Some_Facts_About_Electrical_Engineering

Some Facts about Electrical Engineering Definition Electrical engineering, sometimes referred to as electrical and electronic engineering, is a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics and electromagnetism. The field first became an identifiable occupation in the late nineteenth century after commercialization of the electric telegraph and electrical power supply. It now covers a range of subtopics including power, electronics, control systems, signal processing and telecommunications. Electrical engineering may or may not include electronic engineering. Where a distinction is made, usually outside of the United States, electrical engineering is considered to deal with the problems associated with large-scale electrical systems such as power transmission and motor control, whereas electronic engineering deals with the study of small-scale electronic systems including computers and integrated circuits.[1] Alternatively, electrical engineers are usually concerned with using electricity to transmit energy, while electronic engineers are concerned with using electricity to transmit information. THE WORLD FIRST UNIVERSITIES CONCERNING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING During these years, the study of electricity was largely considered to be a subfield of physics. It was not until the late 19th century that universities started to offer degrees in electrical engineering. The Darmstadt University of Technology founded the first chair and the first faculty of electrical engineering worldwide in 1882. In the same year, under Professor Charles Cross, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology began offering the first option of Electrical Engineering within a physics department.[5] In 1883 Darmstadt University of Technology and Cornell University introduced the world's first courses of study in electrical engineering, and in 1885 the University College London founded the first chair of electrical engineering in the United Kingdom.[6] The University of Missouri subsequently established the first department of electrical engineering in the United States in 1886. {draw:frame} {draw:frame} {draw:frame} {draw:frame} MODERN DEVELOPMENTS The invention of the transistor in 1947 by William B. Shockley, John Bardeen and Walter Brattain opened the door for more compact devices and led to the development of the integrated circuit in 1958 by Jack Kilby and independently in 1959 by Robert Noyce.[18] Starting in 1968, Ted Hoff and a team at Intel invented the first commercial microprocessor, which presaged the personal computer. The Intel 4004 was a 4-bit processor released in 1971, but in 1973 the Intel 8080, an 8-bit processor, made the first personal computer, the Altair 8800, POWER Power pole Power engineering deals with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity as well as the design of a range of related devices. These include transformers, electric generators, electric motors, high voltage engineering and power electronics. In many regions of the world, governments maintain an electrical network called a power grid that connects a variety of generators together with users of their energy. Users purchase electrical energy from the grid, avoiding the costly exercise of having to generate their own. Power engineers may work on the design and maintenance of the power grid as well as the power systems that connect to it. Such systems are called on-grid power systems and may supply the grid with additional power, draw power from the grid or do both. Power engineers may also work on systems that do not connect to the grid, called off-grid power systems, which in some cases are preferable to on-grid systems. The future includes Satellite controlled power systems, with feedback in real time to prevent power surges and prevent blackouts. {draw:frame} CONTROL Control engineering focuses on the modeling of a diverse range of dynamic systems and the design of controllers) that will cause these systems to behave in the desired manner. To implement such controllers electrical engineers may use electrical circuits, digital signal processors, microcontrollers and PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). Control engineering has a wide range of applications from the flight and propulsion systems of commercial airliners to the cruise control present in many modern automobiles. It also plays an important role in industrial automation. ELECTRONICS Electronic engineering involves the design and testing of electronic circuits that use the properties of components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes and transistors to achieve a particular functionality. The tuned circuit, which allows the user of a radio to filter out all but a single station, is just one example of such a circuit. Another example (of a pneumatic signal conditioner) is shown in the adjacent photograph. Prior to the second world war, the subject was commonly known as radio engineering and basically was restricted to aspects of communications and radar, commercial radio and early television. Later, in post war years, as consumer devices began to be developed, the field grew to include modern television, audio systems, computers and microprocessors. In the mid to late 1950s, the term radio engineering gradually gave way to the name electronic engineering. Before the invention of the integrated circuit in 1959, electronic circuits were constructed from discrete components that could be manipulated by humans. These discrete circuits consumed much space and power and were limited in speed, although they are still common in some applications. By contrast, integrated circuits packed a large number—often millions—of tiny electrical components, mainly transistors, into a small chip around the size of a coin. This allowed for the powerful computers and other electronic devices we see today. MICROELECTRONICS Microelectronic components are created by chemically fabricating wafers of semiconductors such as silicon (at higher frequencies, compound semiconductors like gallium arsenide and indium phosphide) to obtain the desired transport of electronic charge and control of current. The field of microelectronics involves a significant amount of chemistry and material science and requires the electronic engineer working in the field to have a very good working knowledge of the effects of quantum mechanics. