Automation System Professional Course

The Automation System Professional (ASP) program is designed for learners who want a strong, practical understanding of industrial automation systems used across modern facilities in the UAE. The course focuses on building real technical capability—how automation hardware works, how systems communicate, and how control logic is designed, tested, and maintained.

This program supports the growing need for skilled automation professionals in Abu Dhabi’s industrial, manufacturing, and infrastructure sectors. The learning approach blends structured theory with guided hands-on labs, ensuring the concepts are both clear and applicable in real working environments.

Course Purpose

The ASP course helps learners understand the structure of automation systems:

• How PLCs, HMIs, sensors, actuators, and networks interact
• How control logic is created and optimized
• How automated processes are monitored, modified, and maintained
• How different technologies integrate to achieve safe, reliable operations
• The learning path is designed around real scenarios commonly found in UAE industries, enabling participants to confidently work with modern automation platforms.

The program builds a complete understanding of automation systems, covering:

• PLC architecture and programming
• HMI and SCADA configuration
• Industrial communication protocols
• VFD setup and operation
• Industrial wiring and panel fundamentals
• PAC systems for advanced control
• IIoT basics for data acquisition and cloud connectivity
• Learners work on actual hardware and software tools to understand how each component behaves in an operational system.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn to:

• Understand automation technologies and their practical applications
• Identify the right automation method for a given industrial requirement
• Solve operational challenges using PLCs, HMIs, and related tools
• Interpret system behaviors and adjust logic, wiring, or configurations accordingly

Course Outcomes

After completing this program, learners will be able to:

• Identify and work with PLC, HMI, PAC, and VFD hardware
• Configure and program major PLC brands as per application needs
• Read, interpret, and modify ladder logic
• Create and configure HMI / SCADA screens and link them to PLC tags
• Set up VFDs for speed control, protection functions, and motor applications
• Use communication protocols such as MODBUS 485, MODBUS TCP, PROFIBUS
• Diagnose communication errors and I/O issues
• Perform PLC-based control panel wiring and testing
• Retrieve data from PLCs and send it to cloud platforms using IIoT concepts

Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s or Diploma qualification in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, mechanical, mechatronics, robotics, or related fields
• Minimum two years of technical experience
• Basic understanding of industrial systems

Course Outline

The Automation System Professional (ASP) program is a structured, practice-oriented learning pathway designed for individuals who want to build strong, job-ready capability in industrial automation. The course focuses on how real automation systems are designed, programmed, interconnected, and maintained within modern industrial facilities across the UAE.

Introduction to Automation Systems

• History of PLC technology
• Control methods and their evolution
• Relay logic and its practical applications
• Electrical diagrams using NO/NC switches
• Relay gate implementation
• PLC fundamentals and applications
• Advantages of PLCs over relay logic
• PLC programming languages
• Overview of SCADA and DCS systems

Allen Bradley PLC

• MicroLogix 1400 hardware overview
• Software packages and versions
• Input/Output addressing and memory structure
• BOOTP DHCP configuration
• RSLinx Classic driver setup
• Using RSEmulate for simulation
• Controller and program tags
• Interlocks for motor control
• Timers (TON, TOF, RTO) and counters (CTU, CTD)
• Latch/Unlatch, OSR, RTO RES
• Uploading, downloading, and online editing
• Math, compare, move, and limit functions
• Analog I/O configuration

Siemens S7-1200 PLC

• S7 series hardware overview
• TIA Portal introduction
• Controller properties and communication setup
• Memory mapping and I/O addressing
• Tag-based programming
• Basic instructions
• Online editing
• Timers (TON, TOF, TP, TONR)
• Counters (CTU, CTD, CTUD)
• Compare, move, and limit functions
• RTC and remaining instruction sets
• Analog I/O configuration

SCADA – InTouch

• SCADA concepts and applications
• Creating new projects
• Basic drawing tools and styling
• Wizards, animations, and graphical behavior
• Tag linking and scripting
• Real-time and historical trends
• Condition/Key scripts
• PLC–SCADA interfacing
• Binary output interfacing
• Practical exercises

Programmable Automation Controller (PAC) – Allen Bradley

• ControlLogix controller overview
• RSLogix 5000 vs Studio 5000
• Addressing and memory allocation
• Bit logic, timers, counters
• Compare and math instructions
• Arrays and user-defined data types
• Industry-based practice questions

Siemens HMI Development

• Selecting HMI model
• TIA Portal HMI setup
• Communication and PROFINET configuration
• Creating screens and navigation
• Digital/analog tag setup
• Alarms, trends, and user security
• Graphical elements and visualization

Variable Frequency Drives (VFD – Danfoss)

• Local, 2-wire, and 3-wire control
• Programming parameters
• Analog input configuration
• Preset frequencies and relay operations
• Digital input functions
• Jog control
• Advanced functions such as skip frequency
• Over-frequency stopping
• Practical tasks

Electrical Control Panel Wiring

• Relay logic in small applications
• Relay-based logic gates
• DOL starters and interlocking
• Contactors and applications
• Timer operations
• Star-delta motor wiring
• Alarm system wiring
• PLC wiring fundamentals

Industrial Communication Networks

• PROFIBUS
• MODBUS 485
• MODBUS TCP

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) – Basics

• IIoT introduction
• Acquiring data from PLC
• Sending data to cloud systems

Methodology

Training is delivered through batch-based sessions and one-to-one guided practice, depending on learner needs. The approach emphasizes:

• Step-by-step demonstrations
• Hands-on lab exercises
• Real hardware interaction
• Scenario-based problem solving
• Progressive skill development