Search

Premium Membership ♕

Limited Time Offer: Save 15% on PRO Plan with discount code: LRN15 and study specialized LV/MV/HV technical articles and studies.

Home / Technical Articles / Four most popular PLC programming languages for implementation of control diagrams

PLC programs

PLCs from different manufacturers can be programmed in various ways. Popular programming languages for PLCs are ladder diagrams, Function Block Diagrams (FBD), and statement list. With a few exceptions, a program written in one format can be viewed in another.

4 most popular PLC programming languages for implementation of control diagrams
4 most popular PLC programming languages for implementation of control diagrams (photo credit: Green Mamba via Flickr)

Popular programming languages for PLCs

Let’s take the discussion on each of popular programming languages for PLCs:

  1. Ladder Diagrams
  2. Function Block Diagram
  3. Statement List
  4. Logic Functions

1. Ladder Diagrams

As an introduction to ladder diagram, consider the simple relay circuit which contains a coil and contacts as shown in Figure 1.

When a voltage is applied to the input coil, the resulting current creates a magnetic field. The magnetic field pulls a metal switch (or reed) towards it and the contacts touch, closing the switch. The contact that closes when the coil is energized is called normally open (NO).

The Normally Closed (NC) contacts touch when the input coil is not energized. When the input coil is not energized, the normally closed contacts will be closed (conducting).

The relay shown in the figure has two contacts: one NO another NC. When the relay coil is energized, contacts of the relay change their state, i.e. NO contacts get closed and NC contacts get opened.

The relay arrangement can be shown with the help of different schematic circuits as shown in Figure 1.

Simple relay layouts and schematics
Figure 1 – Simple relay layouts and schematics

Relays are normally drawn in a schematic form using a circle to represent the input coil. The output contacts are shown with two parallel lines. NO contacts are shown as two lines, and will be open (nonconducting) when the input is not energized. NC contacts are shown with two lines with a diagonal line through them.

Now, if it is required to operate NO (C) contact of this relay, connected to an ac source, through two input relay contacts, A (NC) and B (NO) then the relay logic diagram shown in Figure 2 is the most appropriate for a typical logic.

According to the relay logic diagram shown in the figure, activation of the input relay coil corresponds to the contact B, makes C (output) closed and activation of the input relay coil corresponds to the contact A, makes C (output) to get opened.

This sort of arrangement is normally employed in conventional hard-wired relay logic circuit.

A simple relay controller and corresponding ladder-logic
Figure 2 – A simple relay controller and corresponding ladder-logic

The same scheme can be implemented following ladder logic as shown in Figure 2. The ladder logic-diagram is the most commonly used method of programming PLCs. The ladder diagram consists of two vertical lines representing the power rails. Circuits connected as horizontal lines between two rails are called rungs of the ladder. Few symbols used to denote ladder logic inputs and outputs are shown in Figure 3 and 4 respectively.

Taking into consideration these ladder logic symbols, the ladder logic implemented in Figure 2 mimics the same hard-wired relay logic.

Ladder logic inputs
Figure 3 – Ladder logic inputs

Ladder logic Normal Output
Figure 4 – Ladder logic Normal Output

Finally, this ladder logic is inserted as a control program to a PLC where, input devices, and output devices are arranged in a fashion as illustrated in Figure 5.

So, the ladder-logic programs are loaded into the PLC, the input and output devices are connected to I/O modules and then the execution of the program updates outputs according to the status of inputs.

A PLC illustrated with relays
Figure 5 – A PLC illustrated with relays

Many relays also have multiple outputs and this allows an output relay to also be an input simultaneously.

The circuit shown in Figure 6 is an example of this and it is called a seal-in circuit. In this circuit, the current can flow through either branch of the circuit, through the contacts labelled A or B.

The input B will only be on when the output B is on. If B is off, and A is energized then B will turn on. If B turns on then the input B will turn on, and keep output B on even if input A goes off. After B is turned on, the output B will not turn off.
A seal-in circuit
Figure 6 – A seal-in circuit

Note! If A is closed, the output B will turn on, and input B will also turn on which will keep output B on permanently – until power is removed.

Another example of ladder logic can be seen in Figure 7. To interpret this diagram, imagine that the power is on the vertical line on the left-hand side, called hot rail. On the right-hand side is the neutral rail.

In the figure there are two rungs, and on each rung there are combinations of inputs (two vertical lines) and outputs (circles). If the inputs are opened or closed in the right combination, the power can flow from the hot rail, through the inputs, to power the outputs, and finally to the neutral rail. An input can come from a sensor, switch, or any other type of sensor.

An output will be some device outside the PLC that is switched on or off, such as lights or motors. In the top rung, the contacts are normally open and normally closed, which means if input A is on and input B is off then power will flow through the output and activate it.

Any other combination of input values will result in the output X being off.

A simple ladder logic diagram
Figure 7 – A simple ladder logic diagram

Note! Power has to flow through some combination of the inputs (A, B, C, D, E, E, F, G and H) to switch on outputs (X, Y)

Go back to contents ↑


Example //

Try to develop (without looking at the solution) a relay-based controller that will allow three switches in a room to control a single light.


Solution

There are two possible approaches to this problem. The first assumes that any one of the switches on will turn on the light, but all three switches must be off for the light to be off. The ladder logic is shown in Figure 8.

Ladder logic to controlling one light with three switches
Figure 8 – Ladder logic to controlling one light with three switches

The second solution assumes that each switch can turn the light on or off, regardless of the states of the other switches. This method is more complex and involves thinking through all of the possible combinations of switch positions.

