What is Electrical engineering: Definition and 649 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. M

    Confused about choosing current direction in nodal analysis

    Homework Statement The problem states: Determine the voltage labeled v in the following circuit: https://ibb.co/hz0Q37 The variable is the voltage across the 2 ohm resistor. The ground I chose for this example is located in the center of the circuit. Homework Equations V=IR I guess. The...
  2. A

    Bizarre Behavior in Discrete PMOS

    Some of my colleagues and I captured the i_D vs V_ds/V_sd curves for the CD4007 MOSFET IC (http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/cd4007ub.pdf). We did this for the NMOS and PMOS transistors. I have attached the curves to this post. The NMOS curve is as expected. However, the PMOS curve seems to be...
  3. akaliuseheal

    How do I calculate the voltage of a diode in a simple electronics circuit?

    Homework Statement It's simple problem but I get stuck while calculating the VD. Currents and voltages in the circuit are required. So V, VD and I Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Since VA<VK I would assume that diode is OFF and then the diode can be represented by break. Upon...
  4. A

    Programs Double major in physics and EE or do a master's in EE

    Hi PhysicsForums! I was hoping I could get some advice on a common issue amongst physics majors. I am currently pursuing a degree in physics and am halfway through my second year. I have really enjoyed it so far, but I have also developed an interest in electrical engineering recently...
  5. S

    Engineering Electrical Machine - Shunt DC Motor Problem

    Hi guys, can someone please have a look at the following problem that I am struggling with; An 8.25 kW shunt DC motor is supplied with a terminal DC voltage of 300 V. The armature resistance of the motor Ra is 0.25 ohms, and the field resistance Rf is 40 ohms. The field winding consists of 1500...
  6. Y

    Electrical Engineering - Buck Converter, Prevent Saturation

    Homework Statement I need help with part b- A buck regulator is supplied from a 12VDC source and outputs 5VDC at 4 A with a PWM switching frequency is 100 kHz. Answer the following then: a- Determine the continuous conduction mode inductance (L_CCM). b- Compute the inductance for the...
  7. Y

    What are some good resources to learn basic electronics?

    Hello. I am working on a project with my friends with a Arduino like microcontroller. I can understand the code and all but I don't know how certain electronic components(like H-bridge) function. What are some good resources to learn about them?
  8. S

    What is the reason for harmonics in dc-dc converter?

    There is a nonlinear switch in every dc-dc converter.Is it the reason of harmonics in output voltage?
  9. mkematt96

    Engineering Help finding error in my Circuit Analysis

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution My values for i1,i2,and i3 were: -.005179,-.002857 and .004857. When I ran the same circuit through LT Spice the values they gave me were .00059081,.000809628, and .00119037. Where did I make my error? * as a side not I...
  10. Jayalk97

    Engineering Underdamped Parallel RLC Circuit

    Hey guys, so I'm having trouble with this circuit analysis question. I need to find voltage across the capacitor as a function of time. I nearly finished analyzing but I'm having trouble solving for the initial value constants in the voltage equation. So first I used KCL to create the equation...
  11. C

    Watts transferred to water?

    My colleague has been developing a hybrid water/forced air heat transfer system for a prototype lighting solution we are developing. I am struggling to get my head around the calculations required to figure out exactly how many watts of energy (heat in this case) are being transferred to the...
  12. labentzel

    Programs Chemical Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering Major

    Hello everyone! I'm currently a student about to get my AA degree at the end of the semester so the time has come for me to transfer from community college to university and, most importantly, decide on a major. Throughout my college career thus far, I've bounced around with ideas like...
  13. toforfiltum

    Engineering Simplifying switching circuit literals

    Homework Statement The problem is given in the picture attached. It is a network of switches.Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I managed to simplify the expression to this: ## (S + x'(w+y) + xvz)(x'+y)(v+z') ## but I just can't find a way to simplify it to 9 literals. I've tried all...
  14. S

    Ideal conditions in which circuit analysis is done

    What are the ideal conditions in which circuit analysis or analysis of an electrical system is done?I know that the air friction,friction between materials is ignored in ideal systems, such as for ohms law applications.What else is ignored in analysis of ideal electrical systems?
  15. P

    Programs Is Double Majoring Worth It for the Love of Learning and Personal Growth?

    For a long time I wanted to get degrees in both mechanical and electrical engineering and I recently heard about double majors. For me it's not as much about jobs I want in the future. I wanted to become an engineer because they are problem solvers. I wanted to invent things and or make them...
  16. M

    Engineering Electrical Engineering Circuits

    Homework Statement Homework Equations V=IR kirchoff's Voltage/current law The Attempt at a Solution Going off the answer i got correct, 65V / 138.1788Ohms (Req of total circuit) for a total current of .47A. I think this is where i messed up but don't know how to continue...
  17. T

    Which Courses Would Benefit Me for Quantum Computing?

