Industrial Systems – Sense and Control

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Distinguish between analogue and digital sensors.
• Understand that simple digital sensors have a two-state output: open (off) or closed (on).
• Recognize that digital sensors exhibit high resistance when open and low resistance when closed.
• Identify that digital sensor outputs are typically either 0V or the full power supply voltage.
• Recognize and understand circuit symbols for a range of switches, bulbs, and sensors.
• Appreciate that some components are polarized and must be connected correctly.
• Program a controller to recognize a high input voltage as an ‘on’ or ‘off’ signal.
• Understand output device requirements in terms of current, and the use of relays for higher current delivery.
• Understand the advantages of transistors over relays for faster switching.
• Connect a control unit to deliver current through transistor and relay outputs.
• Understand systems as comprising three core elements: input, process, and output subsystems.
• Recognize that analogue sensors provide a continuous range of voltages.
• Use a potentiometer to set a reference voltage for parameters such as temperature.
• Differentiate between open-loop and closed-loop control systems.
• Simulate an analogue voltage using a square wave with a varying duty cycle (PWM).
• Understand that analogue sensor signals may require scaling or conversion to be meaningful.
• Program and control PLCs using different programming languages and methods