The objective of this course is to enable mechanical tradespersons to decide whether a machinery malfunction may have an electrical or control signal based fault. Participants will learn to use our methodical Ten Step Troubleshooting Process.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to explain the electrical controls, PLCs and sensor systems that interact with and control production machinery. The functions of electrical and electronic instruments that send positioning data and hydraulic pressure information to control cards and PLCs are covered. The electrical/electronic controls used with servo and proportional valves are also examined.

Electrical concepts will be made plain using comparisons to similar fluidic circuits and by using graphing instruments and computer simulations.

This material will be taught using an exposed low voltage (24 VDC and down) circuitry lab kit for each participant. The activities performed demystify the workings of controllers, sensors, and their related input and output processes.

In addition a PLC simulation software package will be used that mimics RSLogix software while presenting a visual layout and animation of actual manufacturing and process machinery which trainees use to complete many of the hands-on exercises.