From seasoned project managers checking IEC acronyms to post-grads polishing journal papers, nearly everyone in the power-and-electronics world has Googled—or thumbed through—the Comprehensive Dictionary Of Electrical Engineering 2nd Edition. Edited by Phillip A. Laplante and published by CRC Press in 2005, this beefy reference added 1 500 new entries to its first edition, pushing the total to 11 000+ tightly-defined terms across every IEEE technical society.
Table of Contents
Book at a Glance
| Full Title | Comprehensive Dictionary of Electrical Engineering |
| Edition / Year | 2nd Edition • 2005 |
| Editor-in-Chief | Phillip A. Laplante, Ph.D., P.E. |
| Publisher | CRC Press / Taylor & Francis |
| Length | 1 536 pp. (hardcover) |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0-8493-3086-5 (print) |
| Formats & Price | Hardcover ≈ US $220 new / $70-100 used, eText ISBN 9781351836357 |
| Entries & Extras | 11 000+ terms, 250 figures, 120 data tables |
| Primary Audience | Electrical & computer engineers, academics, translators, patent attorneys |
Why Comprehensive Dictionary Of Electrical Engineering Still Matters
- Cross-disciplinary coverage – Power systems, RF, VLSI, photonics and control all live under one alphabetical roof, perfect for multidisciplinary teams.
- Authoritative sourcing – Definitions are drawn from CRC’s flagship handbooks and vetted by a 100-member editorial board representing every IEEE division.
- Beyond definitions – Many entries bundle equations, units, typical values and schematic mini-figures—great for quick “should-I-Google-deeper?” checkpoints.
- Consistent style – Each term follows a uniform dictionary syntax, making rapid skimming easier than crowd-sourced online glossaries.
Topical Highlights (How the Dictionary Is Organized)
| IEEE Area | Example Terms | Bonus Material |
|---|---|---|
| Power & Machines | synchronous reactance, k-factor, double-fed induction generator | Thermal-rating table for XLPE cable |
| Electronics & VLSI | gate oxide integrity, IBIS model, SOC floor-planning | Standard cell area ranges |
| RF & Microwaves | Q-factor, Friis transmission equation, Wilkinson divider | Waveguide cutoff table |
| Control & Robotics | Smith predictor, Z-transform pair, kinematic redundancy | Laplace-domain sign conventions |
| Photonics & Optics | Bragg grating, erbium-doped fiber amplifier | Refractive indices of common glasses |
| EMC & Antennas | skin depth, TEM cell, ground bounce | Copper resistivity vs. temperature chart |
Strengths at a Glance
- Depth meets brevity – Most definitions nail the concept in 50 words or less, but point to standards or handbooks for deep dives.
- Print & digital parity – The searchable eText mirrors the page layout, so citation pagination stays intact across formats.
- Engineering-grade accuracy – Equations are typeset, units are SI-first, and symbol clashes are flagged with “Do Not Confuse” notes.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
| Limitation | Impact | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Published 2005 | Terms like GaN FET, SiC MOSFET, 5 G NR absent | Annotate margins with 2020s buzzwords; CRC’s online addenda fill some gaps |
| Hardcover heft (≈ 1.6 kg) | Not exactly pocket-friendly | Rely on VitalSource/Kindle edition for travel |
| No illustrations for newer disciplines | Quantum-computing or EV-charging diagrams missing | Pair with IEEE Xplore or Electric Vehicle Handbook |
How It Stacks Up
| Feature | Comprehensive Dictionary 2e | IEEE Standard Dictionary of Electrical & Electronics Terms (Std 100) | McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Electrical & Computer Engineering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entries | 11 000+ | ≈ 7 500 | ≈ 9 500 |
| Figures/Tables | 250 | Few | Minimal |
| Multidisciplinary board | 100+ editors | IEEE committees | Single in-house team |
| Digital edition | Yes (DRM-free PDF & VitalSource) | PDF only | No official eBook |
| Best For | Engineers & researchers | Standards writers | Student quick look-ups |
SEO-Friendly FAQ
Is Comprehensive Dictionary Of Electrical Engineering 2nd Edition beginner-friendly?
Yes—definitions assume calculus-level background but avoid heavy derivations.
Does the eBook include the figures and tables?
The VitalSource and PDF versions retain all figures, tables and cross-references.
Will there be a 3rd edition?
CRC has not announced one, but Laplante’s preface invites readers to submit new-term suggestions, hinting at future updates.
Can I cite it in academic papers?
Absolutely—each entry provides standard bibliographic details; include page number and edition year in your reference list.
