2018 International Conference on Data Processing, Artificial Intelligence, and Communications (DPAIC 2018)

Design and implementation of PLC escalator control system

Wang Litao
Shaanxi Polytechnic Institute, Xianyang, Shaanxi, 712000, China

Keywords: PLC; Escalator control system; Safety; Reliability

Abstract: The escalator provides great convenience for people's life. It is an indispensable means of
transportation in major shopping malls and other public places. Therefore, we also put forward
higher requirements for the safety and reliability of escalator control system. Firstly, this paper
introduces the principle and characteristics of PLC control system, and compares the advantages of
PLC escalator control system. Finally, this paper analyses the design requirements of elevator
control system, and puts forward a kind of escalator control system based on PLC. At the same time,
it describes the design scheme of hardware circuit, the specific main control system circuit and
program control flow.

1. Basic Composition of PLC

PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) is an electronic device for digital operation. It is designed
for industrial production and is the core of industrial control. It USES a kind of programmable
memory for its internal storage program, and performs some user-oriented instruction logic
operations. These logical operations include timing, counting, sequential control, and arithmetic
operations. PLC through digital or analog input, output control of various types of machinery and
production process.
PLC control system consists of four parts, including the basic single-chip microcomputer system,
photoelectric isolation switch quantity input, photoelectric isolation switch quantity output and
external expansion memory. Its composition block diagram is shown in figure 1.

Fig. 1 Basic block diagram of PLC system

2. Characteristics of PLC escalator control system

The traditional escalator adopts relay control, so compared with the relay control of the
traditional escalator, the PLC control escalator has obvious advantages.
(1) Higher reliability and stability. The reliability and stability of escalator operation depends on
the reliability and stability of control system. Because of the maturity of technology, PLC control
system uses better components and higher technology, which is more stable, safe and reliable than
relay control system. The PLC system has the function of automatic detection. It can check the
system before operation. If there is a problem, it is forbidden to start. In the process of operation,
the PLC system can also automatically check and monitor its own operation. If it detects a problem,
it will automatically cut off power and avoid burning other parts of the circuit. In addition, the PLC
system also has the function of current limiting protection. It can distribute the current and voltage
reasonably according to the circuit conditions, so as to avoid the excessive current and protect the
components.
Copyright © (2018) Francis Academic Press, UK 199 DOI: 10.25236/dpaic.2018.044
 (2) The programming operation is simple. PLC programming is flexible and easy to understand.
At present, ladder diagram programming is widely used, which is simple and easy to understand.
Formally similar to relay control, people with electrical control foundation are easier to master.
(3) Flexible control. PLC has the characteristics of system standardization and modularization,
flexible combination and flexible control. It can control either one escalator or multiple escalators at
the same time, and its operation is flexible.
(4) The communication function is powerful. It is convenient for PLC to communicate with
computers, sensors and other equipment. It can be perfectly combined with computer to
communicate and control different electrical equipment.

3. Design requirements of escalators

In addition to meeting the requirements of energy saving, escalators should also meet the
compulsory standards of relevant national equipment in order to ensure passenger safety. Only
when the escalator design is full of relevant requirements, the control system is stable and the
design is reasonable, can the escalator have higher safety and reliability, and can accidents be
avoided as far as possible. Therefore, the requirements of escalator control system design are more
stringent.
3.1 Requirements for Automatic Operation
First of all, escalators should be able to achieve automatic operation, which should meet the
following requirements:
(1) When the specified direction of escalator operation is set, the escalator is automatically
started and the machine is in standby state.
(2) When a passenger is approaching the elevator, the signal is detected by the photoelectric
sensor. The escalator accelerates slowly from standby state to the rated speed and enters the normal
operation state.
(3) In the normal speed operation, if no one rides in the prescribed time, the escalator slowly
slows down to low speed operation and enters the waiting state;
(4) In the pre-set low-speed operation process, if someone is detected approaching the escalator,
the escalator slowly accelerates to the rated speed and enters the normal operation state; if no one
takes the elevator at the prescribed time, it slows down slowly from the original low-speed to stop
and enters the standby state; thus, the cycle is completed.
3.2 Control Requirements
In terms of electrical control, the corresponding requirements should be met.
(1) When the escalator starts, it runs smoothly without shaking.
(2) When nobody rides the escalator, the escalator can enter the energy-saving (low speed or stop)
state from the original motion state.
(3) When an accident occurs, the escalator can be operated manually and forced to stop running.
(4) When the escalator is in a low-speed standby state or normal operation state, when someone
is approaching in the opposite direction, it can give an automatic alarm or prompt.
(5) When the escalator is being repaired, the escalator should be in a low-speed operation or stop
operation state, other switch control should not work, but the protection circuit should play a role.

