PLC
Programmable Logic Controller
HMI
Human Machine Interface
MMI
Man Machine Interface
I/O
Inputs/Outputs
OEM
Original Engineering Manufacturer
RTC
Real Time Clock, This refers to a built in clock that has time relative to the time of that in the real world
SQL
“Structured Query Language” is a special purpose programming language for managing data held in a relational database
Unitary PLC
A “Unitary PLC” is also more commonly referred to as a brick PLC due to its standalone appearance.
A Unitary PLC is the more simple type of controller, and contains all of the basic system components within a single housing, or box. These components typically include the processor, which runs the software program, in addition to inputs and outputs.
A commonly used example of a unitary PLC type is the Micrologix 1000, built by Allen Bradley. The Micrologix 1000 includes on-board memory for storing programs, 32 digital input and output ports, and a communications port used to program the unit. This setup is typical of many unitary systems.
Bootstrap Mode
“Bootstrap mode” is a state that you can force a PLC to enter on power-up to allow the user to edit certain PLC functions without runnning the loaded program. There are several different ways to enter “bootstrap mode” depending on the PLC you are using.
On Unitronics PLCs; pressing the touchscreen durin power-up will enter Bootstrap mode or if no Touchscreen is available then holding the ‘esc’ & ‘info’ buttons durin power-up will also enter Bootstrap mode.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol, basic communication language for private network or the internet in general
FB Protocol
Function Block Protocol is a piece of repeatable, reusable code in the form of a function block that can be used to simplify more complicated programming tasks such as ASCII communication
OPLC
Operator PLC, this defines an all in one PLC & HMI unit
OPC
OLE for Process control. This is a software interface standard that allows Windows programs to communicate with industrial Hardware devices such as PLCs
RS232
Is a standard for Serial Communication data transmission.
RS485
Is a standard for digital communication networks and can be used over a long distance in electrically noisy encvironments. RS485 can also be used to communicate with multiple units simultaneously unlike RS232
PID Controller
Proportional Integral Derivative Controller, uses anticipatory control by calculating the amount of error/difference between a user defined set point and actual position used to correct outputs accordingly
MODBUS
The original and most widely used communications system for industrial PLC & controller communications
CANbus
Is a Controller Area Network, a Bus system designed to allow PLCs and microcontrollers to communicate with each other without the need for a host Computer
DF1
Communication system standardised for use mainly in American countries
SNMPT
Simple Network Management Protocol, is a protocol for network management. Used to confiigure and gather information from devices on an ‘Internet Protocol’ Network