Electronics Certification Why You Need It and How to Get It.

While the accreditation and certification of those in the engineering field varies by country, the widely accepted notion is that those who have graduated from accredited programs in the electronics or electrical engineering can legally practice engineering in any of the signatory countries. This list includes, but is not limited to, Australia, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, there is an industry-accepted procedure by which an engineer can progress from graduate to the top of their field –Electrical and Electronics: Professional Engineering (PE), the top electronics certification. The following article will detail each of those steps.

ABET – Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

The first stage in the process of gaining an electronic certification is to graduate from an ABET accredited university or institute. ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, accredits appropriate institutes in disciplines such as engineering, computing, and applies science at various academic levels. With this accreditation graduates can begin their four-step journey towards their desired electronics certification. The criteria of the ABET is largely focused on what students typically learn and experience throughout both their studies and careers.

The ABET board generally accredits programs as opposed to institutions. It adds value to the program while proving that a university course has met the standards and requirements of the industry. Graduates enter the workplace with the knowledge that they have achieved industry-leading education. ABED accreditation is seen by employers the world over as the best stamp of approval for young engineers. The policy and practice for accreditation is strict, as the vision of ABET is to assure the quality of the program, while stimulating innovation in the sciences: applied science, engineering, technology, and computing.

FE – Fundamentals of Engineering

Next, recent graduates hoping to receive an electronic certification should pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The exam itself is conducted by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). The engineering practice is licensed like other professions as states must protect the public from unethical or unsafe individual who purport to practice engineering. It is encouraged, therefore, that every individual studying engineering at an accredited institution work towards professional licensure.

Many universities and colleges nationwide offer review courses in order to help students prepare for the exam. Participating universities also encourage students to sit in on the exam during their final semester; the pass rate is typically in the region of 85%, while those who take the exam at a later date only pass at a rate of 45%.

Given its reputation as one of the most difficult exams globally, a general guideline is given to students and practicing engineers who hope to achieve this award in electrical engineering. First and foremost, students should select classes and electives while at the university which support the content of the FE exam. Then, they should sit in on a trial examination which is administered by either the PPI or NCEES. Finally, they should acquire the Fundamentals of Engineering Supplied-Reference Handbook and study the material made available by the NCEES.

Engineers who have been practicing for a number of years should, as a starting point, take a review course offered by an accredited institution. Such courses offer particularly in-depth preparation for the FE exam. At that point they can follow the steps provided to the students: acquire the handbook, and study the readily-available material.

The first four hours of the Fundamentals of Engineering exam include the topics that are common to every engineering discipline: Chemistry, Computers, Dynamics, Electrical Circuits, Engineering Economics, Engineering Ethics, Fluid Mechanics, Materials Science, Mathematics, Mechanics of Materials, Statics, and Thermodynamics. The afternoon portion of the exam, meanwhile, covers the large engineering disciplines: civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, industrial, and environmental.

PE – Principles and Practice in Engineering

The examination in The Principles and Practice of Engineering, meanwhile, underwent a radical change in recent years: it was changed to a breadth and depth format. As such, all candidates must answer problems related to the same field during the morning examination. In the afternoon portion of the exam, candidates must choose from one of three possible modules: power engineering, computer engineering, or electronics, communications, and control systems engineering.

The exam itself is divided into two multiple-choice-question blocks, each comprising of 40 questions. The first set of questions must be answered by all candidates, while the second set can be chosen by the candidate.

There is an important distinction to be made here. In some states - almost a dozen - obtaining the PE certification qualifies you as an electrical engineer. In other states, however, obtaining the certification licenses you as a general professional engineer; you may only practice in your field of study or expertise. This means that it is impossible to become a nationally certified electrical engineer. The decisions pertaining to licensure are made by the states. With that said you can generally practice in any state by "comity"; you do not need to re-sit exams if you move to a different state.

