Programmable

Logic Controllers
Third Edition

Frank D. Petruzella
McGraw-Hill

Chapter 7
Programming
Timers

Timers
There are very few industrial control systems that do not
need at least one or two timed functions. They are used to
activate or de-activate a device after a preset interval of
time.
Time delay relays and solid-state timers are used to provide a time
delay. They may have displays, pots or other means of operator
interface for time settings and electromechanical or solid state
outputs.

Time Delay
Relay

Solid-State
Timer

On-Delay Timing Relay

Operating coil
NO
Instantaneous
contacts
NC

Nontimed contacts are

controlled directly by
the timer coil, as in a
general-purpose
control relay.

When the coil is

energized, the timed
contacts are are
prevented from opening
NO
or closing until the time
Time control delay period has elapsed.
However, when the coil is
contacts
de-energized, the timed
NC
contacts return
Time adjustment instantaneously to their
normal state.

Timed Contact Symbols

On-Delay Symbols

Normally open, timed

closed contact (NOTC)

Normally closed, timed

open contact (NCTO)

Contact is open when

relay coil is de-energized

Contact is closed when

relay coil is de-energized

When relay is energized,

there is a time delay in
closing

When relay is energized,

there is a time delay in
opening

Timed Contact Symbols

Off Delay Symbols
Normally open, timed
open contacts (NOTO).
Contact is normally
open when relay coil
is de-energized.
When relay coil is
energized, contact closes
instantly.
When relay coil is deenergized, there is a time
delay before the contact
opens.

Normally closed, timed

closed contacts (NCTC).
Contact is normally
closed when relay coil
is de-energized.
When relay coil is
energized, contact opens
instantly.
When relay coil is deenergized, there is a time
delay before the contact
closes.

On-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NOTC Contact)

L1

L2

S1

L1

After 10 s, TD1 closes, L1 is

switched on.

10 s

Output

S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 open, L1 is off.
S1 closes, TD energizes,
timing period starts,
TD1 still open, L1 is still off.

10 s

Input

Sequence of operation

ON
OFF
Timing Diagram

S1 is opened, TD deenergizes, TD1 opens

instantly, L1 is switched off.

On-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NCTO Contact)

L1

L2
S1

Sequence of operation

L1

S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 closed, L1 is on.
S1 closes, TD energizes,
timing period starts, TD1
is still closed, L1 is still on.

10 s

10 s

After 10 s, TD1 opens,

L1 is switched off.

Input
Output

On
Off

Timing Diagram

S1 is opened, TD de-energizes,
TD1 closes instantly, L1 is
switched on.

Off-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NOTO Contact)

L1

L2
S1

Sequence of operation
S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 open, L1 is off.

L1

10 s
10 s
Input

S1 closes, TD energizes,
TD1 closes instantly,
L1 is switched on.
S1 is opened, TD de-energizes,
timing period starts, TD1 is
still closed, L1 is still on.

On
Output

Off
Timing Diagram

After 10 s, TD1 opens, L1 is

switched off.

Off-Delay Relay Timer Circuit (NCTC Contact)

L1

L2

Sequence of operation

S1

S1 open, TD de-energized,
TD1 closed, L1 is on.
L1
10 s
10 s
Input
Output

On
Off

Timing Diagram

S1 closes, TD energizes,
TD1 opens instantly,
L1 is switched off.
S1 is opened,
TD de-energizes, timing
period starts, TD1 is still
open, L1 is still off.
After 10 s, TD1 closes,
L1 is switched on.

1. Timers are used to activate or de-activate a

device after a preset interval of time.
(True/False)
2. With most timers the time delay period is fixed
and can not be varied. (True/False)
3. ________ contacts are controlled directly by the
timer coil, as in a general-purpose control relay.
(a) timed
(b) NO

(c) instantaneous
(d) NC

4. When a relay timer coil is de-energized, the

timed contacts return instantaneously to their
normal state. (True/False)
5. Which of the following symbols represents a
normally open timed closed contact?

6. Which of the following symbols represents a

normally closed timed open contact?

