PLC Scan
(or)
Program Scan
                 Program Scan
During each operating cycle, the processor reads all
inputs, takes these values, and energizes or de-energizes
the outputs according to the user program. This
process is known as a scan.
                   I/O scan  records status data of input
                   devices. Energizes output devices that
                   have their associated status bits set to
                    ON (1)
                   Program scan  instructions are
                   executed sequentially
 Because the inputs can change at any time, the PLC
 must carry on this process continuously.
                    Scan Process
The scan time indicates how fast the controller can react
to changes in inputs. Scan times vary with computer
model and program content, and length. If a controller
has to react to an input signal that changes states twice
during the scan time, it is is possible that the PLC will
never be able to detect this change.
                          Scan time may be a concern
                          in high speed operations
          Scan Process
             Read inputs
          The scan is a
          a continuous
          and sequential
          process
Adjusts                    Run
outputs                    program
           Data Flow Overview
          Input                           Output
Input     data Input         Output       data Output
                image
modules         table file    image
                                                modules
                             table file
   Examine data                      Return results
                       Program
 Check/compare/examine                     Take some
 specific conditions                       action
                         Scan Process
             Input                                Output
             Module                               Module
                          Input                             Output
  Input                              Output
                           file                             device
  device                              file
                           I:3/6      O:4/7
   I:3/6                                                    O:4/7
                              Program
When the input is                                 The processor turns
closed, the input
                                      O:4/7        light output O:4/7
module senses a            I:3/6
                                                   ON during the next
voltage and an ON       During the program        I/O scan
condition (1) is        scan the processor
entered into the        sets instructions I:3/6
input table bit I:3/6   and O:4/7 to ON (1)
                   Scan Patterns
                                 Horizontal Scanning
                                        Order
                               The processor examines
                               input and output
                               instructions from the
                               first command, top left
                               in the program,
                               horizontally, rung by
                               rung.
       End of ladder
In addition to the program itself, the scan time is also
dependent on the clock frequency of the processor!
                  Scan Patterns
 Vertical Scanning
         Order
The processor examines
input and output
instructions from the
first command, vertically,
column by column and
page by page. Pages are
executed in sequence.
                                  End of ladder
Misunderstanding the way the PLC scans can cause
programming bugs!