Programmable Logic Controllers

Today, almost all workplaces, especially industrial and manufacturing workplaces are dealing with trends towards increasing automation. The marine industry is no exception. Marine engineers and other technical personnel need to keep up to date with automation trends and have a good understanding of the automated systems on board in order to remain safe and competitive. Even though MEECE (Management of electrical and Electronic Control Equipment) is now required for all management level marine engineers, MEECE, even with assessments, is not a substitute for advanced technical training.

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are specially designed and hardened computer controllers for use in industrial environments and are seen in a wide variety of applications. But too often PLCs are considered mysterious black boxes into which data from sensors flows and from which signals are sent to output devices. What happens in between? What if an error occurs? Do you know how to troubleshoot the problem? What is the system even designed to really do? Do you know how to interpret the program schematic? Can you interact meaningfully with a professional PLC Service Technician?

Take the next step in understanding automation.

Students in Programmable Logic Controller Fundamentals will become familiar with PLC Hardware and Software, Number Systems, Codes and Logic. The course primarily uses Allen-Bradley hardware and software, others including Siemens and Click PLCs will also be presented.

Lectures will be dedicated to the following subjects:

DC Electricity

Control Circuits

Introduction to Programmable Logic Controllers

Number Systems including Binary, Hexadecimal, Binary Coded Decimal and Gray Code

Basic Boolean Algebra

Computer Memory and PLC Architecture

Ladder Logic Programming

Troubleshooting

However, the bulk of the class time will be spent on computer-based PLC Simulator programming and actually wiring and programming the Final Project, a physical model based on the real-life application of a shipboard Auxiliary Boiler.

Prospective students do not need a background in computing, however basic familiarity with electricity and electronics is desirable.

Although designed with examples from the marine engineering field, anyone with an interest getting started in understanding PLC-based control systems will find this course rewarding.