Anyone that does PLC programming?

[DrBanneker]

Thank you so much for all this information breh

I'm aware of the PLC subreddit. I lurk sometimes, but I should join them and get serious on it

So what are the PLC certifications or accreditation that I can get? Is there any popular ones that the industry recognizes?

My main thing I want to eventually go into is to learn how to extract data from a PLC and use software to analyse the Data

I am not familiar with the certs. It seems like a lot are offered but finding one widely recognized in the industry may take some research. Are you trying to do data analysis then instead of being a PLC technician? This sounds more like a role in the broader plant automation engineering field. PLCs are a big part of this but being a PLC technician isn't the only role. Are you familiar with Plant Engineering magazine? They have good articles on some stuff that may help you hone what you want to do.

 

[UpAndComing]

I am not familiar with the certs. It seems like a lot are offered but finding one widely recognized in the industry may take some research. Are you trying to do data analysis then instead of being a PLC technician? This sounds more like a role in the broader plant automation engineering field. PLCs are a big part of this but being a PLC technician isn't the only role. Are you familiar with Plant Engineering magazine? They have good articles on some stuff that may help you hone what you want to do.

I don't want to be a typical "Engineer" designing Electrical circuits doing physics formulas. But more on the Plant Management side and Process Control side

I want to work with PLCs in a broader scale as far as how to look at the data to improve processes. Using data software. And use Statistical Analysis for process improvement

I work now as a Technician, and still want to learn PLCs from a technician point of view also though

 

[DrBanneker]

I don't want to be a typical "Engineer" designing Electrical circuits doing physics formulas. But more on the Plant Management side and Process Control side

I want to work with PLCs in a broader scale as far as how to look at the data to improve processes. Using data software. And use Statistical Analysis for process improvement

I work now as a Technician, and still want to learn PLCs from a technician point of view also though

A plant automation engineer typically doesn't do circuit type stuff or calcs. It can range from specifying how the components of a plant (valves, pumps, compressors, instruments, etc.) are automated and work with PLCs, to designing PID loops, to analyzing data. I think electrical and industrial engineers are more into the formula type stuff. A plant automation engineer or something related to systems engineering are probably up your ally.

There are also analytics packages that the big companies make. Rockwell Automation, who owns the Allen Bradley platform, has one called FactoryTalk and Emerson, who is huge in valves and instrumentation, has one called Plantweb.

Also see this

Rockwell has training (another page) for their stuff

 

[UpAndComing]

A plant automation engineer typically doesn't do circuit type stuff or calcs. It can range from specifying how the components of a plant (valves, pumps, compressors, instruments, etc.) are automated and work with PLCs, to designing PID loops, to analyzing data. I think electrical and industrial engineers are more into the formula type stuff. A plant automation engineer or something related to systems engineering are probably up your ally.

There are also analytics packages that the big companies make. Rockwell Automation, who owns the Allen Bradley platform, has one called FactoryTalk and Emerson, who is huge in valves and instrumentation, has one called Plantweb.

Also see this

Rockwell has training (another page) for their stuff

Thank you breh

So I went on indeed and looked for something similar to a Plant Automation Engineer. Would the term "Controls Engineer" or "Process Controls Engineer" be similar to what you described?

To work with IIOT, Plantweb, FactoryTalk, Modbus, etc... would getting a Networking certificate help?

I'm currently getting my Bachelor's degree while working, so would a degree help?

 

[Deflatedhoopdreams]

READ FIRST: How to learn PLC's and get into the Industrial Automation World

[Updated 04/15/2020]
[Previous thread]()

We get threads asking how to learn PLC's weekly so this sticky thread is going to cover most of the basics and will be constantly evolving. If your post was removed and you were told to read the sticky, here you are!

Your local tech school might offer automation programs, check there.


