PLC Timing Instructions

The PLC timing instructions are software version or replacement of hardwired timers.
They are an output instructions when activated they create time related actions ( on delay
action, off delay action, time limited on activity, and measure the time durations between
two events ).

ON Delay Timers

ON delay timers are used to create contact instructions (Q) that becomes active
after preset time interval passage. These timers instructions are classified in to direct time
setting timers (TON) in which the time setting is the time assigned to the input PT (here
PT is of TIME data type) and indirect or integer time setting (TON_UINT) in which the
time setting is the product of integer type preset time setting (PT) and integer type time
unit (UNIT). Both has an enable input (IN) to activate or deactivate the instruction and
an output variable ET to register and display the elapsed time. Figure 1 displays the
ladder symbols of these timers and also their timing diagram.

TON TON
IN Q IN Q
PT
PT ET ET
UNIT

(a) (b)

IN IN

PT PT
Q Q

PT*UNIT
PT

ET ET
Figure 1: ON delay timers a): On timer b): On timer of integer setting.
Example 1: ON delay Motor Starter.

Stop1 Start1 X1

Switc Switc Swi

X1
hes hes tch

es
Swi
X TON Motor #1
tch
IN Q Switches
S es

w T#60S
PT ET
Stop2
it Start2
Switche X
c
Switc Switc
s 2
h X2
hes hes
e
X2 TON_UNIT Motor #2
S
Swi
s IN Q w
Switch tch Switches
it
es es 60
PT ET
c

Swi h
1000 PT
tch e
Switche
Figure 2: ON delay Motor Starter. es s
s

Example 2: Three phase induction motor star delta starter.

Stop:% IX0.0.1 Start:%IX0.0.0

Main:%QX0.0.0

Switches Switches Switches

Main
T1
Switches
Main TON
Switc
IN hes Q
Switches

T#60S
PT ET
Main T1.Q Delta
Star:%QX0.0.1
Switche
Switc Switc Switc
s Switches
hes
Main hes
T1.Q hes
Star
Delta:%QX0.0.2

Switc Switc Switc

Switches
hes hes hes

Figure 3: Three phase induction motor star

delta starter.
OFF Delay Timers

OFF delay timers are used to delay the off activities. When activated (IN=1), these
timers instantaneously close their normally open contacts but when deactivated (IN=0) they
delay the opening of these contacts until the preset time delay is elapsed. These timers
instructions are classified in to direct time setting timers (TOF without rest facility and
TOF_RST with reset facility) in which the time setting is the time assigned to the input
PT (here PT is of TIME data type) and indirect or integer time setting (TOF_UINT) in
which the time setting is the product of integer type preset time setting (PT) and integer
type time unit (UNIT). Each has an enable input (IN) to activate or deactivate the
instruction and an output variable ET to store the elapsed time. Figure 4 displays the
ladder symbols of these timers and also their timing diagram.

TOF TOF_RST
IN Q IN Q
PT
PT ET ET
UNIT

IN IN

Q Q
PT PT
PT PT

(a)
RST
TOF_UNIT
IN Q (b)
ET PT
ET
UNIT

IN

Q
PT*UNIT
PT* UNIT

(c)

Figure 4: OFF delay timers a): OF timer b): OF with reset c) OF timer with integer setting.
Example 3: Three phase induction motor bidirectional star delta starter.

Stop:% IX0.0.1 StartFW:%IX0.0.0 REVMain REVOFFT.Q FWMain:%QX0.0.0

Switches Switches
Switches Switches Switches
FWMain

Switches FWOFFT

FWMain TOFF
Switches
Switches IN Q
TFON
FWMain
T#1m
PT ET
TON
Switches
Switches
IN Q Switche

s
T#60S
PT ET

Switche
Stop StartREV:%IX0.0.2 FMMain FWOFFT.Q REVMain:%QX0.0.1
s
Switches Switches
Switches Switches Switches
REVMain

Switches REVOFFT

REVMain TOFF
Switches
Switches
IN Q
TRON
T#1m
PT ET
REVMain TON
Switches
Switches Switche
IN Q
s
T#60S
PT ET

Switche
TFON.Q
FWMain Delta
Star:%QX0.0.2
s
Switches Switches Switc
Switches
REVMain TRON.Q
hes

` Switches Switches
Delta:%QX0.0.3
FWMain TFON.Q Star

Switches
Switches Switches Switc
REVMain TRON.Q
hes

Switches Switches

Figure 5: Three phase induction motor bidirectional star delta starter.

PULSE Timers

Pulse timers are used to produce fixed duration output after being excited by their left side
rung positive transition. On the positive transition of IN, these timers instantaneously close
their normally open contacts and remain so till the elapsed time reaches the preset time, the
moment the contacts return to their state. Negative transition of RST resets the elapsed
time output (ET) and allow for new cycle. Any toggling for IN in the period from the
positive transition to the preset time is neglected. These timers instructions are classified
into direct time setting timers (TP without rest facility and TP_RST with reset facility)
and indirect or integer time setting (TP_UINT). Figure 6 displays the ladder symbols of
these timers and also their timing diagram.

