The acronym PLC stands for:

(A) Pressure Load Control

(B) Programmable Logic Controller
(C) Pneumatic Logic Capstan
(D) PID Loop Controller
(E) Pressure Loss Chamber

Answer : B

Ladder logic programming consists primarily of:

(A) Virtual relay contacts and coils
(B) Logic gate symbols with connecting lines
(C) Function blocks with connecting lines
(D) Text-based code
(E) Hieroglyphics

Answer : A

Question 3
In a PLC, the scan time refers to the amount of time in which …..
(A) the technician enters the program
(B) timers and counters are indexed by
(C) one “rung” of ladder logic takes to complete
(D) the entire program takes to execute
(E) transmitted data communications must finish

Answer : D
Question 4
Identify the problem in this motor control PLC program:
(A) Coil
(B) Start contact
(C) Seal-in contact
(D) Stop contact
(E) Power source

Answer : C

Question 5
The Boolean representation of this PLC program is:

(A) ABC + D
(B) C + (A + B)D
(C) C + D(A + B)
(D) ABC + BD
(E) C(AB + D)

Answer : E

Question 6
The difference between online and offline PLC programming is . . .
(A) whether the PLC is running or stopped
(B) whether the programming PC has internet connectivity
(C) the type of programming cable used
(D) where the edited program resides
(E) the type of programmer used

Answer : D
Question 7
In PLC programming, a retentive function is one that:
(A) Defaults to the “on” state
(B) Comes last in the program
(C) Defaults to the “off” state
(D) Cannot be edited or deleted
(E) Is not reset after a power cycle

Answer : E

Question 8
What is the largest integer number that a PLC counter function can
reach if it uses a 16 bit register?
(A) 32,768
(B) 65,535
(C) 65,536
(D) 65,537
(E) 32,767

Answer : B

Question 9
An OR function implemented in ladder logic uses:
(A) Normally-closed contacts in series
(B) Normally-open contacts in series
(C) A single normally-closed contact
(D) Normally-open contacts in parallel
(E) Normally-closed contacts in parallel

Answer : D

Question 10
A good application for a timed interrupt in a PLC program would be:
(A) A communications function block
(B) A PID function block
(C) A math function block
(D) A motor start/stop rung
(E) A “watchdog” timer

Answer : B
1. The PLC was invented by.
a) Bill Gates

b) Dick Morley
c) Bill Landis

d) Tod Cunningham

2. The first company to build PLCs was .

a) General Motors

b) Allen Bradley

c) Square D

d) Modicon

3. Classify the following as automatic control, manual control, discrete

control or continuous control.
a) A sensor is used to turn on and off the lights of a room.

b) A temperature sensor is used to adjust the room temperature and maintain

it at a set point.

c) A user starts the bottle filling machine, places the bottle on the conveyor
belt to fill it with the required liquid.

d)  The luggage system at the airport.

e)  A factory that makes red pens and has no human employees.

Answer :

4. The part that monitors the inputs and makes decisions in a PLC is the
CPU.
a. True
b. False
c. None of the above

5. One of the following is an input device

a. Motor

b. Light

c. Valve

d. Sensor
6. Which one of the following is not a PLC manufacturer
a. Siemens

b. Mitsubishi

c. Microsoft
d. ABB

7. Solenoids, lamps, motors are connected to:

a. Analog output

b. Digital output
c. Analog input

d. Digital input

8. In a PLC “I” is used for output and “Q” is used for input
a. True

b. False
c. None of the above

9. PLC stands for programmable logo controller

a. True

b. False
c. None of the above

10. To increase the number of inputs and outputs of the PLC, one can
use expansion modules.
a. True
b. False

c. None of the above

11. An example of discrete (digital) control is:
a. Varying the volume of a music system

b. Turning a lamp ON or OFF

c. Varying the brightness of a lamp

d. Controlling the speed of a fan

12. A solenoid is an example of an output device.

a. True
b. False

c. None of the above

13. 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.

14. Which of the following statements is correct?

a) Ladder logic is a PLC graphical programming technique introduced in the
last 10 years.

b) A ladder logic program is hard to analyze because it is totally different when

compared with the equivalent relay logic solution.

c) The number of ladder logic virtual relays and input and output
instructions is limited only by memory size.
d) The number of contacts for a mechanical relay is limited to number of coils
on the relay.

15. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

a) The status of each input can be checked from one location and outputs can
be forced on and off.

b) All symbols in the RLL represent actual components and contacts present
in the control system.
c) PLCs are not as reliable as electromechanical relays in RLL.
d) Input (-| |-) and output (- ( ) -) instruction symbols in the ladder logic
represent only data values stored in PLC memory.

16. Which of the following statements is NOT correct?

a) If a problem in a PLC module occurs, the module can be changed in a
matter of minutes without any changes in wiring.

b) Outputs can be paralleled on the same rung.

c) The physical wires between the input and output field devices and the PLC
input and output modules are the only signal wires required in the PLC
system.

d) The cost and size of PLCs have increased significantly in the last 10
years.
17.  Which of the following statements about a single pole double throw
relay is NOT true?
a) It is called an SPDT type of relay.

b) It has one common contact.

c) It has two positions (NC and NO).

d) It has a center off position.

