Not an EE but I play one at work? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 04:55:50 pm
content: I heard 2 or 3 engineers yesterday evening discussing inrush current with a supervisor in one of the areas. Apparently a customer had put in a specific request for something to be able to handle a certain inrush current (some of the things we build go to a third party for customization and add-ons before they get to the customer).They weren't exactly sure what it was and then I heard them say "Well are there any EE's here at night?" and the other one said "No, I don't think so" and there seemed to be much hand wringing. So I stood up and explained to them that inrush current is the initial current spike that can happen when something is turned on before it settles to its normal operating current. So for example something may have a 100A inrush current but the line has a 50A breaker or fuse on it. The fuse or breaker would have to handle that initial momentary load without breaking, but if the load was not momentary, it would need to break the connection.So the engineers (mechanical I think) said "Oh! That makes sense!" and the supervisor said "Good that's what I needed to know. Thanks!"And then I heard them saying "Well of course IT would know about stuff like that since they work on computers!"LOL.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 05:00:00 pm
content: Ok, if you get a hair cut and wear a pressed shirt they might let you play an engineer on TV.

author: rob77
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 05:04:27 pm
content: luckily it was night, otherwise they would have arranged a series of meetings to discuss the topic and kick-start a new project with 10 project-managers

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 05:34:55 pm
content: I'm not an EE, but I do watch EEVblog, W2AEW, AfrotechMods, and Photonic Induction.

author: Rigby
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 05:37:14 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 01, 2014, 05:34:55 pmQualified.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 05:58:25 pm
content: Quote from: Rigby on July 01, 2014, 05:37:14 pmlol"I'm not certified per se, but I do watch photonicinduction...""You're hired sir!"

author: Po6ept
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 07:02:38 pm
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on July 01, 2014, 05:00:00 pmIt has to be a short sleeved, white shirt - with a narrow necktie.The pocket protector is optional.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 07:13:22 pm
content: I think the look is open collar and windbreaker.

author: pickle9000
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 07:13:28 pm
content: When did pocket protectors become optional?

author: jlmoon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 07:29:22 pm
content: Quote from: Rigby on July 01, 2014, 05:37:14 pmoh my favorite late night show..

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 08:08:58 pm
content: Quote from: Po6ept on July 01, 2014, 07:02:38 pmBut a HP RPN calculator on a belt holster in not optional.

author: Kremmen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 08:28:31 pm
content: Quote from: retrolefty on July 01, 2014, 08:08:58 pmAhh, the crisp tactiles of a well broken-in HP-25C. They sure don't make 'em like that any more. I actually do miss mine somewhat...

author: dfmischler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 08:51:22 pm
content: Quote from: pickle9000 on July 01, 2014, 07:13:28 pmThey have always been optional. Especially if your tee-shirt and shorts don't have any pockets.

author: Galenbo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 09:43:13 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 01, 2014, 04:55:50 pmI don't agree that you call that kind of employees (mechanical) engineers.They can be mechanical illustrators, CAD designers or project leaders, but someone called a (whatever) engineer has to know what inrush current is.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 09:50:24 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 01, 2014, 05:34:55 pmAfrotechMods has some interesting videoshttp://afrotechmods.com/tutorials/2011/11/28/exploding-electronic-components/

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 02:37:42 am
content: Quote from: Galenbo on July 01, 2014, 09:43:13 pmI did overhear someone ask him "didn't you learn about that in school?" and he said "I took electronics 25 years ago, you can't expect me to remember all that"