PlantFlow 3D › Simulators › PLC Ladder Logic Simulator with tank level and pump control
PLC Ladder Logic Simulator with tank level and pump control
Free online PLC ladder simulator: edit rungs, watch contacts and coils change live, and control a tank, pumps and valves with a 4–20 mA level transmitter and alarms.
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What it is
The PLC & Process tab runs an educational IEC 61131-3 style ladder program against a modelled tank, two pumps, a 4–20 mA level transmitter, a solenoid valve, a control valve and a 0–10 V pressure transmitter. Inputs are read, rungs are solved top to bottom and outputs are written every scan, so the result is deterministic and repeatable.
What you can do
- Edit ladder rungs: normally open and closed contacts, coils, latch and unlatch, timers, counters and compare blocks.
- Watch the HMI mimic: tank level, pump running feedback, valves and alarm horn.
- Inject transmitter and valve faults and see how the program reacts.
- Read the I/O list and the cause-and-effect matrix.
How to use it
- Open the PLC & Process tab with the button below.
- Switch to Ladder program and change a rung.
- Go back to Process (HMI) and change the level or inject a fault.
- Acknowledge the alarms and read the I/O list.
Learn the theory
- PLC ladder logic basics
- 4–20 mA current loops for beginners
- Reading P&ID instrument tags
- Instrument loop diagrams and cable screens
Questions
Which PLC brand does it simulate?
None in particular. It uses generic IEC 61131-3 style ladder instructions so the ideas apply to any PLC.
Can I write my own program?
Yes, you can edit the rungs of the included program and see the effect live.
Safety: this guide explains principles for learning. Real installations must follow the applicable codes, the equipment manufacturer's instructions and the approval of a competent, qualified person. Isolate, lock off and prove dead before touching any circuit.