7. The timed relay contact shown is designed to

operate so that:

a. when the relay coil is energized, there is a

time delay in closing
b. when the relay coil is energized, there is a
time delay in opening
c. when the relay coil is de-energized, there is a
time delay in closing
d. when the relay coil is de-energized, there is a
time delay in opening

8. The timing diagram shown is that of an

10 s
Input
On
Output

Off
Timing Diagram

a. on-delay timer circuit (NOTC contact)

b. on-delay timer circuit (NCTO contact)
c. off-delay timer circuit (NCTC contact)
d. off-delay timer circuit (NOTO contact)

9. In the circuit shown, the light will stay off

L1

L2
S1

L1
10 s

a. as long as S1 is closed
b. for 10 seconds after coil TD is energized
c. for 10 seconds after coil TD is de-energized
d. both a and c

10. In the circuit shown, the light will stay on

a. as long as S1 is closed
b. as long as S1 is open
c. for 10 seconds after S1 is closed
d. both b and c

Programmed Timer Instructions

PLC timers are output instructions that provide the
same functions as timing relays and solid state timers.
Some advantages of PLC timers:
their settings can be altered easily
the number of PLC timers used
can be increased or decreased by
programming changes without
wiring changes
timer accuracy and repeatability
are extremely high

RSLogic Timer Commands

TON

Timer/Counter

Command

TON

Name
Timer On-Delay

Description
Counts time base
intervals when the
instruction is true

RSLogic Timer Commands

TOF

Timer/Counter

Command

TOF

Name
Timer Off-Delay

Description
Counts time base
intervals when the
instruction is false

RSLogic Timer Commands

RTO

RES

Timer/Counter

Command

Name

RTO

Retentive Timer
ON

RES

Reset

Description
Counts time base
intervals when the
instruction is true and
retains the accumulated
value when the
instruction goes "false" or
when power cycle occurs
When this instruction is
"true" it resets the count
of the RTO counter

Quantities Associated with the Timer Instruction

Preset Time Represents the time duration of the timing
circuit. For example, if a time delay of 10 s is required,
the timer will have a preset of 10 s.
Accumulated Time Represents the amount of time that
has elapsed from the moment the timing coil became
energized.
Time Base Timers can typically be programmed with
several different time bases: 1 s, 0.1 s, and 0.01 s are
typical time bases. For example, if you enter 0.1 for the
time base and 50 for the preset time the timer would
have a 5 s delay (50 x 0.1 s = 5 s).

Coil-Formatted Timer Instruction

Contact determines
rung continuity

The timer assigned

an address
The type of timer
XXX
is specified
TON

Preset value PR:YYY

Time base
0.1 s
Accumulated value AC:000
When the timer rung has logic continuity, the timer's
accumulated value increases. When accumulated value equals
the preset value, the output is energized and and the timed
output contact associated with the output is closed. The timed
contact can be used as many times as you wish throughout the
program as a NO or NC contact.

Generic Block-Formatted Timer Instruction

Timers are most often represented by boxes in a ladder
logic.
Control line controls the actual timing operation of the timer.
Whenever this line is true the timer will time.
Retentive timer block
Preset time
Time base
Accumulated time

Output line

The timer continuously compares its accumulated time with its

preset time. Its output is logic 0 as long as the accumulated time is
less
than
preset
When the
two become
equal
Reset
linethe
resets
thetime.
the timer's
accumulated
value
to the
zero.output
changes to logic 1.

On-Delay Timer Instruction

The on-delay timer operates
so that, when the rung
containing the timer is true,
the timer time-out period
commences.
Timer Sequence
Rung condition

Input

True
False

Timed period

On delay
time duration
True

Timed output bit

Timer

False
OFF

ON

The timed output

becomes true
sometimes after the
timer rung becomes
true; hence the timer
is said to have an on
delay.

Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction

Allen-Bradley PLC-5 and SLC-500 controller timer
elements each take three data table words: the
control word, preset word, and accumulated word.
The control word uses three control bits: Enable (EN) bit,
Timer-Timing (TT) bit, and Done-Bit (DN).
TIMER TABLE

T4:0

/EN

/TT

/DN

Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction

The Enable (EN) bit is true (has a status of 1)
whenever the timer instruction is true. When the
timer instruction is false, the enable bit is false (has
a status of 0)
Enable bit false
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
T4:0

T4:0

EN

Enable bit true

EN

Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction

The Timer-Timing (TT) bit is true whenever the
accumulated value of the timer is changing, which
means the timer is timing.
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
T4:0
Preset
50
Accumulated
10
T4:0

EN

Timer-Timing bit true

TT

Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction

The Done-Bit (DN) changes state whenever the
accumulated value reaches the preset value. Its
state depends on the type of timer being used.
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
T4:0
Preset
50
Accumulated
10
50
T4:0

EN
DN

Done-bit changes state

DN

Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction

The preset value (PRE) word is the set point of the
timer, that is, the value up to which the timer will
time.
The accumulated value (ACC) word is the value that
increments as the timer is timing. The accumulated
value will stop incrementing when its value reaches
the preset value.
TIMER TABLE

T4:0

/EN

/TT

/DN

.PRE

.ACC

Allen-Bradley On-Delay Timer Instruction

The information to be entered includes:
TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
Time base
Preset
Accumulated

T4:0
1.0
15
0

EN
DN

Timer number which must come from the timer file.

