Electrical and Automation Industry News Roundup: From Student Field Trips to Smart Home Standards
Last Updated: 2026-05-27T18:42:09.575-04:00
Chariho Electrical Technology Students Explore Careers in Industrial Automation
WESTERLY, RI – Students from the Chariho Career and Technical Center’s Electrical Technology program recently visited ProSystems Integration, a Westerly-based automation company, to gain insights into career paths in the industrial sector of the electrical field. This field trip aimed to broaden the students' understanding of the industry beyond residential and commercial applications.
During the visit, students were given a tour of the production floor, where they observed a variety of machinery and equipment. Jesse Brunelle, a Chariho alumnus and engineer at ProSystems, along with his father and company president, John Brunelle, guided the students. They explained the functions of different machines and highlighted the customer-driven nature of the industry, which develops a wide array of systems for diverse applications, from medical tubing manufacturing to control systems for major companies like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme.
The students also had the opportunity to interact with other engineers, learning about system design and the daily operations of the company. A live demonstration of an extrusion line for medical tubing was a key highlight of the tour.
Jesse Brunelle emphasized the importance of exposing students to the industrial automation side of the electrical industry, which he felt was underrepresented in their curriculum. "I’m trying to expose this whole world of the electrical industry to students who don’t get to see this side of things," he said. "There’s plenty of career opportunities in this industry as well that aren’t seen too often."
John Brunelle spoke about the rapid technological advancements in the field, noting that while machinery may not change drastically, the control systems are updated every three to five years. He stressed the value of young talent who are adept with modern technology like computers and tablets.
Ryan Northup, the Electrical Technology instructor at Chariho, underscored the importance of such real-world experiences for his students. "It gives them some foreground of what we’re doing in class and a perfect real-world application," he stated. "Something like this may inspire a particular student that will say, ‘Hey, that was really cool, I want to start getting into that.’"
Siemens Simplifies Migration to New Control System, Boosting Cybersecurity and Efficiency
Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully migrated from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2 control system from Siemens. The transition, which was completed in just two minutes, highlights the ease of upgrading to the latest technology.
The new Simatic S7-1200 G2 family is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, a crucial feature in light of the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive for critical infrastructure. This certification ensures that Level Automation's products are at the forefront of cybersecurity.
The migration process was streamlined by a new migration tool, an add-in to Siemens' TIA Portal automation platform. The tool automates the process of identifying hardware and software compatibility, a task that previously required extensive manual effort. Martin Ozols, owner of Level Automation, was impressed by the simplicity of the process, stating, "It was almost ridiculously easy."
In addition to improved cybersecurity, the new Simatic S7-1200 G2 offers several other advantages. It is significantly faster and more powerful than the previous generation, with more memory and features. The compact design also saves space on the DIN rail. Furthermore, the new system allows for the use of digital twins with Simatic S7-PLCSim Advanced, enabling testing and optimization of the control system without physical hardware.
Following the successful PLC migration, Level Automation plans to upgrade its HMI panels to Simatic WinCC Unified. The company is confident that the new system will provide a secure and efficient solution for its customers in the water and wastewater industry, machine building, and various industrial processes.
Top Companies Hiring Electrical Engineers Amidst Technological Advancements
As technologies like artificial intelligence, electrification, and automation continue to advance, the demand for skilled electrical engineers is on the rise. Several leading companies are actively recruiting electrical engineers to build and manage the power systems that fuel these innovations. Here are some of the top companies hiring in this field:
- Nvidia: A key player in the AI economy, Nvidia is seeking electrical engineers to work on its hardware stack, focusing on power delivery, high-speed connections, and systems that unify thousands of GPUs.
- Apple: With over 2.5 billion active devices, Apple offers opportunities for electrical engineers to work on a wide range of products, from iPhones and Macs to the Vision Pro. Roles include chip-level performance tuning, power management, and sensor systems.
