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5 Actionable Tips for Getting a PLC Programming Job with NO Experience
In this blog post, you’ll learn about the mindset that helped me getting a PLC programming job with NO experience. This is my personal experience as someone who searched for a job in this field and as an employer who reviews resumes and interviews candidates for a variety of projects. So let’s get started!
What is a Safety PLC?
In this easy-to-follow article, we're going to talk about a very important part of any automated industrial process the Safety PLC.Safety Instrumented System (SIS)A Safety PLC is one of the 3 parts of a Safety Instrumented System (SIS). The SIS can also be referred to...
Interpreting Typical Analog Input Control Loop Diagrams
In this article, we're going to explain how to read analog input control loop diagrams.Industrial control loopsEvery industrial control feedback system has 2 loops: an input control loop and an output control loop.Analog input loopThe analog input loop consists of 2...
How are Remote I/O and Distributed I/O Different?
In this article, we’re going to talk about Remote I/O and Distributed I/O. Depending on who you talk to, some say Remote I/O and Distributed I/O are the same thing and the terms are interchangeable … Not so says others. So, who’s correct? Let’s investigate the history...
DP Closed Vessel Level Measurement Explained
In the first article of this 2-part series, we introduced you to Open Vessel level measurement using a Differential Pressure Transmitter. The second part of our series will take you through the process of predicting differential pressure level transmitter outputs of...
How to Interpret DCS and PLC Symbols on a P&ID
In this article, we’re going to talk about how to correctly interpret PLC and DCS P&ID symbols on a typical instrumentation drawing. Before we get started, you might want to review 2 of our other articles called How to Read a P&ID and What is an HMI?. Alright...
DP Level Measurement Explained
In this first article of a 2-part series, we’re going to introduce you to open vessel DP level measurement using a differential pressure transmitter. The second part of our 2-part series will take you through the process of predicting Differential Pressure Transmitter...
What are 2-wire and 4-wire Transmitter Output Loops?
In this article, we’re going to take a close look at the 2-wire transmitter and 4-wire transmitter and discuss where they are used and why. We’re also going explore transmitter wiring configurations and how transmitters are connected to a PLC. Before we get started,...
How Can We Improve Wireless Radio Modulation?
In this article, we will continue with where we left off discussing wave modulation in Part 1, How does Industrial Wireless Communication work? where we also discussed electromagnetism and how radio waves are transmitted and received. And now that we have a better...
DP Flow Transmitter Testing and Re-Calibration
In the first article of this 2-part series, we showed you how a Differential Pressure Transmitter is used to measure the flow rate. This second part of our series will take you through the process of calibration and checking the output accuracy of a differential...
How to Measure Flow Rate with a DP Transmitter?
In this article, we’re going to introduce you to flow rate measurement using a Differential Pressure Transmitter. Before we get started, you might want to review two of our other videos: 1) Differential Pressure Transmitter Explained 2) What is Sensor Calibration and...
How does Industrial Wireless Communication Work?
Did you know that wireless communication has been used in industrial applications for over 30 years? Yes, and some of the first applications were with the wireless control of Automated Guided Vehicles and Warehouse Cranes. Wireless technologies have become...
How to Configure Excel WRITE Communication to PLC (VBA)
As an automation professional, you may require monitoring, controlling or testing using real-time manufacturing or process plant data from an Excel spreadsheet. This data could be helpful also to your management, research and other department personnel requiring...
What is Remote I/O?
In the industrial control world, we use the term I/O often. So, let’s begin our discussion today with an explanation of I/O. The focus of our discussion will be on Remote I/O, but we’re also going to talk about Local I/O too. In this article, we’re going to: - Explain...
How to Configure Excel READ Communication from PLC (DDE)
Do you require monitoring, controlling or testing, using real-time manufacturing or process plant data from an Excel spreadsheet? This data could be helpful to you as an automation professional, or your management, research and other department personnel requiring...
What is a Functional Design Specification (FDS)?
A Functional Design Specification also is known as FDS is a document that describes how a process or a control system will operate. Functional Design Specification does not contain any highly technical detail. Rather, it describes how the proposed system will operate,...
Top 13 Automation Engineer Interview Questions & Answers (Part 2 of 2)
With this article, we will continue with where our previous article, What are the leading Industrial Automation Job types?, closed with beginning the discussion on Automation Job Interview questions. So now that we have learned about the Automation Job types let's...
SQL Cross Join, Inner Join, and Union Clause (Part 8 of 8)
In this article, What are the SQL Cross Join, Inner Join and Union Clause statement language elements, you will learn about some of the advanced SQL statements and clause commands for CROSS JOIN, INNER JOIN and Union language elements.In the previous article, "What is...
What are the Leading Industrial Automation Job Types? (Part 1 of 2)
Are you looking for an Industrial Automation job? And if so, in which functional area of automation, would you apply and use your talents and knowledge towards?Industrial Automation Job FunctionsThere are many automation job types for sure. And it doesn’t mean if you...
What is the SQL Create Table Clause Statement? (Part 7 of 8)
In this article, What is the SQL Create Table Clause statement language element, you will learn how to create a table in the database, using the Create Table statement. As we mentioned previously, our sample database used in this article series is named realparsmodel....
What is Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) and How is it Used in Automation?
