Ladder Logic PLC Programming for Beginners

Name: Ladder Logic PLC Programming for Beginners
Rating: 4.6 (891 reviews)

Learn to Program PLC's in Ladder Logic Through 25 Examples and Exercises

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Highest Rated

Created byDarius Kruger

Last updated 12/2023

English

What you'll learn

How to program PLC's using Ladder Logic/Ladder Diagrams
Understand the fundamentals of Ladder Logic Programming including the relevant terminology.
Understand the fundamentals of Boolean Logic, Boolean Algebra & Truth Tables.
Uderstand how to use Ladder Logic operators and instructions.
Understand a number of commonly used pieces of Ladder Logic code.
Be able to read and write your own Ladder Logic programs/code.
Complete a project where you write Ladder Logic code for a real world automation application.

Course content

10 sections • 36 lectures • 3h 4m total length

Introduction1:53

The Normally Open (NO) Contact (IF A, Then X)7:51
The Normally Closed (NC) Contact (IF NOT(A), Then X)3:15
Combining Contacts: The AND Instruction (IF (A AND B), Then X)6:21
Apply the and instruction in ladder logic by placing A and B in series to drive output X, making X true only when both A and B are true. Use the factory example to show how the door closed condition and the start button being pressed must both be true for the start signal, illustrated with a truth table and the use of normally open contacts in series.
Combining Contacts: The OR Instruction (IF (A OR B), Then X)4:39
A Note on Multiple Outputs3:00
Exercise 1: Three Input AND Instruction
Exercise 2: Three Input OR Instruction
Solution to Exercise 1: Three Input AND Instruction3:45
Solution to Exercise 2: Three Input OR Instruction3:13
Combining Contacts: The XOR Instruction (IF (A XOR B), Then X)5:23
Solution to Exercise 3: Three Input XOR Instruction6:32
Exercise 3: Three Input XOR Instruction
The Latch Circuit (Basic Motor Start/Stop)6:57

The ON Delay Timer6:38
Explore the on delay timer in ladder logic, creating time delays such as traffic light cycles, driving outputs after a preset time and understanding timer behavior with inputs.
The OFF Delay Timer3:02
Operate the off delay timer to set the output true as soon as the input is true, and keep it true for a ten-second delay after the input goes false.
Exercise 5: An Oscillator
Solution to Exercise 5: An Oscillator8:51

Final Project Introduction1:34
Apply what you learned in ladder logic PLC programming to a traffic light system through exercises six and seven, using a finite state machine and an approach without one.
Exercise 6: A Traffic Light System Using a Finite State Machine
Solution to Exercise 6: A Traffic Light System Using a Finite State Machine10:43
Explore a traffic light system built with a finite state machine that cycles red, green, and orange, counts green cycles to five, triggers maintenance required, and resets on maintenance performed.
Exercise 7: A Traffic Light System WITHOUT Using a Finite State Machine
Solution to Exercise 7: A Traffic Light System W/O Using a Finite State Machine14:17
Demonstrates a ladder logic solution for a traffic light system without a finite state machine, using off-delay timers for red, green, and orange, with a maintenance counter and reset.

Requirements

This is a beginner's course, some basic programming knowledge(In any language) is advantageous, but not required.
You will learn everything you need to know.
You DO NOT need acccess to a development environment to complete this course, all of the exercises can be completed with a pen and paper. Of course, you can also use a Ladder logic development environment should you have access.

Description

New to PLC programming or Ladder Logic? You've found the right starting point.

In this beginner's course, you will learn all of the basics you need to read and write Ladder Logic PLC code. Together, we will take an interactive approach to work through 25 examples and exercises in Ladder Logic code, taking you from Absolute beginner, to competent Ladder programmer.

This course covers everything you need to know to get started with ladder logic programming on any PLC brand, make or model:

We'll cover the fundamentals such as structure, terminology and boolean logic.
We'll work through some basic boolean ladder logic instructions and code examples.
We'll tackle some more advanced instructions such as mathematical operations and counters.
We'll implement timers to allow you to execute precise time controlled code.
We'll take a look at the concept of a Finite State Machine for program flow control.
Along the way, you will get the opportunity to complete coding exercises to reinforce and improve your understanding. Full video solutions and demonstrations for each exercise are provided!
Finally, you'll get the chance to complete a project that incorporates everything you've learned in this course: Writing Ladder Logic Code for a real-world automation application.

Bonus: Get your hands on the Ladder Logic Cheat Sheet! The Cheat Sheet is a quick reference document that covers all of the code examples and solutions to the exercises in this course.

Who this course is for:

Beginners in Ladder Logic Programming
Beginners in PLC Programming
Beginners in Automation and Control Engineering
Electrical Engineers
Electrical Engineering Students
Automation Engineers
Automation Engineering Students
Control System Engineers
Control System Engineering Students

Ladder Logic PLC Programming for Beginners

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 2min

Fundamentals of Ladder Logic5 lectures • 13min

Basic Ladder Logic Instructions10 lectures • 51min

Math & Comparator Instructions5 lectures • 31min

Timer Instructions3 lectures • 19min

Program Flow Control4 lectures • 19min

Counters & One-Shots2 lectures • 15min

Final Project3 lectures • 27min

Tips, Tricks & Things to Avoid1 lecture • 7min

Conclusion2 lectures • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: