Electrical engineers earn an average of $85,350, as of May 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As with most engineering jobs, electrical engineers require a bachelor's degree at minimum. You may not want to pursue electrical engineering as a career. Still, there are a number of electrical projects for engineering that you can do to get a taste of the field without a four-year degree. Similarly, some projects can be done only by large teams of experienced engineers.
If you've ever watched old horror and science-fiction films from the 1950s you are probably familiar with the sound of the theramin, if not the name. The theramin makes the "spooky" sounding background music in these films. Making your own full-sized theramin can set you back as much as $400, as of 2010. You can make your own pocket-sized theramin for under $20 and in less than three hours, according to Popular Science magazine. Your pocket theramin will be light-sensitive and can only be played in places with low lighting. It runs on a nine-volt battery and electrical engineering objects found at your local electronics shop.
USB Power Supply
You can make your own power supply for USB-enabled devices. The circuit involved is described by Maximum PC magazine as "about as simple as a circuit can get." Cover your circuit in electrical tape. Then use a drill to make holes in a discarded mint tin to make a house for your USB power supply.
Smart vehicles are one of the larger and more promising engineering projects in the world, as of 2010. Electrical engineers are currently seeking ways to get cars to drive themselves. Smart cars aim to be safer than standard, human-operated cars. Smart cars will have to be able to do things like parallel park themselves. Students in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers course use small motorized vehicles with infrared sensors, programming them to follow a path, turn and stop.
Another Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers project involves the creation and perfection of prosthetic hands. Students at the IEEE use a Lego Mindstorms NXT kit to construct a small robot with an arm for lifting small objects like coffee mugs. This teaches the students accuracy and precision and the ability to create prototypes on the quick. Of particular interest to electrical engineering students is the relationship between how many volts a motor receives and how quickly it operates.
- Photo Credit capacitors image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
Design Projects in Electrical Engineering
Because electrical engineering is the study and application of electronics, electricity and electromagnetism, a wide range of projects in this area can...
What Is an Electrical Engineer?
An electrical engineer develops new product design, electrical systems, components and test product prototypes. An electrical engineer is trained in the applications...
Electrical Engineering College Projects
Electrical engineering involves the manipulation of electricity and electromagnetism for electronic devices. Electrical engineers today develop power systems, control ...
College Electrical Projects
For the student of electrical engineering, choosing a college electrical project can be a daunting one. Your project must demonstrate a broader...
Projects for Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Projects can be an effective way to learn about electrical and electronics engineering. They not only reinforce engineering concepts but help to...
Electrical Mini-Projects for Engineering Students
Engineering students are often at the forefront of technology as they explore the unknown, eventually turning it into a "known." Some research...
Mini Projects for Electrical Students
Give them a small lightbulb, such as an LED Christmas light. ... Student Projects in Electrical Engineering; Comments View all 9 Comments....
Electrical Engineering Capstone Project Ideas
A capstone project for an electrical engineering student involves extensive research. The project is designed for the student to demonstrate a thorough...
Simple Electrical Engineering Projects
Simple Electrical Engineering Projects. ... To do this, you need a step-down power transformer, bridge rectifier, filter capacitors and a voltage regulator.