**Electrical Automation Insights: From Student Field Trips to Smart Home Innovations**
Last Updated: 2026-05-31T02:04:22.919-04:00
Chariho Electrical Technology Students Explore Careers in Industrial Automation
Students from the Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class recently visited ProSystems Integration, an automation company in Westerly, to gain insights into career opportunities within the industrial automation sector. The visit, facilitated by Chariho alumnus and ProSystems engineer Jesse Brunelle and his father, company president John Brunelle, aimed to expose students to a side of the electrical industry that is often overlooked in traditional vocational training, which tends to focus on residential and commercial applications. The students toured the production floor, where they observed the manufacturing of various systems, from medical tubing equipment to automated systems for major brands like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme. The Brunelles emphasized the rapidly evolving nature of the industry, with control technologies changing every three to five years, creating a high demand for young talent proficient in modern computer and tablet technologies. The instructor, Ryan Northup, highlighted the visit's importance in providing real-world context to their classroom learning and inspiring them to explore diverse career paths within the electrical field.
Siemens Facilitates Smooth Migration to New Control System for Level Automation
Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully upgraded its control systems from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new-generation Simatic S7-1200 G2. The migration, which was completed in just two minutes, was made possible by a new migration tool in Siemens' TIA Portal. This tool automates the process of finding hardware equivalents and identifying program components that can be migrated, saving significant time and effort compared to previous manual upgrades. The new Simatic S7-1200 G2 is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, making it compliant with the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive. This is a crucial feature for Level Automation, as many of their clients are in the water and wastewater industry, which is considered a socially important activity. The new system is also more compact, powerful, and in some cases, more cost-effective. Level Automation plans to continue its collaboration with Siemens by migrating its HMI panels to Simatic WinCC Unified.
Major Tech Companies Actively Hiring Electrical Engineers
The demand for electrical engineers is surging as technologies like artificial intelligence, electrification, and automation continue to advance. Companies such as Nvidia, Apple, Tesla, Intel, and Siemens are actively recruiting electrical engineers to develop and manage the power systems that underpin these innovations. The role of electrical engineers is crucial in designing more efficient chips for AI data centers, creating robust battery and motor-control hardware for electric vehicles, and building the power systems for industrial automation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of about $118,000 for electrical engineers, reflecting the high demand for their skills in a market driven by technological advancement.
Post Electric Expands Services to Include Home Automation and Smart Technology
Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor in Southwest Missouri, is expanding its residential services to include home automation and smart technology integration. This move is in response to the growing demand from homeowners to modernize their electrical systems and incorporate connected home technologies. The company has invested in advanced diagnostic equipment and training to handle a range of services, including whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, and the installation of smart devices such as lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems. The expansion is particularly timely as many older homes in the region require significant electrical upgrades to support modern appliances and technologies. Post Electric's team is trained to handle both traditional electrical systems and the latest smart home technologies, ensuring a seamless integration for their clients. The expanded services are now available throughout their service area, which includes Pierce City, Verona, Aurora, Cassville, Springfield, Mount Vernon, Ozark, and Monett.
Wago Enters the Smart Home Market with Matter-Enabled Products
Wago, a German electrical engineering manufacturer, is launching its first Matter-enabled products, signaling its entry into the smart home market. The new "WAGO Home Automation" product line is designed to empower electricians to easily create smart homes and apartments. The company believes that the Matter standard is key to bridging the gap between consumer electronics and professional building installations. Wago's initial product offering includes flush-mounted actuators that are VDE certified and feature easy installation with lever terminals. The company is also providing a dedicated app for electricians to streamline the commissioning process. Wago is committed to the Thread communication standard for its smart home products but will also offer Wi-Fi versions to accommodate older Matter controllers. The company plans to expand its Matter-enabled product line in the future, with a potential focus on electrical cabinets.
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