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PLC Timer Programming for Beginners
In this article, we will be talking about the PLC timer. We will explain what PLC timers are, how they work, the different types of timers, and give some examples of how they are used.PLC timers are internal PLC instructions that can be used to delay input and output...
Detailed Design Principles of High-Performance HMI Display
Welcome back to our series of What is High-Performance HMI? In the previous installments, we covered the current state of HMI’s and justification of change to High-Performance HMI as well as the fundamentals of High-Performance HMI and High-Performance HMI standards....
Electrical Grounding Explained | Basic Concepts
In this article, we're going to discuss the commonly used, but often misunderstood term, Ground. Proper electrical grounding is a critical safety measure in all electrical systems and installations.Different names for GroundThere are lots of different names for...
ISA100 Wireless Applications | Single, Plant-Wide Wireless Network
ISA100 Wireless is an end-user-driven, standards-based, and robust wireless protocol. It adds value by extending existing ISA100 Wireless applications, enabling new ISA100 Wireless applications, eliminating protocol barriers, and enabling the Industrial Internet of...
HMI Philosophy | Development of High-Performance HMI
Welcome back to our series of High-Performance HMI. In the previous installments, we covered the current state of HMI’s and justification of change to High-Performance HMI as well as the Fundamentals of High-Performance HMI and High-Performance HMI standards. In this...
PLCnext Ladder Logic | How to Easily Create Ladder Logic Programs
This is the fourth of a series of articles about the Phoenix PLCnext Starterkit. If you are interested in a powerful but inexpensive PLC, you might want to consider the PLCnext Starterkit. In this article, we're going to show you how to create a simple PLCnext ladder...
Phoenix Contact PLCnext | How to Configure the I/O Modules
This is the third of a series of articles about the Phoenix Contact PLCnext Starterkit. You can order a Starterkit from the RealPars Marketplace. In this article, we’re going to accomplish two things: First, we're going to take you through the steps to ensure that...
Boolean Logic to PLC Function Blocks | Fundamentals
Have you ever wondered how skilled PLC Programmers create, install and test programs when presented with complex system requirements? Today’s successful PLC programmers possess knowledge and skills in electrical, mechanical, and software engineering. In addition to...
PLCnext Engineer | Create a New Project and Configure Ethernet Port
This is the second of a series of articles about the Phoenix Contact PLCnext Starterkit, and we're going to take you through the steps of creating a New PLCnext Engineer Project. If you are interested in a powerful but inexpensive PLC, you might want to consider the...
Sinking and Sourcing PLC Inputs | What is the Difference?
In this article, we're going to talk about Sinking and Sourcing PLC digital input modules and how they are connected to field devices. We will be using a Siemens digital input module 6ES7321-1BP00-0AA0. If you want to order this module online, head on over to the...
Turbine Flow Meter Explained | Operation and Calibration
In this article, we’re going to discuss a very common flow measuring device called a Turbine Flow Meter.Depending on who you talk to, a Turbine Meter has one or two major parts. Some will tell you that the Turbine Meter has only one part: the Mechanical component....
Sinking and Sourcing PLC Outputs Explained
In this article, we're going to talk about Sinking and Sourcing PLC digital output modules and how they connect to field devices.As we’ve discussed in our other articles, the two types of PLC output modules are Digital and Analog. Drilling down even further, Digital...
What is an Instrument Calibrator?
In this article, we're going to discuss instrument calibrators and show you how they can be used in the process control industry for calibration and troubleshooting. Ok… so, what is Calibration, and what is an Instrument Calibrator?When calibrate instruments?If the...
PLCnext Starterkit | What’s in the Box?
This is the first of a series of articles about the Phoenix Contact PLCnext Starterkit. If you are interested in a powerful but inexpensive PLC, you might want to consider the PLCnext Starterkit.Here are a few reasons to help you decide to get one. The programming...
Motor Starter Explained | Motor Starter Types
As automation engineers, we write logic programs for PLC and DCS systems that monitor process variables, open and close valves, set control loop modes, and start and stop motors for pumps, compressors, and conveyor systems. Most digital outputs on control systems...
Introduction to Omron PLC
There are dozens of manufacturers of Programmable Logic Controllers that are used in the automation industry. One of the leading makers of compact PLCs for machine automation is Omron PLC. Omron offers a flexible line of scalable industrial PLC controllers for use in...
PLC Output Types | Solid State vs Relay
In this article, we're going to explore the differences between Solid State and Relay outputs on PLC Digital Output Modules. We’re also going to talk about the pros and cons of each.The purpose of a PLC Output module is to operate or control a physical device based on...
PID Tuning | How to Tune a PID Controller
In our previous article, What are PID Tuning Parameters?, we supplied a couple of simple examples of controlled processes and began to explain the specific terms of a PID controller.As stated previously, you can enable each parameter, those being the proportional,...
What is ISA100 Wireless?
Have you ever stopped to think about how data from a temperature transmitter on a vessel in a tank farm at the edge of the plant is brought into the control system?You probably would answer: Over a pair of wires connected between the transmitter and an analog input...
WiFi vs Industrial Wireless – What is the difference?
