ltspice - what does .ic V(C1)=10 actually do?

[ledtester]

In the simple RC circuit below setting the initial condition V(C1)=3 doesn't seem to do anything, but setting the initial voltage of the node OUT (e.g. V(OUT)=3) works to start the capacitor voltage at 3V.

So why doesn't .ic V(C1)=3 do the same thing as .ic V(OUT)=3?

[T3sl4co1l]

You assign it to nodes, not components.

Whether it throws an error or is ignored passively, I suppose depends on the SPICE engine.

You need to put the "IC=3" on the C1 statement itself (or in the part edit dialog), which will set the respective node(s).

Tim

[ledtester]

Ok, I think I understand now...

This directive:

Code: [Select]

.ic V(C1)=3

is quietly ignored. In order to set the initial voltage of C1 you have to:

1. Control-Right-Click on the cap to bring up the Component Attribute Editor.
2. Add "IC=3" to SpiceLine2
3. To make this visible on the schematic click in the "Vis." column to put an "X" on that line.

Whew!

[Sensorcat]

Ok, I think I understand now...

This directive:

Code: [Select]

.ic V(C1)=3

is quietly ignored. In order to set the initial voltage of C1 you have to:

1. Control-Right-Click on the cap to bring up the Component Attribute Editor.
2. Add "IC=3" to SpiceLine2
3. To make this visible on the schematic click in the "Vis." column to put an "X" on that line.

Whew!

Yes, but C1 is not symmetric in simulation. It has a first and a second node that define the positive voltage direction. So you can accidentally apply -3V that way. Your original solution to set the node voltage is easier to understand and not ambiguous in the schematic.

[ledtester]

Yes, but C1 is not symmetric in simulation. It has a first and a second node that define the positive voltage direction. So you can accidentally apply -3V that way. Your original solution to set the node voltage is easier to understand and not ambiguous in the schematic.

True but what I've determined is that the voltage is is consistent with the current arrow that the cursor turns to when you hover over the device after running a simulation -- the arrow points from the high voltage end to the low voltage end (assuming your initial condition voltage is positive).

Now that I have read the docs more carefully I think my confusion was that the .IC can set the initial current through a part (like inductors) but for voltage it can only set it for nodes.

Of course, for the polarity of an initial current setting you'll probably have to look at the arrow that the cursor changes to when you hover over it. It would be nice if ltspice could indicate this polarity on the schematic. One proposed solution is to use a different symbol  which indicates which end is which:

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/661590/95488

[T3sl4co1l]

Can also look at the netlist, in case you're working with it; current is always into the first node. (Likewise, positive voltage sources delivering power have negative current, and current sources are "from-to".)

Tim