What is Electrical engineering: Definition and 648 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. G

    Engineering AC Circuit (RL) Homework: Finding the Series R-L Equivalent for Two Loads

    Homework Statement In the circuit shown in Figure Q2(b), two loads A and B are connected to the source. The cable connecting the power supply to the load is modeled as series R and L of values R = 0.1Ω, L = 0.1 mH as shown in the figure. The loads have the following specifications...
  2. G

    Engineering Analyzing DC Steady State in an RLC Circuit with a Closed and Opened Switch

    Homework Statement In the Figure Q1 (c), the switch S was closed for very long time before it is opened at time t = 0. Find the value of vC(t) and iL(t) at t = 0+ c L i.e. immediately after the switch was opened. Homework Equations V = IR The Attempt at a Solution From DC steady state, we...
  3. G

    Need Help With Thevenin Equivalent Question

    Hi everyone. I need some help with regards to a question on Thevenin's equivalent. I attempted to solve it in 2 ways but I got different answers when I tried to do it another way. However, I am not sure of my answer as I do not have the answer key at the moment. The picture below shows one of my...
  4. D

    Programs What after a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering.

    I am going to complete my bachelors degree in EE in less than six months now. My areas of Interest are Electric Machines, Control Systems and Power Electronics. I am going to enter my final semester in December. I already have a job offer from a very good Company. They have asked me to join once...
  5. S

    Engineering Confused about which field of Electrical Engineering to Go into

    I am a applied physics major with an emphasis in physical electronics (so basically I take a lot of solid state physics classes with my other normal physics classes), and I go accepted into a program where I start taking graduate classes during my last year of my bachelors (current year) and...
  6. A

    Programs Physics Courses to Complement Electrical Engineering Degree

    I'm a sophomore electrical engineering student, and I'm highly considering minoring in physics. I'm currently in Electricity and Magnetism. The minor is not entirely for professional purposes, though if it helps, then that's great, but it's also something I'd like to do for my own personal...
  7. J

    Why Is Length Divided by Area in the Resistivity Formula R=P*(L/A)?

    Hello, I am curious why in the resistivity formula you divide the length by the area? R=P*(L/A). I cannot figure why you would not take the L*A to get volume?
  8. M

    Finding vC(t) for a Critical Damping RLC Circuit

    Homework Statement In the circuit in the following figure, the resistor is adjusted for critical damping. The initial capacitor voltage is 15 V, and the initial inductor current is 6 mA and R=1250 ohms Find vC(t) for t≥0. Express your answer in terms of t, where t is in milliseconds...
  9. P

    Help with classes to get into Quantum Computing

    Hi I am an undergrad student in an Electrical engineering program and going for my masters and undergrad degree at the same time (special program i am in). I an very interested on the hardware side of quantum computing as to have a future career in this field (eventually will go for a PhD). I...
  10. D

    Magnetic Lift & Earth's Magnetism: Exploring Possibilities

    Hello, I have an idea i have been working on for some time. I am a meteorologist and pilot, and i love aviation, especially design. I have been playing with the idea of magnetic lift (as in when one magnet is repelled from another magnet) or electromagnetism in an engine, to create a different...
  11. K

    Engineering Electrical Engineering and Digital Night Vision

    Hello, I am an Electrical Engineering student at the University of Georgia and will have to give a presentation on my dream job. I have to give specifics on what I would need to know. If I could get some input or maybe a job application that states the requirements. I know Electrical...
  12. P

    Alternators and how they supply current

    Hello, My question is how do Alternators(Like a cars alternator) supply current? Do they act like a current supply or do they act like a voltage supply that can have current drawn up to its rated value? If I have stepper motors being powered from it would they draw the right amount of current...
  13. 159753x

    Easy electrical engineering question - why is my answer wrong?

    Hi! This is simple mesh analysis. I wanted to try to solve the problem with nodal analysis. 1. Homework Statement Homework Equations V = IR We are supposed to use mesh analysis or node analysis. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] First step: the two current sources (independent and...
  14. M

    Find the resistance for maximum power transfer

    Homework Statement Find the value of R where RL equals 50 Ω, for maximum power transfer I= 2A, R_L=50 ohms Homework Equations R_th=V_oc/I_sc KCL,KVL,V=IR The Attempt at a Solution First, I created an open circuit including everything except R_L. Then i tried to solve for the Open Circuit...
  15. S

    Engineering Physics to Robotics/Electrical Engineering

    Hi Everyone, I was wondering how Electrical Engineering graduate schools particularly concentrating in Robotics and Automation would view an undergraduate degree in Engineering Physics? I just wanted to gauge how my chances would be. I have a 3.96 GPA with 1 REU, 1 paper and 1 poster...
  16. F

    Nuclear Science and Technology For doing research in Controlled Nuclear Fusion

    I am interested in doing research in controlled nuclear fusion , i am doing my electrical engineering 4th year in India. Since no college in my country offers post graduation in fusion related fields , i have decided to do M.Tech in Nuclear science and technology in Indian Institute of Technolgy...
  17. T

