Distributed Control System Dr.

Subhi Aswad College of Information Engineering / Al-Nahrain University

PLC Structure,
functions and characteristics

Dr. Subhi Aswad Mohammed

Department of Systems Engineering
College of Information Engineering
Al Nahrain University
2019

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Distributed Control System

Course Aim
The aim of this course is to build up the theoretical and procedural
knowledge required for DCS to be recognized by system engineer.

Knowledge and Elements

Illustrate DCS & PLC Benefits, Usage and History.
Overview of control system history.
Control system benefits and usage.
Types of control

Develop Knowledge of DCS Components (Hardware & Software).

Infrastructure [Communication Bus, Interfaces, Controllers,
Gateways, RTU, Others].
Hardware and technologies.
Software [Configuration, Graphics, Alarming, Trending, System
Management, Others].

Extend Knowledge of DCS installation and Maintenance. ****???

Site Installation, Commissioning and Startup.
Diagnostics, Spares, Tools and Power Distribution.
Maintenance [Backup, Replacements and System Installation].

Develop Knowledge of PLC Components.

PLC fundamentals.
PLC Logic.

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PLC Structure,
functions and characteristics

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Table of Contents

Section II PLC structure and Benefits.

What is PLC (Programmable Logic Control) ?
How is a DCS different from a PLC system?

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.3 What is PLC (Programmable Logic Control) ?

Figure 1.4 PLC development

Example
Let's say that a push button is supposed to control the operation
of a motor. (Figure 1.4 PLC development)
In a traditional control system, the push button would be
wired directly to the motor.
In a PLC system, both the push button and the motor would be
wired to the PLC instead.
The PLC's control program would complete the electrical
circuit between the two, allowing the button to control the
motor.

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.3 What is PLC (Programmable Logic Control) ?

Figure 1.4 PLC development

A programmable logic controller, also called a PLC or

programmable controller, is a computer-type device used to
control equipment in an industrial facility.
In a traditional industrial control system, all control devices are
wired directly to each other according to how the system is
supposed to operate.
The PLC replaces the wiring between the devices. Thus, instead
of being wired directly to each other, all equipment is wired to
the PLC. Then, the control program inside the PLC provides the
“wiring” connection between the devices.
The control program is the computer program stored in the PLC’s
memory that tells the PLC what’s supposed to be going on in the
system.
The use of a PLC to provide the wiring connections between
system devices is called Soft-wiring.

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems
1.3 What is PLC (Programmable Logic Control) ?
A PLC basically consists of two elements:
i. The Central Processing Unit
ii. The Input / Output System

1.3.1 The Central Processing Unit

The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of a programmable
controller, the CPU is the “brains” of a programmable controller ,
that perform the following :
Retrieves, decodes, stores, and processes information.
Executes the control program stored in the PLC’s memory.
It functions much the same way the CPU of a regular computer
does, except that it uses special instructions and coding to
perform its functions.

The CPU has three parts

(Figure 1.5 Microprocessor Hardware) :
The processor
The memory system
The power supply
The processor of the CPU that codes,
decodes, and computes data.
The memory system of the CPU that stores
both the control program and data from
the equipment connected to the PLC.
The power supply provides the PLC with Figure 1.5
the voltage and current it needs to operate. Microprocessor Hardware

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems
1.3 What is PLC (Programmable Logic Control) ?
1.3.2 The input/output (I/O) system
The I/O system is the section of a PLC to which all of the field devices are
connected.
The I/O system is what actually physically carries out the control
commands from the program stored in the PLC’s memory.
The I/O system consists of two main parts (Figure 1.6 I/O Racks ):
The rack
The rack is an enclosure with slots in it that is connected to the CPU.
I/O modules
I/O modules are devices with connection terminals to which the field
devices are wired.
The rack and the I/O modules form the interface between the field
devices and the PLC.
Each I/O module is both securely wired to its corresponding field devices
and securely installed in a slot in the rack.
The I/O module creates the physical connection between the field
equipment and the PLC.
In some small PLCs, the rack and the I/O modules come prepackaged as
one unit.

Figure 1.6 I/O Racks

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

1. Control Systems

1.4 How is a DCS different from a PLC system?

DCS PLC
Mfr. sells a complete system of Mfr. sells some components;
integrated components. an SI acquires others and
engineers the system

Mfr. supports the system. Mfr. supports the components

On-line repair/ maintenance Off-line repair/ maintenance
are the norm. are the norm.

System management built-in. System management designed

per project.

Users expect to evolve / System is a one-off project

upgrade / expand a system (like a house). Upgrades /
over 10/20/30 years. expansions are new projects.

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Distributed Control System and Programmable Logic Control

Reference
* Dr. Mohamed A. A. Hakim, Distributed control
system and programmable logic control

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