Industrikontroller

Industrikontroller, or industrial controller, is a device used to automate and monitor industrial processes, collect sensor data, and send control signals to actuators to regulate variables such as temperature, pressure, flow, and speed. They provide real-time, deterministic responses and are designed to endure harsh industrial environments, often with rugged enclosures and redundant power supplies.

Common types include programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), and PC-based or embedded industrial controllers. PLCs are compact, modular, and optimized for discrete control with fast input/output. DCS are larger and used for continuous processes requiring advanced process control and high availability.

Key components include a central processing unit, memory, input/output interfaces, a power supply, and field communications. They run control programs, implement feedback loops, and manage safety interlocks. They support industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, Profibus, EtherNet/IP and Profinet, and often connect to operator interfaces and historians.

Programming and standards: IEC 61131-3 defines languages for industrial controllers, including ladder logic, structured text, function blocks, and sequential function charts. Functional safety is addressed by standards such as IEC 61508 and ISO 13849-1 in contexts requiring safety-related control.

Applications span manufacturing automation, process control, packaging, water treatment, energy management, and building automation. Networked controllers enable remote monitoring, data logging, alarms, and integration with enterprise systems through IIoT platforms.

History: from relay-based control to programmable logic controllers in the 1960s and 1970s, evolving to distributed and Ethernet-based architectures in later decades. Modern industrial controllers emphasize modularity, cybersecurity, and seamless integration with plant networks.