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Home / Technical Articles / Basic PLC program for control of a three-phase AC motor (for beginners)

Motor Starter

While the lighting control system previously discussed is useful to explain basic PLC operation, a more practical, and only slightly more complex, application is start-stop control of an AC motor. Before examining the PLC program, first consider a hard-wired approach.

Basic PLC program for control of a three-phase AC motor (for beginners)
Basic PLC program for control of a three-phase AC motor - for beginners (on photo: Simatic S7-1500 PLC; credit: SIEMENS)

The following line diagram illustrates how a normally open and a normally closed pushbutton might be connected to control a three-phase AC motor.

In this example, a motor starter coil (M) is wired in series with a normally open, momentary Start pushbutton, a normally closed, momentary Stop pushbutton, and normally closed overload relay (OL) contacts.

Motor starter wiring diagram
Motor starter wiring diagram

Momentarily pressing the Start pushbutton completes the path for current flow and energizes the motor starter (M). This closes the associated M and Ma (auxiliary contact located in the motor starter) contacts.

When the Start button is released, current continues to flow through the Stop button and the Ma contact, and the M coil remains energized.

The motor will run until the normally closed Stop button is pressed, unless the overload relay (OL) contacts open. When the Stop button is pressed, the path for current flow is interrupted, opening the associated M and Ma contacts, and the motor stops.

This is how hard-wired motor starter functions. Now, let’s discuss a little bit about PLC running the same //


PLC and motor control application

This motor control application can also be accomplished with a PLC. In the following example, a normally open Start pushbutton is wired to the first input (I0.0), a normally closed Stop pushbutton is wired to the second input (I0.1), and normally closed overload relay contacts (part of the motor starter) are connected to the third input (I0.2).

These inputs are used to control normally open contacts in a line of ladder logic programmed into the PLC.

PLC Motor Control scheme
PLC Motor Control scheme

Initially, I0.1 status bit is a logic 1 because the normally closed (NC) Stop Pushbutton is closed. I0.2 status bit is a logic 1 because the normally closed (NC) overload relay (OL) contacts are closed. I0.0 status bit is a logic 0, however, because the normally open Start pushbutton has not been pressed.

Normally open output Q0.0 contact is also programmed on Network as a sealing contact. With this simple network, energizing output coil Q0.0 is required to turn on the motor.

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PLC program operation

When the Start pushbutton is pressed, the CPU receives a logic from input I0.0. This causes the I0.0 contact to close. All three inputs are now a logic . The CPU sends a logic to output Q0.0. The motor starter is energized and the motor starts.

PLC Program Operation
PLC Program Operation

The output status bit for Q0.0 is now a . On the next scan, when normally open contact Q0.0 is solved, the contact will close and output Q0.0 will stay on even if the Start pushbutton is released.

PLC Program Operation
PLC Program Operation

When the Stop pushbutton is pressed: input I0.0 turns off, the I0.0 contact opens, output coil Q0.0 de-energizes, and the motor turns off.

PLC Program Operation
PLC Program Operation

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Adding Run and Stop indicator lights

The application can be easily expanded to include indicator lights for run and stop conditions. In this example, a RUN indicator light is connected to output Q0. and a STOP indicator light is connected to output Q0.2.

The ladder logic for this application includes normally open Q0.0 contact connected on Network 2 to output coil Q0. and normally closed Q0.0 contact connected on Network 3 to output coil Q0.2. When Q0.0 is off, the normally open Q0.0 contact on Network 2 is open and the RUN indicator off. At the same time, the normally closed Q0.0 contact is closed and the STOP indicator is on.

Adding Run and Stop Indicator Lights
Adding Run and Stop Indicator Lights

When the Start button is pressed, the PLC starts the motor. Output Q0.0 is now on. Normally open Q0.0 contact on Network 2 is now closed and the RUN indicator is on. At the same time, the normally closed Q0.0 contact on Network 3 is open and the STOP indicator light connected to output Q0.2 is off.

Adding Run and Stop Indicator Lights
Adding Run and Stop Indicator Lights

Go back to main topics ↑


Adding a limit switch

The application can be further expanded by adding a limit switch. The limit switch could be used in this application for a variety of functions. For example, the limit switch could be used to stop the motor or prevent the motor from being started.