You might recognize this problem as an exclusive or problem. The ladder logic is as shown in Figure 9.

Ladder logic to controlling one light in a different way with three switches
Figure 9 – Ladder logic to controlling one light in a different way with three switches

Note! It is important to get a clear understanding of how the controls are expected to work. In this example, two radically different solutions were obtained based upon a simple difference in the operation.

Go back to contents ↑


Ladder Diagram Basics #1


Ladder Diagram Basics #2 (Safety Control Circuit)


Ladder Diagram Basics #3 (2 Wire & 3 Wire Motor Control Circuit)

Go back to contents ↑


2. Function Block Diagram

Function Block diagram (FBD) is used for PLC programs described in terms of graphical blocks. It is described as being a graphical language for depicting signal and data flows through Inputs blocks, these being reusable software elements.

A function block is a program instruction unit which, when executed, yields one or more output values. Thus, a block is represented in a manner shown in Figure 10 with the function name written in the block.

Functional blocks can have standard functions, such as those of the logic gates or counter or timers or have functions defined by the user, e.g. a block to obtain an average value of inputs.

Function block
Figure 10 – Function block

Go back to contents ↑


Function Block Diagram (FBD) programming – First lesson

In this video you will learn the basics of programming PLCs with Function Block Diagramming (FBD) language. FBD is a graphical language, in which you deal with the blocks and connection between the blocks.


How to create and use Function blocks in the project

In this video you will learn how to create customized function blocks in the project and call them in the main program.

Go back to contents ↑


3. Statement List

In statement-list programming approach, an instruction set similar to assembly language for a microprocessor is used. Statement lists, available on few brands of PLCs, are the most flexible form of programming for the experienced user but are by no means as easy to follow as ladder diagrams or logic symbols.

Figure 11 shows a simple operation in ladder-diagram form for a Mistsubishi PLC. The equivalent statement list would be as shown in Table 1.

Mitsubishi ladder diagram
Figure 11 – Mitsubishi ladder diagram
Equivalent statement list for Figure 11
Equivalent statement list for Figure 11

Go back to contents ↑


How to use PLCSIM S7-300 STL LESSON 1 Tutorial

In this lesson we discuss about STL Program and concept of RLO&STA. Detailed information about RLO and STA is explained along with simulation.


PLCSIM S7 300 STL LESSON 2 Tutorial…automation in plant

In this lesson we will learn how to write a PLC program using an “S7 300” PLC and “STEP 7” software.

Go back to contents ↑


4. Logic Functions

There are many control situations requiring actions to be initiated when a certain combination of conditions is realised. Thus, for an automatic drilling machine, there might be a condition that the drill motor is to be activated when limit switches are activated that indicate the presence of the workpiece and the drill position as being at the surface of the workpiece.

Such situation involves the AND logic function, condition A and condition B having both to be satisfied for an output to occur. Similarly, other situations may demand to implement logics like OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR.

The electric circuit, truth table, ladder diagram and functional block diagram for different logics are presented in Table 2.

Characteristics for different logics
Table 2 – Characteristics for different logics

Go back to contents ↑


Logic Gates vs Ladder Logic Circuits

Go back to contents ↑

Reference // Electrical and electronics measurements and instrumentation by Prithwiraj Purkait, Budhaditya, Santanu Das and Chiranjib Koley (Get paperback at Amazon)

Premium Membership

Get access to premium HV/MV/LV technical articles, electrical engineering guides, research studies and much more! It helps you to shape up your technical skills in your everyday life as an electrical engineer.
More Information
author-pic

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.

9 Comments


  1. nobuhiro watsuki child porn
    Mar 16, 2021

    Awesome post.


  2. Zahraddeen Abullahi
    May 07, 2020

    Pls sir I need your WhatsApp contact as I have many things to learn


  3. Rana Naeem Akhtar
    Apr 12, 2019

    Very nice information


  4. Peter Nkonge
    Feb 04, 2019

    Kindly advise me on the best computer programming language courses one can take to help me do industrial programming well being an instrumentation and control engineering student


  5. Talat
    Nov 23, 2018

    Hi
    I am beginner in PLC.
    I think Table 2 has mistake in ladder logic XOR, it has to be |—-||—-|\|—–o—|
    A B
    |—-||—-|\|—-
    B A

    Kind regards
    Talat


  6. liemnih
    Jun 06, 2018

    GOOD thanks!


  7. Dharmendra
    May 26, 2018

    Very useful and knowledgeable topics.


  8. SIVANESAN S
    Aug 12, 2017

    SFC-sequential flow chart also better


  9. thiru
    Jun 13, 2017

    Nice article Eddy Sir.
    Please correct the ladder logic of XOR gate. In each rung , one must be NO and the other must be NC.

Leave a Reply to Dharmendra

Tell us what you're thinking. We care about your opinion! Please keep in mind that comments are moderated and rel="nofollow" is in use. So, please do not use a spammy keyword or a domain as your name, or it will be deleted. Let's have a professional and meaningful conversation instead. Thanks for dropping by!

  +  fifty four  =  sixty two

Learn How to Design Power Systems

Learn to design LV/MV/HV power systems through professional video courses. Lifetime access. Enjoy learning!

Subscribe to Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our Weekly Digest newsletter and receive free updates on new technical articles, video courses and guides (PDF).
EEP Academy Courses - A hand crafted cutting-edge electrical engineering knowledge