PLC programming basics: How to learn programming in a short time?
PLC: Programmable Logic Controller. Essentially, it's a computer specifically designed for industrial control. Its hardware structure is basically the same as a microcomputer, and its basic components are shown in the diagram below. Industrial production and technological development are inseparable from PLC automation control. As an electrician, to avoid being left behind by the times, one must continuously improve oneself, invest in oneself, and learn about PLCs.
Whether an electrician knows PLC or not directly affects their salary. Technical skills are your most shining business card, and many companies now require electricians to know PLC.
So how should an electrician get started learning PLC? I'm a career planner in the automation industry. Here's a brief summary for beginners, which I hope will be helpful.
1. Choose the type of learning
The mainstream PLC manufacturers in the market include Mitsubishi, Siemens, and Omron, among others. I recommend starting with Mitsubishi. If you understand Mitsubishi and Siemens, you'll be well-off and won't have to worry about finding a job.
2. Learning from the basics
To learn PLC, you must start with the basics. The basics of PLC include electrical engineering (DC, AC, switches, buttons, relays, and other components), computer basics (basic computer principles, binary, hexadecimal, bytes, words, and other common knowledge), as well as mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
Only by mastering the basics can you learn the rest, just like building a house, you must first lay the foundation.
3. Understand electrical schematic diagrams
Circuit diagrams are the foundation of development. Since PLCs can replace relays and contactors for control, it is essential to know the corresponding basic circuit principles!
4. Understand the basic structure of a PLC
Learning PLC circuit diagrams is fundamental to development. Since PLCs can replace relays and contactors for control, it's essential to understand the basic circuit principles. At a minimum, you need to know what a PLC is, its main components, the role of each part, and have a basic understanding of the PLC scanning process, operating principles, and working states.
5. Master the basic trapezoidal diagram.
Ladder diagrams are a type of PLC programming. To understand the basics of ladder diagrams, you can start with the simplest basic circuits and gradually practice converting simple circuit diagrams into PLC ladder diagrams. Mastering ladder diagrams is essential!
6. Learn basic programming languages, explanation
Programming languages and logic instructions are logic languages that PLCs can recognize, just like people. Therefore, we must understand the basic logic language of PLCs, because logic instructions or logic languages are all things that PLCs can understand. Basic programming instructions include LD, LDI, and so on.
Programming languages and logic instructions are also a way of programming PLCs, and are considered the most basic elements of PLC programming.
7. Practice more and read more materials. That's all for today's sharing. PLC knowledge is a relatively large system that integrates knowledge from many disciplines, so there are still many knowledge points to learn and master.
