How to Read a PLC Wiring Diagram?

In this article, you’ll learn how to read, understand and use a PLC wiring diagram.

Reading a PLC Wiring Diagram is one of the must-to-learn skills for every automation and electrical engineer. Despite different standards of these types of drawings, you’ll learn using actual industrial drawings and some PLC wiring best practices.

In Part 1 of this series, you’ve learned how to read and understand a wiring diagram of an industrial control panel and in this Part, we’re going to continue with the PLC part of that same control panel. In this article, you’ll learn about the PLC and its modules’ wiring diagram. You’ll also see how a VFD is related to a PLC in a wiring diagram.

So, if you’ve missed Part 1, you may want to read that article first and come back and continue with this part.

A Quick Review of Part 1

As we’ve mentioned in part 1, this is an actual wiring diagram of a standard control panel with more than 140 pages and we’ll check only some of the pages as the others are somehow similar.

PLC Wiring Diagram Examples

Do you remember the first rule of thumb from the previous part?

This was the reading directions! You should read this wiring diagram from left to right and from top-down just like reading a book.

PLC Wiring Diagram Reading Directions

The second important note was these column numbers and their combination with the page number to understand the addressing system of the wiring diagram.

For example, if you see a number like 36.6 beside or below a component in PLC wiring diagram, it means that it has been used in page 36, column 6.

Addressing Different Components in PLC Wiring Diagram

Let’s Start Reading PLC Wiring Diagram!

This page is the wiring diagram of our S7 300 series PLC and the operator touch panel. So, let’s start from here.

Siemens S7 300 PLC Wiring Diagram

We know that these pages are related to each other.

As you see our 24-volt power is coming from page 11, column 9, and page 12, column 1.

Our earth is also has been branched from page 17 column 9.

24 Volts Power Supplu in PLC Wiring Diagram

If we trace these addresses, we’ll reach page two, where we had our 24 volts power supply that we had checked in the previous article.

PLC Wiring Diagram Symbols

The 24 volts, zero volts, and the earthing are respectively connected to L+, M, and PE terminals on the PLC CPU.

Same as always, if we’re designing a PLC wiring diagram and we’re not sure about the connections of our device, we have to take a look at its datasheet or manual.

For example, here we should see the PLC datasheet to figure out where we should exactly connect the wires.

Siemens S7 PLC Power Wiring Diagram

On the other hand, the operator panel has been powered up from the X4.0 terminal blocks.

Operator Panel Wiring Diagram

How to Illustrate Cable Tags in Wiring Diagram

The power from X4.0 is being transferred using a cable with the WC4.0 tag.

This is the standard way to illustrate a cable and its core numbers in a wiring diagram.

Wire Diagram Cable Tags

The other things we observe on this page are PLC cards that are in the same rack as the CPU.

The arrow on the left hand side of the PLC rack means that the rack will be continued on the next page of the PLC wiring diagram.

PLC Wiring Diagram

Profibus Communication with PLC

You also see communication cabling here.

The operator panel is communicating to the PLC directly via the MPI port of the CPU using a Profibus cable.

Profibus PLC Siemens in Wiring Diagram

The WCDP5 cable is also a Profibus cable as it’s connected to the DP port of the CPU.

Profibus Communication in PLC Wiring Diagram

And you can read the color of the cable just beside of the cable tags. It is red with green stripes.

Cable Color in Wiring Diagram

To know where this cable is connected, we should refer to page 34 and column number zero.

Addressing Components in PLC Wiring

Using Remote I/Os to Reduce Signal Cabling

Here is our cable from page 30.

If we look carefully at this page, we understand that this is a remote IO from a brand named WAGO.

There is the Head module or Interface module with a Profibus DP connection that is connected directly to CPU.

And there are the Signal or IO modules as well.

PLC Remote IO Module in Wiring Diagram

PLC Analog Output Card Wiring Diagram

Let’s get back to page 30 to continue with our first PLC card wiring diagram.

Wiring Diagram for PLC Analogue Output Card

If you’ve been familiar with the Siemens PLC cards and modules or you simply google this order number (6ES7332-5HD01-0AB0), you’ll understand that this is an Analog output card with four channels.

6ES77332-5HD01-0AB0

In the PLC wiring diagram you see that each channel of this analog output card is dedicated to a single device.

Siemens 4 Channel Analog Output in PLC Wiring Diagram

The page number where we can find the wiring diagram for this Analog Output card is here in the middle; page 40, column zero.

how to read plc schematics

On page 40 we can see our analog output card with four channels.

PLC Wiring Schematic

In the first look, we see some connections on the card, from one to 20.

Each card has some screw connections that we should connect the wires to them. You may know them as front connectors.

These numbers are the screw numbers on the front connector of the card.

PLC Front Connector in Wiring Diagrams

Same as our PLC, we have to connect a 24-volt power to turn on our PLC card.

