Electrical Control Diagrams

I'm new to CicuitLab and trying to use it for developing and testing electrical controls. CircuitLab is perfect for testing without blowing something up. Im using a 120/24VAC transformer, relays and switches to reverse an electric motor and can't seem to get the circuit to even start. Is CircuitLab designed to handle electrical circuits? I could omit the transformer and work with the 24VAC or 12VAC control circuit by itself if that makes a difference.

by trimanted
April 15, 2017

Hello and welcome! Can you give more information about the type of relay and the type of motor, please?

by mikerogerswsm
April 15, 2017

I responded to you earlier, but I must have posted it incorrectly because I don't see it. So it goes again. Thank you in advance for your help. My question was general and the intention was to find out if CircuitLab was only for electronics or can an electrical diagram be animated.

Here is my 'test' control circuit with the following parameters: This is for a friend's dumbwaiter (DW) which I want to rewire. I call it a 'test' because I wanted to find out the ins-and-outs of CircuitLab and this diagram is not the final version. I omitted the transformer for now and the voltage is 120VAC, but it could be 12VAC or 24VAC which is what it will be in the final version. The 'motor' is shown as two relays just for simplicity at this point. Again, this is intended to see if I'm entering the information correctly for CircuitLab. The circuit is shown with the DW in the down position. As soon as the DW begins to rise, the DnStop changes state and the UpStop becomes the holding contact until the DW reached the top. Do I need to indicate the relay coil voltage? Also, is there a way to push the up/down buttons or open a door switch during the 'RUN'? Looking at the RUN choices, which is most suitable for an electrical circuit like this?

by trimanted
April 16, 2017

Yes, I can understand your difficulties. My own approach to the task would be to assemble a physical circuit model using small buttons, micro-switches, relays and leds. This could serve as a demonstrator for your friend to see it actually working.

by mikerogerswsm
April 16, 2017

But I thought the purpose of an animated circuit was to test it without hard wiring.

by trimanted
April 16, 2017

1 Answer

Answer by mikerogerswsm

Sorry, I have only ever used circuit modelling packages to simulate electronic circuits. I think there may be other simulation suites that are better suited to the modelling of physical processes. For example: http://www.nirtec.com/

+1 vote
by mikerogerswsm
April 24, 2017

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