A PLECS Trial License is a time-limited, fully functional software key provided by Plexim that allows users to evaluate the complete PLECS simulation environment before making a purchase decision.
It is not a "demo" in the traditional sense (which usually restricts model size or disables save features). Instead, the PLECS Trial License unlocks the full numerical engine, allowing you to build complex topologies, run transient simulations, and export data.
The PLECS trial license is the gateway to professional-grade power electronics simulation. It is a risk-free, zero-cost opportunity to test whether Plexim’s unique approach to piecewise linear simulation can accelerate your development cycle.
Whether you are a graduate student validating your thesis model or a senior engineer selecting the next tool for your R&D department, the 30-day trial offers full access to the software’s electrical, thermal, and magnetic capabilities.
Action Steps:
Don't let licensing confusion hold back your innovation. Secure your PLECS trial license today and experience the future of power electronic simulation.
Disclaimer: Features, durations, and restrictions of the PLECS trial license are subject to change by Plexim GmbH. Always refer to the official End User License Agreement (EULA) provided with your trial.
A PLECS trial license is a temporary, no-cost authorization that allows engineers and students to evaluate the full capabilities of Plexim's power electronics simulation software for a standard period of 30 days. This trial is "fully functional," meaning users can build, simulate, and save models without the restrictions found in the software's basic demo mode. Key Features and Editions
The trial license covers several versions of the software, tailored to different workflow needs:
PLECS Standalone: An independent simulation platform that does not require third-party software like MATLAB.
PLECS Blockset: An extension for MATLAB/Simulink, allowing users to embed PLECS models directly into the Simulink environment.
PLECS Combo: Provides access to both the Standalone and Blockset versions.
Optional Add-ons: Users can often include the PLECS Coder or support for PLECS Spice during their evaluation by noting these requirements in the request form. How to Request a PLECS Trial License
The activation process is hardware-locked to your specific computer and login name. Follow these steps to obtain a license: plecs trial license
Download and Install: Download the appropriate installer for your OS (Windows, Mac, or Linux) from the Plexim Trial Page .
Open License Manager: Launch the software. If no license is detected, a dialog will appear; click "Open license manager..." and then "Request license...".
Submit the Web Form: Select your desired product and click "Open web form...". This opens a pre-populated browser page with your computer's unique Host ID.
Install the License File: Once Plexim emails you the .lic file, return to the License Manager, select "Manage license files...", and click "Install..." to point to your new file. Trial vs. Demo Mode vs. Student Licenses Request a PLECS Trial License - Plexim
Getting a PLECS trial license is a straightforward process designed to let you test the software's full capabilities for 30 days. Whether you are looking at PLECS Standalone or the Blockset for MATLAB/Simulink, the trial provides a "fully functional" version with no restricted features during the evaluation period. How to Request a Trial License
Download the Software: Visit the Plexim Download Page and install the version (Standalone or Blockset) appropriate for your OS.
The PLECS Trial License: A Bridge Between Concept and Simulation
The PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation) trial license serves as a critical entry point for engineers and researchers looking to validate the software's capabilities in power electronic systems. Offered by Plexim, this license provides a risk-free, 30-day window to explore the tool's specialized simulation environment. Full Functionality for Real-World Testing
Unlike many "demo" modes that restrict essential features, a PLECS trial license is fully functional. This means users have unrestricted access to:
Saving and Loading Models: Essential for developing complex projects over time.
Add-on Products: Users can test advanced modules like the PLECS Coder, PLECS Spice, and various Target Support Packages for real-time hardware.
High-Speed Simulation: Engineers can evaluate the optimized engine of PLECS Standalone, which often outperforms traditional block-based simulators in terms of speed. Simplified Access and Installation
Plexim has streamlined the trial request process to be as autonomous as possible: A PLECS Trial License is a time-limited, fully
Software Installation: Users first download and install the PLECS package (Standalone or Blockset).
Internal Request: Upon launching the software without a file, a "License Manager" dialog appears. Users select "Request license..." to generate a pre-populated web form containing their specific Host ID.
Activation: Once the license file is emailed, it is simply installed via the same License Manager, requiring a quick restart to unlock all features. Trial Versions vs. Restricted Demo Mode
It is important to distinguish the trial license from the Demo Mode. If a user starts PLECS without any license, they enter a "restricted demo mode". While this allows for building models and running basic simulations, saving models or data is disabled. The trial license removes these barriers, making it suitable for active prototyping or proof-of-concept work for a company or university. Conclusion
The PLECS trial license is more than just a software preview; it is a time-bound commitment to productivity. By providing a 30-day window of full functionality, Plexim ensures that potential users can thoroughly benchmark the software against their specific application needs before making a commercial or academic investment. Request a PLECS Trial License - Plexim
A trial license for PLECS is usually valid for 30 days after being issued. Trial licenses are free and fully functional. Trial License for PLECS Standalone - Plexim
A PLECS trial license allows you to evaluate the software's full capabilities for a limited time at no cost. Key License Details Duration: 30 days from the date of issue.
Functionality: Fully functional with no restricted features.
Restriction: Locked to your specific login name and the ethernet (MAC) address of your computer.
Availability: Available for both PLECS Blockset (for MATLAB/Simulink) and PLECS Standalone. How to Request a Trial
Download and Install: Get the PLECS Blockset or PLECS Standalone package from the Plexim website . Obtain Host ID: Open PLECS and navigate to Help > PLECS License Manager.
Click Get HostID... and copy the 12-character hexadecimal code.
Submit Form: Choose Request license in the License Manager or use the Plexim web form . Don't let licensing confusion hold back your innovation
Activation: You will receive a license file via email; install it through the License Manager to start your trial. Demo Mode Comparison
If you do not have a license, you can still run PLECS in Demo Mode: Allowed: Building models and running simulations. Blocked: Saving models or exporting data. How do I obtain my hostid? - Plexim
The email arrived at 11:47 PM on a Sunday. The subject line was short: “Urgent: Grid Converter SVPWM Instability.”
Dr. Elena Markov stared at the simulation results on her screen. Her standard licensed version of PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation) had just crashed for the fourth time. The model was large: a three-level NPC converter, a 500 kW grid-tied inverter, and a complex MPPT algorithm for a floating offshore wind turbine. The simulation was blowing up due to algebraic loops—something her current license’s solver couldn’t handle efficiently.
She had a problem. The preliminary design review was in 36 hours. Her standard license didn't include the Backward Euler solver or the Thermal Library. Without those, her IGBT junction temperatures would be fantasy, and the control loop would look stable when it wasn't.
That’s when she remembered the PLECS Trial License.
At 8:15 AM, she exported the plots for her presentation. She went to save the modified model. The trial version allowed saving, but a faint watermark appeared in the diagram: “Generated with PLECS Trial License.”
Her manager wouldn't care. But then, she tried to open the model on her colleague’s computer—the one with the standard node-locked license. The error was brutal:
“This model contains features not available in your license: Thermal Library, C-Script blocks. Please remove these components or upgrade your license.”
The trial had created a model that her team couldn’t use. The “golden handcuffs.” She was now the only person who could run the full simulation.
The standard trial license is valid for 14 days from the moment of activation. After 14 days, the software reverts to a "Viewer Mode"—you can open and view existing models, but you cannot run simulations or edit schematics.
Note: Some educational or long-term evaluation requests (via a sales representative) may occasionally receive an extension, but the default web trial is 14 days.
Help > License Information to confirm trial status and remaining days.