Glossary: PLC Technical Terms

AC
See also: Alternating Current
Accumulator
A dedicated data register in memory that is used for temporary storage when
doing calculations. See also: Address
AD
See also: ADC, Analog to Digital Converter
ADC
See also: AD, Analog, Analog to Digital Converter
Address
A code or number used to reference an area of memory in a PLC. See also:
Accumulator
Algorithm
A software procedure used to solve a particular problem.
Alternating Current
A current (and therefore voltage) that varies over time. Typical power supplies
oscillate as sine waves at either 60Hz or 50Hz. Technically, at 60 Hz the
current is reversing direction 60 times per second. See also: AC, Direct
Current
Analog
A value (such as voltage or current) which can be at any level between certain
limits. With PLCs this typically refers to signals that range between 0 and 10
volts or 4 to 20mA. See also: ADC, Digital
Analog to Digital Converter
Analog to digital converter. A circuit or device that inputs an analog signal
and converts it to a digital value. The resolution refers to number of bits used
to indicate the analog value. See also: AD, ADC
ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A code used to

represent common numbers, letters, special symbols and control codes.

Related Links: ASCII Chart 

Assembly Language
Mnemonic commands (typically only three characters) that are one level
above the machine code directly used by the processor. PLC programming
software often has a mnemonic view that correlates with the ladder diagram.
See also: Mnemonic
Back Plane
The printed circuit board at the back of the PLC rack where the modules
connect to a power supply and data bus. See also: Bus
BASIC
A computer language developed by Kemeny & Kurtz in 1964 which stands for
Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Some PLCs have
 coprocessor cards that use a form of BASIC to perform computional tasks
without affecting the main CPU.
Battery Backup
A battery that allows the memory to retain it's values when the PLC is turned
off. See also: Retentive Memory
Baud
The number of times per second a communication transmission changes the
carrier signal. A 2400-baud modem changes the signal 2400 times a second.
Baud is technically not the same as bits per second (bps). For example a 1200
bit-per-second modem actually runs at 300 baud, but it moves 4 bits per baud
(4 x 300= 1200 bits per second).
BCD
See also: Binary Coded Decimal
Binary
A base 2 numbering system meaning only the digits 0 and 1 are used. See:
Binary People: Learning your 1's and 0's See also: Bit
Binary Coded Decimal
A PLC coding system in which a word of 16 bits is divided up into four
nibbles (4 bits) and each region used for the decimal range of 0 to 9. Thus a
word will go from 0 to 9999 and can be easily deciphered. This technique is
also used for devices like thumbwheel switches. See also: BCD, Bit, Word
Bit
One binary digit. A bit can be either a 1 or 0, either on or off. This is the
smallest piece of information in the PLC. Typically eight bits make a byte and
16 bits make a word. See also: Binary, Binary Coded Decimal, Byte, Word
Block
A group of bytes or words. A term often used when transmitting or moving
areas of memory. See also: Byte, Word
Block Diagram
An electrical schematic that represents the exact layout of the components,
connections and wiring. See also: Ladder diagram, Logic diagram
Boolean
A system based on logical states such as AND, OR, NAND, NOR, NOT and
XOR. The symbols can be used singly or in combination to form circuits that
perform true or false operations.
Branch
A parallel logic path on a ladder logic rung.
Broadcast
A networking term indicating that the message should be sent to all
slaves/clients.
Buffer Memory
A register or group of registers used for temporary storage of data. Most often
used in communication to compensate for different transmission rates and
reception of data.
Bug
Problems in software or hardware design that cause undesired behavior. See:
The first actual software bug
Burn
The process of writing information to PROM memory. The device that does
the writing is called a burner.
Burn-in
A testing procedure used to run a device at high temperatures to increase the
probability that any component weakness will be revealed. This ensures that
the design is durabile and meets specifications.
Bus
In PLCs it is a set of parallel conductors used to deliver information at a high
rate between electronic components. The term is also used for power
distribution connectors. See also: Back Plane
Byte
A group of bits forming a piece of data. Usually a subset of a word consisting
of eight bits. See also: Bit, Block, Word
Channel
An input or output on a PLC card that requires more then one connection
point. An example is a isolated current signal channel that requires a positive
and negative wire into the PLC card. See also: Points
DC
See also: Direct Current
DCS
See also: Distributed Control System
Debounce
Switch and relay contacts bounce on the contacts a few times before settling
down to make a stable electrical connection. Debouncing is the act of
removing or ignoring these initial on/off states.
Digital
A value which is discrete, that is, it can only be at certain defined levels. With
PLCs this typically refers to an on or off state like a switch or relay. See also:
Analog, Points
Direct Current
A current (and therefore voltage) that does not vary over time. Typically a low
voltage like 12 or 24 from a battery or power supply. See also: Alternating
Current, DC
Distributed Control System
A system interconnecting sensors, controllers, operator terminals and actuators
to a computer for process automation control. The term typically refers to
proprietary interconnections in contrast to a Process Automation System. See
also: DCS, Process Automation System
Incandescent
Used technically to describe anything that glows with heat. Incandescent bulbs
use a filament heated by electricity to produce light. See also: Light Emitting
Diode, Liquid Crystal Display
Ladder diagram
A circuit diagram used to display electrical control systems like relays and
timers. They consist of power rails on either side with contacts and coils
forming the "rungs of the ladder." See also: Block Diagram, Logic diagram
LCD
See also: Liquid Crystal Display
LED
See also: Light Emitting Diode
Light Emitting Diode
 A semiconductor diode that emits light when biased in the forward direction.
They are typically small domes or square shapped with the most popular
colors being red, green and yellow. They draw less power then regular
incandescent lights but more the LCDs. Some diplays are made of a matrix of
LEDs but they usually are used for indicator lights. See also: Incandescent,
LED, Liquid Crystal Display
Liquid Crystal Display
A type of display used typically for text messages which is low cost and low
power but needs a backlight. The technology uses a fluid between glass which
is polarized to block light. See also: Incandescent, LCD, Light Emitting Diode
Logic diagram
An electrical schematic showing the components in a ladder diagram or using
AND,OR and NOT symbols to represent the logical flow of the controls rather
then their real world physical connections. See also: Block Diagram, Ladder
diagram
mA
Abbreviation for milliAmps. Milli is a standard metric designation for
1/1000th. Therefore 1 mA = 0.001 Amps.
Mnemonic
A mnemonic is a code, usually from 1 to 5 letters, that represents a machine
code used directly by the processor for commands. Examples are ADD (add),
MUL (multiply), MOV (move). See also: Assembly Language
Modbus
A communication protocol used to share data between controllers. It was
originally designed for Modicon PLCs but was adopted by many other
manufacturers since it is an open architecture and thus has become an industry
standard.

