1

Line (Ladder) Diagram rules

Universal set of graphic symbols and rules
(standards) on how line (ladder) diagrams are
laid out.
By applying these standards we establish a
working practice understood by all technical
personnel.
2
Ladder-Line Diagram rules
Load devices (lights,
solenoid, relay coil, etc)
must be powered by full
(rated) voltage to operate
correctly.
Multiple loads must be
placed in parallel.
If loads are placed in
series a voltage divider
effect occurs and neither
load operates correctly.
3
Ladder-Line Diagram rules
Light and Solenoid
each require 120V to
operate properly.
How much voltage will
each receive if they
are the same
impedance?
What voltage will each
receive if three loads
are placed in series
4
Ladder/Line Diagram rules
Multiple loads must be
placed in parallel to
achieve full-voltage.
One side of a load is always
connected to L2 (0V).
One side of Motor starter coils are
connected indirectly to L2 through
NC overload contacts.
5
Ladder/Line diagram rules
Control devices are
connected between L1
and the load device
(operating coil).
Two or more control devices may be
connected in series or parallel to
control a load (operating coil). Why?
Contacts are either open or closed

6
Line Number Reference
Each horizontal rung is assigned a line number. The Line
number is located on the left side of each horizontal rung.
Three line numbers shown.
7
Numerical
Cross-Reference

Numerical cross references are located
to the right of a coil.
They identify the line number that their
contacts are located on.
8
Documentation details
A numeric cross
reference number
indicates the location of
a N.O. contact.
A numeric cross
reference number with
an underscore indicates
the location of a N.C.
contact.
9
Documentation details
Wire Number Reference
Adhesive number placed on the
end of each wire where it is
connected.
Easier to wire and troubleshoot
circuit. Consider 50 red wires,
which one is which?
Rule: When the ladder/line
diagram goes through a graphic
symbol (contact, coil, etc.) the wire
number must change.
All wires connected to the same
point in a circuit must have the
same wire number.
10
Documentation details
Manufacturer terminal
numbers are included on
the terminal connection
points of a device.
These numbers are used
to identify the different
parts of the device (coil,
NO & NC contacts
CR Coil is 2 & 10
CR contacts are 1&3, 6&5,
11&9
11
Documentation details
Mechanically Connected
Two methods are used to indicate the
location of other mechanically operated
contacts from the same device: Dashed
line method and Numerical Cross
reference method.
Dashed line indicates multiple contacts
from the same device.
Numerical cross reference indicates line
number of other contacts from the
same device.

12
Signals, Decisions and Actions
All control circuits contain
three major sections known as
the Signal, Decision and
Action sections.
Signal section: Starts or stops current flow to the circuit. Allows
circuit to operate. (I.e. on/off switch).
Decision section: Uses logic from multiple devices to determine
what work is to be done. Decision is used to control a load
device.
Action section: Work to be performed based upon decision. (I.e.
turn a load device on or off.)


13
Logic Functions
Logic functions include AND, OR,
NOT, NOR, NAND, XOR and
MEMORY. (Same as Digital Logic)
AND Logic: Two or more NO
contacts in series.
OR Logic: Two or more NO contacts in parallel.
Student: Write the Boolean algebra expression
and truth table both diagrams shown here.
14
Logic Functions
Circuits can contain a combination of AND/OR
logic.
The circuit can contain multiple different logic
functions to make a decision
15
Logic Functions

NOT logic is created by a NC
contact.
NOR logic is created by two or more NC
contacts in series. Figure 5-18
Student: Write the Boolean Algebra
expression for each diagram.
16
Logic Functions
NAND logic is created by two or more
NC contacts in parallel.
Student: Write the Boolean algebra
expression for the diagrams
17
Logic Functions
Memory logic is created by
adding a NO contact in
parallel with a pushbutton.
Student: Write the Boolean algebra
expression for the diagrams shown.
A common start/stop memory circuit
consists of NOT logic and OR logic.
18
Common Control Circuits
Numerous common
control circuits are used in
industry.
This diagram shows a
start/stop memory circuit.
This diagram shows a start/stop
memory circuit with two stop
buttons and two start buttons.
This circuit is used when a motor
must be started and stopped from
two different locations.

19
Common Control Circuits
This diagram shows two
separate start/stop stations
and an emergency stop for
two motors. (Hint for
Jeopardy problem in lab 2)
This diagram shows how one
motor starter can be used to start
a 2
nd
motor starter. Note that two
separate contacts are used from
M1

20
Common Control Circuits
Pilot lights are available in a variety of shapes, colours and
sizes.
Used to indicate to humans the present state of a machine
or system.
The diagram below shows a pilot light & starter coil (M1)
that are energized when the selector switch is in the ON
position, and the pressure is low.
21
Common Control Circuits
Here a pilot light is used to
indicate when a motor
starter is activated in a
memory circuit.

Here NOT logic is used to
indicate when a motor
starter is not activated
Pilot light PL1 is energized
when M1 is off.

22
Common Control Circuits
Here a sequence control circuit ensures that
conveyor # 2 (M1) is running, before conveyor # 1
(M2) can operate.

23
Common Control Circuits
Here a selector switch is added
to a start/stop memory circuit
to provide jog control.
When the selector switch is in
the run position, the circuit
works with memory
When the selector switch is in
the jog position, the motor
stops when the start button is
released.

