Top 35+ Electrical Projects Ideas for Engineering Students

Engineers are always in search of new electrical projects, and finding meaningful projects makes that search worthwhile. Listed below are some electrical projects for such engineers.

A lot of them may deal in a higher power than electronics engineers are used to, hence safety first.

These hand-picked innovative Electrical Projects are simple as well as interesting and contain a few mini projects too. The EEE Students can use these project kits as their final year project.

Recommended: Mini Projects for Engineers

The list contains a total of 35+ Electrical projects for engineering students. These projects will be very helpful to Electrical Engineering Students.

1. Dual Axis Solar Power Tracker System

This system requires the involvement of a wide range of engineering including mechanical, electrical, and electronics. The mechanical part would involve designing a smooth gear system to move as per requirement. The electrical part would be the working of solar panel and battery requirement.

The electronics would involve designing the sensor system that would generate commands for the gear system to act accordingly. The system employs spur gear for the implementation of the dual-axis solar tracker. The system is implemented using Atmel IC AT89C51.

This electrical project is available at Dual Axis solar tracker system.

2. 5V DC To 48V DC Converter

This circuit presents a simple and low-cost DC-to-DC converter for phantom power supplies used in mixing consoles, microphone preamplifiers, telephone systems, and similar equipment.

This project is available at 5V DC To 48V DC Converter.

3. Electric Vehicle Battery Charging Solutions

The application note below should help designers make their own electric vehicle battery charging solutions. If required, help is available from the company.

The Design Guide is available at Design Your Own Electric Vehicle Battery Charging Solutions.

4. USB Power Electric Socket

The circuit system of a versatile USB power socket safely converts the 12V battery voltage into stable 5V.

This circuit system is available at USB Power Socket

5. DIY Energy Meter

Presented here is a simple energy meter using Analog Device’s ADE7757 chip for single-phase, 2-wire (phase and neutral) systems used in households.

This circuit system is available at Energy Meter

6. Joystick-Controlled Industrial Automation System

This project can be used to control up to four industrial electrical appliances with the help of a joystick and an Arduino Nano board.

This project is available at Make This Joystick-Controlled Industrial Automation System

7. Brushless DC Motor Driver

The brushless DC motor driver circuit described here uses a DRV10866 driver IC to drive a small BLDC fan, without using any position sensors.

This project is available at Brushless DC Motor Driver

8. HVDC Power Supply Design

Circuits like Geiger counters, insect zappers, Nixie tubes, and sensors require high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) supplies. There are various types of HVDC supplies available in the market, including voltage doublers or quadruple, flyback converters, and boost converters.

Some of these have low current output capacity. But with the right calculations using basic boost conversion formulae, we may achieve HVDC supplies capable of clean and high current capacity. Presented here is a boost converter design using an MC34063 DC-DC converter.

This project is available at HVDC Power Supply Design

9. Micro Inverter Electrical Project

A simple low-power inverter circuit is described here, which converts 12V DC into 230V AC. It can be used to power very light loads like night lamps and cordless telephones but can be modified into a powerful inverter by adding more MOSFETs.

This project is available at Micro Inverter

10. Automatic Anchor Light

Federal and international regulations require boats to carry lights during sunset, sunrise, and in conditions with restricted visibility. The number and colors of light vary with the size of the vessel. A masthead anchor light is out of fashion as it is too high above the water level.

This makes it difficult to judge the position of the boat, especially in a pitch-dark anchorage.

This project is a compact yet inexpensive automatic anchor light integrated with an ambient light sensor that turns it on and off automatically.

This project is available at Automatic Anchor light

11. High-Impedance Audio Buffer With JFET

The buffer circuit described here is useful in enhancing the AC input impedance of audio amplifiers used with pickups in musical instruments. Signal sources for amplifiers and passive pickups for electric guitars require very high impedance of over 5-mega-ohm.

This can be achieved easily with a junction field-effect transistor (JFET) but may require a special design of the printed circuit board (PCB), appropriate construction techniques of the box, and proper cables and connectors.

This project provides a solution for a high-impedance, low-cost, low-quiescent current, buffer-follower based on PN4393 JFET.

This project is available at High-Impedance Audio Buffer With JFET

12. PIN Diode-Based Fire Sensor

This is an ultra-sensitive fire sensor that activates an alarm when it detects fire. In this circuit, a sensitive PIN diode is used as a fire sensor for longer-range fire detection. It detects visible light and infrared (IR) in the range of 430 nm – 1100 nm.

Visible light and IR from the fire activate the sensor to trigger the alarm. It also detects sparks in the mains wiring and if these persist, it gives a warning alarm. The anode can easily be identified from the top-view flat surface of the photodiode.

A small solder point to which a thin wire is connected is the anode and the other one is the cathode terminal.

This project is available at PIN Diode-Based Fire Sensor

13. Plus-Minus 5V Supply From 9V Battery

Op-amps require a dual-polarity supply for proper operation. When working with a battery supply, it becomes difficult to get a dual power supply for the op-amps.

Presented here is a simple circuit that provides ±5V from a 9V battery. This is one of the most interesting projects among Electrical Engineering Project Ideas.

