Engineering and TechnicalPLC, SCADA and DCS Systems for Industrial Automation
A three day programme covering the three layers of control a modern plant runs on and how they fit together. Delegates work through programmable logic controller hardware architecture and programming, writing ladder logic and function block programs for common platforms, then move up to configuring SCADA screens, alarms and historian trends for plant monitoring. Distributed control system architecture is covered in its own right, including where it is the correct choice for continuous process control and where a programmable controller is enough. The industrial communication protocols tying the layers together are treated practically, since most integration problems are network problems. The course closes on systematic fault finding across all three layers, which is the skill that determines how long a stopped plant stays stopped.
Course objectives
- Develop ladder logic and function block programmes for common PLC platforms
- Configure SCADA screens, alarms and historian trends for plant monitoring
- Describe DCS architecture and its application in continuous process control
- Apply industrial communication protocols used in automation networks
- Troubleshoot common automation system faults across PLC, SCADA and DCS layers
- Apply control system cyber security measures to an operational network
- Manage backups, version control and change on live control systems
Who should attend
- Automation engineers
- Control systems engineers
- Instrumentation engineers
- SCADA administrators
- Plant electrical and control technicians
Course outline
- 01PLC hardware architecture and programming fundamentals
- 02Ladder logic and function block programming
- 03SCADA system configuration, alarms and trending
- 04DCS architecture and continuous process control
- 05Industrial communication protocols and networks
- 06Control system cyber security
- 07Backups, version control and change management
- 08Automation system troubleshooting and fault finding
Scheduled sessions
| Dates | Venue | Format | Price | Register |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 14 October 2026 | Kigali, Rwanda | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 30 December 2026 to 1 January 2027 | Lusaka, Zambia | Classroom | USD 995 per delegate | Register Now |
| 13 to 15 January 2027 | Durban, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 27 to 29 January 2027 | Online | Online | R6,500 per delegate | Register Now |
| 1 to 3 February 2027 | Pretoria, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |
| 24 to 26 February 2027 | Johannesburg, South Africa | Classroom | R14,950 per delegate | Register Now |