A comprehensive learning environment for industrial automation and control engineers. Covers PLC programming, SCADA system design, HMI development, industrial networking, motor control, and process instrumentation — from I/O sizing and panel thermal design to OT cybersecurity and functional safety.
Built for controls engineers, automation integrators, process engineers, and OT/IT professionals working in manufacturing, water/wastewater, oil & gas, power generation, and building automation industries.
Size a PLC system from a point list of digital inputs (DI), digital outputs (DO), analog inputs (AI), and analog outputs (AO). Recommends chassis, I/O modules, and power supply capacity. Supports Allen-Bradley, Siemens S7, and Schneider Modicon platforms with rack layout output.
Size an industrial control panel enclosure (NEMA 12/4/4X) and calculate internal heat dissipation from VFDs, PLCs, drives, and transformers. Determines whether natural convection, forced air cooling, or an air conditioner unit is required per NEMA and UL 508A standards.
Select motor starting method (DOL, star-delta, soft starter, VFD) based on motor HP, load type, starting frequency, and utility constraints. Outputs starter/VFD ampere rating, overload relay setting, and branch circuit requirements per NEC 430.
Design an OT network architecture with Purdue model zone segmentation (Level 0–4), managed switch placement, ring/star topology selection, and VLAN/firewall boundary recommendations. Outputs a network topology diagram and Bill of Materials.
Design a SCADA system from field instrument count, communication protocol (Modbus RTU/TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS, DNP3), and redundancy requirements. Sizes the historian server, HMI stations, and communication infrastructure for water, oil/gas, and utility applications.
Interactive PLC programming simulator with rungs, contacts (NO/NC), coils, timers (TON/TOF/RTO), counters (CTU/CTD), and comparison instructions. Modify I/O states in real time and watch the scan cycle execute. Covers Allen-Bradley and IEC 61131-3 structured text basics.
Interactive 3D visualization of a complete SCADA system — from field sensors and PLCs through RTUs and communication infrastructure to the control room HMI and historian. Click any component to see its role, typical specifications, and communication protocol stack.
Animated network topology viewer for industrial Ethernet environments. Shows EtherNet/IP CIP traffic flows, managed switch configurations, ring redundancy (DLR/MRP), and Purdue model zone boundaries. Highlights protocol storms and latency bottlenecks.
Step through PLC scan cycles with live I/O state changes, rung evaluation, and output coil resolution.
Send Modbus RTU/TCP read and write commands to a virtual device and view register maps in real time.
Model round-trip latency for Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET across switch hops and WAN links.
Heat load (W) from PLC, VFD, and transformer losses inside a NEMA enclosure. Determines cooling requirement.
Required DC supply current from I/O module draw, field devices, and communication cards. Applies 25% safety margin.
Loop current, voltage drop, maximum loop resistance, and transmitter span/zero calibration.
Convert Modbus register addresses between decimal, hex, and device-specific offset formats for RTU and TCP.
Maximum cable length, termination resistance, and node count for Modbus RTU RS-485 segments.
Output cable sizing for VFDs including derating for carrier frequency, cable length, and EMC shielding requirements.
kVA rating for control circuit transformer from PLC, relay coil, and solenoid inrush loads.
Simplified SIL risk graph per IEC 61511. Maps consequence severity, occupancy, and demand rate to SIL target.
Industrial automation and SCADA competence is shown through ISA certifications, the PE Control Systems license, and OT-cybersecurity credentials. This overview maps the technician and professional credentials and the engineering path.
ISA CCST prep (Levels I–III): calibration, loop checking, instrumentation, control systems and troubleshooting.
ISA CAP prep: the automation project lifecycle — design, PLC/DCS/HMI, networks, control strategies and safety.
PE Control Systems prep: measurement, control theory, final control elements, PLC/DCS and safety systems (SIS).
ISA/IEC 62443 prep: securing ICS/SCADA and OT networks — architecture, risk and secure design.
Interactive 13-section SCADA/ICS reference covering Purdue model, PLC ladder logic, RTU field devices, Modbus/DNP3 protocols, HMI design principles, alarm management (ISA-18.2), IEC 62443 cybersecurity, and commissioning.