Best book on Designing Electrical Services

[bnwitt]

I am seeking a book on designing residential and commercial electrical services. I would like one that includes load calcs and design criteria (panel schedules, NEC requirements etc.) and maybe some sample designs and drawings. So far I have found a book on commercial and industrial design but nothing on residential.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Q55S16J7P5Q4V7P7HC2

Do any of you have any suggestions of other books or opinions on the book linked above?

As a PV designer I am running into electrical designs that are somewhat questionable and I'd like to have a firm grasp on the codes and design practices that are considered correct. I've got one right now that has lighting and receptacle loads on the same circuits and while I know that is not against code, I think it is poor practice. There are many other issues with this design as well that don't pencil out. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[ty]

I've never seen a book on designing Residential Services. Never really looked for one either. There might be one out there.

What is poor practice by installing lighting and receptacle loads on the same circuit, if they are within Code?

Since you are disigning PV systems, are you having issue with bussbar sizing, or something else?
I don't see how the lighting/receptacle circuits are messing up your calculation for PV.

 

[bnwitt]

The lighting and receptacle on the same circuit is not messing up my calculations. That is a separate subject and a pet peave I've had for years. The problem with it as I see it is it, is that it is very easy for the end user to overload a receptacle circuit. One blow dryer and one vacuum cleaner running at the same time and Pop!... you've tripped the 20 amp breaker. When the receptacle and lighting for an area are on the same circuit you've not only tripped the breaker in that scenario, but you're standing in the dark too. Imagine tripping the breaker with a circular saw and then being in the dark with it still spinning down. It just doesn't make sense to me to design this way except on really small building services where you have no latitude.

For you second question, I run into panel schedules where the main breaker is over sized all the time. I currently have a new construction job where the total VA on the panel is 237 amps and the called out main is 300 amps. (Try finding one) Percent of operation for the different load types is not taken into account in the sizing of the main.

Since I only have 120% of the buss rating to play with (article 690.64)when sizing my backfeed breaker, I don't want an oversized main limiting the size of my PV system. I see this frequently and would like a text on proper design of electrical services so I can redesign these services with confidence before sending them back to the PE as a suggested alternate. I have been in the mechanical and design fields for 30 years and have seen over engineered designs in both disciplines frequently. I have the knowledge and text books needed on the mechanical side but want some more written industry standard data on the residential/commercial electrical side.