OpenPLC v4 Tour – Irrigation Controller Part 2: Multi-Language Programming in Industrial Automation

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In the second part of Thiago Alves’ video series on OpenPLC Editor v4, he explores the logic inside function blocks for an Irrigation Controller project. The demonstration covers Ladder Diagram (LD), Instruction List (IL), and Structured Text (ST), showcasing OpenPLC v4’s multi-language support for industrial automation.

🔗 Watch the full video here: OpenPLC v4 Tour – Irrigation Controller Part 2
🔗 Download OpenPLC v4: Latest Release

You Should Know:

1. Setting Up OpenPLC v4 on Linux

To install OpenPLC v4 on a Linux system, run the following commands: 

sudo apt update 
sudo apt install git build-essential pkg-config automake libtool 
git clone https://github.com/thiagoralves/OpenPLC_v4.git 
cd OpenPLC_v4 
./install.sh
  1. Writing Structured Text (ST) for PLC Logic
    Here’s a basic ST script for a water pump control system: 

    PROGRAM Irrigation_Controller 
VAR 
SoilMoisture : INT; 
PumpStatus : BOOL; 
END_VAR </li>
</ol>

IF SoilMoisture < 30 THEN 
PumpStatus := TRUE; 
ELSE 
PumpStatus := FALSE; 
END_IF
    1. Ladder Diagram (LD) Logic for Motor Control
      A simple LD rung for motor activation based on sensor input:
      [/bash]

    |[ ]–[Sensor_Input]( )–

    |</h2>

[bash]

<ol>
<li>Instruction List (IL) Example 
IL is a low-level PLC language. Example for a NOT logic gate: 
[bash]
LD %I0.0 
NOT 
ST %Q0.0

5. Simulating PLC Logic

Use OpenPLC’s built-in simulator:

./start_openplc.sh --simulate

6. Debugging with Modbus TCP

Monitor PLC registers using `mbpoll`:

mbpoll -a 1 -t 4 -r 1 -c 10 192.168.1.100

What Undercode Say:

OpenPLC v4 is a powerful tool for industrial automation, supporting multiple programming languages. Here are additional Linux/Windows commands for PLC and OT security:

  • Scan for open PLC ports: 
    nmap -p 502,20000-21000 192.168.1.0/24

  • Dump PLC registers (Modbus): 

    python3 -m pip install pymodbus 
python3 -c "from pymodbus.client import ModbusTcpClient; client = ModbusTcpClient('192.168.1.100'); print(client.read_holding_registers(0,10))"

  • Windows PLC exploit check (Metasploit): 

    msfconsole 
use auxiliary/scanner/scada/modbusdetect 
set RHOSTS 192.168.1.100 
run

  • Capture PLC traffic (Wireshark): 

    sudo wireshark -k -i eth0 -Y "modbus || s7comm"

  • Secure PLC with firewall rules (Linux): 

    sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 502 proto tcp

Industrial automation systems are critical infrastructure. Always test in a lab before deployment.

Prediction:

As OpenPLC v4 gains adoption, we’ll see more AI-driven PLC optimizations and ICS/OT security integrations in the next 2 years.

Expected Output:

A detailed guide on OpenPLC v4’s multi-language programming with practical commands for automation engineers.

References:

Reported By: Thiago Alves – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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