The Complete Guide to Home Wiring - 3rd Edition: Includes Information on Home Electronics & Wireless Technology (Black & Decker Complete Guide) 
asked by mags on November 26, 2006 10:43 PM
One of the most daunting endeavors for any would-be do-it-yourselfer is dealing with the electrical--namely, electrical repairs, improvements, and wiring and rewiring projects. The reason for this is simple: mistakes can cause fires, major disasters and expense, and even death. But anyone can learn about safe and correct wiring in order to complete repairs or add new wiring to an aging and inadequate system. This is the book to show you how, from the basics of how electricity works and simple repairs and projects, all the way to complicated rewiring you might otherwise assume must be done by a professional. Included are the most up-to-date electrical code requirements; guides to evaluating, planning, and installing new electrical circuits; repair advice on switches, receptacles, and fixtures; and a detailed and well-illustrated lighting design section. A total of 288 pages of hundreds of illustrations and photographs and a comprehensive reference index make this an ideal book for the beginner, and an up-to-date refresher course for the professional. --Mark A. Hetts
Reviews
0%
0%
I've purchased many books on these topics but this series is really well done. The illustrations are excellent and the overall layout makes it really easy for a first time do it yourselfer. I'm currently collecting all of the titles in the Black & Decker series and can't wait to begin using them in my home projects. Highly recommend for first timers. Good Luck!
reviewed by speaker on November 29, 2006 3:12 PM
0%
0%
I was getting ready to add a couple rooms to my house and wanted to do the electrical myself. I'm an electrical engineer and have done plenty of wiring throughout the years, but none of it that necessarily complied with the NEC. Oh sure I used 14 awg for 15 amp circuits and 12 awg for 20 amp circuits, but that was about the extent of the code compliance (out of ignorance of the code, not contempt). Well, I wanted to start following the letter of the law so I got the B&D "Complete Guide to Home Wiring".
Did this book meet my needs? No. Is it a bad book? No. The book just doesn't go into enough detail (and has errors) to give you all the information you'll need to wire a house. On the other hand, if all you're looking to do is replace some existing wiring or add on to a existing branch circuit, this may the book for you. If you're really wanting to understand the NEC (in a very straight forward manner), I would recommend getting "Electrical Wiring Residential" by Ray C. Mullin along with the NEC Pocket Guide to Residential Electrical Installations. Those two books alone will provide 99% of what you need to know for your remodel.
P.S. When I wrote to the editors of the B&D book to point out the errors that it contains (direct contradictions from one page to another), I got no response back from them. I guess they sell enough of them not to care.
Did this book meet my needs? No. Is it a bad book? No. The book just doesn't go into enough detail (and has errors) to give you all the information you'll need to wire a house. On the other hand, if all you're looking to do is replace some existing wiring or add on to a existing branch circuit, this may the book for you. If you're really wanting to understand the NEC (in a very straight forward manner), I would recommend getting "Electrical Wiring Residential" by Ray C. Mullin along with the NEC Pocket Guide to Residential Electrical Installations. Those two books alone will provide 99% of what you need to know for your remodel.
P.S. When I wrote to the editors of the B&D book to point out the errors that it contains (direct contradictions from one page to another), I got no response back from them. I guess they sell enough of them not to care.
reviewed by shirley49 on November 29, 2006 4:05 PM
0%
0%
In my trade I have to constantly teach new guys the ABCs of home electrical installation. This book shortcuts that. I make all of my new hires buy it.
reviewed by stix on November 29, 2006 5:07 PM
0%
0%
Where I live electricians are in demand now and it can be weeks before you can get one to come over. None of my projects are what you would call at the urgent level so I've been putting them off until spring. Then my wife brought this book home and it's changed things. I can tackle many of the simpler tasks myself. Its been a big boost to my ego and an education for my son who is ten. The directions and illustrations can be followed by anyone who has mastered the fifth grade and owns a screwdriver and electrical tape.
reviewed by siriusfanboy on November 29, 2006 6:48 PM
0%
0%
Highly recommended- it has high-quality photographs and wiring diagrams, and good clear instructions. It does not dig very deeply into theory, but it does give some in context. I was able to complete a number of home projects that ordinarily I would have hired an electrician for. As getting an electrician to even return a phone call around here is nearly impossible, let alone show up, I needed a good reliable howto manual, and this is it.
The Rex Cauldwell book is a good companion for this book, for readers who want the advanced course.
The Rex Cauldwell book is a good companion for this book, for readers who want the advanced course.
reviewed by titanium7 on November 29, 2006 7:08 PM