Main Difference Between Electrical and Electronic Engineering?

Electrical Technology

What is Main Difference Between Electrical and Electronic Engineering?

Table of Contents

Definitions of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Both are similar words that can cause a bit of confusion for newbies, but they differ significantly from each other. Let’s explain them in detail, along with the related terms, as below:

Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering is the field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, power distribution, control, electronics, and electromagnetism.

Electronic Engineering

Electronic Engineering is an engineering discipline that involves the use of non-linear elements and active components such as electron tubes, semiconductor devices, especially transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits, among others, to design electronic circuits, devices, and systems.

Related Post: Difference Between Current and Voltage

Main Difference Between Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Below is the main difference between electrical and electronic engineering, which prevents confusion between them. Although the terms are similar and related, they are distinct disciplines.

Electrical Engineering = Study and Utilization/Application of Flow of Electrons.
Electronics Engineering = Study and utilization/Application of Flow of Charge ( Electron & Holes).

As we know, we study only the flow of electrons in a conductor and insulator. However, in the case of semiconductors, we study both the flow of electrons (negatively charged) and holes (positively charged).

Furthermore, electrical components and devices use alternating current (AC) or voltages and tend to be larger in size, requiring 230V (in the UK – IEC) and 120V/240V (in the US – NEC) single-phase AC voltages. In industries and power stations, voltages may go up to 11kV, and for transmission, they can exceed 400kV.

In contrast, electronic components require very small direct current (DC) voltages, such as 3-12V, and they can be very small in size. For example, a single microprocessor chip may contain hundreds or thousands of tiny electronic components.

Related Post: Difference between AC and DC

Another significant difference between electrical and electronic engineering is that an electric circuit/network may only power an electric machine, whereas an electronic circuit plays a role as a decision-making component and device. Electronic circuits follow input instructions and perform specific tasks defined by the designed circuit.

It’s important to note that ‘electronics engineering is one of the fields/branches of electrical engineering.’ In other words, electronics engineering is the elder son of electrical engineering. :-D

Related Post: Difference Between Voltage and EMF

Difference Between Electric and Electrical

Electric: is anything specified and related to electricity (in front of machine or which runs on electric power)

Examples: Electric charge, electric shock, electric heater/kettle, electric current etc.

Electrical: used in general and more in unspecified thing related to electricity. Keep in mind that “electrical” or “electric” make no big deference when used for “electric machines” or “electrical machines” as the two words are essentially identical in meaning.

Examples: Electrical machines, electrical appliances, (Specified but not runs on electricity like, Electrical engineer)

Related Post: Difference Between MCB, MCCB, ELCB & RCCB

Difference between Electronic and Electronics

There is no big difference between electronic vs. electronics engineering i.e. there is an additional “S” in both words. By the way:

Electronics = noun, referring to a group of electrical / electronic circuits and networks that are electronic related in nature. It is widely accepted and More commonly used in UK, EU, AU and other English speaking countries.

Example: I have to buy a mobile charger in the electronics store.

Electronic = adjective. It is used to refer to a specific things contains on circuits/networks and active electrical semiconductor components (diodes, transistors, ICs etc.) in it. More commonly used in North America including USA and Canada.

Example: I have to find an electronic meter to check the DC voltage of the circuit.

Related Post: Difference Between Electronic vs. Electronics Engineering

Difference Between an Electrical and Electronic Device

Electrical Device: is a passive device which don’t need electric power supply for their operation like resistors, inductors, capacitors, wires and cables, and they don’t provide power amplification i.e. the output never exceed the input power.

Electronic Device: is an active device which required external source for their operation like Diode, Transistors, SCR, ICs etc. and they may (or may not) provide power amplification.

Good to Know:

Electrical Technology

Electrical Technology: it is a field of engineering technology related to electrical and electronics engineering which deals in generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power and its utilization.