PLC control systems: Operating principles, hardware configuration and closed-loop feedback control system design, featuring the Allen-Bradley SLC 500 Modular Controller Technical Training Workstation and Rockwell Automation RSLogix 500 Project Developmen

The following thesis contains six major sections that together provide the foundation on which to develop future programmable logic controllers (PLC) control system education and training curriculum at the University of Louisville. Section I contains the introduction. Section II provides a preliminary look at PLCs including the definition, history, applications, and classifications. Section III provides an overview of PLC control system operating principles that, in general, describes PLC control system hardware components and functions. Section IV utilizes the information provided in Section III to help identify the hardware configuration of an actual PLC control system, specifically the Allen-Bradley SLC 500 Modular Controller Technical Training Workstation. Section V introduces the fundamental principles of closed-loop feedback control and explains the development of the PID control algorithm. This information is then used to help describe the steps that were taken to design a closed-loop feedback temperature control system using the SLC 500 Modular Controller Technical Training Workstation. Section VI includes the conclusions and recommendations. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...