Time base which is expressed in seconds.
Preset value which is the length of the time delay.
Accumulated value which is normally entered as 0.

On-Delay Timer Program

Ladder Logic Program
L2

L1
Input A
Input A

TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
T4:0
Time base
1.0
Preset
10
Accumulated
0
10

EN
DN

Output B

Output C

Output D

Output B

T4:0
EN
T4:0

Output C

TT
Output D

T4:0
DN

On-Delay Timer Program

Timing Diagram
On
Input condition A
Timer-enable bit
Timer-timing bit

Off
On
Off
On
Off
On

Timer-done bit

Off

Timer accumulated 0
value

4s

4s

On-Delay Timer Program

Timers are 3-word elements
Word
EN TT DN

Internal use
Preset value PRE
Accumulated value ACC

Word 0 is the control word

Word 1 stores the preset value
Word 2 stores the accumulated value

0
1
2

On-Delay Timer With Instantaneous Output

Relay Ladder Schematic Diagram
L1

Stop

Start

L2
1TD

1TD-1
(instantaneous
contact)

M
1TD-2
(5 s)
(timed contact)

On-Delay Timer With Instantaneous Output

Programmed Circuit
Ladder logic program
Inputs

Stop

Internal
relay

Start

Output
L2

L1
Stop
Start

Motor

Internal
relay

Motor
M
Timer
PR: 5
TB: 1 s

Output
line

Start-Up Warning Signal Circuit

Relay Ladder Schematic Diagram
L1

Start-up
PB1

Reset
PB2

CR1

CR1-1
1TD
CR1-2
Horn
CR1-3
1TD-1
(10 s)

L2

Start-Up Warning Signal Circuit

Programmed Circuit
Ladder logic program

Inputs

Output

Start-up
PB1

Reset
PB2

PB1

PB2

T4:0
EN
T4:0

TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
T4:0
Time base
1.0
Preset
10
Accumulated
0
10
Horn

T4:0
DN

EN

EN
DN

Horn

Timed Closed Solenoid Value Program

Ladder logic program

Input

Output
L2

L1
Switch

SW_1
SW_1

timer_1.dn

TON
Timer On Delay
Timer
timer_1
Preset
12000
Accumulated 12000
0

EN
DN

Valve

Valve

Automatic Sequential Control System

Relay Ladder
Schematic
Diagram

L1

Start
PB2

Stop
PB1

Lube oil
pump motor

L2
OL

M1

M1-1
PS1

Main drive
motor

OL

M2
(lube oil
pressure switch)

1TD
OL
M3

1TD-1
(15 s)

Feed
motor

Automatic Sequential Control System

Programmed Circuit
Inputs

Ladder logic program

PB1

PB2

M1

Outputs
OL

PB1

M1

M1
PB2
PS1

OL
PS1

M2

M2
OL
M3

TON
TIMER ON DELAY
Timer
T4:0
Time base
1.0
Preset
15
15
Accumulated
0
T4:0
DN

EN
DN

M3

Off-Delay Programmed Timer

The off-delay timer (TOF) operation will keep the output
energized for a period after the rung containing the timer
has gone false.
Ladder logic program

Input

Output
L2

L1
S1

I:1.0/0

TOF
TIMER OFF DELAY

I:1.0/0

EN
TIMER
Time base
Preset
Accumulated
T4:3/DN

T4:3
1.0
15
0
15

DN

O:2.0/1

O:2.0/1

PL

Off-Delay Programmed Timer

Timing Diagram
True
Input condition
S1

False

Timed period
Off delay
timed duration

True (logic 1)
False (logic 0)

Timed output
O:2.0/1

Preset value = accumulated value

Off-Delay Timer Used To Switch Motors Off

L1

Input

Ladder logic program

5000

10000

15000

Output

L2

Pneumatic Off-Delay Timer

L1

Relay Ladder
Schematic
Diagram

L2

Programmed Pneumatic Off-Delay Timer

Equivalent Programmed Circuit
Input

Ladder logic program

Outputs

L1

L2

Fluid Pumping Process

Operation
Before starting, PS1 must be closed.
When the pump start button is pressed, the pump starts. The
button can then be released and the pump continues to operate.
When the stop button is pushed, the pump stops.
PS2 and PS3 must be closed for 5 s after the pump starts. If
either PS2 or PS3 opens, the pump will shut off and will not not
be able to start again for another 14 s.

Fluid Pumping Process Program

Ladder logic program

Inputs

Output

L1

L2

05

Retentive Timer
A retentive timer accumulates time whenever the device
receives power, and maintains the current time should
power be removed from the device. Once the device
accumulates time equal to its preset value, the contacts of
the device change state. The retentive timer must be
intentionally reset with a separate signal for the
accumulated time to be reset.
Electromechnical Retentive Timer
Cam operated
contact
Motor-driven
cam

Once power is applied, the motor

starts turning the cam. The
positioning of the lobes determines
the time it takes to activate the
contacts. If power is removed from
the motor, the shaft stops but does
not reset.

