Programmable Logic Controllers

This is the introduction to PLCs for which baffled students, technicians and managers have been waiting. In this straightforward guide Bill Bolton has kept the maths to a minimum, avoided detailed programming instructions and presented the subject in a way that is not device-specific.

Having read this book you should be able to:

• Identify the main design characteristics and internal architecture of PLCs
• Describe and identify the characteristics of commonly used input and output devices
• Explain the processing of inputs and outputs by PLCs
• Describe communication links involved with control systems
• Develop ladder programs for the logic functions AND, OR, NOR, NAND, NOT and XOR
• Develop ladder programs involving internal relays, timers, counters, shift registers, sequencers and data handling
• Identify methods used for testing and debugging

Melanie Martella, December 2006 -

"If you're looking for a good introduction to PLCs or you haven't worked with them for a while and need to brush up, then this is the book for you."

W. Bolton has worked in industry, as well as academia as a senior lecturer in a College of Technology, a member of the Nuffield Advanced Physics team, adviser on British Government Aid project to Brazil on technical education, UNESCO consultant in Argentina and Thailand, Head of Research and Development at the Business and Technician Education Council, now retired. He has written many engineering textbooks including: Mechatronics 4th ed., Engineering Science 5th ed., Higher Engineering Science 2nd ed., Mechanical Science 3rd ed., Instrumentation and Control Systems.