PLC – Stands for Programmable Logical Controller.

PLC – The Programmable Logical Controller was invented to replace the expensive and often complex wiring in electrical-control-cabinets.

By programming the logic of the wiring into the programmable logical controller, and leaving only the inputs and outputs of this device to be wired, a lot of time and money is being saved. And more complex task, that were very difficult to achieve before, can now be easily programmed into the programmable logical controller. For a more detailed introduction to programmable logical controllers, you can visit Wikipedia.org, they have a dedicated web-page that you can find here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmable_logic_controller .

Basically the programmable logical controller, can be described as a system used in industrial automation to control machines. On the market today there are some major players:

* Allen-Bradley-PLC : see also http://www.ab.com/programmablecontrol/plc/

* Mitsubishi-PLC : see also http://www.mitsubishi-automation.com/

* Omron-PLC : see also http://www.omron.com/

* Siemens-PLC : see also http://www.automation.siemens.com/mcms/ programmable-logic-controller/en/Pages/Default.aspx

Further there are some secondary players like: AutomationDirect-PLC, GE-PLC, Idec-PLC, Koyo-PLC, and Modicon-PLC.

With programmable logical controllers a lot of support is needed both hardware and software wise. That is why training on the PLC-basics is essential, for anyone who wants to work with programmable logical controllers. Often special PLC-training-courses, PLC-software-training-courses are available. If you are on a low-budget, then free-plc-programming-software, could be the solution you are looking for.

You could also take a loo at:

* PLC-Programmer

* PLC Programming Books