Course Outline: Basics of Programmable Logic Controllers

This fee-based, not-for-credit course is designed to teach the student the purpose, uses, and basic applications of the SLC
500 programmable logic controller (PLC) in industrial environments utilizing RSLogix 500 software to program the AllenBradley PLC.
Dates/Days:
Time:
Length:
Location:

Monday - Thursday
3:00 6:30 pm
28 hours
Fresno City College CACT

Topical Outline

Introductions to the purpose, functions, and operations of the PLC in industrial applications.

Identification of various components of the PLC

Introduction to PLC ladder logic and basic programming concepts

Establishing communications with the PLC

Definitions of Allen-Bradley conditional inputs and outputs

Electrical continuity versus logical continuity

Applications of discrete inputs with PLCs

Programming applications and navigation through Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500 software

I/O configuration and downloading PLC programs

Installation and troubleshooting sensors wired as sinking or sourcing current

PLC timer and counter concepts and programming applications

Programming applications using sequencers

Student Learning Outcomes

9 Understand the purpose, functions, and operations of a PLC
9 Identify the basic components of the PLC and how they function
9 View a directory of processor files using PLC software

9 Establish communications with a PLC

9 Restore and monitor a PLC processor file using PLC programming software
9 Run a PLC processor file using PLC programming software
9 View the status of the SLC-500 input and output data tables
9 Create a PLC project using PLC software
9 Configure the I/O for a PLC project using PLC software
9 Enter a basic PLC program using PLC software
9 Save a PLC program to a disk using PLC software
9 Edit a PLC program using PLC software
9 Generate and print out a ladder logic report using PLC software

This material was developed and written for the Centers for Applied Competitive Technologies at Fresno City College, Fresno, CA.
This material is the property of the CACT at FCC, prior permission to copy is required.