As the name suggests, Electrical and Electronic Engineering are both different fields of engineering. They sound similar, and they have a lot of overlap as well.

Both are very different. It’s easy to get confused between the two. This is why we’ve put this guide together to help you understand the difference between Electrical vs Electronic Engineering.

To help you know which path might be right for you if you’re considering a career in either field, although both fields deal with the study, design, and application of electrical systems, they operate on different scales and have different purposes.

Let’s go ahead and explore electrical vs electronic engineering.

Overview of Electrical vs Electronic Engineering

To begin with, let’s go over a brief overview of the two fields. This will help you understand the fundamental difference between Electrical vs Electronic Engineering.

To understand better, remember the difference between electrical vs electronic engineering, is pretty much the same difference between “Electric” and “Electronic.”

Electrical Engineering

Here’s a fun fact! Electrical engineering is one of the oldest and the most broad branches of engineering. It mainly focuses on generating, transmitting, distributing, and utilizing electrical power.

Electrical engineers deal with high-voltage systems. Electrical engineering is concerned with the large-scale production and distribution of electrical power, To make sure that electrical energy can be efficiently and safely delivered to homes, businesses, industries, etc.

Electronic Engineering

Electronic engineering, on the other hand, is a sub-category of electrical engineering. It focuses on controlling the electrons to create devices and circuits. Sounds interesting doesn’t it?

It deals with low-voltage systems and involves designing and developing components used in computers, communication systems, and consumer electronics.

In comparison with electrical engineering, electronics is more concerned with small-scale systems.

Applications of Electronic Vs Electrical Engineering

Electrical

Electrical engineers work on large-scale systems and infrastructure projects. The applications of Electrical engineering show that as well. Some of the areas electrical engineering is applied are listed below.

1. Designing and maintaining power stations.
2. Developing and maintaining Electrical Grids
3. Creating electrical systems for manufacturing plants.
4. Maintaining Transformers
5. Taking care of high-voltage transmission lines
6. Developing national electrical grids.
7. Focused on Industrial Machinery
8. Maintaining Electric motors
9. Innovating renewable energy technologies.

Electronic

Electronic engineers work on a smaller scale, often designing and developing smaller circuits used in consumer electronics. Other areas in which electronic engineering can be useful are telecommunications, and digital systems, including computers, radios, and TVs.

Some other applications are;

1. Smartphones, laptops, and other personal computers
2. Building other electronic consumer goods.
3. Maintaining the Telecommunication system
4. Creating Integrated Circuits
5. Designing and manufacturing semiconductors
6. Medical devices such as pacemakers and imaging machines.
7. Communication systems like mobile networks and radar systems.
8. Developing sensors, such as motion sensors, etc.
9. Control systems for automobiles and industrial robots.

Difference between Voltage and Current in both fields

Voltage and current are very important factors in both fields, but their applications couldn’t be more different.

So, Electrical Engineering deals with high voltages and high currents. Examples include systems that operate at kilovolts (kV) to distribute power to entire cities.

Whereas, Electronic Engineering involves low voltages and low currents. For instance, circuits in a smartphone operate at a few volts (e.g., 3.3V or 5V).

Scale of Operation

One of the main differences between electrical vs electronic engineering is the scale of operation. So what does this mean?

This means Electrical Engineering operates on a macro scale. The focus is entirely on distributing electrical energy across vast distances efficiently.

As we discussed in the previous part, it involves large systems that handle high-voltage power, such as power plants, electrical grids, and industrial machinery.

On the other hand, Electronic Engineering operates on a micro-scale. It focuses on circuits, components, and devices and typically operates at low voltages, compared to Electrical Engineering.

Key Areas of Focus

The key focal point for both Electrical vs Electronic engineering is very different.

Let’s look at the area of focus for electrical engineering first,

1. Power generation and transmission (e.g., power plants, grids).
2. Electrical machines (e.g., generators, transformers, and motors).
3. High-voltage engineering and systems.
4. Renewable energy systems (e.g., wind turbines, solar farms).
5. Electrical infrastructure for buildings and cities.

Now let’s look at the areas of focus for electronic engineering.

What to Expect from an Electrical vs Electronic Engineering Degree

Studying electrical engineering at university will teach you a large range of topics that are central to electrical engineering. Whereas a degree in electronic engineering will give you the skills necessary for the smaller scale of Electronic.

You will cover electromagnetism, electrical machines and drives, motion control systems, power systems, and power electronics in Electrical. Similarly in Electronics, you will cover computer hardware, analog circuits, communication systems, power electronics, semiconductors, and optoelectronics.

Career Opportunities

Let’s quickly and briefly go over the career opportunities provided to you if you studied electrical engineering or electronics engineering.

Electrical Engineering Careers:

1. Power engineer.
2. Electrical systems designer.
3. Infrastructure project manager.
4. Renewable energy specialist.

Electronic Engineering Careers:

1. Embedded systems developer.
2. Electronics design engineer.
3. Telecommunications engineer.
4. Robotics and automation specialist.

Both types of engineering require a bachelor’s degree, however, the actual major for each type is different.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve helped clear up some of the confusion regarding the difference between electrical vs electronic engineering. While they both share a common foundation they differ quite a lot in their scope, scale of operation, applications, and focus.

Electrical engineering is concerned with large-scale power systems and high-voltage applications, while electronic engineering deals with smaller-scale systems and low-voltage technologies.

Both fields offer exciting career opportunities and are essential to modern society. Understanding the differences can help you make an informed decision about which discipline you’d like to go for. They are both amazing engineering fields that offer a ton of opportunities in the future.

So pick the one that interests you the most with Enrollmate, today. And as always good luck!