INST 107 Digital Automation Fundamentals

8 CR

This course will focus on the concepts, terminology, components, and circuits that combine to form basic digital motor control systems, human machine interfaces (HMIs), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Students will learn the concepts, skills, and theories needed to wire, configure, and use electromechanical relays to control electric motors and other discrete (on/off) control elements for real processes. Students will also learn how to wire, configure, and use variable-frequency motor controls to use with three-phase AC motors as final control elements. After covering digital and motor controls, the course will then proceed to PLCs and HMIs. While covering PLCs and HMIs, the course will discuss how to wire, program, and configure PLCs to perform discrete control functions including combinational logic, counters, and timers. Additionally, students will learn how to program data-handling functions in PLCs including comparison, arithmetic, and data transfer instructions. Students will also learn to connect and program HMI panels to PLCs. Students will learn generic troubleshooting techniques & procedures and tricks of the trade from analog to digital as well.
Prerequisite(s): INST 102 with a D or higher