Best books

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Filthy Phil

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I'm eager to learn as much as I can because I want to be a good all around electrician. Most of the people that I ask don't have the time, intelligence or patience for explainations. I need to find the best books available so that I can learn on my own. Because the book stores have limited selections, I want to order the books on line, but this doesn't allow me an oppertunity to preview them. Can anybody recommend entry and intermediate level books that are well written and easy to understand?
 
I like:

The American Electrician's Handbook

Overcurrent and Undercurrents, by Earl Roberts.

All of Mike Holts products

All of Tom Henry's Product

Many of IAEI's products

Most of the NFPA handbooks (NFPA 70, 72, ect...)
 
480sparky said:
But experience cannot completely replace proper study either....
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I agree, the important principles that help us understand why we do things the way we do are mostly learned in the classroom or textbooks. How many of us were taught about 3-phase, voltage drop calculations, or derating in the field? Probably not many.
 
I think an NEC Handbook would be a good learning tool also. Good way for a beginner to learn and make sense of the code. Tons of pictures and explanations.
 
The Mike Holt Nec training book is pretty good to. It doesn't quite explain everything to my satisfaction but if you can work through it and understand it I think you're ahead of the game. Couple that with a 2008 NEC Handbook from the NFPA and this board. You'll be good to go.
 
im a big fan of the mcgraw-hill handbook line. constructionbook.com and amazon.com has many books on electricial. i also like to read textbooks. you can learn a lot from them
 
Filthy Phil said:
I'm eager to learn as much as I can because I want to be a good all around electrician. Most of the people that I ask don't have the time, intelligence or patience for explainations. I need to find the best books available so that I can learn on my own. Because the book stores have limited selections, I want to order the books on line, but this doesn't allow me an oppertunity to preview them. Can anybody recommend entry and intermediate level books that are well written and easy to understand?
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IMO Mike Holt's products are the very best all around, especially for someone who is in their early stages. He has many video products that are superior to all others that I have seen. If you were like me and really needed some good pictures to grasp difficult concepts then Mike Holt's books are for you. My advice to you is to keep it simple. I would not go out and buy every book on the shelf , not only will you become overwhelmed , but you'll go broke fast. Keep it simple , get a 2008 NEC hand book, Mike Holt's theory, and UNEC1.
 
Invest in the NEC handbook. Look through the sections that fit the work you are doing that day. Americian Electricians handbook is the best reference around. You dont have to have the latest version. I dont think it changes much. I have the one my dad used and have had it for 25 years. Lots of good wiring diagrams and stuff in there.
But really the only way to get some really good experience is to work in the field. I am a big believer in having new people in the trade spend at least a year as a helper on a service truck. You get lots of exposure to different types of work and can pick up on enough small estimating and collecting to be an asset to either an employer or your future business.
 
Filthy Phil said:
I'm eager to learn as much as I can because I want to be a good all around electrician. Most of the people that I ask don't have the time, intelligence or patience for explainations. I need to find the best books available so that I can learn on my own. Because the book stores have limited selections, I want to order the books on line, but this doesn't allow me an oppertunity to preview them. Can anybody recommend entry and intermediate level books that are well written and easy to understand?
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Maintenance or construction?
 
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