The article characterizes the key technical and industrial centers of the electric machine-building of USSR in its historical, geographical and chronological aspects, paying special attention to the specialization of each center. The author specifies the stages of formation of geography of Soviet electric machine-building. Based on the study of scientific-educational-technological configurations, the author classifies the centers of Soviet electric machine-building into 4 main categories in the most important branches of this industrial sphere (that is, heavy electric machines, high-voltage devices, electric locomotive construction, electric motors, condenser building, low-voltage devices). It is shown that the largest centers of electrical engineering were formed at first in Moscow and Leningrad, abundantly provided with skilled workers and scientific and technical personnel. Some of the industries were formed in connection with the local resource and production specifics, such as electrification of mine operations in coal basins (Pervomaisk), hydropower (Chirchik, Zaporozhye), the need for electric traction in mountainous terrain (Tbilisi). However, evacuation waves during the World Wars (Kharkov, Baranchinsky, Cheboksary) had a key influence on the placement of electrical engineering in the USSR. It also noted the orientation of Soviet planners towards the even distribution of new technical and production units throughout the country.