DEJ 40033

PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC
CONTROLLER &
AUTOMATION

CHAPTER 2
LOGICAL SENSORS AND ACTUATORS
 LEARNING OUTCOME
2.1 Understand types of logical sensor
2.1.1 Explain basic logical sensor types,
symbols, function and operation
and their functions:
a. Contact Switches (push button,
limit, reed switch)
b. Proximity ( inductive, capacitive)
c. Photo Optics (through beam,
reflective, retro reflective).
2.1.2 Explain logical sensor and switches
output wiring (sourcing and sinking)
a. NPN/sourcing technique
b. PNP/sinking technique
 LOGICAL SENSORS
 Sensors allow process controllers such as PLC to
detect the state of a process.

 Logical sensors can only detect a state that is

either true or false.
 CONTACT SWITCHES
 Contact switches are available as normally open
and normally closed and detect object that
touch a switch

Contact
Switches

Limit Reed
Push Button
Switch Switch
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
VIDEO 3
 PROXIMITY
 Similar to contact switches but detect the
presence of object without physical contact.

Proximity

Capacitive Inductive
 CAPACITIVE
 Capacitive sensors are able to detect metal and
non-metal object at distances up to a few
centimeters.

 In the sensor the area of the plates and

distance between them is fixed. But, the
dielectric constant of the space around them
will vary as different materials are brought
near the sensor.
VIDEO
 INDUCTIVE
 Inductive sensors use currents induced by
magnetic fields to detect nearby metal objects.

 The inductive sensor uses a coil (an inductor) to

generate a high frequency magnetic field.

 If there is a metal object near the changing

magnetic field, current will flow in the object.

 This resulting current flow sets up a new

magnetic field that opposes the original
magnetic field.
 The net effect is that it changes the
inductance of the coil in the inductive sensor.

 By measuring the inductance the sensor can

determine when a metal have been brought
nearby.
VIDEO
 PHOTO OPTICS
 Optical sensors detect presence object by
breaking a light beam, diffused light and
reflecting light.

Photo
Optics

Breaking a light Reflecting Light

Diffused light
beam (Retro-
(Reflective) Reflective)
(Through Beam)
 Through Beam
The emitter sends a beam of light directly to the
receiver, which is mounted across from it. The
emitter and receiver circuits are mounted in
separate housings.

 Diffused/Reflective
The light will reflect off the surface of an object
at a specific angle, which depends on the angle
that the emitted light strikes the surface and the
angle of the surface.

 Retroflective
The emitter and receiver circuit mounted in the
same housing. The device sends the modulated
light source aimed at a reflector.
VIDEO 1
VIDEO 2
 SOURCING & SINKING
 Sinking and sourcing are term used to describe
current flow through a field device (such as
sensors and actuators) in relation to the power
supply.
 SOURCING
 Current flows from the
positive terminal of the
DC power supply through
the switch (field device)
and onto the load.
 Switch is the source of
current.
 Switch is called
sourcing device.
 SOURCING (Using Sensor – 3 wire)
 Sourcing Sensor (PNP)
 The sensor “Source” or
“push” current from the
24VDC (+VDC) to the load.
 No object detected, sensor
circuit turns OFF.
 Transistor turns OFF and
current loop is open No object detected
 Load deactivates.

 Object detected, sensor

circuit turns ON.
 Transistor turns ON and
current loop is closed.
 Load activates.

Object detected
 SINKING
 Current flows from the
positive terminal of the
power supply to the load.
 Switch sinks the current
to ground.
 Switch is called sinking
device.
 SINKING (Using Sensor – 3 wire)
 Sinking Sensor (NPN)
 Sinking sensor – using NPN.
The sensor “Sink” or “pull”
current from the load to 0
VDC (-DC).
 No object detected, sensor
circuit turns OFF.
 Transistor turns OFF and No object detected
current loop is open
 Load deactivates.

 Object detected, sensor

circuit turns ON.
 Transistor turns ON and
current loop is closed.
 Load activates.
Object detected
 PNP OUTPUT

NPN OUTPUT
 LEARNING OUTCOME
2.2 Understand various logical actuators
2.2.1 Explain basic logical actuators types,
symbols, functions and operation
timing chart
a. Solenoid valves (pilot, port and way)
b. Cylinder (port and way)
c. DC and AC motors (single phase and
three phase)
2.2.2 Explain logical actuator wirings and
connections.
 LOGICAL ACTUATORS
 Actuator is a mechanical device that takes
energy and converts it into motion or controlling
a mechanism or system.

