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The Forum is presented by one of Canada's leading experts in design, installation, operation, and troubleshooting techniques for PLC control and data acquisition systems.

The program focuses on the design and integration of PLC control systems into plant machinery and processes. As PLC's are electronic devices and subject to known failure modes, specific techniques and practices must be observed to ensure that equipment downtime and damage is minimized. It is also critical that workers are adequately protected from injury or death.

As well as bringing this vital information to managers, supervisors, engineers, operators, and technicians, the Forum offers an excellent opportunity for delegates to ask specific questions and exchange ideas relating to their own applications and processes.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

Everyone has an important role in the Safety and Reliability of PLC Control Systems. Bringing a knowledgeable team together to create and integrate the PLC Control System will have immeasurable benefits that positively impact safety, reliability, implementation costs, production quotas, and operating costs.

The Forum focuses on the following team members who will have the greatest impact:

• Engineering and Design Staff
• Maintenance and Technical Services
• Process and Machine Operators
• Engineering Managers
• Process Managers
• Electrical Contractors
• Machine Fabricators and Rebuilders
• Safety Managers

Your facility must operate reliably to maximize production and minimize costs. The safety of the worker and our environment is now receiving the attention they deserve. You cannot afford to put a machine or process into operation without exercising the due diligence to ensure that these concerns are addressed.

PLC's have been around for over 20 years. The safety and reliability issues with PLC Control Systems are well known. The techniques to address these issues are not.

PLC training programs offered by the manufacturers are very good but they are specific to their hardware and software. They generally lack the hard, on-the-floor information you need to effectively integrate the PLC into your machine or process.

Whether you are designing, building, operating, or maintaining a PLC Control System, it is critical to be adequately trained to perform your duties.

This Forum will deliver what you need to cover all the bases.

Morning Session Introduction

This section will begin with a discussion of basic PLC theory of operation and how it is used to control a process. It will also identify potential applications and relate how PLC control compares with traditional methods of control. A discussion of the benefits of PLC control will follow.

PLC Hardware Configuration

This section will describe the hardware components used in the formulation of a PLC control system. Included will be methods to select the correct features and capabilities to match the process requirements.

• CPU sizes and types
• Backplanes
• Power supplies
• I/O module types

Installation and Wiring Considerations

There are necessary steps that must be taken to ensure that the PLC control system will be correctly installed to provide safe and reliable operation. Installation recommendations and techniques will be shown for the following:

• Power and grounding
• Enclosures
• Input devices and wiring methods
• Output devices and wiring methods

Afternoon Session

Safety Issues and Techniques

This section will define the major safety issues relating to PLC control systems. A number of techniques will be discussed to address these issues including:

• Solid state switching
• E-Stops
• Power-up delays
• Equipment re-starting
• Watchdog circuits
• MCR circuits

Integration of Safety Components

This section will deal with various types of safety components that can be interfaced with PLC systems and how they should be integrated to achieve optimum protection.

• Safety interlocks
• Two-hand control
• Light curtains

PLC Numbering Systems

PLC control system hardware and software use alternate numbering systems. The delegate will be exposed to the different base systems and how to convert to and from the decimal format.

PLC Programming I

The delegates will be instructed in the commands and logic necessary to assemble a basic PLC program to control an industrial process. The delegate will perform a simple programming exercise.

Structured Programming

The concept of structured and block programming will be explained. Methods and techniques will be described that can be used to organize and standardize PLC programs so that they are easily understood.

Interactive Discussion

This will be an opportunity for delegates to interact and trade relevant stories and experiences.

Day 2:

Morning Session

Programming Software

Various types of programming software will be introduced to the delegates. Techniques for simple PLC program development and downloading will be demonstrated. Topics will include:

• Program functions
• Program keying and development
• Connecting to the PLC
• PLC Set-up
• Program downloading
• Monitoring and diagnostics

PLC hardware will be available so that the delegate can get some "hands on" experience programming and downloading.

