Books



PLC Programming for Industrial Automation by Kevin Collins (Covers ladder logic, wiring diagrams, and programming fundamentals) Industrial Automation: Hands-On by Terry Borden (Includes sections on PLC basics, ladder logic, and electrical schematics) PLC Wiring and Troubleshooting by Patrick Patton (Focused specifically on PLC wiring, including ladder logic and troubleshooting techniques)Programs



Siemens TIA Portal (Free to download; includes a library of PLC blocks and tools for creating and simulating ladder logic diagrams) Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 (Free to download; similar to TIA Portal but designed for Allen-Bradley PLCs) Codesys (Open-source PLC programming environment that supports ladder logic and other programming languages)Additional Resources



Free PLC Training from AutomationDirect (Online webinars, videos, and manuals) PLC Ladder Logic Simulator (Online tool for simulating ladder logic diagrams) Electrical Wiring Diagrams Explained (Online resource with explanations of common electrical symbols and diagrams)Tips for Reading Ladder and Wiring Diagrams

Familiarize yourself with the symbols and conventions used in PLC diagrams. Start by identifying the input and output devices (e.g., sensors, actuators). Follow the flow of logic through the diagram, starting from the input devices and moving to the output devices. Pay attention to the contacts and coils, which represent logic gates and control elements. Note the wire connections between the devices and the PLC. These will show how the devices are wired to the PLC terminals.

Additional Considerations: For a wastewater plant, you may want to consider learning about PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control, which is used for process control. It's also helpful to understand basic electrical concepts, such as voltage, current, and resistance. Flag for review