The decision to become a PE Engineer is not one to be taken lightly. It requires at least four years of professional experience after obtaining the FE certification. There are a number of legal requirements to consider should you choose to pursue such a qualification. If, for example, you ever hope to practice as a consulting engineer, you must obtain the PE electronics certification. Furthermore, only an engineer with this certification can sign documents that are to be submitted to public authorities. The additional reasons cited by industry experts include improved employment security, opportunities for advancement, personal satisfaction, and salary.

Summary 

Select few engineers earn the PE electronic certificate. The requirements are incredibly strict, you must complete four years of professional experience before you even attempt the PE exam, and some engineers choose to simply work under those with the qualification. It is a process which takes, at the very least, eight years: four years at the university, passing the FE exam, four years of working in the industry, and, finally, passing the PE exam. However, it provides engineers with the assurance that they are at the very top of their field.

Not Everyone Takes The Direct Path

While some choose the academic route, going directly for an engineering degree, others take a more indirect route by training to first get their electronic technician certification then follow the above steps.

Why Electricity And Basic Electronics Are Inseparable

Aside from those powered by dry cells, all of our gadgets,devices, tools and equipments nowadays run using electrical energy. Everything from mobile phones, kitchen appliances and even electric cars, can not run without electricity. At the same time, these things are composed of electronic components that work together to provide people entertainment or functionality. Indeed, electricity and electronics are inseparable. Electronic devices depends on electricity to operate. Certainly, the best model of mobile phone is useless without any power!

Magnetism, electricity and electronics

Science teachers have taught us that electrons move around atoms actively. All of these movements are caused by electrical charges. These charges posses their own electric and magnetic fields. You now see the crucial role that magnetism plays in electronics. When electricity and electronics are discussed, it is inevitable to discuss magnetism. For example, electricity must flow through insulated wires made solely from rubber. Rubber is a type of material that can be used to coat wires so electric current can be conserved within the wires. Also, this serves as protection from any short circuit should wires come in contact with each other.

An electrical fields is another concept that people interested in electronics must understand. For every electric charge, an electric field surrounds it with a magnetic field counterpart. These fields are not visible to the naked eye but devices can used to measure them.

Wattage in relation to electricity and electronics

Watts is another relevant concept in electricity and electronics. A watt is basically defined as the International System unit of power equal to one joule per second. A very practical sample would be the wattage settings that determines the radio's loudness or softness. Nonetheless, appliances that have high wattage requirements can increase your electric bill. A louder radio volume setting equates to higher power consumption. Hence, having knowledge about watts, electricity and electronics can benefit you as a consumer. You may opt to look for more energy efficient appliances so that you can balance power and economy.

Understanding basic electricity principles greatly increase your knowledge of how electronic devices operate. Having familiarity with such electronic concepts can greatly help you as a consumer or as an electronics enthusiast.

Three Easy Steps To Learn Basic Electronics

Are you willing to learn basic electronics on your own? That would seems a logical choice because it would give you the knowledge to fix consumer appliances and devices. Many people want to learn basic electronics so they can start troubleshooting their own PC or other electronic devices. This does not only save them money they would have to use for services but also gives them a sense of fulfillment. There are many paths you can take to learn basic electronics that this article will cover. Take advantage of the useful advice stated below:

1. Check the local library for books about electronics.

You may be surprised but libraries have very useful resources that can satisfy your need to learn basic electronics. See if the library has subscriptions to professional journals of electronics engineering which would give you information about good projects to work on. Some libraries also have CD instructional software on basic electronics. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to learn basic electronics.

2. Search online for websites on basic electronics.

There are websites that provides free lessons that you can take at your own pace. In fact, some of these websites contains volumes of basic electronics topics which starts from fundamentals of electricity to advanced electronic projects. Some samples of such websites are:gregs basic electronics, 101science, madlab, learnbasicelectronics among many others. The websites have links that direct people to free downloads of free course materials. Every website has different features such as innovative gadgets, and special online calculators for computing values in electronics. These sites often present the lessons with different levels of difficulty making it easier and pertinent to the student's stage of learning. Nonetheless, there is one site that uses the reverse learning approach since problems are shown first which can be solved using deductive reasoning. There are many sites to choose from so you can't say that it's hard to learn basic electronics by yourself.

