If you open a PLC program written by an experienced control engineer, you might feel… underwhelmed.
No fancy tricks.
No complicated networks.
No unnecessary instructions.
And that’s exactly why it works.
Complexity Is Easy, Simplicity Is Hard
Anyone can create a complex PLC program.
Adding more rungs, timers, and conditions is not difficult.
What is difficult is:
- Making logic easy to read
- Making faults easy to trace
- Making changes without breaking the system
That’s where good engineers stand out.
Boring Logic Means Predictable Machines
In automation, predictability is gold.
A “boring” PLC program:
- Starts the same way every time
- Stops safely
- Handles faults clearly
- Makes operators comfortable
If operators trust the machine, production flows smoothly.
Why Simple Logic Saves Real Money
When logic is clean:
- Commissioning time is shorter
- Downtime is reduced
- Maintenance becomes easier
- New engineers understand the system faster
Companies don’t pay for complexity.
They pay for reliability.
Experienced Engineers Think About the Next Person
Good PLC programs are not written for the original programmer.
They are written for:
- Maintenance teams
- Night-shift engineers
- Future modifications
Clear logic is a form of professional respect.
What Beginners Should Learn From This
Don’t try to impress with complexity.
Instead:
- Use clear naming
- Keep rungs short
- Add meaningful comments
- Design logic like a flow, not a puzzle
Simple programs scale better.
A Real Sign of Maturity in Automation
When your PLC code looks boring,
and the plant runs smoothly,
you’re doing something right.
In control engineering, boring is brilliant.
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