 It operates by a source of energy, usually in

the form of an electric current, hydraulic fluid
pressure or pneumatic pressure, and converts
that energy into some kind of motion.
TYPES OF ACTUATORS

• Solenoid Valves
1

• Cylinder
2

• Motor
3
 SOLENOID
 Electromagnetic device that converts an
electrical energy into linear motion.

 Solenoid is used to manage compressed air

valves.
 SOLENOID OPERATION
 Current OFF
When the current is cut off, the spring force
pushes the plunger/rod back to their
initial positions.
 Current ON
When voltage is applied to the coil and current
flows, the coil builds up a magnetic force that
pulls the plunger/rod.
VIDEO
 VALVES
 Mechanical device that controls the flow of
compressed air/fluid within a system or process
to produce a force in a reciprocating linear
motion.
 VALVES OPERATION
Example using 5/2 way valve
 The number 5 (port) signifies that the valve has
five ports for fluid/air flowing in, out/exhaust,
while the number 2 (way) signifies that the valve
has two position valve that will put a fluid/air into
one end of a double
 The top of the valve body has two ports that will
be connected to a device such as a cylinder.
 The bottom of the valve body has a single pressure
line in the center with two exhausts to the side.
•
 When the 5/2 valve is pushed, the air supply
will flow from port 1 through the valve and on
to port 2 to extend the cylinder.

 When the push lever is returned, the 5/2 valve

will shift back allowing air from port 1 to flow
through the valve and out of port 4, to retract
the cylinder.
VIDEO
 SOLENOID VALVE
 A solenoid valve is an electromechanically
operated valve.

 A solenoid valve is used wherever fluid flow has

to be controlled automatically

 Solenoid valve takes the form of an

electromagnet. When energized, a magnetic
field builds up which pulls a plunger against the
action of a spring. When de-energized, the
plunger is returned to its original position by
the spring action.
 CYLINDER
 Mechanical devices which use the power of
compressed air/fluid to create a linear
force/motion
 CYLINDER OPERATION
 A compressed air/fluid is pumped into one side of
the cylinder under pressure, causing that side of
the cylinder to expand, and advancing the piston.

 A compressed air/fluid on the other side of the

piston must be allowed to escape freely; if the
incompressible fluid was trapped the cylinder could
not advance
 Two types of cylinder; single acting cylinder and
double acting cylinder.

i. Single Acting Cylinder

Driving force in one direction (extend), and a
spring to return to the initial position (retract).

ii. Double Acting Cylinder

Driving forces in both directions of extend and
retract. Double acting cylinder has two ports to
allow air flow in and out.
Control of Single Acting Cylinder
Control of Double Acting Cylinder
Solenoid, Valve & Cylinder Operation
VIDEO
VIDEO
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS
 MOTOR
 A motor converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy.

 Motors are broadly classified by the type of

drive power used (source): AC or DC.

AC Motor DC Motor
 AC MOTOR DC MOTOR
• Powered by batteries or
• Powered by AC power
DC power source
Power source
• All DC motors are
Source • AC motors can be single
single phase
phase or three phase

Difficult to control the speed Easier to control the

Control
and direction speed and direction
The smallest DC motor
Size Usually in bigger size can be as small as your
fingertip
Suitable for stationary
Suitable for mobile
application or where longer
application such as car
Application operating time is required
where we are unable to
such as fan and sewing
get AC power source.
machine.
Speed controlled by varying the controlled by varying the
control frequency, which is armature winding’s current
commonly done with an
adjustable frequency drive
control
DC MOTOR
VIDEO
AC MOTOR
 LEARNING OUTCOME
2.3 Apply automation system using logical
sensors and logical actuators
2.3.1 Construct simple/combinations logical
sensor and actuator application based
on 1.7

2.4 Set-up hardwire/conventional automation

sequence system
2.4.1 Purpose simple/combinations
hardwire/conventional automation
sequence system based on section 2.3
 AUTOMATION SYSTEM USING LOGICAL
SENSORS AND LOGICAL ACTUATORS.

 Figure above shows a pneumatic system for an

automated extend and retract movement of the
cylinder.
The operation of the circuit can be summarized as
follows:

 When start switch, X0 is turn ON and the

cylinder touches the limit switch S1, solenoid
valve Y+ will trigger, thus extending the
cylinder.
 When the cylinder touches the limit switch S2,
solenoid valve Y- will trigger, thus retracting
the cylinder.

 The cylinder will continuously extend and

retract and will only stop moving if stop switch,
X1 is press.