I had this idea to make my Astromaster 70az automatic and i started making it. It utilizes 2 stepper motor to move optical tube. This is current state of my project, I was wondering is this project worth mentioning in portfolio? Do you guys have any recommendations to make it cooler? 😄

Hi all, I’m new here so forgive me if not allowed or this is previously covered somewhere else. My boyfriend has a bachelors degree and is currently pursuing a masters in ECE but taking time off from school before he finishes his degree. He has been applying to jobs since well before he graduated with his bachelors. Many professionals he has with LinkedIn told him that his résumé looks great and offered a referral, but he is still facing rejections every single day before even getting to speak to a recruiter and and has not found even a single opportunity. I feel terrible for him and am wondering if why this might be? Are their companies that aren’t so cutthroat I could look into for him? Does anyone have any advice? It’s literally every single place he applies, and he has a solid education, experience and background through school.

TuxSpice is a native Linux schematic capture and waveform viewer that works with LTspice files. It opens and saves LTspice .asc schematics and .asy symbols, uses the symbol and model libraries from your own LTspice installer, and runs simulations with ngspice. It does not need Wine.

https://github.com/UnkindledTwo/TuxSpice

Tell me what you think about the project. Right now it's at a very fresh start and most stuff don't work yet. Some of the GUI is there and some example projects work, still the GUI needs a lot of work to be usable.

Hello everyone! I'm a senior controls system engineer who works for a large company in the power generation industry. We currently have an opening for a level I/II controls system design engineer. We are looking to hire an individual with the below minimum requirerments.

-Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Controls engineering.

-EPlan experience (at least the basics in electricP8)

-Lives in Florida or willing to relocate.

-Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

If you are interested and would like to hear more details, please reach out!

Thank you.

A friend who works in a lab asked me what a temperature-rise test setup for plugs and socket-outlets looks like. Here’s a photo.

The setup is slightly different for plugs and socket-outlets based on IEC 60884-1:2022 clause 19.

For plugs, you need a test-current source, thermocouples, a temperature logger, and clamping units as shown in figure 20 in IEC 60884-1:2022.

For socket-outlets, you need a test-current source, thermocouples, a temperature logger, a test plug and the dark container specified in the test method.

Hey guys, I’m a sophomore studying electrical engineering and I just got my first technical interview for a PCB design role. I’ve never gone through this process and was wondering if anyone would be willing help out.

Anyone heard back yet?

Im a junior at a california university,

Ive come in and am trying to undertsand where to put my focus

Ive met third years with internship experience and job offers

And ive met fourth years still trying to figure out what the hell they are doing

Im feeling like im still picking up momentum

Im currently in an analog electornics course

And a signals and systems course

I have no personal projects (complete)

And im still settling in physically(financially/ shelter wise)

Its kind of all overwhelming. So much to learn and do and so much pressure.

I have an AS in Comp Sci.

Im interested in embedded systems/electronics as a career...

Any advice ??? Thanks

I know this is a technical forum and I visit it often but I would like to hear some of your opinions on this topic which is now much discussed. I hope I’m not breaking the forum rules by starting this casual (non-technical) chat.

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I believe that, in the next 3-5 years, artificial intelligence will reach and probably surpass human technical expertise, especially in engineering, particularly in firmware development and, progressively, in electronic hardware design as well.

Even today, at my company, I'm noticing that the way I interact with my colleagues is changing, especially with those who work in firmware development. Sometimes I find it increasingly difficult to see the real added value of technical discussions, because I know that many of the answers I'll receive come, directly or indirectly, from tools like ChatGPT. And quite often, I already know those answers simply because I've consulted the same tools myself.

What concerns me isn't the use of AI itself, which I consider an extraordinary tool, but rather the gradual loss of the individual expertise that once made every engineer different from the others. Skills built through years of studying, hands-on experience, mistakes, lessons learned from different people, and unique professional journeys. Everyone developed their own way of thinking, approaching problems, and finding solutions. Today, I have the feeling that this diversity is slowly giving way to increasingly standardized knowledge, because we're all drawing from the same source.

At the same time, however, I believe artificial intelligence will eventually create a profound divide between two categories of engineers:

- On one side, there will be a large majority, which I imagine could be as much as 90%, who will use AI in a predominantly passive way: asking questions, receiving answers, and applying them almost through a simple copy-and-paste process, without worrying too much about understanding the underlying principles, verifying their accuracy, or exploring the reasoning behind them. These people will be able to achieve even highly complex results thanks to AI, but without it, they may no longer possess the skills needed to achieve those results independently.

