What book or books?

[binney]

Ok guys, I have the hours in, and it's time for the masters. What book or books do you guys like the best?

Our state master/contractor test is all NEC, but I'm also considering taking the Union test (SHHHHH) which i'm told is part theory part NEC.

I have some books already, leftovers from school and some pick ups since them. Mostly based on '99
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  understanding the nec
  Electrical Formulas with Samle Calc's
  Delmar's Electrical theory
  ABC's Wheels of learning</font>

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I was looking at Holt's Master's Comprehensive collection but the price is a bit steep. The price wouldn't bug me so much if it was good for life, but in 2 years it's all outdated.

I'd like to find a theory book that breaks things down into useful knowlege.

EX:
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  What the hell does that mean to me?
  
  What about grounded B or high leg? Where are they ever explained?</font>

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The problem buying Mike Holt's books, or any electrical books for that matter, is I can only find them online. It's hard for me to by a book I can't page through a little bit to get a feel for it.

Thank-you in advance for any suggestions!
Binney

 

[websparky]

Re: What book or books?

You will find a lot of FREE reference material by using GOOGLE!

Try typing in "electrical" and also theory, transformers, etc.

No kidding! There is a boat load out there!

 

[caj1962]

Re: What book or books?

Not one for advertising, but a friend of mine recently purchased the masters series from our host. Looking through them I seen several questions and answers that were on the masters exam that I took. I have also looked at tom Henry's stuff and it looks as good as Mike's. The delmar books are what i teach from, along with some of Mike's books.

 

[charlie]

Re: What book or books?

The price wouldn't bug me so much if it was good for life, but in 2 years it's all outdated.

I hope that doesn't drive you on everything. The NEC is revised every three years and other Codes are revised on three or four year schedules. If you get out of date, you are going to make a really costly mistake one of these days.

To give our host a fair shake, it takes a lot of time and effort to keep the books updated. Someone has to pay for that work or it would not get done. The Internet is great if you want bits and pieces but to get a course of study, you will have to go with Mike Holt, Tom Henry, or one of the other sources.

The bottom line is you get what you pay for and there is no such thing as a free lunch.

 

[brian john]

Re: What book or books?

WEB: I've assembled complete books on certain topics from the web. TONS on information available if you can weed through the ads and realize that not all of the literature you download is TRUE.

 

[brian john]

Re: What book or books?

On another note just recieved my 1959 and 1965 NEC, both in good condition.


If anyone is looking to unload their old NEC's................

 

[macmikeman]

Re: What book or books?

Try the American Electricians Handboock by Croft. I believe the newest edition is number 14. This is possibly the second best how to I have ever read on the electrical subject. The best is of course the Mike Holt code forum.........

 

[roger]

Re: What book or books?

I have looked at Mike Holts, Tom Henry's, James Stallcup's as well as other material, and all are good. The investment shouldn't be a concern any more than replacing a screw driver would be when it has seen it's days.

I remember that in my mail, experts came out of the wood work when I formaly made my application for the exam, I threw these away.

Roger

 

[chris white]

Re: What book or books?

When I took the master's exam, I used Mike Holt's ELECTRICAL EXAM PREPARATION book. It was pretty thorough, with some basic theory, info on how to do most of the calculations--load calcs, transformers, motors, etc. Also good explanation of the NEC, good practice questions, good illustrations. I got mine from my union class, but they are often available from Borders or Barnes and Noble as well as the public library. So check around and you can probably look at one before buying.

I also recommend Tom Henry's stuff as well.

 

[binney]

Re: What book or books?

The public library? What is that?
J/K


The poblem is the library and books stores out here in the hicks are pretty limited. The book store didn't have anything for electrical except Home Wiring for Idiot's or Home Wiring for Dummies. That's a group of do it yourselfers I'd like to keep my distance from.

I've bought some of Tom Henry's books and I plan on purchasing Mike Holt's Electrical Master Exam Prep Book.

I've been talking to quite a few people, and no one around here has ever heard of Tom Henry most of them all like Mike Holt's prep books. I figured I'd try both just to get 2 perspectives, we all know how code can be viewed differently by different people.

Thanks for the advice!

Binney

 

[chris white]

Re: What book or books?

I used Tom Henry's MASTER EXAM WORKBOOK and it was very good for the practice tests in both open book (NEC) and closed book (theory). The practice tests in each were very similar to the exam sections in my actual exam, so they were good for working on building speed with using the NEC. Learning to look up NEC questions quickly is like athletic training, I'm not kidding. Repetition and drills are what work for this. Theory is another thing, that takes time to understand and soak in.

A lot of the exams ahve changed in their format recently, depending on where you are located and what company is used--most are done by Experior. Find out as much about the format as you can, that should help with how you approach your studying.