I still remember 15 years ago when I first stepped into that roaring chemical factory workshop, facing walls full of control cabinets and dense ladder diagrams, feeling completely lost. An experienced worker threw me a piece of advice: “Kid, if you want to learn PLC, first digest these few books!” At that time, I had no idea that these books would accompany me through countless late-night debugging sessions.

Today, as a seasoned veteran with over a decade of experience in the industrial control field, I want to share this precious reading list with you newcomers.

First Book: “Basic Tutorial on Programmable Logic Controllers” (by Liao Changchu)

This is my introductory book on PLCs, and it is also the first textbook for countless industrial control professionals. Teacher Liao’s book is like a patient mentor, starting from the basics of relay control and gradually guiding you into the world of PLCs.

I still remember being troubled by the “pulse and continuous action” case for an entire night until I understood the simple start-stop circuit diagram in the book, which was a moment of enlightenment.The greatest value of this book lies in its perfect connection between traditional relay control and PLC programming, helping you understand what problems PLCs are actually solving.

Target Audience: Beginners with no background, friends who want to solidify their foundation.

Second Book: “Siemens S7-1200 PLC Programming and Applications” (by Cui Jian)

If the first book is an introduction, then this one is apractical guide. Siemens’ position in the domestic industrial control market is well-known, and mastering the S7-1200, as a leading small PLC, essentially means you have conquered half the territory.

I once used a case from this book to successfully solve a control issue on a packaging production line. The chapters onstep control and analog signal processing are truly gems. Especially the programming tips and troubleshooting methods shared by the author are real experiences gained from the field.

What impressed me the most was the section oncommunication configuration; at that time, PROFINET was just starting to become popular, and this book saved me a lot of detours.

Third Book: “Mitsubishi FX Series PLC Complete Self-Study Manual” (by Han Xuetao)

Mitsubishi PLCs are also widely used in China, especially in equipment manufacturing. This book is characterized by itsrich case studies and strong practical applicability.

I remember once encountering a malfunction in an old injection molding machine control system at an electronics factory in Dongguan, which used the Mitsubishi FX series. At that time, there were no technical documents on-site, but relying on the experience learned from this book, I managed to solve the problem throughonline monitoring and program upload.

The highlight of this book is that it teaches you how to understand programs written by others, which is crucial in actual work. After all, most projects you take over are done by someone else.

Fourth Book: “PLC Programming Algorithms and Techniques” (by Liao Changchu)

Once you have a foundation and start dealing with complex projects, you will realize the importance ofalgorithms. This book is a must-read for advancement.

The book introducesstate machine programming concepts and modular design methods, which completely overturned my early programming habits of “one-shot” coding. The program architecture I design for large automation projects now is basically based on the ideas from this book.

Especially the chapters oninterrupt handling and data structures helped me understand what is meant by “engineer thinking”.A good program should not only run but also be easy to maintain and expand.

Fifth Book: “Industrial Networks and Fieldbus Technology” (by Ren Xiongwei)

This is aforward-looking book. Today’s automation systems are no longer solitary; networking and intelligence are inevitable trends.

From PROFIBUS to PROFINET, from EtherCAT to OPC UA, this book clearly explains the ins and outs of industrial communication. The knowledge from this book is frequently used in the Industry 4.0 projects I am currently working on.

The most valuable part is the author’s comparative analysis of various bus protocols, which helps you make informed choices during selection.

Final Thoughts

These five books cover a complete learning path frombeginner to expert. But remember, books are just tools; the real skills must be practiced on-site.

I have seen too many friends who bury themselves in books but are afraid to take action, and I have also seen experienced workers who rely solely on experience without wanting to learn theory.Balancing theory and practice is the key.

One more thing I want to tell beginners:Don’t rush for speed; your foundation must be solid. I still occasionally revisit the first book, and each time I gain new insights.

Finally, if you have the opportunity, make sure to observe and learn on-site. After all, the best teachers are the machines that are currently running. They will teach you what it means to have an engineer’s responsibility and commitment.