IEC 1131-3 is the international standard for programmable controller programming languages.

The following is a list of programming languages specified by this standard:

Ladder diagram (LD) Sequential Function Charts (SFC) Function Block Diagram (FBD) Structured Text (ST) Instruction List (IL)

One of the primary benefits of the standard is that it allows multiple languages to be used within the same programmable controller. This allows the program developer to select the language best suited to each particular task.

Ladder Logic
Ladder logic is the main programming method used for PLC's. As mentioned before, ladder logic has been developed to mimic relay logic. The decision to use the relay logic diagrams was a strategic one. By selecting ladder logic as the main programming method, the amount of retraining needed for engineers and trades people was greatly reduced. The first PLC was programmed with a technique that was based on relay logic wiring schematics. This eliminated the need to teach the electricians, technicians and engineers how to program - so this programming method has stuck and it is the most common technique for programming in today's PLC.

Mnemonic Instruction
There are other methods to program PLCs. One of the earliest techniques involved mnemonic instructions. These instructions can be derived directly from the ladder logic diagrams and entered into the PLC through a simple programming terminal.

Sequential Function Charts (SFC)

SFC have been developed to accommodate the programming of more advanced systems. These are similar to flowcharts, but much more powerful. This method is much different from flowcharts because it does not have to follow a single path through the flowchart.

Structured Text (ST)

Programming has been developed as a more modern programming language. It is quite similar to languages such as BASIC and Pascal. Structured Text (ST) is a high level textual language that is a Pascal like language. It is very flexible and intuitive for writing control algorithms.

Function Block Diagram (FBD)

FBD is another graphical programming language. The main concept is the data flow that start from inputs and passes in block(s) and generate the output.

Programming Languages A program loaded into PLC systems in machine code, a sequence of binary code numbers to represent the program instructions. Assembly language based on the use of mnemonics can be used, and a computer program called an assembler is used to translate the mnemonics into machine code. High level Languages (C, BASIC, etc.) can be used. Programming Devices PLC can be reprogrammed through an appropriate programming device: Programming Console PC Hand Programmer Introduction to Ladder Logic Ladder logic uses graphic symbols similar to relay schematic circuit diagrams. Ladder diagram consists of two vertical lines representing the power rails. Circuits are connected as horizontal lines between these two verticals. Ladder diagram features Power flows from left to right. Output on right side can not be connected directly with left side. Contact can not be placed on the right of output. Each rung contains one output at least. Each output can be used only once in the program. A particular input a/o output can appear in more than one rung of a ladder. The inputs a/o outputs are all identified by their addresses, the notation used depending on the PLC manufacturer.

Introduction to Statement list Statement list is a programming language using mnemonic abbreviations of Boolean logic operations. Boolean operations work on combination of variables that are true or false. A statement is an instruction or directive for the PLC. Statement List Operations * Load (LD) instruction. * And (A) instruction. * Or (O) instruction. * Output (=) instruction. Function Block Diagrams Function block is represented as a box with the function name written in.

Example

please note: LD: load

IEC Standard 1131-3 The IEC standard 1131-3 [5] defines the software model of programmable controllers and the languages to program it. The many proposals and dialects from PLC vendors result in a suite of five programming languages: Instruction List (IL): a low-level textual language with a structure similar to assembler. IL is well suited for solving small straightforward problems and producing optimised code, but it does not support structured programming. IL can be interpreted directly by many IEC1131-3 compliant PLC. This is why IL is sometimes considered the PLC language in which all other IEC1131-3 languages can be translated. Structured Text (ST): a high-level procedural programming language. ST borrows its syntax from Pascal, augmenting it with some features from Ada. ST enforces data typing and support structured programming. Sometimes considered the new PLC programming

language, it provides useful means to handle the complexity and modularity of modern programmable controllers. Ladder Diagrams (LD): an evolution of electrical wiring diagrams. LDs supply a programming style borrowed from electronic and electrical circuits. LDs are ill suited for the complexity of today's controllers and structured programming, but help legacy systems. Function Block Diagram (FBD): a graphical language similar to Structured Analysis [7]. Controllers are modelled as signal and data flows through processing elements (function blocks3). FBD transforms textual programming (ST) into connecting (already defined) building blocks, thus improving modularity and software reuse. Sequential Function Chart (SFC): a graphical language similar to Petri nets [8] and SDL [9]. SFC is used for structuring the internal organisation (behaviour) of PLC processing elements. SFC elements partition processing elements into sets of steps and transitions among them interconnected by directed links. Steps are associated with actions; transitions with predicates (conditions).

IEC Standard 1131-3 The IEC standard 1131-3 [5] defines the software model of programmable controllers and the languages to program it. The many proposals and dialects from PLC vendors result in a suite of five programming languages: Instruction List (IL): a low-level textual language with a structure similar to assembler. IL is well suited for solving small straightforward problems and producing optimised code, but it does not support structured programming. IL can be interpreted directly by many IEC1131-3 compliant PLC. This is why IL is sometimes considered the PLC language in which all other IEC1131-3 languages can be translated. Structured Text (ST): a high-level procedural programming language. ST borrows its

syntax from Pascal, augmenting it with some features from Ada. ST enforces data typing and support structured programming. Sometimes considered the new PLC programming language, it provides useful means to handle the complexity and modularity of modern programmable controllers. Ladder Diagrams (LD): an evolution of electrical wiring diagrams. LDs supply a programming style borrowed from electronic and electrical circuits. LDs are ill suited for the complexity of today's controllers and structured programming, but help legacy systems. Function Block Diagram (FBD): a graphical language similar to Structured Analysis [7]. Controllers are modelled as signal and data flows through processing elements (function blocks3). FBD transforms textual programming (ST) into connecting (already defined) building blocks, thus improving modularity and software reuse. Sequential Function Chart (SFC): a graphical language similar to Petri nets [8] and SDL [9]. SFC is used for structuring the internal organisation (behaviour) of PLC processing elements. SFC elements partition processing elements into sets of steps and transitions among them interconnected by directed links. Steps are associated with actions; transitions with predicates (conditions). The IEC1131-3 standard fosters

IEC Standard 1131-3 The IEC standard 1131-3 [5] defines the software model of programmable controllers and the languages to program it. The many proposals and dialects from PLC vendors result in a suite of five programming languages: Instruction List (IL): a low-level textual language with a structure similar to assembler.

IL is well suited for solving small straightforward problems and producing optimised code, but it does not support structured programming. IL can be interpreted directly by many IEC1131-3 compliant PLC. This is why IL is sometimes considered the PLC language in which all other IEC1131-3 languages can be translated. Structured Text (ST): a high-level procedural programming language. ST borrows its syntax from Pascal, augmenting it with some features from Ada. ST enforces data typing and support structured programming. Sometimes considered the new PLC programming language, it provides useful means to handle the complexity and modularity of modern programmable controllers. Ladder Diagrams (LD): an evolution of electrical wiring diagrams. LDs supply a programming style borrowed from electronic and electrical circuits. LDs are ill suited for the complexity of today's controllers and structured programming, but help legacy systems. Function Block Diagram (FBD): a graphical language similar to Structured Analysis [7]. Controllers are modelled as signal and data flows through processing elements (function blocks3). FBD transforms textual programming (ST) into connecting (already defined) building blocks, thus improving modularity and software reuse. Sequential Function Chart (SFC): a graphical language similar to Petri nets [8] and SDL [9]. SFC is used for structuring the internal organisation (behaviour) of PLC processing elements. SFC elements partition processing elements into sets of steps and transitions among them interconnected by directed links. Steps are associated with actions; transitions with predicates (conditions).

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