Introducing a PLC

A PLC is an industrial computer that consists of both hardware and software used for automating industrial processes. They are mostly used in manufacturing industries and can be found in other industries including transportation, manufacturing, warehousing, oil and gas, building, and so on. A PLC can also be referred to as an electronic device that accepts inputs from sensors and switches, processes them, and gives out signals to control actuators. PLCs take data from the plant floor through switches and sensors, they then execute the program logic written into them and give an output signal based on the result of the program logic to control actuators or machines connected to them. PLCs are the brains behind almost all modern automated machines in industries.

Let’s now have a look at the parts that make up a PLC.

Exploring PLC modules

The hardware part of a PLC consists of various modules. The basic modules that make up a PLC include the following...