UNIVERSIDAD TCNICA DEL NORTE

FACULTAD DE INGENIERA EN CIENCIAS APLICADAS

Name: Luis Chacn

Date: july 19, 2017

Topic: The program logic controller

Classwork

1. Describe in your own words the reasons for the development of PLCs?

Initially, an electromechanical system was used for a specific activity, but if it was
necessary to increase another system and adapt it in a different way it had to be designed
from the beginning again, for this reason a more efficient way of using the Control or
automate processes.

PLCs were implemented because of the need of industries to adapt their control
systems, without the need to change all the existing components, using the same
electromechanical components, sensors, and actuators to perform Several different
systems without having to re-do all the electrical connections of the same one.

This way the resources are optimized since several processes can be done
differently just with changing the control logic without any need for modification in the
hardware itself.

2. What was modicon? What was its purpose?

Modicon was th e first PLC delivered. The name Modicon stood for Modular
Digital Controller. One of the first units was designed for the machine tool industry. The
machine was built to be rugged it had no ON/OFF switch, had no fans, did not make any
noise and had no parts to wear out.

Of course, Modicon wasn't the only type of PLC, there are other types for
example: Schnider,
 Siemens, General Electric, Mitsubishi, Yokagawa, Rockwell, etc.

So the main purpose was the automate industrial processes, although with the time
was improved.

3. What do you understand for MTBF. Give an example.

(MBTF) is the PLC mean-time-before-failure, in other words refers to how much

reliability

time has a PLC before presenting its first failure in its normal operation.

For example, in a control system in a hydroelectric plant where the input and
output

parameters of the water flow must be constantly regulated. The PLC's must be
able to work

continuously for an estimated time of 50000 hours before presenting its first
software and

hardware failure, for this must establish optimal conditions for the PLC, without
the

interference of the system.

In this case among more variables alter the correct operation of the equipment,
such as

strong changes in water level, will reduce the estimated time before work fails.