PLC Program for Temperature Control using Thermostat

PLC Temperature Control: In a vessel there are Three Heaters which are used to control the temperature of the vessel.

PLC Temperature Control Programming

We are using Three Thermostats to measure the temperature at each heater. also another thermostat for safety shutoff in case of malfunction or emergency or to avoid over temperatures.

All these heaters have different setpoints or different temperature ranges where heaters can be turned ON accordingly (below table shows the temperature ranges).

1. A temperature control system consists of four thermostats. The system operates three heating units. The thermostats (TS1/TS2/TS3/TS4 are set at 55°C, 60°C, 65°C and 70°C.
2. Below 55°C temperature, three heaters (H1,H2,H3) are to be in ON state
3. Between 55°C – 60°C two heaters (H2,H3) are to be in ON state.
4. Between 60°C – 65°C one heater (H3) is to be in ON state.
5. Above 70°C all heaters are to be in OFF state, there is a safety shutoff (Relay CR1) in case any heater is operating by mistake.
6. A master switch turns the system ON and OFF.

PLC Solution

• There are four thermostats; assume them be in NC state when the set point is not reached.
• Let there be a control relay (CR1) to work as a safety shutoff.
• Master Switch : The Start switch is NO and Stop switch NC type.

The below table shows the temperature ranges where Thermostats (TS1,TS2,TS3,TS4) status will be indicated as per the temperature value.

Also the Heaters (H1,H2,H3) status in which either those Heaters will be ON or OFF as per the temperature value.

PLC Ladder Logic

Ladder Logic Operation

First Rung:

It has START button (default NO contact) and STOP button (default NC contact). A Relay CR1 is used to control the heaters depending on the thermostats status.

A Thermostat TS4 is connected in between STOP & Relay, if TS4 activated (means TS4 contact changes from NC to NO) then all heaters will be OFF.

An NO contact of Relay CR1 is used across the START button in order to latch or hold the START command.

Second Rung:

An NO contact of Relay CR1 is used to control the Heaters (H1,H2,H3) with the thermostats (TS1,TS2,TS3) status.

After giving START command, This NO contact becomes NC contact. if temperature below 55 Deg C, TS1, TS2 & TS3 will be in Close Status so all heaters will be ON.

if Temperature is in between 55 to 60 Deg C, Then TS1 will be Open, so Heater H1 will be OFF.

then, if temperature in between 60 to 65 Deg C then TS2 also be Open, so Heater H2 will be OFF

if temperature in between 65 to 70 Deg C then TS3 also be Open, so Heater H3 will be OFF

There is a safety Shutoff which is used to avoid any malfunctions of Thermostats or to avoid over temperatures.

if temperature reaches above 70 Deg C then TS4 will activates and de-energizes the Relay, thus all Heaters will be turned OFF.

Note : Here Heaters H1, H2, H3 are either Relays or Contactors we energizing. so an NO contact of these relays are connected to Electrical Heater feeder circuits (MCC).These Electrical Feeder circuits will be controlled as per these signals and accordingly the heaters will be either ON or OFF.