Controls Trainer · Online PLC training simulator

STANDARDS-INFORMED TRAINING OSHA · NEC · NFPA 79 · NFPA 70E What this covers: Standards & Compliance →

Hands-on PLC training in an online simulator.

Lock out a control panel, wire it terminal to terminal, program the PLC in a ladder editor and test the machine, right in your browser. Ten levels run from a guided motor starter to a full production cell.

Try Level 1 free Start a free pilot Watch the videos How the simulator works
Levels 1–2 are free, with no account needed to start. Create a free account to save your pass and get a certificate. Company plans unlock all ten levels and manager tools. View Plans

WHAT YOU CAN DO

What is ControlsTrainer?

ControlsTrainer is a hands-on PLC and industrial controls simulator that runs in your browser. Practice safe isolation, wiring, programming and troubleshooting on virtual machines that respond to your work.

Browser-based PLC simulator Practice lockout, wiring and machine operation. No PLC hardware or software installation needed. How the simulator works →
Ladder logic you can run Read a working program, then build your own logic and watch the machine respond. Ladder logic training →
Completion certificates Pass a level while signed in to earn a printable, verifiable record of completion. How certificates work →

SEE THE TRAINING IN ACTION

See ControlsTrainer in action.

Start with a quick introduction, or follow a real training exercise from wiring to a working pump.

Meet ControlsTrainer

0:26

A quick look at hands-on industrial controls training.

▶ Watch on YouTube

See how it works

2:27

Follow the narrated Level 1 demo, step by step.

▶ Watch on YouTube

YOUR FIRST TWO LEVELS ARE FREE

Now try it yourself.

Start with guided wiring, then put your troubleshooting skills to work. No account needed to start.

Level 1 Guided Motor Starter training panel
LEVEL 1 · FREE

Guided Motor Starter

Learn the wiring and ladder fundamentals with built-in guidance and hints.

✓ FREE — no account required

Open Level 1
Level 2 Troubleshooting industrial controls conveyor
LEVEL 2 · FREE

Troubleshooting

Diagnose a failed packaging conveyor using PLC I/O, drawings, and a virtual multimeter.

✓ FREE — no account required

Open Level 2

Training on your own? Get all ten levels for $299 a year

FOR MANUFACTURING TEAMS

Give your team a plan. See their progress.

Department Heads and team leads get the tools to organize training and see where people need support.

  • Assign the next step. Choose levels, set due dates and let automatic reminders follow up.
  • See the whole team. Review completions and overdue work in the skills matrix and progress reports.
  • Keep training records. Print reports and export CSVs to support a documented safety program.
  • Make it your workspace. Add your company logo and organize people into groups.
Start a free pilot Compare company plans

Free for 30 days. No credit card. The pilot ends automatically.

ControlsTrainer skills matrix showing assigned training, completion dates, due dates and overdue work for a sample manufacturing team.
Actual skills matrix with fictional names and sample data. View full size

LEVELS 3–10 · INDIVIDUAL & COMPANY PLANS

Keep building your skills.

Progress from automatic control to a complete production cell.

See what each level teaches
Level 3 Automatic Pump Control training panel
LEVEL 3 · FULL ACCESS

Automatic Pump Control

Wire level sensors and program automatic pump control with start, stop and timer logic.

View Plans
Level 4 VFD Conveyor Commissioning training
LEVEL 4 · FULL ACCESS

VFD Conveyor Commissioning

Enter motor data, configure drive parameters and speed control, then prove safe conveyor operation.

View Plans
Level 5 Pneumatic Pick and Place Cell training
LEVEL 5 · FULL ACCESS

Pneumatic Pick & Place Cell

Wire valves and sensors, connect pneumatic circuits and program a safe pick-and-place sequence.

View Plans
Level 6 Controls Engineer inspection conveyor design
LEVEL 6 · FULL ACCESS

Controls Engineer

Design an inspection conveyor from requirements: select hardware, assign I/O, wire the panel and write the logic.

View Plans
Level 7 Technician Challenge automation training
LEVEL 7 · FULL ACCESS

Technician Challenge

Build and program a 180° indexing turret from a work order, then prove that it operates correctly.

View Plans
Level 8 Analog Process Control 4-20 mA surge tank level loop training
LEVEL 8 · FULL ACCESS

Analog Process Control

Wire and scale a 4–20 mA level loop, configure alarms and control action, then troubleshoot a transmitter fault.

View Plans
Level 9 HMI Machine Interface operator-screen training
LEVEL 9 · FULL ACCESS

HMI Machine Interface

Build operator screens in HMI Studio, program the PLC command handshake and test the machine interface.

View Plans
Level 10 Integrated Production Cell PLC VFD pneumatics HMI safety training
LEVEL 10 · FULL ACCESS

Integrated Production Cell

Bring PLCs, drives, pneumatics, analog signals, HMI and safety together in a complete fill, cap, inspect and reject cell.

View Plans

BUILT FROM HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Created by an industrial technician.

John Clore, an industrial electrical technician and panel builder, created ControlsTrainer around the work of wiring, programming and troubleshooting machines. Independent of equipment manufacturers.

About ControlsTrainer

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Ready to train your team?

Explore all ten levels and the manager tools with a free 30-day pilot.

No credit card. Set up your company and invite your team online.

Start a free pilot Try Level 1 free first