A simulation device for simulating a peripheral circuit arrangement that can be connected to a control device, wherein the simulation device can be electrically connected to the control device, and the simulation device has a first control element for influencing a first simulation current that can be passed from a first load terminal of the control device to a first control element output of the first control element. The first control element contains a first multistage converter that includes a first converter output, which is electrically connected to a terminal on the converter side of a first inductive component at whose terminal on the control device side the first control element output is implemented. A direction of flow of the first simulation current is reversible, and the simulation device also includes a computing unit for execution of model code.