13. Sensor Troubleshooting: When the PLC Does Not See the Input (13 of 41)
One of the most common problems in industrial automation is this:
The sensor detects the target, but the PLC input does not turn ON.
Sometimes the sensor LED is ON.Sometimes the sensor …
Read More14. Sensor Wiring Best Practices for Industrial Automation (14 of 41)
In industrial automation, a sensor can be good, the PLC input card can be good, and the logic can be correct — but the machine can still fail because of …
Read More15. Industrial Instrumentation Basics for Automation Technicians (15 of 41)
Industrial instrumentation is one of the most important areas of automation.
Sensors tell the PLC when something is ON or OFF.
Instrumentation tells the PLC how much, how high, how hot, how …
Read More16. Analog Signals: 4–20 mA, 0–10 VDC, and PLC Scaling (16 of 41)
In industrial automation, not every signal is simply ON or OFF.
Some devices need to send a real measurement to the PLC.
Examples:
Pressure = 72.5 PSITank Level = 63%Temperature = 180°FFlow = …
Read More17. Temperature, Pressure, Level, Flow, and Weight Measurement (17 of 41)
Industrial automation is not only about starting motors, reading sensors, or turning outputs ON and OFF.
Many machines and processes need to measure real physical values.
Examples:
Temperature = 180°FPressure = 72 PSITank …
Read More18. What Is a PLC and How It Controls a Machine (18 of 41)
A PLC, or Programmable Logic Controller, is one of the most important devices in industrial automation.
It is the controller that reads field signals, executes logic, and controls machine outputs.
A PLC …
Read More19. PLC Scan Cycle: Why Order Matters (19 of 41)
A PLC does not execute logic randomly.
It follows a repeated process called the scan cycle.
Understanding the scan cycle is one of the most important steps in learning PLC troubleshooting and …
Read More20. Ladder Logic Basics for Automation Technicians (20 of 41)
Ladder logic is one of the most common programming languages used in industrial automation.
It is used to program PLCs that control machines, conveyors, pumps, valves, motors, packaging equipment, process systems, …
Read More21. Professional PLC Program Structure (21 of 41)
A PLC program should do more than make a machine run.
A professional PLC program should be:
OrganizedReadableTroubleshooting-friendlySafeConsistentExpandableMaintainable
In real industrial environments, machines are modified, maintained, repaired, upgraded, and troubleshot by different technicians …
Read More22. Permissives vs Interlocks (22 of 41)
In industrial automation, two words appear constantly in PLC logic:
PermissiveInterlock
They are related, but they are not exactly the same.
Understanding the difference helps automation technicians troubleshoot faster, read ladder logic better, …
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