Electrical engineering technology (EET) is the applied branch of electrical engineering focused on the hands-on implementation, testing, manufacturing, and maintenance of electrical and electronic systems rather than abstract theoretical design. While a traditional electrical engineer (EE) might derive the electromagnetic equations for a new motor topology, the electrical engineering technologist takes that motor, sizes the feeder conductors, programs the variable frequency drive (VFD), and writes the PLC ladder logic to make it run on the factory floor.
In a real circuit or installation, EET changes the outcome by bridging the gap between a theoretical schematic and a working physical system. An EET professional selects actual component part numbers, calculates real-world thermal derating for conductors in a hot enclosure, and ensures the design complies with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without EET, brilliant theoretical designs would remain trapped on paper, unable to survive the messy realities of physical manufacturing and field installation.
Electrical Engineering vs. Electrical Engineering Technology: The Core Differences
The most common hurdle for students and hiring managers alike is distinguishing between the EE and EET tracks. Both deal with electrons, but their daily realities look vastly different. The table below breaks down the structural and practical differences between the two disciplines.
| Criteria | Electrical Engineering (EE) | Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Theory, conceptual design, and R&D | Application, implementation, testing, and manufacturing |
| Mathematics Depth | Calculus I-IV, Differential Equations, Linear Algebra | Algebra, Trigonometry, Applied Calculus I-II |
| Typical Degree Path | Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) | Associate (AAS) or Bachelor of Science in EET (BSEET) |
| Core Software Tools | MATLAB, Simulink, SPICE, HFSS (RF simulation) | AutoCAD Electrical, RSLogix/Studio 5000, ETAP, Multisim |
| Field vs. Office Ratio | 80% Office / Lab, 20% Field | 50% Office, 50% Field / Shop Floor |
| Licensure Trajectory | Standard path to Professional Engineer (PE) license | PE licensure is possible but requires specific ABET-accredited degrees and state-by-state approval |
Accreditation Matters: If you are pursuing an EET degree and want to keep the door open for a PE license later, ensure your program is accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). Many state licensing boards, overseen by the NCEES, will not accept non-ABET technology degrees for the PE exam, regardless of your field experience.
Where You Meet EET in Practice: A Worked Numeric Example
To truly understand what an EET does, let's look at a standard industrial task: sizing the feeder and overcurrent protection for a newly installed 50 HP, 460V, 3-phase AC induction motor located 250 feet from the Motor Control Center (MCC).
An EE might have designed the custom inverter duty windings inside the motor. The EET's job is to get power to it safely and legally, referencing the NFPA 70 (NEC).
Step 1: Determine Full Load Current (FLC) and Conductor Size
We don't use the nameplate amps for conductor sizing; we use NEC Table 430.250. For a 50 HP motor at 460V, the FLC is 65A.
NEC 430.22 requires conductors to be sized at 125% of the motor FLC:
- 65A × 1.25 = 81.25A minimum ampacity.
- Looking at the 75°C column of NEC Table 310.16 (since most MCC terminals are rated 75°C), 4 AWG THHN copper has an ampacity of 85A. This is our baseline conductor.
Step 2: Calculate Voltage Drop
The NEC recommends keeping feeder voltage drop under 3%. Using the 3-phase voltage drop formula:
VD = (√3 × K × I × L) / CM
- √3 = 1.732
- K (Copper) = 12.9 ohms per mil-foot
- I (FLC) = 65A
- L (Length) = 250 ft
- CM (Circular Mils for 4 AWG) = 41,740
VD = (1.732 × 12.9 × 65 × 250) / 41,740 = 8.69V
Percentage drop: (8.69V / 460V) × 100 = 1.88%. Because 1.88% is well under the 3% limit, 4 AWG is confirmed as the correct wire size.
Step 3: Size the Overcurrent Protection
For short-circuit and ground-fault protection, NEC Table 430.52 allows an inverse-time breaker sized up to 250% of the FLC for standard motors.
- 65A × 2.50 = 162.5A.
- NEC 240.6 lists standard breaker sizes. Since 162.5A is not a standard size, we round up to the next standard size: 175A.
The EET specifies 3-conductor 4 AWG THHN in conduit and a 175A Square D FA32175 molded case circuit breaker. They then draft the wiring diagram and hand it to the electrical crew. This applied, code-driven calculation is the heartbeat of electrical engineering technology.
Common Confusions: EET, EE, and the Electrician Trade
People frequently confuse EET with two other roles: the traditional Electrical Engineer and the Journeyman Electrician. Understanding the boundaries prevents career frustration and jobsite friction.
The Electrician vs. The Technologist: A journeyman electrician is a master of physical installation—bending conduit, pulling wire, terminating lugs, and physically building the system per the prints. An EET professional is the one who often creates those prints, specifies the exact part numbers, calculates the thermal loads, and programs the smart relays. On a large industrial site, the EET acts as the bridge between the EE's high-level system architecture and the electrician's physical execution.
Another common confusion is assuming EET is just a 'watered-down' EE. This is false; it is a lateral shift in focus. EET programs spend significantly more time on manufacturing processes, quality control, PLC programming (like Allen-Bradley Studio 5000), and hands-on lab troubleshooting. An EE might struggle to wire a 480V bucket or debug a noisy 4-20mA analog signal on the shop floor, whereas an EET graduate does this daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an EET graduate design power systems?
Yes, but with limits. EETs routinely design branch circuits, motor control centers, and low-voltage control panels. However, designing high-voltage utility substations or signing off on major structural electrical grids usually requires a PE license, which is traditionally tied to an EE degree, though some states allow EETs to sit for the PE exam if their degree is ABET-accredited and they have sufficient supervised experience.
What is the salary difference between EE and EET?
Entry-level EET roles (like field service engineer or controls technician) typically start between $65,000 and $80,000, while entry-level EE roles start around $75,000 to $95,000. However, senior EETs who specialize in high-demand niches like industrial automation, VFD commissioning, or high-voltage testing can easily surpass $120,000, especially when factoring in field overtime and per diems.
Do EETs need to know how to code?
Yes, but usually not in C++ or Python. EET coding focuses on industrial languages: Ladder Logic, Structured Text, and Function Block Diagrams for PLCs, as well as basic scripting for HMI (Human-Machine Interface) design and SCADA systems. Knowing how to write a Python script to parse CSV data from a power meter is a massive resume booster, but the daily 'code' is usually IEC 61131-3 standard PLC logic.
