electric
- electrical - electronic
‘electric’
You use electric in front of nouns to talk about particular machines or devices that use electricity.
The boat runs on an electric motor.
I switched on the electric fire.
‘electrical’
You use electrical when you are talking in a more general way about machines, devices, or systems that use or produce electricity. Electrical is typically used in front of nouns such as equipment, appliance, and component.
They sell electrical appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines.
We are waiting for a shipment of electrical equipment.
You also use electrical to talk about people or organizations connected with the production of electricity or electrical goods.
Jan is an electrical engineer.
They work in the electrical engineering industry.
‘electronic’
You use electronic to talk about a device that has transistors or silicon chips that control and change the electric current running through the device, or to describe a process or activity using electronic devices.
Mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices must be switched off.
They use electronic surveillance systems.