PLC Programming II

The delegates will be instructed in the commands and logic necessary to assemble an intermediate level PLC program to control an industrial process. The operation and advantages of sequencers and PID loops will be demonstrated.

Documentation Strategies

The various types of documentation required for effective installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting will be reviewed.

Afternoon Session

Commissioning

This section will discuss the methods used and preparation that should be made to guarantee a smooth and trouble-free system start-up.

PLC Troubleshooting

The necessary tools and techniques required to perform this will be covered. The use of programming software to monitor and diagnose process and hardware problems will be demonstrated.

Operator Interfaces

The various types of operator interfaces will be discussed and how they can be used to enhance the control and diagnostic abilities of the PLC.

Data Acquisition

Methods of collecting and storing process data using the PLC and peripheral computer stations will be described. Advanced data representation, graphics, and calculations using the computer to enhance the adaptive control capability of the PLC based system will also be covered.

PLC vs. PC Control

Two control philosophies are emerging as the favoured choices for industrial control systems. PLC and PC based systems each have their relative merits and disadvantages. These will be highlighted and examples given where each is the preferred choice.

Safety PLC's

One of the most recent developments in safe systems design is the Safety PLC. This section will describe how it works, how secure it is, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of system.

Questions and Answers

David Windley, P.Eng., C.I.M.,
WINTEK Engineering Ltd
David is a professional electrical engineer with an extensive background in power distribution, industrial motor controls, and process instrumentation. A graduate of Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, he has held progressive engineering and management positions in the petrochemical, utility, manufacturing, and engineering sectors.

Having been involved with PLC Control Systems since the early 80's, David has developed a great understanding of these systems and how they relate to industrial applications and processes. He also has wide experience in other areas such as power distribution, machine safety, grounding, power quality, drives, and motor control. This experience has allowed him to consider all facets of the process ensuring cost-effective, practical designs that work and carry a high degree of reliability, safety, and maintainability.

Having performed many machine safety audits, David has hands-on experience in machine safeguarding and interlocking techniques to address the increased safety requirements for machinery and processes. This usually involves control modifications and safety device integration involving PLC's or other electronic devices.

David is the President of WINTEK Engineering Limited, a full service electrical engineering firm specializing in the design and analysis of Power Distribution and Industrial Control Systems.

He is a registered professional engineer in PEO and APEGNB, and is a member of IEEE, the Instrument Society of America, and the Canadian Institute of Management.

When and Where

May 30-31,2005 Toronto, ON
Park Plaza Hotel (Airport)

June 6-7,2005 Vancouver, BC
Executive Airport Plaza Hotel

June 8-9,2005 Edmonton, AB
The Coast Terrace Inn

June 13-14,2005 Saskatoon, SK
Saskatoon Inn

June 15-16,2005 Winnipeg, MB
Victoria Inn

A special bedroom rate (noncommissionable) has been arranged at each hotel. Inform the hotel that you are a forum delegate when making reservations to receive this rate.

Registration Procedure

Mail:
Canadian Electricity Forum
15 Harwood Avenue South, Suite 204
Ajax, ON L1S 2B9

Phone:
Call our Registration Department at 905-686-1040

Fax:
Fax your completed form to Registration Services at (905) 686-1078

On-line:
www.electricityforum.com/forums/reg.htm

A letter of confirmation will be sent to you once the registration form is processed.

Air Flight Information

We have appointed Air Canada as the official airline of our 2005 forums. Simply contact Air Canada’s North America toll free number at 1-800-361-7585 or local number 514-393-9494 or your travel agent and take advantage of Special Discounted Airfares. Our convention number is CV053569.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Registration fees are refundable only upon receipt of written notification 10 days prior to the conference date, less a 10 per cent service charge. Substitution of participants is permissible.

The Canadian Electricity Forum reserves the right to cancel any conference it deems necessary and will, in such event, make a full refund of the registration fees.

About the Canadian Electricity Forum
With headquarters in Ajax, Ontario, The Canadian 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 15,000 delegates from leading companies across Canada have attended our forums and courses, including: