Basic PLC Ladder Diagram Programming
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ScribdTranslationsBasic PLC Ladder Diagram Programming
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4 BASIC PLC PROGRAMMING
Ladder diagram
The ladder diagram or ladder logic is a program widely used to program PLCs or
programmable logic controllers. The ladder diagram was one of the first languages used
to program PLCs due to their similarity to relay diagrams that technicians already
they knew.
Este lenguaje permite representar gráficamente el circuito de control de un proceso, con ayuda de
symbols for normally closed contacts (N.C.) and normally open contacts (N.A.), relays,
timers, counters, shift registers, etc.. Each of these symbols
represents a logical variable whose state can be true or false.
The rules for building these diagrams are:
a).- Two vertical lines are used, representing the points of potential difference. These
vertical lines connect with horizontal lines on which the symbolism is drawn that
corresponds to the devices used.
b).- The elements corresponding to the same device have the same abbreviation.
Relay Logic Principles:
The following figure shows an electromagnetic relay and its main parts that make it up.
they form; when energizing the coil, the mobile core is attracted by the magnetic field, closing its
Normally Open Contact (NA); it may also contain Normally Closed contacts.
(N.C), which open when the coil is energized.
The symbolic representation of its parts is:
Functions that relay agents can perform
A) Combinational
A combinational function consists of a set of contacts in series and/or in parallel,
whose outcomes at all times are directly determined by the combination of the
input signals, without taking into account the previous combinations.
B) Funciones de Secuencia
Sequential logic consists of memory elements to form a trajectory.
Feedback. Memory elements are devices with the ability to store
information, which defines at any moment the state of the sequential circuit. The circuit
sequential in addition to receiving external input signals, has as an additional signal the signal
of the current state, which determine the next state. Therefore, a sequential logic
It is assigned by a sequence of input times, outputs, and internal states.
Basic Memory Cell
The basic memory cell is shown in the following figure, in which there are switches.
normally open (N.A) in series, when both are activated, the coil called R is energized, and
It is then that its Normally Open contact (N.O), also called R, is activated. Upon opening the
switch A does not de-energize the coil, as there is still current flowing through the
contact R and B, with the action memorized. When switch B is opened, it opens,
then the current flow is cut off, de-energizing coil R and thus erasing the
memory of the action.
EXAMPLE 1:
Starting and Stopping a Three-Phase Motor
Interpretation of the diagram Example 1
When the normally open momentary button (B.A) is pressed, a circuit is closed that powers the
coil M, in turn, closes the contacts M, which establishes in the control diagram
a bridge called 'Enclave' on the momentary button, so that when it is released
button maintains the connection.
In the Force diagram, the instantaneous contacts M close, and the motor starts and remains.
in operation while M is energized.
If for some reason the motor overloads, the overload relay (OL) activates.
disconnected one end of the coil M and thus turning off the motor.
To turn off the engine normally, you need to press the momentary button.
closed (B.P), when opened it de-energizes M and therefore the motor turns off.
EXAMPLE 2:
Sequence of piece displacement on conveyor belt
It is desired to create the ladder diagram so that the mobile load has the following routine: To
press the start button moves to the Right until the end of the stroke (S2),
Immediately return to the start (S1), and then stop. It must have a stop button.
to stop the sequence if necessary.
Note: The sequence should only begin if the load is in its starting position (S1).
Interpretation of the diagram Example 2
When pressing the normally open momentary button (B_A) and being in position S1, it is energized.
the output coil 'DER', latching so that when the button is released, it remains energized.
When moving to the right and reaching the far right, the sensor S2 is activated, then it
De-energize the output 'DER', since the N.C contact of S2 opens and stops the current from flowing to it.
coil.
And then the N.A contact of the sensor S2 also closes, allowing current to flow and energizing the
the output coil 'LEFT' moving to the left. It turns off when reaching the initial position
from S1, since the N.C contact of S1 is activated and opens, interrupting the flow to that coil.
Rules for Creating Ladder Diagrams:
1.- No conditions are allowed between steps.
2.- The devices to be controlled must be on the right side of the diagram.
There must be at least one device per step.
4.- There must be at least one contact to the left of the device.
5.- The only valid combinations are series and parallel.
6.- Logical operations should only be performed on contacts
7.- Relay coils in series are not allowed
Note: The nomenclature of the Inputs, outputs and internal memories or marks, depends on the
PLC brand that is being used. As well as the functions and types of arithmetic operations,
Timers, counters, etc.