PLC Interview Questions and Answers
Basic Programmable Logic Controllers MCQ
1. The PLC was invented by.
Dick Morley
2. The first company to build PLCs was .
Modicon
3. One of the following is an input device
Sensor
4. Which one of the following is not a PLC manufacturer
Microsoft
5. Solenoids, lamps, motors are connected to:
Digital output
6. An example of discrete (digital) control is:
Turning a lamp ON or OFF
7. Which of the following statements is not correct?
a) The PLC rung output [-( )-] is a discrete output instruction or bit in memory.
b) Each rung of the ladder logic represents a logical statement executed in software –
inputs on the right and outputs on the left.
c) Input and output instructions in ladder logic do not directly represent the switches
and actuators.
d) PLC input instructions are logical symbols associated with voltage at the input
module terminals.
8. Which of the following statements is correct?
The number of ladder logic virtual relays and input and output instructions is
limited only by memory size.
9. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
PLCs are not as reliable as electromechanical relays in RLL.
10. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?
The cost and size of PLCs have increased significantly in the last 10 years.
11. Which of the following statements about a single pole double throw relay is
NOT true?
It has a center off position.
12. Which of the following statements about a single pole double throw relay is
true?
a) Insulators are used in the armature to isolate the electrical switching contacts from
the rest of the relay components.
b) The NC contact and the pole are in contact when the relay is off.
c) It has just one coil.
13. Which of the following statements about RLL is NOT true?
The right power rail is positive or the high side of the source, and the left power
rail is the power return or ground.
14. The _____ is moved toward the relay electromagnet when the relay is on.
a) Armature
15. When a relay is NOT energized:
There is an electrical path through the NC contacts
16. Which of the following RLL applications is not normally performed in early
automation systems?
Proportional control of field devices
17. Current flows into the _____
a) Input terminal of a sinking DC input module
b) Input terminal of a sinking output field device
c) Output terminal of a sinking input field device
18. In a current sinking DC input module _____
The current flows out of the input field device
19. What one item in the input module circuit above should be changed to make it
correct.
Input module should be sinking
20. When _____ contacts are actuated, they disrupt the power supply through them.
normally closed type
21. The type of memory which is fast and temporarily stores the data which are
immediately required for use is called as______.
RAM
22. How is the speed of operation of conventional relay system as compared to
digital controllers?
very slow
23. _____ of PLCs can be done in very little time.
a. Programming
b. Installation
c. Commissioning
24. PLC can be _____ in plant to change the sequence of operation.
programmed and reprogrammed
25. The PLC is used in _______.
a. machine tools
b. automated assembly equipment
c. moulding and extrusion machines
26. Which of the following can be the output of PLC?
1. Relay coils
2. Solenoids
3. Indicators
4. Motors
5. Lamps
6. Alarms
PLC Questions and Answers
1. Explain what are different comonents in PLC?
1. Input Interface
2. Memory Section
3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4. Programmable Language
5. Programming tool
6. An output Interface
2. Explain Advantages of PLC than Hard wired Relay?
PLCs are highly reliable,
easily programmable,
Small and Inexpensive,
PLCs can be designed with the communication capabilities so they can converse
with the local or remote computer,
They can sustain in robust environment less maintenance. etc…
3. Explain what is the programmable language used in PLC?
The general language program consists of Ladder Diagrams.
Relay logic control scheme is represented in Ladder diagrams.
Alternative languages uses Boolean representation of these control schemes as base of
the computer representation.
4. Explain what does Central Processing Unit (CPU) of PLC consists?
CPU is the brain of the system and consists of Microprocessor: To carryout arithmetic
and logical operations Memory:
The area in the CPU in which the information is stored and retrieved Power Supply: The
electrical supply that converts the ac voltage to various DC operating voltages.
5. Explain what is SCAN in PLC ?
The sequential operation of the controller that goes through the ladder diagram from
top to bottom of the ladder. In this process it updates all the outputs corresponding to
the inputs.
SCAN takes place from left to right of each rung. Usually SCAN time is in milliseconds
and it is a continuous process.
6. Difference between PLCs and Computers
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) have basic architecture compared to normal
general purpose computers.
A normal computer can be converted to PLCs by providing a way that the computer can
able to receive information or signal from the field devices such as push buttons,
switches and valve positions.
Computer requires a some software to process the information obtained from the input
to generate an output which decide whether to close or open the valve position in the
process side.
Some of the important features and characteristics that distinguish between the general
purpose computers and Programmable Logic Controllers
PLC’s are given below:
PLCs are designed to operate under industrial environments (PLCs have to operate
under wide range of temperature conditions, humidity and other environmental
conditions). They are least affected by the electrical noise and are inherent to electrical
noise
Programming in PLCs is through Relay Ladder Logic or other easily learned language.
PLCs comes with program language built in its memory. PLCs do not contain input and
output devices such as keyboards, mouse, monitor, CD drives and other hard disks. It is
in simple a self contained box with communication ports and set of terminals for input
and output devices.
Unlike computers which performs numerous tasks simultaneously, PLCs execute a single
program in an orderly and sequential manner from first instruction to the last
instruction
PLCs have been designed for installation and maintenance by plant
electricians. Programming in PLCs is simple (Relay Ladder Programming), it does not
include any advanced code.
Troubleshooting is simpler and many PLCs are designed to include fault details and
written fault details on display screen.
7. PLCs Advantages or Benefits
Higher Reliability:
Once the program written and tested it can be easily downloaded into other PLC’s
memory. It requires lesser and simpler wiring compared to conventional hard wired
circuits employed.
Hence reliability of the system increases significantly with PLCs.
More Flexibility:
It is easier to create a new program module or change an existing program in PLC
compared to hard wired circuitry system. These software program modules can be
changed whenever required.
User can modify the programs in the field and if required, security can be enhanced by
hardware interlocks such as key locks and software features such as passwords
Lower Cost:
PLCs were originally designed to replace relay control logic which is not economical and
complex especially for large control circuits.
With PLCs the cost savings have been so significant that the relay control becomes
uneconomical except for some power applications.
Generally if the application consists of more than half a dozen control relays, PLCs are
least expensive to install
Communication Capability:
Communication capability of PLC with the other controllers and computers in the
system is one of the main advantages compared to relay control circuit.
Functions such as Supervisory control, data acquisition from the field, monitoring
devices and process parameters associated with the field and downloading and
uploading of programs can be easily possible with the PLC compared to hardwired
circuits
Faster Response:
PLCs are designed for high speed and for the real time applications.Response time for
PLCs are much smaller compared to relay logic circuits.
The programmable controllers operates in real time i.e, an event taking carrying out at
field will result in execution of operation of output
Easy to Troubleshoot:
PLCs have inbuilt diagnostics and override functions that helps the user to easily trance
the software and hardware errors.
8. what is Progrmmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are the micro processor controller devices
situated at the remote sites of the plant or at the field of the process systems.
PLCs purpose is to monitor the process parameters located at the field and adjust the
outputs based on the inputs received by the PLCs.
PLCs will operate on any systems which will have input field devices that are On-Off
type (discrete or digital ) or analog input devices. Similarly it will operate on the field
devices which will be discrete or analog output type.
In simple words, Hence PLC acts as interface between the input and output devices at
the process side of the industries. It monitors the inputs receive from the input devices
and takes necessary output control functions by executing the programs stored in its
memory.
The term Logic is used in Programmable Logic Controllers because all the program
inside the PLC will be of Logic programming (eg: Ladder diagrams ).
In industrial applications hard wired relay logics were replaced by Programmable Logic
Controllers due to its reliablity, simplicity, low cost, easier programming and many other
functions.
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