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PLC Stack Light Logic

Mar 1, 2026
Most beginners overcomplicate stack lights in PLC programs. They’ll fight with timers, mix up which color means what, and end up with a panel where nobody on the floor is quite sure if a machine is actually running or not. For a light that’s supposed to make things clear… that’s a problem. In my latest YouTube video I walk through a simple example: - Machine 1 runs for 10 seconds (red light ON while running) - Machine 2 runs for 20 seconds (red light ON while running) - Green only comes on when the machine is fully stopped No fancy tricks. Just basic timers and outputs in ladder logic that a new technician can read without guessing. Personally, I care a lot more about “can the night shift understand this at 3am?” than “is this the most clever rung I could write?”. If you’re new to PLCs, or you’re teaching apprentices, this kind of clear status indication matters way more than showing off with complex logic. I also show how to structure the code so you don’t confuse machine status with fault conditions later.

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