From Field Trips to Smart Homes: The Latest in Electrical Technology and Automation
Last Updated: 2026-05-28T12:57:16.694-04:00
In an effort to expose students to the industrial side of the electrical field, Chariho Career and Technical Center's Electrical Technology class took a field trip to ProSystems Integration, an automation company in Westerly, Rhode Island. The company's president and owner, John Brunelle, and his son, Jesse, a Chariho alumnus and engineer at the company, guided the students through the facility, showcasing the various machines and systems they design and manufacture. These systems have a wide range of applications, from producing medical tubing to creating automated systems for major companies like Hershey Chocolate and Krispy Kreme. The visit aimed to broaden the students' understanding of potential career paths beyond residential and commercial electrical work, highlighting the growing opportunities in the ever-evolving field of industrial automation.
Level Automation, a Swedish company specializing in electrical and automation cabinets, has successfully migrated its control systems from the Simatic S7-1200 to the new generation Simatic S7-1200 G2. The company's owner, Martin Ozols, noted the transition was surprisingly simple, taking only two minutes thanks to a new migration tool within the TIA Portal automation platform. This upgrade is particularly significant as the Simatic S7-1200 G2 is certified according to the IEC 62443 cybersecurity standard, aligning with the increased requirements of the NIS2 Directive. This move ensures Level Automation is at the forefront of cybersecurity in their offerings, primarily to the water and wastewater industry, machine builders, and various industrial processes.
For those seeking careers in electrical engineering, several top companies are actively hiring. Nvidia, a key player in the AI economy, is looking for electrical engineers to work on their hardware stack, focusing on power delivery and high-speed connections. Apple is hiring for roles in chip-level performance tuning, power management, and sensor systems for their vast ecosystem of devices. Tesla needs electrical engineers for its self-driving vehicles, Optimus robots, and Supercharger network, with a focus on battery-management systems and motor controls. Other major companies with openings include Intel, for both chip development and manufacturing; Siemens, for industrial automation and electrification; RTX, for aviation and defense systems; Lockheed Martin, for military and aerospace hardware; Schneider Electric, for energy management and automation; and TSMC, for advanced chip manufacturing.
In Southwest Missouri, Post Electric, a licensed electrical contractor, has expanded its residential services to include comprehensive home automation and smart technology integration. This expansion is in response to a growing demand from homeowners to modernize their electrical systems. The company has invested in advanced diagnostic equipment and training to handle everything from panel upgrades and dedicated circuit installations to the integration of smart home devices like lighting controls, thermostats, and security systems. This move is particularly relevant for the many homes in the region built before 1990 that require significant electrical updates to support modern technologies.
German electrical engineering manufacturer WAGO is embracing the Matter smart home standard with the introduction of its first Matter-enabled products. The company's Strategic Product Manager, Manfred Lehmann, stated that the move is in line with WAGO'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. Lehmann believes that the Matter standard will be a key trend in the electrical industry, enabling electricians to connect the world of consumer electronics, such as smart lamps and sockets, with professional building installations like blinds and heat pumps. The company is initially launching eight products and is committed to building a sustainable smart home market in collaboration with electricians.
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