How to Convert a Basic Wiring Diagram to a PLC Program

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In this video, you will learn how to convert a basic wiring diagram to a ladder logic PLC program. This can be a very handy skill to learn, especially if you are converting a machine to PLC control.

Upgrading a machine to PLC control may seem like a daunting task. However, if you take your time and learn the basics, it can be an easily achievable task.

I will walk you through programming a very basic “stop-start” circuit for an electric motor. This should help you get a handle on some of the basics.

First, let’s look at our basic start and stop diagram. I like to start on the left and follow the line. Each line represents a wire that is connected.

L1 is our 120v hot wire. It will run straight to the normally closed Stop button labeled PB1.

From the other terminal on PB1, it runs to a normally open PB2 which is our Start button. From the other terminal on PB2, a wire connects to the A1 terminal on the Motor Starter Coil.

The A2 terminal runs to the normally closed overload auxiliary contact. The next wire runs from the other overload terminal to neutral.

The next line down shows how a motor starter stays energized. One wire needs to be connected to the input terminal of the start push button.

It will run to one terminal of the auxiliary contact set on the motor starter. This ensures power is on the auxiliary contact.

The second terminal of the auxiliary contact is connected to the output side of the start push button.

When the start button is pushed, the circuit is complete and the motor starter will energize. This closes the auxiliary contact and allows the operator to release the start button.

The motor starter will now stay energized until the stop button is pressed and the circuit opens.

Programming software is all different but similar. Most have a toolbox somewhere that you will drag your contacts and coils from.

Just like on the diagram, we start with the stop pushbutton. It will be represented with an examine OFF bit. These look like a normally closed contact.

Drag it to the first ladder rung and the program will place it to the far left. This will be a stop push button.

Next, drag an examine ON bit and drop it to the right of the first bit. This looks like normally open contact and will be the start push button.

And continue to complete your PLC programming logic according to this simple start-stop wiring diagram.

To wrap it up, to program a simple motor start-stop circuit, we need to read the electrical diagram from left to right and open our toolbox on the programming software.

You will be using the most common bits in the examine ON, examine OFF, and output coil or output energize.

Again, the language is sometimes different between manufacturers, but the symbols pretty well look the same.

The bits will represent normally open and normally closed inputs, and a single output. You will also need to use a branch around one bit. This is basically a parallel circuit and OR logic.

The start push button OR the auxiliary contact will energize the circuit.

I hope this video has been helpful in the transition from wiring diagrams to plc programming. This was a very basic program that can run a motor.

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[subhashpattoor]

I have worked on VFD for 8 years as electrical professional. Your video gave clear idea of convertion to PLC-Good

[peterkrasnan]

You are the best education canal on YouTube environment ever. Thank you so much that you have been giving a knowledge about PLC and basic mechanisms of automation industries to people.

[pantuflas_amarillas]

Such a useful video on such a basic, yet essential topic! Thanks so much for explaining it step hy step! :D this kind of vídeos are really helpful for beginners like me

[Stfncosminul]

Thanks! you changed my life in just 4 videos, i hope i can keep up with you

[melquiadesdelgadoramirez]

Very worthful video to those who are starting in PLC programming. The parallel contact to the Start Button is usually called "Seal-In" Contact.

[querrythis]

Perfect training example. Not overwhelming. Thanks.

[mohamedabdulla]

Thank you realpars for educating us. Really a good work. I am regularly watching your videos all are clear and good.

[TT_S]

It's an important video for those who want to learn PLC program. Thank you RealPars.

[zazee]

Thank you, I always really happy to watch your videos to learn PLC, its really helpful

[ahmedmetwally]

Professional videos with super content ( free ) thanks for every second u spent to do this . Thanks Real pars team

[bushramulani]

This was so great. Really great. I enjoyed watching it and understood everything. Thanks

[topten]

Thanks alot for great learning, lord information and good voice for learning English

[wilsonguedes]

Muito obrigado pelo vídeo. Muito
Vou repassar para meus amigos que estão iniciando.

[ankushsehgal]

Your stop puch button is NC type so Input %I0.0 will change the contact to No so you have to place NO contact in first so that NC is normally closed gives the input to %0.0 and the contact will change to NC which allows the circuit to complete .

[faizalummer]

thanks for information with such a nice description

[francisconava]

All your videos are interesting, at least for me. I'm just beginning in this. Greetings from Mexico.

[lazharhajji]

Good explanations and perfect representation thanks

[kawakalypse]

Hello,
nice channel, I think.
But me as an CAE- engineer would place the OL1- Contact right behind L1- potential, so I would be able to take the potential behind OL1 für other Controls as Hand-0-Auto or on site - remote.
;)

[nickhopwood]

Thank you for your videos.

I'm confused about how the Start Button (PB2) causes the other branch (KM) to activate and how having a normally open switch to represent KM makes sense

[mohammadluqman]

Thank you very much, i hope that was a Link for practicing and by in close to perfect learning .