Professional Certificate of Competency in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCS) & SCADA Systems

The course is composed of 12 modules, covering topics such as SCADA software configuration, installation,  troubleshooting and network security issues, telecommunications links, Industrial Ethernet in SCADA systems, PLC hardware and installation criteria, writing PLC programs using ladderlogic, and troubleshooting for PLC systems.

Module 1: Introduction

• Introduction and brief history of PLCs
• Alternative control systems – where do PLCs fit in?
• Why PLCs have become so widely accepted
• Lingering concerns about PLCs
• Fundamentals of PLC Hardware

• • Block diagram of typical PLC
  • PLC processor module – memory organization
  • Input and output section – module types
  • Power supplies

Module 2: Background to Scada

• Fundamentals and definition of terms
• Comparison of SCADA, DCS, PLC and Smart instruments
• Typical SCADA installations
• Scada System Hardware
  • Comparison of SCADA, DCS, PLC and Smart instruments
  • Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) structure
  • Analog and digital input/output modules
  • Application programs
  • PLCs used as RTUs
  • Master site structure
  • Communications architectures
  • Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint systems
  • System reliability and availability
  • Configuration of a master station

Module 3: Fundamentals of PLC Software

• Methods of representing Logic, Boolean Algebra, instruction code, and graphical presentation
• Fundamental ladder logic instruction set
• Comparison of different manufacturers, memory and data representation and instruction code
• Using Ladder Logic for Simple Digital Functions
  • The basic rules
  • Comparison of relay ladder diagrams
  • The concept of the ‘scan’ and how to apply it
  • Infinite fan-out
  • Contact ‘normal’ states
  • Positive and negative logic
  • Basic Boolean functions
  • The usefulness of DeMorgan’s Law
• Using Registers (Words)
  • Number systems, Timers, Types of register data, Counters, Bit shift and rotate, Table functions and Register (Matrix) logic functions

Module 4: Scada Systems Software

• Components of a SCADA system
• Software – design of SCADA packages
• Configuration of SCADA systems
• Building the user interface
• Connecting to PLCs and other hardware
• SCADA system design
• The Twelve Golden Rules

Module 5: Good Programming Habits

• Keeping track of addresses and data used
• Looking ahead – how will programs be maintained?
• Practical methods to improve quality: organization of code, thorough documentation and simplifying changes
• Good Installation Practice
  • Location of hardware
  • Good wiring practice
  • Cable spacing, power distribution, and wire numbering
  • Reducing noise and interference
  • Screening and shielding

Module 6: Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs)

• Human and ergonomic factors
• HMI configuration
• Design and layout
• Alarming and reporting philosophies
• Alarm system design
• Good Installation Practice
  • Recommended installation practice
  • Ergonomic considerations

Module 7: Advanced Control With PLCs

• The concept of reusable logic
• Examples, drive logic and alarm handling
• Use of advanced programming functions
• Matrix logic
• Table functions and indirect addressing
• Example: simple display driver
• Batch Processes and Sequential Control
  • Remembering the program state
  • Creating a ‘stepper’
  • Step advance
  • Fault detection and recovery
  • Operator intervention
  • Multiple recipes or alternative paths
  • Sequential function charts
• Pid Control
  • The importance of timing and scan time
  • When PID is not always appropriate:
    – Intermittent measurements
    – Long transport delays
• Safety Programmable Systems
  • Why regular PLCs should not be used for safety functions
  • Programmable electronic logic solvers
  • Safety certification
  • Certified programming systems
  • Application examples
  • Growth of networked safety devices and certified networks
  • Integrated safety systems

Module 8: Landline Media

• Background to cables
• Noise and interference on cables
• Twisted pair cables and fibre optic cables
• Public network provided services
• Wide Area Network (Wan) Technologies
  • Digital hierarchies, T1 and E1
  • Packet switching
  • Frame relay
  • ATM
  • SDH/sonnet
• Local Area Networks (LANs)
  • Ethernet networks
  • Industrial Ethernet
  • TCP/IP
  • LAN connectivity: bridges, routers, and switches
  • Redundancy options
  • Web-based Industrial SCADA
  • Wireless
  • OPC

Module 9: Introduction to Iec 61131–3

• Concepts
• Common elements
• Programming languages: structured text
• Function block diagrams

Module 10: Scada Network Security

• Introduction
• Authentication and encryption
• SCADA firewalls
• Firewall architectures and guidelines
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting SCADA systems
  • Maintenance tasks
• Specification of Systems
  • Common pitfalls, Standards, Performance criteria, Testing, Documentation and Future trends

Module 11: Building a PLC Panel, As Well as General Commissioning, Testing and Upgrading

• Electrical design and construction
• Commissioning and installation
• Simulation and testing
• Problem isolation and faultfinding
• Upgrading of control systems

Module 12: Industrial Communications Protocols

• RS-232 interface standard
• RS-485 interface standard
• Fieldbus
• Modbus
• DNP3.0
• Modems
  • Introduction and principles
  • Asynchronous/synchronous
  • Modulation techniques
  • Error detection and correction
  • Troubleshooting

To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at the live, online fortnightly webinars.  Detailed summaries/notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance.  In addition, students must obtain a mark of 60% in the set assignments which could take the form of written assignments and practical assignments. Students must also obtain a mark of 100% in quizzes.  If a student does not achieve the required score, they will be given an opportunity to resubmit the assignment to obtain the required score.

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Hadi Harb has more than 15 years of experience in the development and management of Artificial Intelligence and Audio Signal Processing projects.

Learn about our instructors.

You are expected to spend approximately 5-8 hours per week learning the course content. This includes attending fortnightly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This professional development program is delivered online and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take three months to complete.

Registrations are open for our upcoming intakes. Please ensure you book your place at least one week before the start date of the program.