The document provides an overview of using RSLogix software to program Allen-Bradley PLCs. It outlines the basic steps to start a new program, define inputs and outputs, download programs to the PLC, and use the program. Key steps include selecting the PLC model in a new file, adding logic to rungs using toolbar buttons, defining I/O addresses, verifying for errors, saving and downloading the program, and going online to monitor inputs and outputs. The tutorial is designed to introduce basic PLC programming concepts to new users.

1. SouthernIllinois UniversityCarbondale
Collegeof Engineering
Department of Technology
PLC ProgrammingTutorial
Purpose:
The purposeofthis tutorial is to give a briefintroduction to usingthe PLC
trainersandthe RSLogix softwareavailableat SIUC. RSLogix is Windows based
softwarethat is usedto programAllen-Bradley PLCs.This tutorial will give basic
instructionson how to write anddownloadprograms. This will give new usersthe
foundationto leam the many advancedfeaturesof RSLogix.
Starting RSLogix
From the desktopclick START>>Programs>>RockwellSoftware>>RSlogix 500
English>>. Click on RSLogix 500 English. WhenRSIogix startsclick the FILE
headingandselectNEW or usethe shortcutkey that is identicalto the new file key in
Microsoft Word.
Whena new file is selectedthewindow in FigureI will open. Thiswindow is
usedto configurethe programto a particularmodel of Allen BradleyPLC. The PLC
usedis this tutorialis a Micrologix 1500seriesA. Themodelnumbersarelistedonthe
sideofthe PLC. Usethe scroll to find the model of the PLC. Selectit usingthe mouse
andclick OK
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Figure l: ProcessorTypeWindow

2. RSLogix Interface
The RSLogix interfaceis shownbelow. To beginconstructinga programclick on
the number0000next to the first andonly blue rung. The numbershouldnow be inside
of a red box. The red box meansthat the rung hasbeenselectedand canbe edited. Start
by clicking the XIC button on the USER tool bar. Then click on the OUTPUT
ENERGIZE button on the USER toolbar. Rung0000 shouldnow appearasit doesin the
programbelow. Oncethereareinstructionsin rung 0000rung 0001will appearbelow it.
Click on the 0001to selectthe rung. Click on the XIO andOUTPUT ENERGIZE
buttonson the USER toolbar. Rung0001shouldnow appearrlsit doesin Figure 2.
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Figure 1: RSLogix Interface
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3. Defining Inputs and Outputs (I/O)
Using the left mousebutton,doubleclick on the logic symbolsto definethe VO
address. When the symbols are selecteda box will appear(refer to Figure 3). Define
input addressesfor XIO andXIC symbolsusing"I:0/0" format. Define output energize
addressesusingthe "O:0/0" format. The capitalI andO standfor input andouqut,
respectively. The first numberbeforethe forward slashis the slot numberandthe
numberafter the slashis the point number. Make sureto not to useOs for 0sandvice
versa.
When all the VO addresseshavebeendefinedusethe VERIFY PROJECTbutton
(shown in Figure 3) to check the program for errors.
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4. Should there be a prograrn error, a window will appearat the bofiom of the
screen. USethe "*" and"-" symbolsto expandthe errors. The expandedmessagewill
statewhat rung and which instruction oontainsthe error (seeFigure 4). Double clicking
on the expandedpart of the messagewill selectthe operation that hasthe error.
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Figure l: Eror Message
If the progfam hasno errors the message"Verif hascompleted,no errors found'will
appearabovethe Windows START button in the lower left hand corner of the screen(see
Figure 5).
tr'igure2: Verilied Frogram
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5. Downloading Programs
The next step is to download the program. To download the program the status
menu is used. Atthis stagpin the program the statusmenu will show OFFLINE. To
selectthe statusmenu click the arrow next to the menu that shows OFFLINE. Then
selectdownload(seeFigure6).
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Figure l: Downloading a Program
49

6. Savinga Program
In orderto downloada programit mustbe saved. If theprogramis not savedthe
window in Figure 7 will openautomatically.Namethe progrcmandsaveit to a 3.5"
floppy disk (Drive A). A programcanalsobe savedbeforetrying to downloadby using
the FILE drop down menuor the SAVE shortcut,which areidenticalto the onesin
Microsoft Word.
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Downloading(Continued)
After theprogramis savedthefollowing window will popup. Thewindow
displaysthe programname,its origin anddestination.SelecttheYES buttonto proceed
with the download(seeFigure8).
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Figure2: DownloadingProcedure

7. The next window that opensdisplaysthat thePLC is in remoterun mode. This
meansthatthe PLC is in run mode. Whena PLC is in run modeit is executingthe
currently loadedprogram. In orderto downloada new programto a PLC it must be in
programmode. SelectYES to switchthe PLC to programmode(seeFigure 9).
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Figurel: SwitchingfromRunModetoProgramMode
The next window that will openis the downloadstatuswindow. This window
displaysthe statusof the download(not pictured). Whenthe downloadis completethe
window will automaticallycloseandthe next window will open. This window asksif the
PLC shouldchangebackto run mode. SelectYES sothe PLC canswitch to run modeto
executethe program(seeFigure 10).
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Figure 2: Switching back to Run Mode Dialogue
The final window that popsup asksif the PC shouldgo online. When a PC is
online with a PLC it meansthatthe PC is communicatingwith the PLC in realtime. In
this modethe operatorat the PC canseethe programthat is beingexecutedandmonitor
the statusofthe input andoutputpoints. This is a very usefulfeaturein manufacturing
operationsbecauseit allows remotesupervisionandcontrol of the PLC. SeleciYES to
go online with the PLC.
Figure3: OnlineModeDialogue
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8. Using the Program
At this point the program should be operating. Using the addressedinput buttons
on the hainer observethe output lights on the trainer. Sincethe computer is also online
the changing inputs and outputs canbe observedfrom the PC monitor.
Editing the Program
Usethe programstatusmenuto go offline. Click the arrow next to the menuand
selectGO OFFLINE. Oncethe PC is offline with the PLC it is possibleto editthe
program.
Summary
This tutorial hasbeendesignedto give a basicintroductionofPLC programming
to the new user. There are many additional instructiong shortcutsand featuresin the
RSLogix software that are similar to featuresfound in other Windows basedprognms.
Many of the additional featurescanbe discoveredthrough additional useof RSLogix. To
readmore aboutRSLogix visit: http://www.software.rockwell.com/rslogix/
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