A programmable logic controller, also called a PLC or programmable controller, is a computer-type device used to control equipment in an industrial facility. The kinds of equipment that PLCs can control are as varied as industrial facilities themselves. Conveyor systems, food processing machinery, auto assembly lines…you name it and there’s probably a PLC out there controlling it.
In a traditional industrial control system, all control devices are wired directly to each other according to how the system is supposed to operate. In a PLC system, however, the PLC replaces the wiring between the devices. Thus, instead of being wired directly to each other, all equipment is wired to the PLC. Then, the control program inside the PLC provides the “wiring” connection between the devices.
The control program is the computer program stored in the PLC’s memory that tells the PLC what’s supposed to be going on in the system. The use of a PLC to provide the wiring connections between system devices is called softwiring.
In a traditional industrial control system, all control devices are wired directly to each other according to how the system is supposed to operate. In a PLC system, however, the PLC replaces the wiring between the devices. Thus, instead of being wired directly to each other, all equipment is wired to the PLC. Then, the control program inside the PLC provides the “wiring” connection between the devices.
The control program is the computer program stored in the PLC’s memory that tells the PLC what’s supposed to be going on in the system. The use of a PLC to provide the wiring connections between system devices is called softwiring.
EXAMPLE
LetÕs say that a push button is supposed to control the operation of a motor. In a traditional control system, the push button would be wired directly to the motor. In a PLC system, however, both the push button and the motor would be wired to the PLC instead. Then, the PLC's control program would complete the electrical circuit between the two, allowing the button to control the motor.
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1 comment:
Thanks for your valuable suggestion to add some examples based on machinary processing and assembly lines for PLC and as the PLC basically operates at 24V DC input and output but during the Interfacing with PC the software part basically works on 0-5V DC.If your output works on 230 V AC then connect your device via a tripping relay.
To contrct the operation of a motor by hard wired is complex means a pushbutton is required to be connected directly, and must be wired but by using a ladder logic in PLC one programme is required to write and the motor can be operated automatically as this is a push button so a latching is required to add in ladder logic.
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