 Input Modules: Receive signals from

sensors, switches, or other input devices. 2. •

Output Modules: Send signals to actuators,
motors, lights, or other output devices.
3.Power Supply: Provides the necessary
power for the PLC and its components.
4.Programming Device: Used to write, edit,
and load Programmable Logic Controller
(PLC) It is designed for high reliability and
real-time performance in industrial
environments. PLCs are widely used in
manufacturing, process control, energy
systems, and many other industries.
Components of a PLC: 1.Central Processing
Unit (CPU): • The brain of the PLC. •
Executes programs and processes
input/output (I/O) data. • Includes memory
for storing programs and data. • Function Block Diagram
2.Input/Output (I/O) Modules: (FBD)
 programs into the PLC (e.g., via a PC or • Structured Text (ST)
handheld device) Sequential Function Chart (SFC)
 . 5.Communication Interfaces: Instruction List (IL)
 What devices does a PLC interact with? • An actuator is also a transducer because it changes one type
INPUT RELAYS-(contacts) A relay is an of physical quantity into some alternative form
electrical switch that opens and closes Actuation system- elements of control system responsible for
under the control of another electrical transformation of output of a microprocessor into a
circuit. In the original form, the switch is controlling action on machine or device. Example: ➢ Electrical
operated by an electromagnet to open or o/p of controller transforms into linear motion of a load.
close one or many sets of contacts. Examples: 1. Moving sliders, pushing/pulling. loads 2/Door
INTERNAL UTILITY RELAYS-(contacts) These locks, pin pushing(Solenoids)
do not receive signals from the outside Electrical o/p of controller transforms into an action which
world nor do they physically exist. They are controls the amount of liquid passing along a pipe Example:
simulated relays and are what enables a PLC Pneumatic & Hydraulic Cylinders
to eliminate external relays. Actuation systems can be classified in to three categories:
 COUNTERS-These again do not physically ❖Hydraulic and pneumatic actuation system
exist. They are simulated counters and they ❖ Mechanical actuation system
can be programmed to count pulses ❖ Electrical actuation system
 TIMERS-These also do not physically exist. What is Fluid Power? It is the technology that deals withthe
They come in many varieties and generation, control & transmission of power using
increments. The most common type is an pressurized fluids •
on-delay type. Others include off-delay and Other Mechanisms
both retentive and nonretentive types.  Gear Trains:- to transfer and transform rotational motion. 
Increments vary from 1ms through 1s. • Rack and pinion:- to transform linear to rotational or vice
OUTPUT RELAYS-(coils)These are connected versa
to the outside world. They physically exist Ratchet and pawl:- to lock a mechanism when it holds a load.
and send on/off signals to solenoids, lights,  Belt and chain drives:- transforming motion.
etc. They can be transistors, relays 3. Electrical Actuation System
depending upon the model chosen. • DATA Almost all electrical actuation system is based on electric
STORAGE-Typically there are registers motors. • An electric motor is an electromechanical device
assigned to simply store data. They are that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy.
usually used as temporary storage for math Electric MotorAdvantages
or data manipulation. Easy to control
 Programming languages of PLC; Range From mW to MW
 is based on the use of Ladder Diagrams. Normally high velocities 1000 - 10000 rpm
Using these, writing a program is equivalent Several types
to drawing a switching circuit/ Accurate servo control
Excellent efficie
 Difference between sensors and transducers
,transducer is a device that converts one form of energy into
another form of energy.
Sensor is a device that when exposed to a physical
phenomenon (temperature, displacement, force, etc.)
produces a proportional output signal (electrical).
Sensors can be also classified as
❖Self-generators
❖Modulators • Self-generator Sensors are sensors which do
not require the supply of energy from any source other than
the system under measurement. • Modulator sensors are
which require the supply of energy from other sources • Self-
generators, which are also sometimes misleadingly called
passive, produce an output by directly extracting energy from
the system under
A potentiometer is a variable electrical resistance. A length of
resistance material has a voltage applied over its ends.
A digital optical encoder is a device that converts motion in
• to a sequence of Digital pulses. • By counting a single bit or by
• Ladder Logic (most decoding a set of bits, the pulses can be converted to relative
common) A ladder or absolute position measurements
diagram (also called
contact symbology)is a
means of graphically
representing the logic
required in a relay logic
system.