Industrial Automation, PLC, VFD, and Troubleshooting
An interlock is a condition used to prevent two incompatible or unsafe actions from happening at the same time.
In simple words:
An interlock blocks an action when another condition makes that …
Read MoreIntroduction
Every industrial automation system is built on four fundamental electrical concepts:
Voltage
Current
Resistance
Power
These four concepts explain why a sensor works, why a relay energizes, why a motor turns, and why electrical components …
Read MoreSeal-In Circuits Explained
A seal-in circuit is one of the most important basic patterns in PLC ladder logic and relay logic.
It is commonly used when an operator presses a momentary Start …
Read MoreIndustrial automation depends completely on electricity.
A PLC cannot read a sensor without electrical power. A VFD cannot control a motor without a three-phase supply. A solenoid valve cannot move without …
Read MoreLadder Logic is one of the most common PLC programming languages used in industrial automation.
It was designed to look similar to electrical relay control circuits, which makes it easier for …
Read MoreBefore learning advanced PLC programming, every automation technician must understand the basic logic operations used in ladder logic.
The three most important logic functions are:
AND
OR
NOT
These are the foundation of almost every …
Read MoreTo understand PLC programming, you need to understand how a PLC stores information.
A PLC does not only turn inputs and outputs ON or OFF. It also stores data in memory.
That …
Read MorePLC Addressing: Rack/Slot vs Tag-Based
In a PLC system, every input, output, and internal memory location needs a way to be identified by the controller.
This identification method is called addressing.
In simple …
Read MoreOne of the most confusing topics for many automation technicians is sinking and sourcing.
You may hear people say:
PNP sensorNPN sensorSourcing inputSinking inputCurrent sourcingCurrent sinking
At first, it sounds complicated. But the …
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