The manipulation of electricity has been developed over many hundreds of years. In fact, with the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, you could argue that it’s been in development for thousands of years.
Since our initial realization of the phenomena, many tools and utilities have been invented to take advantage of the wondrous energy source we call electricity. Electricity has come a long way from tools like the telephone, radio, and light bulb, to more complex systems such as switchboards, computer chips, and solar panels.
OtherBirds 2022 This has come together thanks to the expertise of mathematicians, physicists, and electrical engineers. But what do these professionals do exactly? And how have they formed an integral part of the modern world’s manufactured environment? This blog discusses the history of electrical engineers, their part in
current-day society, and how they will help us evolve into the future.
A Brief History of Electrical Engineering
Early electrical discoveries and inventions were developed by the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas A. Edison, and some lesser known but equally important figures.
The onset of “electrical engineering” as a discipline came around the same time as the latter two were inventing telephones, and lightbulbs, when Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell summarized the nature of electricity in 1864.
Since that year, the essence of electrical engineering has remained unchanged: they use the rules of physics and mathematics to process information and transmit electrical energy from one element to another.
While the applications of electricity have changed drastically over the past 200 years, the basic components that facilitate them have remained largely the same.
Conductors, capacitors, magnets, batteries, inductors, switches, coils, resistors, diodes, and transistors have all been cemented in the world of electrical engineering and play important parts in today’s electrical landscape.
Modern Electrical Engineering
Some of the elements above were first implemented for simple tools like lightbulbs, but electrical engineering has since advanced into much more.
The modern profession now involves the lighting and wiring of whole buildings, the design of household appliances, telecommunications, power stations, and satellite technology.
They often work on a large scale and leave microelectronics to specialists in smaller applications such as computers and mobile devices.
Electrical engineers are also known to conduct thorough research and development projects in order to progress their field. The efficiencies found from this research can then be applied to products and systems in their respective industry.
Such efficiencies might include an improved switchboard design which would allow for faster transmission of power and information, thereby increasing a business’ production.
With so many electrical discoveries being made through research and development, there is always something new to learn. That’s why firms like Fimcen offer consulting services to businesses big and small, to improve their understanding of their own systems and detect room for improvement.
Modern electrical engineers now benefit heavily from computer programs for planning electrical systems. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is an intricate world of its own, and various educational courses are available to understand the tool. These can take anywhere from a few months to up to a year.
Once understood, CAD drawing is an exceptionally helpful tool for any electrical engineer or client, as it allows for efficient turnaround and accurate electrical system design.
How to Become an Electrical Engineer
With such expertise comes a great amount of study and education. Electrical engineers often spend three years studying an Undergraduate of Electrical Systems and two years on a Masters of Engineering.
These five years give them the base they need to enter the workforce and begin contributing to projects across all kinds of industries.
Once they receive their various degrees and any relevant certifications required in their jurisdiction, electrical engineers can find work in renewable energy, GPS technologies, mobile networking, finance, management, consulting. As discussed earlier, consulting positions are likely to come following years of industry experience in a range of applications, just as the team at Fimcen have compiled.
Need to Know More?
Fimcen offers a team with experience across electrical engineering, marketing, and consultancy, giving its customers confidence in the final product.
For any CAD Drawing, electrical advice or project estimation, contact Fimcen and put your systems in safe hands.