Practical PLC programming course · South Africa and online
PLC programming course: build logic that has to pass
Write ladder logic in the browser, run the PLC scan, test abnormal inputs and keep the results as portfolio evidence. Start with motor control, timers and counters, then progress to sequences, analogue signals and structured fault-finding.
Free introductory access · paid plans for broader access · browser-based practice
Section 01 / 09
Is this the right PLC course for you?
Choose this course when your immediate goal is to become fluent at writing and diagnosing PLC logic. It suits electricians moving into controls, instrumentation and maintenance technicians, engineering students, millwrights, junior automation engineers and self-directed learners who need structured practice before expensive hardware time.
Choose it if
You need repeated programming projects, automated tests and a low-friction browser setup.
Combine it with hardware if
Your target work includes panel wiring, calibration, drives, robot recovery or commissioning.
Choose formal study if
You need an NQF-linked qualification, apprenticeship record or regulated trade pathway.
Choose vendor training if
An employer needs you productive on a specific Siemens, Rockwell, Omron or Mitsubishi system.
Section 02 / 09
PLC programming course outline
These are learning topics to explore across guided exercises and supporting resources. Access varies by plan and exercise; the list is not a claim that every topic belongs to the introductory curriculum. Define an observable result and check the exercise assumptions.
PLC scan and I/O
Read the input image, predict rung order and explain the output update.
Ladder logic
Practise contacts, coils, branches and command priority in defined software exercises.
Timers and counters
Explore supported timing and counting instructions; check their documented reset and event behaviour.
Motor control
Program jog, latch, overload, permissive and feedback-timeout patterns.
Sequence control
Model machine stages with explicit states, transitions, abort and recovery.
Analogue signals
Scale raw values, detect bad ranges and apply alarm hysteresis.
Sensors and wiring
Choose sensor types and reason about PNP, NPN and 4–20 mA interfaces.
HMI and SCADA
Structure tags, alarms, trends and the PLC-to-supervisory boundary.
Industrial networks
Study protocol concepts and use the dedicated Modbus learning lab; verify vendor-specific workflows separately.
Fault-finding
Record the symptom, inspect available evidence and test a relevant hypothesis.
Section 03 / 09
How the practical learning loop works
01 · Read the requirement
Translate the machine behaviour into I/O, states, safe conditions and abnormal cases before opening the editor.
02 · Build and run
Write the ladder or Structured Text, run the scan and inspect live inputs, outputs, timers and internal state.
03 · Pass the tests
Submit the program against normal and abnormal scenarios, fix the failure and record why the correction works.
Use the result to review your reasoning. Passing an exercise checks its stated test cases; it does not validate every possible program state or establish suitability for physical machinery.
Section 04 / 09
Projects and practical assessment
The assessment surface starts with individual patterns and ends with integrated machines. Use the complete PLC programming examples library to preview the progression.
For portfolio evidence, keep the requirement, I/O list, program, test table, screenshots, one deliberately injected fault and a limitations note. A working animation without tests is a demo, not proof.
Section 05 / 09
Online, classroom or vendor course?
| Route | Learning emphasis | Confirm separately | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graded simulator course | Programming volume, feedback and fault injection | Physical wiring and plant procedures | You are building the logic foundation |
| Classroom short course | Instructor access and shared hardware | Practice access and feedback after the course | You need focused supervised hardware time |
| Official vendor training | Exact products, diagnostics and current tools | Exact course code, software version and prerequisites | An employer funds training for installed equipment |
| Formal college route | Qualification structure and broader engineering base | Admission, assessment and workplace requirements | The credential or trade pathway is the goal |
Read the deeper PLC course online comparison and the training kit versus simulator guide before committing to hardware or a venue-bound programme.
Section 06 / 09
Free and paid learning access
Free
$0
Evaluate the simulator and complete the introductory learning surface.
Basic
$12 monthly
$99/year when billed annually; core curriculum and practice features.
Pro
$29 monthly
$249/year when billed annually; portfolio, cert-prep and advanced features.
Pricing checked 11 September 2026. Billing is handled by plcsimulationsoftware.com in USD; annual prices are separate billing choices, not monthly instalments. Local tax and currency conversion affect the payable amount. Confirm the live total on the pricing page before purchase.
Section 07 / 09
Choose the next pathway
Section 08 / 09
PLC programming course questions
Can I learn PLC programming without buying a PLC?
Yes. You can learn the scan cycle, ladder logic, timers, counters, sequences, analogue scaling and logic-level fault-finding in a simulator. Physical wiring, electrical measurement and supervised commissioning still require real equipment.
How long does the PLC programming course take?
The learning is self-paced. Completion time depends on your starting knowledge, the exercises you choose and the feedback you need. Review progress through tasks you can explain and repeat; there is no guaranteed timetable to workplace competence.
Does the course teach Siemens or Allen-Bradley?
The foundation is vendor-neutral IEC 61131-3 logic. Brand guides then map those patterns to Siemens TIA Portal and Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 concepts. You still need the vendor software for full interface and hardware configuration fluency.
Is the course certificate accredited in South Africa?
No. The completion record and portfolio evidence are not SAQA, QCTO, merSETA, NQF or vendor accreditation. Choose a registered provider when a formal qualification is the requirement.
What should I be able to build before applying for a PLC job?
Aim for three to five tested projects covering motor control, timing/counting, sequence logic, analogue handling and fault-finding. Keep the requirement, I/O list, code, abnormal test cases and limitations for each project.
Is the free PLC course enough to decide whether this suits me?
Yes. Use the free starting tier to write a rung, run the scan and complete an introductory exercise before paying. It is enough to test the learning format and whether you enjoy control logic.
Section 09 / 09
Write the first rung before you buy anything
Open the free starting tier, build the first motor circuit and let the tests tell you where the logic fails. Use the result and your remaining questions to choose the next exercise or teaching format.