output) – ( )
In Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), contacts and coils are the basic elements used in Ladder Logic
programming. They work like electrical switches and relays to control processes.
1. Contacts in PLC
Contacts represent input condi ons, such as switches, sensors, and bu ons. They can be Normally Open
(NO) or Normally Closed (NC).
Types of Contacts
Opposite of NO contact.
When the condi on is true (ON), it remains open and blocks the current.
When the condi on is false (OFF), it closes the circuit and allows current to pass.
2. Coils in PLC
Coils represent output devices, such as motors, lights, and relays. They activate or deactivate
based on input conditions.
Types of Coils
(ii) OR Gate:
5.8 Explain the following Timers and counters (i)TON (ii)T OFF (iii) Reten ve mer (iv) CTU (v) CTD
Timers and counters are used in PLC programming to control me-based and event-based opera ons.
1. Timers in PLC
Timers create delays in switching ON or OFF an output. There are three common types:
Example: A fan should con nue running 10 seconds a er turning OFF the switch.
Func on: Stores the elapsed me even if the power supply is lost.
Example: Used in batch processing where ming must con nue a er power recovery.
2. Counters in PLC
Counters count the number of events like switch presses or machine cycles.
Conclusion
A PLC instruc on set consists of various commands used to control industrial processes. These instruc ons
are categorized into different types based on their func on.
These are basic instruc ons used for logical opera ons.
OTE (Output Energize) – Ac vates an output when condi ons are met.
TOF (OFF-Delay Timer) – Keeps an output ON for a delay a er input is turned OFF.
RTO (Reten ve Timer) – Con nues coun ng even a er power loss un l reset.
MOV (Move Data) – Transfers data from one memory loca on to another.
MUL (Mul ply), ADD (Addi on), SUB (Subtrac on), DIV (Division) – Arithme c opera ons.
PID (Propor onal Integral Deriva ve Control) – Used in process control applica ons.
5.11 Explain ladder diagrams for following (i) DOL starter and STAR-DELTA starter (ii) Stair case ligh ng
(iii) Traffic light control (iv) Temperature Controller
This Direct-On-Line (DOL) Starter ladder diagram is used to control the star ng and stopping of an electric
motor using a PLC. It also includes an overload relay for motor protec on.
Working Principle:
o A holding contact (O:0/0) is used to maintain the circuit even if the start bu on is released.
o When the STOP bu on (I:0/1) is pressed, the circuit breaks, de-energizing the main
contactor (O:0/0).
o If the overload relay (I:0/2) is triggered (due to excess current), it breaks the circuit and
stops the motor to prevent damage.
o The motor is connected to Output (O:0/1) and will run when the main contactor is ac ve.
Conclusion:
This PLC-based Star-Delta Starter is used to start an induc on motor in star mode and then switch to delta
mode a er a me delay. This reduces the high star ng current and prevents damage to the motor.
Working Principle:
o When the START bu on (I:0/0) is pressed, the main contactor (O:0/0) energizes, closing the
circuit.
o The motor starts in star connec on through the star contactor (O:0/1).
o When the STOP bu on (I:0/1) is pressed, the circuit breaks, de-energizing all contactors and
stopping the motor.
o A er the preset me (e.g., 10 seconds), the mer (T4:0) completes its count and its DN
(done) bit is ac vated.
o Once the mer is done, the delta contactor (O:0/2) energizes, and the star contactor (O:0/1)
de-energizes.
o This switches the motor from star to delta connec on, allowing it to run at full voltage.
Conclusion:
This PLC-based star-delta starter ensures smooth star ng and reduces inrush current, making it ideal for
large induc on motors.
This PLC-based staircase ligh ng control system allows a user to control a single light (bulb) using two
switches, typically located at the top and bo om of a staircase. The light can be turned ON or OFF from
either switch.
Working Principle:
o I:0/0 (Input Switch 1) – Located at one end of the staircase (e.g., ground floor).
o I:0/1 (Input Switch 2) – Located at the other end (e.g., first floor).
3. Switching Mechanism:
o The circuit follows the behavior of a Two-Way Switching System used in manual wiring.
o When either Switch 1 (I:0/0) or Switch 2 (I:0/1) is toggled, the state of the output bulb
(O:0/0) changes (i.e., it turns ON if it was OFF, and vice versa).
