About PLC - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: abdurresitcan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 03:50:23 pm
content: Hi everyone. I'm student Techical high school. My school has 14 kinds of plc (abb siemens schneider Rockwell mitsubishi lenze wago panasonic delta gmt vipa panasonic phoenixcontact omron backhoff)What is differences PLC brands?Which plc best to start learn?

author: Arznei
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 04:06:06 pm
content: The difference between the brands is probably the same as it is with any other product (like car brands, oscilloscope brands etc.). They offer the same basic functionality with their own taste i would guess.From my experience the Siemens SPS are the most common in the industrial world. That could be influenced by the fact that I am living in germany though. I would suggest to just start with one or two to learn the basics and then you can compare different brands for yourself. I don't think it makes a lot of sense to compare all 14 vendors here.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 04:30:50 pm
content: The first 5 on the list represent the big players. Pick one.. I would choose from ABB or Siemens.Most of the PLCs will be programmed using the concept of ladder diagrams and it is probably best to know what those look like before even beginning to program a PLC. I see there are now 'builders' (software) that try to abstract the design. I'm not too sure what to think about that. I like ladder diagrams...In the US, Allen Bradley and GE Fanuc are large players. I have used quite a bit of GE Fanuc but I have always been a fan of Allen Bradley products.

author: perieanuo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 05:52:33 pm
content: Siemens omron lenze fanuc I saw those in industry more oftenEnvoyé de mon iPad en utilisant Tapatalk

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 09:55:11 pm
content: Forget the big boys...unless you intend to do that for living.Go the cheap way, visithttp://cq.cx/ladder.plDownload latest version of LDmicro ( Ladder Diagram for microcontroller ) programing software for an ATmega or a pic or even an ARM based micro and get to understand some basics... cheaply

author: The_Welding_Library_Guy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 10:21:16 pm
content: At the college I work at we have Allen Bradley PLCs. At least locally that is what the big manufacturers use. So that is what we teach on. If you are planing on going into industry might be best to learn the puddle around a few of the big names. If your just interested in hobby stuff and want to add ladder logic to your shop. Might want to look into ladder logic on an arduino. I have a couple unos with soapbox flashed on to them. I prefer digital controls in my shop. On and off just make a lot more sense to me then setting and reading ranges. So ladder logic is an easy way to program some of my projects and its a heck of alot easier to troubleshoot

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 05, 2019, 10:53:08 pm
content: Having worked with many PLCs over many years, and even having to make my own, I can pass on my recommendations - in order -1/ Check with the Industry you are working in. Often, they have a preferred/common brand/system. It saves a lot of hassle when you are with a brand thatyour Industry is already familiar with. I often "borrow" expensive development tools, as some brands can be a huge rip-off.2/ Determine the number of I/O you are expecting. Including opto in, relay out, analogue in/out, timers etc etc. Some brands charge a fortune for every typeof module, and you end up with several, just to do simple jobs.3/ Price can vary a LOT. I often use OMRON, as they are quite cheap, have simple ladder programming (with FREE versions), and a good selection of modules.Price is also important with the programming kits / software. Some rip you off good, for bloated over-done software / Interface cabling.4/ Availability. If you have a very good local supplier / support company, it can make a huge difference.Hope this helps

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2019, 11:53:31 pm
content: Siemens, rockwell (Allen-Bradley) these two are the big players in EU and US.For US the ladder logic is the de facto standard.EU the preferred language differentiates, but the most common ones are FBD (=Function block diagram), ST(=Structured text), IL(=instruction list). Only for some budget soap box you will use Ladder. Building automation might be more inclined to ladder though.I would say go for Siemens, Rockwell and Beckhoff. Siemens have own IDE (TIA or Simatic manager), so do Rockwell (Studio something with RX linx for comm) and Beckhoff iirc did use this CodeSys which is well "interesting" environment.All of these do follow IEC6113 languages and those 5 you should be familiar at least with FBD and ladder.The PLC HW doesn't matter, they do change many times through ones work life anyway. The ability to produce and interpret the easily maintained program and understanding the physical "feedback" layers (actuators and sensors) is what counts.The best brand to start to learn is the one with best manuals including time diagrams. So most probably Rockwell and Siemens. IIRC the ones using CodeSys have manuals in level of "reference for standard for further explanation of this command".VIPA brand is Siemens copies.Note also that the programming features might have major differences between different CPUs inside one brand.In the end the PLC is only tiny part of the whole skill and knowledge spectrum in the field of (prefix)-automation. I wish you luck to your studies.

author: lypse
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2019, 08:50:52 am
content: Start with whatever your teacher or fellow students is most familiar with, that will get you most success in the beginning.After that, when you have tried a few projects, switch brands and programming language a few times..I think you will better served with basic knowledge in different areas, unless you already know what Brand and program language you will work with in your career.So either, stay basic, but try more brands and programs. Or if you are dead certain you want to specialize.. pick the poison you will be drinking later