NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS

(UniMAP)

NMK10103
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

LAB 2

INTRODUCTION TO CIRCUIT SIMULATION TOOLS

PROGRAMME
NAME

GROUP

DATE
MATRIK #

MARKS:

Universiti Malaysia
NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO CIRCUIT SIMULATION TOOLS

OBJECTIVE

1. To acquaint students with the skill on simulation tools for circuit simulation
2. To familiarize students in using virtual tools to measure resistance, voltage, current
and power.
3. To make students understand how to do real connections or wiring in the simulation
tools environment based on the given schematic diagram using breadboard to easily
connect components together to build circuits.

INTRODUCTION

Electronic Simulation or Electronic circuit simulation is a mathematical characterization

of the circuit. In simpler terms, it is the mathematical model of a circuit that is built by
electronic engineers to understand its behaviour and analyse how efficiently the
components of the circuit work together. Since the circuit simulation allows engineers to
easily understand the circuit without building it, it ultimately saves them both time and
money. There are a variety of circuit simulator software and tools available on the
market. SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrates Circuit Emphasis) is a well-known
circuit simulator for example Multisim, Ltspice, Pspice etc. Simulator that resembles a
real component that can be placed on breadboard such as Tinkercard is a commendable
application for those who are new in circuit assembly. In this laboratory, a few circuit
simulation software will be introduced to familiarize the student with the circuit
simulation.

a) CircuitLab

CircuitLab provides online, in-browser tools for schematic capture and circuit simulation.
These tools allow students, hobbyists, and professional engineers to design and analyse
analog and digital systems before ever building a prototype. Online schematic capture lets
users easily share and discuss their designs, while online circuit simulation allows for
quick design iteration and accelerated learning about electronics.

Link: https://www.circuitlab.com/

Universiti Malaysia
NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Figure 1: Online Version of Circuit Lab

Component
selection Ribbon panel
Schematic

Figure 2: CircuitLab Interface

b) Tinkercard

Tinkercad is a free web app for 3D design, electronics, and coding. There are various
module can be selected in Tinkercard circuit with a real view of the components for
example the circuit simulation on the breadboard, microprocessor simulator such as
microbit and Arduino.

Link: https://www.tinkercad.com/learn/circuits

Universiti Malaysia
NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Figure 3: Tinkercard circuit module

The breadboard is a powerful prototyping tool that will let you simulate your components
on breadboard arrangement before you do it using real component.

Figure 4: Tinkercard breadboard circuit simulation

c) Multisim

Multisim is industry standard SPICE simulation and circuit design software for analog,
digital, and power electronics in education and research. Multisim integrates industry
standard SPICE simulation with an interactive schematic environment to instantly

Universiti Malaysia
NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

visualize

Universiti Malaysia
NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

and analyse electronic circuit behaviour. Multisim has an intuitive interface that helps
educators reinforce circuit theory and improve retention of theory throughout engineering
curriculum. Researchers and designers use Multisim to reduce PCB prototype iterations
and save development costs by adding powerful circuit simulation and analyses to the
design flow.

Link: https://www.multisim.com/

Figure 5: Multisim Online simulator

Figure 6: Desktop version Multisim

Universiti Malaysia
NMK10103 ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

EQUIPMENT/COMPONENT

DC power supply (1)

Resistor (1/4 W) – 2.2 kΩ, 4.7 kΩ, , 3.6kΩ,
Breadboard (1)

PROCEDURE

1. Construct the circuit as shown in the Figure 7. Set the Turn ON LED current to 1mA.

Figure 7

2. Record the values in the given Table

Parameter VR2 VR3 Value

IR1 IR2 IR3

Universiti Malaysia