PLC Programming Tutorial for Beginners. 3 Steps Before you Start

What are the steps to start PLC programming? Before you start going through plc programming tutorials, DO THIS! Selecting the right brand of PLC might be the most important choice beginners make in the quest to become a successful PLC programmer. Then there are plenty of good PLC training for beginners programs out there that will cover introduction to ladder logic, function block programming, and structured text.
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00:00 What are the steps to star programming PLCs
00:50 Select the right brand of PLC
05:00 Free PLC programming software
07:33 Install the PLC programming software
08:37 Rockwell Automation Educational Partner Program
09:07 Free PLC programming lessons
10:42 Purchase a PLC Trainer

[@JuanDiaz-iv3iv]

Thanks for this advice Tim. I am not a native English speaker but the way you explained is an easy way to learn PLC's lessons, no matter what language you speak. I used to work with TIA Siemens, Unitronics and a few AB's and every single video you made teaches us good stuff. I appreciate that. Thanks for it. The best way I learned, I invested in software that makes me do my own programs and play with it. Some of them like Siemens you are able to simulate your hardware you don't need to invest in it. I highly recommend using it. The two companies I worked for both are using German machines and Siemens was predominant in this case.

[@TimWilborne]

You are welcome. Glad our videos come across clear!

[@tektonelec4695]

Thanks Tim. Great video!

[@TimWilborne]

Glad you liked it Anthony!

[@rodolforodriguez70]

This Video is Solid Gold, the advices given are Gold

[@TimWilborne]

Glad to hear it Rodolfo!

[@JohnSmith-lv8xk]

Good talk, I have found the brand to be more dependent on industry / machine manufacturer rather than geographic. The sawmills in the pacific northwest all run AB. In those situations everything is wired to an MCC and the PLC sits right next to it. If you have a European wood working machine it will likely have a Siemens PLC and be a "machining center" design.

[@babytronfan593]

great video, can’t wait to make this my career. huge thanks.

[@TimWilborne]

Thank you and best of luck to you!

[@iliapopovich]

Yesterday I needed some basic information about counters and found it on the website TW controls. Very easy explained and thanks.

[@TimWilborne]

Great to hear!

[@elvisstarlord7121]

Thank you. Outstanding video. You helped answer all my questions. I have an electrical and mechanical background hoping it will only help .Great advice sir.

[@TimWilborne]

You are welcome

[@dr.g7898]

Excellent. as usual. A recommendation, if I may please: don't try to learn all the instructions (as at 1:32) at the onset. Won't mean much, nor it feasible. Think of a simple problem: commercial garage door control is a good one. Implement this on the PLC trainer. Then pick another challenge associated, i.e. after 100 hours, motor lubrication maintenance alarm//indicator/reset. Then record keeping. Also, there are some good simulators, CCW is too complicated to begin with, IMHO. I use logixpro, free version, but there are many others.

[@jeffburnette5830]

Thanks for the video, Tim. I am struggling to learn how to troubleshoot PLC's. I don't have the choice of learning just one though. Where I work there is a variety (no standard). There is AB, Toyopuc, Mitsubishi, Fanuc and the one used the most is Direct Soft. I kept wondering why I am struggling, your video helped answer it. In the school I am attending they covered briefly on AB. At work though we have 8 machines that use the AB out of hundreds of machines. Learning how to just get into everyone of them and start talking is Tough at times! But as a Maintenance Tech your expected to know everything, in reality it seems impossible to get good at every aspect in that line of work. Thanks again for another good Video, buddy.

[@TimWilborne]

I would still stick with the strategy of trying to learn one very well. I worked as a tech at a plant that had every type of PLC also. Chose the one you enjoy working with the most and learn how every instruction in it works. As you get a deeper understanding of it, you will find the others come easier as well.

[@randallbanta2021]

I completely agree with Tim on this one. I personally consider a variety of Plc platforms within a facility to be an engineering failure. As I've advanced in the field , I have learned that quality operations do not do that. It is a spectacularly short sighted approach that saves a Nickle today and costs millions over time. i would go so far as to suggest that Tim do a video on the benefits and pit falls involved in each approach.

