ET372 Instrumentation Measurement & Lab
Nicholas Muronda
Student Number -: G00189433
Electronics Engineering Technology, Grantham University
Week # 7 Assignment – Final Control
Taghi Hajibeigy
Date: 30 January 2024
1. Produce a ladder diagram that will cause output Y to go HIGH when switch A and B are closed
OR when switch C is closed. (Hint: Start with the Boolean equation).
Answer - In the given scenario, the desired outcome is to have Output Y go HIGH under two
conditions: firstly, when both switches A and B are closed, exhibiting an AND gate logic, and
secondly, when switch C is closed. The Boolean equation representing this behavior is
Y = AB+C
Y becomes 1 if either the combination of A and B is true (both A and B are HIGH) or if switch C is
individually closed. Therefore, the ladder diagram can be constructed based on this logical
relationship to achieve the specified control.
AB C Y
1 1 1
1 0 1
0 1 1
0 0 0
2. Design the ladder diagram for a new Ford truck door/safety belt system. When the truck door is
open and the seat belt is not clicked in, the truck will not start. If door is closed and seat belt is
clicked in, the key will start the ignition.
Answer - Truck's ignition based on the status of two inputs, the doors open/close condition and
the state of the safety belt being clicked in or out. The primary output, in this case, is the
commencement of the truck's ignition.
Given Conditions:
Input 1 (A): Door status
A' (Door open) - Logic '0'
A (Door closed) - Logic '1'
Input 2 (B), Safety belt status
B' (Seat belt clicked out) - Logic '0'
B (Seat belt clicked in) - Logic '1'
Output (Y), Truck Starting/Ignition
Y = 1 when both inputs A and B are true (A = 1 and B = 1)
Truth Table
A B Y(start)
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1
The logical condition for the truck to start is an AND gate, as indicated in the truth table. The
ladder diagram corresponding to this logical relationship is illustrated below, this ladder diagram
ensures that the truck's ignition will only be initiated if both the door is closed (A = 1) and the
safety belt is clicked in (B = 1), adhering to the specified conditions.
3. Create a ladder diagram to control a washing machine. This washing machine would have a fill
cycle to one level, a 10 second wash cycle, a 10 second rinse cycle and then drain. Include a start
button, low level switch, high level switch, an agitator motor, a fill valve and a drain valve.
Answer
Start Button, Initiates the washing machine operation.
Low Level Switch, Monitors the water level, signaling when it is low.
High Level Switch, Monitors the water level, signaling when it is high.
Agitator Motor, Responsible for the agitation motion during the washing cycle.
Fill Valve, Controls the inflow of water into the washing machine.
Drain Valve, Manages the outflow of water during the drain cycle.
Operational Phases:
Fill Cycle, Fill valve opens until the high-level switch is activated, indicating a sufficient water
level.
Wash Cycle, Agitator motor operates for a predefined 10-second duration, facilitating the
washing process.
Rinse Cycle, Fill valve opens again, followed by the agitator motor operation for an additional 10
seconds.
Drain Cycle, drain valve opens to discharge water from the washing machine.
Ladder Diagram
The ladder diagram captures the logical interconnections between the components to achieve a
sequential and automated washing process. Timer elements may be incorporated to regulate
the duration of specific cycles.
This comprehensive ladder diagram ensures the effective control and coordination of the
washing machine's operational phases, providing a systematic and time-efficient approach to
the washing, rinsing, and draining cycles.
4. A control system is needed to control a small shopping center parking lot lighting system and
the exterior lighting for the building. The design specifications require that the parking lot
lighting and the exterior lighting turn on at dusk automatically. The parking lot lighting should
automatically turn off at midnight, but the building exterior lighting should remain on until dawn
when it is turned off automatically. The system should repeat daily and should not require
adjustment for the change in the seasons. Locate and specify an appropriate sensor if it is to
operate at 120 VAC as an input to a PLC. Create the ladder diagram to accomplish the specified
control. Paste the sensor specifications into your document.
Answer - Technical Details
a) Inputs
S1: Switch controlling parking lot lighting activation from 6:00 pm to midnight.
S2: Switch controlling exterior lighting activation from 6:00 pm to dawn.
S3: Master switch governing the entire lighting system, operational from 6:00 am to
6:00 pm.
b) Outputs
Lot Lighting: Output activated by S1, turning off at midnight.
Exterior Lighting: Output activated by S2, remaining on until dawn.
c) Logical Operations
S3 serves as the master control, ensuring the entire lighting system operates from 6:00
am to 6:00 pm.
S1 activates the parking lot lighting, operating from 6:00 pm to midnight.
S2 activates the building's exterior lighting, operational from 6:00 pm to dawn.
d) Sensor Specifications.
3 Input Channels
2 Output Channels
3 Switches
Electrical Parameters
Power Voltage Fluctuation Range - 85-246V AC
Supply Voltages - 120V, 50 Hz (240V AC) , Cooling, Air cooling
Insulation Resistance - 20 mΩ
Operating Conditions.
Operating Ambient Temperature, 0-55°C
Storage Ambient Temperature -10 to 75°C
Operating Ambient Humidity: 20-90%.
Mounting Type:
Structure- Open-wall mount type.
e) Ladder Diagram
The ladder diagram represents the logical connections between the switches and
outputs to achieve the specified control. The ladder diagram may include rung elements
such as timers for time-based control. This system design guarantees automatic control
of lighting based on the specified time intervals, meeting the criteria for daily repetition
and adaptability to seasonal changes.
