Basic Electrical Engineering Tools and Their Uses
Electrical engineers are required to work in hazardous environments near energized equipment. There are certain tools they require to carry out their job effectively and safely without causing any harm to themselves and those around them. Here’s a sneak peek into some electrical engineering tools and their uses:
Electronic Measuring Probes
Current probes
Current probes are one of the key tools that electrical engineers use to take measurements when the standard clamp on probes can’t reach. These may include tight breaker panels, wrapped around irregular shapes, and large buss bars. This sensor is highly flexible and has an output to provide direct readings for loggers, power quality instruments, DMMs and Oscilloscopes.In the old days, Phase Tester also was used to indicate the live wire in AC system.
Voltage Probes
These are usually used to measure high speed, signals up to 12 Volts. These are best used to make measurements on circuit elements that have a high frequency which require the least probe loading. A probe with lower input capacity can allow higher input impedance at high frequency.
Voltage or Current Meters
Digital Voltmeters DVM
DVMs are usually used to measure voltage and are general instruments for electrical engineers that are used in laboratories and in the field. They are the most commonly used instruments as they display voltage on LEDs or LCDs in a certain format that is easier for electrical engineers.
Voltage Testers
A voltage tester, as the name suggests, is used for testing the presence of voltage in a circuit. A voltage tester has a neon bulb with two wires attached to its bottom. This is used to test the flow of current in a wire. A good voltage tester is rated for up to 500 V. in the old days, Phase Tester also were used for this purpose.
Signal Generators
Function Generators
A function generators is a type of testing equipment or software that is used to generate different sorts of waves, in different forms that range over different frequencies. The most commonly forms of waves are sine, square and triangular. These shapes are produced by the function generator in the process of repairing electronic equipment.
Radio Frequency
This is the rate of fluctuation in a certain given range which receives and respond to the frequency of radio waves and the alternate currents that carry radio signals. RF currents usually don’t flow to the depth but remain at the surface of the current.
These are some tools that are commonly used by electrical engineers to design, test or analyze the presence, design, functionality of current and voltage.
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