    Hello, I’m currently an Undergraduate Computer Engineer at UIC and minoring in physics. I have become more and more interested in Quantum Computing and its related fields. I plan on continuing my masters in Electrical engineering (Nano - technology). I was wondering if you could help me out in...
  18. marsupial

    Nodal Analysis with Dependent Voltage Source

    Homework Statement Here is a diagram of the circuit and my redrawing with currents drawn: We are to find the power delivered by the dependent voltage source. I found a solution online, but I am not sure why they had the KCL line as: $$ \frac{v_1 - 160} {10} + \frac{v_1} {100} + \frac{v_1...
  19. A

    Why the inductor voltage blows up for a sudden current change?

    Dear All, This is my first question to the forum. "Assume there is a + dc voltage across a inductor. So current will continue to increase. Now if the current through the inductor is forced to stop using some means ( eg. Current was flowing in inductor through a ON switch and then switch turns...
  20. A

    Why inductor voltage blows up for a current change?

    Dear All, This is my first question to the forum. "Assume there is a + dc voltage across a inductor. So current will continue to increase. Now if the current through the inductor is forced to stop using some means ( eg. Current was flowing in inductor through a ON switch and then...
  21. T

    Net Neutrality, Bandwidth, Speed, Physics, Greed?

    Net Neutrality is being overturned as ISP telecoms claim they need to throttle bandwidth and speed as too many customers want to stream HD videos and play HD online games. EM waves are fast and unlimited, so is Tiered Premium Billing absurd? ISP telecom expenses include transmitters...
  22. J

    How Do You Calculate Slider Position on a Potentiometer?

    Homework Statement The circuit of FIGURE 2 shows a 10 kΩ potentiometer with a 5 kΩ load. Determine the position of the slider on the ‘pot’ when the voltage across points ‘XX' is 3 V. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I really don't know the right way to start this. If I'm being...
  23. ramzerimar

    Programs Switching major to EE: is this a good move?

    I'm currently enrolled in a MechE course, at my third year, and it took a long time to discover that this is not the major for me. In my spare time, I've been learning electronics (Arduino) and programming, and I decided that I like this stuff better than my MechE classes. Most of my interest...
  24. J

    Engineering Troubleshooting AC Circuits: Tips and Solutions for Common Issues

    Hey guys, I'm having trouble solving this particular circuit Thanks in advance. <Moved to Homework, no template completed>
  25. vinicius0197

    Courses Mechanical Engineer switching to CS or Electrical

    I'm on a sticky situation right here. I have almost completed my third year of a mechanical engineering degree and I'm just now realizing that I would prefer working with embedded systems/software. This happened after I start toying around with an Arduino and learned C and Python for fun's sake...
  26. V

    Engineering Is passion the key to success in power engineering?

    So I am 21 years old, I only recently found out that I am interested in electrical engineering. I live in NYC and am heading into cuny city tech for my first semester. E.E is a very broad field and I think that going into power engineering would be a good career move because it cannot be...
  27. Mzzed

    Understanding Capacitor Voltage in Relation to Ground

    If a capacitor is charged to 10V where the negative side is connected to ground (0V), when the capacitor is disconnected from the power supply on both the positive and negative sides; 1) Will the negative side of the capacitor still be 0V relative to the ground it was just connected to? 2) Say...
  28. A

    Seeking Online Mentor for Electrical Engineering N1 | Alex (47 yrs)

    Hiya everyone My name is Alex is am electrical engineering N1 and I am finding it extremely difficult I am 47 yrs of age. Is there anyone who knows of online mentors I really need help.
  29. Wrichik Basu

    Engineering Good books in Electrical Engineering

    I have great interest in electricals, and in working with circuits, multimeters and the like. Can anyone recommend good books in electricals that covers topics to the depth and can be used as a self study book? I want to learn theory and basics first before going into practical knowledge.
  30. Bassa

    How Do You Calculate Current in a Diode-Resistor Series Circuit?

    Helo, I am in an electronic course and we just started studying diodes. I am stuck on the following problem: Place a 100 ohm resistance in series with a diode, and plot current versus voltage across the series combination. I am also given the following values for the diode: n = 1, Is =...
  31. dumbdumNotSmart

    How to operate in Angle Notation (Electrical Engineering)

    Background info (Not actual question): So I've been gone a week from university and I've missed a lot of content, one particular thing that boggles me is this new method to operate with vector magnitudes and their angles. The operations surprised me with the speed they were done. I did ask a...
  32. louisnach

    Electrical Engineering, power system, transmission line

    Homework Statement A 400 kV transmission line has a length of 500 km and a reactance of 0,4 Ω/km. How much power can you transmit, if the power angle (the angle between the voltages of the beginning and the end) is limited to 25 degrees? What would then be the line’s boundary power limit for...
  33. UMath1

    Engineering Engineering Degrees and Job Prospects

    I have been accepted to the UT Austin Cockrell School of Engineering for Mechanical Engineering in Fall 2017. I'll be starting as a sophomore because I have finished all my general education requirements. However, I am not entirely sure I want to stick to MechE. I have been considering Chemical...
  34. D

    I would like to introduce myself

    I am an electrical engineer with a BS degree. I do not understand many things about electricity completely, but I am willing to explore and help others to explore as well. I have an interest in physics in general, but to be honest I'm not very smart in this subject. I look forward to meeting...
  35. Jayalk97

    Summing Op Amp Circuit Troubleshooting

    Homework Statement Solving for this circuit here, where V = -5V Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I found the equation for a summing op amp like this one, plugged everything in and ended up with -3V, which is marked wrong. I'm really at my wit's end here and the homework has been...
  36. srinaath

    What are the effects of changing the speed of alternator?

