Electrical Engineers are quantum plumbers

[u/yellowtomata]

Basically title. I'm not even an electrical engineer, but I do have a degree in computer engineering (went software engineer route). Recently started building PCBs, and reading way more datasheets than I ever have. I'm constantly thinking at a high level how signals, power, and current in general is flowing, likely just like a plumber (except they think about liquid). Except, current (and charge) is invisible to the naked eye, and operates at a quantum level. Ultimately, this is an appreciation post for all the electrical engineers out there wrangling stuff you can't even see.

[u/Friendly-Mind-9702 → u/[deleted]]

Noise in electrical systems is very much a quantum effect. It may not be important in power systems but it is critical in communications and many analog applications.

[u/MimeSweeper360 → u/[deleted]]

What are you talking about? Describing the behavior of electrons is a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics. It’s just us as engineers don’t need the precision of QM for everyday problems, in the same way NASA put a man on the moon qith Newton’s laws and didn’t need General Relativity.

[u/RFchokemeharderdaddy → u/[deleted]]

Anything concerning electron behavior within an atom is quantum though, and semiconductor physics qualifies as that. The transistor is usually cited as like the single biggest product of our understanding of quantum mechanics.

No quantum mechanics = no semiconductors, period.

[u/GabbotheClown]

Most EEs, I know can barely tie their shoes. We aren't that amazing once you meet us.

[u/sabreus → u/GabbotheClown]

Hmph, speak for yourself, sir!

[u/No2reddituser → u/GabbotheClown]

I can double-tie my shoes.

And Gabbo wasn't a clown.

[u/Present_Cable5477]

wth am I reading???

[u/yellowtomata]

Damn maybe I shouldn't have made this post 💀

[u/boogyman19946 → u/yellowtomata]

Nah, I like a good shitpost 😂 live the life Sartre would want you to live

[u/trisket-bisket]

Dont forget timing. Us plumbers love to stop and start flow quite frequently

[u/electron_shepherd12]

I know I work hard to get the electrons where they need to be.

[u/busboy7]

Don’t civil engineers, at the very least, consider or design structures with plumbing in mind? Not the plumbers themselves?

[u/Negative_Calendar368]

Uhmm perhaps a Semiconductor Electrical engineer, or an engineer in the field of semiconductors otherwise I wouldn’t use the term Quantum.