LESSON H5P - Programmable Logic Controllers vs Most Other Computing Devices
Basic and complex functions.
The most basic function of a Programmable logic controller (PLC) is to receive inputs from status components, which can be from sensors or switches. Some of the basic components of a PLC are input modules, a central processing unit, output modules, and a programming device. When an input is activated, some output will also be activated by whatever the machine is told to do. Some examples of this are setting a timer to 10ms, activating the timer and once 10ms have passed a siren goes off. Some advantages to using a PLC over other programming devices are the user doesn't have to rewire anything, the PLC has very little downtime in between running different programs, the user can program off-line, and PLC's aren't time constrained. If the user tells the PLC to perform an output in 10ms, it will perform the output in 10ms unlike other programs like LabView which can have a delay in activation
