The PLC Tutor http://www.plctutor.co.cc/whatisplc1.

htm

What is a Programmable Logic Controller ?

Siemens S7-200 (221 CPU)

A PLC consists of a Central Processing Unit (CPU) containing an application program and Input and Output
Interface modules, which is directly connected to field I/O devices. The program controls the PLC so that
when an input signal from an input device turns ON, the appropriate response is made. The response
normally involves turning ON an out put signals to some sort of output devices.

CPU:The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of a programmable controller that retrieves, decodes,
stores, and processes information. It also executes the control program stored in the PLC’s memory. In
essence, the CPU is the "brains" of a programmable controller. It functions much the same way the CPU of a
regular computer does, except that it uses special instructions and coding to perform its functions.

The CPU has three parts:

• the processor

1 of 3 10/8/2010 12:10 PM
The PLC Tutor http://www.plctutor.co.cc/whatisplc1.htm

• the memory system

• the power supply

The processor is the section of the CPU that codes, decodes, and computes data. The memory system is the
section of the CPU that stores both the control program and data from the equipment connected to the PLC.
The power supply is the section that provides the PLC with the voltage and current it needs to operate.

Memory: There are various types of memory unit. It is the area that hold the operating system and user
memory. The operating system is actually a system software that co-ordinates the PLC. Ladder program,
Timer and Counter are stored in the user memory. Depending on user's need various types of memory are
available for choice:

(1) RAM

(2) ROM

(3) EPROM

(4) EEPROM

Memory Size Kilo, abbreviated K, normally refers to 1000 units. When talking about computer or PLC
memory, however, 1K means 1024. This is because of the binary number system (210=1024). This can be
1024 bits, 1024 bytes, or 1024 words, depending on memory type.

Random Access Memory (RAM) is memory where data can be directly accessed at any address. Data can
be written to and read from RAM. RAM is used as a temporary storage area. RAM is volatile, meaning that the
data stored in RAM will be lost if power is lost. A battery backup is required to avoid losing data in the event of
a power loss.

Read Only Memory (ROM) is a type of memory that data can be read from but not written to. This type of
memory is used to protect data or programs from accidental erasure. ROM memory is nonvolatile. This means
a user program will not lose data during a loss of electrical power. ROM is normally used to store the
programs that define the capabilities of the PLC.

Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) provides some level of security against unauthorized
or unwanted changes in a program. EPROMs are designed so that data stored in them can be read, but not
easily altered. Changing EPROM data requires a special effort. UVEPROMs (ultraviolet erasable

2 of 3 10/8/2010 12:10 PM
The PLC Tutor http://www.plctutor.co.cc/whatisplc1.htm

programmable read only memory) can only be erased with an ultraviolet light. EEPROM (electronically
erasable programmable read only memory), can only be erased electronically.

Firmware is user or application specific software burned into EPROM and delivered as part of the hardware.
Firmware gives the PLC its basic functionality.

Copyrights 2007-2009 . All Rights reserved.

3 of 3 10/8/2010 12:10 PM