Recommended books for learning about residential electrical?

[AceofSpad3s]

I would like to find some good reading material about residential wiring. I've done all the usual basic electrical, replacing fixtures, outlets, running some wire for new outlets etc, but nothing much more serious that. I've done about most everything else on the interior of a house except for more involved electrical stuff, so I'd like to round out some of my knowledge by learning more about it.
I don't have any real need to do anything right now, this is just for the sake of learning. I'd like something that covers wiring a house from the ground up, starting with the panel.

 

[sberry]

I believe someone said Home Depot had one not too bad.

 

[bw77]

I have the previous edition of this book, and I thought it was pretty good
at the time, 7 years ago.

This is the newer edition:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/162710674X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[05wrangler]

I think mike holts has a book or two on what your looking for. I would also look at getting the latest adopted NEC code book for your area.

 

[TarheelMechanic]

If you have a local c college, you will gain more by enrolling in a basic residential wiring class for one semester. You will gain a lot of hands on knowledge this way.

I did this very thing over 18 years ago and afterwards rewired my 65 year old two story farm house myself.

 

[dogdog]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631869167/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1580117872/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/128411936X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I think one of the poster is referring to this guy.... I find him very knowledgeable... but too fast of a talker to me... He had a whole DVD series as well as giving seminars.... but sometimes he is way too fast at least to me.

https://www.mikeholt.com/tv-nec.php

 

[dixiedog]

NEC 2017 - if you're going to read anything read the code book!
I have learned a lot from watching licensed electricians over the years and it all goes back to the codes.

 

[dpv4276]

There is a book called "Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code ". Very good for basic info. The code book itself is very dry and, unless you know how to navigate it, not the most helpful.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[bottom feeder]

Reader's Digest New Complete Do-it-Yourself Manual.

I have an older copy and still refer to it from time to time. I assume this new version is even better.

https://www.amazon.com/New-Complete-Do-Yourself-Manual/dp/0895773783/ref=pd_sim_14_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0895773783&pd_rd_r=6479246d-8006-11e8-9d30-79f90a35b456&pd_rd_w=dMcZd&pd_rd_wg=OCjaW&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=7967298517161621930&pf_rd_r=6D3Y19EZH4R8MBZFQN2A&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=6D3Y19EZH4R8MBZFQN2A

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have the previous edition of this book, and I thought it was pretty good
at the time, 7 years ago.

This is the newer edition:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/162710674X/?tag=atomicindus08-20

X2 on this.

 

[Two Sheds]

Electrical Wiring Residential by Mullin & Simmons is an old standby that is very comprehensive.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1337101834/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It's rather pricey, so you might be able to get by with a slightly older edition.

And you will need whichever version of the NEC that is being enforced in your location.

Ugly's has some handy tables that save time doing calculations from the NEC. Especially for conduit fill.

 

[CJ7VFR]

I believe someone said Home Depot had one not too bad.

They do. At least they did a few years ago.

They actually have/had an entire set of books that dealt with electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, outdoor decorating, kitchens and bathrooms and stuff like that.

I have the whole series of books. They have been a great resource for me and all the projects I have done.

They are in no way a replacement for a professional who has years of experience and hands on knowledge. But for a DIY'er, they are great.

One of the best sections of the electrical book is how to wire up 3 and 4 way switches! I don't do those often, and I always refer back to the book to make sure I am hooking up the traveler and hot wires correctly between the switches!

Jim

 

[Stuff]

Usually at the big box stores: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E93GA8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wssix99]

I believe someone said Home Depot had one not too bad.

Usually at the big box stores: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E93GA8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yes, Hands-down, I think this is the best book to get started with. You can get it at the Orange Satan, Blue Satan, or Green Satan. (Anyone else miss real hardware stores???)

NEC 2017 - if you're going to read anything read the code book!
I have learned a lot from watching licensed electricians over the years and it all goes back to the codes.

+1 on this, too. Where Wiring Simplified ends, the NEC picks up. IMO, if one is getting into stuff that Wiring Simplified doesn't cover (conduit fills, etc.), then one should be referencing NEC directly.

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

Back in the day my Dad had a Sears booklet (softcover sort of like a magazine) with electrical instructions.

I have the Readers Digest book others have mentioned and remember the electrical diagrams in the book being very similar to the contents of the Sears booklet.

I've used the RD book to run a 3 way lighting setup in my first house and several time when trying to reverse engineer configurations in my current house. This book and a non-contact voltage meter are your friends for electrical work.

Cheers

Jim

 

[Fialaja]

Black and Decker published a house wiring book that was excellent another great reference is the Rex cauldwell book someone showed

 

[cory58]

+1 for "Wiring Simplified." Great help wiring my garage. Thanks GJ!


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