What is the difference between Electrical & Electronics Engineering? 

Are you searching for the differences between electrical and electronics engineering?? And are you also puzzled about which one to choose? If yes, then the following blog is the right guidance for you. This blog will clarify all your doubts and answer your queries in a simpler manner.

Engineering is a discipline dedicated to solving problems. Courses in the field of engineering focus on equipping students with the knowledge required to create new products, structures, and processes. Engineering is a wide discipline that consists of various subdomains. Electrical and electronics engineering are among the popular subdomains of engineering.

Both of these are different kinds of engineering but they share a lot of overlap. Usually, both these engineering subdomains are studied together in graduation and post-graduation courses.

If you are planning to study one or both of these engineering subdomains then it is essential for you to understand the differences between electrical and electronics engineering. Electrical engineering focuses on the generation and distribution of power mainly in the electricity form, whereas electronics engineering focuses on designing and properly maintaining electronic equipment.

We can say electrical engineering is a broader discipline whereas electronics engineering is much specific. To know the clear difference between electrical & electronics engineering and their career prospects let’s continue to read.

difference between Electrical and Electronics Engineering

About Electrical Engineering 

This discipline of engineering deals with the study of electrical power. It drives solutions for problems in diverse fields, ranging from telecommunication to space missions. Electrical engineering generally deals with generating, transforming, distributing, and utilizing electricity. It is also concerned with the study and design of electrical machines and equipment. An electrical engineer has to study power circuit design, power generation, circuit analysis, utilization of electricity, and more.

About Electronics Engineering 

Electronics engineering is a subset of electrical engineering that deals with the manufacturing and optimization of electronic equipment. This sub-domain of engineering specifically covers the study of designing, assembling, and optimizing different electronic appliances like mobile phones, computers, and laptops. Professionals in this field have to work in areas like manufacturing, computing, and transportation.

The Difference between Electrical & Electronics Engineering

Electrical and electronics eng. seems to be highly related to each other as both have to deal with electromagnetism for achieving their goals but they are distinct from each other in terms of usability and practical application.

We can understand electronics engineering as the art of creating and manipulating electronic devices like computers, television, and smart phones on the other hand, electrical engineering can be defined as the science which deals with the study of electric current and electromagnetism.

Both these disciplines of engineering more or less deals with electricity. If just electricity as energy is involved, it is called electrical engineering and if manipulation of electrical energy is involved it is called electronics eng.

Electrical engineering focuses on broader categories such as communication, electronics, electromagnetism, processes, etc. Electronics engg. is a specific domain which focuses on designing, processing, and optimizing electronic devices.

The below tabulated presents the key differentiation between Electrical and Electronics Engg.

Electrical Engineering Electronics Engineering
It deals with the study of transmission, distribution power generation, and uses at high voltages It deals with the utilization of electronic components like transistors, diodes, etc.
Electric devices produce and utilize electrical energy It uses only semi conductors like silicon, germanium, etc.
In electrical engineering, AC- Alternating current is used In electronics engineering, DC- Direct Current is used
Some of the main circuit components used in electrical engineering are passive components such as inductors, resistors, and capacitors Electronics eng. consist of both active and passive  circuit components like transistors, vacuum tubes, resistors, etc.

Difference between Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Career Scope 

Both electrical and electronics engineering is the popular sub-domains of engineering but have different scopes and serve non-identical purposes. Electrical engineering can be considered as the mother field and electronics engineering as a modern subset of electrical engineering. Both these specializations of engineering can provide global career opportunities. Below discussed are the career scope of electrical and electronics engineering.

Employment Opportunities after Electrical Engg.

There are a lot of career opportunities for electrical engineers to choose from. They can either apply for power distribution companies or they can also make their career in the big Indian brands and global multinational companies that are engaged in manufacturing and servicing electrical appliances and heavy electrical machines and equipment.

Electrical engg. can also build their career in the government sector. There are several government organizations that regularly recruit electrical engineers such as:

  • Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC)
  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
  • Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)
  • Steel Authority of India (SAIL)
  • Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL)
Employment Opportunities after Electronics Engg.

Electronics engineering also offers a plethora of opportunities. Electronics engineers are the professionals who analyze the needs of the customers, develop electrical system plans, do inspections for maintaining safety, etc.  Below named are some of the career choices for electronics engineers.

  • Electronics Engineer
  • Systems Analyst
  • Network Engineer
  • Control and Instrumentation Engineer
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • IT Consultant
Which one to Choose, Electrical or Electronics Engg.? 

You can choose electrical or electronics engineering as per your area of interest and future plans. After going through the aforementioned details you would have learned the difference between the two and also find out which one sounds more interesting to you.

If you are interested to learn how to develop and design modern electronic devices like iPods, laptops, desktops, etc, then you should opt for electronics engineering and if learning the use of electrical current and electromagnetism sounds interesting to you then you should definitely opt for electrical engineering.

If you are seeking higher education in the field of engineering and want to pursue the top engineering specializations like mechanical engineering, electronics and communication engineering, computer science and engineering, etc. then we coordinate invite you to the IIMT Group of Colleges.

The college is among the top-notch education institutes in India and it offers diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s degree courses in the engineering domain. Hopefully, reading this blog would have helped you to clear all your doubts regarding the difference between electronic and  electrical engineering.

B.tech in Computer Science