Power to PLC Analog Cards

If you compare it with the card’s wiring diagram within its manual, then you see that the connection number 1 and 20 are for connecting the 24-volt DC power.

This is what you see in the main wiring diagram as well.

Siemens Analog Output Module Manual

According to the manual, we’ve configured the card for the voltage output.

Then the first two channels of this card are for closer connections with no compensation for the wire resistance.

Analog Voltage Output PLC Wiring Diagram

In this case, you should jumper connections 3 and 4 and connections 5 and 6 to each other at the PLC card.

Analog Input and Output Wiring in PLC

Channels 3 and 4 should be used for 4-wire connections.

Important NOTE:

Make sure that the cable shield has been connected to the earth bar for noise reduction, particularly in the case of voltage output.

PLC Analog Output Wiring

The wiring diagram for the card will be different if we decide to use the electrical current output format.

PLC Analog Current Output Wiring

The PLC programmer can adjust the settings in the software to specify whether it would be a voltage or current type of output.

Output Types of PLC Card in TIA Portal

In the main wiring diagram, the first two channels were left empty and channels three and four have been occupied.

Analog Output Card Wiring

How a VFD is Connected to PLC in a Wiring Diagram

Normally, there should be some descriptions for each channel of the card for us to know to which device this channel is going to be connected or already has been connected.

For example, channel 3 is assigned to the “film traverse motor speed reference”;

The “film traverse” is the name of the mechanism that the electric motor is driving that. But from the “motor speed reference”, we understand that this output voltage is telling the motor to adjust its speed at each moment, according to the voltage it’s receiving.

Of course, it’s not possible without a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) in between the motor and the PLC card.

Siemens PLC Output Voltage

As channel three of the PLC card is connected to 8.9 (Page 8, column 9) we should turn to page 8, column 9 to see the rest of the wiring diagram.

Analog Input to VFD

On this page, we see that our speed reference output is connected to the terminals of an SEW VFD.

PLC and VFD Communication Wiring Diagram

On this page, we generally see that the AC three-phase power is connected to the inputs of the VFD.

The VFD is adjusting the power flowing toward the electric motor according to the speed reference it’s receiving from the PLC analog output card.

VFD Motor Wiring Diagram

For instance, consider that the speed reference voltage is between 0 to 10 volts and the motor nominal speed is 1500 rpm;

When the PLC card, sends out a 5-volt signal to the VFD, the VFD will adjust the power to the motor so that it will rotate with 50% of its nominal speed which is 750 rpm.

PLC VFD Control

The rest of page 8 of this PLC wiring diagram is related to some interlocks (or conditions) and also the power to the fan of the electric motor.

control panel wiring diagram

PLC Digital input Card Wiring Diagram

Now, let’s see what we have for a digital or discrete input card of the PLC.

Digital input Card Siemens

Clearly, the designer has shown the wiring diagram of this card on four different pages, which is a good idea to prevent congestion.

Let’s turn to page 43 to check the first byte of this digital input module.

plc panel wiring

As you might guess, some pushbuttons, switches, and contacts are connected to our DI card as we have explained more about them in a previous part.

Digital Input Card Wiring

This time, as this is an input card, the designer has put the module on the bottom of the page to adhere to the top-down reading direction.

This time, as this is an input card, the designer has put the module on the bottom of the page to adhere to the top-down reading direction.

Same as before, the 24-volt power is connected to the corresponding terminals of the card.

plc wiring

The first signal from the left comes off a push button Tagged as SB431.

Push button Wiring Diagram

The X4 terminal block and the core number 4 of the WC4.0 cable, which is a multi-core cable, are in between the pushbutton and the card.

Multi Core Cables Generally Use

Obviously, when we push this pushbutton, the 24-volt signal will be transferred to the first channel of the first byte of this Digital input card and will signal the PLC to turn ON the device.

Push button digital input

This little circle here shows that this is an illuminated push-button and this is the sign for an indicator lamp.

When this push-button is pushed and the device turns ON, therefore, the PLC should send out a command from one of its Digital output cards, to turn on this indicator lamp.

push button led wiring diagram

We can find the wiring diagram of this indicator lamp on page 60, column 1.

what is plc wiring diagram

PLC Digital input Card Wiring Diagram

On page 60 of this PLC wiring diagram, we see our digital output card wiring diagram.

This channel of the digital output card will send a 24-volt signal toward this lamp and therefore it will turn ON.

digital output wiring diagram

The Final Point!

In the end, consider that, after designing a wiring diagram, we use it in different stages of a project

– In the panel fabrication stage

– In pre-commissioning and commissioning stages

– During production and for maintaining and troubleshooting.

And… that’s it! This time YOU let us know what you would like for the next part of this series!

