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"Clear & concise (for) real life applications"
Steve Olson - Eng Tech - Cargill Deicing Technology

"...detailed - but easy to understand"
Robert Bostick - Journeyman Electrician - Basic Energy

"This was a huge bang for the buck!"
David Younker - Aetna Bearing Company

Purpose of Seminar:

This seminar converts the seemingly complex world of automation and Programmable Logic Controllers ( PLCs ) into practical lessons the average maintenance person can understand. We've taken information from thousands of pages of manufacturers' technical manuals (Allen Bradley, GE, Siemens, Omron, Modicon, Mitsubishi, Honeywell …), combined it with twenty years of experience and a practical real world philosophy to give you simple, clear, and concise solutions to your everyday PLC problems.

This course is perfect for multi-craft maintenance technicians, electricians, or other non-programmers who need a general understanding of PLCs. And because we know time is money, this seminar is designed to have immediate impact so that you can start saving maintenance dollars on costly repairs and service calls today!

Who should take this course?

This course is created specifically for maintenance personnel and electricians working in industrial plants, public facilities, and commercial buildings. Attendees come from a wide variety of industries, skill-levels, company sizes, and job titles, so if you're not sure you'll fit in or benefit from this class, don't worry - you will! - as long as you have an interest in learning to troubleshoot and repair your PLCs, including.....

All maintenance personnel in:

• Manufacturing Plants
• Commercial Buildings
• Hospitals
• Waste Water Facilities
• Schools
• Government Buildings
• Research Facilities
• Shopping Centers
• Airports

Including:

• Apprentice and Experienced Electricians
• Instrumentation Technicians
• All Building Maintenance Personnel
• All Plant & Facility Maintenance Technicians
• Building Engineers
• Building Managers & Superintendents
• Plant & Facility Managers
• Multi-craft & Cross Training Personnel
• Mechanical Engineers
• Any person needing a basic course in PLC basics & maintenance!

Training Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will receive a training certificate with 1.6 American Trainco Continuing Education Units indicating that the student has learned to:

1. Identify PLC components
2. Read and interpret Ladder Logic
3. Understand function and purpose of basic programming instructions
4. Configure a PLC-based control system
5. Relate actual PLC and PID instructions to "real world" applications
6. Troubleshoot and correct PLC problems by identifying and isolating most common system faults
   

Course Outline / Agenda

Studies have indicated that 80% of the faults associated with a PLC-based control systems involve either I/O (Input/Output) devices or field wiring. During this seminar you will learn how to use both hardware and software to find these faults quickly. Students will learn how to use a systematic approach to troubleshooting; how to set up and configure Input/Output modules using various slot addressing techniques; what to understand about program and data table file organization, number systems and processor information flow; and how basic, relay type instructions, timers, and counters, and data manipulation instructions can be used to achieve the automation and PLC solution you want.

The other 20% of faults can also be quickly found using software tools that usually remain hidden to all but the most experienced troubleshooting professional. But, in this American Trainco seminar, we will unlock these tools, dispel the myths, and provide you aids that you can take back to your workplace for easy future reference. At American Trainco, we provide real world training for your real world needs!

I. SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE OF PLCs

A. Hardware Focus

B. How PLCs Work

1. Past
2. Present
3. Future
   

C. PLC Terminology, PID

D. Parts of a PLC

1. Input Interfaces
2. Processor
3. Output Interfaces
4. Power Supplies
5. Programming Terminals
   

E. System Configurations

1. Local
2. Remote
3. Hierarchical
4. Distributive
   

F. Hardware Considerations

1. Field Wiring
2. Master Control Relay
3. Isolation Transformers
4. Four Basic Types of Grounding

II. READING PLC LADDER LOGIC

A. Organization and Function of Ladder Logic

B. Ladder Logic Data Table Organization

1. Numbering Systems
2. Data Table Files
3. Bit, Word and File Addressing
   

C. Introduction to Programming

D. Common PLC & PID Instructions

1. Basic Relay
2. Counters and Timers
3. Data Transfer
   

E. Organization

1. Subroutine Files
2. Selectable Timed Interrupt (STI) Files
3. Jumps and MCR Instructions
4. Fault Routines
   

F. Relating the PLC to "Real World" Applications

III. TROUBLESHOOTING PLC SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS

A. Safety

B. Forcing of Input Data Table & Output Devices

C. Identifying I/O Field Device Faults

D. Identifying I/O Module Faults

E. Identifying System Faults

F. Using the Data Monitor Screen

G. Using the Processor Status and I/O Status Screen

IV. FIND & FIX THE 10 MOST COMMON PLC PROBLEMS

A. The "Ultimate PLC Troubleshooting Flowchart"

B. Using Troubleshooting Tools

C. Using Software Tools

D. "Real World" Case Studies

What You Will Take Home

• American Trainco Seminar Manual - detailing all PLCs for Non-Programmers material covered in the class.

• Personalized Programmable Logic Controllers ( PLCs ) for Non-Programmers Training Certificate with 1.6 American Trainco Continuing Education Units approved by the MTAA and ACE.

• All the information you need from asking our instructors specific questions about your PLC questions including specific questions about your PLC brand (Allen Bradley, GE, Siemens, Omron, Modicon, Mitsubishi, Honeywell, Rockwell, A- …) or ladder logic questions.

Optional ATMT Certification® Testing

An optional ATMT® Certification exam is available for this training topic. It may be taken online or as a written test any time after the class is over. Please visit ATMT® Testing and Certification for more information.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

All students attending our seminars receive a personalized Certificate of Completion and .8 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) per day of training. Over 40,000 employers and government agencies who have sent their employees to our classes accept American Trainco CEUs for continuing education requirements. Our administration and record keeping practices meet or exceed the standards of ACE (American Council on Education) and we are able to provide transcripts of all classes attended and tests taken by individual students. Please contact us if our CEUs are not yet accepted by your authority. We will initiate an application to get the approval process started.

In House Training

You can bring this or any American Trainco seminar directly to your plant or facility. We offer dozens of courses covering a broad range of maintenance and maintenance management topics. Our expert instructors are among the most experienced in the industry and can modify or customize training programs to meet your specific needs - whether you need a short refresher course or an in depth program that focuses on your equipment and processes. In house training reduces the training cost per employee and limits the time required away from work. There are several other advantages of in house training as well.

Request a quote for in-house training

No Risk Registration & Money-Back Guarantee

U.S. and Canada

If you're not yet sure you'll be able to attend a seminar, you can still make a reservation to hold your space in class. While payment is due prior to the start of the seminar, you may choose a full refund or credit for cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance. Student substitutions can also be freely made at any time prior to the start of the seminar. Refunds will not be issued for registered attendees who fail to show up and have not given a notice of cancellation.

In the rare event that should you not receive the expected value after attending our seminar, simply notify us in writing of your reasons and your money will be promptly refunded.

International and Overseas

If you're not yet sure you'll be able to attend a seminar, you can still make a reservation to hold your space in class. However, payment for international and overseas students must be made prior to the start of the seminar (in Dollars U.S.), and all seminar fees are non-refundable. Student substitutions can be freely made at any time prior to the start of the seminar. American Trainco’s Money-Back Guarantee does not apply for international and overseas registrations.