You might be familiar with Electrical engineering world. In general, Power engineering comes under the umbrella of Electrical Engineering. A power engineer is also called a Stationary or Power system engineer.

“Power engineering is sub category of Energy or Electrical engineering that involves with generation, transmission, distribution and utilization of electrical power.”

The field is also associated with electrical devices such as Motors, transformers and generators.

Basics of Electric Power:

In general, Electric power has two basic things to deal with. One is current and second is voltage. These two quantities can vary with respect to time which is AC power or can be kept constant which is called DC power. Power engineers are concerned with these two quantities to maximize the output power using principles of power transformation.

What Do Power Engineer Do ?

In every industrial complex or larger commercial and public sectors, there is a system of support utility. This system mainly consists of many types of equipment that require optimum power to operate. E.g.

• Pressure vessels,
• refrigerators,
• air conditioning,
• gas turbines,
• electrical generators,
• complexes of broilers etc.

A power engineer is mostly in charge of the maintenance, repair and operation of all the industrial power plants, mechanical systems, electrical systems and engine room. A chief Power engineer also directs the work of associate engineers, boiler tenders, turbine operators, refrigeration operators and mechanics etc. In minor level industrial plant, there may be only one power engineer who is responsible for the entire operation as well as maintenance of the facility.

Classes in Power Engineering:

Usually there are three classes in power engineering that are basically ranks. It is important to know about these classes as average income is highly dependent on the class.
In this classification, the employee acts as a shift power engineer in high pressure plant. He is straight forwardly responsible to the chief Engineer.

First Class: A First class plant develops over 1000 boiler horsepower, which is operated by First class power engineer.

Second Class: A second class plant develops over 500 boilers

Horse power, but not more than 1000 boiler horsepower is operated by second class power engineer.

Third Class: A Third class plant develops over 100 boiler horsepower,

But not more than 500 boiler horsepower is operated by Third class power engineer.

Major tasks of Power engineers:

Power engineers mainly works on the following systems:

• Steam systems and boilers
• Turbines
• diesel engines
• refrigeration and electrical systems
• compressed gas systems and pumps
• building automation systems
• ventilating and air conditioning systems

  Practical responsibilities can be further extended to auxiliary equipments such as pumps, compressors, electric generators, motors, steam engines, heat exchangers, condensers, water treatment systems, cooling towers etc.

Requirements for power engineering

In order to be a power engineer, intermediate or equivalent with Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry is required. Alternatively, DAE in the same discipline of engineering with certain percentage is also mandatory. One should have strong grip on Advanced Calculus & Linear Algebra, Electrical Systems, Electromagnetism and Modern Physics, Electro mechanics & Electronics, Signals & Systems, Embedded Systems Design & Interfacing, Electrical Energy Conversion & Utilization etc.

Power engineer salary

From fourth to third class Power engineers, the average salary ranges from $47000 to $86000. However, the top first class engineers usually earns from $150,000 – $200,000 per year. Moreover, the salary is highly dependent on one’s experience level and skills and it also varies from company to company.