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. K

    Required current rating of 3-phase power system

    My background is mechanical engineering so not great with the electrical side. I plan on buying a air-preheater (resistive wire heated) which has a power rating of 30kW, supplied by 3-phase. I need to determine whether my 3-phase supply (415V 32A) has a max current that can cope with this. My...
  2. D

    Electrical Engineering BS to Aerospace Engineering MS

    Hello. Is this possible, or would I be missing out on a lot of groundwork? Any options? I'd like to work on anything involving space, like satellites and such. Thank you!?
  3. DrPapper

    Engineering Art of Electronics 3rd Edition

    Has anyone seen the newest edition? Is it much better than the 2nd? I own the 2nd but am interested in the newer one if it's better.
  4. I

    Electrical Engineering (Cascoded Amplifiers)

    Homework Statement Hey guys, i can use some help with this problem: I don't really have issues with part A, its more of part B and C that i can use some help with Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  5. K

    Engineering Book recommendations for an Electrical Engineering student.

    I was wondering if someone could recommend some electrical engineering books that help explain rectifier circuits and DC chopper circuits. I've read electrical circuit theory and technology by John Bird and electrical machines, drives and power systems by Theodore Wildi and both seem to lack in...
  6. B

    Need help proving an equation for power loss in a dielectric

    Homework Statement 2. Homework Equations [/B] I am trying to prove the equation $$ \frac{\bar{P}}{V}=\frac{1}{2}E_0^2\sigma_{AC} $$ which can be rewritten as $$ \begin{align} \frac{\bar{P}}{V} &= \frac{1}{2}E_0^2\sigma_{AC}\\ &=\frac{1}{2}E_0^2\ \omega\ \epsilon_0\ \epsilon^{''}_r\\...
  7. roms05

    Low Cost Parallel Plate Capacitor

    Hello! I'm hoping someone can help me with my problem. I'm currently working on a low cost parallel plate capacitor. I used a galvanized iron as the plate material since this is a low cost material. The problem is when I measure the voltage across the capacitor, the voltage read peaks at a...
  8. roms05

    Can the Power Grid Keep Up with the Growing Demand for Electricity?

    Hi! I'm Roms and I am an electrical engineering student from the Philippines. i am currently doing my thesis and I hope this community can help me. :)
  9. X

    Is electrical engineering just rote memorization? Or am I

    For instance, I was introduced to thevenin and norton theorems about 1-2 weeks ago and it seems like we're expected to rote memorize the algorithms on solving problems. There is no proof/logic explained in different circumstances. For instance, we're told what these theorems are and how they...
  10. R

    Engineering Electrical Engineering fields close to Physics

    Hello everyone, I am a junior year EEE student ( in a South Asian country ) and I will have to declare my thesis topic pretty soon. Anyway, the reason I am here is that I love Physics and want to migrate to something that is more heavy on the theoritical side. Things like particle physics...
  11. G

    Morse Code Project: Building Circuit for 7 Segment Display

    Homework Statement Hi everyone. I am currently embarking on a Morse Code project which involves building a circuit to display Morse codes, eventually displaying the Morse code with a 7 segment display. I am currently stuck at the first stage as I am not sure of what to do, i.e. what chips to...
  12. G

    Digital Transmission and Twisted Wires

    Homework Statement I am currently embarking on a project where I have to build a communications system which can take in an analog voice signal, translate it into digital signal, and send it across to the receiver where the original voice gets recovered and it can be played back using a...
  13. A

    Engineering Areas of electrical engineering with the most potential

    I'm currently a second-year electrical engineering major (in the US). Next semester I'll begin to take almost exclusively classes involving different branches of electrical engineering. I've taken two digital design courses, a course on microprocessors, and I'm currently on my second "circuits...
  14. G

    Frame Synchronisation via Modified Approach to Bit Insertion

    Homework Statement I am currently embarking on a project which requires me to design a system where I can transmit voice over a distance, by inputting an analog voice signal on one end and then recovering the voice which I input on the transmitting end at the receiving end. The general design...
  15. A

    Common emitter amplifier Electronics

    Rb=40 ohms RL=100 ohms Vcc=15V I need help in figuring this problem out, I understand if anyone here doesn't want to give me the answer but I would appreciate if someone would give me a formula in which I could solve the problem myself.
  16. M

    How to become a physicist from an engineer?

    Hi, I am an Electrical Engineer but I want to become a Physicist and do research to develop theoretical models of elementary partials. I have applied in several universities in US for MS and PhD programs but they have rejected me, I believe because of my non physics background. Can someone...
  17. Alex Mercer

    Correct electric charge/current flow & left/right hand rule?

