Practical Tips and Techniques
Robust PLC Data Logger With traditional loggers, the software will read the memory of the PLC and store it in a local computer. If the network stops or PLC communication fails, the logging will stop. Creating a robust PLC data logger allows communication to be stopped without losing any of the data for collection. … Read more
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming is often thought of as something everyone can do easily. We often design the system, install the hardware and then start to think about the PLC program and programmers. This approach can be improved. The landscape of PLC programming is changing, and we must also change. Computer Programming / PLC … Read more
With today’s new processing and networking power, the future looks bright for programmable logic controllers and their programming. This has allowed the role of the PLC to expand. System Design: PLC design has changed significantly. Computer processing power has now added the following to programmable controllers: Micro USB slots (Data Storage) Ethernet ports WiFi RS232 … Read more
A collection of random thoughts on PLC programming and doing more than just basic logic and making your program intuitive. PLC programs usually control the logic between the inputs and outputs. If this turns on and that is not on, then this output is on, blah blah blah. Programmable logic controller programs can go far … Read more
DC Solenoids are the worse culprits for electrical surges in your system. When the electrically generated field collapses, an opposite polarity voltage is generated. This voltage spike can be high enough to weld the contacts on a PLC output relay. To protect your PLC output relay, use a diode to ensure that the voltage spike … Read more
In part 1, we looked at writing PLC programs to control a traffic light using discrete bits and timed sequencing using indirect addressing. We will now look at how we can use indirect addressing for inputs and output to control the sequence in the program. Let’s look at an example of controlling pneumatic (air) cylinders. … Read more