After reading this article you will be able to easily explain the difference between a typical wireless network that we use at home or the office, like WiFi and an Industrial Wireless network.So when it comes to wireless networks, we can think of two main types of...
What is a Transistor? | Working Principles
In this article, we're going to introduce you to an electronic component called the Transistor. Believe it or not, your phone has hundreds of thousands of transistors in it. Your computer has millions! It’s not an exaggeration to say that life would be much different...
High-Performance HMI Design Basics
Welcome back, in our previous article, What is High-Performance HMI?, we discussed the state of most current HMIs, their drawbacks, and design flaws. We then covered why a High-Performance HMI is becoming the standard for processes around the world, and some basic...
What is High-Performance HMI?
High-Performance HMI is the industry answer for a standardized, easy to use, and more productive HMI graphics system to implement and in some cases, replace a poorly designed HMI. As we know, operator control of processes is done using a graphical representation of...
Two Way Switching Explained | How to Wire 2 Way Light Switch
In this article, we're going to show you how a circuit is wired allowing you to turn a light on or off from two different locations. We are going to refer to this light control circuit as a two way switching circuit.SPDT switchesBefore we get started, we need to...
Manometer Explained | Working Principle
What is a manometer? In this article, we're going to introduce you to the manometer which is one of the oldest pressure measurement devices still in use today. A manometer is one of the most accurate devices for measuring pressure in the lower ranges. Since manometers...
What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?
Automation and Internet Cloud Computing are evolving and merging into a space allowing for Artificial Intelligence (AI) programming to facilitate improvements in productivity and efficiency with many economic benefits.Industry 4.0Along with Internet Cloud computing...
Terminal Blocks Explained
In this article, we're going to introduce you to the Terminal Block which is an important component in any industrial setting. Terminal blocks are components with an insulated frame that has the sole purpose of securing two or more wires together.Why use terminal...
SCADA Applications in Water Treatment
In previous lessons, we discussed SCADA applications and systems, and the components within them. Here is a quick recap of what was previously discussed. SCADA is a collection of hardware and software components. Plant floor devices such as pumps, valves, and...
Diode Module | How does it work?
So how does a diode module or diode block work? For you to be able to understand how a diode module works, you first need to understand how a single diode actually works.What is a diode? A diode is a device that allows current to flow in only one direction. That...
What is a Floating License?
So, what is a floating license and how is it different from a standard software license? In short, a standard software license is for exclusive use whereas a floating license is for shared use.You buy a floating software license when you want to share the use of...
Limit Switch Explained | Working Principles
There’s probably not a day that goes by where you don’t use or encounter a limit switch at home, or at your workplace.Types of limit switchesThere are 4 general types of limit switches: 1. Whisker 2. Roller 3. Lever 4. Plunger Depending on the application, a limit...
Difference between STEP 7 Basic and STEP 7 Professional
What’s the difference between STEP 7 Basic and STEP 7 Professional?STEP 7 Basic can only be used for programming Siemens S7-1200 PLCs but STEP 7 Professional can be used for programming S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300, and S7-400 PLCs. This is the main difference.You can use...
Applying an ABB PLC to a Small Process
There are many manufacturers of Programmable Logic Controllers that are used in the Automation industry. One of the leading PLC manufacturers in the world is ABB. In the previous article, An Introduction to ABB AC500 PLCs, we introduced you to the various PLC models...
What is a NAMUR Sensor?
In this article, we're going to introduce you to a sensor called a NAMUR proximity sensor. We’re going to discuss how this NAMUR sensor differs from other proximity sensors, and we’ll show you where and why these sensors are used in the field. NAMUR proximity...
What is the Best HMI Panel?
The HMI Panel is a valuable tool that is used by operators and engineers worldwide to visualize and monitor the process, provide control targets and set-points, execute programs and initiate sequences, and troubleshoot problems via trends, alarms, and events. In this...
Low-cost PLC for beginners | How to Get Started with Your Own PLC
There are many ways to learn how to program a PLC, and RealPars offers many ways to get started. Our collection of video series is well-known for its clear, concise presentation of a wide range of topics on PLC programming and automation concepts. But you may ask, how...
How to install TIA-Portal V16
Siemens has made their TIA-Portal version 16 available at a reduced price for a period of time. In this article, we will show you how to: - Purchase the TIA Portal version 16 software, - Download and install the software, and - Install the software license so that it...
What is a Control Valve?
A control valve is a power-operated device used to regulate or manipulate the flow of fluids, such as gas, oil, water, and steam. It is a critical part of a control loop and is an example of a final control element. The Control Valve is by far the most common final...
Smart Sensor Explained | Different Types and Applications
In this article, we’re going to introduce you to a very powerful group of devices called Smart Sensor.The 4 Industrial RevolutionsAlright…let’s go. The Smart Sensor plays a very important role in the Smart Factory of Industry 4.0 which is considered as the fourth...
PLC Hardware Explained
In this article, we’re going to introduce you to a typical PLC and its associated hardware. First of all, let's start with the term PLC, and talk about what it means. PLC is short for Programmable Logic Controller.PLC industrial applications A PLC consists of a...
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