Electrical Engineering

                The most familiar form of energy in our daily lives is electrical energy. The branch of engineering which deals with producing, managing and utilizing this energy, is referred as electrical engineering. This field of engineering was introduced in an organized manner in the mid of 19th century. Electrical technology is not as old as civil and mechanical technologies. Interest in this field of study grew after the invention of electricity. It was June 1752 when Benjamin Franklin first tried to catch electricity from clouds during a heavy storm with the help of a flying kite. This was the beginning and to date still we are trying to manage this energy. Managing electrical energy (producing, transmitting, distributing, utilizing) is nothing but electrical engineering. Commercially this became an occupation only after 1950.

                 Electrical engineering is core engineering like civil and mechanical but it has a wide range of subfields. After modernization, many fields of engineering grew out of electrical such as electronics, computer, telecommunication engineering and many more. All the fields of study that directly or indirectly deal with electricity come under electrical engineering.

In a power generation plant where electrical energy is produced, the application of this engineering is huge. All the mechanical and as well as electrical equipment involved in producing electrical energy, such as alternators, boilers, turbines etc. are controlled and protected by electrical signals. All the relays and switches involved in operation of the equipment are either electromechanical or static electronics devices. In the modern age, these devices are digitally controlled by computer software. So in addition to core electrical engineering, these electrical engineering sub fields (electronic, computer, software engineering and IT) are also involved in power generation.

                    When the voltage level of generated power is stepped up, electrical transformers are required. For proper control and protection of these transformers, a sophisticated switchgear system is required. Electrical switchgear includes all circuit breakers, electrical isolators, current transformers, potential transformers, control and protection relay system and many more. Modern electrical engineering deals with production, planning, operation, and maintenance of these systems.

                     After stepping up the electrical power, it is transmitted to a load center. Huge electrical technology is involved in electrical power transmission systems and networks including large national grids. The problems associated with these systems are solved by electrical engineering including all engineering sub fields.