In this example, the limit switch is associated with an access door to the motor or its associated equipment. The limit switch is connected to input I0.3 and controls a normally open contact in the program. If the access door is open, limit switch LS is open and normally open contact I0.3 is also open. This prevents the motor from starting.

Adding a Limit Switch
Adding a Limit Switch

When the access door is closed, limit switch LS is closed and normally open contact I0.3 is also closed. This allows the motor to start when the Start pushbutton is pressed.

Adding a Limit Switch
Adding a Limit Switch

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Further expansion of a PLC program

The PLC program can be further expanded to accommodate a wide variety of commercial and industrial applications.

Start/Stop pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lights, and signaling columns can be added. Motor starters can be added for control of additional motors. Over-travel limit switches can be added along with proximity switches for sensing object position. Various types of relays can be added to expand the variety of devices being controlled.

As needed, expansion modules can be added to further increase the I/O capability. The applications are only limited by the number of I/Os and amount of memory available for the PLC.

Further expansion of a PLC program
Further expansion of a PLC program

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Reference // The basics of PLCs by SIEMENS

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

18 Comments


  1. Scott Prather
    Nov 25, 2022

    Thank you. The most clear and straightforward explanation of this hardwire/plc comparison.


  2. Francis
    Feb 17, 2022

    Thank you!


  3. ayush
    Jan 17, 2019

    thank you sir


  4. Khalid Morales
    Jun 21, 2018

    How to program in PLC running electric motor from 2 source voltage 1. From main source then after running within 30-60 second it will continue running from the 2nd source generator continuously 24/7

    Thank you.
    Khalid Morales


  5. Tyler
    Apr 29, 2018

    I believe you are wrong here. Ol isn’t an input since it goes to the contacts and the contact is an output, the ol should go back to ground. Btw your main physical diagram isn’t grounded. You have the PB running from the first phase leg then ol going to the second phase leg, where is your ground? Also you show no contacts in your diagrams. Motor starters have contacts


  6. Not my real name
    Apr 29, 2018

    Pretty sure the ol is not an input. The reason I say this is because if you wire it physically the ol goes back to ground through the contacts..and the contact is an output on the plc..and you didn’t do anything with the ol or explain why it’s an input, it’s just there as an input


  7. Venish goyani
    Feb 12, 2018

    We need help for our project
    Our project is 3phase induction motor protection and electrical braking
    Now we think we done with plc
    So give me program for it
    Protection:earthfault using RCCB, thermal relay,over current,single phasing,


  8. Amanj
    Jul 31, 2017

    Thanks


  9. Kevin
    Nov 15, 2016

    A complete and elegant overview of this everyday tool of the electrical engineer. Great work!


  10. lOUIS
    Jun 16, 2016

    hi Edvard

    I was wondering of you can help with the best and basic way of estimating a price for an MCC and PLC just for insurance purposes


  11. Adam
    Jan 09, 2016

    Thank you!


  12. Suresh Krishna
    Jan 04, 2016

    Wonderfully explained. Keep going


  13. Peter
    Dec 28, 2015

    Edvard,

    I wanted to thank you for such a great technical article, this information has given me a boarder ensite on how PLC controls work in conjunction with modern control circuits.

    Thank you,


  14. karthikeyan m
    Dec 27, 2015

    Dear sir,

    I am greatly thanked you for your fullest commitment to develop technical knowledge of people in global by sharing more electrical articles.This help us easier to understand.its like a user manual.application oriented electrical articles.its gives good motivation too.


  15. LAROUCI
    Dec 25, 2015

    Thanks you sir


  16. kamran
    Dec 25, 2015

    Dear Sir,
    Thanks alot for your great technical information .
    I work in elevator field also am intrested to know more about PLC and its applications in elevator industry .
    I would like tro know if there is system control that can be used of Plc .
    I used to work with Siemens logo PLC.

    Best regard,
    Kamran


  17. Amine
    Dec 25, 2015

    thank you Edvard Csanyi


  18. Amin
    Dec 25, 2015

    Thanks a lot.

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