On the Development of a Portable Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Trainer

Abstract In today's reality where sharing equipment between students is a health concern, university courses may be forced to go fully online with short notice, and students may have to quarantine for periods of time, there is a need for a portable Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) trainer that can be assigned to a student for the semester. The portable PLC trainer allows students to have a satisfactory laboratory experience across various modes of instructional delivery. PLCs are used to automate industrial equipment and processes and are frequently used in laboratory activities in an automation course. At a minimum, a portable PLC trainer should be compact, have protection for the trainer components, provide user interface input and output devices, and the PLC programming software should be available for students to install on their own personal computers. This paper presents the design and development of a portable PLC trainer including the requirements for the trainer, component selection rationale, and fabrication methods. Assessment of course learning outcomes through laboratory activities during the first semester of PLC trainer usage is presented. The PLC trainer developed has momentary pushbuttons, indicator lamps, potentiometers, a voltmeter, and sufficient digital and analog inputs and outputs for input/output devices on the trainer as well as external devices connected to the trainer.