3. Take accredited online courses.

There are numeorus training centers that provides basic electronics lessons for interested individuals. Understand that these sites require a fee for their classes. The main advantage of trying this option is that their courses lead to certification that can qualify you when applying for a job. Instructors monitor the lessons online and there is interaction with fellow students.

These are just several of the alternatives to learn basic electronics on your own. But whatever direction you follow, commitment is a must to get the most out of your training.

The Study Guide For Your Basic Electronics Test

 People are interested in basic electronics for a multitude of reasons. Basic electronic skills can give someone the ability to fix simple appliances or electronic devices.. This includes fixing radios and the ability to work with PCs. There are also people who like electronics as a hobby. In order to earn certification, the most functional reason for learning this subject, one must pass the basic electronics test. The telecommunications industry requires applicants to have basic electronic skills. Companies will have applicants go through a series of tests to rate their knowledge. There are also online certification sites available for those who want to work at home. One online site that supports this is a 9001:2000 company that provides certification for a small fee. By earning a basic electronics certification you have the opportunity to work for big companies such as Dell and Cisco. In order to help you pass your basic electronics test follow these tips below:

1. Fundamentals of Electronics – This may be basic for you but this is a huge part of the examination. Things
    you need to know are:
*solid state theory of diode, electronic symbols for diodes, different diodes and their functions, as well as 
  their use in circuits, basic transistor theory, schematic symbols, information on converting AC to DC, using 
  and interpreting multi-meter readings, and how to trace signal flow in a circuit.

2. AC Circuits –You need to be able to explain capacitance and inductance and explain the relationship
    between them. You must know all about sine phase including its phase, frequency, period, and amplitude.  
    You must solve a power factor in a circuit as well as contrast between true power and apparent power.

3. DC Circuits – deals with Ohm’s Law and Kirchoff’s Law.  You will be required to apply your knowledge
    on calculating total resistance for parallel or series resistance circuits. You must be able to solve for P, E, 
    and I as part of the examination.

 4. Applied math – For a limited time during the examination examinees are encouraged to use tools for
      assistance. Examinees must be skilled in using scientific calculators.

How To Solder Electronic Components Using This Basic Electronics Guide

One of the most important skills needed when fixing electronic equipments is soldering. A solder is a mixture of tin lead also classified as an alloy. This mixture can be melted using a soldering iron that can emit heat by as much as 200 degrees Centigrade. This skill is a must if you need to fix broken components or assemble a new circuit board. Soldering is a delicate process since heat and toxic metals are used, be guided by the following safety tips:


* Put the soldering tip at a safe distance from your skin or your clothing. Since it's very hot, it can definitely cause a serious burn on your skin plus excruciating pain.


* Be careful when touching the main flex with the tip of the iron. The hot iron can instantly melt flex which can cause burns on the part of the user.


*Always place the iron on its stand when not in use. Practicing this habit can do a lot to minimize accidents.


* Do your soldering in a well-ventilated place. The metals emit toxic smoke which can be diffused by  good ventilation.


* Wash your hands to remove any form of poisonous materials.

Now, you can start soldering electronic components carefully. This basic electronics guide suggests that familiarity with all the components that would be used is a great advantage. Soldering the wrong parts can be very costly and even cause damage to other components in the board. In most cases, a basic electronics guide has a chart about electronic components. In here, a soldering procedure for components is provided for your guidance.

The basic electronics guide and procedure for soldering components


1. Gather all the components and stick them to a sheet of paper with a tape.


2. Always identify properly the name and value of each part and jot it down.


3. Write the code (R1, R2, C1 etc.) if you think this would help.
    Many projects from books and magazines label the components with codes (R1, R2, C1, D1 etc.) and    
    you can utilize the project's parts list to find these codes if they are indicated.

