Old National Electrical Code Books

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bill bamford

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Does anyone know where to purchase old codebooks. I am trying to purchase one from each codebook year. So far I have 1965 to present, 1955, 1947, and 1940. I am interested in purchasing these old books in order to possibly write a book on codes for dwellings. I would like to have a chapter on each codebook and list the general codes for dwellings. This may give house inspectors an idea of when receptacles or lights were required to be grounded, etc. The first chapter would explain that codes only go into affect after being adopted by their respective states and then with any local exceptions. I am amazed at how early many of the codes were written. For instance, the main service disconnect was required to be outside a building or near the point of entry into the building even in the 1940 NEC. This code had not been enforced in this area until the late 1980's. Any help in finding old versions would be greatly appreciated. Bill Bamford - Albany Tech. Thanks

Removed the e-mail address. Please contact Mr. Bamford through the PM system. Thanks, Charlie

[ February 09, 2005, 10:18 PM: Message edited by: charlie ]
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

Bill, you might try E-Bay. Also, contact the NFPA or the IAEI to see if someone there might be able to help. :D
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

definitely try e-bay. the director at the apprenticeship school i teach at has a 1913 and several others. when you see these it tells about how to test the conductors by touching them and how some people can only tolerate up to 120 volts while others can take up to 240 volts. and also it talks about the "taste" test for phone cables. don't try this at home kids.
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

Thanks for the tips. I have tried E-Bay but with minimal success. Will try again. Thanks for responding. Bill
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

I pass by an old book store every day on my way to work I once stopped in there and he had a stack of old code books.He isn`t open on Sunday or monday but I`ll stop by on tuesday and see what he has ;)
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

go to abebooks and post a "want".

go to "booksold.com" (maybe net) and use "bookfinder" for searches, try different approaches, with both full name of NEC in both author and title, and individually. searches are sometimes quirky. have seen several there.

paul
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

Thanks for the suggestions. I did find several books on E-Bay but they are too expensive! A 1933 codebook is selling for 255.00 right now. They also have a 1958 and and a 1955? on sell now. Most of the codebooks I have were in the 1.00 to 25.00 range. I have been using used book sites such as ABEBooks, Alibris and Powells. Old code books from these on-line bookstores are harder and harder to find but they have much beter prices. If I have to pay $250 a piece for them, I may just try to find them in librarys. I have yet to see or hear of anyone who has a complete set.
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

You could try stopping by your local city office or the office of your local AHJ. They might have copies you could read, or even borrow, though they would probably not sell them to you.
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

I am not the instructor or electrician in the other post but i do own a 1913 also. My friend has a 03 or 05 can't remeber right now nut every time I am in his office i ask to "borrow" it. My wife thinks I am a nut case but I to would like a complete set. One of the things tha always amazes my students is when I read the first paragraph from the 1913 book and the then from 90.1. The words are slightly differant but the context is the same. This is a safety document for installing wiring in homes and bussinesses.
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

The place i mentioned has been closed for vacation. opening back up on thursday I`l let you know what he has ;)
 
Re: Old National Electrical Code Books

I'm getting some great leads. Many thanks to those of you who have responded. Great ideas. I'll keep trying. I got a 1958 for $28.79.
 
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