What is Electrical engineer: Definition and 105 Discussions

Electrical engineering is an engineering discipline concerned with the study, design and application of equipment, devices and systems which use electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It emerged as an identifiable occupation in the latter half of the 19th century after commercialization of the electric telegraph, the telephone, and electrical power generation, distribution and use.
Electrical engineering is now divided into a wide range of different fields, including computer engineering, systems engineering, power engineering, telecommunications, radio-frequency engineering, signal processing, instrumentation, electronics, and optics and photonics. Many of these disciplines overlap with other engineering branches, spanning a huge number of specializations including hardware engineering, power electronics, electromagnetics and waves, microwave engineering, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, renewable energies, mechatronics, and electrical materials science.Electrical engineers typically hold a degree in electrical engineering or electronic engineering. Practising engineers may have professional certification and be members of a professional body or an international standards organization. These include the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) (formerly the IEE).
Electrical engineers work in a very wide range of industries and the skills required are likewise variable. These range from circuit theory to the management skills of a project manager. The tools and equipment that an individual engineer may need are similarly variable, ranging from a simple voltmeter to sophisticated design and manufacturing software.

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  1. B

    Who is Engineer Daniel Joseph Bigwama?

    Daniel Joseph Bigwama is my name. I an electrical engineer dealing with solar equipment (renewable energy). I also teach physics in a reputable highschool, a visiting lecturer of ICT and programing to a reputable university college. I am an examiner with west African examination council (WAEC)...
  2. pozykepler

    Other What do most Electrical Engineers end up doing? Is this degree right for me?

    My interests are quite interdisciplinary: Brain Computer Interface, Neural Networks, Physics and Neuroscience. I would like to work on BCI research in the future. Is this the right path for me?
  3. C

    Is it possible to build a low-voltage Thompson jumping ring apparatus?

    Hi all, I'm attempting to build a jumping ring apparatus (a core of iron with the bottom wrapped with wiring like an electromagnet, so that when a metal ring is placed on top of the coil and a current is run through the coil, the ring jumps up into the air). Looking on the internet, I'm seeing a...
  4. EmmyBamidele

    Can someone recommend a relay for me?

    I have a 30V - 100A power supply that I want to control using a -/+ 10V NI DAQ. I want a relay between the current output of DAQ and the power supply. Please advise the specification of relay to use. I'd appreciate a comment on how to connect it also.
  5. M

    Working electrical engineer transitioning to physics?

    Hi everyone, I'm new here but I've come across PF many times as viewer while searching for clarifications and exercise solutions. I think this should be the right place to ask for advice. My background: 30-ish years old, got my BSc and MS in Electrical Engineering in 2017. The courses were...
  6. J

    Engineering Calculating maximum flux density

    Hi everyone, I have a EE problem that I need to sort out for alternating voltage. I have to find out the maximum flux density. B_max= integral from 150 degrees to 30 degrees (u/(2NA) dt is my problem. I have a hard time to integrate this since I am to integrate with time and not degrees or...
  7. J3J33J333

    Choosing Physics or Electrical Engineering

    Hello, I'm trying to decide between physics and electrical engineering. I like building electrical stuff, and I like solving physics problems, but my main goal is to try to build power systems that integrate things like what can be found in this paper https://arxiv.org/abs/1401.0520. I would...
  8. D

    Biology From Electrical Engineer to Tissue Engineer

    Long time lurker, first time poster. I did my undergrad in EE. I'm looking to transition into something in the biomedical space, particularly tissue engineering. I might want to do a PhD, but I'm just seeking a new challenge at this point in my life. Is there any way that I can work part-time...
  9. Boltzman Oscillation

    Engineering What jobs should I be seeking with these courses?

    I'm an undergraduate EE student, the last few semesters I have been taking courses in telecommunications. I took an introduction to telecommunications course, a course on data communications, and a course on digital communications. I have not taken a course on wireless communications and will...
  10. Elias_HH

    What is the purpose of joining a scientific community?

