Ladder Logic Elements
Contacts, coils, timers, counters, and ladder diagram components
A
2 terms
B
3 terms
Bit Shift Left
BSL
Shifts bits in array one position left, loading new bit at right end.
Bit Shift Right
BSR
Shifts bits in array one position right, loading new bit at left end.
Branch Priority
Execution order of parallel branches in ladder logic affecting scan sequence.
C
7 terms
Coil (Output)
A ladder logic symbol representing an output that energizes when power flows through the rung, controlling physical outputs or internal memory bits.
Compare Instructions
Logic operations comparing two values (EQU, NEQ, LES, GRT, LEQ, GEQ).
Control Length
Parameter in array instructions defining number of elements to process.
Control Position
Current index pointer in array operations like shift registers and sequencers.
CTD (Count Down)
CTD
Counter that decrements from preset value toward zero with each input pulse.
CTU (Count Up)
CTU
A counter that increments its accumulated value each time the input transitions from false to true, used for counting parts, cycles, or events.
CTUD (Up/Down Counter)
CTUD
Bidirectional counter with separate count up and count down inputs.
E
3 terms
F
7 terms
Falling Edge (Negative Edge)
A trigger that activates for one scan cycle when an input transitions from true (1) to false (0), detecting when signals turn off.
FIFO Load
FFL
First-In-First-Out stack instruction that loads data into queue.
FIFO Unload
FFU
Removes oldest data from FIFO queue when triggered.
File Copy
COP
Copies multiple consecutive elements from source to destination array.
File Fill
FLL
Fills destination array with copies of single source value.
For Next Loop
FOR
Iterative control structure executing code block specified number of times.
Force Table
List of I/O points with forced values overriding program logic.
G
2 terms
I
3 terms
Immediate Input
IIN
Reads physical input immediately instead of waiting for input scan phase.
Immediate Output
IOT
Updates physical output immediately instead of waiting for output scan phase.
Interlock
Safety logic preventing equipment operation unless specific conditions are met, ensuring safe sequential operations.
J
2 terms
L
7 terms
Label
LBL
Target destination marker for jump instructions in ladder logic programs.
Latch Coil
Output that remains energized after input goes false, requiring separate unlatch command to reset.
Less Than
LES
Comparison contact true when first value is less than second value.
Less Than or Equal
LEQ
Comparison contact true when first value is less than or equal to second.
LIFO Load
LFL
Last-In-First-Out stack instruction that pushes data onto stack.
LIFO Unload
LFU
Pops most recent data from LIFO stack when triggered.
Limit Test
LIM
Tests if value is within or outside specified range defined by low and high limits.
M
5 terms
Masked Compare
MEQ
Compares specific bits of two values using mask to ignore certain bits.
Masked Move
MVM
Copies only bits specified by mask from source to destination.
Master Control Relay
MCR
Zone control instruction that disables all non-retentive outputs within its zone when false.
Math Box
Function block performing arithmetic operations within ladder logic.
Move
MOV
Copies data from source location to destination when rung is true.
N
5 terms
Nested Branch
Branch within a branch creating complex conditional logic structures.
NOP (No Operation)
NOP
Placeholder instruction that does nothing, used for temporary logic removal.
Normally Closed (NC) Contact
NC
A contact symbol in ladder logic that allows power flow when the associated bit is false (0), representing an open switch when energized.
Normally Open (NO) Contact
NO
A contact symbol in ladder logic that allows power flow when the associated bit is true (1), representing a closed switch when energized.
Not Equal
NEQ
Comparison contact that passes power when two values are different.
O
5 terms
One Shot
ONS
Instruction that passes power for exactly one scan when input transitions from false to true.
OTE (Output Energize)
OTE
Allen-Bradley standard output coil, energized when rung is true.
OTL (Output Latch)
OTL
Allen-Bradley latch output that stays on after input goes false.
OTU (Output Unlatch)
OTU
Allen-Bradley unlatch instruction that turns off latched outputs.
Overflow Bit
OV
Status bit set when counter or math operation exceeds maximum value.
P
5 terms
Parallel Branch
Ladder logic structure providing alternate paths for power flow (OR logic).
Power Flow
Virtual electrical current path through ladder logic from left to right rail.
Power Rail
Vertical lines in ladder diagram representing power source (left) and return (right).
Preset Value
PRE
Target value for timers and counters defining when done bit activates.
Pulse Timer
TP
Timer generating fixed-duration output pulse regardless of input duration.
R
6 terms
Reset Coil
Resets output to false when rung is true, clearing set coils or other outputs.
Retentive Coil
Output that maintains state through power cycle using battery backup.
Return
RET
Exits subroutine and returns control to calling program at next instruction.
Rising Edge (Positive Edge)
A trigger that activates for one scan cycle when an input transitions from false (0) to true (1), used for detecting button presses and signal changes.
RTO (Retentive Timer)
RTO
Timer that retains accumulated value when input goes false, resuming from where it stopped.
Rung Comment
Descriptive text explaining the purpose and operation of a ladder logic rung.
S
7 terms
Scan Counter
Diagnostic counter tracking number of PLC scan cycles for performance monitoring.
Scan Order
Sequential execution of rungs from top to bottom affecting logic results.
Sequencer Compare
SQC
Compares input pattern with stored patterns for sequence verification.
Sequencer Load
SQL
Captures current input pattern into sequencer array position.
Sequencer Output
SQO
Steps through array of output patterns for sequential machine control.
Set Coil
Sets output to true when rung is true, output remains true until reset by another instruction.
Subroutine Call
Instruction invoking separate code section with optional parameters.
T
5 terms
Timer Timing Bit
TT
Status bit true while timer is actively counting but hasn't reached preset.
TND (Temporary End)
TND
Debugging instruction that ends program execution at specific point.
TOF (Timer Off-Delay)
TOF
A timer that keeps output active for specified duration after input turns off, used for delayed shutdowns and cooling cycles.
TON (Timer On-Delay)
TON
A timer that waits for a specified duration after being enabled before activating its output, commonly used for delayed start operations.
Transition Contact
Special contact detecting change of state in Sequential Function Charts.
U
2 terms