PLC HARDWARE FAMILIARIZATION
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Lab Exer.# 1/1
PLC HARDWARE FAMILIARIZATION
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE
Upon completion of this laboratory exercise, the student technician will be able to
describe the application of PLC, describe the advantages of PLC, identify the two types
of PLC housing and identify the specifications of a PLC.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENTS
1. Siemens S7 PLC trainer
DISCUSSIONS
Figure 1: PLC
PLC is an acronym for Programmable Logic Controller. PLC as shown in Figure 1 is a
device invented to replace logical and sequential relay circuits for machine control.
Before the invention of PLC, automated machines are controlled using relay circuits.
Figure 2 shows the comparison between the control box of a relay controlled machine
and a PLC controlled machine. The invention of PLC has many advantages in industrial
and automation applications.
PLC HARDWARE FAMILIARIZATION
Lab Exer.# 1/2
The advantages of PLC are:
a) Smaller.
b) Less expensive.
c) More reliable.
d) Simple maintenance.
e) Simple programming.
f) Able and easy to make small changes on machine operation sequence and
parameters.
Figure 2: A relay circuit control box and a PLC control box
There are two types of PLC housing as shown in Figure 3. The types of PLC housing
are the modular type and the compact type. In the modular type, all the PLC
components are arranged in different modules according to requirements. In the
compact type, all the PLC components are available in one housing.
Figure 3: A modular PLC and a compact PLC
The major components in a PLC are the Central Processor Unit (CPU), Input module,
Output module, Programming device, Memory and Power supply. The main functions of
the major components are summarized in Table 1. The block diagram showing the
relations between the major components is shown in Figure 4.
PLC HARDWARE FAMILIARIZATION
PROCEDURES
Identify the major components of a PLC
1. Study the PLC thoroughly.
2. Identify and name the major components of a PLC.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 4
a) __________________________________________
b) __________________________________________
c) __________________________________________
d) __________________________________________
Lab Exer.# 1/3
PLC HARDWARE FAMILIARIZATION
Specifications of a PLC
1. Study the PLC thoroughly.
2. Fill the specifications of the PLC in Table 2.
Table 1
Manufacturer
CPU type
Input power supply
Used DC voltages
1)
2)
Operation modes
3)
4)
1)
2)
3)
Status indicators
4)
5)
6)
Number of digital inputs
Number of digital outputs
Number of analogue inputs
Number of analogue output
Lab Exer.# 1/4
PLC HARDWARE FAMILIARIZATION
Lab Exer.# 1/5
Digital input voltage
Digital output voltage
to
Digital input addresses
to
to
to
Digital output addresses
to
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.
List the advantages of using PLC in automation applications.
2.
Is the PLC shown below a Compact PLC or a Modular PLC? Why?
3.
Name TWO other PLC manufacturers other than Siemens.
FINAL CHECKLIST
1.
Clean your equipment and work benches before you leave.
2.
Return all equipment to their proper storage area.
3.
Submit your answers to the review questions along with your technical report to
your instructor before the next laboratory session.