Introduction:

This is a highly relevant, industrially based training course that will update the skills and knowledge of Technicians and Engineers alike. This course is ‘hands-on’ using industry-standard PLC’s in a simulated environment. Through this approach, the delegate will progress from learning the fundamentals of PLC application to writing, debugging, and finally designing their programs.

Radio and wire-based telemetry systems, essential for an understanding of modern communication methods deployed in the field are also studied and explained. These are vital for a comprehensive understanding in their use with not only programmable controllers but any Instrumentation / Controller remote application.

This course also includes a study of modern SCADA technologies. Again, together with a hands-on approach using a modern industrially compliant SCADA software package, the delegate will acquire new and updated skills essential in any fast-moving industrial environment

Targeted Groups:

• Electrical Engineers and Technicians
• Control Engineers and Technicians
• Communication Engineers and Technicians
• IT and Software Engineers and Technicians
• Design Engineers
• Instrumentation Engineers and Technicians
• Electricians
• Instrument and Process Control Engineers and Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers and Technicians
• Operations Engineers
• Process Engineers and Technicians
• Production Professionals
• Project Design Professionals
• System Integrators
• Other Professions (Managers, Engineers, Technicians) involved in the Control and Process Industries who require a fuller understanding of that industry

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Give an understanding of the operation, architecture, and use of an industry-standard PLC for Control purposes
• Investigate the operation of the PLC through designing, building and testing typical programs in the ladder programming language using industry-standard PLC’s in a simulated environment
• Become familiar and confident with the PLC, Telemetry and SCADA environments
• Understand the concepts of Radio Telemetry and acquire the knowledge relating to the application, limitation, and use of frequency bands used
• Gain an understanding and knowledge of common wire-based communication protocols
• Become familiar and knowledgeable with an industry compliant SCADA software package

Targeted Competencies:

• A study and explanation of the PLC for Control purposes
• Understanding through ‘hands-on’ approach using industry-standard PLC’s in a simulated environment of PLC programming – design and debugging
• Investigation of Radio telemetry methods, frequencies used and application and limitation of each frequency band
• Study of commonly used wire-based telemetry methods and protocols such as RS232 and RS485
• Investigation of SCADA, its structure, and application. Understanding of a typical SCADA application through a hands-on approach using an industry compliant SCADA software package

Course Content:
Unit 1: Introduction to Control Strategies:

• Continuous Control Systems
• Sequential Control Systems
• Relay Based Systems
• Introduction to PLC Systems
• PLC VS Relay Systems
• Programming Formats
• Logical Continuity
• Software Familiarisation
• Introduction to Industry Standard PLC Programming Software

Unit 2: PLC Architecture:

• System Architecture
• Memory and I/O Types
• Scanning Algorithms
• Program Scan Cycle

Unit 3: Radio Telemetry Systems:

• Introduction
• Elements of a Radio Link
• The Radio Spectrum
• Frequency Ranges
• System Design Considerations

Unit 4: PLC Programme Development:

• Analysis of PLC Programs
• Design Methodology and Development of PLC Programs
• Timer Method of Program Development

Unit 5: Serial Data Communications:

• Communication Methods (Simplex, Half-Duplex, Full-Duplex)
• RS232 Standard
• RS422 Standard
• RS485 Standard

Unit 6: Analog I/O and Processing:

• Analog Inputs and Outputs
• A/D and D/A Conversion
• Programming Analogue Modules and Advanced Instructions

Unit 7: Introduction to SCADA:

• System Architecture
• Configuration and Operation
• Introduction to Industry Standard SCADA Software
• Design and Development of a new SCADA Project
• Local Area Networks (LAN’s)