May 26, 2026  
2025-2026 Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Catalog

IE 160 - Programmable Logic Controllers


Credit Hours: 3

Introduction to PLCs; hard-wired relay logic versus PLCs; the PLC as a computer; memory addressing and I/O addressing; ladder logic programming; timers and counters; I/O modules; arithmetic instructions; sequencer instructions; troubleshooting PLC systems; plant floor communications and industrial networks and introduction to microcontrollers. Experiments include PLC I/O characteristics, sinking and sourcing; reading digital inputs and producing on-off outputs; fail-safe circuits; industrial process programming; motor control logic; time delays and timer intervals; counting events; reading AC inputs and controlling AC loads; sequencer control; troubleshooting PLC systems; PID control demo and PLC communications.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  1. identify components of a PLC system;
  2. wire a PLC application;
  3. program a PLC;
  4. troubleshoot systems including PLCs; and
  5. install and maintain a PLC.


Prerequisites: IE 120, EL 130, EL 131
S (N)