Academic

Year:
UCLan Coursework Assessment 2022-23
School of Engineering
Brief
Module Title: Programmable Logic Controller Level: 6
Module Code: ER3202
PLC in Industry This assessment is worth
50% of the overall
modulemark

THE BRIEF/INSTRUCTIONS

This Coursework is compiled to address the learning outcome listed in the module descriptor
below:

1. Evaluate the scope, context, and significance of the programmable logic controls design and
operational characteristics
2. Apply the key aspect of the operating principles of PLC communication and programming techniques
3. Provide an overview of applications of PLC in the industry.

Assignment Task.

1. What problems arise if the analog input signal comes to the PLC in a non-standard format?
Explain how you can solve this problem using scaling.

2. What is a control system's most important tool(s) to identify a fault? List three such tools and
discuss their operations.

3. What is the dead time in the controller, and how is the controller design affected by dead time?
Which control techniques are more suitable for processes with large dead-time?

4. Design a Motor Control Centre (MCC) and apply the following to address the design requirement
above using EKTS.

• Alarm and interlocking mechanisms.

• Basic constraints in process control and overriding procedures
• Emergency shutdown and power failure restarting and recovery functions
• CC and CCW rotation of a three-phase motor using a pushbutton.
• Five-second delay of the motor operation in case of power recovery.

5. Freshwater suitable for human drinking is usually scarce, and global warming exaggerates this
situation. You are working in Global Green, a company that has the mission to use green energy
to develop sustainable systems. You have been tasked to design a PLC that controls the
processing of the seawater system to freshwater. The system in Figure 1 consists of the main
tanks, motorized valves (M1 and M2), level sensors, and a heating element. The following design
requirements are needed to be satisfied:
i. The water level in the tanks needs to be between 8-10 meters.
ii. When the water level is within the limit, the green lamp must be activated to indicate the
right level of operation.
iii. The actuators (Valve M1, M2, and Heating Elements) will be automatically activated to fill
the tanks to the required water level.
iv. If the water tap is used and the L3 sensor's lowest limit is triggered, the Heating element
should start.
v. If L2 is lower than its lowest limit setting, the M2 valve will be activated to supply water.
The same applied to the L1 sensor that will activate M1.
 vi. The heating element should not operate more than three times within 20 minutes not to
drain the power source.

Using Ladder PLC programming, implement the required solution using Logo!SOFT Comfort
software.

Figure 1 Seawater Processing System using Sustainable Energy

 Marking Scheme
Your report should contain the following elements; it will be marked following the scheme:

Item Weight
1. Analog Signal in a Non-standard format 10
2. Tools identify faults in the control system 10
3. Dead-Time effect on the controller 10
4. MCC design 30
5. Sustainable freshwater System controller Design 30
6. Presentation of the report 10
Total 100

Resources:
Please see the Reading List on your Blackboard

PREPARATION FOR THE ASSESSMENT

The design study is to be introduced during the laboratory session on Monday, the 7th of November 2022. Duringthat
session, the case study will be introduced, and the expected results will be elucidated with examples. The set of
software tools available for the assignment will also be briefly described. During December laboratory classes,
additional support will be provided in the form of Q&A sessions.

All the scenarios aspects necessary for the successful completion of the project have been or are to be covered
during the lectures. These include the operation and configuration of the PLC, and the Motor Control Circuit.

RELEASE DATES AND HAND-IN DEADLINE

Assessment release date: 31st of October 2022 Assessment Deadline Date and Time: 23:59 of 7th of
December, 2022
Please note that this is the final time you can submit- not the time to submit!
Your feedback/feedforward and mark for this assessment will be provided through the Blackboard only

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Submission of assignment work

This design study will constitute 50% of the total module assessment mark. You should write a report
for to explain different applications and design an industrial scenario. The reportshould be approximately
1500 words long plus relevant materials (References and Appendices). You should use Harvard
referencing system for this report. The report should be submitted electronically to Turnitin through
Blackboard.
Please include any EKTS and Logo!SOFT Comfort programs you may write as part of the design study.
All programs should havecomments explaining their operation and should run as submitted (i.e. should
include all the relevant data and code). In case there are multiple files, please create a single zip archive
containing all the files.The code should be submitted separately from the report into NOTHER Turnitin
entry on Blackboard under the name “Design Study Code”.

Late work
Work submitted electronically may be submitted after the deadline to the same Turnitin assignment slot
and will be automatically flagged as late.
Penalties for late submission
Except where an extension of the hand-in deadline date has been approved, lateness penalties will be
applied in accordance with University policy as follows:
(Working) Days Late Penalty
1-5 maximum mark that can be achieved: 50%
more than 5 0% given

Plagiarism
During the induction and via your student handbook, you were informed of the serious consequences of
using or attempting to use unfair means to enhance performance. This includes plagiarism. The work
submitted must be your own and any information and material used properly identified and
acknowledged.
The University operates an electronic plagiarism detection service where your work may be uploaded,
stored and cross-referenced against other material. The software searches the World Wide Web and
extensive databases of reference material to identify duplication.
For detailed information on the procedures relating to plagiarism, please see the current version of the
University Academic Regulations.

HELP AND SUPPORT

• The support for this assignment will be provided during scheduled laboratory sessions.
• For support with using library resources, please contact <SubjectLibrarians@uclan.ac.uk>. You will find
links to lots of useful resources in the My Library tab on Blackboard.
• If you have not yet made the university aware of any disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term health or
mental health condition, please complete a Disclosure Form. The Inclusive Support team will then contact to
discuss reasonable adjustments and support relating to any disability. For more information, visit the Inclusive
Support site.
• To access mental health and wellbeing support, please complete our online referral form. Alternatively, you
can email wellbeing@uclan.ac.uk, call 01772 893020 or visit our UCLan Wellbeing Service pages for more
information.
• If you have any other query or require further support you can contact The <i>, The Student Information and
Support Centre. Speak with us for advice on accessing all the University services as well as the Library
services. Whatever your query, our expert staff will be able to help and support you. For more information ,
how to contact us and our opening hours visit Student Information and Support Centre.
• If you have any valid mitigating circumstances that mean you cannot meet an assessment submission deadline and
you wish to request an extension, you will need to apply online prior to the deadline.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this assessment brief is correct at time of publication. In the unlikely Version: 1
event that any changes are deemed necessary, they will be communicated clearly via e-mail and a new
version of this assessment brief will be circulated.