IEC Paradigms (Level 4) from Udemy

You already know how to program a PLC and make it do what you want using Ladder Diagrams (only ten dollars on PLC Dojo). But as you are undoubtedly aware, there are several other "paradigms" (programming languages) out there to create logic, and you want to program competently with them all.

Aside from learning the paradigms, you also want to develop a comfort level with a few other development environments besides RSLogix 500. Now, you're going to be learning the Logix5000 environment as well as AB's Connected Components Workbench. Then we're going to get away from AB and do a lot of work in ABB's Automation Builder where you'll be able to work hands-on with all five IEC paradigms PLUS an ABB proprietary language as well. As your program grows, you'll be able to simulate it and run your code in real-time every step of the way.

What's covered in each of the five PLC courses I teach here and on my own PLC Dojo site?

PLC Fundamentals (Level 1) teaches you how to program with the focus on ladder logic, which is the most popular PLC programming language. The goal is to teach you everything you need to know to make a PLC do what you want it to do. You are also given all the software necessary to both CREATE and RUN your own programs live - right on your own computer.

Applied Logic (Level 2) forces you to take what you've learned and solve problem after progressively harder problem unassisted. You get a spec and are told simply: "Make it work, and don't progress until you have." After, you get to watch me solve each one as well. By the end, you don't just know how to program - you are a

Process Visualization (Level 3) gives you both knowledge and experience in FIVE different HMI / SCADA development environments. By the end, you've created several

IEC Paradigms (Level 4) is only for the heavyweights. This course teaches you how to program using all five IEC programming languages (plus one more) in multiple environments. There are projects as well, so by the end, you have seen it all and DONE it all as well. There won't be anything anybody can show you that you won't already be familiar with.

TIA Portal Master Project (Level 5) is the culmination of everything. In that course, you'll program an entire power plant using all five PLC programming languages (in PARALLEL. ) with a full HMI. It's a massive and complex project that really showcases your talents in an interview.

What's inside

Learning objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to program nearly any modern plc regardless of mfg.
Students will be knowledgeable and experienced with all five iec programming paradigms.

Students will know how to lay out a complex plc program

By the end of this course, students will be able to program nearly any modern plc regardless of mfg.
Students will be knowledgeable and experienced with all five iec programming paradigms.
Students will know how to lay out a complex plc program

Syllabus

Introduction

Course Intro: Curriculum / Objectives / Practice

Software and Course Notes

Contacting Your Instructor

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Increases professional skills or deep expertise in advanced PLC programming

Taught by Paul Lynn, an accomplished industry professional

Provides knowledge and abilities in a range of programming environments and paradigms

Fits intermediate learners looking to enhance their PLC programming skills

Teaches skills, knowledge, and tools highly relevant to the industry

May require fulfillment of prerequisites or background knowledge in the field

Reviews summary

Mastering iec plc programming paradigms

According to learners, this course is an essential resource for serious PLC programmers looking to master the five IEC programming paradigms. Students consistently praise its thorough and comprehensive coverage of languages like Structured Text and Functional Block Diagram across multiple development environments, including RSLogix 5000, Connected Components Workbench, and especially ABB's Automation Builder. The course is highly regarded for its invaluable hands-on projects and realistic simulations, which allow students to run code in real-time and significantly expand their skill sets. While some found minor challenges with software setup or desired more complex real-world examples, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, cementing its reputation as a crucial step for professional development.

Aimed at experienced professionals, not suitable for beginners.

"The course truly lives up to its 'heavyweight' billing, not for beginners."

"IEC Paradigms (Level 4) is only for the heavyweights."

"This is not for novices; you definitely need prior PLC knowledge."

"Excellent for experienced folks looking to expand beyond ladder logic."

Instructor delivers complex topics with clarity.

"The instructor explains complex topics clearly and patiently."

"The instructor is knowledgeable and the exercises are challenging yet rewarding."

"The instructor does a good job explaining."

"I found the instruction on Sequential Function Chart especially clear."

Features valuable projects and realistic simulation exercises.

"The hands-on projects with Automation Builder were invaluable."

"The simulations are realistic and help solidify understanding. I found the practical exercises very well designed."

"There are projects as well, so by the end, I have seen it all and DONE it all."

"The hands-on approach and the provided software are game-changers."

Provides hands-on experience across diverse PLC platforms.

"I appreciated the multiple environments covered, although setting up Automation Builder was a bit challenging."

"The RSLogix 5000 sections were particularly useful."

"The focus on multiple environments like ABB's Automation Builder is a huge plus."

"The multiple environments are a game-changer; I can now work with various PLCs confidently."

"I gained valuable experience with Logix5000 and Connected Components Workbench."

Offers in-depth coverage of all IEC programming languages.

"This course is incredibly thorough and exactly what I needed to bridge the gap from basic ladder logic to advanced IEC paradigms."

"Excellent course, dives deep into Structured Text and Functional Block Diagram."

"A fantastic resource for mastering IEC 61131-3 languages."

"The content is solid, covers all the paradigms comprehensively. I found the instruction on Sequential Function Chart especially clear."

"I've been programming for years, mostly in Ladder, and this course finally opened up the other IEC languages for me."

A few wished for more advanced, real-world troubleshooting scenarios.

"I hoped for more in-depth examples with real-world applications beyond the provided projects."

"While it covers the paradigms, I found the projects sometimes a bit too basic for 'heavyweights'."

"I was hoping for more advanced, complex real-world project simulations, perhaps with more debugging challenges."

Some learners encountered minor difficulties with software installation.