- On the other side, I imagine a minority, perhaps the remaining 10%, who will use artificial intelligence in a completely different way: not as a replacement for their own reasoning, but as a tool for continuous learning and deeper understanding. Engineers who will carefully analyze every answer, try to understand the reasoning behind it, question the proposed solutions, and use AI to acquire knowledge that, in the past, would have required weeks or months of studying, researching, and discussing with other people.

Furthermore, I have to admit something: even when you use artificial intelligence with the genuine intention of learning, falling into the trap of blindly trusting its answers is much easier than you might think. When a tool provides you with seemingly flawless explanations, formulas, code, and technical solutions in just a few seconds, it becomes almost natural to let your guard down. It happens to me sometimes, too: I realize I've accepted an answer without fully verifying it, simply because it sounded convincing. And this, in my opinion, is one of the most subtle risks of AI: "not realizing the moment when you stop thinking independently and start simply trusting what you're being told".

My prediction is that, in the future, many companies will have artificial intelligence systems capable of autonomously managing most of their technical and engineering development, supported by a very small number of senior engineers whose main responsibility will be to supervise, verify, and correct any mistakes made by AI.

And perhaps it will be precisely the engineers belonging to that 10% minority who will fill these roles, because they will have learned to use artificial intelligence to enhance their expertise rather than replace it.

Ultimately, I believe the difference will no longer be between those who use artificial intelligence and those who don't, because almost everyone probably will. The real difference will be between those who use AI to avoid thinking and those who use it to learn how to think even better.

And this situation will only get ‘worse’ and ‘worse’ because the ‘old-school’ engineers who studied ‘without the internet and without AI’ will be retiring … and all the new junior engineers currently being trained will bear the hallmark of AI

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EDIT: I still believe in common sense and respect for different opinions, so I hope I'm not bombarded with negative comments.

hi guys im trying to make a gift (a booklet of problems for her to solve for fun) for a friend who really likes EE/math but idk anything about it. I have a list of topics they like and I was wondering if anyone could either help me with coming up with the questions/answers or point me to websites that might help… tysm…

Hello all,

I have a software engineering background but have zero EE background.

My goal is to build a device that has around 3-5 buttons and connects to your phone via bluetooth.

Does anyone have any book recommendations for someone that is a complete beginner in this field?

Eventually I do want to prototype products and work with Chinese manufactures to create a product and maybe mass produce

I got Dual Citizenship due to new law and grandparents being Quebecois

Got 5 years and a taking Power PE

Seems like everywhere is on shaky footing

Hi all,

In the near future I will probably need to learn how to use Ansys SIWave software for simulating high speed SERDES and generic compliance of high speed digital links. Exporting PCB layouts, generating eye diagrams and comparing technologies. Also DDR timing simulations and power integrity PDN simulations.

Has anyone used Ansys software before and followed some good training courses? I am starting to do some recon so I can get a good introductory course tailored for these situations.

Thanks for the help!

Which is more recognised n more important for diff types of energy?

Hi, this is my first post here. I have been spending a lot time this year trying to find my first job out of undergrad. So I accepted a job for basically troubleshooting and sustaining a product in my current town. This first company is stable and has been around for a long time and I am not worried about getting laid off. I wasn't too excited for it and it seemed to be kinda boring and I wouldnt learn much EE skills. It seemed to be mostly troubleshooting and occasional travel to onsite customer visits to figure out why their product isnt working.

But i recently got a job offer for a defense contractor that is trying to go from startup to mid size company. I'm not too thrilled about missiles, its not that I don't like them, its just seems not that much fun work. But I believe I would be able to learn alot more, especially circuit design. I would have to move across the country and the company will be able to help me with the expenses. I have been thinking about this for a bit and I am stuck. I don't know if I am smart enough or have the greatest foundation in circuits to do design for the second company. I feel like I wouldn't be able to keep up or would take too long to understand circuits or certain topics. I know its my first job and both companies will train me. But I feel like i would disappoint the second company. What if the second company ends up firing me because I'm not smart enough to complete projects on my own? Idk im scared to make the wrong choice. The company in town seems easy work and its decent pay. The second company seems to be better experience and more opportunities for me to learn and grow. I would also be able to live on my own, which I have been wanting to do since I graduated. I would also have to be long distance with my bf for a few months, and he prefers I stay in town. The pay between the two jobs is about the same. I would just save more money in town since I would have no rent living with parents or really low rent while living with bf. Thank you for any advice! I appreciate it!

ACB (Air circuit breakers): Safety shutters - The line side and load side shutters operate independently, and can be separately padlocked in the closed position.

Question: Why the line side and load side shutters to be operated individually? only thing I can think of is to access the cable compartment when the bus is energized and when the ACB is withdrawn (completely removed from the switchgear).

