Recommendations for a good basic electric book.

17 years ago

Hi,

I know the very basics of wiring. I've changed out outlets, switches, fixed some lamps and installed a few programmable thermostats so I know enough to tell the ground from the hot and how to match it all up. I'd like to learn more so I don't need to call in an electrician for every job more complicated than a bad outlet. Can anyone recommend a good basic book. I want to learn: differences in wire gages and when to use what where, how to run new circuits from a breaker box, how to install junction boxes, how to run wire for lights/outlets and basic safety considerations like how many outlets I can run in a row, when I need a higher amp outlet, etc.

We had our crawlspace enlarged to a basement and we now have a lot of electrical work to do down there (only one light fixture and one outlet right now). I have 200 amp service to the house and a big breaker box with plenty of extra circuits. I plan on moving the laundry room down the basement and having a wood workshop down there so was thinking a subpanel down there would be good. I want to learn enough to at least run the lights and outlets from the subpanel myself but if I could do the whole job so much the better. So what do you think, is it possible to learn enough from a book to accomplish this? I'm mechanically minded and have taught myself how to work on my car from books and I never end up with left over parts, haha.

Thanks for any advice.

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Comments (7)

Ron Natalie
17 years ago
Wiring Simplified by H. P. Richter, for technique etc.

The NEC Handbook (get the edition that your community uses) has the details that no "basics of wiring" book is going to tell you.

The laundry needs a 20A circuit (dedicated) for receptacles.
There's information on subpanels at the top of this forum (it's a common question).
Unfinished areas of the basement require GFI.
There's no practical limit to the number of receptacles on a circuit. But you'll need to plan for what you'd actually use it for.
jenica
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, for the info. I'll check out those books.
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scalawagy
17 years ago
"Wiring a House" by Rex Cauldwell. I found it to be well written, well illistrated and comprehensive.
pharkus
17 years ago
It is absolutely possible. I lived in a house that was wired by the original homeowner, basically "according to the book". It was the neatest installation I have EVER seen in my life.
fixizin
17 years ago
phark, that is EXTREMELY IRONIC, considering the state of your current abode! Guess it just makes the made-for-TV movie that much more interesting, lol!
jenica
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for the encouragement Pharkus. Love your posts on the crazy wiring in your house. Hilarious.
MongoCT
17 years ago
I agree, Rex Cauldwell's book is a good one.

It's well-written, thorough from start to finish, good photos and drawings too. While he guides you through issues with the electrical code, if you think you might need more guidance than that the Code Check books are good sources of info too.

I'd buy Rex's book first, then the Code Check if needed.

For what it's worth, my first wiring experience was with my own house. I did everything, 560 feet of underground from the street to the house, the meter box, the 200A main panel, a 100A subpanel, all rough and finish work.

It's not "difficult" difficult, but you have to respect the electrons.

The only time I hired an electrician was for the wiring of my swimming pool. While knowledge-wise I knew how to do it, I felt more comfortable having a licensed electrician do that work.

Mongo