    Hello dear community, my name is Elias and I study electrical engineering. I am in this forum to share my knowledge by trying to answer the questions of others and if I have any questions, I would be happy if I can be helped.
  11. Boltzman Oscillation

    Where is the demodulator in this AM receiver?

    I am trying my hands on building receivers and transmitters. For now I would like to build this receiver here: now I see that the 500pH inductor in parallel witht he 200uH capacitor are in charge of filtering the unwanted frequencies. The top-left NPN is in my guess an emitter follower to...
  12. Boltzman Oscillation

    What approach should be used when solving a circuit?

    I am close to graduating as an EE major but I have never been able to organize a step by step method on analyzing a circuit. It seems to me that every time I am trying to analize a circuit I end up with a bunch of equations and nothing more. I know that I should: 1. Know what I am solving for...
  13. putrinh

    How to solve this to calculate the input impedance?

    How did you find PF?: Google search I got a problem, how to calculate this formula from euler to imajiner? or how calculate this case?
  14. I

    Optimizing Insulator Spacing for High Strength Busbar Systems

    Well, I have one nice problem. I have 30x10mm busbar, and Isc=30kA. I must place this busbars in electrical panel, but I have a problem with insulators. Can I use a red insolators as it's showed on picture, or I should use special holders for busbar system. Another problem is: When I use such...
  15. Boltzman Oscillation

    Engineering How can I find the open loop voltage gain of this opamp?

    The open loop voltage gain is given as : $$ u(s) = \frac{u_o}{1+\frac{s}{w_o}} = \frac{100}{1 + \frac{s}{40}}$$ Where u_o is the d.c. voltage gain and w_o is the pole. The op amp that is given is: And I am told to use the non ideal op amp model as follows: Well my guess is that I can find the...
  16. W

    How to find the current and voltage in a circuit with current sources?

    Summary: Facing a circuit with 2 parallel resistors and 2 current sources (1 dependent, 1 independent). Trying to find the current, voltage, power delivered by the independent current source and power delivered by the dependent current source. I'm trying to start by finding the current i0 but...
  17. Boltzman Oscillation

    Engineering What is the best EE route for someone living in North Texas (DFW)?

    Good afternoon, I will be graduating with an EE bachelors in a year. To keep this brief, next semester I will be taking courses that branch off from general Electrical Engineering. I have the options of Telecom, Electronics, Control Systems, or Power Systems. Living in the DFW area, what would...
  18. M

    Two Different Designs of DC Motors

    Hello, I have two designs of DC motors. Which one is more efficient? I believe what is in question is the location of the communicator. Whether it should be closer to the out piece of the shaft turning the gears? Or should it be further away towards the end? Does this make a difference...
  19. I

    I am Imran, a retired Electrical Engineer with a QM question

    Hi , Could somebody explain how to DERIVE the canonical postulate [Xcap,Pcap]=ihbar ? The idea of Pcap operator's origin as -ihbar d/dx also is found puzzling .
  20. Ricky Aguilar

    I need to interview an electrical engineer (School related)

    Good evening everyone, My name is Ricky and am in my first year in becoming an electrical engineer at Olympic College in WA. I am in a technical communications and need to write a discourse community analysis paper. Part this paper is interviewing someone with at least a BS in electrical...
  21. Jayalk97

    Problems designing an FIR band pass filter on MATLAB?

    Homework Statement So I've been tasked with designing and band pass filter for my signals class. We're given the specifications that it needs to go from 200-5000Hz, and we need to use a kaiser window as the window function. Homework Equations There are 2 parameters, beta and N, given by these...
  22. D

    Engineering Electrical Engineer Seeking Career Advice

    I’m hoping that I can find some career advice that can shine some light on my situation…I served in the Navy where my primary duty was working with the ships radar and communication systems as well as providing support with other electronic warfare systems. When I discharged from the Navy I got...
  23. mkematt96

