Introduction to
Programmable Logic Controllers
COURSE OUTLINE
College of the Sequoias
Center for Applied Competitive Technologies/Business & Industry Training
Advanced Courses in Technology
Course Purpose:
The course is designed to teach the student the purpose, uses, and basic applications of the PLC and its industrial applications. Teach the student to understand how PLCs function, recognize the different components and how they are connected to the equipment. Learn how relay ladder logic diagram are used to create PLC ladder logic diagrams. Teach the student the programming software used to program the PLC.
Required For Class Placement
Students will be grouped based on their PLC Assessment score.
Instructional Hours Required
24 Hours
Text Book Required
Programmable Logic Controllers by Frank D. Petruzella
Topical Outline:
o Review of basic computer functions, File locations, moving files, etc.
o Introductions to the purpose, functions, and operations of the PLC in industrial applications.
o Identification of various components of the PLC
o Review of relay ladder logic diagrams
o Introduction to PLC ladder logic and basic programming concepts
o Establishing communications with the PLC
o Definitions of Allen-Bradley conditional inputs and outputs
o Electrical continuity versus logical continuity
o Applications of discrete inputs with PLC’s
o Programming applications and navigation through Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500 software
o I/O configuration and downloading PLC programs
o Installation and troubleshooting sensors wired as sinking or sourcing current
o PLC timer and counter concepts and programming applications
o Programming applications using sequencers
Student Learning Outcomes:
ü Understand the purpose, functions, and operations of a PLC
ü Identify the basic components of the PLC and how they function
ü View a directory of processor files using PLC software
ü Establish communications with a PLC
ü Restore and monitor a PLC processor file using PLC programming software
ü Run a PLC processor file using PLC programming software
ü View the status of the SLC-500 input and output data tables
ü Create a PLC project using PLC software
ü Configure the I/O for a PLC project using PLC software
ü Enter a basic PLC program using PLC software
ü Save a PLC program to a disk using PLC software
ü Edit a PLC program using PLC software
ü Generate and print out a ladder logic report using PLC software