PROGRAMMABLE

LOGIC COTROLLERS
(PLC)
RATILLA, IMMANUEL JOHN C.
BSEE-5
INSTRUMENTATION & CONTROLS
Introduction to PLC
What is PLC?
• A programmable logic controller (PLC) or programmable controller is an industrial
digital computer which has been ruggedized and adapted for the control of
manufacturing processes, such as assembly lines, or robotic devices, or any activity that
requires high reliability, ease of programming and process fault diagnosis.
• PLCs can range from small modular devices with tens of inputs and outputs (I/O), in a
housing integral with the processor, to large rack-mounted modular devices with a count
of thousands of I/O, and which are often networked to other PLC and SCADA systems.
• A PLC is an example of a "hard" real-time system since output results must be produced
in response to input conditions within a limited time, otherwise unintended operation
will result.
Objective of PLC
Functions of PLC
• The logic control tasks such as interlocking, sequencing, timing and counting
(previously undertaken with relays or pneumatics)
• Read all field input devices via the input interfaces, execute the user program
stored in application memory, then, based on whatever control scheme has been
programmed by the user, turn the field output devices on or off, or perform
whatever control is necessary for the process application.
Comparison of PLC in respect to
Conventional Controller
Difference between PLC and Microcontroller
• Both the microcontroller and PLC are quite similar in operation. But the basic
difference in microcontroller and PLC is their architecture. the microcontroller
on one side has input, output, timers, counters and many other devices
developed on the same board, while PLC may have the modular structure.
• Microcontrollers are used mostly in high-speed applications require a great deal
of precision in calculations with minimum time consumption, when PLC is
prefered for Robust applications with ease of operation and maintenance.
The basic difference between PLC and MC is as below.

• 1. The IO capacity of PLC is more than MC, MC does not have IO capacity in thousands.

• 2. PLC having more than one CPU or Processor inbuilt where MC does not have.

• 3. Watchdog for the PLC is faster than MC , means scan cycle time of PLC is more than
MC.

• 4. PLC has a redundancy in failure condition, MC does not have.

• 5. PLC (Remote IO) can be placed and operated in hazardous area, MC can not work in
that type of area.

• 6. PLC can communicate on different protocols , MC can not support all protocols.

• 7. PLC is more reliable and robust to use for industrial application so controller failure
possibility is very less in case of PLC, where MC can fail any time.
Sample equipment which PLC can be applied
 Application of PLC
• PLC in Electrical Power Station
• PLC is used in the smart grid
system.
• It is used to detect the auto
assembly line system in a
substation.
• Some electrical equipment can be
operated with PLC.
• It is used in phase sequence
detection and monitoring system.
• Fault detection and protection of
an induction motor can be
controlled by using the sensor and
PLC.
PLC in Industrial Applications
• Machine handling system
• Conveyor belt system
• Automatic car washing system
• Automatic packing and labeling system
• For mine, water level fuzzy control system
• Automatic bottle or liquid filling system
• Industrial timer control system for multiple machines
• Industrial temperature controller for a different
purpose
• Automatic drainage water monitoring and control
system
• Fault detection and protection of an induction motor
by using the sensor
• Real-time power plant coal level sensing
Traffic Light that uses PLC
List of Brand and Model that utilizes PLC
List of Brand and Model that utilizes PLC