PLC Advanced - Year 2

This 11-week, 33-hour course expands upon foundational knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) by introducing students to advanced applications used in industrial automation. Students will gain hands-on experience with various types of PLC hardware, programming environments, and I/O devices. Emphasis is placed on system integration, troubleshooting, and real-world application in advanced manufacturing and process control. Through complex lab exercises and projects, students will strengthen their skills in wiring, logic development, sequencing, analog input/output, and communication protocols.

Award Type:

Iowa Western Certificate of Completion

Learning Outcomes:

Configure and program multiple PLC platforms for advanced industrial control applications
Interpret and modify existing PLC programs for troubleshooting or optimization
Integrate analog and digital I/O into functioning control systems
Use structured programming techniques, including subroutines and data handling
Implement communication between PLCs and external devices (e.g., HMIs, sensors, actuators)
Apply troubleshooting techniques using software tools and multimeters
Demonstrate professional-level system testing, documentation, and safety practices

Educational Objective:

Vocational - This course prepares students for employment in industrial automation, process control, and advanced manufacturing by developing practical and technical skills in programmable logic controller systems and integration.

Tuition:

$1,257.15

Fees: Books and Testing

Length of Course:

11 Weeks (33 Hours Total)

Course Outline:

Review of PLC Basics and Safety - 2 hours
- Safety procedures for working with PLCs and control systems
- Recap of ladder logic, digital I/O, and scan cycles
Advanced PLC Hardware and Architectures - 3 hours
- PLC models and platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)
- Expansion modules, I/O addressing, memory types
Advanced Ladder Logic and Programming Structures - 4 hours
- Subroutines, jump/label, shift registers, timers/counters
- State machines and structured programming
Analog Inputs and Outputs - 4 hours
- Signal types (0-10V, 4-20mA), scaling, filtering
- Wiring analog sensors and actuators
Communication Protocols and Networking - 3 hours
- Ethernet/IP, Modbus, RS-232/RS-485
- PLC-to-PLC and PLC-to-HMI communications
Sequencing and Process Control - 4 hours
- Conveyor systems, batch control, PID concepts
- Step logic and condition monitoring
Simulation and Program Testing - 3 hours
- Using PLC software for program simulation and diagnostics
- Best practices for program validation
Troubleshooting Techniques - 4 hours
- Reading status indicators, using diagnostic software
- Locating and correcting hardware and logic faults
Hands-On Application Project - 4 hours
- Students design, wire, and program a complete control system
- Includes use of analog and digital I/O, sequencing, and communication
Final Review and Presentation - 2 hours
- Final project demonstration and documentation
- Peer review, professional communication, and soft skills reflection

Admissions Requirements:

PLC Basic

Attendance Requirements:

If a student misses two or more classes their employer will be notified that they have missed two classes. IWCC will also notify the company every time that same individual misses any other classes. The student can work with the instructor to make up the class work and class time.

Instructor Qualification:

Instructor is registered, certified, or licensed in the occupational area in which the state requires registration, certification or licensure for the occupational area in which the instructor is teaching.