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Electrical and Electronics Engineering Career Overview Electrical and electronics engineers are involved in a wide variety of technology ranging from huge global positioning systems which can pinpoint the location of a moving vehicle to gigantic electrical power generators. These engineers are responsible for designing, developing, testing as well supervising the production of electrical and electronic equipment and machinery. Broadcast and telecommunication systems, electric motors, controls of machinery, lights and wiring in building complexes, vehicles, aircraft, radar and navigation systems, power generation, control and transmission devices which are used by electric utilities are all examples of equipment built by these engineers. They may also work in fields which relate to computers and IT. However, those engineers who deal exclusively with computer hardware are called computer hardware engineers- an engineering specialty with is discussed separately in the Handbook. Electrical and electronics engineers may choose to specialize in various areas like power generation, transmission and distribution; communications; manufacture of electrical equipment etc or a one particular specialty within these area; foe e.g. industrial robot control systems or aviation electronics. These engineers are involved in designing new products, writing requirements for their performance, as well as developing maintenance schedules and charts. Testing equipment and machinery, solving operation problems, estimating time and cost of electrical and electronic products also come under their job. In 2002, electrical and electronics engineers had around 292,000 jobs and constituted the largest branch of engineering. Most of these engineers were employed in professional, scientific, and technical services firms as well as government agencies. Manufacturers of computer and electronic equipment and machinery also employed these engineers. The remaining engineers were absorbed by firms which deal in wholesale trade, communications, and utilities. Electrical and Electronics Engineering Job and Employment Opportunities Favorable employment opportunities are predicted for electrical and electronic engineers. Job opportunities which would result from retirement and transfers of existing electrical and electronic engineers are in proportion with the degree granted to these graduates and thus demand for these workers roughly equals their supply. Although the employment opportunities for electrical and electronic engineers are predicted to grow through 2012, their growth rate is slower than the growth of other occupations. Even though there is a rise in demand for electrical and electronic products, (including advanced communication goods) defense-related electronic products, and consumer electronics equipment, competition from abroad and increased use of electronic and electrical engineering services in foreign countries, hinder domestic employment. The growth rate of employment opportunities are predicted to be highest in the service industries which provide electronic engineering expertise. It is imperative that electrical and electronic engineers continue their education. Those who do not keep abreast of latest advances in technology are at the risk of either loosing jobs or loosing good promotion opportunities. HISTORICAL EARNINGS INFORMATION In 2002, the median salaries received by electrical engineers were $68,180 annually. The middle 50 percent received salaries between $54,550 and $84,670 while the lowest 10 percent earned below $44,780. The highest 10 percent earned above $100,980. In 2002, the median annual earnings in the industries which employed the largest numbers of electrical engineers were: Scientific research and development services - $77,410 Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing $72,670 Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution $71,640 Navigational, measuring, electro-medical, and control instruments manufacturing - $70,430 Architectural, engineering, and related services - $66,980 In 2002, the median earnings of electronics engineers (except computer engineers) were $69,930 annually. The middle 50 percent received salaries between $55,930 and $85,980. The lowest 10 percent received salaries below $46,310, and the highest 10 percent earned above $103,860. In 2002, the median annual earnings in the industries which employed the largest numbers of electronics engineers were: Federal government - $78,830 Architectural, engineering, and related services - $72,850 Navigational, measuring, electro-medical, and control instruments manufacturing - $70,950 Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing $70,800 Wired telecommunications carriers - $62,670 In a 2003 slaary survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, candidates with a bachelor’s degree in electrical/electronics and communications engineering earned starting salaries of $49,794 on an average in a year; those with a master’s degree earned around $64,556; and those with a Ph.D. received $74,283on an average. Seasoned Engineers may earn even more. Line Graph {draw:frame} Bar Graph {draw:frame} Pie Chart {draw:frame} *RESEARCH DONE BY:* YE’ AUNG REFERENCES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_engineering http://content.mycareer.com.au/salary-centre/engineering/electrical-engineering http://www.careeroverview.com/electrical-engineering-careers.html