If both switches are ac vated at the same me, the bulb turns OFF.
Logic Table:
1 (ON) 0 (OFF) ON
0 (OFF) 1 (ON) ON
The bulb can be turned ON or OFF from any switch posi on.
Working Principle:
o The SQO instruc on is used to control the traffic light sequence by shi ing through a
predefined data table stored in N7 registers.
o The second SQO outputs a sequence to T4:0.PRE, which sets the mer for each step.
o T4:0 is a mer that ensures the light stays ON for a set dura on before moving to the next
step.
3. Control Flow:
o The sequence progresses when T4:0.DN (Done bit) is ON, meaning the mer has finished.
0 NS Red
1 NS Amber
2 NS Green
3 EW Red
4 EW Amber
5 EW Green
Red → Amber → Green transi on is handled by sequen ally changing N7:20 values.
This is a real- me traffic control system for intersec ons, ensuring safe vehicle movement.
(v) Temperature Controller
This PLC-based temperature control system automa cally turns ON/OFF the air condi oning (AC) and
compressor based on temperature readings.
Working Principle:
This PLC program controls temperature by ac va ng/deac va ng the AC and compressor automa cally.
Data Acquisi on (DAQ) is the process of collec ng, measuring, and storing real-world data (like
temperature, voltage, pressure, or speed) using sensors and a computer system.
Records data automa cally for future analysis and troubleshoo ng.
4. Faster Decision-Making
Live data helps engineers and operators take quick ac ons to avoid failures.
5. Remote Monitoring
Supervisory Control is a system that monitors and controls machines or processes from a central
loca on using computers and automa on. It is widely used in industries like power plants, manufacturing,
and transporta on.
2. Improves Efficiency
Helps in be er decision-making.
6. Improved Safety
Supervisory Control helps industries run smoothly, safely, and efficiently by automa ng
monitoring, reducing costs, and improving decision-making.
5.14 List the so ware’s used for SCADA and explain them.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisi on) systems use specialized so ware to
monitor, control, and automate industrial processes. Some popular SCADA so ware includes:
Features:
Features:
Features:
Features:
Features:
SCADA so ware is chosen based on the industry type, required features, and budget. Wonderware,
WinCC, and Igni on are widely used in manufacturing and automa on, while Citect SCADA and GE iFIX
are used for cri cal process industries.
5.15 State various communica on methods used in SCADA.
SCADA systems rely on different communica on methods to transfer data between remote
devices (RTUs, PLCs) and the central control sta on. These methods can be wired or wireless,
depending on the industry and requirements.
Fiber Op c Communica on
Best for power plants, oil & gas, and railway networks.
Satellite Communica on
Used for very remote loca ons where no other network is available.
Common in oil rigs, offshore wind farms, and remote power sta ons.
3. Protocol-Based Communica on
Modbus (RTU & TCP/IP) – Most widely used, simple and reliable.
DNP3 (Distributed Network Protocol) – Used in power & water u li es.
Profibus & Profinet – Used in industrial automa on.
IEC 60870 & IEC 61850 – Used in power grid communica on.
SCADA communica on depends on distance, speed, cost, and environment. Ethernet and fiber
op cs are best for high-speed, wired networks, while radio, GSM, and satellite are used for remote
monitoring.
5.16 Explain the working of SCADA with PLC and applica ons of SCADA.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisi on) works with PLCs (Programmable Logic
Controllers) to monitor and control industrial processes in real me. The PLC acts as the brain of field
devices, while SCADA serves as the interface for operators to monitor and control opera ons.
Sensors (temperature, pressure, flow, etc.) and actuators (motors, valves) collect data from the
industrial process.
The PLC reads input signals from sensors and processes them based on programmed logic.
3. Communica on (Wired/Wireless)
PLCs communicate with the SCADA system using protocols like Modbus, DNP3, or Profibus.
If needed, operators send control commands (e.g., start/stop machines) through SCADA, which are
executed by the PLC.
SCADA stores data for analysis, repor ng, and future decision-making.
SCADA is widely used in industries where remote monitoring and automa on are required.
Monitor and control power genera on, transmission, and distribu on.
SCADA monitors power output, ba ery storage, and grid integra on.