Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) Interview Questions and Answers:

What are different comonents in PLC?

Answer: 1. Input Interface 2. Memory Section 3. Central Processing Unit (CPU) 4.
Programmable Language 5. Programming tool 6. An output Interface
Advantages of PLCs than Hard wired Relay?
Answer: PLCs are highly reliable, easily programmable, Small and Inexpensive, P
LCs can be designed with the communication capabilities so they can converse wit
h the local or remote computer, They can sustain in robust environment less mai
ntenance.
What is the programmable language used in PLC?
Answer: The general language program consists of Ladder Diagrams. Relay logic co
ntrol scheme is represented in Ladder diagrams. Alternative languages uses Boole
an representation of these control schemes as base of the computer representatio
n.
What does Central Processing Unit (CPU) of PLC consists?
Answer: CPU is the brain of the system and consists of
Microprocessor: To carryout arithematic and logical operations
Memory: The area in the CPU in which the information is stored and reterived
Power Supply: The electrical supply that converts the ac voltage to various DC
operating voltages.
What is SCAN in PLC ?
Answer: The sequential operation of the controller that goes through the ladder
diagram from top to bottom of the ladder. In this process it updates all the out
puts corresponding to the inputs. SCAN takes place from left to right of each ru
ng. Usually SCAN time is in milliseconds and it is a continuous process.
what is plc? Basic function of plc? application of plc in
industry? What is lader diagram ? What is the main advantage
to use plc in industry?
Describe about PLC operation.
ans: Operation of the programmable controller can be considered in two modes, th
e I/O scan mode and the execution mode.
I/O Scan Mode : During the I/O scan mode , the processor updates all outputs and
inputs the state of all inputs one channel at a time. The time required for thi
s depends on the speed of the processor.
Execution Mode : During this mode, the processor evaluates each rung of the ladd
er diagram program that is being executed sequentially , starting from the first
rung and proceeding to the last rung. As a rung is evaluated, the last known st
ate of each switch and relay contact in the rung is considered.
Scan time : An important characteristic of the programmable controller is how mu
ch time is required for
one complete cycle of i/o scan and execution. The scan time may have an impact o
n the ability of the PLC
to detect events that occur on the inputs.

What are programmable logic controller design ?

ans: A programmable controller can be studied by considering the basic elements
like processor, the input modules, output modules and the software .
Processor : the processor is a computer that executes a program to perform the o
peration specified in a ladder diagram or a set of Boolean equations. The proces
sor performs arithmetic and logic operations on input variables data and determi
ne the proper state of the output variables.
The heart of a PLC is a microprocessor , much like the ones used in modern perso
nal computers. Because much of the data in PLC operation is processed bit by bit
special microprocessors optimized for such operation.
Input Modules: The input modules examine the state of physical switches and othe
r input devices and put their state into a form suitable for the processor. The
PLC is able to accommodate a number of inputs called channels.
Modern PLC and the input sensors to which they are connected are much more versa
tile. This is also has a great advantage with respect to electrical safety since
the ac power is not connected to the switches. Many input modules also can be u
sed in the networked environment wherein the input signal arrives as serial digi
tal data encoded with the input device are connected to the input module, the re
sult is that the state of each devices is presented to the PLC processor.
Output Modules : The objective of the output module is ultimately to supply powe
r to an external device such as motor, light , solenoid and so on as required by
the ladder diagram. Early relay logic sequences were able to provide 120 vac di
rectly to device as long as the power requirement was not too great.