Inst ToolsInst ToolsInst Tools
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Search
  • Books
  • Software
  • Projects
  • Process
  • Tools
  • Basics
  • Formula
  • Power Plant
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Electrical Basics
  • Animation
  • Standards
  • 4-20 mA Course
  • Siemens PLC Course
Reading: How to Convert an Electrical Diagram into PLC Program?
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Inst ToolsInst Tools
Font ResizerAa
  • Courses
  • Design
  • PLC
  • Interview
  • Control System
Search
  • Courses
  • Automation
    • PLC
    • Control System
    • Safety System
    • Communication
    • Fire & Gas System
  • Instrumentation
    • Design
    • Pressure
    • Temperature
    • Flow
    • Level
    • Vibration
    • Analyzer
    • Control Valve
    • Switch
    • Calibration
    • Erection & Commissioning
  • Interview
    • Instrumentation
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Practical
  • Q&A
    • Instrumentation
    • Control System
    • Electrical
    • Electronics
    • Analog Electronics
    • Digital Electronics
    • Power Electronics
    • Microprocessor
  • Request
Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Inst Tools > Blog > PLC Tutorials > How to Convert an Electrical Diagram into PLC Program?

How to Convert an Electrical Diagram into PLC Program?

In this article, you will learn how to convert an electrical diagram into PLC program with an example circuit.

Last updated: March 4, 2024 2:05 pm
Editorial Staff
PLC Tutorials
No Comments
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

PLC programming took a history and reference from electrical drawings. As time passed and it became difficult to troubleshoot electrical systems involving automation, a need was required for some controller to execute a logic and do the needful. This gave birth to PLC systems.

Contents
Understand Electrical DiagramConverting the wiring diagram to the PLC program

As you know, PLC programming has many types of languages and the original one is the ladder language. It should be known that electrical diagrams also help to convert it into ladder logic. In this post, we will see how to convert an electrical diagram into a PLC program.

Understand Electrical Diagram

First of all, you need to understand the electrical diagram. Refer to the below image. Every circuit has two ends – positive and negative. Current starts from the positive end and flows through the negative end.

In between, electrical components and devices come. If you refer to the image below, there are four components – the start push button, the stop push button, the auxiliary contact of the lamp, and the lamp.

Understand Electrical Diagram

The power supply starts from the positive end and goes to the input of the start push button (NO contact). The output of the start push button goes to the input of the stop push button (NC contact). The output of the stop push button goes to the input of the lamp.

The output of the lamp is connected to the negative end supply. In parallel to the start push button, another wire goes down from the input of the button to an auxiliary contact of the lamp. The output of this contact is connected back to the output of the push button.

When the power supply is given and if the start button is pressed, the lamp will turn on as it gets the path for current. Now, if the button is released, then the lamp will turn off as it does not get the path.

So, to latch it, we therefore place the lamp contact in parallel which will hold the power supply path. When the stop button is pressed, the electrical supply path is cut off and the lamp goes off.

Converting the wiring diagram to the PLC program

Now, once you have understood the wiring diagram, start interpreting it in the same way for PLC programming. Refer to the below image.

The ladder logic will have two power ends – left and right. Left is the equivalent to a positive power end and right is the equivalent to a negative power end.

You will need four PLC programming components – start push button -> NO contact, stop push button -> NC contact, lamp -> output coil, and lamp NO contact.

Convert an Electrical Diagram into PLC Program

First, place the start push button NO contact. In parallel to it, place the lamp in NO contact. After this, place the stop push button NC contact. In the end, place the lamp in NO contact.

The working will be the same as discussed for the wiring diagram. You saw that the same electrical drawing was interpreted and converted into ladder logic.

The general tips to follow are:

  1. Understand the wiring diagram from input power to the output power. In between, see which components are placed where and how they are wired.
  2. In the wiring, identify the input parts and the output parts and mark them with separate colors.
  3. Start programming by following the diagram and placing the components in the same way as wiring is done.
  4. Run the program and see how it is working.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Instrumentation, Electrical, PLC, and SCADA video tutorials.

You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to receive daily updates.

Read Next:

  • Free Schneider PLC Training
  • Simulation of Studio 5000
  • Transferring Data Across PLC Systems
  • Import GSD files into the TIA Portal
  • How to Automatically Close Pop-up?
Don't Miss Our Updates
Be the first to get exclusive content straight to your email.
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Invalid email address
You've successfully subscribed !

Continue Reading

Parallel Tanks Level Control using PLC Ladder Diagram Tutorial
How to Download EcoStruxure Machine Expert? Schneider PLC Software
Ladder Diagram Example using Memory Bits and Set Coils
What Factors Affect the Choice of PLC Programming Software?
SCADA System Vulnerabilities
How to implement SR Flip Flop using PLC Ladder Logic
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link
Share
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

128.3kFollowersLike
69.1kFollowersFollow
210kSubscribersSubscribe
38kFollowersFollow

Categories

Explore More

How to Create Templates in FactoryTalk View Studio?
PLC Program for Positive Edge Pulse Output for One Scan Cycle
Create a Function (FC) for a Valve Logic in Siemens PLC
PLC Sequential Operation Example Program
PLC Programming Course Online Free
Mitsubishi PLC Programming Tutorials
ICS System Design Considerations
What is Profinet and How to Configure in Siemens PLC?

Keep Learning

Allen Bradley Powerflex VFD

Allen Bradley Powerflex VFD

Omron PLC Car Parking Program

OMRON PLC Tutorial: Car Parking System Application

PLC Circuit with Switches

PLC Example with Switches

PLC Example on Manufacturing Line Assembly

PLC Example on Manufacturing Line Assembly

Burning Oven PLC Program

PLC Program for Ceramic Burning Oven Conveyor System

Components of PLC

VFD Commissioning and Testing Procedure

VFD Commissioning and Testing Procedure (Variable Frequency Drive)

Master Control Reset (MCR) ladder logic

How to use Master Control Reset (MCR) Instruction in PLC

Learn More

Strain Gauge Bridge Circuit

Something is Wrong with Strain Gauge Bridge Circuit

Explain operation of the circuit

Explain Operation of the Lamp Circuit ?

PLC Water Project

Smart Spray System using Wecon PLC

Pollution Monitoring Instruments Questions and Answers

Carbon Monoxide Questions & Answers

Power Electronics Objective Questions

PWM Inverters Objective Questions

Power Electronics Objective Questions

Advanced Three Phase Converter Objective Questions

What is Pump Redundancy

What is Pump Redundancy?

Process Control Questions & Answers

Process Control Questions & Answers

Menu

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Quick Links

  • Learn PLC
  • Helping Hand
  • Part Time Job

YouTube Subscribe

Follow US
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?