Programmable Logic Controllers: Principles and Applications

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PLCs were initially developed for use in large-scale manufacturing facilities, such as those for the automobile industry, and were intended to make production-line changes easier, faster, and less expensive. Currently, medium and large PLCs are available for large production and manufacturing processes, whereas nano- and micro-PLCs are available for small machines and electrical systems. PLCs are available in fixed or modular form factors. Regardless of the form factor, all PLCs have an input section, output section, power supply, central processing unit (CPU), and some type of programming device. When programming PLCs, technicians use integrated keypads, handheld programmers, human machine interfaces (HMIs), or personal computers (PCs). Typically, PCs are used in all but small-scale applications. When a PLC is in RUN mode, the PLC operating cycle or scan runs continuously and sequentially to perform the machine or system function. The operating cycle compares the status of inputs to the program in the PLC and updates outputs accordingly.


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