Low Cost PLC for Beginners | How to Get Started with Your Own PLC!

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Low-cost PLCs are compact PLCs that are offered by manufacturers for programmers just like you and me; those who need a complete system for skills development and exploration.

Siemens S7-1200 PLC starter kits are available at low cost and come with fully licensed components.

Within a very short time, you can be up and running, creating and testing your own PLC programs using a real PLC used widely throughout the automation industry.

Let’s explore a few Siemens S7-1200 PLC Starter Kits that are available for immediate purchase and quick delivery.

1) Siemens S7-1200 PLC Starter Kit
This starter kit includes an S7-1212C PLC, TIA Portal Basic programming software, an 8-point input I/O simulator, an Ethernet cable, and a hard plastic storage box, called a Systainer.

The S7-1212C is a powerful, small PLC. This PLC model is commonly used in onboard machine applications.

It has built-in I/O, including 2 analog inputs, 8 digital inputs, 4 of which can be high-speed counters, and 6 AC/DC relay outputs.
The S7-1212C boasts 2 megabytes of memory and a Profinet/Ethernet interface port.

This PLC model is equipped to be able to create the programs for every RealPars course example, including:

This model also includes a basic runtime license for OPC UA to assist in the communication of data to and from the PLC to other applications, like data historians.

2) Siemens S7-1200 PLC Starter Kit + KP300 HMI Panel
For those who need a more advanced development starter kit, there are several models that include all of the hardware and software included with the Basic Starter Kit, plus a basic HMI panel.

This version of the starter kit includes a KP300 HMI Panel. This panel has a 3-inch monochrome display with function keys and a Profinet interface.

3) Siemens S7-1200 PLC Starter Kit + KTP400 HMI panel
The next step up starter kit model includes a KTP400 HMI panel which has a 4-inch color touchscreen display and a Profinet interface.

4) Siemens S7-1200 PLC Starter Kit + KTP700 HMI panel
One more step up is a starter kit that includes the KTP700 HMI panel, which has a 7-inch color touchscreen display and a Profinet interface.

5) Siemens S7-1200 Fail-Safe Starter Kit
If you need to gain experience with safety PLCs for hazardous systems control applications, you may want to consider the S7-1200 Fail-Safe Starter Kit.

This starter kit includes an S7-1214 FC CPU, one ProfiSafe digital input module, one ProfiSafe digital output module, and the other items contained in the basic starter kit.

This CPU only has 256 kilobytes of memory, but this is more than adequate for most small safety PLC applications, such as boiler damper control, flammable gas monitoring, and overpressure detection.

6) Siemens S7-1500 PLC Starter Kit
If your intent is to use a starter kit to serve as a testbed for larger process logic development or simulations, you can choose a starter kit with an S7-1500 CPU.

The starter kit shown here comes with an S7-1511T CPU, power supply, SIMATIC memory card, and all of the other items included in the Basic Starter Kit.

7) Siemens S7-1500 PLC Starter Kit + ProDiag
Other available S7-1500 starter kits include the S7-1500 ProDiag module which can be configured to provide machine and process diagnostics through configuration instead of programming. These diagnostics can be shown on operator panels to aid in machine maintenance and troubleshooting.

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#PLC #RealPars #Siemens

[stephenwilson]

So this is where the How Its Made guy went

[burnedupsparkytipsandrevie]

It's a good deal but automation direct's click plc is cheaper and has free programing software no matter the "experience level". y'all make great programing videos

[caffeinatedinsanity]

I learned quite a bit about programming with Arduino at home to be honest. The use of C/C++ should help me if I need to use similar languages such as Strctured Text or Siemen's SCL. Powerful for creating more complex data analyzing functions that ladder would struggle with.

OR I learned to use directly communication interfaces instead of the libraries to communicate with a device, like I did with an AM2320 sensor. But of course if you need to get familiar with Siemen's stuff, their starter kit is ideal.

[robertlacoste]

Automation I have it in about 100 machines. Cutting, indexing, pressing, heating, controlling robots, master to Allen Bradley controllers, monitoring heatolators, chillers, pretty much every brand of VFD, controlling servo drives, and tied to our ERP system. Excellent free tech help from them even though we do things with the product AD says wow to. From click to productivity and C more HMI panels it’s by far the best and least expensive control system. I have lines managed by AD’s productivity that have more then 60 devices with some sort of controller. UR, and Nachi robots, compact logic controlled accessories, Leutze programable Safty relays, multiple heatolators and chillers, motor drives, 6 rfid read and right devices, AB and AD HMi’s. AD as far as I’m concerned has the lowest cost and best control products offered anywhere, and their support blows all others out of the water

[MainlyWebStuff]

Thanks for posting this - the starter kits seem like a nice way to get into PLC programming. What do you recommend for a low voltage system? Subscribed.

[logicmonster]

What is better for realpars courses, Siemens s7-1200 plc starter kit or Phoenix contact starter kit ? And why ?

[umbaafonso]

Hello, I would like to know more about elevator plc program

[Raees_Malik]

Excellent explanation 👌. Very helpful topics and easy to understand

[eliaslehtola]

How is the power supply to Siemens S7-1200? In my EU country we have AC 230V/50Hz with Europlugs or CEE7/4 (or Type F). Do I need to buy separate converter for the PLC?

[arowhead]

if you wanta go full power for cheep you can convert any pc with an intel nic into a backhoff plc

[KrishnaYadav-zmxu]

please explain all instruction of Gx works 3 software

[primozhorvat]

Hello, im really interested into starter kit, but which external analog input extension goes with this hardware? Thank you

[waseemomran]

Hello,
As you mentioned in the first low price skid, it is included 2 analog input.
Do you mean 8 bits accuracy for each?
Thanks

[rajamuhamadsyuwari]

Im thinking about this for awhile! HAHA

[bluediamond]

I used to work for shultz steel in south gate CA, we used the S7 but they also have allen bradly (old ones and new ones) I honestly think siemens is way superior and user friendly, sadly cause of the plandemic they laid off all new people, me included, I would love to continue studies on PLC here in souther CA but cerritos college only offers allen bradley

[davidandrewkaye]

Can this be power to a 230v power supply

[arbjful]

What are the restrictions for the Step 7 software offered in the starter kit?? I want to develop demonstration kit for integrating with a automation device. Is there a RS485 port available in this PLC??

[adewalesolomon]

Please I have a question?
Is there any certificate issue if I take online courses

[caseyrichter]

Hi, all I live in the US and have noticed that this kit is Euro based. I am wondering if the system and programs will run my PC? Thanks in advance.

[TheBeautiGTV]

is the 1BE34 have a life time license???