    Integral of Unit step function

    This isn't really so much of a specific example from a textbook, I just need to understand how to do this kind of integral and from that I can infer how to do all of the other problems. 1. Homework Statement The current problem I'm having trouble with is: Integral of (5u(t-1)) from T to -T...
  18. D

    Need recommendation on math books for phd in electrical engineering

    Hi, I'm in the early stage of my ph.d program in electrical engineering and I have realized I need to know more math (I'm in circuits). Problem is that I have no idea where to even begin. In my undergraduate, I took the basic math courses (calculus , DEQ, linear algebra) but these aren't...
  19. petormojer

    Free books or learning tools for electrical engineering?

    What free books/pdfs or online learning tools(encyclopedias/notes) are there on electrical engineering that you recommend?
  20. A

    Is complex analysis necessary for electrical engineering?

    I am and EE and CS double major and I am not sure whether to take complex analysis or not. Linear algebra, multivariable calculus, differential equations and probability are compulsory but complex analysis and stochastic processes are optional, so I am wondering whether I should take them or...
  21. H

    Physics B.S. going for Electrical Engineering M.S Experiences?

    Hi all. So I've stalked the forum for the past few months or so and read more threads than I can count. Figured it was time to join up and post a bit. The title basically says everything I want to ask, but let me go into a bit more detail. I'm 21 and I graduated with a Physics B.S. this Spring...
  22. S

    Engineering Electrical engineering vs. nuclear engineering

    Hi, everyone. I am a student studying physics in one of colleges in Wisconsin, and this school has a program called Dual Engineering. Through this program, I will get a physics BS degree and study one type of engineering in UW-Madison for another BS. I really debate myself these days...
  23. R

    Thesis Masters in electrical engineering

    Hi, I am really very worried about doing a masters thesis in Electrical Engineering. I have never done research in that detail before except for my fourth year project. I am very confused as to what to do as I have some topics in mind in which I would like to do research on but not sure how...
  24. F

    Schools Electrical engineering courses for grad school

    hi, I am planning to go to grad school for bme but also interested in electrical engineering. So before going to grad school, i want to take some useful and potential prequisite courses. Are there any you guys can recommend? Thank you!
  25. F

    Electrical Engineering Subdisciplines

    Hi, I noticed that there are many subdivisions under EE. I was wondering whether I could get some information on each discipline like what there are applications are and there need in industry. Thank you
  26. Y

    Engineering Switching from Electrical Engineering to Computer Science

    I haven't made my official major change yet, but I want some advice. So I transferred from a local community college to go into Electrical Engineering. I went into it, and I sucked at "hands on" activities in EE. Building circuits just didn't seem like my thing. I mainly went into Electrical...
  27. S

    Schools Electrical engineering grad school

    Hi guys and gals, I'm an EE major working towards my bachelor's degree, I would like to apply to PhD programs when I'm close to being finished or finished with my bachelor's. I need advice for some schools to consider and if I'm on the right track to an alright school. Reader's digest at end...
  28. M

    Maple Math Plotting Software for Electrical Engineering

    Hi All: I am an electrical engineering undergrad. I would like to learn a math plotting software which would be helpful in visualizing topics in advanced calculus (my immediate need). It would also be helpful if the math plotting software was of some use in electrical engineering, but this is...
  29. S

    Engineering Salary in Electrical Engineering

    Hello, I am wondering about average (real) salary in electrical engineering field in USA (and another countries), especially at microelectronic and SoC design. Out of my curiosity I also would like to ask about teachers salary. Is there anyone who could give me some insight, if my question is...
  30. G

    Does Electrical Engineering Get Easier After Completing Calculus and Physics?

    Hi guys, I am 30 years old, I work pretty much full time and I am working towards my EE degree slowly right now at a local community college. I took Calc 1,2,3 finishing Diff Eq now during summer semester, took engineering physics too (1st of 3). It is difficult stuff just due to time...
  31. S

    Computer vs. Electrical Engineering

    I understand what Computer and Electrical Engineering are in the sense that computer engineering is electronics and some programming and electrical deals more with hardware whether it's power lines or electronics. What I want to know is whether or not one job market is better than the other. I...
  32. A

    Phd or master's in electrical engineering?

