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Getting Started With PLCLogix 500

Build, Upload, Run, and Test Your First PLCLogix Simulator Program

This Getting Started guide is the first step in the PLC programming lesson series. You will create a simple PLC program in PLCLogix 500, connect it to the simulator's 2D I/O Rack, and test a toggle-switch input controlling a green output lamp.

 

The guide introduces the basic PLCLogix workflow you will use throughout Lessons 1–7. Complete this page before beginning Lesson 1 if you are new to the PLCLogix 500 simulator.

Before you begin: Access to the PLCLogix 500 or PLCLogix 5000 training simulator is required to complete the hands-on lesson series.
In this guide you will:
  • Create a new program file.
  • Add an I/O environment.
  • Add ladder instructions.
  • Address physical I/O.
  • Save the program file.
  • Upload, run, and test the program.

Create a New Program File

Open PLCLogix 500 and start a new controller file. Click File, then New. A dialog box will prompt you to enter a controller file Name. Enter the desired name, then click OK to open a new ladder file.

 

Enter a controller file name in the New Controller dialog, then click OK.

Become Familiar With the PLCLogix Workspace

A new ladder file opens with the primary PLCLogix workspace elements shown below.

  1. Header menu: standard Windows-style options plus PLCLogix selections such as Comms, I/O Worlds, and I/O Map.
  2. Project Tree: organizes the project and provides access to program files, subroutine files, the data monitor, status, I/O, and related files.
  3. Ladder logic workspace: where you add instructions and rungs to build the ladder program.
  4. Instruction tabs: instructions organized by general type. The User tab contains frequently used items.
  5. Instruction icons: click an icon to add a specific instruction. Each tab contains its related instructions.
The numbered callouts identify the main PLCLogix workspace areas used throughout the lessons.

Add the 2D I/O Environment

For this Getting Started example, a switch will turn on a green bulb. You will create, run, test, and save the program.

 

First assign the 2D I/O Rack to the file. This provides the switch and bulb field devices and their addressing scheme. Click I/O Worlds and select I/O Rack.

Select I/O Rack from the I/O Worlds menu.

 

The I/O Rack lets you provide stimulus to inputs and view the status of outputs addressed in the ladder program. It contains eight modules divided into three general I/O sections:

  • Discrete I/O: Slot 1 input, Slot 2 output, Slot 3 input, Slot 4 output.
  • BCD I/O: Slot 5 BCD thumbwheel input and Slot 6 BCD display output.
  • Analog I/O: Slot 7 four-channel analog input and Slot 8 four-channel analog output.
The 2D I/O Rack provides discrete, BCD, and analog input/output modules.

 

All input and output modules are sixteen bit, providing addresses 00 through 15. For this example, use Slot 1 bit 00 for the toggle-switch input and Slot 2 bit 00 for the green-bulb output.

 

Minimize the I/O Rack for now. This is also a good point to save the file using the Save icon or File > Save.

Add the Ladder Instructions

Click rung number 0; it will highlight in blue. Instructions are inserted immediately to the right of the currently highlighted circuit element, including the start of a rung.

 

Click the Normally Open (NO) contact icon on the Instructions Toolbar.

 

Learning tip: As you work through this guide and the lessons that follow, use the PLCLogix Help options when you encounter an instruction or function you do not recognize. Learning to use the simulator's built-in instruction reference is an important troubleshooting and programming skill.
Select rung 0 and then the Normally Open contact instruction.

 

The NO contact is added immediately to the right of the highlighted start of rung 0.

The normally open contact has been added to rung 0.

 

With the contact still highlighted, click the Output Energize (OTE) instruction to add it to the right of the NO contact.

The OTE is added to the right of the normally open contact.

Address the Physical I/O

Double-click the question mark above the NO contact and enter the toggle-switch input address I:1/00, then press Enter.

 

Add a description by double-clicking directly above the address, typing Toggle Switch, and pressing Enter.

Address the contact as I:1/00 and add the Toggle Switch description.

 

Use the same technique to address and label the OTE instruction. Enter O:2/00 as its address and Green Bulb as its description.

The completed rung now has the Toggle Switch input and Green Bulb output addressed and labeled.

 

Bring the I/O Rack back up and position it at the lower left so you can see both the rack and the ladder program. Save the completed design before running it.

Position the I/O interface so the field devices and ladder program can be viewed together.

Upload, Run, and Test the Program

Select Comms from the menu and then select Upload to upload the program and go ONLINE.

Select Upload from the Comms menu to go online with the program.

 

With the program running, the ladder rails are highlighted in green and the mode drop-down shows ONLINE.

The online program shows live continuity while the I/O Rack remains visible for testing.

 

Click the toggle switch in the I/O Rack at address I:1/00. The switch closes and the green bulb at O:2/00 turns on. In the ladder window, the contact and OTE show green continuity.

Operate the I:1/00 toggle switch and verify that the O:2/00 green bulb energizes.
Self-check: If operating the toggle switch turns the green bulb on and off as described, you have successfully created, addressed, uploaded, and tested your first PLCLogix 500 simulator program.

Need access to the required simulator? PLCLogix 500 Simulator   |   PLCLogix 5000 Simulator

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