skip to main content

Electrical Wiring

Recommendations for a good basic electric book.

15 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.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

Ron Natalie
15 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
15 years ago
Thanks, for the info. I'll check out those books.
Related Discussions
Recommendation for basic gardening book
Q
Comments (13)
If you were to read 100 books and/or web sites regarding container culture, you'd come up with 100 BEST methods. And that's hardly an exaggeration, lol! It's a grand idea to look at several resources and glean what makes the most sense, based on basic horticultural knowledge. I got much of my earliest container knowledge in college, from propagation, soils, and physiology courses. Those years established a good infrastructure for my own years of experience and experimentation, and learning from others. I began using bark in my own container mixes during the time I developed a wholesale container nursery many years ago. I fell in love with the bulk medium I had delivered by the tractor trailer load and adapted my own version. A few years later, as I began consulting for some local golf courses, I liked some of the products they were using to build high quality greens. Turface was one of those products! Ta da! What I'm saying, I guess, is that I've not purchased a book on container culture since my university days umpteen hundred years ago. And most of the University-based fact sheets make me cringe when they get to the part where the soil mix is discussed. ;-( And that's the most important part! Maybe some others will make some more good suggestions, so that at least folks will have some options of decent, up-to-date resources.
...See More
Would like some good book recommendations
Q
Comments (8)
The Bitner has some problems, I've never bought it because of what I've seen when I've given it a look. And I've given it more than one. Whatever the actual situation, it's one of those productions that comes across a bit like a photo album - a record of plants that happened to be encountered during travels, with text added later - put into print, rather than the result of years of focused study and specialist experience. The new Fincham book I would expect to fall more in the latter category.
...See More
Can you recommend good orchid books for beginners?
Q
Comments (0)
This question comes up a lot! The two most commonly suggested books are Ortho's All about Orchids and the Sunset publisher's book on Orchids. Several forum members, including me, are also quite fond of Orchids Simplified by Henry Jaworski. FLAME 747 suggested "An Introduction to Orchids" published by the South Florida Orchid Society. Other excellent sources include: Taylor's "All About Orchids" (great pictures); Rebecca Northen's "Home Orchid Growing" Orchid Growing Basics (Schoser) Gardener's Guide to Growing Orchids (Ritterhausen) Orchid Growing for Wimps (Zachos) Jack Kramer's "Orchid Growing Indoors" In addition, Mary Noble has several good books for beginners: You can Grow Orchids, You Can Grow Cattleya Orchids, and You Can Grow Phalaenopsis Orchids." All are excellent for the beginner. If you want to know more about species, then The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids, edited by Alec Pridgeon is also a good source. For a more detailed listing, and a suggested reading list for more experienced growers (intermediate level and advanced), check out Linda's Orchid Page at She has many good suggestions.
...See More
Good, reliable, basic 30" electric wall oven (?)
Q
Comments (6)
Budget, Styling, and Performance are the classic Venn diagram elements that don’t intersect for me on anything. Because I’m a tightwad. But the Bosch would be close. Bosch’s have prettier styling. That costs more. And you tend to get features you won’t use too. I like how they work just fine though. For something above “basic”, and above basic pricing, it would be my choice over the others I mentioned because of the styling. Not necessarily for pure function. Pure functional differences wouldn’t tip it over the edge if I ignored styling. I’d have to consider budget vs function then. And it would lose as it’s more money for not a genuine performance difference. But a balance of all 3 without being so strict on “budget”? Yeah, it would win that. Blue Star’s French door in a color wins on Styling and Performance for me. It blows the budget totally though. But, if you matched it exactly to the cabinet color, would that be enough disguise aesthetically for you to not do the hidden oven thing? That could be a budget tradeoff.
...See More
scalawagy
15 years ago
"Wiring a House" by Rex Cauldwell. I found it to be well written, well illistrated and comprehensive.
pharkus
15 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
15 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
15 years ago
Thanks for the encouragement Pharkus. Love your posts on the crazy wiring in your house. Hilarious.
MongoCT
15 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

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Going Solar at Home: Solar Panel Basics

By Christine Tusher

Save money on electricity and reduce your carbon footprint by installing photovoltaic panels. This guide will help you get started

RUSTIC STYLE 10 Cabin Rental Basics for City Slickers

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Stay warm, dry and safe while you’re enjoying winter cabin life with this valuable advice

WORKING WITH PROS Go Beyond the Basics When Interviewing Architects

By Dylan Chappell Architects

Before you invest all that money and time, make sure you and your architect are well matched beyond the obvious levels

GREEN BUILDING Insulation Basics: Heat, R-Value and the Building Envelope

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn how heat moves through a home and the materials that can stop it, to make sure your insulation is as effective as you think

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Fixture Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key measurements and layout tips

DECORATING GUIDES 8 Splendidly Redesigned Home Basics We All Use

By Becky Harris

Whether you find God or the devil in the details, these new takes on utilitarian items for the home are simply divine

MATERIALS Insulation Basics: What to Know About Spray Foam

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Learn what exactly spray foam is, the pros and cons of using it and why you shouldn’t mess around with installation

DECKS Decking Materials Beyond Basic Lumber

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about softwoods, tropical hardwoods, composites and more for decks, including pros, cons and costs

MATERIALS Raw Materials Revealed: Drywall Basics

By Buckminster Green LLC

Learn about the different sizes and types of this construction material for walls, plus which kinds work best for which rooms

KNOW YOUR HOUSE Know Your House: The Basics of Insulated Concrete Form Construction

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Get peace and quiet inside and energy efficiency all around with this heavy-duty alternative to wood-frame construction

Sponsored

WhislerHome Improvement

9 Reviews

Franklin County's Committed Home Improvement Professionals

More Discussions

Samsung Frame TV over a fireplace

13

Kitchen backsplash Dilemma

10

How to place outlets within 24" of a sink (with dishwashers)

27

challenging lighting situation - under upper flight of stairs

13

Feeder Wire - Wire Insulation is slightly under lug. Is this an issue?

3