PLC Hardware Explained

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In this video, we’re going to introduce you to a typical PLC and its associated hardware.
First of all, let’s start with the term PLC, and talk about what it means.
PLC is short for Programmable Logic Controller.

A PLC consists of a computer with several additional hardware pieces that are a part of it or can be attached to it at any time.

Before we go any further, this is probably a good place to discuss how and where a PLC has been included physically into industrial applications and what it has replaced.

In industrial applications today, much of the Motor Starter circuitry is replaced by a PLC. Interestingly, many of the original physical devices are connected to the PLC!

The Start and Stop switches, the OL (overload) contacts, and the M relay are hardwired to hardware modules that are part of the PLC.

Alright, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s look at what we mean by the term PLC Hardware. The Hardware components of a PLC include the following:
Processor, Power Supply, Input/Output Modules, and a Programming Device.

Let’s look at each piece of hardware, or module one at a time.

The Power Supply is connected to AC mains for the supply voltage.
The Power Supply output is a DC voltage used to power all of the other modules associated with the PLC.
The Power supply DOES NOT provide power for field devices.

The input/output modules are connected to digital or analog field devices. Input field devices include switches, encoders, and transmitters for example. Typical output field devices are relays, lamps, and proportional valves.

The Processor consists of the CPU (central processing unit) and memory. The processor section makes decisions needed to observe and operate the field devices connected to the Input/Output modules.

The decisions are based upon a user-created program saved in the memory. The memory also stores data representing the condition of all input field devices and contains the data telling the output field devices what to do.

The Programming Device in today’s industrial applications is usually a laptop or a desktop computer that facilitates the creation of decision-making programs destined for the PLC.

Examples of the programming software residing on the laptop are Studio 5000 for Allen Bradley PLCs (from ‪@RockwellautomationInc‬ ) or SIMATIC Step 7 for ‪@SiemensKnowledgeHub‬ PLC’s.

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You might want to review one of our other articles:
PLC Basics | Programmable Logic Controller https://realpars.com/plc-basics/

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