Catch thermal risks before the first prototype
Thermal hotspots, critical line resistance, and excessive voltage drop are exactly the kinds of issues that can turn a promising PCB design into an expensive rework cycle. PCB-Investigator Physics helps engineers simulate the physical behavior of a PCB already during the development phase, so problems can be found and corrected before the first prototype is built.
That changes the workflow in a meaningful way. Instead of discovering weak current paths or overheating areas during lab testing, design teams can evaluate the board much earlier and make targeted improvements while the layout is still flexible.
What the Physics plug-in simulates
PCB-Investigator Physics focuses on the real operating conditions that matter in production hardware:
- Temperature rise caused by component power dissipation and high currents
- Current density in copper constrictions and drilled holes
- Voltage loss and line resistance between any pins on the board
- Animation of the actual current flow direction
Since version V10, the tool also supports transient simulations. That means you can see how the PCB heats up or cools down over time, including time-dependent switching states and power losses.
This is not just about analysis. It is about making better layout decisions before the board ever reaches fabrication.
Why this matters for engineering teams
The built-in editing functions make the workflow even more practical. Engineers can optimize the layout or layer structure directly and improve physical behavior with just a few clicks. For thermal-sensitive designs, power electronics, or high-current paths, that can save both time and prototype cost.
- Identify hotspots early in the design phase
- Reduce prototype iterations and unnecessary re-spins
- Document results in an interactive HTML report
- Support decisions on copper structure, vias, and material stack-up
If current distribution and thermal behavior matter in your next board, PCB-Investigator Physics is worth a serious look. Explore the feature and see how it fits into your PCB development process.
