Q:I am currently going to school to study Engineering. I want to become an Electrical Engineer, but recently, I've heard about Electronics Engineering. I did telecommunications in the US military and dealt with small circuits and RF communications equipment. This all falls under Electronics Engineering.I've been trying to find more info on Electronics Engineering, but can't seem to find if it is a separate degree program from Electrical Engineering.My school only lists:Electrical Engineering Computer ScienceElectrical Engineering Computer Sci - Materials Sci EngineeringElectrical Engineering Computer Sci - Nuclear EngineeringHow would I go about becoming an Electronics Engineer?

Yes, those majors ARE separate !!!!! Electrical deals with applications of electricity does the actual work (like a drill or skil-saw). Electronic deals with applications of electricity activating other parts to do the work (like a stereo or TV). The subjects are related, but the majors are different. You will need to contact different schools until you find one that offers electronic engineering!! (I currently .no pun intended.don't know which schools to reccomend.

Q:I am a mechanical engineer with limited EI information. In general terms, could someone succinctly describe the following terms: (a) HMI; (b) Gen-set; (c) PLC; (d) UPS; (e) SCADA / Citect; (f) MCC; (g) E-Stop; (h) PCS/SIS; (i) Murphy switch. I know it's a lot, so relatively short answers should be fine - just summed up concisely and correctly. Thanks in advance all you electrically-savvy people!

HMI Human Machine Interface Gen-set Engine generator set for generating electricity PLC Program able Logic Controller used in factory automation UPS Uninterruptible Power Supply SCADA Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition industrial control system using HMI and PLCs Citect the software company that specilized in SCADA control MCC Motor Control Center E-Stop Emergency Stop Stop Control PCS/SIS PCS (Process Control Systems) and SIS (Safety Instrumented Systems) Murphy switch shutdown switch actuated when process parameters are not correct, like shutting down an engine when engine oil level is critically low.

Q:An example of something would be one light flashes and another light goes off. Or Lights that are already on, turn off, another one turns on, and lights flash, then the whole process repeats itself again after a while.

A clock driven multi-pole programable time switch. They come in both mechanical and solid state flavors.

Q:I think that I might have opened a portal into another world. Yesterday I heard a recording off of the internet that didn't exist! Weird. Also, I have been hearing voices and sounds coming from the room where I think that the portal was opened. I am so freaked out. I have a lot of excess electrical equipment in this room and I feel a little bit uncomfortable with that. I'm wondering if the equipment is making me feel weird too. Does anyone have a similar experience? What should I do? I don't want to hang out with spirits!

sprinkle holy water, and pray Catholic exorcism prayer.

Q:Hi we are going on holiday to Brazil and staying at the Super Club Breezes Hotel in Costa De Sauipe where they have 220 v AC but while we are in Brazil we are planning on also visiting Rio and Iguassu Falls where we understand they have 110 v AC. What exactly will we have to buy and take with us so that we can use UK hair dryers, phone chargers and other assorted electrics. Thanks AJ

You'll need one plug adapter and one voltage transformer as well. If your equipment is bivolt, then only the plug adapter is needed.

Q:does adjusting the router's position about an inch or adjusting the direction of the antenna affect my laptops browsing speed?

Not so much. But moving it away from other electrical equipment will make the signal travel farther. Also keep it as far from the cordless phone and things like that. Other digital devices, and concrete/brick walls really break it down. If you are connected to the access point at even a fair signal, you will probably be using all your internet connection speeds' bandwidth. Having a better signal wont make it faster, unless it is actually disconnecting on you.

Q:im a freshman in high school and was wondering if i wanted to become some type of electrician in the navy what classes i should be taking, doing good in? also what is it like being in the navy and does everyone get in i really would like to become an electrician in the navy do i still have time to improve and meet my goals?

Take okorder

Q:Examples include-Unplug your wireless router for 30 seconds and then plug back inUnplug all elerical cords for 45 seconds then plug back inWhy do they recommend a specific amount of time?

Most things today have a computer in them of some sort and sometimes things just get messed up inside them. Unplugging them allows them to reset to factory standards and they usually work after that. I never wait a specific time like they say. Usually 5 seconds at most is enough to reset everything. They tell you longer times to cover their bases and in rare cases it may need that much time. Most electronics have a transformer in the plug, that's why its bigger than a normal plug and it takes a little bit to use the electric stored in them.

Q:I am interested in buying a house and the village water supply enters the house right next to the electrical panel in the basement. I am concerned that this might be a code violation and not pass inspection. Any thoughts?

That location is alright for now. If you choose to have a service upgrade, then it'll have to be move atleast six ft away. Being close to the water main is good because the water system must be bonded to the service . When the panel is moved, then the meter location comes into play s far as disconnect means for the panel. Check out the NEC.

Q:1.What is Rated AC voltage? Why we would like to state Rated instead of Nominal?2.What is Nominal AC voltage?3.Explain rms value for AC voltage. What is it's relation to Rated/Nominal Voltage?

Rated voltage could also be the maximum voltage that a type of wire, plug, socket or circuit breaker is designed for. In that case, the rated voltage may be considerably higher than the nominal voltage. Nominal voltage is the standard value that is used when referring to a voltage level. If the nominal voltage is 220 volts, the actual voltage might be 5 or 10% higher or lower. So in French, rated voltage is sometimes used for voltage nominal, but it is also translated as voltage maximum admis I hope this helps .