🔍 Key Concepts
• Look at how the PLC, sensors, and actuators are arranged along the main communication path in illustration B.
• Recall the characteristics of a bus network, ring network, star network, and point‑to‑point wiring in basic computer networking.
• Focus on whether there is a single central device, a closed loop, a single shared cable, or just a direct link between two devices.
💭 Think About
• Does illustration B show one long main cable with several devices tapped into it, a central hub with spokes, a closed circular path, or simply a single connection between two devices?
• Which of the four listed topologies is defined by all devices sharing the same main communication line, rather than going through a hub or forming a loop?
• If one device on that main line failed or the cable broke in the middle, how would that typically affect communication in that type of topology?
✅ Before You Answer
• Verify whether there is a central hub or switch in drawing B (this would suggest one particular topology).
• Check if the line in B forms a closed loop back to the PLC or simply ends at both sides.
• Confirm if all devices appear to be connected along one common backbone cable, instead of each having its own dedicated run back to a central point.