- Tesla: This automotive and robotics company is hiring electrical engineers to work on battery-management systems, motor controls, and power electronics for its electric vehicles, Supercharger network, and Optimus humanoid robots.
- Intel: As a leading semiconductor company, Intel has openings for electrical engineers in both chip development and production. Roles range from validating silicon to supporting the equipment and processes needed for high-volume chip manufacturing.
- Siemens: A major player in industrial automation, electrification, and infrastructure, Siemens is looking for electrical engineers to work on power systems for factories and rail networks.
Other notable companies hiring electrical engineers include ABB, RTX, Lockheed Martin, Schneider Electric, and TSMC. These companies offer a variety of roles for engineers interested in working on cutting-edge technologies that are shaping the future.
Post Electric Expands Services to Include Home Automation and Smart Technology
MONETT, MO – Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor serving Southwest Missouri, has announced the expansion of its residential electrical services to include comprehensive home automation and smart technology integration. This move is in response to the growing demand from homeowners looking to modernize their electrical systems and incorporate connected home technologies.
The company has invested in advanced diagnostic equipment and expanded its technical expertise to handle a range of services, including whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, dedicated circuit installations for high-demand appliances, and the integration of smart home devices.
"The residential electrical landscape has evolved dramatically over the past few years," said Ryan, Master Electrician at Post Electric. "Our expanded services allow us to provide comprehensive electrical system evaluations and implement customized upgrade solutions that meet the modern electrical demands of today’s households."
The expansion is particularly relevant for homeowners with properties built before 1990, as these often require significant electrical infrastructure updates to support modern appliances, electric vehicle charging stations, and smart home technologies.
Post Electric's new services include specialized installations for home automation systems, smart lighting controls, programmable thermostats, security systems, and whole-home surge protection. The company remains committed to using high-quality materials and the latest installation techniques to ensure the safety and efficiency of all electrical systems.
The expanded services are now available throughout Post Electric’s service area, which includes Pierce City, Verona, Aurora, Cassville, Springfield, Mount Vernon, Ozark, and Monett. The company also continues to offer 24/7 emergency electrical services and a one-year workmanship warranty on all installations.
Wago Embraces Matter Standard to Empower Electricians in the Smart Home Market
Wago, a long-established German electrical engineering manufacturer, is introducing its first Matter-enabled products, a move that aligns with the company's strategy to empower electricians for long-term success. The new "WAGO Home Automation" product line is designed to simplify the creation of smart homes and apartments, with the Matter standard serving as a key enabler.
Manfred Lehmann, Strategic Product Manager at Wago, believes that the Matter standard will change the electrical industry, making it essential for electricians to engage with it. He notes that the challenge lies in connecting the consumer world of smart devices with professional building installations, such as blinds, heat pumps, and wall boxes.
Lehmann sees a trend away from rigid, pre-programmed smart home systems towards a more flexible approach where the electrician installs the basic infrastructure and the customer develops the system further. This paradigm shift allows for the gradual build-up of a smart home over time, starting with simple IoT devices and expanding to more complex automation.
Wago's new product range is offered in both Wi-Fi and Thread versions, with the company expressing a strong belief in Thread as the future of smart home communication. Lehmann highlights the advantages of Thread, including its mesh network, range, and low energy consumption.
To support electricians in this new landscape, Wago provides online tutorials, training courses, and two commissioning apps: one for electricians and one for end consumers. The electrician app allows for the pre-configuration of devices and the creation of project documentation, which can then be handed over to the customer for seamless integration into their Matter ecosystem.
Wago's modules are VDE certified and feature lever terminals for easy installation. Each module also functions as a generic switch, allowing the input to be used independently of the output to trigger Matter scenes. The inputs and outputs are linked together ex works, ensuring that the circuit works immediately after installation.
Looking ahead, Wago plans to expand its Matter offerings, with a focus on areas where the company is already present. Lehmann hints at the electrical cabinet as a logical next step, but refrains from providing further details.
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