Interview with the expert: Electrical Engineering

The role of the electrical engineer is fundamental on a building site. With automation and the increased use of electronic systems in various types of business, the electrical part has become one of the most sensitive components in the realization of a project.

Electrical engineering in construction

Electrical engineer Lucas Miara, who works at Stecla Engenharia in the area of contract management, explains that electrical engineering is now a very strong branch of civil construction. 

"I'd say that electrical engineering and the like now account for 40% of a construction contract. So the demand for these professionals has also grown a lot," he says.

Unlike civil engineers, who focus on foundations, superstructure, infrastructure and so on, electrical engineers are basically responsible for everything that involves electricity, such as installations, lighting, sockets, structured finishes and much more.

Lucas says that over the years, when he worked as an installation engineer, he developed a profile more focused on construction management. "So I began to develop skills in managing the work as a whole, not just in the area of installations. I saw this as a great opportunity and I'm always seeking knowledge in order to be able to provide services to my satisfaction, especially in other areas that aren't part of my training."

Lucas also comments that engineering degrees develop professionals a lot on the technical side. For this reason, training in people management and related areas is a need that many engineers identify and seek out postgraduate training in order to better develop this aspect of their career. "Today, as a management professional, I have to mix my duties in all areas. My role is to monitor the contract, look at the timetable, planning, control the purchase of materials, invoicing, measurements, physical and financial monitoring, team assessment, measurement assessment, time, cost, quality and deadline management," he explains.

The importance of electrical engineering

There is no point in an industry having a good foundation, a good wall, an excellent roof and so on, if there is no energy to make it work. Reliability in the energy system is fundamental for the industry to be able to operate in the best possible way. Lucas explains that the electrical engineer needs to ensure that the power reaches the client's equipment with maximum quality. "It's difficult, because you can't see the electricity. So you have to make sure that the installation is perfect, because once the electrical installation starts creating problems, it's much harder to find the root cause of the problem."

Lucas explains that Stecla Engenharia places great value on these details, as they are one of the most important things an industrial client sees. "After all, they want the equipment to work as well as possible. The cost of an idle machine is very high. The industry loses production, loses quality and wastes raw materials. We even work on construction sites where machines have to be shut down to expand the factory. This shutdown of a plant is extremely complex and involves all sectors of the industry that are working," he says.

"I've seen situations where poorly done installations have caused huge disruption. Then it's difficult to measure the damage financially. It's very high and generates psychological pain for the customer, which is sometimes much greater," says Lucas. "Stecla is a recognized company in the market, which has developed methods and controls to ensure that the work takes place on time, with the right quality and at the desired cost," he explains.

"We are the client's representative on site. That's why we work closely with the client from the very beginning of the project to achieve the best quality. At Stecla we understand that all problems must be solved and disclosed, as well as risks. Stecla has a culture that if there is a problem, we will go to great lengths to correct it. Because it's better to start solving the problem while it's still small, no matter who it hurts, than to let it become a giant problem down the road, which will make the solution increasingly difficult and expensive," Lucas concludes.