PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller. They are industrial computers used to control different electro-mechanical processes for use in manufacturing, plants, or other automation environments.

 

PLCs vary in size and form factors. Some are small enough to fit in your pocket while others are large enough to require their own heavy-duty racks to mount. Some PLC’s can be customized with back planes and functional modules to fit different types of industrial applications.

 

PLCs are widely used in a variety of industries because they’re fast, easy to operate and are considered easy to program. PLCs can be programmed in several ways, from ladder logic, which is based on electro mechanical relays to specially adapted programming languages of BASIC and C, to name a few. 

 

Most PLCs today use one of the following 5 programming languages: Ladder Diagram, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram, Instruction List, or Sequential Function Charts.