A book on basics of AC electrical?

[Lucid Moments]

So I am tired of knowing so little about AC electricity and wiring. I don't need to know the entire electrical code, but would like to know enough to do basic stuff safely. Are there any books out there that can get me started down the right direction?

 

[alfredeneuman]

Home Depot has some good How-To books on basic electricity.

 

[Lightning rod]

There is lots of online electrical books, for example , at least for the basic theory parts.

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/

 

[bw77]

I have the previous edition of this book, and I thought it was pretty good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019NR7076/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[MikeF2316]

Home Depot has some good How-To books on basic electricity.

Around here, Home Depot has a book titled, "Ontario Electrical Code Simplified". It's handy because it goes over general stuff, and what's specifically allowed and not allowed locally.

 

[driftpin]

Sunset used to be a publisher that had all-sorts of intro books, soft-cover in the later years, I bet they're still out there.

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/basic...QYAiABEgI9J_D_BwE#isbn=0376010940&idiq=816864

Better Homes and Gardens also has a similar publication.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HT7LPQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[dogdog]

For Wiring and stuff.... I have used the Black and Decker home wiring series when I first started doing my own... it's simple enough without spending load of time into things... lots of pictures and illustrations to makes things easier to understand...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=black+and+decker+home+wiring&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

in complement I have also used Code Check , great for quick references....especially for some one that doesn't do it day in and day out... and Dewalt and Audel also have some great stuff, but no pictures.... condense in paperback...but they are great

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=code+check&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=audel+electrical&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=dewalt+electrical+book&ref=nb_sb_noss_2


But you have to also check with your local townhall or departments to see which electrical code they are using... some city have their own addendum.

For theory and stuff.... probably a textbook on AC mentioned on post 3,by Lightning rod.... if you are into calculation, theory, and general AC stuff... that is a good link.

 

[ard]

I learned wiring when I was 14 from Wiring simplified... 45th edition below:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/099790531X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Still have that dog-earred book. 1970.

When I was a kid starting out, I would draw out schematics/diagrams of eevry box and connection. (I was a wierd kid.). IMO this is essential. Don't struggle to reduce it to a 'word problem'....if a drawing helps nail it down, do it! Especially when you need to open up existing boxes and figure out what is going on- draw it up, trace it out.

 

[Jim greengo]

Apprenteship program.

 

[MBfreak]

ard

You are absolutely right . ALWAYS make a drawing and learn to use the correct symbols.
Be meticulous and save drawings. A copy stuck in the box or whatever was built is a good idea.

Ola

 

[ard]

ard

You are absolutely right . ALWAYS make a drawing and learn to use the correct symbols.
Be meticulous and save drawings. A copy stuck in the box or whatever was built is a good idea.

Ola

I wired my first addition at home when I was 14. When my mom died, she had saved my drawings. To be honest, it was pretty light on 'correct symbols'...in that careful handwriting of a teenager thinking hard about the task at hand...

In modern times, I only document odd control circuits. A pump/pressurtrol that runs a control line through a building 300 ft away, etc.

But for a beginner it can be invaluable.

 

[joe_padavano]

I learned wiring when I was 14 from Wiring simplified... 45th edition below:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/099790531X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Still have that dog-earred book. 1970.

^^^THIS! The best "basics" book out there.

 

[grounded-b]

I learned wiring when I was 14 from Wiring simplified... 45th edition below:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/099790531X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Still have that dog-earred book. 1970.

When I was a kid starting out, I would draw out schematics/diagrams of eevry box and connection. (I was a wierd kid.). IMO this is essential. Don't struggle to reduce it to a 'word problem'....if a drawing helps nail it down, do it! Especially when you need to open up existing boxes and figure out what is going on- draw it up, trace it out.

Yup.

Richter & Schwan are the experts.

"Practical Electrical Wiring" is the beginners ( and apprentices ) bible

Steve Koszuta
JW

 

[egdede]

IMO; 'Wiring Simplified' is the best explanatory book.

This guy's book used to available at home depot for a few bucks. The diagrams are EZ to follow:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DG7VPEE/?tag=atomicindus08-20





Beware of old Sunset books with bad grounding advice:

https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/01/08/diyers-beware-sunset-lowes-recall-home-repair-books/