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Learning PLC programming is one thing. Understanding how the PLC fits together with circuit protection, motors, sensors, control panels, wiring and an HMI is another matter entirely.
That gap catches out plenty of beginners.
The Udemy course From Wire to PLC: A Bootcamp in Industrial Automation tries to connect those separate pieces. Instead of focusing only on ladder logic, it follows an automation project from basic electrical principles through panel design, PLC programming, visualization and simulation.
I believe it is a very good course for beginners who want a broad introduction to industrial automation rather than a narrow tutorial about one PLC model.
[From Wire to PLC , A Bootcamp In Industrial Automation]
What Does the Course Cover?
This is a substantial course containing 18 sections, 187 lectures and more than 17 hours of video content. The Udemy listing currently shows a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from more than 10,000 ratings, with over 45,000 enrolled students.
Topics include:
- Basic electrical principles and components
- Circuit breakers and electrical protection
- Cable sizing
- Motor control circuits
- Contactors, overloads and relays
- Variable-frequency drives
- Industrial sensors
- Electrical-panel troubleshooting
- Electrical schematics and one-line diagrams
- PLC programming
- HMI design and visualization
- Complete automation projects
That is a wide spread of material. Quite wide, actually.
The course is not likely to turn someone into an experienced automation engineer overnight, but it can show how the individual pieces belong together.
More Than Ladder Logic
Many beginner PLC courses spend several hours explaining contacts, coils and timers, then quietly stop.
This course goes further.
PLC programming is taught using Ladder Diagram, Function Block Diagram, Structured Text and Continuous Function Chart. The curriculum also includes Allen-Bradley training involving RSLogix 500, RSLogix Emulate 500 and RSLinx.
Students work through exercises involving motors, fault signals, counters, timers, custom function blocks and HMI visualization. That practical approach is useful because PLC programming makes far more sense when the code controls something recognisable.
A timer by itself is rather dull. A timer controlling a star-delta motor sequence? Now it has a purpose.
No Hardware Is Required
One of the course’s biggest advantages is that you do not need to purchase a PLC, VFD or electrical panel before starting.
According to the course description, the designs and projects are completed using simulations, and the required software can be used without purchasing additional licences.
That makes the course more accessible for students, career changers and curious technicians who are not ready to spend hundreds—or thousands—on training hardware.
Of course, simulation cannot completely replace real wiring experience. Physical terminals, loose connections and wrongly wired sensors have a special way of teaching lessons that software never quite manages.
Still, simulation is a sensible place to begin.
Who Is This Course Best For?
The course should suit:
- Electrical and electronics students
- Maintenance technicians
- Beginner automation engineers
- Mechanical engineers entering automation
- People preparing for industrial jobs
- PLC programmers who lack electrical-design experience
No previous knowledge is required, although some basic understanding of electrical circuits or programming will certainly make parts of the course easier.
Are There Any Downsides?
Because the course covers so many subjects, some sections cannot explore every topic in professional-level depth. Anyone looking specifically for advanced Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000 or another manufacturer’s ecosystem may need additional specialised training.
The Udemy listing also says the course was last updated in July 2024. Before purchasing, it is worth watching the available previews and checking whether the software demonstrations match what you currently want to learn.
Final Verdict
From Wire to PLC is a very good industrial automation course for learners who want to understand the entire journey—from electrical components and motor circuits to PLC logic and HMI visualization.
Its greatest strength is the breadth of the curriculum. You are not only learning how to write code. You are learning why the code exists, what equipment it controls and how the complete automation system fits together.
Check the current course price and availability here: