The Complete Handbook of Programmable Logic Controllers
The practical engineer's guide to selecting, installing, maintaining, and profiting from PLCs
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Master PLCs from fundamentals to troubleshooting. A practical, no-hype reference for engineers, techs, and entrepreneurs.
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About this book
Most PLC information comes from two sources: glossy marketing brochures that promise more than they deliver, and dense academic textbooks that ignore the realities of the factory floor. This handbook is different. It is a practical, field-tested reference built for professionals and serious hobbyists who need to understand, select, install, maintain, and even profit from Programmable Logic Controllers.
Starting with a clear explanation of what a PLC actually does and how it works internally, the book then guides you through the maze of specifications, from I/O counts and processing speeds to scan times and communication protocols. You will learn a systematic method for choosing the right PLC for your specific application, avoiding the pitfalls of overspending or under-specifying. The following chapters detail hands-on installation and setup procedures, followed by a robust approach to maintenance and troubleshooting that covers both the most common failures and the diagnostic techniques used by seasoned professionals.
This is more than a technical manual. For those looking to build a business around this technology, there is a dedicated chapter on the commercial landscape: how to identify market opportunities in reselling, servicing, consulting, and integration. The book concludes with a forward look at where PLC technology is heading and a curated list of the expert resources, standards bodies, and certifications that mark a true professional. This is the single desk reference you will reach for again and again.
Reader Reviews
Jason Walker
★★★★★It's a solid reference and I've used it to brush up on scan cycle logic, but I found some of the troubleshooting sections a bit generic. I was hoping for more detailed flowcharts for specific fault codes. The business chapter felt a little out of place for me, but I can see how it might be useful to others. Fine for what it is, but not the last word.
Jeffrey Mitchell
★★★★★Finally, a PLC book that skips the fluff and gets straight to it. The chapter on specs alone was worth the price; I used the I/O and memory calculation method on a retrofit project last week and it worked perfectly. The troubleshooting chapter gave me a systematic approach that's already saved me hours. This is the handbook I keep on my desk, not on my shelf.
Emily Flores
★★★★★I'm a hobbyist and this book is a bit split-brained. The first few chapters are accessible, but I got lost in some of the business talk and the maintenance chapter assumes you have access to industrial tools I don't own. The explanations of scan time and ladder logic, though, were clearer than anything I've found online. It's good, but it's not the beginner's guide I was hoping for.
Jonathan Hill
★★★★★The installation chapter alone is a masterclass. The grounding and wiring advice is so concrete and well-explained that I feel confident wiring my first panel this weekend. I appreciated that the author didn't just say 'connect to earth ground' but explained why and what happens if you don't. The practical examples throughout, like the bottle-filling line, just click. Highly recommended for anyone serious about controls.
Michael Harris
★★★★★A decent book, but I felt like I had to wade through a lot of info that wasn't relevant to me. I just need to replace a faulty unit on an old line, not start a consulting business. The chapter on choosing a PLC was helpful, but the reviews of the business opportunities felt like a pitch, not a handbook. It's comprehensive, but I'm not sure the title's promise of a 'handbook' was fully met.
Richard Hernandez
★★★★★Solid, practical, and well-organized. It doesn't have the depth of some specialist texts on, say, PID control or networking, but it covers a huge breadth of knowledge in a really accessible way. I particularly liked the comparison between brick and modular PLCs, which was a distinction I never saw clearly explained in manufacturer docs. A strong, reliable reference that I'll be keeping my copy of.