A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is a device that was invented to replace the necessary sequential relay circuits for machine control. The PLC works by looking at its inputs and depending upon their state, turning on/off its outputs. The user enters a program, usually via software, that gives the desired results.

A PLC consists of following main parts:

Main Parts Of A PLC

What is a PLC input/output?

Inputs/Outputs

PLCs are used in many “real world” applications. If there is industry present, chances are

PLC Control Panel

good that there is a plc present. If you are involved in machining, packaging, material handling, automated assembly or countless other industries you are probably already using them. If you are not, you are wasting money and time. Almost any application that needs some type of electrical control has a need for a plc.

For example, let’s assume that when a switch turns on we want to turn a solenoid on for 5 seconds and then turn it off regardless of how long the switch is on for. We can do this with a simple external timer. But what if the process included 10 switches and solenoids? We would need 10 external timers. What if the process also needed to count how many times the switches individually turned on? We need a lot of external counters.

Currently, the satellite communication technology has play a great role in the world, so the U.S department of energy put forward the SGIG program to encourage high-tech industry to improve power grid monitoring system of the country.

satellite-based power grid control and monitoring system

The overall purpose of the SGIG program is to accelerate the modernization of the nation’s electric transmission and distribution systems and promote investments in smart grid technologies, tools, and techniques which increase flexibility, functionality, interoperability, cyber-security, situational awareness, and operational efficiency. The products developed must be marketable and deployed on a commercial scale.

It is reported that AML Communications’ wholly owned subsidiary Mica-Tech, Inc. has filed a letter of intent with U.S. Department of Energy, stipulating that Mica-Tech intends to apply for a matching grant of up to $2 million under the Smart Grid Investment Grant program to develop satellite-based power grid control and monitoring system.

electrical control system

More attention and more investment, we can see a bright future of the new concept of electrical control system.