Automation Fundamentals

Automation Fundamentals is designed to educate students in the general operation and implementation of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Human Machine Interface (HMI) units, as they relate to industrial water treatment control systems. Common PLC instructions and programming techniques will be explored along with devices compatible with PLC Inputs and Outputs. Students will be introduced to HMI software used for the creation of operational controls that interact with the PLC to control and monitor field devices. The HMI unit includes an introduction to a SCADA software interface and the investigation of recent upgrades to automated treatment applications in North America. The laboratory component of this course provides practical experience with software and operator devices that can be directly related to control systems found in industry.