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Lesson 2

 Hardwired Logic versus Programmed Logic

The term hardwired logic refers to logic control functions that are
determined by the way devices are electrically interconnected. Hardwired
logic can be implemented using relays and relay ladder schematics. Relay
ladder schematics are universally used and understood in the industry. Figure 1
shows a typical relay ladder schematic of a motor stop/start control station
with pilot lights. The control scheme is drawn between two vertical supply
lines. All the components are placed between these two lines, called rails or
legs, connecting the two power lines with what look like rungs of a ladder—
thus the name, relay ladder schematic.

Figure 1. Motor stop/start relay ladder schematic.Source: Google

Hardwired logic is fixed; it is changeable only by altering the way devices

are electrically interconnected. In contrast, programmable control is based on
the basic logic functions, which are programmable and easily changed. These
functions (AND, OR, NOT) are used either singly or in combinations to form
instructions that will determine if a device is to be switched on or off. The
form in which these instructions are implemented to convey commands to the
PLC is called the language. The most common PLC language is ladder logic.
Figure 2 shows a typical ladder logic program for the motor start/stop circuit.
The instructions used are the relay equivalent of normally open (NO) and
normally closed (NC) contacts and coils.

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PLC contact symbolism is a simple way of expressing the control logic in

terms of symbols. These symbols are the same as those used for representing
hardwired relay control circuits. A rung is the contact symbolism required to
control an output. Some PLCs allow a rung to have multiple outputs while
others allow only one output per rung. A complete ladder logic program then
consists of several rungs, each of which controls an output. In programmed
logic, all mechanical switch contacts are represented by a software contact
symbol, and all electromagnetic coils are represented by a software coil

symbol.

Figure 2. Motor stop/start ladder logic program.Source: Google

Because the PLC uses ladder logic diagrams, the conversion from any
existing relay logic to programmed logic is simplified. Each rung is a
combination of input conditions (symbols) connected from left to right, with
the symbol that represents the output at the far right. The symbols that
represent the inputs are connected in series, parallel, or some combination of

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the two to obtain the desired logic. The following group of examples illustrates
the relationship between the relay ladder schematic, the ladder logic program,
and the equivalent logic gate circuit.

Example 1. Two limit switches are connected in series and used to control a
solenoid valve. Source: Google

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Two limit switches are connected in parallel and used to control a solenoid
valve. Source: Google

Example 3. Two limit switches are connected in parallel with each other and
series with a pressure switch. Source: Google

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Example 4. Two limit switches are connected in parallel with each other and in
series with two sets of flow switches (that are connected in parallel with each
other) and used to control a pilot light. Source: Google

Example 5. Two limit switches are connected in series with each other and
parallel with a third limit switch and used to control a warning horn. Source:
Google

Example 6. Two limit switches are connected in series with each other and in
parallel with two other limit switches (that are connected in series with each
other) and used to control a pilot light. Source: Google

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Example 7. One limit switch is connected in series with a normally closed

pushbutton and used to control a solenoid valve. This circuit is programmed so
that the output solenoid will be turned on when the limit switch is closed and
the pushbutton is not pushed. Source: Google

Example 8. Exclusive-OR circuit. The output lamp of this circuit is ON only

when pushbutton A or B is pressed, but not both. This circuit has been
programmed using only the normally open A and B pushbutton
contacts as the inputs to the program. Source: Google

Example 9. A motor control circuit with two start/stop buttons. When either
start button is depressed, the motor runs. By use of a seal-in contact, it
continues to run when the start button is released. Either stop button
stops the motor when it is depressed. Source: Google

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I. Answer briefly what is/are asked for:

1. It is required to have a pilot light come on when all of the following
circuit requirements are met:
• All four circuit pressure switches must be closed.
• At least two out of three circuit limit switches must be closed.

Using AND, OR, and NOT gates, design a logic circuit that will solve this
hypothetical problem.
2. Write the Boolean equation for each of the logic gate circuits below:

a.

b.

c.

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