BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

EEE 556: PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLERS

CAT

1.
a) List 2 discrete input devices, 2 analog input devices, 2 discrete output devices and 2 analog
output devices that can be connected to a PLC
(4 mks)
Discrete inputs
Push button, Limit switch
Analog inputs
Load cell, Level sensor
Discrete output
Valve, relay
Analog output
Motor, pump

1 mk
1 mk
1 mk
1 mk

b) Define the bus and briefly describe the various types of buses found in a PLC.

(4 mks)

A bus is a path used for communication within the PLC. The information is transmitted in
binary form, i.e. as a group of bits with a bit being a binary digit of 1 or 0, i.e. on/of
states. Each of the bits is communicated simultaneously along its own parallel wire. The
system has four buses: 2 mks
The data bus carries the data used in the processing carried out by the CPU. A
microprocessor termed as being 8-bit has an internal data bus which can handle 8-bit
numbers. It can thus perform operations between 8-bit numbers and deliver results as 8bit values. 0.5 mk
The address bus is used to carry the addresses of memory locations. So that each word
can be located in the memory, every memory location is given a unique address. 0.5 mk
The control bus carries the signals used by the CPU for control, e.g. to inform memory
devices whether they are to receive data from an input or output data and to carry
timing signals used to synchronize actions. 0.5 mk
The system bus is used for communications between the input/output ports and the
input/output unit. 0.5 mk

c) List any four advantages of PLC over relay logic

(2 mks)

Programming the PLC is easier than wiring relay logic 0.5 mk

The PLC can be reprogrammed. Conventional controls must be rewired and are often
scrapped instead. 0.5 mk
PLCs take less floor space then relay control panels. 0.5 mk
Maintenance of the PLC is easier, and reliability is greater. 0.5 mk
The PLC can be connected to the plant computer systems more easily than relays can.
0.5 mk

Any four
2.
d) Draw the ladder diagram and block diagram for the following logic gates
i.
OR gate

ii.

XOR gate

e) Draw the ladder diagram and write the statement list representation, in Siemens PLC, of the
following Boolean expressions
F=( A C +B) .CD
(2 mks)

A
AN
O
A
A
=

I0.1
I0.2
I0.3
I0.2
I0.4
Q1.0

f) Explain with aid of a suitable ladder diagram the concept of latching in PLC systems (2 mks)
There are often situations where it is necessary to hold an output energized, even when
the input ceases. A simple example of such a situation is a motor which is started by

pressing a push button switch. Though the switch contacts do not remain closed, the
motor is required to continue running until a stop push button switch is pressed. The
term latch circuit is used for the circuit used to carry out such an operation. It is a selfmaintaining circuit in that, after being energized, it maintains that state until another
input is received. 1 mk

1 mk

g) Design a ladder logic circuit and functional block diagram to implement control of a motor
such that when a switch button is pressed, it remains on until another button is pressed.
(2 mks)

h) A sensor
system has four sensors which operate such
that when any one of the sensors is deactivated/not in operation an alarm is activated. Design
a ladder logic diagram to implement this system using the concept of latching
(2 mks)

3. In a course
selection process
where five
subjects are
considered, a
student must pass
either
English or
Kiswahili. To be considered for Engineering, a student must pass in both mathematics and

Physics. To be considered for Nursing, a student must pass in Biology and in either
Mathematics or Physics. A student who qualifies for both can only be taken in one course
according to his first priority.
i. Represent this information in a truth table
(2 mks)
A (ENG)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

B (KIS)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

C (MAT)
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
1
1

D (PHY)
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
1

E (BIO)
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
1

F1 (ENG)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1

ii. Obtain a Boolean expression that represents this information

Using K-maps

F2(NUR)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
(2 mks)

F 1=BCD+ ACD=CD ( A+ B )
F 2=BCE+ ACE + ADE+ BDE

CE ( A+ B ) + DE ( A + B )=( A+ B ) (CE + DE )
iii. Draw a ladder logic diagram that can implement this

(2 mks)

Taking
A (English)-I124.0
B (Kiswahili)-I124.1
C (Mathematics)-I124.2
D (Physics)-I124.3
E (Biology) I124.4
F1 (Engineering)-Q124.0
F2 (Nursing)-Q124.1

iv. Draw functional block diagram that can implement this

Correct diagram @ 2 mks

(2 mks)

v. Write the statement list, for a Siemens PLC, for this implementation
Correct list @ 2 mks

(2 mks)