Retentive On-Delay Timer Program

The PLC-programmed RETENTIVE ON-DELAY timer
(RTO) operates in the same way as the nonretentive ondelay timer (TON), with one major exception. This is a
retentive timer reset (RTR) instruction.

Same address

Unlike the TON, the RTO

will hold its accumulated
value when the timer rung
goes false and will continue
timing where it left off when
the timer rung goes true
again. This timer must be
accompanied by a timer reset
(RES) instruction to reset the
accumulated value of the
timer to zero.

Retentive On-Delay Timer Program

039

Retentive On-Delay Timing Chart

Enable bit is reset when
input pushbutton PB1 is
opened

Accum value retained

when rung goes false

Accum = Preset

When reset PB2 is closed,

the T4:2/DN bit is reset to
0. Accumulated value is
reset and held at zero until
the reset pushbutton is
opened.

Retentive On-delay Alarm Program

Ladder logic program

L2

L1

60000
0

The purpose of the RTO timer is to detect whenever a piping

system has sustained a cumulative overpressure condition of 60 s.
At that point, a horn is sounded automatically. You can silence the
alarm by switching the key switch to the rest position.

Bearing Lubrication
Program
Sequence Of Operation
To start

the machine, the operator turns SW on.

Before the motor shaft starts to turn, the bearings are supplied
with oil by the pump for 10 s.
The bearings also receive oil when the machine is running.
When the operator turns SW off to stop the machine, the oil
pump continues to supply oil for 15 s.
A retentive timer is used to track the total running time of the
pump. When the total running time is 3 h, the motor is shut down
and a pilot light is turned on to indicate that the filter and oil
need to be changed.
A reset button is provided to reset the process after the filter and
oil have been changed.

Bearing Lubrication Program

10
0

15

10800

Cascading Timers
The programming of two or more timers together is
called cascading. Timers may be interconnected, or
cascaded to satisfy any required control logic.
Relay Schematic
Diagram
Three motors started
automatically in
sequence with a 20-s
time delay between
each motor startup.

Equivalent Time-Delayed Motor-Starting Program

20000

2000
0

Annunciator Flasher Circuit

Two timers can be interconnected to form an oscillator
circuit. The oscillator logic is basically a timing circuit
programmed to generate periodic output pulses of any
duration. They can be used as part of an annunciator
system to indicate an alarm condition.
The oscillator circuit output
is programmed in series with
the alarm condition. If the
alarm condition is true, the
appropriate output
indicating light will flash.

Annunciator Flasher Circuit

Cascading of Timers for Longer Time Delays

30000

12000

Control of Traffic Lights in One Direction

A typical application for PLC timers is the control of
traffic lights.
Control of Traffic in One Direction
Sequence of Operation

Red
30 s

Green
25 s

Amber
5s

Control of Traffic Lights in One Direction

30

25

11. The timed contact of a PLC timer can only

be used as a normally-open contact. (True/False)
12. The ______ bit operates the same as an
instantaneous contact on a timer relay.
a. enable
b. done
c. timer-timing
d. timer number

13. The preset time of a PLC timer represents the

amount of time that has elapsed from the moment
the timing coil became energized. (True/False)

14. If the preset time of a timer is 150 and the time

base is 0.1 seconds, the time-delay period would
be 1500 seconds. (True/False)

15. In general, the three different types of PLC

timers are:
a. TON, TOF, and PRE
b. TON, TOF, and RTO
c. TON, ACC, and RTO
d. TT, EN, and DN

16. The amount of time for which a timer is

programmed is called the
a. preset
b. set point
c. Done Time (DN)
d. accumulated time

17. The timer reset instruction must be addressed

to the same address as the ______ instruction.
a. TON
b. TOF
c. RTO
d. EN

18. Which of the following statements is not

true for a retentive on-delay timer?
a. The timer accumulates time when it is
energized.
b.The timer requires a reset instruction to
reset the accumulated value of the timer to
zero.
c. The timer does not reset to zero when it is
de-energized.
d. The reset input to the timer will not
override the control input.

19. The timer instruction is:

a. an input instruction

c. either a or b

b. an output instruction

d. both a or b

20. The interconnection of timers is commonly

called :
a. grouping
b. programming
c. sequencing
d. cascading

21. For the program shown, the pilot light will be:

a. on at all times
b. off at all times
c. switched on 15 s after the switch has been actuated
from the open to the closed position
d. switched off 15 s after the switch has been actuated
from the on to off position