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BASIC PLC LAYOUT

Introduction to Programmable Logic Control.

The PLC, or Programmable Logic Controller, is a microprocessor based replacement for the older control systems that
used a large number of relays, timers and time delays. The outputs from the PLC to control large motors etc will still go
via large relays or contactors to handle the large currents involved, but all the other relays, timers etc used to implement
the actual control system will be replaced by the PLC itself.

The method of drawing circuit diagrams involving large numbers of control relays, timers etc came to be known as a
LADDER DIAGRAM, because the Live and Neutral went down each side of the drawing and the relay circuits went
across like the rungs of a ladder.

A simple example is shown here of a motor ON/OFF switch. The ON push button switches RELAY 1 on, it is held on by
it's own contact RL1/1 and the normally closed OFF button. When the OFF button is pressed, the circuit is broken and
RELAY 1 drops off. A second contact of RELAY 1, RL1/2, switches the CONTACTOR which controls the MOTOR on
and off.

This method of LADDER DIAGRAM representation is also used in PLC programming either as an option or, as in the
case of the TOSHIBA EX20 PLUS which we will use as an example, the only method of circuit input. The advantage of
retaining this type of input was the large number of people, working in the control systems industry, who were already
familiar with the method, and who would be able to move over to the new technology relatively easily due to this
familiarity.

Relay logic control systems could be quite complex, especially those involving machinery control and the protection of
the operators of those machines. The example given here is greatly simplified, but shows how quickly the complexity can
increase. In this example the motor control switch of the first example is combined with a coolant on/off switch and a
micro-switch which detects when the safety guard is in place. The circuit will not allow the motor contactor to close even
if on is pressed until the safety guard is down and the coolant pump is running.

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There now follows a rather odd example which might help to make clear the way in which PLC's operate. A security man
walks round a building and makes a list of all the offices empty after people have gone home. Then he returns to his
office and, using the list of empty offices and his instructions, he makes a list of all switches to put on in the alarm
system. (This is a very complex alarm system with each room as a separate area!!) He then goes to the alarm system
panel and sets all the switches according to his list.....Later he walks round the building again and makes a new list of
empty rooms. Then he returns to his office and, using the list of empty offices, his instructions and the list of what is
already switched from last time round, he makes a list of all switches to put on in the alarm system. Finally he goes to the
alarm system panel and sets switches according to his list. He then sets off immediately to repeat the process because he
is acting like a PLC and not a security man!!

The second example is of a simple PLC system illustrating the same points as the story above. Suppose four switches,
labelled X0, X1, X2 and X3 were connected to the PLC as shown below. Three lights operated by relays Y0, Y1 and Y2
inside the PLC are also connected.

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This is the description of the PLC program for this example.

START: Read SWITCHES X0, X1, X2 and X3 and save the values in the table.

THEN: Do the following, IF X0 is ON THEN fill in Y0 in the table to be ON, OTHERWISE fill Y0 in to be OFF.
IF X1 is ON THEN fill Y1 in the table to be OFF, OTHERWISE fill Y1 in to be ON.
IF X2 and X3 are BOTH ON fill Y2 in the table to be ON, OTHERWISE fill Y2 in to be OFF.

FINALLY: SET the RELAYS Y0, Y1 and Y2 to the values in the table. GO BACK to START to begin again.

The complete cycle of reading the inputs into a table, processing and writing results to a table, and finally updating
outputs is called a SCAN and the time taken to do it depends on the amount of processing to do, in both examples!
Relating this to the PLC, scan times increase with the number of "rungs" in the LADDER DIAGRAM. This will not
normally be a problem but it is an area where the difference between the real relays, timers etc of the old systems and the
software versions of the PLC. The scan time in the TOSHIBA EX20 PLUS, which is used as the PLC for this course,
could be as long as 20mS.

The process of SCANNING is illustrated in the diagram below.

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ONE COMPLETE SCAN

Facilities of the TOSHIBA EX20 PLUS PLC.

The TOSHIBA EX20 PLUS is an example of an industrial standard PLC. It has been supplied in a case with external
switches and lamps as a training aid. The PLC inside is a standard unit. The connections for the inputs are on the terminal
strip at the top.

