Electrical Industry News: Automation, Smart Home, and Career Insights
Last Updated: 2026-05-27T19:09:43.734-04:00
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, a Westerly-based automation company. The field trip aimed to expose students to career opportunities on the industrial side of the electrical field.
Jesse Brunelle, a Chariho alumnus and engineer at ProSystems, along with his father and company president, John Brunelle, guided the students through the facility. They showcased a range of equipment, from machinery for producing medical tubing to automated systems for major brands like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme. The students also had the chance to interact with other engineers and learn about the design process and daily operations at the company.
Jesse Brunelle initiated the visit to broaden the students' understanding of the electrical industry beyond residential and commercial applications. He emphasized the vast career opportunities available in the automation sector, which are often overlooked in traditional electrical training programs. John Brunelle highlighted the rapid technological advancements in the field, particularly in control systems, and the growing demand for young talent proficient in modern computer and tablet technologies.
Ryan Northup, the instructor for the Electrical Technology class, stressed the importance of such real-world experiences. He noted that the visit provides students with practical applications of their classroom learning, particularly in industrial motor controls, and serves as an inspiration for them to pursue careers in this specialized field.
Siemens Simplifies Migration to New Control System
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. The transition was remarkably smooth and swift, thanks to a new migration tool in the TIA Portal.
Martin Ozols, the owner of Level Automation, shared that the migration process, which previously required extensive manual work, was completed in just two minutes. The new tool automates the process by performing a readiness check and generating reports that suggest the closest hardware counterparts and migratable program elements.
The new Simatic S7-1200 G2 family is certified according to the cybersecurity standard IEC 62443, aligning with the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive. This certification provides a significant advantage for Level Automation, as many of their clients in the water and wastewater industry are subject to these new regulations.
The new generation of control systems is also more compact, powerful, and offers cost-effective I/O modules. Following the successful PLC migration, Level Automation plans to upgrade to Simatic WinCC Unified for their HMI panels, utilizing another migration tool called Data2Unified.
Top Companies Hiring Electrical Engineers Amidst Technological Advancements
The demand for electrical engineers is on the rise as technologies like artificial intelligence, electrification, and automation continue to advance. Companies are actively seeking skilled professionals to design and manage the power systems that fuel these innovations. The median annual salary for electrical engineers is approximately $118,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Several major companies are leading the recruitment drive. Nvidia, a key player in the AI infrastructure space, is looking for electrical engineers to work on their large-scale systems that train AI models. Apple is hiring for roles in chip-level performance tuning, power management, and sensor systems for their extensive range of consumer electronics. Tesla needs electrical engineers for its self-driving electric vehicles, Supercharger network, and Optimus humanoid robots.
Other top employers include Intel, which is seeking engineers for both chip development and manufacturing; Siemens, a leader in industrial automation and electrification; ABB, which specializes in robotics and electrification systems; RTX, a major contractor in aerospace and defense; Lockheed Martin, a top U.S. defense contractor; Schneider Electric, a global energy management and automation company; and TSMC, the world’s largest independent chip foundry.
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 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 cater to the needs of homeowners, especially those with older properties requiring significant electrical infrastructure updates. The expanded services include whole-home electrical assessments, panel upgrades, dedicated circuit installations, and the integration of smart home devices such as lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems.
Ryan, the Master Electrician at Post Electric, stated that the expansion is a direct response to the evolution of the residential electrical landscape. He emphasized the company's commitment to providing customized solutions that meet the modern electrical demands of today's households. The company has also undergone extensive training to handle both traditional electrical work and complex home automation installations.
Wago Embraces Matter Standard for Smart Home Automation
Wago, a German electrical engineering manufacturer, is launching its first Matter-enabled products under the new _WAGO Home Automation_ product line. The company aims to empower electricians to easily implement smart home solutions in residential buildings.
Manfred Lehmann, Strategic Product Manager at Wago, explained that the Matter standard is key to connecting the consumer electronics world with professional building installations. The new product line will allow for a gradual build-up of smart home systems, starting with basic installations by electricians and allowing customers to expand the system themselves over time.
Wago's new modules will be available in two wireless versions, with a primary focus on Thread as the communication standard for the future of smart homes. The company will also offer Wi-Fi versions for households with older Matter controllers. The commissioning process is simplified through two smartphone apps: one for electricians to set up and document the installation, and another for end consumers to import the project file and integrate the devices into their Matter ecosystem.
The Wago modules are VDE certified and feature lever terminals for easy installation. They also function as generic switches, allowing the input to be used independently of the output. The company plans to expand its Matter product range in the future, with a potential focus on the electrical cabinet.
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