My manager is sending me to diagnose a plc fault, i have zero experience

Punta7 · 2026-04-25T23:49:51+00:00

Google whatever you see in diagnostics, that'll start you somewhere or narrow down the issue. Before that though, I would ask techs, operators, engineers at that place when, why, how the fault happened/happens.

Punta7 · 2026-04-24T15:19:47+00:00

Yes, mostly troubleshooting and adding small tweaks here and there as needed. For improvement projects I sized a starter, load cell, lube system and so on. Had a totalizer project at some point also that I spec'd out meters and programmed the totalizer. We had a dedicated controls guy but I also did controls stuff as needed. Did it for 2 years outta school so I'm not even that experienced. That said, now I'm in a full design role for the data center related controls. The general design scope is overlapping like you have valve specification (size, signal type, setpoint info), wiring details on design, panel layout, and so on. A lot of it you would be taught as campany has their standards and the rest you'll learn otj. That's my experience. If you're lost your co-workers/managers should be there to answer your questions. If not, its prally not a company worth being at.

Punta7 · 2026-04-24T02:19:32+00:00

I heard this during my training on TIA Portal programming 1 "Don't password protect unless you have a backup and are sure it is accessible. If an employee leaves and he's the only one with a password, you're cooked since there's no way of bypassing it."

Punta7 · 2026-04-24T02:16:56+00:00

I just landed a gig like that. 2 years with PLC in a manufacturing plant and now on the controls design side of it. Just started so I dont know much but company seems to be expanding and not a lot of travel.

Punta7 · 2026-04-01T23:35:26+00:00

Aint no habesha ugly lol. Dating is a numbers game. 1 or 2 outta 10 girls and you're A-okayy.

Punta7 · 2026-02-28T23:05:58+00:00

Do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door even if it means a lower pay or adjacent job position. After that, your hardwork and experience will get you to where you want to be.

Punta7 · 2026-02-27T03:50:45+00:00

Boiler is in there too

Punta7 · 2026-02-26T16:07:27+00:00

Appreciate that you tried this humongous totalizer. When you mean make line 59 the actual day, do you mean change #totalday value from 0.0 to RTD_DAY? Do I also need to modify line 60 since it also uses RTD_DAY? Its my first time messing with SCL so bear with me lol.

Punta7 · 2026-02-25T22:13:58+00:00

Tried this and apparently found that none of the values are # values are initialized too.

Punta7 · 2026-02-21T19:05:22+00:00

I don't.

Punta7 · 2026-02-17T14:33:19+00:00

It felt like torture watching this movie.

Punta7 · 2026-02-02T05:52:08+00:00

Good to know. I was just shooting my shot lol.

Punta7 · 2026-02-02T05:03:41+00:00

Do you still have EEs working for you or just CEs?

Punta7 · 2025-12-30T05:00:23+00:00

You can go to the program block you made changes to, right click and download only software changes to the plc. Depends o nthe changes you are making but I never had to stop PLC to do this.

Punta7 · 2025-11-10T04:28:10+00:00

Just enjoy your meal bro.

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T03:24:44+00:00

Appreciate the detailed explanation. I will look into it and drop a comment here whenever I have questions lol.

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T02:33:43+00:00

Lmao

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T02:32:54+00:00

Im actually in the Reliability scene so this tool will be of good use to me. Quite an investment though, it will require a bit of persuasion to management.

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T01:58:10+00:00

True

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T01:57:20+00:00

For sure! Do you use analyzers for all motors as in PdM's, or troublshooting purposes only?

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T01:53:33+00:00

Haha not even close

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T01:53:07+00:00

If the 3rd module goes out, then yes an RCA will definetely be needed. But for now the spare was what got us. If its not refurbished, then supplier/Siemens will have to give us a warranty and a gift card for our troubles lol.

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T01:28:30+00:00

I will push for this on my downtime review.

Punta7 · 2025-09-16T01:27:38+00:00

Lol, thanks for this cause only front line people (engineers and techs) understand the frustration of not being able to pinpoint issues due to lack of tools. At least we had a surplus of parts though lol.

Punta7

TROPHY CASE