    Solve Using Method of Node Voltages

    Homework Statement [/B] Homework Equations This problem was from a practice exam. I know what V1 and V2 should be but can't get my answer to match. V1 should be -3.214 V and V2 should be -12.214 V The Attempt at a Solution See attached picture for my work. [/B]
  24. A

    Engineering Electrical Engineer or Electrician

    I'm 24 and graduated with a masters degree in electrical engineering in the UK last year. I had it in my head that I would get a masters degree and then get a graduate training scheme position in something like power/energy and enjoy it while earning decent money, but I haven't been able to get...
  25. O

    Derive The Transfer Function from First Principles

    All, I need help deriving the Transfer Function of this circuit from first principles. http://i66.tinypic.com/24v3z9s.jpg
  26. R

    Studying Necessity of formal math education for Electrical Engineer?

    So, I am majoring in Electrical engineering, and probably doing a decent amount of Physics and Computer science courses until I can no longer squeeze it into my schedule. In the far future, I definitely plan to work in industry, and hopefully in R&D type engineering work. Will I ever in my...
  27. T

    Engineering Jobs combining programming with hardware?

    Hi, I'm a high school student in a STEM program, and as of now my primary interests have been in Computer Science, Math, and Robotics. Currently, as I research colleges, my intent is to double major in either Math and Computer Science, or in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. However...
  28. TBert

    Job opportunities for CE and EE

    I am looking to major in Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering and wanted to learn more about the majors. What I am most interested in is what job opportunities are available after college for each of the majors. From the research I have done it seems like EE (in Ohio) mostly do control...
  29. N

    How to compute the location of the antenna when I rotate it?

    Hi group, I have a question regarding to detect the location of the antenna. I read this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_wave In the "Complex exponential form" part, the equation: U(r,t) = U0 * exp(j*(k.r - w*t) as the function of location and time U0 = A0 * exp(j*phi) : A0 and...
  30. N

    How to calculate the time delay based on a function of antenna angle?

    Hi everyone, I am a new student who is studying on collecting data from TV signal. I hope everyone can help me for ideas. I am having spectrum analyzer which can define a TV station around me, so I chose 4 stations WHUT-TV [584MHz 590MHz], WPXN-TV [590MHz 596MHz], WTTG [60 MHz 608MHz], and WNVC...
  31. G

    Analog Electrical Engineer Explores Physics & Astrophysics

    I am an analog electrical engineer by trade engaged in self teaching myself Analysis / Particle Physics and Astrophysics for the last couple of years. I have worked in the computer graphics field for almost 30 years, ranging from hardware / chip design / device drivers and compilers with 30...
  32. PhanicKnight

    [College Physics] Electric field and point charge

    Homework Statement Around a point charge there are three points: A, B and C. Determine the electric field vector for those points. Also, determine the force vector for q0 if it was in point B. Q = 10 µC, a = 1 m, b = sqrt(3) m, q0 = 10 pC 2. The attempt at a solution Here is the attempt at a...
  33. S

    Engineering Physicist, Electrical Engineer, or physician

    Hi, I am a rising junior in high school. I have always wanted to be an engineer. I eventually found out that I loved electrical engineering, ever since then my career path was focused on engineering. I discovered that I love physics as well. Every time I learn about a new physics topic I get...
  34. Weightofananvil

    Next step C coding for electrical engineer Stuff

    hi, I'm an electrical engineering student and have studied c programming. Everything I was doing however was just to familiarize myself with c and the language, therefore just executable programs that could create a database, or make an array or data to programs that aided me like a resistor...
  35. 7see

    Why we used capacitor in the fan ?

    One of my classmate asked me a question that Why we used capacitor in the fan ? I gave her the answer but she said the answer in not fully appropriate ! Any one give me proper explanation of this question ?
  36. Mahmoud Hamsho

    BS or MS in EE after physics BS?

    Hey, I will be graduating soon with a BS in Physics but have recently developed a interest to pursue a career in the EE field. I was planning to just head to a Masters program in EE, but the more I read up I am realizing that there is a difference in having a BS in EE and MS in EE. I am...
  37. A

    Engineering What career options can I expect as an Electrical Engineer?

