Programming PLCs Using Rockwell Automation Controllers [Paperback]

Jon Stenerson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 013094002X | ISBN-13: 978-0130940025 | Publication Date: March 16, 2003

This practical, understandable approach to PLC's, sensors, and communications addresses Rockwell in a comprehensive and clearly written fashion. This book is meant to make readers comfortable with programming and use. Each topic is clearly explained through the use of common, easy to understand examples. The programmable logic controller (PLC) is an amazing piece of technology, and this book provides comprehensive coverage of all of the topics associated with this subject. Beginning with a basic foundation for the use of PLC's, the book proceeds to cover number systems; contacts, coils, and programming fundamentals; Rockwell addressing; timers and counters and their use in addressing; I/O modules, wiring, and digital and analog modules; math instructions; advanced programming; industrial sensors; communications, ControlLogix, and DeviceNet; safety and lockout/tagout; and IEC 611313 programming. For personnel who program and integrate industrial controllers and devices.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Programming PLCs: Using Rockwell Automation Controllers teaches how to program and integrate PLCs. It provides a comprehensive coverage of the following topics:

• PLC history and the fundamental of programming
• Number systems and coils and contacts
• Rockwell addressing
• I/O modules and wiring
• Advanced programming
• Wiring and practical application of industrial sensors
• Industrial communications: ControlLogix and DeviceNet
• Safety and lockout/tagout
• Installing and troubleshooting PLC systems
• IEC 1131 programming

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

The programmable logic controller (PLC) is an amazing piece of technology. The PLC is simple to use, yet features complex technology. While the PLC has been increasing in capability and complexity, vast improvements in software and related hardware have actually made it much easier to program and integrate. The PLC can control anything we can envision. The study and use of PLCs is filled with those "AHA!" moments when we conquer another problem or application.

Programmable control has transformed manufacturing. There is a huge need for trained personnel who can program and integrate industrial controllers and devices.

I wrote this textbook for my students when I was unable to find a practical, affordable textbook that addressed Rockwell SLCs. Each chapter includes questions, and some chapters include additional programming exercises.

Each chapter begins with a generic approach to the topic. Each topic is clearly explained through the use of common, easy to understand examples. Chapters 1 through 3 provide the basic foundation for the use of PLCs. Chapter 1 focuses on the history and fundamentals of the PLC. Chapter 2 covers number systems. Chapter 3 covers contacts, coils, and the fundamentals of programming.

Chapter 4 focuses on Rockwell addressing and coils and contacts. Because addressing tends to be confusing for students, this chapter is intended to give them a firm understanding of addressing so that programming will be a much less frustrating task. Chapter 5 covers timers and counters and provides practical examples of the use of timers and counters and their addressing.

Chapter 6 covers I/O modules and wiring, and digital and analog modules. This chapter gives students a practical and logical approach to learning how to wire digital and analog modules, and explains the concept of analog control and resolution.

Chapter 7 covers math instructions including add, subtract, multiply, divide, and compare. In addition, the chapter covers logical operators, standard deviation, and number system conversion instructions.

Chapter 8 covers advanced programming with instructions such as copy, move, and messaging instructions. In addition, PID control and the PID instruction are covered. The newest instructions such as time stamping, ramp, and diagnostic and troubleshooting are discussed. The chapter has practical examples of sequential logic instructions.

Chapter 9 covers industrial sensors and their wiring and focuses on types and uses of sensors. Sensors include optical, inductive, capacitive, encoders, resolvers, ultrasonic, and thermocouples. The wiring and practical application of sensors is stressed.

Chapter 10 covers communications, ControlLogix, and DeviceNet. The chapter begins with an overview of the three levels of industrial communications. ControlLogix is Rockwell Automation's technology that can be used for control and communications. DeviceNet serves many purposes as well.

Chapter 11 covers safety and lockout/tagout. Students learn the basics of safety and lockout/tagout before they enter the industrial environment. Chapter 12 focuses on the installation and troubleshooting of PLC systems. The chapter discusses cabinets, wiring, grounding, noise, and troubleshooting. This chapter provides the fundamental groundwork for proper installation and troubleshooting of integrated systems.

Chapter 13 examines IEC 611313 programming, a topic that is certain to become more prevalent in industrial programming and control. This chapter is an introduction to the various types of programming available under the standard.

I sincerely hope that this book will ease the reader's task of learning to program and integrate PLCs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (March 16, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013094002X
• ISBN-13: 978-0130940025
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,101,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Runtime Issues for Software in Windows XP, January 23, 2007

By 

J. Freeman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming PLCs Using Rockwell Automation Controllers (Paperback)

I could have purchased a similar book here on Amazon for half the price, but I chose this one for the included CD.

The CD contains a 45 day free trial of LogixPro by Bill Simpson. When I installed and ran this program immediately upon receiving it, it stated that my 45 days had already expired, and then directed me to Simpson's website, "The Learning Pit" to purchase a code to unlock the full version. There I went on to have further runtime issues with the other "trial" versons available for download.

I e-mailed Bill Simpson, since he invites people to do so in order to "improve" the product. He refused to stand by either the CD or his download. He offered no explanation or remedy for the problems, and told me to return the book.

Do not allow this CD to influence whether you buy the book. Do not expect any support from it's maker.

After five days working on my own, as an IT professional, I did finally force the thing to work. My solution was not something that even an experienced windows user could have found. Nor should they have to. Even now, the trial counter shows only 40 days remaining...I'll never get those 5 non-productive days back.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There's a better and cheaper way..., March 30, 2005

By 

D. Harp "Goofus McToofus" (Tweedlebury) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming PLCs Using Rockwell Automation Controllers (Paperback)

Why spend too much money for a brief overview when you can get the best manuals for programming AB/Rockwell's PLCs for free??? Just go to Rockwell's Literature Library and search for the PLC technology you're interested in. For example, if you want PLC5 hardware manuals just search for PLC5. If you want ControlLogix.... well, you get the picture. There are free, high quality, PDF versions of most all of their hardware and software products. You don't need to spend $100 for a little over 300 pages (!!! Geeze !!!) of Kindergarten stuff. Learn the real stuff for nothin'

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but for beginners only., July 18, 2004

By 

Charles Straley (Laramie, WY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming PLCs Using Rockwell Automation Controllers (Paperback)

This book explains PLCs in terms of Allen Bradley PLCs. It is targeted at people that have never used a PLC before and does a good job of explaining the fundamentals of PLCs. If you are in this group, I would strongly recommend this book. However, it is not very helpful if you are already familiar with PLCs and are looking to learn about Allen Bradley products as much of the book concerns things such as what kind of devices are connected to PLCs, good installation practices, etc.