"Setting up Automation Builder was a bit challenging."

"I think the course could benefit from an update to the setup instructions for some of the older software versions, as I ran into a few compatibility issues."

"I experienced minor compatibility issues with software, but eventually resolved them."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in IEC Paradigms (Level 4) with these activities:

Watch video tutorials on PLC programming

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Watching video tutorials on PLC programming can be a great way to learn more about the subject and supplement the material covered in this course.

Browse courses on PLC Programming

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Find a video tutorial on PLC programming.
Watch the video tutorial.
Take notes on what you learn.

Get experience with ladder logic

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Ladder logic is one of the most popular PLC programming languages and you will need to be comfortable with it if you want to work with PLCs. This activity will help you get the experience you need.

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Find a PLC simulator or programming software.
Create a simple ladder logic program.
Test your program and make sure it works as expected.

Gather your notes and practice exercises

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Compiling your notes and exercises into a single location will help you study for exams and review the material covered in this course.

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Gather your notes.
Gather your practice exercises.
Organize your notes and exercises.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Study with classmates

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Studying with classmates can help you learn more effectively and retain the information better.

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Find a study group or study partner.
Meet with your study group or study partner regularly.
Review the material together.

Build a simple PLC project

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Building a simple PLC project will help you apply the skills you have learned in this course and gain practical experience with PLC programming.

Browse courses on PLC Programming

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Choose a simple PLC project to build.
Gather the necessary materials.
Build the PLC program.
Test the PLC program.
Document the PLC project.

Write a blog post about PLC programming

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Writing a blog post about PLC programming will help you solidify your understanding of the subject and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on PLC Programming

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Choose a topic for your blog post.
Research your topic.
Write your blog post.
Publish your blog post.

Contribute to an open-source PLC project

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Contributing to an open-source PLC project can be a great way to learn more about PLC programming and give back to the community.

Browse courses on PLC Programming

Show steps

Find an open-source PLC project to contribute to.
Make a contribution to the project.

Participate in a PLC programming competition

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Participating in a PLC programming competition can be a great way to test your skills and learn from others.

Browse courses on PLC Programming

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Find a PLC programming competition to participate in.
Prepare for the competition.
Compete in the competition.

Career center

Learners who complete IEC Paradigms (Level 4) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

PLC Programmer

PLC Programmers specialize in programming programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which are used to automate industrial processes and machinery. This course provides a comprehensive overview of PLC programming, including all five IEC programming paradigms. With this knowledge, you will be able to program and troubleshoot PLCs in a variety of industrial settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for PLC Programmer

Automation Engineer

Automation Engineers design, implement, and maintain automated systems, including PLCs. This course provides a strong foundation in PLC programming, which is essential for success in this role. You will learn how to program PLCs using all five IEC programming paradigms, as well as how to troubleshoot and maintain PLC systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design, improve, and install integrated systems for managing industrial production and processes. This course provides a valuable overview of PLC programming, which is increasingly used in industrial settings. You will learn how to program PLCs to automate processes, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Industrial Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers plan, design, and oversee the production of goods. This course provides a helpful overview of PLC programming, which is used to automate manufacturing processes. You will learn how to program PLCs to control machinery, improve quality, and reduce costs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Manufacturing Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and maintain electrical systems. This course provides a valuable introduction to PLC programming, which is increasingly used in electrical systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control motors, lighting, and other electrical devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Computer Engineer

Computer Engineers design, develop, and maintain computer systems. This course provides a helpful overview of PLC programming, which is used in a variety of computer-controlled systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control robots, data acquisition systems, and other computer-controlled devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. This course provides a valuable introduction to PLC programming, which is increasingly used in software-controlled systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control embedded systems, data acquisition systems, and other software-controlled devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Process Engineer

Process Engineers design, develop, and maintain industrial processes. This course provides a helpful overview of PLC programming, which is used to automate industrial processes. You will learn how to program PLCs to control temperature, pressure, flow, and other process variables.

See salaries and explore the career path for Process Engineer

Quality Engineer

Quality Engineers ensure that products and processes meet quality standards. This course provides a valuable introduction to PLC programming, which is used to automate quality control systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to inspect products, control quality, and improve processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Engineer

Safety Engineer

Safety Engineers design, develop, and maintain safety systems. This course provides a helpful overview of PLC programming, which is used to automate safety systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control safety devices, monitor safety conditions, and respond to emergencies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Safety Engineer

Maintenance Engineer

Maintenance Engineers maintain and repair industrial machinery and equipment. This course provides a valuable introduction to PLC programming, which is increasingly used in industrial machinery. You will learn how to program PLCs to troubleshoot and repair machinery, as well as how to perform preventive maintenance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Maintenance Engineer

Instrumentation Technician

Instrumentation Technicians install, maintain, and repair instrumentation systems. This course provides a helpful overview of PLC programming, which is increasingly used in instrumentation systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control sensors, transmitters, and other instrumentation devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instrumentation Technician

Electrician

Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. This course provides a valuable introduction to PLC programming, which is increasingly used in electrical systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control motors, lighting, and other electrical devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrician

HVAC Technician

HVAC Technicians install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. This course provides a helpful overview of PLC programming, which is increasingly used in HVAC systems. You will learn how to program PLCs to control temperature, humidity, and ventilation.

See salaries and explore the career path for HVAC Technician

Robotics Technician

Robotics Technicians install, maintain, and repair robots. This course provides a valuable introduction to PLC programming, which is increasingly used in robotics. You will learn how to program PLCs to control robot movement, sensors, and other robotic devices.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Technician