PowerPointPresentation

Chapter 6
Programming PLC Timers
and Counters
Timer and Counter Instructions Timer Instructions
Timer Instruction Words Timer On-Delay (TON)
Instructions Timer Off-Delay (TOF) Instructions
Retentive Timer (RTO) Instructions Reset (RES)
Instructions Special Applications Counter
Instructions Counter Instruction Words Count Up
(CTU) Instructions Count Down (CTD) Instructions
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

PLCs provide a cost-effective alternative to using

individual hardwired timers and counters because the
smallest PLCs (nanos and micros) already contain 10
or more timers and counters.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Timer instructions
contain three
words, with word
0 containing
three bits that can
be used in the
program of a PLC.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Timers following on-delay (TON)

instructions begin timing when
the logic preceding the
instruction on a rung changes
from false to true.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

A PLC with a programmed timer using timer on-delay

(TON) instructions can be used to replace hardwired
on-delay timers.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Timers following off-delay

(TOF) instructions start timing
when the logic preceding the
instruction on a rung changes
from true to false.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Off-delay timers are used

in applications that
require a load to remain
energized after the input
has been removed.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Retentive timers begin timing

when the logic preceding the
instruction on a rung changes
from false to true. Retentive
timers retain their accumulated
value until reset.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Free running timers are

continuously timing because
the XIO instruction preceding
the timer is always true.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Timers are cascaded by having

the DN bit of timer #0 activate
timer #1. The only limit to the
number of cascaded timers is the
size of the memory in the PLC.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Cascaded timers are used to

start equipment sequentially,
such as when starting three
conveyors with a 10 sec
delay between the start of
each conveyor.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Counter instructions
contain three words.
The bits and words of
counter instructions
have addresses that
can be used in the
program of a PLC.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Count up (CTU) instructions

increase the accumulated value
incrementally on each false to
true transition of the logic
preceding the instruction.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

Counters are used

in applications that
require items or
products to be
counted.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

A CTD instruction counts down on

every false to true transition of the
logic preceding the instruction and
shares the same status bits, preset
values, and accumulated values as
the corresponding CTU instruction.
 Chapter6ProgrammingPLCTimersandCounters

CTU and CTD instructions can be used to keep track

of the cars entering and exiting a parking lot.