ESE 3217 Lec 07

ESE 3217
Instrumentation and Control

Lecture 07- Ladder Diagram and Functional Block Diagram (Theory)
PLC Part 03
References
1. Programmable Logic Controllers - W. Bolton

2. Programmable Logic Controllers - Frank D. Petruzella
Ladder Diagram and 1. Classification of PLC
Functional Block Programming Language
Diagram in depth 2. Brief introduction
Analogy with actual circuit
The diagram shows the circuit for switching on or off an electric motor. We can redraw this diagram in a
different way, using two vertical lines to represent the input power rails and stringing the rest of the circuit
between them.
the power supply for the circuits is always shown as two vertical lines, with the rest of the circuit as
horizontal lines. The power lines, or rails, as they are often called, are like the vertical sides of a ladder,
with the horizontal circuit lines similar to the rungs of the ladder.
Conventions
The ladder diagram consists of two vertical lines representing the power rails. Circuits are connected as horizontal lines,
that is, the rungs of the ladder, between these two verticals. In drawing a ladder diagram, certain conventions are adopted:
● The vertical lines of the diagram represent the

power rails between which circuits are
connected. The power flow is taken to be from
the left-hand vertical across a rung.
● Each rung on the ladder defines one operation in
the control process.
● A ladder diagram is read from left to right and
from top to bottom.The top rung is read from left
to right. Then the second rung down is read from
left to right and so on.
● Each rung must start with an input or inputs and
must end with at least one output.
● Electrical devices are shown in their normal
condition.
● A particular device can appear in more than one
rung of a ladder.
● The inputs and outputs are all identified by their
addresses; the notation used depends on the
PLC manufacturer.
Basic Symbol
This method (LD) of writing programs became

adopted by most PLC manufacturers, but each
tended to develop its own version, and so an
international standard has been adopted for
ladder programming and, indeed, all the methods
used for programming PLCs. The standard,
published in 1993, is IEC 61131-3. Figure 5.4
shows standard IEC 61131-3 symbols that are
used for input and output devices. Some slight
variations occur between the symbols when used
in semigraphic form and when in full graphic, the
semigraphic form being the one created by simply
typing using the normal keyboard, whereas the
graphic form is the result of using drawing tools.
Ladder diagram of Diﬀerent Manufacturer
Figure 5.6 shows how the ladder diagram of Figure 5.5a would appear using (a) Mitsubishi, (b) Siemens,
(c) Allen-Bradley, and (d) Telemecanique notations for the addresses.
Figure 5.6: Notation: (a) Mitsubishi, (b) Siemens, (c)

Allen-Bradley, and (d) Telemecanique.
Logic Functions (AND)
Logic Functions (OR)
Logic Functions (NOT)
Logic Functions (XOR)
Latching
There are often situations in which it is necessary to hold an output energized, even when the input ceases. A simple
example of such a situation is a motor that is started by pressing a push-button switch. Though the switch contacts do
not remain closed, the motor is required to continue running until a stop push-button switch is pressed. The term latch
circuit is used for the circuit that carries out such an operation. It is a self-maintaining circuit in that, after being
energized, it maintains that state until another input is received.
Application of Latching
As an illustration of the application of a latching circuit,

consider a motor controlled by stop and start push-button
switches and for which one signal light must be illuminated
when the power is applied to the motor and another when it
is not applied.
Figure 5.19 shows a ladder diagram with Mitsubishi
notation for the addresses. X401 is closed when the
program is started. When X400 is momentarily closed,
Y430 is energized and its contacts close. This results in
latching as well as the switching off of Y431 and the
switching on of Y432. To switch the motor off, X401 is
pressed and opens. Y430 contacts open in the top rung
and third rung but close in the second rung. Thus Y431
comes on and Y432 goes off.
Latching is widely used with startups so that the initial
switching on of an application becomes latched on.
Multiple Outputs
Function Blocks
The term function block diagram (FBD) is used for PLC programs described in terms of graphical blocks. It
is described as a graphical language for depicting signal and data flows through blocks, which are reusable
software elements. A function block is a program instruction unit that, when executed, yields one or more
output values. Thus a block is represented in the manner shown in Figure 5.23 with the function name
written in the box.
Logic Gate
Logic Gate
Logic Gate
Logic Gate
Logic Gate
Figure 5.29 shows a ladder diagram and its function block equivalent in Siemens notation. The = block is used to
indicate an output from the system.
Figure 5.30 shows a ladder diagram involving the output with contacts acting as an input. The function block diagram
equivalent can be shown as a feedback loop.

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ESE 3217

Instrumentation and Control

1. Programmable Logic Controllers - W. Bolton

● The vertical lines of the diagram represent the

This method (LD) of writing programs became

Figure 5.6: Notation: (a) Mitsubishi, (b) Siemens, (c)

As an illustration of the application of a latching circuit,

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