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46 Comments

  1. Sahat francius

    If you do not mind please send me samplenof plc wiring diagram that apply for HVAC system or if you do not have it please sent any sample in pdf file.

    Thank you and best regards
    Sahat Francius

    Reply
    • Hi Sahat, I’m afraid we do not have any Wiring Diagram for HVAC systems… and the rest of the documents we have are copyrighted and it’s not possible to publish their original formats. Thanks for your understanding.

      Reply
      • Bonnie

        Yhis is very informative, especially that you give real life scenarios we encounter in reall production enveroment. May you run an article on pre-commissioning and commissioning stages, standards and best pracrices on Process and Instrumanetation.

        Thank you

        Reply
    • Omar nyota

      Hi! Sahat sorry for this, can you send me any industrial electrical wiring diagram files, i need more practice in contactor, timer, relay, control card and many more. Please

      Reply
  2. Kazim

    Thank you for making the video. It is brilliant. Next, you should explain the difference between sinking and sourcing inputs.

    Reply
    • You’re very welcome! Happy you liked it. Of course, I will transfer your suggestion to the team.

      Reply
  3. yesuf

    thank u dear!
    and please continue further!

    Reply
    • Hey! You’re welcome! Please stay tuned for more.

      Reply
    • Anthony Dimech

      Hi.
      Great content.
      What is the standard that you use to do these schematics to?
      More specifically, for the cable numbering, wire numbering and (din-rail mounted) terminal numbering.
      I assume it’s an IEC standard?
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Hey, Anthony. Thank you! Yes, it is IEC compliant.

        Reply
        • OLAITAN OLALEKAN JOHN

          Thanks much, this really helps me for basic knowledge of PLC

          Reply
          • You’re so welcome!

          • Charles Torach

            What type of drawing software are you using for this industrial wiring?

          • Hey, Charles! It’s EPlan P8.

    • Placide

      So helpful and great content

      Reply
      • Happy it was helpful! Stay tuned for more.

        Reply
  4. Mateo Mwale

    Great work team
    I want to learn more on automation, and ready wiring diagrams, could you share with me the complete copy of control circuit.
    I am third year engineering student from Zambia, unfortunately we do not have such platform here in Zambia…

    Reply
    • Hi, Mateo! Thank you very much! Unfortunately, this wiring diagram is a copyrighted document that we do not have the right to share publicly. Thanks for your understanding.

      Reply
  5. Kaijia

    Great work! It is really helpful for PLC beginners.

    Reply
    • Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Kazhal Moradi

    Your videos are very clear and valuable.

    Reply
    • Thank you very much, Kazhal! Happy to have you here! Please stay tuned.

      Reply
  7. Jimry Peg Ed

    i learned a lot on this video. pls. make more videos like this.. Thank you

    Reply
    • You’re welcome Jimry! Sure we will.

      Reply
  8. balus usatish

    please update videos and formats in my mail

    Reply
    • Hi, Balus! Could you please explain what is the problem? Is there something we help you with?

      Reply
  9. Abdullah Selmani

    Can somebody tell why using different numbers for contacts of contactor for ie 13-14, 21-22, 11-14, 73-74, 83-84 etc.

    Reply
    • Hi there! Generally in most of the contactors:

      – The NO contacts are shown with the two-figure numbers starting with One (1); like 11-12 or 13-14
      – The NC contacts are shown with the two-figure numbers starting with Two (2); like 21-22 or 22-23

      Reply
      • Bonnie

        Thank you so much for the info. I have always asked myself the same. Now I understand. 1 is NO and 2 is NC. Does the 7 and 8 also apply? That 73 NO and 83 NC?

        Reply
  10. Joseph

    It really helpful. Thank you

    Reply
    • You’re very welcome, Joseph!

      Reply
  11. Pita

    Something is wrong with the wiring on page 30: the PE and 24V wires have been replaced.

    Reply
    • Yes, thank you! We have been told about this typo a million times though! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Mark Anthony pacanan

    Please help me understand about plc and more

    Reply
  13. Benjamin Mensah

    Please help me understand plc diagram and how it works

    Reply
    • Happy you liked it! Please share this article with your friends or colleagues.

      Reply
      • hgff

        怎么下载它

        Reply
  14. crispen nyamutaira

    the tutorial is very helpful. i learnt a lot

    Reply
    • Great to hear that, Crispen!

      Reply
  15. Samuel Tefera

    Thank you so much this artcle helped me much.

    Reply
  16. Amerging

    the tutorial is very helpful. i learnt a lot.
    Can you please share the pdf of this wiring diagram. so that i can learn more.
    can you please!!!

    Reply
  17. Faruk Patel

    this topic pdf download

    Reply
  18. Arthur Kolt

    Hi, whats software use for this drawing ?

    Reply
  19. mohammed Fellah

    Schema cablage cpu siemeins plc 215

    Reply

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