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

Course Duration
Duration
  • 3 Months
Course Study
Study Mode
  • Online
  • Online Industrial Automation
Course Location
Location
  • Online
Course Code
Course Code
CAU
Course Intakes
Intakes
  • 21 January 2025
  • 15 April 2025
Course Type
Course Type
  • Professional Certificate
  • UK
  • Industrial Automation, Instrumentation and Process Control
Course Fees
Fees

Course Overview

This professional development course is designed for engineers and technicians who need to get practical skills and knowledge in the fundamentals of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and SCADA systems.

Course Benefits

  • You may be eligible to claim CPD points through your local engineering association.
  • Receive a Certificate of Completion from EIT.
  • Learn from well-known faculty and industry experts from around the globe.
  • Flexibility of attending anytime from anywhere, even when you are working full-time.
  • Interact with industry experts during the webinars and get the latest updates/announcements on the subject.
  • Experience a global learning with students from various backgrounds and experience which is a great networking opportunity.
  • Get practical skills and knowledge in the fundamentals of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and SCADA systems.
  • Study a wide variety of topics related to PLC & SCADA like- software configuration, installation, troubleshooting and network security issues, PLC hardware and installation selection criteria and writing PLC programs using ladder logic.
  • Learn fundamentals of PLC software, Advance Control System and SCADA network security system.
  • Get information on the latest industrial communication protocols – RS-232 and RS-485.

Course Details

This practical course covers the essentials of SCADA and PLC systems, which are often used in close association with each other. A selection of case studies is used to illustrate the key concepts with examples of real-world working SCADA and PLC systems in the water, electrical, and processing industries.

This is an excellent opportunity to network with your peers, as well as to gain significant new information and techniques for your next SCADA or PLC project. Although the emphasis of the course will be on practical industry topics highlighting recent developments, using case studies, the latest application of SCADA, PLC technologies, and fundamentals will be covered.

Our focus is on the generic programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and uses the open programming IEC 61131-3 standard. We will give you practical, up-to-date information on the application of PLC systems to the automation and process control industries.

It is suitable for people who have little or no exposure to PLCs,  but who expect to become involved in some or all aspects of PLC installation. You will get practical advice from experts in the field, to assist you to correctly plan, program, and install a PLC with a shorter learning curve and more confidence.

While the course is ideal for electricians, technicians, and engineers who are new to PLCs, much of the material covered will be of value to those who already have some basic skills, but need a broader perspective for larger and more challenging tasks ahead. The information included advances from the basics to challenge even the most experienced engineer in the industry today.

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.

For full current fees in your country go to the drop down filter at the top of this page or visit the Fees page.

Payment Methods

Learn more about payment methods, including payment terms & conditions and additional non-tuition fees.

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 program has a 65% attendance requirement in the live webinars in order to graduate from the program.  If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you have the option of watching the recording of completed webinars and sending a summary of what you have learnt from the webinar to the Learning Support officer.  The summaries go towards your attendance requirement for the program.

This program is run online on an intensive part-time basis and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take three months to complete.

We understand that sometimes work commitments and personal circumstances can get in the way of your studies, so if at any point you feel that you are struggling with the pace of the course or finding a particular module challenging, you are encouraged to contact your designated Learning Support Officer for assistance.

This course may use the following software:

  • Codesys

Due to ongoing unit and course reviews, software may change from the list provided. Learn more about the Practical Learning at EIT here

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

Hear from our students

  I liked the fact that I could do it from home and at my own available time. To be able to do the webinar sessions was great, it helped me to feel connected.  
  Overall Great course, definitely a start on the concepts of the PLC and will help me out at work greatly.  
  The course provides a good knowledge foundation for learning the concepts, principles and information regarding the subject of Industrial Automation.  
  The theoretical material was very useful.  

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