Allen Bradley PLC Programming Certificate Course

The video below gives you a sample of the audio narration built into the AB PLC Programming Basics certificate course. This is not a video in the course. Instead, we made the video by recording the screen as the student goes through the course interactions and simulations. Then, we added some extra annotations in red font to make the free PLC training video more valuable and educational for those who view it online. There are a few videos built into the interactive course software. Still, most of what is shown in our demo videos are screen recordings of students using interactive content and simulations. (Note: Koldwater is a subsidiary of BIN.)

Also built into the course software is the LogixTraner designed to familiarize students with using Allen Bradley's PLC programming software RSLogix 500. The LogixTraner has 3 sections/simulators. They are Logix menu navigation, configuring communications, and hardware setup. Below is a screen recording of the navigation tutorial RSLogix 500 simulations being used.

Below is a screen recording of the student using the configuring communication simulation in the LogixTrainer part of the course. Allen Bradley PLC programming software communicates with their software called RSLinx, as shown in the screen recording below. The student/user is the one clicking on and typing in the simulator shown below. It looks and feels like real Allen Bradley RSLogix/RSLinx, but it is just the simulator simulating AB/Rockwell software for the student.

As well as the basics of Allen Bradley PLC programming being covered, so are the basics of PLCs in general. Like the first consideration in automation design, the PLC safety circuit (E-stop), etc. A demo is shown in the video below. (Koldwater company seen in the video is a subsidiary of BIN.)

In older equipment, thumbwheels may be used for data entry. (After all, industrial equipment can last for decades.) The PLC programming Binary Coded Decimal instructions FRD and TOD are handy in dealing with them. They are also handy for learning BCD. Data manipulation instructions like the FIFO load and unload example pictured here (screen recording of a student using) are explained with interactive PLC programming simulations.

Below are a couple more examples of the built-in interactive PLC simulator used to explain and give a better understanding of the PLC instructions being taught.

Example of plc troubleshooting exercises. The more you practice PLC troubleshooting, the more significant your skill increases and the less downtime you have. This PLC training software provides a safe environment in which to practice. The entire PLC tutorial also includes narration! Realistic "work orders" are displayed on the screens that require the technician to troubleshoot a PLC-managed automation system!

Even if the PLC training certificate is not printed, the score and student name are saved in the "student log file" accessible by Site and Enterprise license holders. Additionally, when the quiz is scored, the student’s name and final score are appended to a comma-delimited text file that may be imported into a database or spreadsheet application.... making the site license purchasing option perfect for Technical Schools, Community Colleges, Universities, Apprenticeship Programs, and company training departments. A PLC PDF Laboratory Manual full of college-proven and tested programming assignments is included with the tutorial. The PLC PDF Manual is in Adobe PDF format that you can print.

Because this Allen Bradley PLC Programming Basics course starts from a beginner level of what a PLC is and uses interactive simulations to make learning easier, it will also work for High School students. To ensure a good start, HS students should have some working knowledge of motor controls before taking this course.