Electrical Engineering

Engineering Disciplines

Electrical Engineering

Introduction -

Electrical engineering is a field of engineering which deals with the study and application of Electricity, Electronics and Electromagnetism. It is impossible to think of a life without electricity. Just think what we would do without the computer (which is so essential for our education, business and research), internet (which solves all our problems) and all our luxuries need the support of electricity to function properly. We cannot deny that Electricity is imperative for our existence and so are the Electrical engineers.

Electrical engineering has a very wide scope that covers the design and the study of different types of electrical and electronic systems such as electrical circuits, generators, transformers, motors, magnetic devices and materials, other electromagnetic/electromechanical, electronic devices, optical fibers, optoelectronic devices, computer systems, radio, television, telephone, telecommunications, wireless, microwave systems, mobiles, radar, data communications devices etc. Usually the study of Electrical engineering deals with large scale electrical system such as power transmission and motor control.

Ages ago Thomas Alva Edison almost equaled the power of sun and created light. To do so he used the science of atoms and electrons, this is Electrical engineering. This is one field of engineering that can never die. If a student has an analytical bend of mind and like thinking and reasoning, a career in electrical engineering could be a calling. And the Electrical engineering field can have another Edison, who knows?

Educational Requirement: A student has to pass the 10^th standard board examination with 50% successfully to be eligible for a Diploma course. But if the student really dreams for a bright career in Electrical engineering then the need is to go for a bachelor’s degree - B.E / B.Tech. The eligibility criteria for B.E. / B. Tech is 50% marks in Class 12^th Board examination in science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Maths as compulsory subjects. Diploma Holders in Electrical Engineering too can get direct admission in the second year B.Tech Course of Electrical engineering. A bachelor’s degree in Electrical engineering is required if you want to do an advanced course which is M.E. and M.Tech. A person can also aim for a PhD to do a research on matters related to Electrical engineering. There is also a provision of Distance Education which provides a bachelor’s degree through Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE).

Selection: - The admission to the Electrical engineering course is very competitive. A student should pass IIT - JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) to attain admission in one of the prestigious IITs. This highly competitive test checks student’s ability in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. For other reputed institutions like NITs one has to succeed in AIEEE (All India Engineering/ Pharmacy /Architecture Examination). Also, there are state level and national level examinations as some institutions opt for their own entrance examinations.

Duration: - The B.E /B.Tech (bachelor’s degree) is a 4 year course in Electrical engineering. The person can proceed further for an M.E./M.Tech course which is of 2 years. The duration for the Diploma course in Electrical engineering is of 3 years.

Different Branches

Electrical engineering focuses on the study of electrical and electronic systems and the Electrical engineering curriculum truly supports this factor. Most Electrical engineers can start their journey in Electrical engineering with the study of calculus and basic physics. Later courses can have logic systems design, signal analysis and software development. The advanced courses depend on the choice of the student, if a person wants to develop expertise in certain category like microprocessor design, communication system design and development of semiconductor systems etc. A student must make up his mind before entering a field of Electrical engineering to enable himself to work with competence and confidence. The sub-disciplines of Electrical engineering are: -

Power – This discipline deals with the creation, storage and distribution of electricity for industrial, commercial, residential or municipal purpose. This includes transformers, electric generators, electric motors, high voltage engineering and power electronics. Power engineers may work on the design and maintenance of the power grid maintained by big companies like Reliance Power. They may also work on systems which are not connected with power grid called the off-grid power systems.

VLSI Design –Very-large-scale-integration (VLSI) is the process of creating integrated circuits into a single chip. This discipline deals with the study of mixed signal issues in CMOS technology, basic MOS models and frequency dependent parameters. It also deals with basic MNO/CMOS gain stage, cascade circuits and noise issues in amplifiers. A VLSI engineer also works on frequency synthesizers and Phased lock-loop, non-linear analog blocks: Data converters, analog interconnects, analog testing and layout issues and low voltage and low power circuits are also a part of the course. It is also an introduction to RF Electronics and basic concepts in RF Design.

Control – This is concerned with the design and development of electronic systems which rely on inputs to control the outputs of a system or process, such as aircraft autopilot system. Control engineers play an important role in industrial automation as they use feedback to design control systems. For instance a vehicle’s speed is continuously monitored to adjust the motor’s power output accordingly.

Electronics/Microelectronics – This discipline deals with the design and development of electronic circuits including analog circuits, integrated circuits, microprocessors and other semiconductor components. The field of Microelectronics involves a significant amount of chemistry and material science and requires the electrical engineer working in this field to have a very good knowledge of the effects of Quantum Mechanics.

Signal Processing – Signal Processing deals with the analysis and manipulation of Signals. The deep and strong relations between signals and the information they carry makes signal processing equivalent of information processing. DSP processor ICs are found in every type of modern electronic systems like radio mobile, camera etc. This is why it has so many diversified applications and attracts many aspiring engineers.

Career Options for Electrical Engineers

Electrical engineering is a constantly changing and widening branch of the engineering profession. It is an industry which needs intensive labor and therefore has scope for unlimited job opportunities. Ever increasing demand for power by the government organizations and business houses along with huge consumer demand contributes to the growth of employment opportunities in the field.

An Electrical Engineer finds new solutions to the practical problems affecting our daily lives. An electrical engineer works in a team with other specialist to design, fabricate, test and supervise the manufacturing of complex products and systems e.g. electrical equipments and components for a number of industries including power, hospitals computer industry, electronic data processing systems for communication and in defense etc.

The electrical engineers supervise production and manufacturing processes and oversee installation and maintenance. It is because of the efforts of Electrical engineers that the work which needed tremendous amount of hard work and labor in the olden days can now be done within minutes that too effortlessly. Electrical engineering has improved productivity of industries like agriculture, oil, energy and so many other sectors of economy. Traditionally it has been recognized as an evergreen branch so there can never be dearth of career options for an Electrical Engineer.

Salary – Electrical engineering can not only serve as an interesting but lucrative career as well. A beginner can expect a salary ranging from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 20,000/- per month with extra benefit of allowances. The Electrical engineers who are interested in teaching can earn starting salary of around Rs.12,000 – Rs18,000/- as Lecturers. At management level, the salary range rises to approximately Rs.60,000/- and more. One can expect increments which are based on performance as well as the status. Electrical engineering is a very interesting field of engineering and if a person has the talent and the passion, it is a highly rewarding career.

The Best Electrical Engineering Colleges in India are: -

1. Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

2. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi

3. Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai

4. Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai

5. Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur

6. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

7. Indian Institute Of Technology Guwahati

8. BITS-Pilani

9. Delhi College of Engineering

10. National Institute of Technology, Karnataka

The Best Colleges in the USA for Electrical Engineering are -