The 3 questions to ask yourself when purchasing a PLC trainer

Getting the right PLC trainer can be a major step in increasing your skills and boosting your career. These three questions will help you choose the right one.

Do you own a licensed copy of the software for the PLC you want to learn? There are plenty of good free PLC software options that can help you gain similar skills to one that requires that you pay for a license. What I always ask you when you are making a trainer selection is do you NEED to learn Studio 5000 or do you just WANT to learn Studio 5000. If it is a want then you are better off with Connected Components Workbench. If you think it is a need, then contact us and let’s make sure.
- Free Software. Look at a trainer that has MICRO850 in the part number.
- Studio 5000. Look at a trainer that has RA5000 in the part number
What’s your budget. Are you a business, a school, or an individual? We don’t ask you this question because we want to spend all you money, we ask you this because we want you to get the maximum value from you purchase. Here are a few thoughts.
- Business. The payback on a PLC trainer is incredibly fast when you consider how much downtime cost. If the technician can pinpoint the problem in half the time then it doesn’t take many breakdowns to get a payback. Remember, you will have to block off time for them to practice. Purchase an ICP with an HMI and the PLC that they most commonly will be working with.
- Schools.
  - Software. Unless you have a large employer in the area that insist that you use a particular software, select a PLC that has free software. There are educational partner programs that can get you the software very economically, but if you use a free software then the student can continue to practice while they are at home and after the class is over.
- Individual. If you are footing the bill then first we want to commend you for wanting to better your career. But you need to make sure you want to learn the skills and it isn’t just a matter of “this looks fun”.
  - Try it. Go to the Connected Components Workbench lessons and download the free software, then use the simulator to get through the basic instructions, timer, and counter lessons. If you are still wanting to learn more, then purchase a trainer.
How much of the control system do you need to understand? Many people purchase a trainer and quickly realize that there is a lot more to an industrial control panel than just the PLC.
- PLC and HMI Programming. A basic trainer with push buttons, switches, lights and a HMI can be very good. Look for part numbers with BAS and HMI.
- AC Drives and 3 Phase Motors. The ICP adds a AC drive (120 VAC powered), 3 phase motor, and Ethernet switch among other things depending on options. These additions let you learn how the PLC integrates with the rest of the machine on industrial applications.
- Linear Motion Control Actuator. The LMC adds a linear actuator by YRG Inc. This integrates with ease with your PLC and lets you learn about 3rd party integration in addition to motion control.
- IO Link. The IOLINK addition adds an open protocol that integrates smart sensors, actuators, and other field devices using the basic M5, M8, and M12 sensor connectors that are common in industrial automation.
- Simulate Analog, Servos, and Encoders. The SIM-ALP2/EOC/IPE/SOC addition lets you simulate 4-20mA, 0-10VDC, encoder signals used in servos, plus allows you to discover IP addresses on Ethernet networks that you are unfamiliar with and assign IP addresses to DHCP, Ethernet/IP, and Profinet devices.