Which term refers to the initial state of outputs in a PLC?

The term that refers to the initial state of outputs in a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) is the "Startup state." In this context, the startup state indicates the condition of the outputs immediately after the PLC is powered on or reset, before the control program begins execution. At this point, the outputs can be configured to either remain off or may take on predefined values, which are determined by the initial configuration settings of the PLC.

Understanding the startup state is crucial for programming PLCs because it affects how the system behaves when it first energizes. Proper management of this state ensures that machinery and processes start safely and predictably, avoiding any unintended actions that could occur due to uninitialized outputs.

The other terms listed do not accurately represent the concept of the initial state of outputs. "Input state" refers to the condition of input signals at a given moment, "Execution state" describes the phase when the PLC is actively executing its programmed instructions, and "Reset state" specifically pertains to the condition following a manual or automatic reset, which may not necessarily be the initial state at startup.