However, it can get a “bit technical” & for people with limited general PLC experience, the “technical stuff” can take away from the routine M&T & experience shows that some people (typically those who have less general experience with other PLCs) can find it too much.

The problem really is they get “hung up” on some of the more abstract parts of the course which are not “absolute essentials” & that’s a pity.

So, what’s new?
Our NEW Siemens S7-300/400 First-line Practical Skills (FLPS) courses provide a “less technical, more practical” version of the Level 1 M&T.  The FLPS course focuses on the TOP 20 Key Practical Skills & avoids unnecessary technical language & concepts which most maintenance people will generally not need.

The TOP 20 Key Practical Skills

Typical topics include (the Top 20):

1. Understand common PLC Hardware for the particual PLC
2. Understand key physical diagnostic indicators
3. Know how to connect a laptop – cables, connections & comm ports
4. Know how to run the PLC monitoring software
5. Know how to prove PC – PLC comms.
6. Know how to identify the correct backup program on the laptop
7. Know how to Retrieve a Project if required
8. Know how to get on-line
9. Know how to Compare a program with a backup copy
10. Know how to recognise & understand first-level PLC Instruction Set
11. Know how to monitor live Ladder status & compare with actual field I/O
12. Know how to search & get around the program
13. Know how to backup the program
14. Know how to re-load the program
15. Know how to start to troubleshoot machine faults through the PLC
16. Know how to use the Cross Reference function
17. Know how to set up & view status tables as a monitoring tool
18. Know how to start to use the diagnostic toolkit
19. Know how to use available reset or restart functions
20. Know how to identify suspect or faulty modules & safely replace

So, what’s not to like?
If you want your technically stronger people to progress onto Level 2, they should really aim to attend the Level 1 rather than FLPS.  For some people, the best starting point is the FLPS course where confidence is built as well as “essential practical skills”.  We have a 3 day “catch-up” course to cover the missing material & to prepare people to move on to Level 2.

Related Links
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