PLC LADDER DIAGRAM

-BY
Shruti Bhatnagar Dasgupta
 What is a Ladder Diagram

A Ladder diagram is a symbolic and schematic

representation of both the process hardware and
process control.
Its called a Ladder because all the devices are
connected across the supply lines making it look like a
ladder.
Each parallel connection is called a Rung, it can
contain many inputs but only one output.
 Logic Symbols:
Normally Open Normally Closed

Push button Switches PB1 PB2

Limit Switches LS1 LS2

Temperature Limit TS1 TS2

Switches
Pressure Limit PS2
Switches
Level Limit Switches LLS1 LLS2

On Delay Switches Delayed closed Delayed open

Off Delay Switches

(Timer Contacts)
 OUTPUT DEVICES
Contact Relay Normally closed Normally Open
CR1 CR2
CR1

Relay
R
Contactor

Motor M1

Solenoid Valve SOV1

Indicating Lamp R

Timer TR

Counter Up Counter Down Counter

CT
CTR
D
 Physical or Relay Ladder Example

RUNG

Condition Area Result Area

Active Supply Neutral Supply

 Basic Logic Gates Using PLC

Gate Input Output Logic PLC Ladder

OR A Y A.B=Y A Y
B
B

AND A Y A+B=Y A B Y
B

__
NOT A Y A X
A=Y
X Y
 Example 1
Water Level Control:
i. Its a single point level control.
ii. When the Level is above set point the output pump should be
OFF
iii. When the Level is below set point the output pump should
be ON
Pump

Set Point
TANK
 Solution 1

The number of inputs are Pump ON, Pump OFF and

Level Switch; I/P=3
The number of outputs; O/P=1
The conditions for inputs and outputs are:

X1 X2 X3 Y1
(Pump ON) (Pump OFF) (Limit (Output)
Switch)
High Low Low High
--- High --- Low
High Low High Low
 Ladder Diagram 1

Supply Line Neutral

X1 X2 R1

R1

R1 X3 Y1

Here relay R1 acts as a Latch.

 Example 2

Temperature Control
i. A temperature control system consists of four
thermostats. The system operates three heating units.
The thermostats are set at 55C, 60C, 65C and 70C.
ii. Below 55C three heater are to be in ON state
iii. Between 55C - 60C two heaters are to be in ON state.
iv. Between 60C - 65C one heater is to be in ON state.
v. Above 70C all heaters are to be in OFF state, there is a
safety shutoff in case any heater is operating by mistake.
vi. A master switch turns the system ON and OFF.
 Solution 2

There are four thermostats; assume them be

in NC state when the set point is not reached.
Let there be a control relay (CR1) to work as a
safety shutoff.
The Start switch is NO and Stop switch NC
type.
 Solution 2
Teperature Thermostats Heater 1 Heater 2 Heater3

Below 55C TS1 Closed ON ON ON

TS2 Closed
TS3 Closed
TS4 Closed
55C-60C TS1 Open OFF ON ON
TS2 Closed
TS3 Closed
TS4 Closed
60C-65C TS1 Open OFF OFF ON
TS2 Open
TS3 Closed
TS4 Closed
65C-70C TS1 Open OFF OFF ON
TS2 Open
TS3 Open
TS4 Closed
Above 70C TS1 Open OFF OFF OFF
TS2 Open
TS3 Open
TS4 Open
Ladder Diagram 2
Star Sto TS4
t p
Safety
CR1 Shutoff
CR1

CR1 TS1
Heater 1
H1

TS2 Heater 2
H2

TS3 Heater 3
H3
THANK YOU