PLC Programming Basics

How a ladder logic diagram works?
Ladder diagrams describe programs in graphical form, used

in PLC programming. This diagram is developed from structured relay contacts
that describe the flow of electric current.
In the ladder diagram there are two vertical lines where the left vertical line is
connected to the positive voltage source of the power supply and the right line is
connected to the negative voltage source of the power supply.
The ladder program is written using a pictorial shape or symbol that is generally
similar to a relay control circuit. The program is displayed on the screen with
elements such as normally open contact, normally closed contact, timer,
counter, sequencer etc.
displayed as in a pictorial form.
Under the right conditions, electricity can flow from the left-hand rail to the
right-hand rail, a railroad track like this is called a ladder line.
The general rules in describing a ladder diagram are:
 Power flows from the left rail to the right rail

 The coil output cannot be connected directly to the left rail.
 No contacts are placed to the right of the coil output
 Only one coil output is allowed on the ladder line
How to read a ladder logic program?
 Ladder diagrams are drawn vertically with inputs on the left and outputs on
the right.
 Each rung of the ladder has output
 An individual output device can appear on the ladder diagram, read from
left to right
 An individual physical input device (limit switch, push-button, pressure
switch, etc.) may be used on the ladder diagram in both N.O. and N.C.
configurations.
 Completing one rung, read the below rung as a continuation, till the end
marked as stop.
 Internal contacts of the PLC are represented as conventional control relays
and contacts.
 Control relay coils (outputs) appear on the ladder diagram.
8 Rules for ladder diagram programming

There are a set of universal laws that governs how a ladder
diagram are laid out. By implementing these rules, we introduce a work
practice that is understood by all technicians
1. Signals, Decisions and Actions:
All control circuits have three main parts known as the Sections of Signal,
Decision and Action.
Signal section: Starts or stops current flow to the circuit. Allows circuit to

operate.
Decision section: Uses logic from multiple devices to determine what work is
to be done. Decision is used to control a load device.
Action section: Work to be performed based upon decision. (I.e. turn a load
device on or off.)
2. Input devices (Control devices) can be connected Parallel or Series:
 Control systems are connected to the load unit (working coil) between L1.
 In order to regulate a load (working coil), two or more input systems can be
linked in series or parallel.
 In ladder logic the input can be arranged in either series or parallel.
3. Output or Load device connection:
 Load devices (lights, solenoid, relay coil, etc) must be powered

by full (rated) voltage to operate correctly.
 Multiple loads must be placed in parallel.
 Multiple loads must be placed in parallel to achieve full-voltage.
 One side of a load is always connected to L2 (0V).
4. Line number & Numerical Cross-Reference
A row number is allocated for each horizontal rung. The number of the line is
situated on each horizontal ring’s left side. Displayed three row numbers
 On the correct side of a coil are numerical cross references

 They identify the line number that their contacts are located on.
5. Same input can use in multiple times in a program:
 A single input can be used to repeatedly in the different rungs.

 Using this feature we can trigger different output with single switch
simultaneously.
6. Output cannot be used multiple times in one program, except in set/reset

and latch/ unlatch functions.
 Same output cannot be used for different inputs in one program.

 In the function set/reset, the same output address is used.

Look at the below figure, Using the set and reset feature, different inputs (I1 and
I2) are connected to the single output (Q1).
 The input L1 is to set the outline and L2 for reset.

Latching: The output latch (OTL) instruction is a retentive output instruction
that is used to maintain, or latch, an output. If this output is turned on, it will
stay on even if the status of the output logic that caused the output to energize
becomes false.
7. Outputs address can be used as inputs address:
The output coil works as the input coil with the use of latch/unlatch function. As
shown in above example.
8. Input address cannot be used as an output address:

PLC Programming Basics

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PLC Programming Basics

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How a ladder logic diagram works?

Ladder diagrams describe programs in graphical form, used

The general rules in describing a ladder diagram are:

 Power flows from the left rail to the right rail

8 Rules for ladder diagram programming

Signal section: Starts or stops current flow to the circuit. Allows circuit to

2. Input devices (Control devices) can be connected Parallel or Series:

3. Output or Load device connection:

 Load devices (lights, solenoid, relay coil, etc) must be powered

4. Line number & Numerical Cross-Reference

 On the correct side of a coil are numerical cross references

 A single input can be used to repeatedly in the different rungs.

6. Output cannot be used multiple times in one program, except in set/reset

 Same output cannot be used for different inputs in one program.

 The input L1 is to set the outline and L2 for reset.

7. Outputs address can be used as inputs address:

8. Input address cannot be used as an output address:

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