Mechatronics Eng.

PLC Course

ME554: Programmable Logic Control

(PLC)

Cascading Timers
Prepared By: Dr. Hani Muhsen

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Cascading Timers
The programming of two or more timers together is called cascading. Timers can be
interconnected, or cascaded, to satisfy a number of logic control functions.

➢The next example shows how three motors can be started automatically in
sequence with a 20 s time delay between each using two hardwired on-delay
timers. The operation of the circuit can be summarized as follows:

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Cascading Timers
▪ Motor starter coil M1 is energized when the momentary start pushbutton PB2 is
actuated.
▪ As a result, motor 1 starts, contact M1-1 closes to seal in M1, and timer coil TD1 is
energized to begin the first time-delay period.
▪ After the preset time period of 20 s, TD1-1 contact closes to energize motor starter
coil M2.
▪ As a result, motor 2 starts and timer coil TD2 is energized to begin the second time-
delay period.
▪ After the preset time period of 20 s, TD2-1 contact closes to energize motor starter
coil M3, and so motor 3 starts.
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Cascading Timers

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Cascading Timers
The next example shows the program for an annunciator flasher circuit. Two
internal timers form the oscillator circuit, which generates a timed, pulsed
output.

The oscillator circuit output is programmed in series with the alarm condition. If
the alarm condition (temperature, pressure, or limit switch) is true, the
appropriate output indicating light will flash. Note that any number of alarm
conditions could be programmed using the same flasher circuit.

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Cascading Timers

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Cascading Timers
At times you may require a time-delay period longer than the maximum preset
time allowed for the single timer instruction of the PLC being used. When this is
the case, the problem can be solved by simply cascading timers, as illustrated in
The next Slide.

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Cascading Timers

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Cascading Timers (Traffic Light)

A typical application for PLC timers is the control of traffic lights. The ladder
logic circuit of Figure 7-34 illustrates a control of a set of traffic lights in one
direction. The operation of the program can be summarized as follows:

▪ Transition from red light to green light to amber light is accomplished by the
interconnection of the three TON timer instructions.

▪ The input to timer T4:0 is controlled by the T4:2 done bit.

▪ The input to timer T4:1 is controlled by the T4:0 done bit.

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Cascading Timers (Traffic Light)

▪ The input rung to timer T4:2 is controlled by the T4:1 done bit.

▪ The timed sequence of the lights is:

Red—30 s on

Green—25 s on

Amber—5 s on

▪ The sequence then repeats itself

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Cascading Timers (Traffic Light)

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Cascading Timers (Traffic Light)

▪ The chart shown in the next slide shows the timed sequence of the lights for
two-directional control of traffic lights.

▪ The figure in the next slide shows the original traffic light program modified to
include three more lights that control traffic flow in two directions.

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Cascading Timers (Traffic Light)

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