One of the main weaknesses in the Laboratory of Distributed Control Systems at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow was students’ knowledge about connecting peripheral devices to industrial computers known also as PLCs. After participating in PLC laboratory course students were able to create advanced programs, control complicated mechatronic systems but they could not assemble even simple electrical circuits. It results from the fact that they worked on ready-made laboratory stands where all the electrical connections had already been set. The paper presents the building of eight laboratory stands for learning how to connect PLC inputs and outputs as the first step before proper programming.

One of the main weaknesses in the Laboratory of Distributed Control Systems at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow was students’ knowledge about connecting peripheral devices to industrial computers known also as PLCs. After participating in PLC laboratory course students were able to create advanced programs, control complicated mechatronic systems but they could not assemble even simple electrical circuits. It results from the fact that they worked on ready-made laboratory stands where all the electrical connections had already been set. The paper presents the building of eight laboratory stands for learning how to connect PLC inputs and outputs as the first step before proper programming.