Here’s a post written for a blog, LinkedIn, or engineering forum discussing the book Programmable Logic Controllers: Principles and Applications by John W. Webb.
On , it holds a solid rating, with many praising its clarity: “I honestly believe that someone with little or no background to PLC systems could take this book and teach themselves PLCs”. One reviewer noted that the content is “well structured” and provides a “good introduction to PLCs, including some chapters on electromechanical devices and basic digital electronic information”. Another simply called it “the best book on Programmable Logic Controllers”.
"Programmable Logic Controllers: Principles and Applications" by John W. Webb and Ronald A. Reis is a foundational text detailing the architecture, programming, and industrial applications of PLCs. The resource covers essential concepts like input/output systems, ladder logic, scan cycles, and safety, making it a definitive guide for automation engineers. Share public link Here’s a post written for a blog, LinkedIn,
Webb passed away on October 4, 2017, at the age of 76 in Antioch, Illinois. He had served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years before pursuing a career in technical education. His legacy lives on through this textbook, which remains a cornerstone of PLC instruction.
of the 4th edition include expanded coverage of jump functions, stacking functions, newer methods of PID programming, human-machine interfacing (HMI), and the most recent developments in control languages for PLCs. One reviewer noted that the content is “well
Programmable Logic Controllers: Principles and Applications by John W. Webb is a seminal text in the field of industrial electronics. It successfully demystifies the PLC by drawing parallels to relay logic—a technology most technicians already understand—before introducing the advanced capabilities of digital processors
"Programmable Logic Controllers: Principles and Applications" by John W. Webb and Ronald A. Reis is a foundational text in industrial automation, bridging the gap between traditional relay logic and modern digital control systems. The book emphasizes practical application through ladder logic programming, hardware components, and Troubleshooting techniques for industrial environments. For more details, visit Internet Archive Webb and Ronald A
And if you eventually hold that PDF (or a physical copy) in your hands, take a moment to appreciate the decades of teaching experience and technical insight that went into its pages. John W. Webb may have passed away in 2017, but his contribution to industrial automation education continues to guide new generations of engineers.
This comprehensive, 27-chapter structure (with some variation by edition) ensures that by the end of the book, a reader is not just familiar with PLC theory, but is equipped with the practical knowledge to design, program, and troubleshoot a real-world industrial control system.
Here is an in-depth feature on the principles, structure, and lasting value of this PDF-documented classic.
John W. Webb was an educator and technical writer who spent much of his career at , where he taught courses on industrial electronics and PLCs. According to his biography in the fifth edition, he was “of North Central Technical College” and brought decades of hands‑on teaching experience to the writing. Although information about his early career is limited, his co‑author, Ronald A. Reis, is known for having written biographies of figures such as Eugenie Clarke, Jonas Salk, and Ted Williams, as well as books on the Dust Bowl and the Empire State Building.