Basic PLC (Siemens S7-300) 24th – 28th February 2025

Course Overview:

Introduction to PLC (Siemens S7-300) is a foundational 5-day training program that introduces participants to the Siemens S7-300 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The course focuses on core programming concepts, basic control logic, and hardware configuration, providing a solid grounding in industrial automation. Through hands-on exercises, participants will gain practical skills in programming, troubleshooting, and implementing simple PLC control applications, making this program ideal for beginners in the automation field.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the architecture, components, and functionality of Siemens S7-300 PLCs.
2. Configure hardware, including power supply, CPU, and input/output modules.
3. Develop basic PLC programs using Siemens STEP 7 software.
4. Implement fundamental control logic, including digital inputs/outputs, timers, and counters.
5. Upload, download, and test PLC programs on Siemens S7-300 systems.
6. Troubleshoot basic hardware and software issues in PLC systems.
7. Apply best practices for programming and maintaining PLC-based control systems.

Target Audience

• Entry-level automation engineers
• Electrical and instrumentation technicians
• Maintenance personnel
• Engineering graduates new to PLC systems
• Operators seeking foundational PLC knowledge

Daily Agenda

Day One: Introduction to PLCs and Siemens S7-300 Architecture

• Overview of PLC systems and their role in industrial automation
• Introduction to Siemens S7-300 hardware: CPU, power supply, and I/O modules
• Understanding the PLC cycle: scan time and program execution
• STEP 7 software environment: installation and interface overview
• Hardware configuration basics: setting up the S7-300 system

Day Two: Hardware Setup and Digital I/O Configuration

• Configuring the Siemens S7-300 hardware using STEP 7
• Addressing and wiring digital input/output modules
• Hands-on practice: setting up hardware connections
• Understanding PLC addressing concepts: inputs (I), outputs (Q), and memory (M)
• Testing hardware communication with STEP 7

Day Three: Basic PLC Programming Concepts

• Introduction to Ladder Logic (LAD) and Function Block Diagram (FBD) programming languages
• Developing basic control programs: start/stop circuits, interlocks, and simple logic
• Working with digital inputs and outputs
• Hands-on exercises: programming and testing control logic on STEP 7
• Downloading, uploading, and testing PLC programs

Day Four: Timers, Counters, and Troubleshooting

• Understanding timers: on-delay, off-delay, and pulse timers
• Configuring counters: up counters, down counters, and combined logic
• Programming timer and counter-based control applications
• Introduction to diagnostics and basic troubleshooting techniques
• Hands-on: identifying and resolving simple PLC errors

Day Five: Real-World Applications and Project Development

• Creating and testing a complete PLC program for a simple industrial application
• Best practices for structured programming and documentation
• Hardware and software troubleshooting techniques
• Group exercises: developing a project using Siemens S7-300 PLC
• Final review, Q&A, and program wrap-up

Why Choose this Course?

This training provides a clear, hands-on introduction to Siemens S7-300 PLCs, equipping beginners with the skills needed to confidently program, configure, and troubleshoot industrial automation systems. Participants will build a solid foundation to advance into more complex PLC applications.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will:

1. Understand Siemens S7-300 hardware components and configurations.
2. Program basic logic using STEP 7 software in Ladder Logic and FBD.
3. Configure and test digital inputs, outputs, timers, and counters.
4. Troubleshoot hardware and programming issues effectively.
5. Develop simple PLC control systems applicable to industrial automation.