3 answers
landon
Student
Antwerp, Ohio
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How much knowledge does an electrical engineer need to know about designing new ways to use electrical power to develop products?
Been interested in electrical engineering for a while, just wondering how much knowledge does an electrical engineer need to know about designing new ways to use electrical power to develop products?
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3 answers
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Landon,
The short answer is that you need four years of University education, preferably at an accredited university - to get started. After that, you will continue to learn new things (on-the-job) up until the day that you retire. So about 40+ years worth of accumulated knowledge.
Technology changes constantly and the rate of change increases each year so your University studies are planned to provide you with a good base of the core fundamental concepts plus (and hopefully some actual design experience). You will be exposed to additional industry knowledge once you start your first job. This will include both new technical tools, methods, engineering concepts, and industry-specific knowledge. Some examples are new software tools, quality or workmanship standards, additional technical concepts, and industry knowledge such as how robotics are used in the auto or medical industry. If you change jobs, there may be a need to learn different industry knowledge or technical concepts. And, since technology is always changing, just staying with the same company doing the same job, will require you to learn new skills. As a simple example, consider that, over time, cell phones and laptops continue to evolve. The same thing happens with almost any other part of your job so you will always be adapting and growing your current skills in order to finish the latest project.
Your university classes will teach you how to learn on your own so you have the confidence that you can learn and grow on your own, without an instructor explaining everything to you.
Engineering a lot of fun!
The short answer is that you need four years of University education, preferably at an accredited university - to get started. After that, you will continue to learn new things (on-the-job) up until the day that you retire. So about 40+ years worth of accumulated knowledge.
Technology changes constantly and the rate of change increases each year so your University studies are planned to provide you with a good base of the core fundamental concepts plus (and hopefully some actual design experience). You will be exposed to additional industry knowledge once you start your first job. This will include both new technical tools, methods, engineering concepts, and industry-specific knowledge. Some examples are new software tools, quality or workmanship standards, additional technical concepts, and industry knowledge such as how robotics are used in the auto or medical industry. If you change jobs, there may be a need to learn different industry knowledge or technical concepts. And, since technology is always changing, just staying with the same company doing the same job, will require you to learn new skills. As a simple example, consider that, over time, cell phones and laptops continue to evolve. The same thing happens with almost any other part of your job so you will always be adapting and growing your current skills in order to finish the latest project.
Your university classes will teach you how to learn on your own so you have the confidence that you can learn and grow on your own, without an instructor explaining everything to you.
Engineering a lot of fun!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Landon,
Response:
For an electrical engineer striving to innovate new applications of electrical power in product development, a comprehensive grasp of several key electrical engineering domains is indispensable. Here's a rundown of the primary areas of knowledge that an electrical engineer should master:
Electrical Circuits and Systems: A fundamental understanding of electrical circuits and systems is crucial for an electrical engineer who is innovating new applications of electrical power. This encompasses circuit analysis, circuit design, signal processing, and power electronics.
Power Generation and Distribution: For engineers who are designing products that harness electrical power, a deep understanding of power generation, transmission, and distribution systems is vital. This includes knowledge of various power plants, transformers, substations, and grid systems.
Electrical Machines: Knowledge of different types of electrical machines like motors, generators, transformers, and actuators is key to designing cutting-edge products that depend on electrical power.
Control Systems: Comprehension of control theory and its applications is significant for engineers who are developing products that need precise control of electrical power usage and distribution.
Electronics: Engineers need to be adept in electronics to design circuits, components, and systems that effectively utilize electrical power in product development.
Renewable Energy Technologies: With the growing emphasis on sustainability, understanding renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can be advantageous for engineers aiming to integrate these technologies into their product designs.
Safety Standards and Regulations: It's also critical for electrical engineers to stay updated on safety standards and regulations pertaining to electrical systems to ensure the products they develop are in compliance with industry standards and safe for end-users.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Tools: Mastery of CAD software tools is crucial for engineers to efficiently design, simulate, and analyze complex electrical systems.
In summary, an electrical engineer aiming to innovate new applications of electrical power in product development requires a wide spectrum of knowledge, from the basic principles of electricity to advanced topics like renewable energy technologies and control systems.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
IEEE Xplore Digital Library: IEEE Xplore offers access to a plethora of scientific and technical content published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), covering a broad array of topics in electrical engineering.
ScienceDirect: ScienceDirect provides a vast repository of research articles and journals related to various engineering disciplines, including electrical engineering.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): NEMA publishes standards and guidelines pertaining to the manufacturing and performance of electrical equipment, serving as invaluable resources for engineers designing new products that leverage electrical power.
May God Bless You!
JC.
Response:
For an electrical engineer striving to innovate new applications of electrical power in product development, a comprehensive grasp of several key electrical engineering domains is indispensable. Here's a rundown of the primary areas of knowledge that an electrical engineer should master:
Electrical Circuits and Systems: A fundamental understanding of electrical circuits and systems is crucial for an electrical engineer who is innovating new applications of electrical power. This encompasses circuit analysis, circuit design, signal processing, and power electronics.
Power Generation and Distribution: For engineers who are designing products that harness electrical power, a deep understanding of power generation, transmission, and distribution systems is vital. This includes knowledge of various power plants, transformers, substations, and grid systems.
Electrical Machines: Knowledge of different types of electrical machines like motors, generators, transformers, and actuators is key to designing cutting-edge products that depend on electrical power.
Control Systems: Comprehension of control theory and its applications is significant for engineers who are developing products that need precise control of electrical power usage and distribution.
Electronics: Engineers need to be adept in electronics to design circuits, components, and systems that effectively utilize electrical power in product development.
Renewable Energy Technologies: With the growing emphasis on sustainability, understanding renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power can be advantageous for engineers aiming to integrate these technologies into their product designs.
Safety Standards and Regulations: It's also critical for electrical engineers to stay updated on safety standards and regulations pertaining to electrical systems to ensure the products they develop are in compliance with industry standards and safe for end-users.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Tools: Mastery of CAD software tools is crucial for engineers to efficiently design, simulate, and analyze complex electrical systems.
In summary, an electrical engineer aiming to innovate new applications of electrical power in product development requires a wide spectrum of knowledge, from the basic principles of electricity to advanced topics like renewable energy technologies and control systems.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
IEEE Xplore Digital Library: IEEE Xplore offers access to a plethora of scientific and technical content published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), covering a broad array of topics in electrical engineering.
ScienceDirect: ScienceDirect provides a vast repository of research articles and journals related to various engineering disciplines, including electrical engineering.
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): NEMA publishes standards and guidelines pertaining to the manufacturing and performance of electrical equipment, serving as invaluable resources for engineers designing new products that leverage electrical power.
May God Bless You!
JC.
Robert Epstein
General Manager
85
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
There are many different work areas within the electrical engineering field. I’d say if your primary interest is new product design, start with a bachelor’s degree in EE to gain basic knowledge. The other part of the design formula is to have a creative way of thinking. With those two factors, then ask yourself, “What do people really need that I could design a product for?” But remember, being an EE is more than hands-on designing: you could also improve existing products, provide repair services, train others in product use, perform testing and quality control, be part of a marketing team to develop new product ideas and specifications, etc.