Andalusian Electrical and Electronics Sectors: Economic Activities and Applications
ITEM 1: Economic Sectors and Activities in Electricity and Electronics
Firms can be classified according to various criteria. Looking at the economic sector, we can distinguish:
a) The primary sector includes companies involved in obtaining basic goods (raw materials) directly from nature, e.g., agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and forestry.
b) The secondary sector transforms products from the primary sector, e.g., factories.
c) The tertiary or services sector distributes goods and meets needs not covered by the other sectors, such as banks, restaurants, businesses, and hospitals.
The electrical sector spans all three economic sectors, encompassing primary, secondary, and tertiary activities.
2. Activities of the Electrical or Electronic Industry
a) The electronics sector is mainly concentrated in the most industrialized areas of Andalusia. The largest concentrations of companies are in Seville (Charterhouse 93) and Malaga (Andalusia Technology Park). The fields of activity in the sector are:
- Manufacturing: Manufacture of telecommunication components, cables, optical discs, memory, electronic components, integrated circuits, control systems, and installation of computer equipment.
- Telecommunications: Fixed-mobile, telecommunication cables, e-commerce and network security, audiovisual media (radio and TV), etc.
- Software: Realization and software production, development of internet solutions, deployment and systems integration, management and maintenance of applications, building e-commerce solutions, developing and publishing custom and specialized software, and circuit design and INPRES equipment.
- Labs: Studies of electronics, telecommunications, electrical safety, mechanical, dismantling, and destruction of electrical and electronic products.
ITEM 2: Electrical Fields in Andalusia
1. Dependent Electric Fields
While activities related to generation plants, electric transmission, and distribution can be seen as independent, many electrical engineering activities fall under other sectors, such as construction, automotive, or industrial. These are called dependent electric fields, as their location depends on the state of the sector they are associated with.
1.1 Electrical Facilities in Construction
The construction sector significantly affects other economic sectors. In the electricity sector, many activities relate to building construction, from low voltage installations and lighting to new facilities such as alarm installation, air conditioning and heating, satellite and antenna equipment, fire systems, solar energy facilities, and home automation installations.
a) Home Automation: Home automation encompasses the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical-electronic control systems in buildings. These systems are computer-controlled and designed for easy updates and maintenance. Types of control include:
- Control of internal temperature by turning on heating or cooling.
- Control of internal and external lighting.
- Control of plant irrigation systems.
- Background music activation.
- Detection and control of water leakage.
These systems are computer-controlled and can be reprogrammed via software. Legislation mandates that all dwellings built or rebuilt after 2007 have home automation pre-installation.
1.2 Other Electrical Installations
a) Alarms: In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of these safety systems. An alarm is an electric-electronic system that detects unauthorized entry and provides an acoustic or light response. Alarms use various detection methods:
- Electromagnetic
- Photoelectric
- Ultrasound-auditory
- Visual
b) Automotive Electricity: Many electrical systems have been added to vehicles, increasing the need for electrical maintenance. These include:
- Music equipment
- Electric windows
- On-board computers
- Electrically adjustable seats
- ABS
- ESP
c) Other Emerging Activities in the Electricity Sector: In a developed economy, electrical systems multiply, leading to growth in areas such as:
- Solar energy installations in buildings
- Automatic control systems in manufacturing processes
- Installation and maintenance of electric machines in industries
- Design and installation of lighting systems
- Fire-fighting systems
- Autonomous electricity generation systems