Industrial automation series
Learn PLC step by step, starting from the basics
In this series we are going to learn the PLC. But a PLC does not work alone. It switches motors, reads sensors and drives relays through wires and panels, so before we write a single program we cover the basics we need.
First we learn the electricity and the industrial parts around a PLC. Then we learn the PLC itself, one idea at a time. We finish by building one complete small project.
Stage 1Basics before PLC
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Stage 2Learning PLC
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Stage 3Finish
Stage 1
Basics before PLC
A PLC is only the brain. It switches motors, reads sensors and talks to relays through wires, so we first learn what it is controlling.
Electricity basicsVoltage, current, resistance, AC and DC, power supplies
Protecting the circuitFuses, breakers and overloads
Switching and motorsRelays, contactors, buttons and motors
Sensors and signalsDigital and analog signals, common sensors, reading drawings
Stage 2
Learning PLC
Now we meet the PLC itself, then program it step by step.
Meet the PLCWhat it is, its inputs and outputs, how it scans
Ladder logicThe main PLC language, with timers and counters
Blocks and dataLogic, compare, math and data types
Other PLC languagesFunction blocks, structured text and state machines
Operator screensBuilding a simple HMI
Stage 3
Finish
We put everything together in one complete small project.
Final projectPlan it, wire it, program it and test it