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Programmable Logic Controllers
Rating: 4.1 out of 5(75 ratings)
6,523 students

Programmable Logic Controllers

Learn PLC Programming & Automation: Introduction to Industrial Control Systems
Last updated 6/2025
English
English [Auto],

What you'll learn

  • Understand PLC hardware, architecture, and communication for industrial automation with real-world applications and case studies.
  • Develop ladder logic programming skills to design and troubleshoot automated control systems using industry-standard software tools.
  • Work with input/output modules, timers, counters, and logic operations to build and test functional PLC-based automation processes.
  • Apply fundamental troubleshooting techniques to diagnose and resolve common PLC issues in industrial and manufacturing settings.

Course content

4 sections33 lectures4h 48m total length
  • 1.1. What is PLC?2:33

    Operate industrial control with programmable logic controllers, a mini industrial computer that reads sensor inputs, stores programs, and drives outputs to motors, pumps, or indicators in hot or cold conditions.

  • 1.2. How Does a PLC Work4:17

    Understand how a PLC works as the central processing unit reads inputs, executes ladder logic, and updates outputs through input and output modules in a scan cycle.

  • 1.3. Digital Input & Output Types5:08

    Learn about digital input and output types: sourcing vs sinking, with source and sink connections to a PLC, load, and power supply; understand NPN/PNP styles and current flow directions.

  • 1.4. Types of Digital Input & Output8:00

    Explore digital inputs and outputs in plc systems with isolation via optocouplers, separating power and logic sections. Learn how LEDs and phototransistors transmit signals and how triacs drive loads.

  • 1.5. Analog Input & Output Types6:27

    Explain voltage type and current type analog inputs for PLCs, including A/D conversion to codes (BCD or hex), 0–5 V and 4–20 mA ranges, and parallel circuit principles.

  • 1.6. Analog To Digital & Digital To Analog5:45

    Learn how analog signals convert to digital via A/D conversion and how digital signals become analog through a DAC, with PLC inputs and outputs and filtering.

  • 1.7. Communication Interface Module4:18

    Learn how a programming interface enables data transfer between a PC engineering station and a programmable logic controller using USB, RS232/RS485, and industrial ethernet/ip, including PLC-to-PLC and HMI communications.

  • 1.8. About PLC Programming2:54

    Explore PLC programming using graphical representations for easy logic design, without extensive programming knowledge. Identify two main styles: graphical and textual, and the ladder, functional block, and sequence chart methods.

  • 1.9. Ladder Logic & Function Block Diagram3:39

    Explore ladder logic and relay logic in programmable logic controllers, learn how function blocks connect inputs and outputs, and compare signals with cascaded, parallel block configurations.

  • 1.10. Converting Hardwired Systems To PLC Control3:43

    Convert a hardwired motor control to a PLC by mapping a DC switch and motor to a ladder diagram, using power rails and rungs to connect inputs to outputs.

  • 1.11. Working of Ladder Logic3:09

    Understand how ladder logic scans rungs from left to right, evaluating input conditions and driving outputs. Learn how scan time, often around 150 milliseconds, affects PLC performance and program efficiency.

  • 1.12. Basic Symbols5:15

    Explore basic ladder symbols for plc control, including semigraphics and full graphics flow, power rails, left-right input/output connections, normally open/closed switches, and coil symbols.

  • 1.13. Logic Gates6:58

    Convert a hardwired circuit into logic using two inputs A and B to determine the output, then translate it into ladder logic and truth tables.

Requirements

  • Basic understanding of electrical circuits and logic principles is helpful but not required.
  • Familiarity with industrial automation concepts is a plus but not mandatory.
  • Access to a computer with internet to practice programming exercises using simulation tools.
  • Willingness to learn and apply PLC programming in real-world automation scenarios.

Description

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are a crucial part of industrial automation, widely used in manufacturing, process control, and automated systems. This course provides a structured introduction to PLCs, focusing on fundamental concepts, programming techniques, and real-world applications.

Designed for beginners and those looking to build a strong foundation, the course covers essential topics such as PLC hardware components, ladder logic programming, input/output operations, and troubleshooting basics. It introduces key principles of automation and control systems, offering a clear understanding of how PLCs function in industrial settings.

Through detailed explanations and guided exercises, learners will explore the structure of PLC programs and how different logic elements interact within an automation process. Common industry-standard programming methods will be discussed, helping students grasp the logic behind automation workflows. The course also covers how PLCs communicate with other devices and how they contribute to improving efficiency in industrial operations.

By the end of this course, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of PLC fundamentals and their role in automation. Whether you are a student, technician, or engineering professional, this course provides valuable insights into industrial control systems.

No prior experience with PLCs is required. However, a basic understanding of electrical circuits and logic principles can be beneficial for easier comprehension.

Who this course is for:

  • Engineering students, technicians, or professionals seeking foundational PLC knowledge for industrial automation and control systems.