Electrical Troubleshooting MS vs PLC Simulator & Automation Lab

Totally FREE! No ads or pop-ups! How this App Works: This app has 17 different electrical problems that are randomly selected to provide a fun and challenging learning experience. It is certain to help you become more proficient in troubleshooting with a voltmeter. The motor starter is animated so that you can SEE the different contact configurations between forward and reverse. Another unique feature of this app is the ability to instantly switch back and forth between the control schematic and the real time PLC logic. There is also a "Troubleshooting Assistant" to help test the control circuit and find the problems. The app is initially in normal mode. This allows you to experience: - How a reversing starter works. - How to use the virtual voltmeter probes to measure voltages at various test points (small black squares, which turn red when the voltmeter makes contact with them) in the control circuit. - Analyze the PLC logic, when the starter is in various control modes Run (FWD & Rev), Off and Auto (FWD & REV). The HMI only has control in Auto. The selector switches work as indicated by control circuit. After the you understand how the motor starter works in the various control modes, you can check your troubleshooting skills by going to "Settings" (touch the 'More' button (at the top of the app) and then the gear icon) and selecting troubleshooting mode. Touch the "Arrow Back" icon to return to the control schematic. You will notice that the screen background has turned a light green, indicating that it is in troubleshooting mode and has a problem that needs to be found. Use the "Troubleshooting assistant" at the top, right side of the control schematic to help set the operator switches for testing. Use the voltmeter probes and PLC logic screen to identify the problem. Once you believe that you have identified the problem, touch "Problem Identified" button at the top of the app. A list of possible problems will appear. If you cannot determine the problem, at the bottom of the list, there is an item to provide the answer. If you desire to put the control system back in to normal (Non Troubleshooting Mode - No electrical problems) to learn more about how it is suppose to work, go to the settings section and unselect "Troubleshooting Mode". It is truly a great learning tool for anybody that wants to be able to fully utilize a voltmeter to troubleshoot a control circuit.

Build real industrial automation circuits — on your iPhone or iPad. PLCForge is a complete automation lab: drag components, wire them up, run the simulation and watch motors spin, contactors latch and lamps light up. Tap the PLC and program it in ladder logic, just like the real thing. REALISTIC SIMULATION • 35+ industrial components: buttons, contactors, relays, timers, counters, three-phase motors, VFD, servo drives, conveyor, pneumatic cylinder, tank, stack light, industrial oven and more • Realistic power chain: motors need all three phases, contactor coils need A1+A2, DC polarity matters, and a short circuit trips the fuse, breaker or thermal relay • Fault injection: create shorts and open circuits on purpose and learn to diagnose like a professional LADDER PROGRAMMING • Full ladder editor inside the PLC: NO/NC contacts, coils, SET/RESET, TON/TOF timers, CTU/CTD counters, comparison, MOV and more • Real I/O: wire buttons and sensors to the inputs, drive contactors and motors from the outputs LEARN FROM SCRATCH • Training Center with 16 interactive lessons — from your first control circuit to servo motion control • Guided 24-step course: from the seal-in circuit all the way to ladder logic • 16 challenges of rising difficulty + 14 real-world problems • Built-in reference guide for every component, with every terminal explained SHARE YOUR WORK • Export and import projects (.plcforge) and share them with classmates • Export your panel as PNG or PDF Perfect for electrical and automation students, technicians, electricians and hobbyists. No hardware needed — learn PLC hands-on, anywhere. Works fully offline. The core components and lessons are free; a single one-time purchase unlocks everything.