    Homework Statement What are the effects of changing the speed of alternator? (elctrical synchronus generator) Homework Equations Ns=120*f/p; p-poles f-frequency Ns-synch speed E=4.44*f*phi*T phi-max flux linkage T-turns f-freq E- generated voltage The Attempt at a Solution from the above...
  37. akaliuseheal

    Calculating EMF in order for the powers to be equal

    Homework Statement In a circuit of constant current shown in the image, values are Ig=0.2 A AND R=750 ohm. What is the value of EMS of an ideal voltage source V for the powers of an ideal voltage and an ideal current source to be equal? Homework Equations Pv=PIg The Attempt at a Solution I...
  38. akaliuseheal

    Calculating voltage which voltmeter is showing

    Homework Statement Schematic of circuit is not given, only the text which I translated into English. Using a voltmeter with internal resistance of 6k ohm, voltage between two points, 1 and 2 of a circuit of constant current, is measured to be 8v. Then, using a voltmeter with internal...
  39. C

    Help: Physics vs Engineering Physics vs EE / ME

    I'm a final year high school student trying to figure out what he wants to study in university. I have decided on an applied math double major with one of the above. My dilemma is between deciding to purse the passion I have for theoretical/ pure physics or an applied science as I would really...
  40. I

    Other Math and Electrical engineering

    hello all, I am currently a college student studying energy systems engineering, i was just wondering if there are any ways to get into the habit of understanding math it's not my strongest subject. Also just a random thought, where do you think energy/ electrical engineering will be in the...
  41. J

    Programs Can I major in Electrical Engineering and Biology?

    Can I major in Electrical Engineering and Biology and become a Biomedical engineer? I want to be a Biomedical engineer but the school I am going to only has environmental, electrical, and mechanical.
  42. S

    Schools Is ASU's Online BSEE Program a Good Option for a Traveling Engineer Like Shane?

    Hey everyone, new to Physics Forums and happy I've found it. To start, my name is Shane, I currently work for Applied Materials. We engineer, maintain, and support tools in the semiconductor industry. I'm 21 years old, and currently on the Global team. Meaning, I travel 90% of the time...
  43. E

    Engineering Electrical Machines DC Shunt Motor

    An 8.25 kW shunt DC motor is supplied with a terminal DC voltage of 300 V. The armature resistance of the motor Ra is 0.25 , and the field resistance Rf is 40 . The field winding consists of 1500 turns. An adjustable resistance Radj is connected in series to the field winding. Radj may be...
  44. Y

    Courses What courses to take to prepare for MS in Electrical Engineering?

    Hi Everyone, I'm planning to apply for MS in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Computer Engineering. I have BS degree in Applied Mathematics with Emphasis in Computational Science. My question is what physics or engineering classes would you recommend to take before starting the...
  45. D

    Beginner Question About Series Parallel

    How exactly do you tell if two elements are in series or parallel? I know that if two elements share two of the same extraordinary nodes then they are in parallel: But in this example I do not see that. I know for certain that the answer for Rt is: [ ( (R1 || R2) + R3) || R4 ] + R5
  46. N

    Why a conductive shield doesn't block the magnetic field?

    Hi While studying the shielded wires, i noticed that the magnetic field of the inner conductor can penetrate the shield conductor (can be calculated in the region 3). However, the boundary condition of the magnetic field at the surface (between dielectric and perfect conductor) of a perfect...
  47. V

    Engineering Finding an Entry-Level Electrical Engineering Position

    What are the chances of getting an Entry-Level Electrical Engineering job 3 years after I graduated? I had a 3 year gap because I was getting my teaching degree. However, I did stay current with electrical engineering fundamentals / knowledge during those years.
  48. A

    MS vs PhD in Robotics:Which Program is Best for You?

    Hello everyone, To start, I found this forum incredibly helpful throughout my college education thus far. This forum has helped me pick my major in undergrad back in 2011, helped me narrow down which graduate program to gravitate toward upon graduation in 2015, and now I have a continued...
  49. P

    Who Is Phellippe Waynner, the New PhysicsForum Member?

    Hello everybody, I'm opening this topic in order to introduce myself as a new member of the physicsforum. My name is Phellippe Waynner, I am 23, brazilian. I have been studying Electrical Engineering for 4 years in Sao Paulo state University and I have taken place in an exchange program in the...
  50. I

    How to Simplify Backward Impedance Matching Equations?

    Homework Statement https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-12/14804959_10155526179417281_80533891_n.png?oh=649ee14155ac558b21c6553f003e418b&oe=5809EAA0 Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution 1) I determined the input impedance of the first transmission line (Zin1). 2) I calculated...
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