PLC- Features, Application, Working and Career Scope
WHAT IS PLC
PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller used to control different electro-mechanical processes for use in manufacturing, plants, or another automation environment. The PLC system can efficiently work with a variety of communication protocols like data analysis, signal processing, rendering, and conversions. It is an example of a hard real-time system. They vary in size and form factors and are easy to operate. They are fast and can be programmed in several ways, from ladder logic to specially adapted programming languages. PLCs were first developed in the automobile manufacturing industry to provide flexible, rugged, and easily programmable controllers to replace hard-wired relay logic systems.
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COMPONENTS
- PROCESSOR –Processor which is also called the CPU which means central processing unit. It is the most important component of a PLC.
- RACK/MOUNTING – Rack is used to assemble different components of a PLC at a one place. The racks of a PLC are also called housing as it provides space for different components of a PLC.
- INPUT ASSEMBLY – Input assembly is used to transmit the input signals from processor of the PLC to the controller of the PLC.
- OUTPUT ASSEMBLY – Output assembly is used to transmit the executed data from the PLC to the outside world.
- PROGRAMMING DEVICE /UNIT – The programming device of unit is the device which is used to program a PLC.
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ADVANTAGES
- It has a lower cost associated with it
- PLC software has good capabilities and flexibility for programming.
- It has low maintenance
- Troubleshooting is easier and faster
- It has small physical size
- A wide range of control application
- It reduce space
- It can sustain robust environment
- It performs the operation in a simple to complex control system
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APPLICATIONS
- Travel industry – It has been used to monitor the safety control system and to operate lifts and escalators.
- Glass Industry – They are used largely to control the material ratio
- Paper Industry – It controls the machine that produce paper at high speed
- Cement Industry – PLCs check the right quality and quantities of raw materials
- Packing and labelling system in and beverage
- Temperature controllers or Humidity by using the Sensors input to the PLC system
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WHY PLC IS IMPORTANT
Companies using PLCs are –
- Siemens
- Rockwell Automation
- Mitsubishi Electric
- ABB
- Honeywell
- Omron
The average salary of an employee who knows PLC Programming is ₹19.2 lakhs.
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CONCLUSION
PLCs are continuously growing and evolving to be the best option for a variety of industrial automation applications. Future of this in industrial automation has been rising. They are very popular because of their precision. They are used in various places and many of the previous automation processes have been upgraded
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