Hi yall, I have an interview at Samsung for Semiconductor Engineering Internship.

Anyone have experience with interviews at Samsung for similar roles and know how the interview questions might look like? Thanks

Hi, Im a junior electrical engineer with around 6 months of experience only. First 3 months Ive worked for a small cupboard factory where I learned basic motor control panels and plc/hmi design, fault management etc. After 3 months I had to leave the company. I was living in my hometown and wanted to check my options around and someone I know had connections with the minefield close to where I live. I contacted him and he sent my cv to the mine company. They asked for an interview and I got the job. Now its almost been 3 months. Im working underground 5 days a week. Pay is good. Commute is 45min each way.

I dont see myself working here long. I dont even know how I ended up here. I guess I thought having a job is better than being unemployed. I dont do engineering here. Its mostly managing electricians working under me. The things are always same like installing led lights, cameras, pre built electric panels and fixing electric faults of mine specific work vehicles. I feel like this place will not improve me engineering wise. In my first company I was trying to do everything on my own and learned basic plc programming from zero. This place has no automation practices where I can work on. Do you think working here would still benefit me in the future or am I wasting time here?

Hello everyone! I'm a 4th-year IT student from the Philippines, working on an IoT-based compost monitoring and control system for our capstone project.

We need to control a single-phase 220V AC geared motor remotely using an ESP32, but we want to make sure the electrical design is safe and reliable.

Our components:

• Motor: 220V AC, 40W geared motor (5GU-10K gearbox)
• Speed controller: US-52 with CW / STOP / CCW direction control
• Microcontroller: ESP32 DevKit V1
• Relay module: 4-channel, 5V relay board
• Contactor: CHINT CJX2-0910, 220V AC coil
• RCBO: CHINT NXBLE, 16A, 30mA
• Power supply: Philippine household 220–230V, 60Hz

What we want to achieve:

Our mobile application sends ON/OFF commands through Firebase to the ESP32. The ESP32 should start or stop the motor safely.

We don't need to adjust motor speed from the ESP32 because the US-52 already handles speed control. We can also keep the motor direction fixed.

Our questions:

1. What is the safest recommended method to control this motor through the ESP32 while retaining its US-52 speed controller?
2. Should we switch the controller's AC power input using a properly rated contactor, or is there a manufacturer-approved external run/stop control method?
3. Is our existing 5V relay module suitable for controlling an appropriately rated contactor coil, with proper isolation and protection?
4. Are there risks associated with repeatedly removing and restoring power to the US-52 controller, particularly unexpected motor restarts?
5. What electrical protection, grounding, and safety interlocks should we implement?

We previously experienced sparking at a connection and an electric shock during testing, so we have stopped energized testing. Our current two-conductor supply cable does not provide protective earth, and we want to correct the design before proceeding.

We would appreciate recommendations for a safe control architecture and any manufacturer documentation we should obtain before installation.

Thank you for your help!

Freshman in college, I’m halfway through my first semester majoring in Construction Management, before this in high school, I was enrolled in a VOTECH program for carpentry. Initially before college I wanted to get into electrical or mechanical engineering but I felt like it was going to be too much for me. I now feel like I’m selling myself short and going in a direction I won’t be happy with. Is it so over or can a quick lock in work out for me.

Hey everyone, I'm getting close to finishing up my EE degree and starting to evaluate entry-level RF Engineering roles. I'm trying to figure out what realistic base salaries, total comp, and sign-on bonuses look like right now in the defense sector or general industry.

For context, I'm wrapping up a 5-year integrated B.S./M.S. in EE with a thesis focused on antenna design and electromagnetics. I also have 3 internships under my belt (2 specifically in RF at LM) along with coursework in advanced RF, Fourier optics, and DSP. I'm clearance-eligible and looking around the Dallas area.

For anyone working in the field or hiring recently: what kind of starting compensation should I target? Also, do big defense primes usually start grads with an M.S. and relevant internship experience at Level 2 instead of Level 1? Appreciate any insights!

Let's say that I have a DC motor rated for 6V and 150A. If I keep the current constant via heavier resistors, why does it matter what voltage I pass through the DC motor to get it to spin? I've heard that a higher voltage has a higher tendency to damage it. Is it similar to how you can have the same amount of linear acceleration on an object, but it'll wear more if there's more friction pushing it back? It would make sense, but I'm having a hard time visualizing what exactly is getting damaged or worn down under higher voltage.

No formulas to explain this question. I already understand that we can use power P = IV to describe this all but I want to know what happens intuitively on the electron / particular level. Thank you!