What should I do if I want to work in PLC programming?
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I’m currently an instrumentation technician; how can I pursue a career in PLC programming? In a chemical plant, there are constantly problems: either blockages, leaks, or power outages. I learned some knowledge about instruments here, things like pressure, flow rate, temperature, and so on. We had some contact with DCS, as the DCS manufacturers already have everything prepared; we don’t need to do any programming or anything of the sort – at most, we just need to make a few adjustments. I’ve been reading books on PLCs; I’ve finished the one on PLC200, but I don’t quite understand concepts like interrupts; everything else is fine. The most important thing is that I haven’t had any practical experience, but I want to get into programming – I was wondering if there are any good suggestions. I have written a few simple programs on the simulator
Apart from reading books and practicing on your own, spend more time on industrial control forums to see if you can answer questions raised by others that are related to what you have learned. Practice has to be done gradually on your own; study the official documentation thoroughly
Instrument technicians and those who program PLCs and DCS systems are essentially in the same field of work; there’s no need to worry too much about what exactly one does – it’s part of the job. The knowledge required in instrumentation is much more complex than that needed for programming. I think the key is to focus on one area and master it first, so that you have a solid foundation; once that’s done, learning other things will become easier. Remember not to settle for a superficial understanding or only having a basic grasp of things.
If there is a PLC on site, you can start by taking the drawings and programs to study them on your own. You should also visit technical forums to read other people’s questions and answers, and download some technical materials for review. This is a demanding task that requires patience and a gradual approach.
Most PLCs these days come with virtual machines that allow for simulation for learning purposes, and there are also many resources available online； You can choose to start learning from the PLC at your factory, beginning with working online, uploading programs, and making simple modifications. You can join some QQ groups to discuss together and improve faster. In fact, in life we always think there’s a higher mountain to climb, but once we reach it, we realize it’s not that great after all!
Once you’ve finished learning the S7-200, you can move on to learning the S7-300/400. Learning never ends – keep practicing!
Could my brother send me some simulation software and related materials? I’m also an instrumentation technician and want to learn about PLCs. My email address is 715509098@qq.com. Thank you!