1Q.

Identify any mechanical operation in your house or locality for which there is a
scope for automation. Plan a suitable sketch of the total control architecture
including the different parameters involved which will be taken into
consideration for designing the automated process. After the plan is complete,
describe how PLC can be used to regulate this system by highlighting the
advantages which you get compared to normal controllers. Do a suitable
comparison to show the difference between the existing mechanical process and
your modified automated process in terms of benefit (cost, labour, reliability,
etc.) for the household/society.

Ans 1One of the application for automation in households can be door locking and intruder
alert system.
● We can use camera with face recognition and sensors like ultrasonic sensor for
person recognition and to know when someone enter through door
● Ultrasonic sensor can installed near the door to know when someone is approaching
the door and open it when someone does. Face recognition can be used on the
outside of the door to let only people of the house to let in and alert the alarm when
intruder tries to enter at night.
● An Arduino can be used as a controller for the process.
Now, In place of an Arduino controller we can use a PLC for better performance.

Some of the advantages of using a PLC for that purpose would be -

1. More Flexible- In PLC we can do the logic changes inside a controller instead of
changing the hardware/wiring as done in other controllers. We have IO ports we just
have to connect input and output components and we have to write a logic according
to the application and download the program using PLC software.
2. PLCs can communicate with multiple controllers and can connect to the hub to form
a network to perform some monitor and control applications.
3. Generally PLCs are made with high RAM memory which will be useful in fast
responses to perform well in real time systems. If we were to use it in our automation
system we will have the same benefit.
4. Better reliability - Configuring a PLC is easier when compared to switch based control
system because everything can be done through software without having to
configure in the hardware.

2Q. “Allen Bradley and Siemens are the most commonly used PLCs and preferred
by the industry.” Perform a suitable research on the unique features/advantages
which these two brands offer. Give your opinion as to which features do you
think make these brands industry friendly.

Ans 2. Allen Bradley and Siemens are the most commonly used plcs in world with Siemens
being a German company and known to be most used in the world and Allen Bradley which
is with Rockwell automation company in United States of America and most commonly used
in United States of America.

Some of the features of Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs-

1. Controllers-
Allen Bradley has three types of PLCs Micrologix, CompactLogix and ControlLogix
which can be used according to the needs
Siemens has two types step5 and step7 PLCs.
2. Software-
Siemens use Tia portal for its software and Allen Bradley uses RSlogix software.
3. Communication protocols
Siemens uses communication protocols such as PROFIBUS ,Industrial EtherNet
using ISO/TCP or TCP/IP and Allen Bradley uses EtherNet/IP, ControlNet,
DeviceNet, DH+, Remote I/O, SynchLink and USB client.
Now As we know Siemens uses communication protocols like PROFIBUS etc. Which are
European communication protocols that makes them popular in European countries apart
from that Siemens is more reliable as it can be powered by any 24V DC power supply
externally and does not require a rack, and also they are easy to maintain.

And coming to Allen Bradley, apart from other features like performance and wide range of
applications where Allen Bradley can be used as a PLC it is know to have the easiest
software platform which can be used by people with minimum to no experience in
programming.