Best PLC Programming Book: Top 10 Reads of 2023
Note: Updated For 2023
You can learn a lot about PLC programming from books. Everything from ladder logic and structured text, to how to use specific PLC platforms like the Siemens S7-1200.
In this collection below you will find all the best PLC programming books. Some of them are free to download as pdf and some are sold as books or e-books.
The reason I made this collection is because there are many different PLC programming books out there. And not all of them are equally good. You don’t want to waste time or money on a book that is not good.
Online you will find many different types of PLC programming books. Most of them are about PLC programming in general. You can for example learn a lot about how a PLC works and a lot about the PLC programming languages. Especially ladder logic, which is probably the best language for beginners to start with.
Compared to some online PLC training courses, books are a cheap way to learn. A PLC training course can cost hundreds of dollars, whereas most books are for sale for anything between $5 and $40.
Besides that, many PLC programming books are written by experts who have decades of experience with PLC programming and automation. Experts who have been building many automation solutions with specific PLC platforms.
For now, you will find many more books than online courses about PLC programming.
This is my collection of the best PLC programming books. If you have some recommendations for good books that are not in this collection, please leave a comment below or contact me.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Best PLC Programming Books
| Preview | Product | Key Features | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Best For Beginners
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Introduction to PLCs |
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Check Price |
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For PLC Technicians
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Technician's Guide to Programmable Controllers |
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Check Price |
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For Allen Bradley PLCs
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PLC Programming Using RSLogix 5000: Understanding Ladder Logic and the Studio 5000 Platform |
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Check Price |
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For Structured Text Programming
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PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST), V3: IEC 61131-3 and best practice ST programming |
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Check Price |
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For Siemens PLCs
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Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Tutorial, Siemens Simatic S7-1200 |
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Check Price |
Best Book for PLC Technicians
- Programmable, Controllers, Technician, Guid
- Borden, Terry (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 416 Pages - 01/27/2012 (Publication Date) - Cengage Learning (Publisher)
If you’re a technician who works with PLCs a lot (or are a budding technician who will be working with PLCs a lot), I would highly recommend the Technician’s Guide to Programmable Controllers. This is a great read to level-up your understanding of PLCs.
I would also recommend this book for people who are advanced in PLC programming, as the book is extremely comprehensive. It covers both the software and hardware side of PLCs.
Best PLC Programming Book for Beginners
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hooper, Jay (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 120 Pages - 09/01/2006 (Publication Date) - Carolina Academic Press (Publisher)
Introduction to PLCs is our top pick for beginners who are brand new to PLC programming.
Having said that, if you know you’ll only be using Allen Bradley PLCs or Siemens PLCs, then one of the options below will be a better fit for you. These books are still tailored to beginners (i.e. not advanced users).
Best Allen Bradley PLC Programming Book
- Clark, Nathan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 179 Pages - 02/16/2020 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
This is best for Allen Bradley PLCs running RSLogix 5000. The eBook is very cheap and affordable.
If you’re instead using an Allen Bradley PLC running RS RSLogix 500, the book below is best for RS RSLogix 500.
- Clark, Nathan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 155 Pages - 10/23/2018 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Best Siemens PLC Programming Book
- Tubbs, Stephen Philip (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 178 Pages - 06/20/2016 (Publication Date) - Stephen P. Tubbs (Publisher)
Best Structured Text Programming Book
- Antonsen, Tom Mejer (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 210 Pages - 06/30/2020 (Publication Date) - Books on Demand (Publisher)
PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST) is hands down the best book to learn about structured text programming.
This only comes as a physical copy, not an eBook. If you would prefer a structured text programming eBook, you might prefer the eBook below.
Best Structured Text Programming eBook
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Green, Curtis (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 156 Pages - 01/22/2018 (Publication Date)
The Programmable Logic Controller a Guide to Learning Structured Text Programming Quickly & Easily is a good eBook on structured text programming. Get this if you prefer this eBook over the physical copy.
(At the time of writing, PLC Controls with Structured Text (ST) is not available as an eBook)
Free PLC Training Books
Although though there are a few books and manuals out there as free pdf downloads, they are not very good. That said sometimes you just don’t have the money and need a way to learn from free pdf downloads.
As a free alternative to the books mentioned above, I would recommend checking out this ladder logic tutorial. If you’re instead looking to learn about structured text programming, functional block diagrams or SCADA, here are some free guides on structured text programming, functional block diagrams (FBD), and SCADA systems.