    Hello there, people! I am quite new here; in fact, this is my first post. I am quite strange to this place. Feeling kinda welcome, though. Okay, so short to the point. I am an 8th grader, and my school just started teaching us about electricity. Well, the basics. I knew much about it, much...
  18. P

    Tap Changing (ULTC) Transformers and Reactive Power Control

    So I am trying to understand how a ULTC operates in the Reactive Power Control mode (it adjusts taps to control the reactive power in a line). What equation is governing it's operation, and what variables does it adjust in order to increase/decrease reactive flow? Is it just the simple reactive...
  19. Domenico94

    Diodes Exercises: Engineering Student Seeks Help

    HI everyone. I'm an engineering strudent, looking for online material with exercises on diodes...anyone can send me a link here with explanations of the various exercises? Thank you very much :)
  20. MagnetDude

    Engineering I want to do nuclear, electrical, and mechanical engineering

    Because there are only so many characters I can put in the title I will future explain down here. I want to do design/work on many things... I don't know how likely it is for me to do these things, but I want to work on electric motors, generators, nuclear reactors, Combustion engines, steam...
  21. N

    Programs Computer Science with a minor in Electrical Engineering

    I've always been fascinated by how a computer operates both through code and through its physical devices. This is my eternal struggle, I like both the software and hardware side of computers. I'd like to possible programming robots and use my electrical engineering design to know how to make...
  22. A

    Fermi energy in metals approximately doubling

    Between Cs and Na, the fermi energy in metal approximately doubles. why doesn't the carrier concentration also double?
  23. A

    Heat simulation in electrical/mechanical engineering

    Hi all, I was wondering if anyone uses simulation software's to tackle the heat related issues in electrical/mechanical engineering? Regards
  24. L

    Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Economics

    Dear PhysicsForums members, being currently in my final year of Austrian high school I have to decide what to pursue my Bachelors degree in. (Un)fortunately I have three huge interests. Those are Economics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. All of which are highly fascinating and I...
  25. L

    Thinking of starting a course in Electrical Engineering?

    Dear readers, Firstly I would like to say that I'm a new member to the Physics Forum and I hope to meet many people who share my passion for science and, at present, engineering (because let's face it, science/engineering is awesome!). As a recent chemistry graduate at the University of...
  26. C

    Schools Electrical engineering undergrad to physics grad school?

    I am an electrical engineering undergrad student just finishing my first year. I have a love of physics and I was starting to wonder if it would be possible for me to stay in EE undergrad but change to physics for grad school. Is there enough physics in EE that I could make the switch?
  27. G

    Linking Fourier Transform, Vectors and Complex Numbers

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I tried to attempt the question but I am not sure how to start it, at least for part (i). My biggest question, I think, is how does the multiplication of a random complex number to a Fourier-Transformed signal (V(f)) have an...
  28. M

    Will mastering QM benefit future EE/CE professionals?

    Hello, I recently read that MIT redesigned its EECS program. It redesigned it about 30 years ago to include more mathematics and solid-state physics but this time they are adding more QM. At my university, we study basic QM in freshman year physics and then again in third year in an EE subject...
  29. G

    Fundamental frequencies of square wave and sine wave

    Homework Statement What are the fundamental frequencies for a 50 kHz square waveform of 50% duty cycle and a 25 kHz sinusoidal waveform, respectively? (The duty cycle of a square waveform is the ratio between the pulse duration and the pulse period.) Homework Equations My teacher then gave...
  30. mostwantedmani

    Increase the frequency of AC current

    How to increase or decrease the frequency of AC current linearly? Suggest me some ideas
  31. N

    Understanding Household Electrical Service Lines and Safety Precautions

    Pardon me if I stated the title incorrectly/ informally. I just want to say about the title is about the 220 V, 60 Hz source (present in our outlets also) in our house by which comes from nearby electrical post. I have four questions in this post/thread so kindly tell me if I need to edit this...
  32. R

    Ultrasound NDT (non-destructive testing)

    Hi all, I've a question and I hope that I can get some answers here. As what my project has tasked, and what my lecturer had said. He needs me to build a device for NDT Testing. Currently the set up is that I would source for a transducer via olympus coupled with a USB oscilloscope capable...
  33. icecubebeast

    Engineering What are good electrical engineering books for self study?

