✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.
✓
COURSE IN PROGRESS
PLC & CLICK Fundamentals
My study notes, knowledge checks and hands-on experiments while learning PLC fundamentals and AutomationDirect CLICK programming.
About This Course
This is the first structured course I’m documenting as part of My Controls Lab.
I’m working through PLC training from InterConnecting Automation and AutomationDirect while using my own CLICK PLC hardware to reinforce the concepts whenever possible.
Instead of simply recording that I watched a lesson, I’m using the material to create learning objectives, identify the key ideas I need to understand, test myself with questions, and turn concepts into hands-on experiments.
This page will grow as I work through the course. A module appearing here does not mean I’ve mastered it. The goal is to document the progression.
Course Roadmap
72 training lessons organized into nine areas of study.
MODULE 1 • LESSONS 001–006
Electrical Control Fundamentals
Basic switches, normally-open and normally-closed contacts, AND logic, OR logic, combination logic and relays.
Goal: Understand the electrical logic that ladder logic is built on before relying on the PLC software.
MODULE 2 • LESSONS 007–017
Sensors & PLC I/O
Sensor fundamentals, digital and AC sensors, relay/triac/transistor outputs, sinking and sourcing, analog sensors, serial sensors, PLC input cards, DC inputs, contact bounce and PLC output cards.
Goal: Understand how real-world devices interface electrically with a PLC.
MODULE 3 • LESSONS 018–026
PLC Fundamentals
PLC operation, scan time, high-speed inputs, PLC selection, addressing, CPU memory, storing numbers and PLC communications.
Goal: Understand what the PLC is actually doing behind the ladder diagram.
MODULE 4 • LESSONS 027–039
CLICK Hardware & Software
CLICK power budget, I/O and memory addressing, connecting to the PLC, software navigation, address documentation, Data View, rung editing, cross-reference tools and CPU documentation.
Goal: Become comfortable navigating the CLICK environment and working with the actual PLC.
MODULE 5 • LESSONS 040–049
CLICK Ladder Logic Fundamentals
Building rungs, AND/OR/NOT logic, combined logic, Set/Reset instructions, retentive data and internal control relays.
Goal: Translate electrical control concepts into working ladder-logic programs.
MODULE 6 • LESSONS 050–054
Timers, Counters & One-Shots
ON-delay timers, OFF-delay timers, accumulating timers, counters and one-shot contacts/coils.
Goal: Add time, counting and event-based behavior to PLC programs.
MODULE 7 • LESSONS 055–063
Math & Sequencing
Integer and floating-point math, timed drums, event drums, jog control and new-step sequencing features.
Goal: Build programs that perform calculations and control multi-step machine sequences.
MODULE 8 • LESSONS 064–067
Analog I/O
Analog sensor fundamentals, CLICK analog-input configuration, an analog photoeye example and analog-output control.
Goal: Move beyond simple ON/OFF signals and begin working with continuously varying process values.
MODULE 9 • LESSONS 068–072
Loops & Shift Registers
FOR/NEXT instructions, loops, controlling outputs inside loops and shift-register fundamentals.
Goal: Explore more advanced ways of processing repeated operations and moving state through a sequence.
What Each Module Will Include
🎯 Objectives
What I should be able to explain or demonstrate after working through the material.
💡 Key Ideas
The concepts I need to understand rather than simply memorize.
🔧 Lab Work
Ways I can reproduce or investigate the concept using my own controls hardware.