PLC Training Program - Advanced is designed to instruct electrical control professionals on how to successfully integrate a PLC into actual day-to-day industial electrical processes. It not only deals with the hardware and software, but all the surrounding systems that must be compatible to achieve a safe and reliable control system.

The Forum is generic in nature and applies to all types and manufacturers.

PLC Training is also designed to help delegates keep abreast of the latest PLC technologies and techniques available in this area, this tutorial offers an excellent opportunity for delegates to ask specific questions and exchange ideas relating to their own applications.

This course is intended for the experienced user and will give them greater knowledge of enhanced PLC functionality. The Programmable Logic Controller has evolved over the years and this course will provide the information required to make knowledgeable decisions about PLC applications in their individual manufacturing environments and allow for students to make well-informed decisions about existing control applications and to determine what is required for future applications. This plc training course will also allow students to determine if plant personnel are prepared to meet the new challenges of the ever-changing plant manufacturing environment or if personnel require additional training to meet these challenges.

About Your Instructor
Ron Dover has been in the controls engineering business for more than 30 years. Over the years, he has seen the PLC grow from a simple relay and timer replacement device to the very sophisticated manufacturing control solution that exists today. He has installed quite a few of the PLC’s that are available in today’s marketplace and some that no longer exist. Ron spent several years with Modicon as both a technical instructor and as an applications engineer. He eventually went to work for Allen Bradley as a technical instructor during the early years of the PLC5 though the Pyramid Integrator phase. He formed his own company, RMD Associates, 10 years ago as an automation solutions provider. Ron provides not only controls engineering and system integration but also training to both plant engineers and maintenance personnel. He says: "I enjoy a challenging project but I get the most satisfaction in passing on to younger engineers and maintenance personnel the benefit of my experience."

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• PLC Engineering and design control personnel
• Electrical maintenance and technical services personnel
• Electrical engineering and design personnel
• Process and operations personnel
• Technical and process managers
• Electrical consulting engineers
• Electrical contractors

Day 1:

Introduction
This course is intended for users with advance knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers and how PLC’s function. Advancements in PLC technology and functionality, programming, networking and communications as well limitations and application considerations will be discussed.

Overview of Course and Review

• A preview of what is to be covered
• To determine where the users are today.

Hardware Advancements
Hardware technology has physically shrunk in size but grown in capabilities. The informed users will understand the technology and allow them to minimize user logic by eliminating I/O configuration and scaling logic that is often required by the manufacturer.

• Size and Capabilities

New Functionality of PLCs
PLC’s have evolved over the years from simple relay replacement devices to devices that have powerful processing capabilities. The user instruction set evolved along with the PLC, giving the informed user the ability to maximize the processing power of the PLC. This will allow the users to enhance their manufacturing process by understanding and applying the enhanced capabilities of the PLC from simple relay ladder logic to advanced motion and process control technology.

• Logic

Enhanced Instruction Set
The enhanced instruction set gives the users greater flexibility monitoring their system, setting system values, greater math capabilities, more power data manipulation and retrieval, equipment monitoring, motion control, ASCII comparisons and conversions and debug capabilities.

• Enhanced Instruction Set (New Enhancements to current instructions)
• I/O Instructions
• Compute and Math Instructions
• Move and Logical
• File/ Miscellaneous
• Equipment Phase Instructions
• Program Control Instructions
• For/Break Instructions
• Motion Instructions and Sercos
• ASCII Instructions
• Debug Instructions

Function Block Programming
Function block programming gives the user enhanced process control capabilities and control by utilizing the enhanced PID function block instruction and associated block instructions to maximize control of their process. Function block programming programming also gives the user the ability to use logic in a Boolean form, to scale and totalize without complex math calculations used in relay logic.

• Uses and limitations
• Drive Controls
• Process and Batch Control
• Filtering
• Statistics and Averaging

Structured Text Programming
Structured text programming allows the user to program in a simple text format and uses the same instruction set, with some exceptions, as relay the relay logic instruction and the function block instruction set. This allows for straight forward programming without the need for annotation of relay ladder logic or function block programming.

• Uses and Limitations
• Instruction Usage
• Future Attractions
• What’s next in programming?

Day 2:

Communications and Connectivity
Communications is an ever changing technology and the PLC communication methods have changed along with the technology of today’s world. There are many communications platforms, or protocols available in today’s manufacturing world and the informed user will be able to interface from one platform to the other as seamlessly as possible and allow data acquisition from as many points as required by their process or facility.

• Networking
• Modbus, Data Hiway and Profibus
• Ethernet Connectivity and Pitfalls
• Ethernet
• Adapting Current Systems to the Ethernet

Intelligent Sensors and Third Party Vendors
In today’s manufacturing market place intelligent sensors and vision are having a larger influence on the plant floor environments. The HART protocol is the industry standard and the user will learn the techniques required to interface the PLC to HART protocol products as well as vision products.

• HART
• Vision Systems

PLC and HMI and SCADA Compatibility
Most of today’s PLC systems have a human interface product attached to them, either for operator use or for both operator use and data acquisition. Both will be discussed in this section and a comparison of various software platforms and driver capabilities will be examined giving the use valuable information which will allow the user to make a well informed decision when selecting a HMI or SCADA product to best fit their application.

• Software Computability
• Networking and Communications

Open Discussion of Applications

About The Electricity Forum
With headquarters in Pickering, Ontario, Canada and Geneva New York, USA, The Electricity Forum is dedicated to providing cost-effective, highly specialized education and learning through industry-wide forums, electrical training courses, Electricity Today magazine, and a comprehensive website at www.electricityforum.com. Since 1986, more than 25,000 delegates from leading companies across North America have attended our forums and training courses.