Top 9 Electrical Design Engineer Interview Questions & Answers

We have compiled frequently asked electrical engineering interview questions and answers for you to help prepare for your electrical design engineer.

Most Asked Electrical Engineering Interview Questions 

 

• How Do You Keep Your Work Accurate?

 

I keep a work journal that details my work process, from my initial research, through numerous design draughts and feedback. After completing a report, I'll include a thorough electrical performance report in my journal. 

 

• What Are the Cables Used to Transmit Power?

 

Overhead power lines are divided into categories according to their size and thermal capacity. Low-tension cables ( 1 kV )  transmit up to 1,000 volts or one kilovolt. High-tension cables transmit between 1 kV and 23,000 volts (23 kV). Finally, super-tension cables can transport voltages of up to 132,000 volts (66 kV) (132 kV).

 

• Can a 35 V, 100 F capacitor be replaced with a 50 V, 100 F capacitor?

 

No, a 35V 100 microfarad capacitor cannot be replaced with a 50V 100 microfarad capacitor. The reason is that the voltage inscribed on a capacitor indicates the maximum voltage the capacitor can withstand.

 

• What do you consider to be the most crucial element in electrical design?

 

Safety is the most crucial factor in electrical design.

In my previous position, I worked on a project where the customer wanted to design a new power cord. I started by researching consumer safety. I discovered that circuit breakers could improve the safety of an electric device. 

 

• What steps do you take when creating an electrical device from scratch?

 

I begin by investigating the needs and objectives of the client. I develop a basic design based on my investigation and any details I learn about related goods in the market. 

Next, I use computer simulations and prototypes to test the initial concept. Once a prototype has been tested, I make necessary adjustments and repeat the simulation and testing processes.

 

• Explain the inductor, resistor, and capacitor.

 

A capacitor can store electricity by accumulating electric charges on two nearby surfaces that are electrically isolated to store electrical energy in an electric field. It has two terminals and is a passive electrical component.

A resistor is an electrical component that controls or restricts how much electrical current can pass across a circuit in an electronic device. A specified voltage can be supplied via resistors to an active device like a transistor.

When electric current passes through an inductor, it stores energy in the form of magnetic energy. Inductors are passive parts that are used in most electrical circuits. It goes by the names coil, choke, or reactor as well.

 

• Tell me the differences between analog and digital transmissions.

 

Analog employs continuous electrical signals while digital signals do not, altering the information flow between two electrical communication endpoints.

Besides this, a continuous set of values can be traced for analog transmissions, which is not the case for digital signals. Moreover, sound waves get captured in their truest form in analog signals while it alters to a binary waveform for digital signals. 

 

• What do a generator and an alternator do?

 

Both generator and alternator convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. But the alternator's output is always an AC, whereas a generator can produce both AC and DC. 

A generator is used for large-scale needs or supplies, whereas an alternator creates power for small-scale requirements. An alternator generates power by rotating the magnetic field of the copper wire's windings. Generators use all the energy produced, whereas Alternators always conserve energy.

 

• We wish to increase one of our new products effectiveness. What concepts of electrical engineering would you apply in this situation?

 

I would first identify the components that consume the most energy to lower their power usage. For instance, while working on a mini project as an electrical design engineer, I sought to increase the effectiveness of a product that consumed excessive energy when plugged into a wall. 

According to our analysis of the circuit board, one component utilized more energy than all the others. I suggested a change of this component with a new one that required 50% less energy.

Conclusion 

Interviewers don’t expect you to be well-versed in advanced concepts. They always want to ensure that you are strong in your basics. 

Skill-Lync, through the PG programs, trains students for interview rounds as part of the coursework. Our PG program for electrical engineers will teach you advanced engineering concepts and make you interview-ready.