24
AutoCAD Symbols
The symbols shown are
provided to students in an
AutoCAD Drawing
Students are required to
use AutoCAD and the
Symbols.dwg to make
Wblocks for Labs and
assignments.
File is required for Lab # 3
25
AutoCAD Symbols Contd
Students are also provided
with an electronic copy of a
title block and border. You
MUST use it!
Students use the symbol file
and title block file to create
drawings as required in this
course.
Symbols and title block are
in Imperial units (inches).
Every drawing is graded for:
Orientation
Paper space
Readability
Accuracy (scaling and units w/a)
Proper edits (Name, title, etc.)
Professionalism
26
I
/ 0
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I
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1
L
1
L
2
/ N
G
N
D
O
/ 0
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/ 1
O
/ 2
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V
A
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V
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I/2
I/3
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O/2
O/3
O/4
VO/0
VO/1
VO/2
1
O/5
O/6
I/6
I/9
I/8
I/10
GND
A
C

I
N
P
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,

R
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A
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1
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1
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(
+
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(
+
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(
+
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(
-
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N
N
N L1
120 VAC
FROMLINE CORD
120 VAC
G
A
R
NOTES:
1. > SYMBOL REPRESENTS A FEMALE
BANANA JACK.
2. LABEL THE ENDS OF EACH WIRE AS
PER THE WIRE NUMBERS INDICATED
ON THE SCHEMATIC.
3. INPUT AND OUTPUT WIRE COLOURS
SHALL BE RED.
4. 120 VAC POWER SHALL USE BLACK WIRE
5. NEUTRAL SHALL USE WHITE WIRE.
1 PBLT
2 PBLT
3 PBLT
O X
AUTO
OFF
MAN
I/7
STOP
START
F2
2A
120 VAC
120 VAC
120 VAC
F1
3A
F5
1A
F4
1A
1A
F3
1PBLT
2PBLT
3PBLT
1
1
1
1
1
1
N
N
N
N
6. BANANA JACK COLOURS:
120 VAC = RED
INPUTS = YELLOW
OUTPUTS = BLACK
NEUTRAL = WHITE
MICROLOGIX TRAINER
WIRING DIAGRAM
LAB - H230
INDUSTRIAL CONTROLS
O
O
RED
JACKS
YELLOW
JACKS
JACKS
WHITE
BLACK
JACKS
V
D
C
V
A
C
V
D
C
V
A
C
C
O
M
A
C
V
D
C
V
A
C
120VAC
I/11
Wiring Diagrams
Wiring Diagrams show the
connection of all
components on a piece of
equipment.
The location of components
is generally as close as
possible to the actual circuit
configuration
A wiring diagram is similar to
a pictorial drawing except the
components are shown as
graphic symbols.

27
Schematic Diagrams
Shows connection and function of a circuit
with graphic symbols.
Has no relationship to the physical
configuration of the circuit.
Only intended to show the logical operation
of the circuit.


28
Line (Ladder) Diagrams
Ladder/line diagrams are the primary means of
communicating the control language of Industrial
Control Systems. (Lab 1 TYK answer)
Appearance is similar to a ladder.
Left vertical rail (L1) is power or hot, right vertical
rail (L2) is neutral (0V) (or Ground).
Horizontal Rungs represent logical operation of
circuit.

29
One-Line Diagrams
Uses single lines and graphic
symbols to indicate the path and
components of an electrical system.
Typically only used for 3-phase
power.
Does not provide a complete circuit
diagram.

30
Line (Ladder) Diagrams
Incorrect symbols can change circuit
operation and cause hazardous situations.
Here we see four limit switch symbols.
Each symbol is unique and provides a
different control function
31
Electrical Circuits
Five basic components
1. Load that converts electrical
energy to another form (I.e.
light)
2. Power Source
3. Conductors/wires (circuit
connections
4. Control method (switch)
5. Protection device
(fuse/circuit breaker)


32
Normally Open (N.O.) & Normally Closed (N.C.)
Contacts are described as
N.O. & N.C.
Normal refers to the de-
energized/de-activated
state of the electrical
contact.
I.e. the normal state for a
pushbutton is when its not
pressed.
Normal is also referred to as
the shelf-state by some
professionals.
Contacts from devices are
always drawn in their
normal state for this course.


33
N.O. & N.C. continued
A N.O. contact is an open circuit (infinite )
when the device it is not activated/energized.
An N.O. contact closes (low ) when the device
is activated/energized.
A N.C. contact is a closed circuit (low ) when the
device is not activated/energized.
A N.C. contact is a open circuit when the device
is activated/energized.

34
25
Pushbuttons
Pushbutton have
internal contacts that
can be either N.O.
and/or N.C.
Here we see a
cutaway portion of
the terminal block
for a pushbutton.
35
Digital Logic Comparison
Same concepts as digital logic can be applied to ladder/line
diagrams.
1=on/closed, 0=off/open, gate logic, Boolean
Algebraremember?
Physically - N.O. PB = 0 not pressed and a 1 when pressed.
Physically - N.C. PB = 0 when pressed and a 1 when not
pressed.

36
Manual Control Circuits
Manual control
requires a person
(man) to turn
devices on and off.
(I.e. wall switch)
Pushbutton is a
manual device

37
Automatic Control Circuits
Automatic controls turn
devices on/off without a
human operator.
Here we illustrate the use of a
common float switch to
create some simple automatic
circuits.
Can you think of a common
automatically controlled
device?
Here we have answers to two
TYK questions in Lab 1
38
Automatic Control Circuits
Here we automatically
maintain the water level of
a livestock water tank.
Float switch FS1 is the
automatic control element.
It opens and closes its
contacts based on the
position of the float that is
in contact with the water
level.