AutoCAD Electrical: Implementing PLCs

Course details

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are one of the building blocks of industrial automation. These industrial devices can be used to automate actions within an electrical circuit. In this course, Shaun Bryant shows how to work with PLCs in AutoCAD Electrical, stepping through how to generate drawings that contain PLCs. After providing a brief introduction to industrial automation—and how PLCs fit into the mix—Shaun steps through how to insert a proprietary PLC module into a wiring ladder in an electrical drawing. He then dives into the different types of PLC modules in AutoCAD Electrical, going over both parametric and full unit PLC modules. Discover where PLCs integrate into an electrical system, as well as how to use spreadsheets to exchange information with other systems.

Learning objectives
PLCs in industrial automation
Setting up ladders in electrical drawings
Inserting PLCs into electrical drawings
Working with parametric and full unit PLC models
Choosing a manufacturer
Using spreadsheets to import PLC module data
Exporting spreadsheets from existing PLC modules

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Work with programmable logical controller (PLC) modules in AutoCAD Electrical
02 - What you should know
03 - Use the exercise files
04 - The new AutoCAD 2019 interface

1. An Introduction to PLC Modules

05 - PLCs in industrial automation
06 - Work with PLC modules in AutoCAD Electrical

2. Setting Up Ladders in Electrical Drawings

07 - Set up rung numbering in an electrical drawing
08 - Insert a proprietary PLC module
09 - Add wires and components

3. The Different Types of PLC Modules in AutoCAD Electrical

10 - Insert PLCs into your electrical drawing
11 - Work with parametric PLC modules
12 - Work with full-unit PLC modules

4. Parametric PLC Modules in More Detail

13 - Decide on which manufacturer to use
14 - Select the appropriate graphics style
15 - Make sure the correct scale is used
16 - Edit the parametric PLC information

5. Full-Unit PLC Modules in More Detail

17 - Use the Icon menu for PLC I O fixed units
18 - Decide on which manufacturer to use
19 - Place the full-unit PLC module
20 - Edit the full-unit PLC attributes

6. Using Spreadsheets to Import PLC Module Data

21 - The AutoCAD Electrical PLC I O utility
22 - Set up the PLC import parameters
23 - Insert the PLCs from the imported data

7. Exporting Spreadsheets from Existing PLC Modules

24 - Use the To Spreadsheet command
25 - Make changes in the spreadsheet
26 - Import the revised spreadsheet
27 - Check the changes in the drawing

Conclusion

28 - Next steps