Getting Started with PLECS: A Beginner’s Guide to Power Electronics Simulation

1. Introduction to PLECS

1.1 What is PLECS, and why is it used?

PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation) is a software tool for simulating electrical circuits and power electronic systems, along with their control systems and thermal behavior. The platform efficiently models and analyzes dynamic systems across electrical, thermal, and mechanical domains—making it perfect for designing power converters, motor drives, and renewable energy systems. Through both MATLAB/Simulink integration and standalone features, PLECS helps engineers quickly prototype, test, and optimize their system designs while gaining detailed performance insights.

1.2 Installing and setting up PLECS

Use the following link to request a student license: https://plexim.com/store/students

2. Getting Started: Basics of PLECS Interface

2.1 Navigating the workspace and tools

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The library browser has multiple component categories:

  1. System: Includes simulation control blocks (time step control, initial conditions, scope, multiplexers, etc.)
  2. Assertions: Allow users to define logical conditions that must be met during simulation via setting upper/lower limits, etc.
  3. Control: Signal processing and control system blocks
  4. Electrical: Contains components (voltage/current sources, passive components, transformers, etc)
  5. Thermal: Components for thermal effect modeling
  6. Magnetic: Components for electromagnetic circuit modeling of inductors, transformers, magnetic materials, etc.
  7. Mechanical: Components for mechatronics, electromechanical systems, and vibration analysis
  8. PLECS RT Box: Has real-time simulation tools for Hardware in the Loop (HIL) simulation.
  9. STM32 Target: For integration of PLEC models with STM32-based embedded systems
  10. TI C2000 Target: Has code generation/interface tools for Texas Instruments C2000 microcontrollers. For digital control applications (motor control and power converters)

2.2 Creating a new model

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Click File > New Model or Press CTRL + N

2.3 Block setup

In PLECS, Input and Output blocks pass signals between subsystems and the main circuit. Examples include basic components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors. There are also various blocks such as voltage sources, current sources, and signal generators—like PWM blocks.

These blocks are essential for organizing complex designs. They let you create hierarchical models, keep circuits clean, and clearly define what information flows into and out of each subsystem. We will use them in each new model we work through in this module.