ACC Automation: PLC & Industrial Control Learning
Practical Tips and Techniques
A dusk to dawn sensor usually is discrete on/off of the lighting control. If we want to vary the lights to mimic more of the sunset and rise, we would use an analog output to control the lights. I was recently asked about such a program. Every day they wanted the lights to go off … Read more
An ultrasonic sensor (switch) is able to detect object presence without physical contact (limit switch). No physical contact means that the switch has no parts that will wear out. The life span of the sensor is increased with less maintenance. An ultrasonic sensor will use sound waves to detect objects. These sound waves are at … Read more
We will now look at the BRX Do-More HTTP JSON instructions in the PLC. One of the features of the BRX Do-More Series PLC is the ability to expand its capability to fit your application. Software and hardware changes are ongoing so the PLC can grow with your needs. Communication is something that the BRX … Read more
A proximity sensor (switch) is able to detect object presence without physical contact like a limit switch. No physical contact means that the switch has no parts that will wear out. The life span of the sensor is increased with less maintenance. A capacitive proximity sensor will detect ferrous and non-ferrous objects. The sensor works … Read more
We will now look at wiring an NPN and PNP inductive proximity sensor to the Click PLC. A proximity sensor (switch) is able to detect object presence without physical contact like a limit switch. No physical contact means that the switch has no parts that will wear out. The life span of the sensor is … Read more
We will now look at wiring a click plc with selector switch and pushbuttons. A push button (pushbutton) is a simple human interface for controlling some aspect of a machine or process. The push button requires a force to push the button to change the electrical operation from off to on or vice versa. The … Read more
We will now wire a stack light to the Click PLC. Stack lights are usually modular stackable components that provide a visually illuminated and audible indication for machines, systems, and processes. They are usually located on top of equipment to provide this notification to personnel in the area. Stack lights are also known as signal … Read more
Productivity PLC – PID Ramp Soak Instruction The purpose of a ramp soak instruction is to make gradual, controlled changes in temperature (Ramp), followed by a temperature hold (Soak) period. We will be using our Proportional-Integral-Derivative PID Instruction that we looked at last time to apply the ramp/soak instruction. Using the immersion heater in a … Read more
PID Loop (PID) Instruction (Auto Tuning) – Productivity 1000 PLC A Proportional-Integral-Derivative algorithm is a generic Control Loop feedback formula widely used in industrial control systems. A PID algorithm attempts to correct the Error between a measured process variable and the desired setpoint by calculating and then outputting a corrective action that can adjust the … Read more
Secure PLC Email messaging is now available in the latest version of the Productivity Programming suite. SMTP or Transport layer security (TLS) email with an attachment and/or latest data log files can be sent. To be able to use this feature you must have installed Productivity programming suite v3.4 or higher and then load the … Read more