4.Resistor values can be identified using the resistor colour code. Look for a resistor calculator online to
   make it easier.

5. Capacitor values can be complicated because there are too many kinds with different labeling systems. 

As long as you follow our basic electronics guide, you would always be safe and end up with a good solder.

How To Learn Basic Electronics Course Without Spending Money

Would you want to access a free basic electronics course? In that case, then this article can definitely lead you to some websites where you can access free basic electronics training. In fact, many individuals have been looking for free basic electronics training online because they want to have solid knowledge in basic electronics. Some simply like electronics as a hobby while others would like to make it their vocation. Likewise, students can benefit from signing up in a basic electronics course since they are given school projects. While there are training centers that offer basic electronics courses, time to attend such classes is an issue for some people. Take a look at these recommended sites where you can get free electronics courses online:


1.101science website - This site offers comprehensive, yet free basic electronics courses. The lessons are divided into five phases:

* Phase I  Electricity

* Phase II Components

* Phase III  Workshop

* Phase IV  Active Circuits

* Phase V More advanced topics


The site begins with an introductory lesson in electricity that includes concepts such as watts, voltage, matter, electrical field and electrical charge. There are also videos that can be watched as an instructor gives a lecture about the concepts. There are also helpful links that can lead learners to free downloads of electronics journals and free software. The ads are not cluttered so the reader can get more lessons than see endorsements. All of the fundamental concepts in electronics can be learned here, even by high school students.


2. Talking electronics website  This is an innovative website because it uses the reverse approach to learning. The lessons present problems first then encourages the use of deductive reasoning. This is definitely challenging and fun to do. The site includes some features such as animation and activities that only a computer-presentation can provide. Additionally, the lesson format consists of questions and answers that are very clear. Sometimes the questions are asked before the theory is provided. This is exactly how things work in real situations. It is also unique from other websites because it is more interactive and dynamic.


You really don't have to shell hard-earned cash just to access basic electronics courses online. If you want to seriously learn for free, just search for websites similar to the ones given. In no time at all, you would gain mastery of electronics on your own.

How To Explain Basic Electronics For Kids

Almost all of our devices and consumer appliances are composed of electronic components. Ipod, PDAs, mobile phones, game consoles and kitchen appliances are designed using electronic circuits and built with components. Electronics is an interesting subject especially for young children who wants to know how things work. They are often driven by curiosity making basic electronics for kids an enjoyable task. Children can be taught to create projects but they need to learn some concepts in basic electronics for kids. Start using teaching these simple concepts:


Circuits

The circuit is like a train track that must be followed by the train. Electricity flows through the circuit which starts at one terminal and ends in another one. There are two types of terminals - positive or negative. Remember this simple concept: negative electrons seek positive electrons. Circuits dictate how and where electricity can flow. Not all Christmas light bulbs go off in case one bulb is busted. That is an illustration of how parallel circuits work. In fact, there are many types of circuits, but the most common ones are simple, series, and parallel.

Currents

There are two different types of currents: alternating current (AC) and /or direct current (DC). The main difference between the two is that DC sends the electricity in a single direction. Case in point, a battery has two ends that must be correctly placed with their right pole to make it work. Houses often use AC because anything can be placed into a socket anywhere for power. When DC is used, the battery is the main power source limiting its application. Never put a DC appliance into an AC outlet.

Switches

Primarily used to regulate the flow of electrical power. You touch a switch to open the circuit, power flows, and the bulb lights up. Aside from switches, a fuse complements switches in regulating the amount of electrical current flowing in a circuit. Once there is overload detected, the fuse blows to safely protect the wiring from fire hazards.

Resistors and inductors

These devices also monitors the flow of electrical power particularly in consumer appliances. Generally, resistors are insulated with a rubber coating. In the case of AC devices, inductors are used to change the current's direction.

Basic electronics for kids provides an interesting venue for young people to bring out their creativity.