Related links: History | Specifications | Modbus Organization

PAS
See also: Process Automation System
PID
Acronym for Proportional, Integral, Derivative. Control algorithm that is used
to closely control processes such as temperature, mixture, position, and
velocity. The proportional portion takes care of the magnitude of the error.
The derivative compensates for the rate of error change. The integral takes
care of small errors over time.
Platinum Resistance Thermometers
Platinum Resistance Thermometers. RTDs made of platinum. See also: PRT,
Resistance Temperature Detector
PLC
Programmable Logic Controller See also: Points, Programmable Controller
Points
The number of possible connections on a PLC card. Usually in reference to
digital inputs and/or outputs. Common numbers of points are 8,16,32 and 64.
See also: Channel, Digital, PLC
Process Automation System
A system interconnecting sensors, controllers, operator terminals and actuators
to a computer for process automation control. A PAS is based on open
 standards in contrast to a DCS (distributed control system), which is
traditionally proprietary. See also: Distributed Control System, PAS
Programmable Controller
An electronic device that can be programmed to control a process or machine
operation. It typically consists of a power supply, processor, memory, inputs
and output. See also: PLC, Soft PLC
PRT
See also: Platinum Resistance Thermometers
Register
An area of memory used to store information typically a word. See also: Word
Resistance Temperature Detector
A temperature measuring device made of wire wound around a core and
isolated in a seath. It works on the basis that resistance changes with
temperature. That is, the hotter they become, the larger or higher the value of
their electrical resistance. They are very precise, respond quickly and are
nearly linear over a wide range of temperatures. They are most commonly
made from platinum. See also: Platinum Resistance Thermometers, RTD,
Thermocouple
Retentive Memory
Memory that is configured by the user to maintain values through a power
cycle or a "program" to "run" transition. See also: Battery Backup
RoHS
Restriction of Hazardous Substances - EU Directive 2002/95/EC: restriction
on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical or electronic
equipment sold or used in the European Union after July 1, 2006. These
substances are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium,
polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
RTD
See also: Resistance Temperature Detector
SCADA
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. Monitoring and control of
processes using a computer.
Soft PLC

Software used on a personal computer or embedded system that emulates the

functions of a PLC.

Related Links: SoftPLC

See also: Programmable Controller

TC
See also: Thermocouple
Thermister
A resistor that changes with temperature. This is based on the fact that as
temperature increases, resistance decreases. Thermistors typically work
accurately over a relatively small temperature range.
Thermocouple
A temperature measuring device made of two metals. When the two metals are
put together it creates a voltage differential which is measured to determine
the temperature. See also: Resistance Temperature Detector, TC
Totalizer
A device which keeps track of the total amount of fluid, gas or other material
used in a process. With a flow rate of 100 m3/hr a totalizer would read 100 m3
in one hour time.
Transducer
A device used to convert physical parameters like pressure, temperature or
weith into electrical signals.
Word
A memory location consisting of a number of bits to form a piece of
information (normally a number or letter). Typically in PLCs the length of a
word is 16 bits. See also: Binary Coded Decimal, Bit, Block, Byte, Register

A PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER (PLC) is an industrial computer control

system that continuously monitors the state of input devices and makes decisions
based upon a custom program, to control the state of devices connected as outputs.

Almost any production line, machine function or process can be automated using a PLC.
The speed and accuracy of the operation can be greatly enhanced using this type of
control system. But the biggest benefit in using a PLC is the ability to change and
replicate the operation or process while collecting and communicating vital information.

A PLC consists of following main parts:

PLC systems
 What is a PLC input/output?

INPUT OUTPUT
Sensing Devices Valves
Switches and Pushbuttons Solenoids
Proximity Sensors Motor
Limit Switches Actuators
Pressure Switches Pumps

PLC Operations consist of four steps

1. Input Scan: Scans the state of the Inputs

2. Program Scan: Executes the program logic
3. Output Scan: Energize/de-energize the outputs
4. Housekeeping