4. Overall design of escalator control system

4.1 Hardware Circuit
4.1.1 Hardware Circuit Principle and Composition
The escalator control system is mainly composed of some other peripheral circuits on the basis
of the original power frequency control. It includes photoelectric signal detection, safety signal
detection, state operation detection circuit, frequency converter and fault indicator lamp, etc. The

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specific hardware circuit composition is shown in Figure 2.

Fig.2 Circuit block diagram

As the core of the control system, PLC receives all kinds of signals detected by infrared sensors,
processes the monitoring signals accordingly, and realizes the regulation of motor speed and the
control of various operation states through frequency converter circuit, including normal operation,
standby, stop operation, inspection and maintenance, condition display, fault judgment and record.
4.1.2 Main Circuit Design of Control System
The PLC elevator control system is based on the principle of automatic control. Its main control
circuit is shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 3 Main circuit diagram of control system

Among them, R, S and T are three-phase power supply inverter power line, three-phase power
supply servo driver power line and three-phase power supply servo spindle driver power line. K1,
K2, K3 and K4 are four contactors, of which K1 and K2 are escalator forward and reverse
contactors respectively, K3 and K4 are power connected contactors through frequency converter
and without frequency converter respectively. OCR (Over Current Relay), also known as
overcurrent relay, protects the overheated condition of the motor caused by excessive current. M is
a three-phase asynchronous motor, which drives the elevator to rotate and realizes various
movements of the elevator. PT is a power detection and protection driver. It mainly supplies power
to relay protection devices. It protects valuable equipment and motors in the system when the circuit
breaks down.
When the escalator is moving up or down, turn on K1 and K2. When the elevator starts, the
speed increases slowly, and the frequency converter needs to be connected. At this time, the elevator
is in the state of variable speed operation, and the contactor K1K3 or K2K3 is connected. The
frequency converter increases the motor torque, which increases the motor speed and the elevator
speed. When the elevator speed reaches the normal operation speed, the frequency converter
disconnects and stops working. The contactor K4 is connected, while the system is connected to
K1K4 or K2K4. The function of frequency converter is to increase the motor torque when starting,
stopping or pointing. When the elevator reaches normal speed, it does not need a large torque.
Therefore, the frequency converter is disconnected at this time to reduce energy loss and achieve
the purpose of energy saving and environmental protection.

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4.2 Program Control Flow Design
Various states of the motor, such as normal operation, standby, inspection and maintenance, fault
alarm, etc., are judged by various signals collected by sensors. Then through the internal processing
of PLC, the operation of external frequency converter and motor is controlled by instructions. The
flow chart of PLC program control is shown in Figure 4.
Before the PLC control program runs, it initializes and reads the running state of the escalator
into the system through signal acquisition. The system confirms the running mode of the elevator
and carries out safety detection. If a fault occurs, the escalator stops running and shows the fault; if
no fault is detected, the escalator runs normally and shows the running state.

Figure 4 Program Control Flow Chart

5. Conclusion
The escalator plays an important role in people's life. With the development of the times, the
elevator control system has become more sensitive and convenient. Compared with relay control,
PLC control system has many advantages; we can realize the variable speed movement of elevator
by adding frequency converter in the circuit, and achieve the goal of energy saving and
environmental protection. In short, with the development and combination of PLC technology,
computer technology and sensor technology, escalator operation will become more intelligent, and
safer and more reliable.

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