In this article, we will learn about BCD, Binary Coded Decimal, which offers relative ease of conversion between machine-readable and human-readable numerals. As computers evolved from very early transistor-based models to the desktop personal computers using...
What are the SQL Subquery and Exists Clause? (Part 6 of 8)
In the previous article, What are the SQL INNER Join, And, OR, Having and Between Clause statement language elements, we learned about some of the more advanced SQL statements and clauses such as, AND, OR, BETWEEN, INNER JOIN and HAVING. We also learned about the SQL...
What is an Actuator?
Today we’re going to talk about actuators. There’s probably not a day that goes by where you don’t use or encounter an actuator at home, or at work. In this article, we’re going to: - Explain the purpose of an actuator - Discuss the 2 types of actuators - Look at the...
What are SQL Inner Join, And, Or, Having and Between Clause Statement Language Elements? (PART 5 of 8)
In the previous article, What are the SQL Order By Clause and Expression statement language elements?, we learned about the structure of SQL defining the clauses, expressions defining the overall statement. Also, we used the Select statement to retrieve the last names...
How to Read a P&ID?
In many of our RealPars articles, we discuss control system and instrumentation devices in great detail so you can understand exactly how they work. In this article, we will learn how to read a P&ID on a daily basis. P&IDs, or Piping and Instrumentation...
What are the SQL Order by Clause and Expression Statement Language Elements? (PART 4)
In this article, you will learn about some of the more advanced SQL statements and clause commands such as, SQL Order by Clause. You will also learn about SQL expression statement language elements. If you would like to follow along with us and perform these lessons...
What is Profibus-PA and How Does it Differ from Profibus-DP?
After reading this article, you’ll not only be able to explain the Profibus-PA like a pro, you’ll understand exactly how different it is from the Profibus-DP. So, let’s get started.This is a factory. Typically, in a factory, you have two key areas: - There’s the...
What are SQL Where and Like Statements Basics? (PART 3 of 8)
If you are just now joining along with this series of articles, please note that you are going to learn about SQL programming basics. If you would like to follow along with us, please review the RealPars article, How to install MySQL and import a sample database, on...
Differential Pressure Transmitter Explained
In this article, we are going to discuss differential pressure transmitters. Simply put, a differential pressure transmitter is a device that measures two opposing pressures in a pipe or vessel.To understand how a differential pressure transmitter works, we need to...
What are SQL Programming Basics? (PART 2 of 8)
If you would like to follow along with us, please review the RealPars SQL lesson, How to install MySQL and import a sample database, on how to download and setup MySQL database on your computer. The world of data is constantly changing and evolving every second. This...
What is AS-Interface?
The AS-Interface is usually shortened to AS-i, and its full title is Actuator-Sensor Interface. It is a simple networking system for devices found out in the field.AS-Interface is an intelligent cabling system that is designed to replace the discrete wires linking...
How to Install MySQL and Import a Sample Database (PART 1 of 8)
For the subsequent SQL lesson series that we are going to cover, you may want to install MySQL to follow along with the instructor. MySQL is open-source software; this means the software is free to most end-users. MySQL does offer a commercial license for more...
How to Follow an Electrical Panel Wiring Diagram
This article is unlike any of the articles we’ve done before. We’re going to delve into the world of panel drawings! This is an exceptionally useful weapon to have in your armory, as it not only helps you to build panels and understand the inner workings of them, but...
What is the Purpose of the Main Switch?
We’ve already covered some of the important aspects of a control panel, but some might say that what we’re going to cover today is the most important of all. The Main Switch is the one part of a control panel which has a large impact on progressing a project.When we...
What Does an Orange Wire Do in A Control Panel?
In a previous article, we covered the basics of an Electrical Control Panel. Now we’re going to take a closer look at some of the other important components that go towards making up the panel. Now, this article is a little different, as we’re going to look at...
Electrical Control Panel Cooling System (for Beginners)
In this article, we are going to be looking at the electrical panel cooling system. We’re going to cover the type of cooling used, how it functions, and why we use cooling in the first place. In a previous article, we covered the basics of an Electrical Control Panel....
Basics of an Electrical Control Panel (Practical Example)
We get many questions about the basics of electrical control panels, such as what devices and equipment we typically use, how the devices are wired, how to keep the control panel and the cabinet within a normal temperature range and so on. To answer some of these...
NEMA Ratings – The complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
In this article, we are going to learn about NEMA Ratings, and how they are related to IP Ratings. NEMA is an American standard and IP is a European standard. You might have come across one of our earlier articles about IP ratings. If you haven’t, it would be good to...
What is IO-Link and How does it Work?
In this article, we’re going to learn about IO-Link. It is a communications protocol that works point-to-point.IO-Link BasicsIO-Link is a point-to-point communication protocol. A point-to-point connection is a communications connection between two separate endpoints...
PLCnext – Connecting Industrial Automation to the IT World
In this article, we’re going to get an insight into some new PLC technology courtesy of Phoenix Contact. Martin Boers had provided his expertise on this emerging product; the PLCnext.What is PLCnext?As you would expect, this PLC is capable of what you might typically...
How to Read a Spool Valve Schematic Drawing
In a previous RealPars article, we learned about what a spool valve is and how it works mechanically. In this article, we will continue this theme and learn about how a spool valve is represented in engineering and manufacturers drawings, how to understand what the...
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