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Whether you are new to PLCs or are familiar but in need of a good refresher, this course is the right starting point.

This course will give an essential and fundamental overview of Programmable logic Controllers. It will cover the operation and basic programming of PLCs as well as their troubleshooting and maintenance, programming software, ladder or code design, and functionality. This will be accomplished using the supplied Horner Automation XL4 OCS (Operator Control Station) PLC's which shall be used by each student within the course.

The attendees will be able to work through basic programming and set up for this PLC and understand how the PLC can be applied in simple or complex control applications. In a controlled environment, students will understand and safely connect, program, and operate the PLC to further understand its function as well as associated terminologies, programming instructions, and programming revision control, editing, and simple troubleshooting.

Through the hands-on labs, students will work through the simple programming examples on the OCS and be able to monitor the PLC with the included CScape software.


Next PLC Programming Foundations and Essentials: Onsite Delivery Courses
December 9 – 11, 2024 Edmonton, AB OR24974 $2799.00 + Tax Per Attendee Register
February 24 – 26, 2025 Edmonton, AB OR25100 $2799.00 + Tax Per Attendee Register
View schedule

Course topics

I. What are PLCs?

Objective: Understand the history, architecture, and basic functions of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and gain initial hands-on experience with digital I/O using the XL4 OCS PLC.

II. Digital signals

Objective: Comprehend the concept of digital values, their types, and voltages, and learn how to connect and configure digital I/O in a PLC system, including an introduction to ladder logic for motor control.

III. Analog signals

Objective: Grasp the concept of analog values, the types of analog signals and their connections, and learn to interface analog signals with PLC I/O systems, including scaling and converting these signals to engineering units.

View all topics

I. What are PLCs?

Objective: Understand the history, architecture, and basic functions of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and gain initial hands-on experience with digital I/O using the XL4 OCS PLC.

  • Examples of historic machine control the Jacquard loom, relay control systems
  • The first PLC: Dick Morley, Bedford Associates, Modicon, 1968
  • PLCs vs computers
  • PLC architecture: CPU, I/O, power supply
  • The programming software and the programmer - Networking capabilities
  • Lab: First steps with Digital I/O the XL4 OCS PLC (Horner)

II. Digital signals

Objective: Comprehend the concept of digital values, their types, and voltages, and learn how to connect and configure digital I/O in a PLC system, including an introduction to ladder logic for motor control.

  • What do we mean by digital values?
  • Standard types, voltages
  • Connections to the PLC I/O system
  • Registers associated with inputs, outputs, internal bits
  • Sinking and sourcing I/O - Forcing I/Os - Logic theory
  • Lab: Introduction to Ladder logic, motor start/stop logic

III. Analog signals

Objective: Grasp the concept of analog values, the types of analog signals and their connections, and learn to interface analog signals with PLC I/O systems, including scaling and converting these signals to engineering units.

  • What do we mean by analog values? - Voltage signals
  • Current signals, 0-20 mA, 4-20 mA, 2 or 4-wire connections
  • Other input signals, temperature (RTD, CT), mV signals (load cells)
  • Instrumentation and instruments communications, and specialized networks - Connection to the PLC IO system
  • Registers associated with analog signals - Reading and scaling functions, engineering units
  • Lab: scaling a level signal

IV. Timers and counters

Objective: Learn the structure and application of timers and counters in PLC programming, including creating and configuring various timer and counter functions for automation tasks.

  • Timer and counter structure, registers
  • How do we use timers and counters in a PLC project?
  • Timers (TON, TONR, TOF)
  • Counters (CU, CD)
  • Lab: Creating a pulse signal using 2 timers.

V. Process control

Objective: Understand the principles of process control, including feedback loops and PID control, and learn to select and tune PID parameters for stabilizing processes in both open-loop and closed-loop configurations.

  • Examples of Process control
  • Feedback loops: open-loop, closed-loop
  • A complex instruction: PID (Proportional/Integral/Derivative) control
  • Selection of parameters for the PID instruction
  • Tuning the PID loop in open and closed loop configuration - Autotuning function in the PLC
  • Lab: Stabilizing a flow and level process

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Next PLC Programming Foundations and Essentials: Onsite Delivery Courses

Date City & prov Venue Code
December 9 – 11, 2024 Edmonton , AB Hampton Inn Edmonton/Sherwood Park OR24974 Register
February 24 – 26, 2025 Edmonton , AB Hampton Inn Edmonton/Sherwood Park OR25100 Register
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  • Daniel Chartier

    Years of Experience
    33

    Daniel Chartier travaille comme ingénieur électrique depuis près de 30 ans, et est spécialisé en automatisation et contrôles. Il a travaillé dans des fonderies d'aluminium et les mines, dans l'emballage, les stations de pompage et dans la construction d'usines thermiques (District Cooling) au cours des ans. Il a été responsable du développement de formations de sécurité dans...

    • Steve Carnevale, University of Toronto
      Daniel was very informative as well as keeping the guys engaged in conversations regarding real-life scenarios
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      Daniel presented the topics in a very interesting way and gave interesting real-world examples for the topics at hand.
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      Daniel was an excellent instructor and knew what things to go into more detail about.
    See Daniel Chartier CV
  • Wayne Jeffrey

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    Wayne joined Canada Training Group with over 40 years of knowledge and experience in the Electrical and Instrumentation industry. As a Master Electrician and Journeyman Instrument Mechanic, Wayne offers a unique perspective to training that provides solid theory with practical applications gained through years of work in the industry. Wayne’s oilfield and agriculture experience encompasses maintenance...

    • Todd Bicklmeier, Canfor Pulp
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      Wayne was very knowledgable of the equipment and had great background experience for this course. Wayne also was great at making everyone comfortable, which I believe made for a better learning experience.
    • Jeffrey Farrell, Canfor Pulp
      Wayne was well educated on the course material. He spoke clearly and responded well to student feedback.
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  • Tim Dacey

    Years of Experience
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    Tim brings 42 years of experience in operations at various public and private utility companies starting with SaskPower in the late 70’s where he apprenticed as an electrician earning his Interprovincial Journeyman’s Electrician certification in the early 80’s. He continued to work as a Station Electrician for the next decade prior to moving into natural gas compression and transmission...

    Expertise

    • Dennis Stog, Crown metal packaging
      Tim did very well in spreading his knowledge and making sure everyone understood the topic. Top notch.
    • Mitch Gunter, DND Trenton
      The instructor was very well-spoken. Gave lots of examples from the wide range of experience he has had. He took the time to make sure everyone was on track and understanding what we were doing.
    • David Stojkovic, simpson strong tie
      Tim knows what he's talking about and knows how to share that information.
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