Which instruction would you use to add a delay in an output action using ControlLogix?

The Timer On Delay (TON) instruction is specifically designed for adding a delay in output actions within the ControlLogix environment. When using a TON instruction, you can specify a time duration during which the output remains off. Once the specified time elapses, the output is triggered to the on state.

In practical applications, the TON instruction is vital for controlling processes where actions should not occur immediately but after a predetermined delay. For instance, if you need to ensure that a motor does not turn on immediately after a start command is issued, you might implement a TON timer that introduces a delay before energizing the motor output.

This timer not only helps in managing delays but also gives flexibility in programming where timing and sequence of operations are critical. In contrast, other instructions provided, such as Retentive Timer On (RTO) and Counter Up (CTU), serve different purposes related to tracking durations or counting events rather than implementing simple output delays. The RET instruction does not relate to timing or output actions.