How to learn PLC programming and avoid mistakes
Many people start this way. Writing a working program is just the beginning. The risk is that without a structured development path, it is easy to develop bad habits that later make it difficult to work on more complex projects.
At first, most people enter the following phrases into their browser:
This is a good direction. At this stage you learn:
This is a very important stage for a beginner automation engineer. However, it is usually focused on one goal: the program has to work. This approach is natural, but has consequences.
When you start working on real projects - writing logic for production lines, modernizing machines or integrating systems from different manufacturers - that's when you start to develop your own work style and make your own design decisions. This is also where the first problems arise.
Focusing solely on getting the machine up and running leads to recurring errors:
As a result, the programs work but are difficult to develop further. In practice this means longer commissioning times, more difficult maintenance and a higher risk of errors during subsequent modifications. The machine often ends up being a one-off solution. Any attempt to expand it necessitates re-analyzing the entire program.
It is precisely at this stage that bad habits take root - habits that will be difficult to eliminate later.
Over time, the need arises for something more than just a working program.
A professional approach to PLC programming includes these are PLC best practices:
The TIA Portal environment is designed to facilitate their application and support the creation of organized, scalable projects.
Many automation engineers learn through hands-on experience by working on actual projects. The human mind excels at pattern recognition and experience enables the creation of increasingly better solutions.
This is an effective approach, however it also has limitations.
The problem with learning "on the job" is that you learn how to solve problems, but you don't always learn how to do the work correctly.
There are many PLC courses available on the market. However it is worth paying attention to the source of the knowledge.
SITRAIN training courses are conducted directly by Siemens, the manufacturer of the automation systems.
What does this mean in practice?
Training courses from other companies are also available on the market. These are often highly practical and valuable. However, in many cases they rely on the trainers' own experience and their specific methods of working with Siemens systems.
The SITRAIN training program was developed by the automation system manufacturer itself. Consequently, it is based on the standards applied during the design of these solutions.
If you want to develop as a PLC automation engineer, it is worth implementing a few rules which will significantly shorten work time and reduce errors.:
1. Create the structure of the PLC program: Don't put all your logic in one block.
2. Use standards: Project naming and organization are crucial.
3. Build reusable code: Create elements that you can use in subsequent projects.
4. Document the project: Not only for yourself, but also for the team.
A practical development path can be broken down into several stages:
The greatest progress occurs when you begin to work with intention. It is not about writing more code; it is about writing better code.
Self-study is rewarding, but it often involves repeating mistakes that others have already resolved. A well-planned development path enables you to adopt good habits faster and tackle increasingly demanding projects with greater confidence.
The TIA-PRO training series from SITRAIN combines a practical approach (creating a working program) with principles for building stable, scalable solutions.
Instead of searching for and testing solutions on your own, you can leverage knowledge based on the system manufacturer's experience. This saves time and accelerates the acquisition of the skills needed to handle increasingly complex projects.
