Development and Validation of a Less Expensive and Portable
PLC Module for Students Training in Industrial Automation
Joel Fernando Palomino Masco
Programmable logic controllers (PLC) devices play an
important role in automation systems; therefore, technicians must
have adequate training with these devices. If a student wants to
learn about PLCs, they will find two problems. First, training pro-
grams are expensive, and second, PLC modules are not suitable for
gaining hands-on skills. This study proposes the implementation
and validation of a less expensive PLC module that is accessible
to students interested in learning about this technology. Two pro-
totypes were developed using a PIC16F877 and an ATMEGA328P
microcontroller. This study describes the enhancement made in
the second prototype over the first prototype. Finally, a compar-
ison test between the two prototypes and two commercial PLCs is
demonstrated. A MyRIO programmed as a data logger monitored
the PLC operation for 12h. The program recorded the response
time of the PLC output each time a 24 volts signal was sent to
its input. The results show that commercial PLC has a fast and
more stable response time. Nevertheless, the developed modules
proved to work effectively for 12h, demonstrating their efficiency
for training.