Where to begin Pt1 - Which PLC to Start With? Start here!

[@CornManly]

I posted this question on my LinkedIn and got a lot of answers, some over laying some not. I personally want to be a controls engineer and onto an automation engineer. This series that you have posted helps people like me more than you realize. Thank you for being someone who cares. You’re a giant among men.

[@plcprofessor]

That is a excellent goal!!!

[@jonflannery8984]

Taking a class with this guy at my current employer, he’s extremely knowledgeable and reliable source for good information.

[@plcprofessor]

Great to hear!

[@jacksonest93]

Always found your videos very helpful, thanks so much and keep them coming!

[@plcprofessor]

The pleasure is mine...

[@michaelparry1383]

plcprofessor, I know you work with the AB PLC systems for your training. And as you mentioned it is a very powerful and reliable group of systems. Over the past several years I have been installing remote systems in the water and wastewater facility here in Arkansas. We first had some single board controllers that captured digital and analog information and sent that information to the main SCADA HMI system for control and monitoring. They worked will and were realiable. We wanted to install small PLC units and the AB Micro seemed like a good fit, but by the time we had the digital inputs and outputs and analog inputs and outputs we needed, the cost was getting up there. Because we have over 50 to 70 sites, we needed to consider a lower cost unit. We selected the Productivity 2000 system from Automation Direct. The hardware was reasonable and you could build as you needed by adding I/O modules to a back plane. The software is powerful and free. My big concern is reliability. these systems have been installed for several years and seem to be doing good. Again, the only reason we looked at a different direction was the cost of the AB hardware and the the cost of the full version of the AB programming software. If you haven't yet, for a small investment you can purchase a small 4 slot rack, power supply, processor, and a few I/O modules. Download the free and very powerful software and have fun. You will find there are some nice things like the Rockwell software.

[@plcprofessor]

I agree completely in that situation where it is a commodity application, 50-70 repeats. In the case of learning for the job market, the employers are more interested in your knowledge of RSLogix than Automation Direct of which I have nothing bad to say.

[@michaelparry1383]

@@plcprofessor , I fully agree. Also, If one learns how to design a system centered around the Allen Bradley world, then they can apply what they know to other platforms. There are many features of RSLogix that are so helpful to work with troubleshooting an existing AB system.

[@69developer]

@@plcprofessor - I also get asked the same question a lot. Your video pretty much is spot on. The AutomationDirect has some great choices of hardware also and is definitely cheaper than AB. We have a proven track record with both of them. But, most mid size to larger companies are going to be asking for AB experience. If someone wants to make even more money, learn DeltaV. The other big area is IOT, which really has been here since day one, just not it’s networked which brings up another big earnings increase. OT is huge right now and lots of opportunities out there. Oh, great content and always recommend your training.

[@aussiegruber86]

I have opted for the productivity platform alot over the last 2 years....mostly cause my local AB supplier is painful and expensive... and direct automation (the Australian version) is an online shop.

[@michaelparry1383]

@@aussiegruber86 , we have migrated from single board controllers or limited remote I/O controllers for our remote water stations and remote waste water lift stations. We chose the Productivity 2000 because of its power and cost. I thought that these may not be as reliable as a popular PLC like AB, but the cost factor times 50 to 80 sites was important. We have had no problems.

[@EitriBrokkr]

I used AB's in school over a decade ago. I've never ever had to work with one in the field. Siemens, Wago, or Fanuc, or off brands of lower level controls.

[@michaelparry1383]

The "plcprofessor" is correct on that the Allen Bradley is one of the largest installed plc and pac systems in the United States of America. It got its start with the PLC2, PLC3, and PLC5s. Now with all the SLC line and all the Micro Logix and Control Logix systems, the base is massive. So, if you want to learn and develop a working knowledge of PLC systems, the Allen Bradley is the route to go. I have worked on many of these. There are other systems out there that are very powerful and relatively inexpensive. For a start I do think the investment in the Micro 1400 and the software is well worth the money. Also, if you start with the AB systems, the "plcprofessor" has years and years of training videos that will help.

[@plcprofessor]

well said...

[@أُسامة-خ4م]

Thank you so much, but I have question, do I need to study some classic control before starting plc programing?

[@ramluma]

At 3:02, volume gets better. Thanks

[@plcprofessor]

back and forth between different microphones is the challenge, one on a boom and the other in front of the hardware.

[@soon2gohome]

Hi my name is matthew i am an x truck driver, now i have an opportunity to change careers so what are the foot steps from very beginning of getting into plc what do i need to get familiar with before using an purchase hard ware?

[@plcprofessor]

plc professor website...read this first tab

[@DavidMann-jr5uy]

Just purchased micro starter $214.00 plus tax it comes with 1 year phone support .

[@soon2gohome]

Were did you get it at iam bery intrited

[@jpvanaswegen7114]

Do you do any siemens plc's?

[@plcprofessor]

no

[@DavidMann-jr5uy]

Sorry that was $214.00 including tax. It was $174.00 before tax.

[@ramluma]

Please put a microphone very close to your mouth. Not all devices have great speakers. Even on $900 devices. Thanks

[@plcprofessor]

That is not always practical but I will keep working on it. I just started using multiple cameras and when you are doing this for free, you don't have the option of burning up time and resources on improvements...my apologies.

[@CharanSingh-ez6ui]

Hello sir

[@plcprofessor]

Hello