This lesson is intended for individuals with a foundation in basic electricity, including AC/DC theory, electrical safety protocols, basic electrical maintenance procedures, as well as proficiency in reading electrical schematics.
Familiarity with control systems and common input and output devices is recommended, as this knowledge prepares learners to work effectively with PLC hardware components and programming environments, and is essential for those pursuing electrician careers or participating in an electrician training program.
This lesson introduces the basic principles of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), explaining how these systems function within modern industrial electrical control systems. Learners explore both hardware components, such as modular PLC units, CPUs, power supplies, and input/output devices, and software components including PLC programming software, ladder logic, and structured text. Emphasis is placed on how PLCs operate in real-time to control field devices and processes. The lesson provides essential knowledge for electricians, technicians, and anyone seeking hands-on experience with PLC controls.
This lesson is intended for participants who are familiar with the principles of programmable logic controller (PLC) system operation, AC/DC theory, electrical safety, basic electrical maintenance procedures, and electrical print reading. A basic understanding of PLC hardware components, control systems, and input/output devices is recommended to support learning ladder logic and related programming concepts.
This lesson focuses on interpreting ladder logic, one of the most widely used PLC programming languages in industrial automation. Learners will explore the role of ladder diagrams in controlling hardware components and real-time operations, while working with program elements such as contacts, coils, timers, counters, and data functions. Emphasis is placed on understanding how ladder logic represents electrical circuits, manages inputs and outputs, and integrates with broader control systems and SCADA environments. This knowledge is essential for electricians, technicians, and contractors working with PLC software and field devices.
This lesson is intended for learners with prior knowledge of PLC system operation, digital electronics, and instrumentation. Familiarity with control systems, input/output devices, and PLC software is recommended, as these skills support the transition into real-time analog process control and PID programming.
This lesson explores how Programmable Logic Controllers manage analog control systems and implement PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) functions. Participants examine the differences between discrete and continuous control, investigate hardware components such as analog I/O modules, converters, and field devices, and review how data is transmitted across a data highway. Programming methods including ladder logic, function block diagrams, and structured text are introduced to illustrate how analog control is configured in real-time operations. Emphasis is placed on practical applications of PLC/PID systems in industrial processes such as blending, monitoring, and water quality control, along with maintenance strategies for long-term reliability.
This interactive multimedia training program includes three individual lessons designed to equip participants with essential electrical skills, including understanding programmable logic controller (PLC) system operations, interpreting power flow through ladder logic, and grasping the principles of operation, characteristics, and capabilities of analog control within PLC systems.
This program is ideal for electricians, including those pursuing electrician careers such as residential electrician or master electrician roles, instrument technicians, and individuals involved in multi-craft training within process and manufacturing facilities.
Gain hands-on experience with PLC programming, ladder logic, and structured text to operate real-time control systems confidently.
Learn to identify and resolve issues in hardware components, input/output devices, and PLC software to reduce downtime.
Build a wide range of knowledge in modular PLCs, SCADA system integration, and advanced process control strategies.
Develop in-demand PLC skills valued in electrical, automation, and industrial control careers across multiple industries.
To get the most from this training course, learners should already be comfortable with basic electricity (AC/DC theory), digital electronic theory, and interpreting electrical schematics. Familiarity with input/output devices, hardware components, and basic control systems is very helpful. Some experience with electrical safety procedures and maintenance is also recommended. This ensures that when you begin working with PLC software, ladder logic, structured text, and real-time operations, you can follow along without getting bogged down in fundamentals.
The course offers a mix of theory and practical, hands-on content. While some lessons cover conceptual topics such as discrete vs continuous control, PID modes, data highways, and analog vs digital I/O. Others are designed to simulate real PLC systems and field devices. Students work with modular PLC hardware components, practice mapping inputs and outputs, and use PLC programming in ladder logic and structured text. Real-time control and troubleshooting are incorporated to ensure that learners not only learn concepts, but can apply them in industrial automation scenarios.
You’ll be introduced to multiple PLC programming languages common in industrial settings. These include ladder logic, function block diagram (FBD), and structured text, among others. Ladder logic is emphasized first because it’s widely used and intuitive, especially for those with electrical backgrounds. Later modules cover how structured text and function blocks are used for more complex control strategies, such as PID control and analog signal processing. This variety gives a broad foundation across PLC programming approaches.
Real-time control means that PLCs execute control logic with predictable timing and responsiveness. In this course, you’ll learn how scan cycles, timers, counters, and field devices interact in real-time, and how delays or scan times can affect process control. The analog control lesson, for example, shows how PLCs process analog input signals, convert them (via A/D converters), and respond according to configured PID or other control logic. You’ll also see how hardware and software components work together so systems respond reliably in industrial settings.
SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is a higher‐level system often used to monitor and control PLC networks and field devices across larger industrial operations. While this course focuses primarily on PLCs themselves. Hardware, programming (ladder logic, structured text), I/O, and analog control, it also helps you understand how PLCs interface with SCADA systems. You’ll gain insight into how data highways or communication modules transmit data, how input/output devices feed data into control systems, and how those systems can be monitored or visualized in SCADA as part of industrial automation environments.