PLC Telemetry and SCADA Technologies

Overview:

Introduction:

This is a highly relevant, industrially based course that will update the skills and knowledge of Technicians and Engineers alike. The course is ‘hands-on’ using industry-standard PLC’s in a simulated environment. Through this approach, the delegate will progress from learning the fundamentals of PLC application to writing, debugging, and finally designing their own programs.

Radio and wire-based telemetry systems, essential for an understanding of modern communication methods deployed in the field are also studied and explained. These are vital for a comprehensive understanding of their use with not only programmable controllers but any Instrumentation/Controller remote application.

The course also includes a study of modern SCADA technologies. Again, together with a hands-on approach using a modern industrially compliant SCADA software package, the delegate will acquire new and updated skills essential in any fast-moving industrial environment.

Course Objectives:

At the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Give an understanding of the operation, architecture, and use of an industry-standard PLC for Control purposes.
• Use a hands-on approach, enable the delegate to investigate the operation of the PLC through designing, building, and testing typical programs in the ladder programming language using industry-standard PLCs in a simulated environment.
• Become familiar and confident with the PLC, Telemetry, and SCADA environments.
• Understand the concepts of Radio Telemetry and acquire the knowledge relating to the application, limitation, and use of frequency bands used.
• Gain an understanding and knowledge of common wire-based communication protocols.
• Disseminate and share experience and knowledge with other delegates through open session discussions hence broadening the knowledge base of all.

Targeted Audience:

• Electronic Engineers and Technicians.
• Electrical Engineers and Technicians.
• Control Engineers and Technicians.
• Communication Engineers and Technicians.
• I.T. and Software Engineers and Technicians.
• Design Engineers.
• Instrumentation Engineers and Technicians.
• Electricians.
• Instrument and Process Control Engineers and Technicians.
• Mechanical Engineers and Technicians.
• Operations Engineers.
• Process Engineers and Technicians.
• Production Professionals.
• Project design Professionals.
• System Integrators.
• Other professions (Managers, Engineers, Technicians) involved in the Control and Process Industries who require a fuller understanding of that industry.

Course Outlines:

Unit 1: Introduction to Control Strategies:

• Continuous Control systems.
• Sequential Control systems.
• Relay based systems.
• Relay based programming examples.
• PLC v relay systems.
• Programming formats.
• Logical continuity.
• Software familiarisation.
• Introduction to industry-standard PLC programming software.
• Construction of test program.

Unit 2: PLC Architecture:

• System architecture.
• Memory and I/O types.
• Scanning algorithms.
• Program Scan cycle.
• Introduction.
• Elements of a Radio Link.
• The radio spectrum.
• Frequency ranges.
• System design considerations.
• Serial transfer of Programs.
• Design exercise 1.

Unit 3: PLC Programme Development:

• Analysis of PLC programs.
• Design methodology and development of PLC programs.
• Timer method of program development.
• Design exercise 2. - Program design of Process Controller.
• Communication methods (Simplex, Half-Duplex, Full-Duplex):
• RS232 standard.
• RS422 standard.
• RS485 standard.
• Sequence Controller and Application boards.

Unit 4: Analog I/O and Processing:

• Analog inputs.
• A/D and D/A conversion.
• Programming analog modules and advanced instructions.
• Implementing PID control using a PLC.
• System architecture.
• Configuration and operation.
• Introduction to industry-standard SCADA software.
• Design and development of a new SCADA project.

Unit 5: PLC/SCADA v DCS Systems:

• Design and development of a new SCADA project (continued).
• Case Study – An Industrial Process.
• Consolidation of Previous practical activities.