PhD Eng. Edward Musiał has passed away | Faculty of Electrical and Control Engineering at the Gdańsk University of Technology

Edward Musiał was born on December 26, 1937 in France. He graduated in 1959 from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at Gdańsk University of Technology (renamed the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Automation in 1996). He obtained his doctorate in technical sciences in 1967 at the same university. He began his professional, scientific and teaching career under the supervision of Prof. Jan Piasecki.

He specialised in industrial electrical power engineering, electrical installations and equipment, and electric lighting. He was particularly interested in the issues of network and installation security, as well as protection against electric shock and other electrical hazards.

While working at the university, he also worked at the Gdańsk Shipyard (1960–1964) . In 1974–1978, he was a professor at the Université Nationale du Zaire in Kinshasa and head of its electrical department, and also participated in the electrification of the country as a maître de recherches at the Institut de Recherche Scientifique, Centre Spécialisé d'Énergie et Technologie. From 1982 to 1985, he worked as a maître de conférences at the Université des Sciences et de la Technologie d'Oran in Algeria. As part of his work at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of the Gdańsk University of Technology, he held the following positions in particular: vice-dean for Working Studies (1991–1993), head of the postgraduate programme in Nuclear Power Plant Design, deputy head of the Department of Electrical Power Engineering, and social labour inspector.

Since 1975, technical and other vocational schools have been using successive editions of his textbook ‘Electrical Power Equipment’, and since 1998, the textbook ‘Electrical Power Installations and Equipment’. This book has had several editions in Lithuanian (‘Elektros energetiniai įrengimai ir instaliacija’) and, by decision of the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, has been introduced as a compulsory textbook in electrical engineering schools. In 1992, the book ‘Hazards from Electrical Equipment’ was published, and between 2001 and 2010, Verlag Dashöfer published subsequent parts of the guide ‘Electrical and Telecommunications Installations’, in which E. Musiał is the author of Chapter 5 ‘Protection in Electrical Installations’. Edward Musiał is the author of over 200 articles and papers, as well as over 100 unpublished studies (expert opinions, analyses, opinions and reviews). Many of his articles have been published in the INPE magazine: Information on Electrical Standards and Regulations, and his article ‘Short-circuit currents in low-voltage installations and AC devices’ was awarded second prize by the Jury of the Prof. Mieczysław Pożaryski Competition for the best articles published in SEP magazines in 2001.

From 2016 to 2021, he served as editor-in-chief of INPE magazine. During his tenure, he wrote numerous articles published in INPE, answered readers' questions, and initiated and led the Technical English series. His work contributed to strengthening the position of INPE magazine on the publishing market, which is one of the key publications for electricians involved in the design and operation of electrical power installations and equipment. He co-authored the study ‘Technical conditions to be met by low-voltage electrical power equipment in terms of electric shock protection’ included in the regulations for the construction of electrical power equipment published in 1997 by Wydawnictwo Przemysłowe WEMA. E. Musiał's publications and studies show how hard-working, insightful, conscientious and versatile he was. A large group of engineers and technicians participated in various forms of continuing education conducted by him and used his website. Author of ‘The History of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Automation at the Gdańsk University of Technology’ and editor of the book ‘Greatness and Modesty. In Memory of Professor Stanisław Szpor’.

He was a member of SEP since 1961 (Honorary Member since 2022). He was a member of the Main Board for one term and a member of the Gdańsk Branch Board for many terms (a total of 30 years). He was an SEP expert in departments 01 Electrical Equipment, 07 Lighting Technology and 08 Electrical Installations and Equipment, and an SEP verifier in department 08 Electrical Installations and Equipment. He was a member of Technical Committee No. 75 for Electrical Fuses and a verifier of most of the standards in this field published in Polish. He also reviewed draft standards in the field of electrical installations and machine safety.

For his work and social activities, he received the following awards and distinctions:

• state awards – Gold Cross of Merit (1980), Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1990), Medal of the National Education Commission (2002),
• trade union – Gold Badge of the Polish Teachers' Union (1973),
• association – Silver Badge of Honour of the SEP (1969), Gold Badge of Honour of the SEP (2003), Commemorative Medal of Prof. Alfons Hoffmann (2002), Prof. Mieczysław Pożaryski Commemorative Medal (2006), Prof. Stanisław Szpor Commemorative Medal (2007), SEP Sapphire Badge of Honour (2019), Honorary Member of SEP (2022).

Excerpts from the biographical note posted on Edward Musiał's website were used: http://www.edwardmusial.info/not_biog.html

The Holy Mass will be held on July 28, 2025 (Monday) at 12:00 noon at the Church of Our Lady of La Salette in Gdańsk Sobieszewo (ul. Piesza 1, 80-680 Gdańsk). The burial will take place after the Mass at the local cemetery.