It’s not surprising that many people aren’t sure what the difference is between an electrician and an electrical engineer. The two job titles are both related to solving electrical problems, but both go about it in very different ways. Here are some examples showing how the two jobs are different.
Academic vs. Hands-On Training
Your local electrician has had most of his training by working on-the-job as an apprentice, and he or she has had a couple hundred hours of technical training. Most of them have a high school level of formal education, but have a huge amount of knowledge because of their life experience.
Electrical engineers have much more formal training, as they are required to have a bachelor’s degree or higher. While studying for this they have to take courses which teach them engineering principles, electrical circuit theory, and advanced-level math.
Different Types of Knowledge
An architect designs a building, makes the blueprints, and knows why certain designs will work and why others won’t. Similarly, an electrical engineer can design electronics, and knows how and why they work the way that they do.
An electrician, on the other hand, is more like a builder. They take the designs and use them to create, repair, or revise actual electrical systems. They also know local safety regulations and requirements.
You’ll find electrical engineers in offices, drawing up designs; in labs, testing these designs; and with manufacturers as they help ensure a product is electrically sound.
Electricians are the people you call when you have an electrical problem. They are the ones who wire the electricity into your home and help you maintain, repair, or replace it.
When You Have A Problem, Call Mister Sparky!
Electrical engineers are the brains behind your electronics. They can tell you how and why electricity works. Electricians might not know exactly how every electronic device works, but they will know how to fix it for you. If you have electrical work needing to be done, give Mister Sparky® of Clearwater a call and let them know how they can help you.