**Free PLC Programs:**

* Codesys 2.3 and 3 are completely free with in-built simulation capabilities so you can run any code you want. Also, if paired up with Factory I/O over OPC you can simulate whole factories and get into programming.
BECKHOFF New Automation Technology
TwinCAT 3 Tutorial · Contact and Coil

* Rockwell's CCW is free and the latest version 12.0 comes with a PLC software emulator you can simulate I/O and test your code with: [Download it here](Design and Configuration Software) - /u/daBull33

* [GMWIN (Software)](LS ELECTRIC Co., Ltd)

* AutomationDirect [Do-more PLC Programming Software](https://www.automationdirect.com/ad...ler_software/do-more_plc_programming_software). It's free, comes with an emulator and tons of free training materials.
* [Open PLC Project](https://www.openplcproject.com/) (/u/Swingstates)

* Horner Automation Group. [Cscape Software](Control Software Archives - Horner Automation)
>In our business we use Horner OCS controllers, which are an all-in-one PLC/HMI, with either on-board IO or also various remote IO options. The programming software is free (need to sign up for an account to download it), and the hardware is relatively inexpensive. There is support for both ladder and IEC 61131 languages. While a combo HMI/PLC is not an ideal solution for every situation, they are pretty decent for learning PLCs on real-world hardware as opposed to simulations. The downside is that tutorials and reference material specific to Horner hardware are limited apart from what they produce themselves. - /u/fishintmrw


**Free Online Resources:**

* The TIA Portal Tutorial Center (videos):
SIOS

* [RSLogix 5000 ladder information and more](Introduction to Basic Ladder Logic Instructions)

* The Automation Blog

* Data Types: Data inside PLCs

* Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation: Socratic Instrumentation

* PLC Beginner’s Guide | Acc Automation (/u/GarryShortt)
* [Tony Kuphaldt's enormous and free PDF on industrial instrumentation that covers measuring instruments, control elements, piping, basic physics, etc](https://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst/book/liii.pdf) PDF Warning. (/u/bitinvoker)

* [Automating Manufacturing Systems with PLCs](Engineer On A Disk)


* /u/paratamizer:
>For the RSLogix 5000, you could take a look at these manuals:
[Logix5000 Controllers Quick Start](https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/qs/1756-qs001_-en-p.pdf)
[Logix5000 Controllers Common Procedures Programming Manual](https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/qs/1756-qs001_-en-p.pdf) (this one links to other manuals).
This [guide](http://www.plcdev.com/book/export/html/431) gives a good overall explanation on Tags, Add-On Instructions (AOI), User Defined Data Types (UDTs), Ladder Logic, Routines, etc...
And once you get more into it, this [forum](http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/forumdisplay.php?f=2) is a PLC Q&A, you can find answers to most of your questions using the search feature. Not just for PLCs, but also SCADA, Industrial Networks, etc.

**Paid Online Courses:**

* Factory IO Is a very good 3d sandbox industrial simulation software which is compatible with most PLC brands. The MHJ edition can be used with WINSPS which is basically a Siemens S7 emulator. FACTORY IO MHJ is 35EUR for a year and WINSPS is 50EUR for the standard edition. Both come with free trials as well.
https://factoryio.com/mhj-edition/



* For learning basic concepts I recommend The Learning Pit [some versions free]. Then you can pick up a used copy of the petruzula textbook and lab book off of amazon for cheap. Or really any PLC lab book and go through the exercises with it.
The learning pit offers a lot of good resources for forming a good foundation.
http://thelearningpit.com/

* https://www.udemy.com/plc-programming-from-scratch/
* https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/services/industry/sitrain/personal.html

**Other:**

HMI/SCADA:

* Trihedral Engineering offers a 50 tag development/runtime license with all I/O drivers for free, VTScadaLight.
https://www.trihedral.com/download-vtscada


* [Ignition](https://inductiveautomation.com/downloads/) offers a functional free trial (it just asks you to click for a button every 2 hours).

* Perhaps [AdvancedHMI](https://www.advancedhmi.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=14&chapter=0)? Although it IS a lot complicated compared against an industrial solution.

