Primer for household current?

[BigE]

I'm looking for some manner of "how-to" publication to familiarize myself with household electricity. I have a 220V compressor I need to wire up as well as some clean up work to do on previously (and poorly) installed receptacles in my garage. I'm very familiar with all things mechanical and well-versed in 12V electronics. However, I'm not willing to learn 110V/220V just by doing. I want to know what I'm getting into before I start digging around. That being said, can anyone recommend a good book or a comprehensive website about household current?

Thanks

 

[rodm1]

http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/pdf/AC.pdf

 

[Falcon67]

Try Google with "house wiring how to" - comes back with lots of hits.
http://www.doityourself.com/****/homewiring
http://www.wireityourself.com/electrical.html

This is a very good technical reference: http://www.amazon.com/dp/0971977925/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can also search amazon.com for "electrical wiring residential" Good Google search too.

A cautionary note: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09078.html

Note that your compressor will be a 220V motor circuit, which is a bit different than something like a dryer. A 220V single phase motor circuit only requires two wires (one from each side of the incoming line) and a ground. It does not require a neutral. Cable size will depend on load and run length. That's when you hit the NEC tables.

 

[BigE]

rodm1, thanks for the link, but I'm familiar with the theory behind electricity. I guess what I'm looking for is a more practical guide so I don't have to learn the nuts and bolts of it the hard way (ie. zap!).

Falcon67, the links you provided are more what I'm looking for. The online guides seemed a bit haphazard so I really like the idea of the book from Amazon. Thank you.

Any other recommendations?

 

[Torque1st]

Go to your local Home Box store and thumb thru their selection until you find what you want.

 

[Red Green]

I Have the Black & Decker book on electrical. It has lots of pictures and is good for the basic type stuff that is in most home garages.

 

[scopx]

The best publication I have found for my application is titled "Wiring Simplified" which has green and black cover. It does not wade very deep into the technical side (fortunately), and in "plain language" describes requirements.
After going over book several times was able to, by myself, run 2/0 cable underground to several outbuildings, install 3 service panel boxes, and run and install all circuits. All I had to do was have certified hook up to meter. BTW, book is about 250 pages size about 5x7".