Friday, December 30, 2011

Learn The Importance Of A Good PLC

By Adam Huang


PLC means programmable logic controller or just programmable controller. It is a digital computer that is used for machinery control on assembly lines, amusement park rides and other automated electromechanical processes. PLC training is highly recommended for non-programmers such as electricians and maintenance technicians so that a business can help to save money and time on expensive repairs and repair calls.

A general-purpose computer is not designed for multiple input/output arrangements, electrical noise immunity, extended conditions and vibration resistance. Machine operation control depends on programs stored in non-volatile memory. If your problem happens in operation, trained maintenance workers should be able to identify and correct the problem. For example, they would be able to quickly check all sensors and limit switches for adequate power and proper functioning.

PLC automation can seem quite complex on the surface. However, an excellent PLC training program presents the information as practical lessons that are relatively easy to understand. Technical manuals from the manufacturers can be filled up with a large number of pages of mind-numbing technical jargon and diagrams. The seminars consider the pertinent information from the manuals and present it as a simple and concise solution for typical PLC problems.

Typical training covers anything from the PLC Summary of PLC Applications more than a four day workshop. As recommended by the American Council on Education, this program earns you one hour of college credit as long as you pass the MTAA Certification test. MTAA stands for Maintenance Training Association of the Americas which is a non-profit organization that promotes uniform quality standards for maintenance training and merchandise in production facilities.

The beginning PLC training course is called "PLCs for Non-Programmers." In this class, students learn a good deal about the basics of PLCs. You'll learn how to correctly identify various components, reading ladder logic, understanding inputs and outputs, basic programming instructions, setup and hard wiring and isolating the common system faults. This particular course has been heralded as the best PLC intro class for those not really acquainted with PLC programming.

A standalone course called "PLC Programming and Applications" can also be taken following the introductory course included in the four day workshop. This class goes further with programming and applications so that the student can plan programming and test their instructions. They'll be able to write certain task and application instructions using the structured text along with function block diagrams.

After completing the PLC training, maintenance workers become very valuable for the company they are working for. They'll be able to perform simple tasks such as ensuring the main PLC source of energy is turned on (120 VAC) in addition a complex solution using ladder and wiring diagrams to reset all control and safety circuits to solve problems.

Most faults that appear in a PLC-based control system involve field wiring or Input/Output devices. Students learn to identify these faults quickly. They use an organized method for troubleshooting and configuring modules contributing for the required solution.




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