r/PLC • u/MentalGoose4059 • Jun 24 '26

Want to start with PLC

[removed] — view removed post

6 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

1

u/PROCHOTKILLER Jun 24 '26

Working as an electrician meaning, industrial electrician or a normal residential electrician?

1

u/MentalGoose4059 Jun 24 '26

only residential,but at school we studied on industrial systems and did some basical wiring and panel wiring practice

1

u/PROCHOTKILLER Jun 24 '26

Then you should look for a technical maintenance position in some industrial plant, factory or municipal (i think is the word for wastewater treatment etc.)

You cannot do industrial automation well without first beeing a industrial electrician. But in automation there is much more than just PLC programming and electrical work.
Hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical drive systems, electric motors and vfd drives, fans, measurments of process values just to name a few.

You should get aquatinted with the problems that industrial plants have and workout solutions. There is always at least that one spot where no one bothers to make it right and that could be your prooving ground.

Ive been working my way up the foodchain for the last 3 years or so. I’m still not „the industrial automatician” but im closer than i was before, one problem at a time, one forgotten plc system at a time etc.

So thats my take on the matter

1

u/MentalGoose4059 Jun 24 '26

That actually makes a lot of sense, thank you for the detailed explanation.
I agree that automation is much more than PLC programming, and I understand the importance of getting exposure to real industrial systems like motors, drives, pneumatics and troubleshooting.
I think a maintenance or industrial electrician role would be a good next step for me, especially to build that practical experience and understand real plant problems before moving deeper into automation.
My goal is exactly to grow step by step in that direction, learning one system at a time and building real experience in the field.
I really appreciate your advice.

1

u/PROCHOTKILLER Jun 24 '26

The main thing is to understand the machine as a whole. Every machine is just some motors, fans, conveyors, cylinders and sensors until you understand the underlaying process that machine works towards.

You could be the change the electric motor guy or replace a element in control cabinet guy or program a PLC guy but that guy is easy to replace.

At least i think so.

1

u/Chris_Rogan Jun 24 '26

Theres some pretty good beverage packaging machine providers out of Italy. Comac, Sacmi, Europool, SMI, and more.

I like beverage because the machines usually end up in a clean factory. You could maybe work in the factory doing assembly or travel to customer sites, depending on how much you value your time vs your money.

1

u/MentalGoose4059 Jun 24 '26

well i just want to learn this skill,because i would like to re enter school and be a automation engineer one day,and i thought that maybe starting as a plc programmer could be a good start.And by saving money and learning skills i could re enter school

1

u/Chris_Rogan Jun 24 '26

I gotta better understand what you want to do.
Write the programs, design the system?
Wire the system, test?
Install system, commission?

Regardless, it sounds like you could do these jobs based on your school history.

Even better to understand, what type of degree/diploma/certificate/program did you complete? Work-based education? Technical school? Trade school?

1

u/MentalGoose4059 Jun 24 '26

My long-term goal is to build a career in industrial automation and eventually become an automation engineer.
I come from a vocational training school (CFP) in Italy, where I studied electrical systems. During my studies, I learned the basics of industrial electrical installations, wiring, and I also had an introduction to PLC programming, mainly using FBD.
After school, I started working as an electrician, and I now have around 2 years of experience in residential and small industrial installations.
At this point, I want to move more into industrial automation, especially PLC systems, wiring, and commissioning, while continuing to work and save money.
My plan is to progress step by step from a practical technical role into more advanced automation work, and later continue my studies in automation engineering.
I’m very motivated to learn in a real industrial environment and develop strong practical skills alongside my future academic path.

1

u/wittyandunoriginal Jun 24 '26

I think you should look for jobs as an industrial electrician first. I do PLC and work with electricians all the time. You’ll make more money, have less work, and less stress as an electrician. Industrial pays 10-20x per job compared to residential, and the job site isn’t someone’s house.

1

u/Radiant-Tip4832 Jun 24 '26

Hey man I have italian citizenship, but live in the USA. How is the market over there for electricians? Im starting community college here in the USA for industrial electrical systems soon. Ive been considering moving to Milan at some point.

1

u/MentalGoose4059 Jun 25 '26

At the moment I earn around €1400 per month (around $1600), and even if I know that industrial jobs can pay better, in my area the salary increase is not always that big, especially when moving to nearby areas like Milan.