Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), a digital arithmetic controller with a microprocessor for automatic control that can load control instructions into memory at any time for storage and execution. The programmable controller is composed of CPU, instruction and data memory, input/output interface, power supply, digital analog conversion and other functional units. The early programmable logic controller only had the function of logic control, so it was named programmable logic controller. Later, with the continuous development, these computer modules with simple functions had various functions, including logic control, timing control, simulation control, multi-machine communication and so on. The name was also changed to Programmable Controller, but due to a conflict between the abbreviation PC and the abbreviation Personal Computer, as well as convention, the term is often used and the abbreviation PLC is still used.
The programmable logic controller used in industry has been equivalent to or close to a compact computer host, and its advantages in scalability and reliability make it widely used in various industrial control fields. Whether in the computer direct control system or centralized distributed control system DCS, or field bus control system FCS, there is always a large number of various types of PLC controller use. PLC manufacturers many, such as Siemens, Schneider, Mitsubishi, Delta and so on, almost involved in the field of industrial automation manufacturers will have their PLC products.
Central processing unit
Central processing unit (CPU) is the control center of PLC, is also the core part of PLC, its performance determines the performance of PLC.
The CPU consists of a controller, an arithmetic device and a register. These circuits are concentrated in a chip, and are connected to the input/output interface circuit of the memory through the address bus and the control bus. The role of the central processing unit is to process and run user programs, perform logical and mathematical operations, and control the entire system to make it coordinated.
memory
Memory is a semiconductor circuit with memory function, its role is to store system programs, user programs, logic variables and some other information. The system program is to control PLC to achieve various functions of the program, written by the PLC manufacturer, and solidified to read-only memory (ROM), users can not access.
Input unit
The input unit is the PLC and the controlled equipment connected to the input interface, is the signal into the PLC bridge, its role is to receive the main component, the detection component from the signal. Input types include DC input, AC input, and AC/DC input.
Output unit
The output unit is also the connection between PLC and the controlled device, its role is to send the PLC output signal to the controlled device, the central processing unit sent out of the weak signal into the level signal, drive the controlled device’s executive element. The output types are relay output, transistor output, gate output.
PLC in addition to the above parts, according to the different models there are a variety of external equipment, its role is to help programming, monitoring and network communication. Commonly used external devices are programmers, printers, cassette recorders, computers, etc.