TP TP_RST
IN Q IN Q
PT
PT ET ET
UNIT

RST
I
N
Q
PT IN
P
T
ET Q
PT
(a) PT

ET
TP_UNIT
IN Q
ET RST
PT
ET (b)
UNIT

RST

I
N
Q
PT
P
T
ET

(c)

Figure 6: OFF delay timers a): OF timer b): OF with reset c) OF timer with integer setting.
Example 4: Automatic liquid mixing machine.
MixingMotor

SValve2
LS2

SValve1 LS1
MixerOutlet

Stop:% IX0.0.1 Start:%IX0.0.0 LS1:%IX0.0.2 SVslve1:%QX0.0.0

P
Switches Switches Switches
SValve1
S
Switches
w

Stop:% IX0.0.1 i
LS1 LS2 SVslve2:%QX0.0.1
t
Switches Switches Switches
c
SValve1
h
2Switche
e MixingMotor:% QX0.0.2
SValve2 s TP_UNIT
Switches s
IN Q Switches

% MW2
PT
1000
Switche UNIT
0Switches
RST
s
Switche
MixerOutlet:%QX0.0. 3
MixingMotor:%QX0.0.2
s TP_UNIT
N
Switches
IN Q

% MW3 PT
1000
Switche UNIT
s
0Switche
RST
s
Switche

Figure 7: Automatic liquid mixing machine

 TMR Timers

Integration timers (TMR) integrate the ON period or periods of their inputs marked IN
and store the accumulated time in the elapsed time variable (ET). When ET reaches the
preset time ( PT in case of TMR and PT*UNIT in case of TMR_UNUIT), the instructions
assign "1" to their outputs Q. New cycle can be initiated after stropping the RST inputs.
Figure 8 shows their ladder symbol and timing diagrams.

TMR TMR_UNIT
IN Q IN Q
PT
PT ET ET
UNIT

RST RST

IN IN

Q Q

PT PT

RST RST

(a) (b)

Figure 8: TMR timers (a): Direct TMR (b): TMR with integer setting
 Example 5: Ice cream cone filling machine with teaching function.

N/T:%IX0.0.0 R

P
Switches Swi

S tch

w TMR1 es

i
N/T Fill:%IX0.0.1 TMR
Switches
t
Switc Switches
IN Q
c
hes
h T#1m
PT ET
e
R
Switche
s
RST
s
S

wi

tc
Fill
N/T MOVE
he
N IN Q
Switches s
Quantity
Sw TMR1.ET OUT
IN
itc
Switches
Switches
N/T he Fill
TP1Switc
s
IN TP hes
Switches Switc

hes
Q
Quantity
PT ET
Switches

N/T Fill
FillerOutlet:%QX0.0.

0
Switches Switc
N/T TP1.Q
hes
Switches

Switches Switche

Figure 9: Ice cream cone filling machine

TMR_FLK Timers

Integration timers with flickers (TMR_FLK) produces an out signal Q with mark equals
to the time assigned to ON time input variable and space equals to the time assigned to the
OFF time input variable. Figure 10 pictures the ladder symbol used and state the operating
principle of this timing instruction.

TMR_FLK IN
IN Q
ON ON Time
ET
OFF
OFF Time
RST

Figure 10: TMR with flickers

Example 6: Flashing Odd /Even lamps.

TMR_FLK1

ON/OFF: IX0.0.0 TMR _FLK

Switches

Switches
IN Q

T#60S
ON ET
T#60S
Switche OFF
s
Switches
T#60S RST

TMR_FLK1.Q MOVE Switches

EN Q
Switches

2#01010101 OUT %QB0.0.0

IN
Switches

TMR_FLK1.Q MOVE
EN Q
Switches

2#10101010
OUT %QB0.0.0
IN
Switches

Figure 11: Flashing Odd /Even lamps.

A/M Fill
 TRTG Timers

Retriggerable timers produce an out signal Q with pulse width equals to the time
assigned to PT in case of ( TRTG) type and equals to PT*UINT in case of TRTG_UINT
one. Here the new pulse can only be generated after the elapsed of the preset time ( until
ET=PT) and occurrence of positive transition of the instruction input IN. Figure 12
pictures the ladder symbol used and gives more deep understanding to the relationship
between the various variables of this timing instruction.

TRTG TRTG-UINT
IN Q IN Q
PT
PT ET ET
UNIT

RST RST

IN IN

Q Q

PT PT

RST RST
(a) (b)
Figure 12: TRTG timers (a): Direct TRTG (b): TRTG with integer setting
Example 7: PWM Heater Control.
TRTG1

OFF: IX0.0.0 ON TRTG

Switches

Switches Switches
IN Q

TRTG1.Q % MW2 PT ET
N
Switches 1000
Switche UNIT
S
TMR_FLK1.Q s
Switches
0 RST
wi GE
EN Q
Switches tc
Swi
OFF Period IN1 Pulses:%QX0.0.0
he OUT
TRTG1.E tch
Switches
IN2
s
TSwitches es

Switches

Figure 13: PWM Heater Control