[@jackalinthebush]

Great video, Tim. You have helped me tremendously in the last few years as I get my AAS Automation. The school I attend does just what you mentioned; they jump back and forth and leave it to us to dig into the "meat". Problem being a lot of the higher end software doesn't have a free or trial version. I have a SLC 503 and RsLogix 500 at the house and have loved working with it. I almost dropped the dough for 5000 the other day. I love its ease of use with tagging and SFC is amazing but going to school and working part-time I thought better. For those of us just getting into industrial programming, what can we realistically expect going in? I know it's employer dependent, but will I be changing out fuses for the next two year, lol?

[@TimWilborne]

Check out Connected Components Workbench instead of Studio 5000. It is free and will allow you to play with function blocks and structured text.

[@adrianraith3831]

I find most job ads I look at ask for Siemens S7 (I'm in the UK); S7 can be a pretty steep learning curve though compared to others. Water / wastewater plants seem to be heavily AB. I learned on Toshiba / Omron, back in the days of handheld programmers...PLCs have come a long way since

[@TimWilborne]

Yes they have!

[@arafatalgazaly3489]

thank you so much

[@TimWilborne]

You are welcome

[@LuisLOPEZ-ew9xj]

Hey Tim, commenting from the great state of Texas. I am currently working as a installer in BAS working with HVAC Controls. I am also taking a Mechatronics course here at Lone Star Community College if there is any books or resources that could help me get that extra step forward please let me know! Gonna be watching the videos! Glad I found the channel!

[@TimWilborne]

Welcome Luis, here is my book recommendation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ3Lg6eBg8RriqM

[@debihsofiane3229]

Thank you

[@TimWilborne]

You are welcome

[@Northmanson1066]

1.21 Gigawatts? Love the shirt!!!

[@TimWilborne]

Thanks Howard!

[@astroboy_777]

Im interested Tim. I work as an induteial maintenance but i want to learn more about plc

[@TimWilborne]

Here's a course that might help courses.twcontrols.com/courses/allen-bradley-micro800-plc-training

[@hockythuatchannel]

great

[@TimWilborne]

Thanks!

[@Burban12]

Thank you I have a interview tomorrow and needed a refresher. Time too spam your page

[@TimWilborne]

Good luck in your interview!

[@Munawarkhan107]

I do agree with your advise that first learn one then try other brand of PLC

[@TimWilborne]

Great!

[@izlo5176]

hey tim, I am in a manufacturing technology program right now and am beginning the part of our class where we work with an amatrol PLC trainer equipped with allen bradley compactlogix and studio 5000 classic lite, I am struggling getting starting and wondering if you have any particular videos you’d recommend

[@TimWilborne]

This one will probably take you through the whole class. kzbin.infoKRJ6Qz3hwZw?feature=share

[@mystifiedoni377]

I literally just searched "how to program PLC". Wondering if I should go for a CS degree or an alternative (I'm a CNC operator and have worked with Fanuc, Okuma, and HAAS and PLC has been a curiosity for me). Thank you for making this channel.

[@TimWilborne]

Glad to help!

[@bimbsky2000]

I am new in cell environment which is using PLC, we have an application connecting to PLC ethernet and getting information from it. the problem is when network get disconnected (for any reason) and then when connection get resume PLC does not response and the application could get information. my English is not so good.

[@bobbyyoung2831]

Easy!

[@TimWilborne]

Yes!

[@chriscermak3188]

Right on Tim. Specialize!!

[@TimWilborne]

Thanks Chris.

[@randycort3142]

Thanks Tim, wonder if AB support could explain why my Compactlogix doesn't like my PV800. I have the frees CCW, maybe I should update to the developers, not that spendy.

[@TimWilborne]

Yes, you may be hours ahead on that question. I do have an L27 I'm going to try your program on, just ended up tied up this past week.

[@machoman616]

Hey Tim! I have a question. So, I’m currently taking PLC2 and this class is crazy difficult. I hate that my professor doesn’t really explain the basics and how to wire stop and starts/ lights and push buttons. With this said is there a playlist that you have that can help me? I’m looking for a “ first day of plc” video. I wanna know how you do this stuff and “why”. Thanks so much

[@TimWilborne]

Hi Dominic. Here is a very popular live stream for getting started with PLC programming kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYOtZ4SwaM2qkNk Sinking and sourcing is important to understanding wiring kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHfHpa1pppmUqZo Here are some good control panel wiring tips kzbin.info/aero/PLUi5cdVq3wTBSiZ8UYnTXaTIuvyBhausp

[@jeffgerst3619]

I’ve been asked to teach a basic pox course for my electrical students and I’m at a loss on how to begin. Is there a course out there I can take so I can teach them to wire up an AB plc to do some rudimentary programming?