Op-amps require a dual-polarity supply for proper operation. When working with a battery supply, it becomes difficult to get a dual power supply for the op-amps.

This project is available at Plus-minus 5V Supply From 9V Battery

14. Infrared Motion-Sensing Relay Switch

This project is designed for use with all kinds of medium-power automobile/domestic 12V DC loads. It is a simple solid-state relay (SSR) switch, controlled by a standard passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor module.

A PIR sensor is an electronic device that can measure IR light radiating from objects in its field of view. Apparent motion is detected when an IR source with one temperature (such as a human being) passes in front of an IR source with another temperature (such as a wall).

The PIR sensor module, centered on a PIR sensor, has elements made of crystalline material that generates an electric charge when exposed to IR radiation.

This project is available at Infrared Motion-Sensing Relay Switch

15. Low-cost LPG Leakage Detector

The circuit for an LPG leakage detector is readily available in the market, but it is extremely expensive and usually based on a microcontroller (MCU). This project presents a low-cost LPG detector that you can build a circuit easily.

The main objective of the circuit is to detect LPG leakage anywhere. At the heart of the circuit is dual comparator IC LM393 (IC2). It is used to compare two different voltages, in this case, reference voltage and MQ-6 gas sensor output voltage.

This project is available at Low-Cost LPG Leakage Detector

16. Low-Cost Dusk-Dawn Controller

This dusk-dawn controller is built around a light-dependent resistor among other components. The common battery supply is used for operating the circuit as well as for load, that is, for power LED/small inverter circuits.

Resistors work as voltage dividers and current limiters in the circuit. LEDs are used as circuit deactivation indicators. An n-channel MOSFET is used for the switching action of an LED light.

This project is available at Low-Cost Dusk-Dawn Controller

17. Auto Power Switching Mains, Solar Inverter, or Generator

This project is based on the AEIOU heuristic framework of the Design Engineering Approach. Design for Performance, Safety, and Reliability is ensured in terms of switching modules. Design for Ergonomics and Aesthetics is ensured in terms of Priority set by the user regarding the availability of Power Source.

Design for Manufacturability and Assembly is ensured in terms of Generator, Inverter, and Solar Plates.

Also, based on choice and availability, different circuits using Eagle can be worked upon.

This project is available at Auto Power Switching Mains, Solar Inverters, or Generator

18. Signal Generator and Inverter Using NE555 Timers

Often we require a squarewave signal generator with adjustable frequency, almost equal high and low output pulses, and adjustable amplitudes.

Here we present a simple, useful, and low-cost signal generator built around NE555 timers. Using external switches, you can control or select frequency ranges as per your requirements.

This project is available at Signal Generator and Inverter Using NE555 Timers

19. Configurable RS232 to TTL to I2C Adapter

RS232 signals cover a much longer distance than standard TTL and I2C signals.

These signals have better noise immunity as well. RS232 is a well-known standard supported by many popular ICs and therefore is still widely used. Sometimes we want to send TTL and I2C signals over a longer distance. This project describes how these signals can be extended through RS232 lines.

This project is available at Configurable RS232 to TTL to I2C adapter

20. Vibration Activated Smart CRO Probe

This is a simple, low-cost, energy-saving, and device-saving circuit for an electronics lab, service center, electronics workshop, or wherever a CRO is in use. Generally, in a repair station, a CRO is used for a very short time. But in most cases, the user fails to switch off the CRO immediately after use.

The service engineer mostly concentrates on faults rather than noticing whether the CRO is on or off. A vibration sensor turns the CRO off when the probe is idle for a specified amount of time.

This project is available at the Vibration Activated smart CRO probe

21. 4 Channel Multi-mode Audio Amplifier

Sometimes we need configurable multichannel amplifiers for experiments or for use in offices or schools. Here is a project based on TDA1554Q, configured for multi-mode functions with four-channel outputs. It has four channels and each channel can provide around 11W over a load of 2 ohms and around 6W over a load of 4 ohms.

The circuit will also work with loads of 4 ohms to 16 ohms. The gain of each channel is fixed at 20dB in single-channel mode and 26dB in BTL mode.

This project is available at 4 channel multi-mode Audio amplifier

22. Design and analysis of single-stage amplifier using C++

Many formulae are required to calculate the parameters involved in a circuit of a transistor-based audio amplifier. Some of these values involve resistors, coupling capacitors, bypass capacitors, power consumption, and the current flowing through different components.

A good amount of time is required to calculate such parameters even with a regular calculator. Using a C++ program, all the parameters can be calculated in a fraction of a second.

This project presents a single-stage transistor audio amplifier that requires a total of 19 formulae to obtain the values of components and analyze the circuit.

This project is available at Design and Analysis of Single-stage Amplifier using C++ 

23. Four-channel Video and Audio Sequencer

This next project is a simple circuit for switching your CCTV camera outputs sequentially. It switches four video and audio channels sequentially, one at a time. It is built around a 555 timer few other components. The timer is configured as an astable multi-vibrator.

A single-side PCB of the four-channel video and audio sequencer is provided along with the component layout. After assembling the circuit on the PCB, enclose it in a suitable plastic box.

