Understanding the PLC
Published on : Monday 09-03-2020
Dipali Chaudhari shares her experience for the benefit of budding engineers aspiring to build a career in industrial automation.
Industrial Automation involves creating and applying technologies that control or monitor production and delivery. Manufacturing today is highly automated to meet the present day concepts of just-in-time production with high efficiencies. More and more factories are automating more and more of their processes. All these activities are generation a lot of job opportunities, signalling a shift from the shop floors to control rooms.
In this article I have attempted to explain the basics in simple terms how freshers in engineering field may prepare themselves for a career in industrial automation.
1. How to learn PLC?
If you are fresher, definitely you might be getting queries about how one can learn about and understand PLC.
Do not think more about it. You have two options to learn PLC programming. You can join one of the private training institutes; or you can also learn it online, sitting at your home.
I started my online portal DipsLab.com for electrical and electronics engineers, where I have shared my own experience with PLC programming.
From beginning to end, I have curated complete PLC programming tutorials step-by-step 1 . If you follow all the tutorials, no one can stop you from becoming the best PLC programmer. If you are interested to learn PLC programming with hardware, you can join any private industrial training institutes. Before that, do your homework. Learn as much as you can learn online.
- Here are some renowned PLC training centres:
- Technologics Prolific Systems & Technologies Pvt Ltd
- L&T Automation
- Wartens Technologies LLP
- DiFACTO Robotics and Automation
- ACS Automation Training
- Prolific Systems and Technologies
- AMTEQ Automation
- Victorious Knowledge Edutech.
These are the top automation institutes. They have different branches in different cities.
2. Which are the PLC brands used in the Industry?
In industrial automation, different PLC brands are available. These brands have their different specifications like instruction set, working, features, functions and so on. Many of the industries have built their own PLC brands and software.
Look at the Indian market. The brand of Siemens PLC is at the topmost position; and Allen Bradley PLC is at the second position. Allen Bradley PLC brand is popularly known as AB PLC or Rockwell PLC brand. If you want to know more in detail, read topmost 18 different PLC brands 2 used in the industries. Personally, I have experience working with six different PLC brands including Siemens PLC and AB PLC.
3. How to Prepare for an Interview in PLC Automation?
When I was looking for a job, I searched for some meaningful resources online. But, all in vain. Unlike computer programming languages (like Python, Java, C/C++), we do not have many resources online. And that's where your real challenge begins.
If you are preparing for core companies, you should be well prepared for the automation questions. If you are fresher, start gaining basic technical knowledge. Practice and develop mini- projects.
Based on my working experience in the PLC domain, I have listed down important PLC interview questions and answers 3 .
These are the PLC interview questions and answers asked in many company interview rounds. This list of interview questions will add value to your PLC knowledge. Sometimes, an interviewer can ask you to write the PLC program. You should have daily practice solving programming questions. This will help you to understand the programming concepts.
4. How to get a job as a PLC programmer with no experience?
It is okay if you do not have any experience. Everyone starts from there.
I agree, there will be a lot of opportunities for experienced candidates. There will be opportunities for freshers. Sometimes, it is easy to crack the interview being a fresher as the interviewer expects only basic core knowledge and not much.
Are you seeking a job opportunity in automation as a PLC programmer? Follow some basic steps.
Firstly, revise your basic technical knowledge that you have learned in your academics. And then brush up your PLC programming skills.
I have already shared the PLC programming tutorials and interview questions. Make a routine and write at least two-three PLC programs every day. There is no other shortcut to improve your programming and automation skills.
Simultaneously keep applying for job opportunities coming to you. You are just one shot away getting into your dream job.
5. What are the top Electrical companies you should apply?
There are many electrical companies and MNCs that work with government organisations and some are completely private.
If you are looking for a government organisation, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are the best to build your career. Getting into the PSUs has become more challenging.
Many other core or automation companies belong to the private sector. They also provide good job opportunities for freshers and experienced engineers.
Dipali Chaudhari is a master of Electrical Power System and founder of DipsLab.com portal. She is an expert in PLC and MATLAB programming. Through her portal, she guides and helps Electrical Engineers to build their careers.
References
- https://dipslab.com/plc/
- https://dipslab.com/different-plc-software-brands/
- https://dipslab.com/plc-interview-questions-answers/
