Basics of PLC Programming

By Habtamu M.
Mechanical Eng’g Dep’t
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 PLC Programming Languages
Ladder diagram Functional chart

Boolean Language

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 Comparing Programming Languages

Relay Schematic
•

Equivalent Ladder Diagram

Boolean Language

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 Relay -Type Instructions
 These ladder instruction symbols are arranged to obtain
the desired control logic.

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 Relay -Type Instructions…
Symbol is analogues to Normally open relay
contact.

Represents any input . It can be any switch

The status bit will or pushbutton, a contact from a connected
be either 1 or 0. output, or a contact from an internal output.

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 Normally Open (NO) Instruction

The status bit is 0 means no input

Contact is open The instruction is FALSE

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 Normally Open (NO) Instruction…

The status bit is 1 means input is given

Input makes contact to close The instruction is TRUE

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Relay Type Instruction…

Symbol is analogous to normally closed relay

contact.

Represents any input. It can be a switch or a

pushbutton, a contact from connected output or
a contact from an internal output.

The status bit will be either 1 or 0.

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 Normally Closed (NC) Instruction

The status bit is 0 means no input

Contact is closed the instruction is TRUE

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 Normally Closed (NC) Instruction…

The status bit is 1 means input is given

Input makes the contact to open the instruction is FALSE

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 Output Energize (OE) Instruction

Represents output. Analogous to the relay coil.

 The processor makes this instruction true (analogous to energizing
a coil) when there is path of true NO and NC instructions in the
rung.
 That is, If any left-to-right path of input conditions is TRUE, the
output will be energized (turned ON).

 It can be a connected device or an internal output (internal relay).

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Output Energize (OE) Instruction …

Output energize instruction-TRUE

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Output Energize (OE) Instruction …

Output energize instruction-FALSE

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 Status Bit Examples
A Input module Bit status for A

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Status Bit Examples…

A Input module Bit status for A

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 Ladder Rung

A ladder rung consists of a set input conditions, represented by

contact instructions, and an output instruction at the end of the
rung, represented by the coil symbol.

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 Ladder Rung…

For an output to be activated or energized, at lest one left-to-right

path of contacts must be closed. A complete path is referred to as
having logic continuity.

When logic continuity exists, the rung condition is said to be TRUE.

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Ladder Rung…

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 Parallel Output Branching

On most PLC modes, branches can be established at both the

input and output portion of the rung. With output branching ,
we can program parallel outputs on the rung to allow a true
logic path to control multiple outputs.

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 Internal Control relay
 The internal output operates just as any other output that is
controlled by programmed logic; however, the output is used
strictly for internal purpose.

 The internal output does not directly control an output device.

 The advantage of using internal outputs is that there are many

situations where an output instruction is required in a program,
but no physical connection to a field device is needed. Their use
in this type of instance can minimize output card requirements.

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Extending the Number of Series Contacts Using
an Internal Control Relay

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 Operation of NO and NC instructions
 Status of output as obtained by changing the status of the
inputs in the rung.

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Operation of NO and NC instructions

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