    What are some good electrical engineering books for self study? I want to study electrical engineering and make my own little cpu (don't ask why).
  34. L

    Cenco Electrical Device Found help needed identifying

    Reader, Forgive me if I break any of forum rules, as I am a newbie posting here. Today, last minute Christmas with my beloved other, I found some sort of vintage electrical device. I understand the basic principles behind what would be happening on the stand with electricity. However I am...
  35. P

    Physics vs Electrical Engineering

    I know this question has been asked here a lot of times, and sorry for repeating it, but I guess every case is different and even though I got some valuable insights from other threads, I think a personalised one might help. I'm 15 and I live in Europe. I'm good at math and physics and I...
  36. Aamna

    Engineering Mechanical Engineeringmajor with math minor?

    Hello everyone! So, I am a mechanical engineering student but I've recently discovered my passion for electronics and computer science. I would eventually like to pursue a graduate degree in either or both (if that's possible) of these fields. I am thinking to get a mathematics minor to help me...
  37. L

    How do I get a career in Space Technology?

    I am an undergraduate Physics major, and I cannot decide if I want to go to grad school fro Astrophysics or Electrical Engineering; I love them both. I want to combine the two, and so my ideal job would be working on the electronics and technology used in space. I would love to work on projects...
  38. FuturePhysicist

    Fusion Reactor Power Supply.

    Hello, I'm 15 and very interested in physics. I'm building a safe nuclear fusion reactor as a science project. (I know how to safely handle high voltage and radiation) I have a question about the power supply. First off, I know that fusion takes around 40 Kilo-volts and it needs to have a...
  39. M

    Applied Mathematics and Electrical Engineering

    Hi, I posted a thread a while back about a problem I had in a class, it has resolved itself fortunately but now I have another question. I am an undergraduate mathematics major and I initially planed to go to(and likely will go to) graduate school in applied mathematics. I have always had a...
  40. 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...
  41. 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...
  42. B

    Quick Question: Switching Fields in PhD

    I am a senior physics BS student, applying to programs in condensed matter and high energy physics at the moment. However, I have always been interested in doing an MS in EE. Its sort of late this year though, and I can't apply for EE programs now. But that got me thinking: is it possible to...
  43. G

    Engineering RL Circuit Transient Analysis: Simple Circuit Homework with Equations

    Homework Statement Homework Equations iL = (iL(0) + Vs/R)e(-t/τ + Vs/R The Attempt at a Solution When the switch is closed before t=0, v(t) = 100V as the first 100Ohm resistor is shorted and L acts as a short wire in DC steady state. When the switch opens, v(t) = 50V by voltage divider...
  44. G

    Engineering Simple Circuit Problem (Clarification of doubts)

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I did a source conversion on the right-most 1A current source to get a voltage source to work with for this question. However, when I tried to work out the solution, my values seem wrong, but I don't understand why, especially...
  45. A

    Engineering Electrical Engineering BS to Physics PhD

    Hello all, I'm an EE student who is curious about the possibilities of going to grad school in Physics. When I first started college I was a Math and Physics double major. However, I was pressured by peers and family to go into Engineering because of job prospects. Even though I've been content...
  46. G

    Engineering Simple Circuits: Understanding Node Voltage Analysis

    Homework Statement Homework Equations ##v1 + v2 + v3 = 0## (KCL) The Attempt at a Solution I don't understand why my solution is wrong. I was taught that if I were to use Node Voltage analysis, I should put nodes with voltage sources into supernodes which was what I did, however, my...
  47. docsxp

    Help with AC Circuit containing a motor

    Hello, this is not a homework question, but is a past year exam question which I'm stumped at. Any help will be appreciated. 1. Homework Statement We're designing a current reduction system for an AC motor which is modeled as an inductor ##L##in series with a resistor ##R##. This motor is...
  48. Steven Ellet

    Learning Electrical Engineering

    I apologize in advance if my question is vague, but I am planning to become an electrical engineer and wish to give myself a big head start (if possible) I have already read https://www.physicsforums.com/index.php?posts/4828192 and I have been though physics in high school, so I have a basic...
  49. A

    Programs Do electrical engineering majors typically enjoy hobby electronics?

    I'm in EE, and it seems that around my department, a huge majority of my fellow students spend a lot of their free time doing hobby projects with microcontrollers (mostly arduino and raspberry pi). I suppose that if I was doing something interesting with them, then I could enjoy it, but I've...
  50. G

    Understanding Autotransformers: A Guide for Solving Homework Problems

    Homework Statement I require some help for part i for now. :) Homework Equations N1/N2 = V1/V2 N1/N2 = I2/I1 The Attempt at a Solution I tried doing the question like a normal transformer, but the result I got was vastly different from my teacher's. I also don't understand how my teacher...
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