The "4 questions" of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) refer to the key questions that need to be answered when designing or troubleshooting a PLC-controlled system. These questions help in understanding the behavior of the system, how inputs and outputs are handled, and how the logic is structured. The four main questions are:
1. **What are the Inputs?**
- This refers to the devices or sensors that provide signals to the PLC. Inputs can include things like switches, sensors, temperature readings, or any other devices that detect a condition in the process.
2. **What are the Outputs?**
- Outputs are the devices or actuators that are controlled by the PLC. These could include motors, lights, valves, or other machinery that the PLC operates based on the logic it processes.
3. **What is the Condition?**
- This question focuses on understanding the conditions or states that need to be checked by the PLC. Conditions are typically defined by the combination of inputs and are used to decide how the PLC should respond (e.g., turning on a motor when a certain sensor is activated).
4. **What is the Action?**
- This question asks what action the PLC should take when certain conditions are met. This can include turning on/off an output, changing the state of a machine, or triggering an alarm, based on the input conditions.
These four questions help in defining the logic for a PLC system, ensuring that it behaves as expected based on real-time input signals and produces the correct output actions.