S7 PLCs – Level 1

This course is designed for those who already understand the difference between a bit, byte, and word, and can read basic ladder logic.

Those with no prior Programmable Controller experience are encouraged to take my PLC Basics course first. It covers several beginner-level topics that are not included in this course, including:

1. What a Programmable Controller is and how it works
2. What Ladder Logic is and how it works
3. What Data Types are and how they are used

If you’re already familiar with those topics and know how to use a Windows PC, then you’re ready to take this course. And to see exactly what is (and isn’t) covered, watch Lesson 1.01, which is available as a free preview before purchasing the course.

I designed this training for electricians, technicians, and engineers who need to learn how to setup, program, and troubleshoot Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 PLCs.

Whether you’ve worked with other PLC platforms and now need to learn the S7-1200 and S7-1500, or you’re responsible for keeping an S7-controlled machine or system running, this course will help you develop the skills needed to confidently setup, program, and troubleshoot these PLCs.

The course includes more than eleven hours of instruction. However, that does not include any additional time you choose to spend completing the optional hands-on exercises.

And since all of my courses include lifetime access, you can return and review any lesson as often as you like.

No. You do not need a physical S7-1200 or S7-1500 PLC or a hardware trainer to complete this course.

In the course I show you how to get a free trial copy of Siemens TIA Portal Step 7, which includes a free PLC simulator, PLCSim, that can be used to complete the optional exercises. I also demonstrate how to test programs using PLCSim in Lesson 6.11.

All of my PLC students also receive a license of my PLC Application Simulator for Windows 10 and Windows 11 (see Lesson 1.05), and in Lesson 1.06 I give an overview of Factory I/O and how to use it with S7 PLCs.

For those who’d prefer to learn using a physical S7 PLC, I cover which Siemens S7 Starter Packs are available and what they cost (Lesson 1.02B, available as a free preview), unbox both the S7-1500 and S7-1200 Starter Packs (Appendices E and F), and provide a list of the components and devices used to build the homemade PLC trainer used in this course (Appendices P and T).

For more detailed information about these options, please watch Lessons 1.02 and 1.02B, which are available as free previews before purchasing the course.

To write programs you’ll need Siemens TIA Portal Step 7, but you do not need to purchase a license to complete this course.

Instead, I show you how to get and install the free 21-day TIA Portal trial (Lessons 3.10, 3.12, and 3.13), how to use the Automation License Manager (Lesson 3.20), and how to view your remaining trial days (Lesson 3.21).

The trial includes PLCSim, so you can download and test your programs without a physical PLC.

Yes.

When you enroll in this course, you receive more than just the video lessons—you also receive direct access to the instructor for lesson-related questions.

At the bottom of every lesson is a discussion area where students can post questions, and our expert instructors review and answer them each workday.

And if a written response isn’t enough to resolve your question, eligible students may also schedule a short Microsoft Teams meeting with me (see Lesson 1.11).

Note that these sessions are specifically intended to answer questions related to the course material, and not as a free consulting or tech support service.

For those students seeking assistance beyond the course content, paid mentoring services are also available for topics covered in my training (see Lesson 1.12).

Yes.

The course is completely self-paced, and you can take the lessons in any order according to your own schedule and learning style.

Because all of my courses include lifetime access, you can also revisit and review any lesson as many times as necessary.

Yes.

This course includes numerous optional hands-on exercises, with hints, that allow you to apply what you’ve learned throughout the video lessons and demonstrations.

And since TIA Portal’s free trial includes the PLCSim simulator, you can complete the optional exercises without purchasing any hardware.

Yes.

Once you’ve passed all required quizzes and marked every lesson complete, a link will appear on the course homepage allowing you to view, print, and download your course completion certificate.

Your certificate also lists the Professional Development Hours (PDHs) you’ve earned by completing all of the required course content. Every quiz also comes with a Quiz Prep lesson to help you prepare.

Please note that time spent completing the optional hands-on exercises is not included in the PDHs listed on your certificate.

This course covers both the Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500 PLCs.

For each family, I include an overview, a detailed look at the hardware, and a hardware tour. I even provide an overview of every S7-1200 and 1500 CPU.

The course also covers Siemens distributed I/O (Lesson 2.20) and system component selection (Lesson 2.30).

Yes.

The course includes an overview and tour of TIA Portal Step 7, and I show you how to get and install the free TIA Portal trial software (Lessons 3.12 and 3.13).

Yes.

The course covers how to identify your CPU’s model, firmware, and address (Lesson 4.10C), and how to download and update CPU firmware (Lesson 4.20C).

Yes.

Lesson 4.30C covers performing a memory reset (MRES) and restoring the CPU to its factory defaults.

Yes.

The course covers how to add, test, and force I/O on both the S7-1500 (Lesson 5.10A) and the S7-1200 (Lesson 5.10B).

Yes, but it assumes you can already read basic Ladder Logic.

Beginning with a Boolean logic review and your first program, you’ll create, load, and test Ladder Logic programs in Step 7, and test them using PLCSim.

From there, you’ll build programs using set, reset, edge, and toggle logic, system and clock bits, motor control, permissives, timers, counters, and system time.

Yes.

The course covers how to create and edit Organization Blocks (OBs), create and use Functions (FCs), and work with S7 Data Blocks, data types, and tags. I also cover program organization and control (Lesson 13.20).

Yes.

The course covers IEC 61131-3 timers, including the TON On-Delay, TOF Off-Delay, and TONR Time Accumulator, as well as Count Up, Count Down, and Count Up Down counters.

Yes.

Early in the course, you’ll learn how to find the vital documents and manuals, identify S7-1200 and S7-1500 hardware, select system components, and update CPU firmware.

From there, you’ll add, test, and force I/O, upload an existing program, and build motor control, permissive, automatic mode, and maintenance mode logic.

Yes.

As explained earlier in this FAQ (“Do I need physical PLC hardware and/or a physical PLC trainer?”), you do not need a physical PLC to complete this course. TIA Portal’s free trial includes the PLCSim simulator, which can be used to complete the optional exercises.

For more information, please refer to Lessons 1.02 and 1.02B or the previous hardware question.