PLC Level Control of Two Tanks

Design a ladder logic for PLC level control of two tanks. Learn the PLC programming with practice problems.

Last updated: November 3, 2023 12:47 pm

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Design a ladder logic for PLC level control of two tanks. Learn the PLC programming with practice problems.

Contents

Problem Description

Two simultaneous process are to be performed in two separate tanks which are connected through a valve.

First Process takes place in process tank 1 and second process takes place in tank 2. Write the ladder program for level controlling of two tanks in PLC.

Problem Diagram

PLC Program to Control Level of Two Tanks

Problem Solution

Arrange two pressure controlled tanks for processes. Process 1 will be done in process 1 tank and process 2 will be done in process 2 tank.

Use an inlet vale for material inlet in process 1 tank. Add one more valve between two tanks as a connecting valve.

Consider two sensors (High and Low) for process 1 tank and consider only low sensor for process 2 tank.

For this application we can use PLC, we will write PLC program for this application.

List of inputs and outputs

Digital Inputs

Cycle START :- I0.0
Cycle STOP :- I0.1
Low level process 1 tank (LL1) :- I0.3
Low level process 2 tank (LL2) :- I0.4
High level process tank 1 (LH1) :- I0.5
Process 1 done :- I1.0
Process 2 done :- I1.1

Digital Outputs

Inlet valve :- Q0.0
Connecting valve :- Q0.1
Outlet Valve :- Q0.2

M memory

Cycle ON bit :- M0.0

PLC Ladder diagram for level controlling of two tanks

Program Explanation

For this application, we used S7-300 PLC and TIA portal software for programming. We can implement this logic by using other PLC also.

Network 1:

Network 1 is for latching circuit. Whenever START button is pressed (I0.0), Cycle ON (M0.0) bit will be ON. Cycle can be STOP by pressing STOP PB (I0.1).

Network 2:

If LL1 (I0.2) is detected and cycle START is pressed, an inlet valve (Q0.0) will be ON. Consider LH 1(I0.3) interlock during this function.

Network 3:

When the level of material of process tank 1 goes high hence LH 1(I0.3) is detected and level of material in process 2 tank goes low, connecting valve (Q0.1) will be ON. This function takes place while PLC is detecting process 1 done command.

Network 4:

When process 2 is completed and process 2 tank is not low, an outlet valve (Q0.2) will be ON. Cycle ON bit (M0.0) should be ON during the whole cycle.

Note : The above application may be different from actual application. This example is only for explanation purpose only. We can implement this logic in other PLC also.