* [IPESOFT D2000](https://d2000.ipesoft.com) Raspberry Pi version is free (up-to 50 io tags), with wide range of [supported protocols](https://doc.ipesoft.com/display/D2DOCEN/Communication+Protocols).
* Crimson 3.0 by Red Lion is also free and offers a free emulator (emulator seems to be disabled in v3.1). With a bit of work (need to communicate with Modbus instead of built in Do-more drivers), you can even connect that HMI emulator to the do-more emulator and have a fully functioning HMI/PLC simulator on your desk top which is pretty convenient. Software can be found here: https://www.redlion.net/red-lion-software/crimson/crimson-30 (/u/TheLateJHC)

Simulators:

* https://www.plcfiddle.com/
* PLC Fiddle is not just a simulator but also a free online training. Click code school in the top left to get started. (/u/JoshMcguigan)

Forums:

* http://www.plctalk.net/qanda/

* Directory http://www.plcdev.com/list/directory/forums

* Omron PLC: www.mrplc.com

Books:

*
*
* So you want to be an instrumentation technician [PDF LINK](https://www.ibiblio.org/kuphaldt/socratic/sinst/want/want.pdf)

**Youtube Channels**

[Dipsy Logic](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2EH0ThPRat2JgL_pV0rEQ)
[Dan Staifer](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfrXnSlLaWtYkfpJDzgC4yQ/playlists) (TIA Portal)
[ParsicAutomation](https://www.youtube.com/user/ParsicAutomation/videos)
[PLC Professor](https://www.youtube.com/user/plcprofessor/videos)
[Big Bad Tech](https://www.youtube.com/user/bigbadtech/videos)
[The Geterr Done](https://www.youtube.com/user/thegeterrdone/videos)
[Evan5659](https://www.youtube.com/user/Evan5659/videos)
[Parsic Automation](https://www.youtube.com/user/ParsicAutomation/videos)
[Jim Pytel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKz0jOzv6nN4RlkA6H35rqQ)
[Tim Wilborne](https://www.youtube.com/user/TimWilborne/videos)

**Personal Stories:**

/u/DrEagleTalon


Hello, glad you come here for help. I'm an Automation Engineer for Tysons Foods in a plant in Indiana. I work with PLCs on a daily basis and was recently in Iowa for further training. I have no degree, just experience and am 27 years old. Not bragging but I make $30+ an hour and love my job. It just goes to show the stuff you are learning now can propel your career. PLCs are needed in every factory/plant in the world (for the most part). It is in high demand and the technology is growing. This is a great course and I hope you enjoy it and stay on it. You could go far.

With that out of the way, if I where you I would start with RSLogix Pro. It's a software from The Learning Pit it is basic and old but very useful. The software takes you through simulations such as a garage door, traffic light, silo and boxing, conveyors and the dreaded Elevator simulation. It helps you learn to apply what you will learn to real word circumstances. It makes you develop everything yourself and is in my opinion one of the single greatest learning utensils for someone starting out. It starts easy and dips your toes and gets progressively harder. It's fun as well watching the animations. Watching and hearing your garage door catch on fire or your Silo Boxing station dumping tons of "grain" until the room fills up is fun and makes the completion of a simulation very gratifying.

While RSLogix Pro is based on older software, RsLogix is still used today. Almost every plant I have worked at has used some type of Allen Bradley PLC. Studio 5000 is in wide use and you will find that most ladder logic is applicable in most places. With that said I would also turn to Udemy for help in progressing past simple instructions and getting into advanced Functions such as PID. This amazing PLC course on UDemy is extremely cheap, gives you the software and teaches you everything from beginner to the most advanced there is. It is worth it for anyone at any level in my opinion and is a resource I turn to often.

Also getting away from Allen Bradley I would suggest trying to find some downloads or get a chance to play with Unity Pro XLS. It's from Schneider Electric and I believe has been rebranded under the EcoStruxure family now. We use Unity extensively where I am at and modicons are extremely popular in the industry. Another you might try is buying a PICO or Zelio for PICOSoft or ZELIOSoft. They are small, simple and cheap. I wired up my garage door with this and was a great way to learn hands in when I was starting out. You can find used PICOs on eBay really cheap. There is a ton of literature and videos online. YouTube is another good resource. Check everything out, learn all you can. Some other software that is popular where I've been is Connected Components Workbench and Vijeo.

 

[UpAndComing]

A plant automation engineer typically doesn't do circuit type stuff or calcs. It can range from specifying how the components of a plant (valves, pumps, compressors, instruments, etc.) are automated and work with PLCs, to designing PID loops, to analyzing data. I think electrical and industrial engineers are more into the formula type stuff. A plant automation engineer or something related to systems engineering are probably up your ally.

