Protolab Circuit & Test PC Simulator

by Protolab

Product Features

• Simulate a circuit BEFORE building it!
• Simple computer interface and operation!
• Loads of sample circuits to simulate!
• Great learning tool for engineers!
• Professional CAD features at a hobbyist price!

Product Details

• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• ASIN: B000LVCJBQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,006 in Industrial & Scientific (See Top 100 in Industrial & Scientific)

Product Description

Easy to use PC interface. Easily create AC & DC circuits moments after installation with ProtoLab?s easy "click and drag? component placement and on-line help. You choose from a complete list of active and passive components, all of which are included. Once built, you can test and analyze your circuit with five virtual instruments also included. ProtoLab 4.0 is designed to work as a simulated prototyping lab. Insert components on a grid, similar to a breadboard, then test the circuit using the appropriate test instrument from the tool bar. ProtoLab?s prototyping grid area is extensive and can handle a vast array of active and passive components. Protolab?s predesigned circuit library includes: MOSFET & transistor amplifiers, bridges, sinewave oscillators, squarewave oscillators, phase shift oscillators, current mirrors, integrators, differentiators, transistor & MOSFET monostables, LC oscillators, tuned collector amplifiers, LC tuned circuits, power supplies, and voltage stabilizers. Components include wires, junctions, grounds, resistors, capacitors, inductors, DC voltage sources, AC voltage sources, DC current sources, AC current sources, diodes, zener diodes, transistors, and MOSFETs. Including: Voltmeter, ammeter, wattmeter, oscilloscope, and ohmmeter. Requires PC (Not Mac!).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars It is ok, but....., May 3, 2008

By 

Newton - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Protolab Circuit & Test PC Simulator

I bought this item through Amazon.com. First thing you should know is that the advertising of the product while true, does not tell you that It is on 3.5 inch disc. In 2008, who still uses 3.5 inch discs? The soft ware works, but is at least 10 years old and really out of date. Had I known this I would have not bought it as there are newer and better design software available. So yes it does work, but wished I bought something different. I would not recommend this item.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful, April 19, 2009

By 

Philip J. Bohlken (Caldwell, Idaho) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Protolab Circuit & Test PC Simulator

This software can be very helpful when you need to calculate the value of a resistor needed to do a particular job. You could do the calculations with Ohm's law, or you can just insert values until you get the current or voltage you want in the circuit. If you are studying electronics, or puzzling out a circuit, you can use this software to build a circuit without the expense of the actual components, the time required to assemble an actual circuit, or the risk of blowing components.

Capacitors available in the program are not polarized as are electrolytics. There are inductance coils available, but no transformers, which would be helpful at times.

Recently I tried to simulate a voltage doubler circuit from the schematic of a circuit known to work, but the results in simulation did not reflect what I know works. The simulation voltages were much lower, and I do not know why.

After I bought this program on sale at Radio Shack for Windows 3.0 up through 98, I upgraded my computer to Windows 2000 and now I have an XP machine. The Protolab folks were very helpful and sent me the files for Windows 2000/XP with no hassle.

If I knew more about electronics, I might attempt things the program will not do. But, it has been a good value for me. I am still learning things about using it. If you print a circuit to paper, it prints black circuit lines and component symbols on a white background.

3.0 out of 5 stars Some warnings before buying, November 12, 2011

By 

Fantom (Capistrano Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Protolab Circuit & Test PC Simulator

First, the product arrived on a CD-ROM, not a floppy. Not a big deal, I have a USB floppy drive, for old copies of documents, etc.

Second, it cannot be installed on Window 7. The application is 16-bit, and unless you have XP or older, or have Windows XP mode within Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, you are unable to use it. The company, Global Specialties Software, on their website, also warns their product does not run on 64-bit Windows systems (7 or Vista).

I haven't spent enough time for a full review of the software, just wanted to send out this warning, so others don't hit the initial roadblock, like I did.