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

L N N G S + C X X X X X X X X X X X X C
I 1 2 N T D O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 O
V 0 0 D O C M 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 M
E 0 0 P O M 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 0 1 2 3 M
O O
N N

The input type used here is called a DRY CONTACT. Switches are connected between the "X" connection and
COMMON. ON is switch contact closed and OFF is switch contact open. The circuit of the input is such that an open
collector output could be used in place of the switch, making connection to external sensors other than switches much
easier. The LED associated with each switch input is ON when the switch is ON, giving a visual check on the input
devices, which is very useful as they may be some distance from the PLC in an industrial control situation. The Mains
input terminals allow connection to 110 or 240 volts by connecting the neutral side to either the "100" or the "200"
terminal. The +DCO terminal is an output from the internal power supply but isolated from the internal +5 Volt logic
supply. This may be used to supply external devices needing power such as sensors providing the total current taken does
not exceed 100 mA.
The connections for the outputs are on the lower terminal strip. The output type used here is RELAY CONTACT.

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O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

NC NC R0 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7

The relay contacts are brought out to the pairs of terminals as labelled above. The LED associated with each output is lit
when the relay contacts are closed. The maximum load current that can be handled by the contacts is 2 A (resistive) or 1
A (inductive). The group of five LEDs in centre panel are used to indicate the status of the PLC unit.

The PROM LED on indicates that a PROM is plugged in under the cover marked "REMOVE COVER TO INSERT
ROM". The ROM is a semiconductor device used to store the PLC program as an alternative to the RAM memory in the
PLC. These devices provide a convenient way of programming production PLCs as the code is easily changed by
swapping the ROM, but cannot be altered at the shop floor level.

The LOW BATT LED on indicates that the internal battery needs changing. It has a normal life of about five years. It is
used to retain the program in RAM, and any special data, during periods of no mains power. These could be when the
PLC is intentionally switched off, or during a mains failure.

The ERROR LED on indicates that an error has been detected during the running of the program in the PLC. This can be
due to electrical noise, so precautions have to be taken in routing of PLC cables and in the GND connection point used.
Details about the best practice are included in the manual with the PLC. If the LOW BATT LED is on as well, it means
that the battery failed during the running of the program.

The RUN LED on means that the HALT/RUN switch is in the RUN position causing the PLC to execute, or carry out, the
instructions in its program. If the STOP LINE is grounded during the running of the program; the program stops and the
RUN LED flashes until the STOP LINE is disconnected from ground again.

The POWER LED on indicates that the mains power is connected and within tolerance to operate the PLC circuits.

It can be seen from the above that a great deal of information about both the status of the PLC and the state of the inputs
and outputs is available from the LEDs on the top of the PLC case. The socket at the right of the PLC top panel is marked
PROGRAMMER and is where the cable from the handheld LCD PROGRAMMER is plugged in.

How to power on and run the EX20 PLUS PLC.

The power to the PLC should be switched on and the HALT/RUN switch turned to the RUN position without the LCD
PROGRAMMER plugged in. The program previously loaded into the RAM, or memory, will now run. The operation of
the program can be checked. Switch ON the switch marked X0. Relay Y0 will come ON, if X0 is switched OFF, Y0 will
go OFF again. This is not a very complicated program but it will illustrate some points about the use of the PLC. Now
plug in the LCD PROGRAMMER and look at the screen.

PROGRAMMER V.2.3
RUN
-

The screen has the version number of the device, the state of the HALT/RUN switch and a "little flashing underline".
This underline is known as a cursor and marks where the next thing typed will appear on the screen. Now press the key

marked , the screen will change to

MAIN UNIT V.1.1

RUN
-

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The version number of the main unit, i.e. the PLC, is displayed along with the cursor as before. Now press the same key
again.
The display changes to show the first, and in this case the only, screen of the program. A "screen" is a maximum of eight
lines and is the most that can be fitted onto the display, so all programs are thought of as being made up of screens. This
does not affect the program in the PLC which is one continuous unit but is for the user's convenience in programming.
The screen can be between one and eight lines to fit whatever logical pattern we want use, as the number of screens is
unlimited up to the maximum number of devices, i.e. switches, relays etc that can be stored for one complete program.

-||-X000 Y000

MONIT RUN

|-||---------------------( )-|
| - |

The screen shows the state of the HALT/RUN switch and the state of the PROGRAMMER which is MONIT, short for
monitor. This means that the operation of the program is being "looked at" or monitored. The space underneath this
information can contain up to eight lines of circuit diagram drawn in LADDER DIAGRAM form. The circuit here shows
switch X000 connected to relay Y000. When the switch is operated the display alters to include some "little dashed lines"
inside the switch symbol and inside the relay symbol. This is to indicate that these devices are active at the moment. This
shows that one of the uses of the LCD PROGRAMMER is to help check out faulty systems, as the circuit diagram is
loaded down from the PLC into the LCD PROGRAMMER by pressing the keys that were pressed at the start of this
description. After loading the circuit its operation can be monitored by checking whether devices are active or not as the
program runs.

RETURN TO CALLING PAGE

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