Ever since PLCs were first introduced, instructors have been using analogies such as "switches" and "coils" to explain the operation of the ladder logic program. The good news is that these types of explanations tend to work quite well in the vast majority of situations. The bad news is that they do NOT work all of the time. Worst of all, the times when they fail to work are precisely when they are needed most – while troubleshooting or debugging a malfunctioning system.

The explanations that we use in our PLC Boot Camp classes are actually simpler to learn – and easier to remember – than any of the "switches and coils" analogies. More importantly, our methods always work. They're based on what actually happens "under the hood" during the PLC processor's scan cycle. As complicated as that sounds, it only takes a few minutes to explain – and many students have it totally mastered before lunchtime on the first day of our classes.

Then throughout the rest of the week the students practice applying their new skills in solving one troubleshooting problem after another. Quite often an experienced student will stubbornly insist on using his complicated "old school" analogies – and get the wrong answer to a problem. Meanwhile, a beginner student will apply his new skills – and come up with the correct answer to the same problem. Besides being fun and entertaining, exercises like this can conclusively prove that our simple step-by-step analysis always works – and that other methods often fail.

For more information, or to register, just contact us at:

843-437-1883          - phone

843-225-0512          - fax

ronbeaufort@gmail.com - email

© Copyright - R.H.Beaufort - Charleston, SC – Updated: Oct 22, 2008