Here's a sample of what you'll learn:

• How to read and write ladder logic.
• Structured PLC Programming (the Step-Relay Method) to design controls for automated machinery.
• Forward and reversing motor starters.
• Standard relays, latch relays, unlatch relays, and master control relays.
• How 2-way and 4-way hydraulic solenoid valves and cylinders control machinery.
• On-delay, off-delay, and retentive timers.
• Up and down counters
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide math outputs.
• And, or, not, and exclusive-or logical outputs.
• Bit-shift-left and bit-shift-right shift registers.
• Sequencers.
• File instructions.
• Binary, octal, and hexadecimal numbers.
• How computers store negative numbers in 2s compliment form.
• What Boolean Algebra is.
• How to drive X10 Home Automation^® modules.

The PLC Simulator has five screens of information:

• Main screen showing the ladder logic 
• Exercises screen showing the exercises 
• I/O Connections screen showing the input and output connections to PLC I/O cards 
• Machine Layout screen showing animated cylinders, conveyors, solenoids, photoeyes, etc. that move in response the ladder logic you program
• N7 Integer File screen showing the N7 integer file

Build your own machines on the Machine Layout screen (not just "canned" demos) and watch them move in response to the ladder logic you program.  PLC Simulator Ver. 8.0 is backward compatible with version 7.0.  In other words, it will run your PLC Simulator 7.0 programs.

The PLC Simulator drives the popular X10 home automation devices through an optional X10 CM11A computer interface connected to the serial port of the computer.  This provides real Input and Output capability so external devices can be controlled by the PLC Simulator.

The PLC Simulator and exercises are written by a Professional Engineer with 14 years industrial experience and 18 years experience teaching electrical engineering technology.

Program features include:

• Input Switches operable from the computer keyboard or by clicking on them.
• Instantaneous Relay contacts (normally-open and normally-closed).
• Instantaneous Timer contacts (normally-open and normally-closed).
• Timed Timer contacts (normally-open and normally-closed).
• Counter contacts
• Compare Instructions (GRT, EQU, and LES).
• Real inputs from any number of  X10 switch modules.
  

• Relays
• Latch and Unlatch Relays (L) and (U)
• Master Control Relays (MCR)
• On-Delay Timers (TON)
• Off-Delay Timers (TOF)
• Retentive Timers (RTO)
• Up Counters (CTU)
• Down Counters (CTD)
• Timer/Counter Reset (RES)
• Move (MOV)
• Math Outputs (ADD, SUB, MUL, and DIV)
• Logical Outputs (AND, OR, NOT, and XOR)
• Shift Registers (BSL and BSR)
• Sequencers (SQO)
• File Instructions (FAL)
• Real outputs to any number of X10 relay modules.
  

Programmable Machine Components:

• Pushbuttons
• Selector Switches
• Photoeyes
• Cylinders
• Conveyors
• 4-Way Solenoids
• 2-Way Solenoids
• Pilot Lights
• Timer/Counter Readouts
• Parts

What the program does not do:

• The program does not program any real PLC.

Hardware/Software Requirements:

• IBM.® 486 or higher compatible computer
• Windows 95® or greater, including Windows XP^®, Vista^®, 7^®, and Windows 8^®.  If Windows NT 4.0^®, Service Pack 3 or greater must be installed.  
• Minimum of 8 megabyte of RAM memory.
• Minimum of 3 megabyte of available hard disk space.
• 800 x 600 or higher screen video capability.
• Graphics-capable printer.
• CD-ROM drive.
• Optional X-10 modules.

  ---