Meet LTspice
Know what a circuit simulator does, get LTspice installed, and find your way around the workspace.
LTspice is a free, fast SPICE-based circuit simulator from Analog Devices. SPICE solves the equations of a circuit numerically, so you can see voltages and currents before you build anything. That saves components, time and burnt fingers.
Install
- Search for "LTspice Analog Devices" and download the installer for your system from the official Analog Devices page.
- Run the installer with the default options and open LTspice.
- Choose File > New Schematic. You will get an empty drawing sheet.
The toolbar you will use constantly
- Run (running-man icon): starts the simulation.
- Component (AND-gate icon) and Resistor, Capacitor, Inductor, Diode icons: place parts.
- Ground: every circuit needs one; LTspice cannot simulate without node 0.
- Wire (pencil icon) and Label Net: connect parts and name nodes.
- SPICE Directive (.op icon): add simulation commands as text on the sheet.
Keyboard shortcuts save huge time: R resistor, C capacitor, L inductor, D diode, G ground, S spice directive, F3 wire, F4 label net, Ctrl+R rotate, Ctrl+E mirror. Hover over a toolbar icon to see its key.