Electro-Pneumatic Circuit Simulator
Drag & Drop • Dual-Domain • 51 Components • Solenoids • Relays • Sensors — Simulate • Explore • Practice • Quiz
Electro-Pneumatic Circuit Simulator — Build and Learn Industrial Control Systems Online
This free electro-pneumatic circuit simulator lets you design, build, and simulate dual-domain circuits that combine electrical control with pneumatic power — directly in your browser. With 51 drag-and-drop components spanning both domains, you can construct complete industrial automation circuits using solenoid valves, relays, timer relays, sensors, push buttons, and all standard pneumatic actuators. Watch how electrical signals flow through relay logic to energise solenoid coils, which in turn shift directional control valves and drive pneumatic cylinders. This electro-pneumatic trainer provides hands-on experience with the same circuit topologies used in real-world manufacturing, packaging, and assembly automation.
What is Electro-Pneumatic Control?
Electro-pneumatic control is the industry-standard method for operating pneumatic actuators in modern automation. Instead of using pneumatic pilot signals to shift valves (as in pure pneumatic control), electro-pneumatic systems use a 24V DC electrical control circuit to drive solenoid-actuated valves. The electrical circuit handles all the logic — push buttons initiate actions, relays implement self-holding and interlocking, timer relays provide time delays, and limit switches detect cylinder positions. The pneumatic circuit provides the power — compressed air at 4–8 bar flows through directional control valves to extend and retract cylinders. This separation of control (electrical) and power (pneumatic) offers significant advantages: faster signal transmission over long distances, easier implementation of complex sequential and safety logic, seamless integration with PLCs and industrial sensors, and standardised wiring practices per IEC 61131.
Key Components in Electro-Pneumatic Systems
The solenoid valve is the bridge between the electrical and pneumatic domains. A solenoid coil converts an electrical signal into a magnetic force that shifts the valve spool, redirecting compressed air to the desired actuator port. Single-solenoid 5/2 valves use a spring return and are the most common in simple circuits, while double-solenoid 5/2 valves remain in their last switched position (memory function). Relays are the workhorses of the control circuit — they amplify and distribute signals, implement self-holding (latching) logic, and provide multiple contacts from a single input. Timer relays add time-based control, enabling on-delay (wait before acting) and off-delay (act then wait) sequences. Limit switches and pressure switches provide feedback from the pneumatic domain back into the electrical control circuit, enabling automatic sequencing and pressure-dependent operations. Emergency stop buttons are mandatory safety devices that instantly de-energise all solenoids, causing spring-return valves to exhaust cylinders to a safe position.
Who Uses This Electro-Pneumatic Simulator?
This simulator is designed for TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) students studying mechatronics, industrial automation, and fluid power technology. Vocational instructors use it as a classroom teaching tool to demonstrate relay logic, solenoid valve operation, and safety circuit design before students work with physical equipment. Maintenance engineers use it to plan and troubleshoot electro-pneumatic circuits in production lines. Automation engineers prototype new control sequences and verify logic before commissioning. The four learning modes — Simulate (build and run circuits), Explore (study concepts and theory), Practice (solve calculation problems), and Quiz (test your knowledge) — provide a comprehensive educational pathway from understanding individual components to designing complete automated systems. With 8 pre-built template circuits ranging from basic direct solenoid control to multi-cylinder sequential operations with emergency stop, learners can progressively build their expertise in industrial electro-pneumatic circuit design.
Explore Related Simulators
If you found this electro-pneumatic circuit simulator helpful, explore our Pneumatic Circuit Simulator for pure pneumatic control circuits, Hydraulic Circuit Simulator for high-pressure fluid power systems, Ohm's Law Simulator for fundamental electrical calculations, and DC Motor Simulator for electric motor characteristics and control.