PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)

by Mahar Tri Wahyudin

Do you know what PLC is? If not let us see some explanations here. According Capiel
(1982), the PLC is an electronic system that operated digitally and is designed for being used in
industrial environments, where the system uses a programmable memory for internal storage of
instructions that implement specific functions such as logic, sequence, timing, counting and
arithmetic operations to control machines or processes through modules I / O digital and analog.
The working principle of a PLC is receiving input signals controlled process and perform a series
of logic instructions to the input signal in accordance with a program stored in the memory and
generates output signals for controlling actuators or other equipments. PLC has so many
benefits when compared with conventional control but we do not talk all that we will only
discuss a few of them. PLC has many advantages, some of that are, PLC is more efficient in the
wire installation, easier in changing control system and error correction system, the number of
spare parts needed to be much less, and the use of PLC more cost-effective but PLC also has
some disadvantages.
The first advantage of using PLC is more efficient in the wire installation than
conventional control that requires more wires to connect each component. Why is that? Because
the whole sets of the PLC control system have been made in the program and no need to use a
wire to connect to it, but we just need to install the port I / O (input/output) of the PLC and is
extremely efficient use of wire.
The second advantage is easier in changing control system and error correction system.
This can happen due to the PLC has self-diagnostic function so that damage to the system will be
very easy and quickly discovered during the programming process and it will be easier to change
a control system because we only need to reprogram the PLC and then download them to the
PLC and it can be done with our PCs to do in a relatively shorter time when compared with
conventional control. In conventional control if we want to change the circuit of a control
system, we must disassemble and reinstall the wire which takes a long time. In this case, the PLC
has time efficiency in installing a control system.

The third advantage is the number of spare parts needed to be much less. it is because in a
PLC has had a lot of relays with a big number of contacts and have a lot number of other
components such as timers, counters etc. Then we only need a PLC to replace many components
which are used if we choose conventional control. This obviously reduces spare parts and
reduces the power used for a control system.
The fourth advantage is the use of PLC more cost-effective than conventional control. It
is because of some benefits described previously that the PLC can reduce the number of spare
parts and components as well as reducing the number of wires required, and then automatically it
becomes the reasons why PLC is more cost-effective.
Beside PLC has many advantages, PLC also has some disadvantages. Such as with
relatively new technology, PLC programming uses ladder diagrams with computers is a difficult
thing for some people and the use of PLC also disserve us when used only to control the bit or
simple because it would require higher costs than the conventional control.
With the advantages of PLC which described above that PLC is more efficient in wire
installation, easier to change the control system and the system error correction, the number of
spare parts needed to be much less, and the use of PLC more cost effective. It is all very
beneficial for us but beside the advantages, PLC is also detrimental if it is only used for simple
control that will be cheaper when using conventional control. Then to choose a control system
using PLC or conventional control my advice is that it will be better if we use conventional
control if the control is still simple. However if the control has been complicated and complex it
is time to use PLC which more profitable for us.
Reference:
Capiel. (1982). Hand book Programmable Logic Control. Indonesia, ID: Factory Automatic
Omron Indonesia