This project is available at a Four-channel video and audio Sequencer

24. Automated USB-controlled Power Switch

Power for TV and set-top box (STB) is derived from a common switchboard. The switched-mode power supply (SMPS) of the TV continues to draw a small amount of power from the mains and the STB is not switched off when you switch off the remote.

This project presents a circuit that can control the main power of an LED TV and the DTH STB. It also protects the devices from harmful initial surges when the power comes back after a power failure.

This project is available at Automated USB-controlled Power Switch

25. 1kW Sine Wave Inverter

An inverter provides power backup for mains-based appliances in the event of a power failure. Most of the inverters available in the market have complicated circuit designs and are not very economical. Some of them produce a square-wave output, which is undesirable for inductive loads.

This project presents a simple inverter circuit that produces 50Hz quasi-sine-wave output using a single IC CD4047 and some discrete components making it a very cost-effective solution.

This project is available at 1kW sine wave Inverter

26. Four Frequency Generator

There is a need for TTL and CMOS signals by stable frequency sources for the development, testing, and maintenance of digital and analog electronic circuits. These sources are also useful for fast-checking oscilloscopes, probes, multimeters, frequency meters, and other measurement equipment.

This project proposes a circuit that produces fixed frequencies of 4MHz, 6MHz, and 10MHz and adjustable square waves with variable frequencies from around 10Hz to more than 100kHz.

This project is available at 4 Frequency Generator

27. Programmable 3-Phase Controller

A programmable time switch is useful in designing an automatic on/off controller for the 3-phase electric motor. This next project proposes a system with two programmable time switches for setting the starting and stopping times of the motor.

Two control circuits interface with the start/stop switches of the 3-phase motor starter. There is a provision for setting days of the week for the controller to function as well.

This project is available at Programmable 3 phase Controller for ON/OFF motor

28. High Power LED Stroboscope

A stroboscope is a convenient and accurate instrument to measure the speeds of rotating objects in homes or industries. One can use it to find the speed of fans, motors, or any other rotating object.

It is a flashing light that provides sharp light pulses at a variable rate. An object rotating with a frequency matching the pulsed light is observed as stationary.

This project is available at High Power LED Stroboscope

29. Password-Based Circuit Breaker

A circuit breaker protects electrical circuits from damage in case of overload or short circuit. Its basic function is to detect a fault condition and interrupt current flow. The system uses an 8-bit microcontroller of the 16f877A family.

An EEPROM stores the password and is easily changeable. The password is entered through a keypad and a relay opens or closes the circuit breaker, which is indicated by a lamp.

This project is available at Password based circuit breaker

30. Over/Under Voltage Protection of Electrical Appliances

Presented here is an under/over-voltage protection circuit that protects refrigerators as well as other appliances from under & over-voltage. The operational amplifier IC LM324 (IC2) is used here as a comparator.

This project is available at Over/Under Voltage Protection of Electrical Appliances

31. DC Panel Meter using Arduino

Panel meters in regulated power supplies are used to display electrical parameters like voltage and current. Presented here is a circuit to display the DC voltage and current of power supplies, including DIY-type ones.

This project is available at DC Panel Meter using Arduino

32. Multi-Status Indicator Using Single RGB LED

The monitoring system in battery chargers, water-level indicators, etc. uses LEDs to indicate the status of certain conditions. Presented here is a multiple status indicator circuits that use a single RGB LED for seven different indications.

This project is available at Multi-Status Indicator Using Single RGB LED

33. Simple Low Power Inverter

Here is a simple low-power inverter that converts 12V DC into 230-250V AC. It can be used to power very light loads like window chargers and night lamps, or simply give shock to keep intruders away. The circuit is built around just two ICs, namely, IC CD4047 and IC ULN2004.

This project is available at Simple Low Power Inverter

34. Power-Saving Relay Driver

In many circuits, the switching action is performed by a relay, which in turn activates an external load. The power consumed by the relay may be unsuitable for battery-power system applications.

Here is a simple solution using some inexpensive components to considerably save power.

This project is available at Power-Saving Relay Driver

35. Automatic Water Pump Controller

Here’s an automatic water pump controller circuit that controls the water pump motor. The motor gets automatically switched on when water in the overhead tank (OHT) falls below the lower limit.

This project is available at the Automatic Water Pump Controller 

36. Mobile Cell Phone Charger

This is a circuit for a mobile cellphone charger that uses three NiCd cells or eight pencil cells to charge the battery connected at the output terminals.

This project is available at Mobile Cellphone Charger

37. Generate Power Using Microturbine

Presented here is the Hydropower Generation circuit that generates power from a water pipe in a building using a microturbine. The generated electricity can be used to charge batteries, which can be used for emergency lighting or other such purposes. The microturbines produce kinetic energy which in turn helps in Power Generation (Electricity).

This project is available at Generate Power Using Microturbine

Hope these electrical engineering project ideas were useful to you. If you have such interesting electrical project ideas, feel free to post them in the comment section below.

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This article was first published on 18 October 2016 and was recently updated in June 2024.