Electronics is a stream of engineering associated with electronic circuits, devices, and equipment. Electronics engineers design and test circuits using electromagnetic properties to achieve a particular functional result. If you are interviewing for an electronics role, it is imperative to prepare for a technical round. During your interview process, you may need to answer questions that test your knowledge and your ability to apply theoretical principles in practical life situations. In this article, Pritish Kumar Halder explores interview questions for electronic engineers and technicians and provide sample responses for them.
Here are some interview questions you may receive during the hiring process:
1. What do you understand from the word electronics?
This question aims to test your theoretical knowledge of the subject. Use examples to elaborate on your answer.
Example: “It involves the study, design and use of electrical devices that operate by controlling the flow of electrons through terminals. Electronics is what helps facilitate the invention of devices that helps improve our daily practices.”
2. What are passive and active electrical components?
This question aims to gauge your understanding of the fundamentals of electronics. Discuss the two components by using relevant examples from your practical experiences.
Example: “Passive components are those that do not require external sources to function, while active components require them. I have previously worked with passive components to make inductors, resistors and capacitors.”
3. What is a passband?
With this question, the interviewer aims to judge your knowledge about frequency, wavelength and communication.
Example: “Passband is the variety of frequencies or wavelengths that can pass through a filter without attenuation. The passband signals are usually of high frequency and use modulation to transmit through long distances while having their frequency spectrum concentrated around the carrier wave’s frequency.”
4. What is an ideal current source?
The interviewer intends to test your knowledge about basic electronics engineering principles. Elaborate your answer with relevant examples to demonstrate your technical aptitude.
Example: “In an electrical circuit, if a current source provides constant current, with maximum efficiency at any given point, it becomes an ideal source. The resistance in such cases is infinite. I have been successful in creating components that used ideal current sources to improve battery efficiency.”
5. What is an ideal voltage source?
This question aims to judge your electronics skills. Keep the definition short and simple, and provide examples from your experience.
Example: “By definition, an ideal voltage source is a two-terminal element having a specified voltage across the terminals at any instant in time. Any current in any direction can flow through it. Batteries are an example of an ideal voltage source.”
6. Can you explain what feedback means?
This is another question to test how thorough your knowledge is of the basics of control theory. Answer this question by defining feedback and illustrating examples.
Example: “Feedback is a way of providing a part of the output back to the input. It is unidirectional flow, current or voltage, and can be positive or negative. It is predominantly used in control systems, amplifiers or oscillators.”
7. How and when do you use a resistor?
This question aims to see if you can apply the fundamentals of electronics in designing everyday circuits.
Example: “The purpose of a resistor is to oppose the flow of current, creating a drop in voltage across the terminals. These small devices ensure components like transistors or integrated circuits do not destroy due to a sudden increase in the current that reaches them.”
8. What are the two main types of communication?
This question helps the interviewer gauge your knowledge of the basics of communications principles. Describe the two forms of communication.
Reference: https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/basic-electronics-interview-questions