    Hello everyone! =) I am currently a 3rd year Electrical Engineering student at a decent university, and am working towards a BSEE degree with what is currently a 3.8+ cumulative GPA. I have worked here as a paid research assistant and as a teaching assistant (an ECE lab course) for my...
  38. J

    Engineering Square of resistors within a circuit. What is the equivalent

    Homework Statement Homework Equations -We can re-arrange circuit components into simpler orientations as long as the components' connections to previous nodes are maintained. The Attempt at a Solution -I attempted to re-arrange the loop of three resistors at the upper left region to no...
  39. N

    Schools Physics vs. Electrical Engineering in college

    So I'm a freshman in college right now and I am a physics major. The class I am also having most trouble with is...physics. I am doing great in math but physics is tougher for me. I was thinking that maybe physics isn't for me, as also looking around I realized just how theory-based everything...
  40. pioneerboy

    Profession of Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown

    Hi there, If you look through the trilogy of "Back to the Future" you come across many devices of Doc Brown. He's officially a physicist with theoretical knowledge, he's always claiming to conducting experiments, and he's great in building things...obviously. First question: what branch of...
  41. R

    Programs Can I be an electrical engineer off of a math degree

    I'm really interested in electrical engineering but I don't feel it's worth getting a degree in it to get involved it it. Is it self-teachable also I'm more interested in math. I'm 26 and was able to do a couple of calculus problems while staying in a hospital also I was able to calculate a...
  42. T

    Engineering Electrical engineer jobs that aren't hardware based

    How do I find electrical engineering jobs that aren't hardware based? I am looking for jobs that are more software/programming/statistical based work. My undergraduate was in economics and mathematics. My masters is in electrical engineering with an emphasis in communications. When searching for...
  43. A

    Engineering Electrical engineer who doesn't like to program

    How common is it for electrical engineers to not particularly like programming very much? A bit more background: I go to a school in which the electrical engineering and the computer science department are very much intertwined, and so there's a big focus on computers in the EE curriculum...
  44. D

    Engineering Electrical Engineer major taking electrician internship?

    Currently in my 3rd year in college of engineering, and I recently got offered a HV electrician intern for the DoD. Is worth taking? Being that its different towards my degree.
  45. Sakurasus

    Engineering Electrical engineer & physicist, advice on PhD astronomy

    Hello everyone, I have read a lot of the post here about being engineers and going on into astronomy or astrophysics. Thus, decided to join and ask for advice. I have a similar experience but I have a unique problem. I have an BSc in electrical engineering from a US university with focus on...
  46. Sakurasus

    Hello I'm an electrical engineer and a physicist

    Hello there, My name is Sara and I have an electrical engineering degree from an American university and a physics degree in the field of nanophysics from a United Kingdom university. I would like to move to the field of astronomy and astrophysics. I joined this forum to learn, share...
  47. A

    Engineering Electrical engineer and mechatornics

    Hi, i am a freshman in engineering school and i want to be a power engineer, but for some reasons i can't join the electrical engineering major, but i can join the mechatornics major, can i take this major then maybe take grad studies in power systems or do i have to be an electrical...
  48. R

    Advice for a mechanical engineer wanting to be an electrical engineer

    Hello, I'm a first year student going into mechanical engineering at the university of Waterloo in Canada. I initially chose this because I really wanted to work either with satellites or nuclear power plants and my teachers advised that a mechanical engineering degree would net me easy...
  49. K

    Physics classes as a electrical engineer

    I am having trouble taking classes to get full time status because my college only offers electrical engineering courses at night. I am looking for some physics classes that will prove useful in my field. I've heard some PE's with masters in engineering physics say they can derive solutions to...
  50. T

    Electrical Engineer Software for Macintosh

    Hello all, I am starting my sophomore year in EE and am wondering if anyone can shed some light on the typical engineering software I may run into and whether or not it will run on a Macbook Pro. Currently I am using one of these as my personal and work computer. I have enough money saved...
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