Can I Choose Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering for After Completing a Diploma in Electrical Engineering?

Yes, you can indeed choose the field of electrical and instrumentation engineering for your after completing a diploma in electrical engineering. Many institutions offer lateral entry programs that allow you to join the engineering program directly in the second year, provided your diploma meets the eligibility criteria. This article explores the steps and considerations involved in making this choice and the career opportunities available in instrumentation engineering.

Eligibility and Pathways

The first step in pursuing a in electrical and instrumentation engineering after completing a diploma in electrical engineering is to check your eligibility. Ensure that your diploma is recognized by the institution offering the program. Look for educational institutions that provide lateral entry admissions specifically for this field. Some institutions may require entrance exams or specific admission criteria, so it's important to be prepared.

Once admitted, you can choose to specialize in electrical and instrumentation engineering, which typically covers advanced topics such as control systems, automation, and instrumentation. The flexible nature of these programs allows you to align your learning with specific career goals and industry demands.

For those who are not ready to commit to a full-time engineering program, another option is to get employed and pursue the AMIE (Associate Membership of the Institution of Engineers) or AMIE IGNOU DDE (Distance and Desktop Engineering) while working. This path offers a blended approach to gaining the necessary knowledge and practical experience in electrical and instrumentation engineering.

Instrumentation Engineering: Scope and Career Opportunities

Instrumentation engineering is a specialized field that focuses on the design, development, installation, and management of equipment used to monitor and control machinery. The role of instrumentation engineers is crucial in ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of automated processes across various industries.

The history of instrumentation engineering dates back to the early 1970s when it first branched out from electrical and electronic engineering. Today, the term 'instrumentation engineering' is used to describe a discipline that covers automation, control, and instrumentation. Industries like manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, defense, and more heavily rely on instrumentation engineers to design and maintain critical systems.

Instrumentation engineers are involved in diverse tasks, including:

Integrating sensors with recorders, transmitters, displays, or control systems Designing or specifying installation wiring and signal conditioning Calibrating, testing, and maintaining systems Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations

To become an instrumentation engineer, candidates must hold at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or engineering technology, with many working towards graduate degrees in fields like electrical, mechanical, or computer engineering.

Key skills required include:

Strong communication skills Ability to translate project needs into design and development of suitable hardware Sound problem-solving skills Ability to think out of the box

Job Roles and Opportunities

Instrumentation engineers have a wide range of job roles, including designing and developing control systems, maintaining and managing control systems, collaborating with other staff members, and providing consultancy support. They can find employment in various industrial sectors, such as:

Public and private firms Research and development organizations Steel plants Cement manufacturing companies Thermal power plants Chemical companies Biomedical companies Engineering firms

Popular companies that hire instrumentation engineers include National Instruments, ABB, Larsen Toubro, Robert Bosch, Invensys, GE, Suzlon, and others. The median salary for instrumentation engineers was approximately Rs. 734,100 as of March 2014, and this can increase significantly with experience and additional skills.

Top Colleges for Instrumentation Engineering

For those looking to pursue higher education, some of the top colleges in India offering instrumentation engineering courses include:

IIT Kharagpur Madras Institute of Technology (Anna University) Chennai College of Engineering and Technology (Anna University) Birla Institute of Technology and Science Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (New Delhi) NIT Tiruchirapalli, Jalandhar Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University)

Meanwhile, internationally, top colleges for instrumentation engineering include:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Stanford University University of California-Berkeley California Institute of Technology University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Georgia Institute of Technology University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign Cornell University Purdue University-West Lafayette Princeton University

These institutions provide excellent educational and research opportunities to students interested in instrumentation engineering.

By exploring these pathways and opportunities, you can make a strategic and informed decision about your future in the field of electrical and instrumentation engineering, opening up a multitude of career possibilities as an instrumentation engineer.