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What's the current go-to calculator for electrical engineers?

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rsjsouza:

--- Quote from: tooki on December 01, 2021, 06:47:50 pm ---
--- Quote from: rsjsouza on December 01, 2021, 06:29:00 pm ---Interesting; I haven't seen it called "metric" before.

I learned to call them SI prefixes or SI multipliers, since in my home country we were already immersed in the metric system and the word "metric" would be redundant anyways.

Perhaps my google-fu skills are lacking, but the several references on the internet that mention "metric prefixes" seem to be originated in the U.S.

--- End quote ---
No, you’re entirely correct, calling them “metric” prefixes instead of SI prefixes is nothing but a brain fart on my part. I’ll chalk that up to the neck spasm I’ve been dealing with for the past 3 days… :/

--- End quote ---
Hope you feel better soon!

eti:
To those who don’t use physical calculators:

~ A physical one sits there for years, rarely if ever needs a new battery. It doesn’t distract, it doesn’t chirp and beep, nor cause you to check your antisocial media nonsense.

~ A physical one just… IS. It exists, it’s buttons are there for you without a second thought - within reach - within your muscle memory.

~ Single purpose objects are still as valuable as they always were. You don’t need to unlock a screen, swipe, tap, fanny about etc.

David Hess:
- The batteries last from months to years, are inexpensive, commonly available, and user replaceable.

- The display does not occupy screen space, or require an additional monitor.

- Requires only a minimum of space on the desk, or possibly none at all. (1)

- If RPN, will discourage others from borrowing it. (2)

- Pocket portable.

(1) I particularly despise test instruments which require a mouse and keyboard taking up even more of the limited space on my workbench.  One keyboard and mouse is enough.

(2) Vernier instruments share this advantage.

PlainName:

--- Quote ---(1) I particularly despise test instruments which require a mouse and keyboard taking up even more of the limited space on my workbench.  One keyboard and mouse is enough.
--- End quote ---

Going to disagree here, at least partly.

I have an EEZ BB3 PSU on my desk (not bench, so it's competing with the usual office detritus) and the thing I lurve about it is the mouse. I can control the PSU even though I can't reach it without stretching, and despite being wired the mouse doesn't take up much space and is easy to stow when not in use. A wireless jobby might be even easier.

OTOH, on the bench there is a mouse for the microscope and another for the PC, and there is often not room to move them. Not helped by both being wireless and of similar design so I tend to start waving the wrong one.

Gotta be swings and roundabouts on this one, I think.

(My Logitech mouse will connect to three devices just by pressing a button, but that seems like a) too much work, b) losing track of what's being controlled, and c) reducing everything to single-tasking.)

SteveyG:

--- Quote from: tooki on December 01, 2021, 12:29:09 pm ---
--- Quote from: SteveyG on December 01, 2021, 08:56:31 am ---
--- Quote from: dunkemhigh on November 01, 2021, 07:19:31 pm ---
--- Quote from: kripton2035 on October 31, 2021, 12:42:45 pm ---casio fx991ex

--- End quote ---

I use a fx991es mostly because it's quicker to switch between decimal, hex and binary answers.

But I also use OpenCalc on the PC. And Electrodroid on my phone. And Omni Calculator: https://www.omnicalculator.com/

--- End quote ---

I use the FX-991MS. You can use engineering notation directly which can be handy.

--- End quote ---
You mean metric SI prefixes, not engineering notation.
Engineering notation means things like 270ᴇ3 (meaning 270×103) for 270000, whereas with metric SI prefixes that’s 270k.

Practically any scientific calculator can do scientific notation (exponent notation like 2.7ᴇ5) and engineering notation (same as scientific, but with the exponent always in multiples of 3, like 270ᴇ3). It’s metric SI prefixes that are rare as hen’s teeth.

Edited per my reply to rsjsouza.

--- End quote ---

I did mean engineering notation, in that it will automatically keep all output in that format. It does SI prefixes in and out too with only the shift keystroke. I've not found a calculator that will remain in either mode without needing to press a key every time to convert.

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