There are also analytics packages that the big companies make. Rockwell Automation, who owns the Allen Bradley platform, has one called FactoryTalk and Emerson, who is huge in valves and instrumentation, has one called Plantweb.

Also see this

Rockwell has training (another page) for their stuff

Hey I think I found out what PLC my plant has. It's GE Proficy. Have you heard of or experience with that company?

 

[DrBanneker]

Hey I think I found out what PLC my plant has. It's GE Proficy. Have you heard of or experience with that company?

Not familiar with Proficy. It seems like a software package not a PLC system. PLC's are the actual physical boxes and hardware. Before you said you saw a lot of Allen Bradley and Siemens systems? Those are probably the actual PLCs.

 

[Mr Rager]

PLC programming is HUGE especially as IoT continues to grow. The need for secure programming for systems controllers is sky high and the big engineering companies are paying these guys serious bread

 

[UpAndComing]

Not familiar with Proficy. It seems like a software package not a PLC system. PLC's are the actual physical boxes and hardware. Before you said you saw a lot of Allen Bradley and Siemens systems? Those are probably the actual PLCs.

Well funny thing is that I asked another worker I know in another plant in the city what does he use. And he said "Well most of what I see is Allen Bradley" and I assumed it was what we had. The water plants where I live are under the same business so I assumed it was the same

Then I just did some snooping and found out that its GE Fanuc Proficy. This is how they look like

Did some research and apparently they are huge in Water/Wastewater. Then I connected the dots and started looking at a whole bunch of GE products on my plant and it all made sense

 

[UpAndComing]

PLC programming is HUGE especially as IoT continues to grow. The need for secure programming for systems controllers is sky high and the big engineering companies are paying these guys serious bread

Really, how serious

Are the engineering companies looking for someone who can install IOT systems for them?

 

[Mr Rager]

Really, how serious

Are the engineering companies looking for someone who can install IOT systems for them?

My company was trying to onboard a PLC programmer for 120K but he apparently found a higher paying position elsewhere
Most savvy companies at this point are looking for people who can advise them on the security of their current PLC systems and improve those systems(i.e. making them as hacker-proof as possible). But keep in mind these are requests from upper management folks who know zero about the actual work, experience, or competencies necessary to do the job, and half the time don't even know what they really want or need lol

 

[UpAndComing]

My company was trying to onboard a PLC programmer for 120K but he apparently found a higher paying position elsewhere
Most savvy companies at this point are looking for people who can advise them on the security of their current PLC systems and improve those systems(i.e. making them as hacker-proof as possible). But keep in mind these are requests from upper management folks who know zero about the actual work, experience, or competencies necessary to do the job, and half the time don't even know what they really want or need lol

So in other words, there's so much money to make on ignorance

So no one in your company knows the slightest idea of how PLCs work?

 

[Mr Rager]

So in other words, there's so much money to make on ignorance

So no one in your company knows the slightest idea of how PLCs work?

None of the decision makers do that's for sure

 

[DrBanneker]

Well funny thing is that I asked another worker I know in another plant in the city what does he use. And he said "Well most of what I see is Allen Bradley" and I assumed it was what we had. The water plants where I live are under the same business so I assumed it was the same

Then I just did some snooping and found out that its GE Fanuc Proficy. This is how they look like

Did some research and apparently they are huge in Water/Wastewater. Then I connected the dots and started looking at a whole bunch of GE products on my plant and it all made sense

Oh you are right. It does make sense now. Probably worth learning, at least you can do it at your current job. Who programs them now? Someone you work with?

 

[UpAndComing]

Oh you are right. It does make sense now. Probably worth learning, at least you can do it at your current job. Who programs them now? Someone you work with?

Well I only have one other co-worker on the same experience level as me

Then I have a supervisor who has been here for 20 years. And he said, "Well the guy who left had some exoeexperi with PLCs, so y'all are gonna have to learn it somehow"

Aka he doesn't know shyt

And my plant constantly has problems with the controls. No one really understands the system. And outside of my co-worker, everyone is like 45+ and not good with electronics


I feel like if I can learn all this shyt, I can stand out