18. 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.

d) All of the above.

19. Which of the following statements about RLL is NOT true?
a) NO contact symbol has two parallel lines to indicate an open contact.

b) RLL stands for Relay Ladder Logic.

c) NC contact symbol has the same two parallel lines with a line across them
to indicate closed contacts.
d) The right power rail is positive or the high side of the source, and the
left power rail is the power return or ground.
20. The _____ is moved toward the relay electromagnet when the relay is
on.
a) Armature
b) Coil

c) NO contact

d) NC contact

21. When a relay is NOT energized:

a) There is an electrical path through the NO contacts

b) There is an electrical path through the NC contacts

c) Neither the NO or the NC contacts have an electrical path

d) Both the NO and the NC contacts have an electrical path

22. Which of the following RLL applications is not normally performed in

early automation systems?
a) On/off control of field devices

b) Logical control of discrete devices

c) On/off control of motor starters

d) Proportional control of field devices

23. 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

d) All of the above

24. In a current sinking DC input module _____
a) The current flows out of the input field device
b) Requires that a AC sources be used with mechanical switches

c) The current flows out of the input module

d) Currents can flow in either direction at the input module

25. AC output field devices can interface to _____

a) AC output modules

b) Relay output modules

c) Both a and b
d) Neither a or b

26. What one item in the output module circuit above should be changed
to make it correct.

a) The battery polarity

b) Output module should be sourcing

c) Field device should be sinking

d) Current flow direction

27. What one item in the input module circuit above should be changed
to make it correct.
a) The battery polarity

b) Input module should be sinking

c) Field device should be sinking

d) Current flow direction

28. When _____ contacts are actuated, they disrupt the power supply
through them.
a. normally open type

b. normally closed type

c. both a. and b.

d. none of the above

29. The type of memory which is fast and temporarily stores the data
which are immediately required for use is called as______.
a. HDD

b. ROM

c. RAM
d. SSD

30. How is the speed of operation of conventional relay system as

compared to digital controllers?
a. very slow
b. very fast

c. same

d. almost similar

31. The capability of convention relay systems for complex operations is

____ that of the PLCs .
a. poor than
b. excellent than

c. as good as

d. unpredictable as

32. How is the noise immunity of PLCs to electrical noises as compared

to that of conventional relay controllers?
a. poor
b. excellent

c. as good as noise immunity of conventional relay controllers

d. unpredictable

33. _____ of PLCs can be done in very little time.

a. Programming

b. Installation

c. Commissioning

d. All of the above

34. PLC can be _____ in plant to change the sequence of operation.
a. only programmed

b. only reprogrammed

c. programmed and reprogrammed

d. able to give a set point

35. The PLC is used in _______.

a. machine tools

b. automated assembly equipment

c. moulding and extrusion machines

d. all of the above

36. Which of the following can be the output of PLC?
1. Relay coils

2. Solenoids
3. Indicators

4. Motors

5. Lamps

6. Alarms

Select correct option

a. Only (1), (2), (3) and (4)

b. Only (3), (4), (5) and (6)

c. Only (1), (2), (3) and (5)

d. All the (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6)

37. Which of the following cannot be an input that is given to the PLC?
a. Manual switches

b. Relays c. Sensors

d. None of the above

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.
PLC SCADA Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1: Examine-on instruction in PLC language is symbolically represented by what

shape?
A. -] [-
B. -( )-
C. -]/[-
D. None of these

Question 2: The symbol -(L)- represent what instruction in the PLC language?
A. OUT output unlatch instruction.
B. OTL output latch instruction.
C. Examine off instruction.
D. Output energize instruction.

Question 3: The address T4:6. ACC is used to address what?

A. Accumulator for timer 4 in file 6.
B. Preset value of timer 6 in file 4.
C. Accumulator for timer 6 in file 4.
D. Accumulator for counter 6 in file 4.

Question 4: To reset the time for a PLC what condition must be true?
A. Reset rung of TON must be true.
B. Reset rung of TON must be false.
C. RST instruction with timer address must be true.
D. RST instruction with associated timer address must be false.

Question 5: The below rung would represent what Boolean equation?

A. X • Y = Z
B. X + Y = Z
C. X • Y’ = Z
D. None of the above.
Question 6: To increase the number of inputs and outputs of the PLC, one can use
expansion modules.
A. True.
B. False.
C. None of the above.

Question 7: Solenoids, lamps, motors are connected to:

A. Analog output.
B. Digital output.
C. Analog input.
D. Digital input.

Question 8: In a counter instruction if the accumulator value becomes greater than or

equal to the preset value then which of the following is true?
A. CU bit goes on.
B. DN bit goes on.
C. Both CU and DN bits go on.
D. None of the above.

Question 9: Which of the following instruction enables a jump to a subroutine?

A. JMP
B. SBR
C. RET
D. None of the above.

Question 10: Which of the following is not a comparison instruction?

A. GEQ
B. EQU
C. LIM
D. MOV