PLC & Control Systems Fundamentals
How programmable logic controllers monitor and control plant equipment: the scan cycle, I/O, ladder logic, HMIs and alarms, and the disciplines — management of change, backups and OT security — that keep control systems trustworthy. For technicians, operators and engineers working around automated plant.
51m
Total time
4
Competency levels
12
Lessons
What you'll learn
- Explain where PLCs sit relative to DCS and safety instrumented systems, and why safety functions are never bypassed casually
- Describe the PLC scan cycle and predict how input, logic and output ordering affects behaviour
- Distinguish digital and analogue I/O and read basic ladder logic, including a simple interlock
- Apply alarm discipline at the HMI and recognise the danger of alarm floods
- Follow management of change when control logic is edited: test, back up and document every change
- Practise basic OT security hygiene around programming laptops, removable media and network connections
Curriculum
Progress through each competency level in order.
1
Awareness
- 2mWhere PLCs Sit: PLC, DCS and Safety SystemsKnowledge
- 2mThe Scan Cycle and I/O BasicsKnowledge
- 7mAwareness Check: PLC BasicsAssessment
2
Knowledge
- 2mLadder Logic BasicsKnowledge
- 3mHMIs and Alarm DisciplineKnowledge
- 8mKnowledge Check: Logic and AlarmsAssessment
3
Skill
- 3mManagement of Change for Logic EditsKnowledge
- 3mAssignment: Trace and Document an InterlockAssignment
- 8mSkill Check: Working with Live LogicAssessment
4
Mastery
- 3mBackups, Recovery and OT Security HygieneKnowledge
- 3mAssignment: Backup and Recovery ReviewAssignment
- 7mMastery Assessment: Control System StewardshipAssessment
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