How important is it?

[Benton]

How important, would you say, it is for me to thorougly learn PLC's? Would you consider it specialized per say, or something that is necesarry?

 

[satcom]

How important, would you say, it is for me to thorougly learn PLC's? Would you consider it specialized per say, or something that is necesarry?

Don't let it scare you, if you can set the time on a digital clock, and read a roadmap, you will have no problem learning to program PLC's it is something you will need learn if you intend to keep up automation and control.

 

[Mgraw]

I would try to learn as much as I could about everything related to electrical if electrical is what you want to do. You never know what the future will bring. I was doing new construction but now there is very little of it. Two years ago I had not installed fire alarms, intercoms, or sound systems. Now those are 80% of what I do. If the opportunity is there to learn something new go for it.

 

[Benton]

Like always, thanks guys!

 

[Davids1964]

If I were you I would also learn HVAC while you're young. I jumped into it right after I got my journeymans license in electrical. To be versitle is the key to landing a job durning rough times.

 

[hurk27]

How important, would you say, it is for me to thoroughly learn PLC's? Would you consider it specialized per say, or something that is necessary?

I look at it like this, over the years I have tried to keep up on most of all the new technology as it comes out, and to learn as much about different ones to sort of keep my eggs in more then one basket, in times like these it can keep you going, PLC's are now used in so many applications that there use is endless, so yes by all means if you have the time to learn it do so, I have a few accounts that have PLC controlled lighting, environmental, door locks, gate openings, Etc.... and it has got me through some tuff times knowing this area, as because this was an area the company I used to work for didn't cover, so I was free to take it on my own, and made some good money reprogramming them when the battery back up failed, or someone hit the wrong set of buttons.

GE smart panels can be a pain though

 

[cadpoint]

My parents stressed two vocation's, if you couldn't do one go do the other!

I look at it like this, over the years I have tried to keep up on most of all the new technology as it comes out, and to learn as much about different ones to sort of keep my eggs in more then one basket,..

 

[Ruff-N]

Never stop learning

Never stop learning

I did a HVAC control panel for an apt complex, and then a sewer pump station that had PLCs and all this control wiring going all over the place, some years ago, at first it looked like a daunting task, but if you just step back and take a long hard look at what is in front of you, look at the wiring diagrams not once not twice but three or four times and you use the 1 800 numbers for tech support, well I was able to do an outstanding install on both jobs and both jobs worked how these were intended to work. One small hitch in the HVAC CP I stepped back made one phone call and bam! all was working as designed. Not bad if i do say so myself, of course I have motor controls training that was a big help, oh and I especially enjoyed working on stadium lighting control panels lots of devices and lots of wiring but real neat stuff to troubleshoot or wire from ground up. Benton anything you learn, learn it well you never know when you will use it.

 

[poeboy]

Education is one of the very few things that no one can ever take away from you, (setting aside a few physical disorders or a bad accident).

If you can learn and have the opportunity, don't pass it up. The absolute worst that can happen is you find out that you don't like it (and that in itself is still being educated).

I had never thought of PLC's being inside of many of the electronic devices we use these days, but it does make good sense. Electricity is mostly all logic anyhow.

 

[jazer]

i guess I'll play devil's advocate. Leave it to the guys who really enjoy such control work. If you have a hankering for it, then do it and do it well. If you enjoy dragging MC and Romex, do it and do it well. I feel the industry has become so large with so many nooks and crannies to it that everyone shouldn't try to "know it all." Just my opinion, though. However, as I write this post, my feelings are changing to that you should take what you can from whatever training you are recieving. Hope this helps?

 

[petersonra]

How important, would you say, it is for me to thorougly learn PLC's? Would you consider it specialized per say, or something that is necesarry?

They are common as dirt these days in industrial plants, and to some extent in commerical work.

Years ago an electrician had to know how to wire up a few timers, relays, and switchs to control something simple, like say a pump. Today the same exact logic would be used but all the timers and relays are in the PLC.