You
can build ladder logic PLC programs and simulate them for free. This
guide will show you how to download and install the popular RSLogix Micro Starter Lite and how to use the RSLogix Emulate 500 to simulate your ladder logic PLC programs.
One of the most used ladder logic software packages for beginners are the RSLogix Micro Starter Lite from Rockwell Automation. Aside the fact that it is free to download and use, this ladder logic software is also very easy to use. I recommend using RSLogix Micro Starter Lite in my ladder logic tutorial because its the best way to start PLC programming.
The best part of the free software from Rockwell Automation is the RSLogix Emulate 500. It is a PLC simulator you can use to simulate your ladder logic directly on your computer. In that way, you don’t have to buy a PLC to get started with ladder logic programming.
Follow my guide to download and install the free version of RSLogix with the Emulator 500.
These 4 steps will guide you to download and install the software you need:
RSLogix Micro Starter Lite Download Page
The image below will show you where the download link is:
First you need to go to this website:
RSLogix Emulate 500 Download Page
On that page you first have to search for “emulate” in the Product Search field. Then you click on RSLogix Emulate 500 and select the latest version. Just follow the animation below if you’re in doubt:
After this you scroll down the page and click on the red Downloads button:
This will send you to a series of pages where you just have to click on either a button or an icon. On the first page you just have to click on the small icon:
Then on the second page you click the Download Cart:
Now, you have to choose between two options. Managed or direct download. Direct Download works almost everytime, so choose that one:
At last you will get to a page where you will see a link to download RSLogix Emulate 500:
4. Install The Software
At last it’s time to install the software on your computer. You should install the software in this order:
It might work if you install the 3 in a different order, but I will not promise that.
The installation process is fairly simple. Just open the files you’ve downloaded and start the installation. The only thing you need to specify during the installation process is the directory where you want the software to be.
Next thing you need to know is how to start and configure the simulator. Then you can start making ladder logic programs and simulate them with the RSLogix Emulate 500.
PLCdev.com has written a great small guide on how you configure the RSLogix, so you can start program and simulate ladder logic.
One of the most used ladder logic software packages for beginners are the RSLogix Micro Starter Lite from Rockwell Automation. Aside the fact that it is free to download and use, this ladder logic software is also very easy to use. I recommend using RSLogix Micro Starter Lite in my ladder logic tutorial because its the best way to start PLC programming.
The best part of the free software from Rockwell Automation is the RSLogix Emulate 500. It is a PLC simulator you can use to simulate your ladder logic directly on your computer. In that way, you don’t have to buy a PLC to get started with ladder logic programming.
Follow my guide to download and install the free version of RSLogix with the Emulator 500.
Download and Install
To use RSLogix Micro with the simulator you need to download and install 3 pieces of software from Rockwell Automation. It is important that you download and install the RSLinx Lite, which will enable you to connect to the simulator (Emulate 500).These 4 steps will guide you to download and install the software you need:
1. Download the latest version of RSLogix Micro Starter Lite
Rockwell Automation has a website where you can download the RSLogix Micro Starter Lite. Go to the website listed below and click on the download link for RSLogix Micro:RSLogix Micro Starter Lite Download Page
The image below will show you where the download link is:
Download RSLogix Micro Starter Lite for ladder logic programming.
2. Download RSLinx Lite
The next thing you have to do is to download RSLinx Lite. It is a piece of software that is used to connect to the simulator. You can find the download link on the same page as RSLogix Micro Starter Lite. Check the image below to see where the download link is placed on the page:
Download RSLogix Linx Lite.
3. Download RSLogix Emulate 500
Last thing you want to download is the simulator called RSLogix Emulate 500. It is a little more complicated to download the Emulate 500 than the two others. But all you need to do is to follow steps below:First you need to go to this website:
RSLogix Emulate 500 Download Page
On that page you first have to search for “emulate” in the Product Search field. Then you click on RSLogix Emulate 500 and select the latest version. Just follow the animation below if you’re in doubt:
Find RSLogix Emulate 500 in Download Center.
After this you scroll down the page and click on the red Downloads button:
Select RSLogix Emulate 500 to download.
This will send you to a series of pages where you just have to click on either a button or an icon. On the first page you just have to click on the small icon:
Click on the small icon to continue.
Then on the second page you click the Download Cart:
Click on Download Cart.
Now, you have to choose between two options. Managed or direct download. Direct Download works almost everytime, so choose that one:
Choose Direct Download to get RSLogix Emulate 500.
At last you will get to a page where you will see a link to download RSLogix Emulate 500:
RSLogix Emulate 500 Download Link for installation file.
4. Install The Software
At last it’s time to install the software on your computer. You should install the software in this order:
- RSLinx Lite
- RSLogix Micro Starter Lite
- RSLogic Emulate 500
It might work if you install the 3 in a different order, but I will not promise that.
The installation process is fairly simple. Just open the files you’ve downloaded and start the installation. The only thing you need to specify during the installation process is the directory where you want the software to be.
What’s Next?
When you’ve installed all 3 software packages from Rockwell Automation you are ready to use the software.Next thing you need to know is how to start and configure the simulator. Then you can start making ladder logic programs and simulate them with the RSLogix Emulate 500.
PLCdev.com has written a great small guide on how you configure the RSLogix, so you can start program and simulate ladder logic.
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