[@TimWilborne]

See if this helps Jeff. twcontrols.com/micro800-connected-components-workbench-lessons

[@Time-Trvlr]

A big advantage to RS5k and up is it being tag based. SLK, RS500 etc with a straight upload and not having the program you will get the program yes but what are the bits doing?

[@TimWilborne]

Also newer Controllogix and Compactlogix also store descriptions in the processor in addition to the tags!

[@DanielGomez-yz1mw]

When do you suggest develope edition micro 800 plc?

[@TimWilborne]

Hi Daniel. At around $150 is isn't a big purchase but still I would say not until you have some experience under your belt and you either need online editing or would see value in the 8-5pm technical support that it comes with.

[@Deuce_390]

What is the best way to start in learning plc’s ?? My electrical background is motor operated valves in the oil&gas industry . Great video by the way 👍👍👍

[@TimWilborne]

I would start with this Connected Components Workbench lesson series. twcontrols.com/micro800-connected-components-workbench-lessons

[@Deuce_390]

@@TimWilborne thanks for the link I will check it out tonight 👍

[@lonewolftech]

Most of the companies in my area use Omron, but I have also seen Siemans but never once seen an AB plc utilized in any of the companies I have worked for. But we don't get to work on the programs anyways they all have high dollar engineers for that and will not consider anyone outside of that lol. I have Automation direct PLCs i use for my projects and things I do. But the company I work for now use Omron and its stupid confusing. They trained us on AB in school and touched on Siemans but nothing on Omron.

[@bobsmith3291]

I know how you feel haha I could easily do the things the plc contractors can do but they pay them £5k a time to come in and pay me a salary

[@ryustewart9633]

Hello Tim, I don’t know anything about PLCs besides some of the videos that I watch and some explanation at my job I really want to get into this field so far everything that I watched I like very much where is a good place to get started to get some hands-on training to see if this is really for me?

[@TimWilborne]

Start with this lesson series, you can get through the counter lesson with the simulator, then you can decide if you want to invest in a PLC. twcontrols.com/micro800-connected-components-workbench-lessons

[@ryustewart9633]

Thank you so much I never expected you to respond. Do you sell the practice hardware that you have in some of your videos?

[@TimWilborne]

@@ryustewart9633 Yes we do, see link below. twcontrols.com/plc-trainers

[@deeppatel9083]

Hi Tim. I am mechanical background and I want to turn my career towards automation side . Should PLC learning be the starting point?

[@TimWilborne]

It could be, find what is common in your area and see what free software is available for you to test drive.

[@stuartevans8142]

I have both mechanical and EandI experience as an industrial maintenance technician. I want to learn more about PLC programming and integration. What steps would you recommend???

[@TimWilborne]

Great question! I would start with this lesson series. The software is free and you can get through the counter exercise with the simulator. Then you can decide if you want to invest in some hardware. twcontrols.com/micro800-connected-components-workbench-lessons

[@walterlykes9105]

You mentioned coming to you for training, where and how?

[@TimWilborne]

Check out the following link then contact us. twcontrols.com/allen-bradley-plc-training

[@Zoltansfire]

Hi Tim! I was wondering if I could get some help. I'm a graduated engineer technologist, I studied automation as my major and I was out of the industry maybe for a few years. I recently got, well say a half- offer (i say half because they paid to fly me out to their company site for a on site second interview) for a job that uses a lot of PLC automation tasks. The company is looking for someone who's good with IO, PLCs, VFDs, (electronics tech job title) and I was really good at it in college, I even competed in a provincial competition for my college. I'm honestly really nervous about it, and was hoping I could get some pointers on how I could succeed in sealing the deal for the job? I'm a little bit new to using VFDs, motor soft starts, what is the critical knowledge that I should kno.w and take with me to my on-site interview?

[@TimWilborne]

Be honest. Tell them what you know, what you don't, and what you think you need to learn more about.

[@ericsolberg5096]

Im in garden grove cali. Is there a school you can refer lme to

[@TimWilborne]

This lesson series is a great place to start. twcontrols.com/micro800-connected-components-workbench-lessons

[@ashleylabuschagne7001]

Hi Tim. I am interested in one of your trainers, i am unfortunately based in South Africa so would have to use UPS to get it.

[@TimWilborne]

Yes, unfortunately we can't ship them internationally. They get damaged in shipping too often and get hung up in customs.

[@sophialucena6201]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