    Which one is worth more? I don't have much money, and I'm not the type of guy who will get a scholarship. So I want to have a great start in my career. I also want to be financially stable. So what degree should I pursue? Phd or master's?
  33. A

    Elevating my Understanding of Electrical Engineering

    Hello PhysicsForum's, Over the last couple months I've been studying electrical engineering and I think I have pretty good grasp of the basics. I am a computer programmer so dealing with math and logical problems are not foreign to me, however, I've hit a road block. I realize now that I can't...
  34. T

    Programs Master in Electrical Engineering from Physics degree

    Dear all, I am this dilemma. I found out that I am not suitable to be a physicist. I want to be an electrical engineer but it is too late to change to ee now. My plan is to finish my degree in Physics and Applied Math, then apply ee for master. I want to know how can I do it, in order to...
  35. S

    Electrical engineering fields with best job markets

    So I was just looking at graduate EE specializations and found some that interests me. I was just wondering which ones would have the best job markets. Electronics Circuits & Systems: Analog Circuits or Digital Circuits Power Electronics & Power Systems: Power Semiconductor Devices, Power...
  36. K

    Studying Books on electrical engineering

    Can someone give me a lead for acquiring books for electrical engineering? I want to learn electrical engineering, but I would be starting from scratch and would like to purchase books to teach myself. Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks!
  37. G

    Electrical Engineering - Control Systems - Design Via Frequency Respon

    done editing Homework Statement I'm given the following transfer function that represents a physical apparatus G(s) = \frac{X(s)}{F(s)} = \frac{3.333*10^{4}}{s^{2}} I'm asked to design a lead compensator to achieve closed-loop stability. The requirements are that it must have a transient...
  38. V

    Engineering Theoretical Physics or Electrical Engineering?

    Hey Guys, I'm a junior in High School and am trying to be proactive by having an idea on what I want to major in once I get to college. (Yes I know it's far too early) From a young age I excelled in both Math and Science and have always had a natural pull to physics. For years I've had...
  39. sheldonrocks97

    Electrical Engineering vs Physics vs Computer Science

    I'm a high school senior and I'm going to tech school in the Fall. I applied and was admitted as an EE major, but I am also interested in possibly getting a degree in computer science or Physics instead. I always thought that EE was cool, but I also would be interested in being a computer...
  40. G

    Electrical Engineering - Control Systems - 2cnd Order System

    Homework Statement Given a electrical circuit as one below One can find the transfer function For second order systems this can be written as I know that the damping coefficient can be found using the following formula In the over damped case ζ>1 can easily occur depending on the...
  41. G

    Electrical Engineering - State Space - Matlab

    Homework Statement \dot{} I'm given the following circuit http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/43/bwka.png Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I come up with the transfer function to be G(s) = \frac{s}{2+\frac{1}{s}}. The question asks me to Plot step...
  42. S

    100% Online Electrical Engineering Program

    Good evening (afternoon, morning, depending on where you are), I'm very interested in Arizona State University's Electrical Engineering program. It is one hundred percent online, just like the title says, and the labs are given to the student in kits. The advisers can't give me more...
  43. sheldonrocks97

    Engineering Can I be a Video Game Designer with a Degree in Electrical Engineering

    I want to be an electrical engineer or mining engineer when I grow up and I want to get a BS in both of those fields, but I was just wondering if I could get a job as a video game designer with a degree in electrical engineering.
  44. N

    Schools Does Santa Monica College offer Electrical Engineering major?

    Does Santa Monica College offer Electrical Engineering major? If so, do they have strong programs in electrical engineering? If not, then can you suggest me some community colleges that have strong programs in electrical engineering?
  45. cpscdave

    Engineering CompSci & Electrical Engineering

    Hi Everyone, I originally have a BSc in Computer Science, and worked as a software Dev for 4 years, I have not returned to school and am entering my 4th (and final) year of electrical engineering. I've done 2 co-ops with a mining company working in Maintenance and Reliability, and have 1...
  46. I

    Phd in Electrical Engineering?

    I'm a senior in high school and intend on double majoring in EE and mathematics starting in the fall of 2014. After undergraduate, I plan on either doing a master's and then a Phd or just going straight for a Phd after this. My main goal is to go into research in EE. Are there a lot of jobs for...
  47. S

    Engineering Electrical Engineering degree?

    Hi. I'm a high school senior and I plan to go to UC Berkeley or Cal Poly Pomona and get my Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Will I get job after I graduate from college? And I want to get started by learning electrical engineering. How can I find the names of the textbooks for...
  48. G

    Electrical Engineering - FET Common Source Configuration with Load

    Homework Statement I'm given this configuration with a AC source at v_{i} with a R_{sig} connect to the source before the capacitor. R_{sig} = 0.6 KΩ R_{G} = 1 MΩ R_{D} = 2.7 KΩ R_{L} = 4.7 KΩ I_{DSS} = 10 mA v_{p} = -6 V Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution...
  49. G

    Engineering Electrical Engineering - Circuits - FET Transistor - Voltage Divider

    Homework Statement Find the voltage gain A_{v} http://imageshack.com/a/img692/3117/qkwp.png Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Is this the correct small signal equivalent? http://imageshack.com/a/img203/5812/1yfe.png I'm trying to find the output impedance...
  50. J

    Engineering What are some common topics covered in electrical engineering courses?

    So I am at the point in my electrical engineering degree where I get to choose electives, but because I feel like I'm not fully familiar with the classes I can choose from.. I've got a few questions: 1. what is radio systems about? Google tells me its about FM/AM radio broadcasts 2. do...
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