Industrial Automation, PLC, VFD, and Troubleshooting
In the previous articles, we built an I/O architecture using:
Direct physical I/O
Alias Tags
Individual mapped tags
XIC/XIO and OTE
MOV
COP
CPS
These methods allow us to separate physical hardware from application logic.
But as the machine …
Read MoreWhen working with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix or CompactLogix systems, one of the first architectural decisions a programmer eventually faces is how to handle physical I/O inside the PLC program.
At the beginning, …
Read MoreWhat Is a PLC?
A PLC, or Programmable Logic Controller, is an industrial computer used to control machines, equipment, and automated processes.
In simple words, a PLC reads signals from field devices, …
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 MoreTimers are one of the most common instructions used in PLC programming.
A timer allows the PLC to use time as part of the control logic.
In simple words:
A PLC timer waits …
Read MoreWhy a Motor Starter Can Be Commanded but the Motor Still Does Not Run
When troubleshooting electrical control panels, one of the most important concepts a technician must understand is the …
Read MoreHow to Diagnose PLC-Controlled Circuits Without Guessing
PLC troubleshooting is one of the most important skills for an automation or maintenance technician. In modern industrial panels, the PLC is often the …
Read MoreIntroduction
A Variable Frequency Drive, commonly called a VFD, is one of the most important devices used in modern industrial motor control. If you work around pumps, fans, conveyors, mixers, blowers, …
Read MoreIndustrial automation can feel overwhelming at first.
One day you are troubleshooting a motor starter. The next day you are looking at a PLC program, checking a sensor, connecting to an …
Read MoreA 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 …
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