Choosing between PLC or arduino

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello!

I'm currently working on my masters degree and need some help on deciding which controller I should use(between a PLC or an arduino). The system will control two pumps that will turn on and off alternately.

there will be two cycles. One where PUMP 1 is on for 5 minutes while PUMP 2 is off for five minutes. In the second cycle, PUMP 1 is off for 10 minutes and PUMP 2 is on for 10 minutes. These cycles repeat for 24 hours.

I wanted your guys' advice on deciding which controller is best suited for this type of task.

The pumps are 12VDC but we might need to use 230VAC pumps.

Thanks for the help!

2

If You just want to put an idea to the test, use an Arduino. For an industrial application, use a PLC.

3

I've never used a PLC, but my understanding is the come ready packaged up in a form intended for industrial control, with ready made interfaces for every conceivable application, all modular and ready to go, with a price tag to match.

An Arduino or other micro-controller has none of that, you want interfaces, you have to build them, along with a suitable housing and whatever other hardware you need.

Which of the above suits your project?

Or build 2 versions, one of each, and produce a report outlining the differences and the reasons you might chose one or the other for different applications.

4

Another important fact is that unlike the Arduino, the PLC has full ESD/EMP protection on all inputs and outputs.

5

Use a PLC.

Not only will it give you some insight in programming for them but will set you up for future applications where PLC would be considered the acceptable,proven and possibly specified equipment.

You will find you will have your work cut out just getting used to all the operational possibilities and how to cover this in logic ladders.

Choose a well used brand like Allen Bradley or whatever, again to set you up for future systems that tend to use well known brands and get you used to peculiarities of a particular system.

It is irreverent whether you use 12vdc or 230vac pumps as one simply adds the interface from the standard 24vdc control to whatever.

6

the actual answer lies within your future.

a PLC is a de-facto piece of equipment that millions of programmers can work with, make programs and troubleshoot.

the PLC has all the certifications and meets all the regulations and is accepted throughout the industry.

the Arduino is a teaching tool and also a hobbyiest device.

from the purely techincal aspect, there is no difference in getting a unit to work.

from a speed to end result, I would say that if you do not have experiance in either, the Arduino is easier to program.
the cost will be a fraction of a PLC.

if you have any skill in programming one or the other, that is going to make yoru life easir.
if you have general programming skills, the Arduino is easier to learn than ladder.

if the project will be used in industry, go PLC
if it is just a school project and you have no future use for microcontrollers, then the lower cost and easier to learn Arduino.

as was mentioned, you will need to have a power interface that sends power to the motors.
how that interface gets a signal is exactly the same from both
the Arduino will cost under $50 for all supporting everything, including a case.
the PLC will cost more than that, but does not need other add-on parts.

lastly, you have a magnificant group here to help you if you need it.
for the PLC, not sure where to get help.
but, the program is so simple and so basic that either way, you should be able to get it done is short order.

7

dave-in-nj:
for the PLC, not sure where to get help.

A very basic 'brick' type PLC from https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/home/home can easily handle this trivial task and, IIRC, the software is a free download.

8

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9

Another advantage of PLC is most are associated with SCADA software as well which in some cases is thrown in with the hardware.