Buy what PLC?

[edvinfors@yahoo.se 0]

Hi I want to buy a PLC and additional required stuff, to play with at home. Where do I find cheap PLCs? What software do I need to make this work with a Windows 8 PC? What other physical interface and software is needed/recommended?

[MrAutomation 20]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? Are you a student/new engineer, getting practice for a job? Are you just interested in PLCs, but not sure if you want a career with them? Do you have any experience with PLCs?

[edvinfors@yahoo.se 0]

Thanks for replying so fast. I am a new engineer who wants to improve my skills to be able to get a job easier. I have already programmed PLC ladder logic in Step 7 almost a whole semester in school. That semester also included creation of HMI.

[Crossbow 287]

Step 7 is not much like any cheap PLCs you can do at home. Closest would be to stick with a Siemens, like S7-1200. But there are many low cost option you can get for home use.

[MrAutomation 20]

Not knowing much about the industrial market in Sweden, I think that learning Siemens PLCs is probably your best bet. I know of a great Allen Bradley simulation software, LogixPro, but I don't know how many Allen Bradley PLCs are in Sweden. Try and look for used PLCs on ebay maybe? There's also an S7 simulator, S7-PLCSIM.

[_SKR 0]

I recently started using Micro 800 series Allen Bradley PLC's for small control applications. They are easy to work with also they are cheaper....around 100-150$. Some of them have limited I/O's. Good Luck!

[edvinfors@yahoo.se 0]

Thanks to you all for replying. What I am actually looking for is a solution for the totality: PLC, additional I/Os, field bus (if the price allows it), some thing to run (motor, compressor, anything with reasonable price). I also need to get access som some tutorial or otherwise educational material. What I have a lot of is patience and a serious attitude to these things. What I do not have a lot of are funds in size of a major industrial company. My price range for the whole thing will have to be between 0-500 €. I refuse to put myself further i debt.

[MrAutomation 20]

Is it possible to just get a job, instead of practicing in your basement first? I'm not dismissing your idea, but a full setup is going to cost money, no matter how you look at it. If you buy and build the setup, you'll learn some stuff absolutely, but you'll grow past the point of "turning a motor off and on" very quickly. Then you'll have a bunch of hardware in your basement, but you won't be able to learn much anymore. If the companies in Sweden aren't hiring unless you already have PLC experience, then go for it. In my opinion, you'll get a LOT more experience just a few weeks into the job. Prove to the company that you are a fast learner and willing to work hard. Every engineering firm has had to hire green employees and train them. It's standard business practice. Best of luck!