PROFINET Communication Protocol and Automation Integration

This course outlines the fundamentals of the PROFINET communication protocol.

Overview

Duration

2 Full Days

Classroom Based

Day 1: 9am-4.15pm

Day 2: 9am-4.15pm

Location

CELTEC

Unit 12A

M4 Business Park

Celbridge, Co. Kildare

W23 HCK2

Google Maps Link

Prior Knowledge

Experience in related industrial sectors would be beneficial for the learner. Learners on this programme will should wish to reactivate their career to upskill and reskill from non-related disciplines as well as upskilling those already in employment in related industrial sectors. There is an expectation that candidates will have obtained a minimum of Junior Certificate Level (NFQ Level 3)

Certification

KWETB Certificate of Completion.

Cost

This course is fully funded to those currently in employment under the Skills To Advance initiative.

Skills to Advance Initiative

This course is only available to those currently in employment and fully funded under the Skills to Advance initiative.

Skills to Advance is a national initiative that provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities to employees in jobs undergoing change and to those currently employed in vulnerable sectors. Skills to Advance aims to equip employees with the skills they need to progress in their current role or to adapt to the changing job market. Working closely with small and medium-sized enterprises, Skills to Advance helps employers identify skills needs and invest in their workforce by providing subsidised education and training to staff.

Save Your Spot

November 2025

6 - 7 November 2025

CELTEC, Celbridge

Course Aim

The PROFINET communication protocol is a leading industrial Ethernet-based standard widely adopted in industrial automation, enabling high-speed, real-time data exchange between programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), Remote IO, sensors, as well as PLC-to-PLC communications. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of PROFINET, focusing on its architecture, configuration, and integration with PLC-based systems. Participants will gain hands-on experience in setting up, troubleshooting, and optimizing PROFINET networks for industrial applications.

This course is designed to be highly practical, with 10% theory and 90% hands-on exercises, delivered over 2 days. Participants will work with real-world scenarios to ensure they can apply their knowledge effectively in their workplace.

Areas Covered Include:

Introduction to PROFINET: Overview of the protocol, architecture, and its role in industrial automation
PROFINET Devices and Network Components: Understanding communication, field devices, and network topology
Setting Up PROFINET Networks: Configuring and commissioning PROFINET systems, including addressing and GSD files
Integration with PLCs: Interfacing PROFINET devices with PLCs for real-time data exchange and control
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: Identifying and resolving common issues such as signal integrity, addressing errors, and communication failures
Practical Exercises: Hands-on activities in configuring, monitoring, and optimizing PROFINET networks
Advanced Configuration: Techniques for optimizing network performance and reliability.
Fault Simulation and Resolution: Simulating real-world faults and implementing strategies to resolve them

Learning Outcomes

Learn how to

Develop a core competency in the PROFINET protocol, understanding how it operates and how to deploy it
Gain hands-on experience with the practical configuration of PROFINET communication between PLCs & field devices, PLC-to-HMI, and PLC-to-PLC
Learn how to troubleshoot PROFINET communication and resolve common issues related to data transfer, addressing, and configuration errors
Understand how to optimize PROFINET data exchange in automation systems for better performance and reliability
Learn how to develop and modify PROFINET related programs for various industrial applications

Understand how

The PROFINET protocol facilitates communication between field devices, PLCs, and control systems
To configure PROFINET devices, assign addresses, and use function codes for effective interaction
To resolve common faults and communication errors in PROFINET systems

Know how to

Set up PROFINET communication between PLCs, field devices, and control systems
Troubleshoot and resolve common issues in PROFINET protocol communications
Implement fault reduction strategies for optimal protocol performance

CELTEC (Celbridge Engineering Lab Training and Education Centre) in Co. Kildare is a facility focused on advanced manufacturing and technical education. It offers specialised training in areas like robotics, industrial systems, additive manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 technologies.

The center emphasises hands-on learning through state-of-the-art equipment, including robotics, cobotics, and virtual reality systems, and fosters expertise in areas like precision engineering and pharmaceutical processes.

The facility includes modern classrooms equipped with multimedia learning tools and advanced laboratories for engineering and industrial training. CELTEC is part of the Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board's initiatives and provides traineeships and skill development programs tailored for employment in technical and manufacturing roles. Courses often integrate classroom instruction with online, blended, and immersive learning technologies