Which Handbook is Best

[Little Bill]

For any of you who use a handbook, which one do you prefer or think is best, the NEC version or the McGraw-Hill or if there are others that I don't know about?

 

[knoppdude]

For any of you who use a handbook, which one do you prefer or think is best, the NEC version or the McGraw-Hill or if there are others that I don't know about?

I am biased on this subject, so I will say neither. Get a codebook, and then invest in Holts understanding the NEC. It goes farther in clarifying code rules than either of these books. Plus it has way better pictures, which will help on the job when you need to visualize some aspect of your work.

 

[mike33]

I am biased on this subject, so I will say neither. Get a codebook, and then invest in Holts understanding the NEC. It goes farther in clarifying code rules than either of these books. Plus it has way better pictures, which will help on the job when you need to visualize some aspect of your work.

I am preparing to do just as you suggest, but I wonder which code year do I purchase? I am inclined to jump right into 2011 for my first book but everyone I work with (& for) seem to be working by much older codes. And how do I find out which year is enforced locally? Is it a city or county or state decision?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

... Is it a city or county or state decision?

It could be any of those. It depends on where you are at.

 

[roger]

I am preparing to do just as you suggest, but I wonder which code year do I purchase? I am inclined to jump right into 2011 for my first book but everyone I work with (& for) seem to be working by much older codes. And how do I find out which year is enforced locally? Is it a city or county or state decision?

As Don said, it could be any of those. Call the bldg departments in the areas you will be working and ask them which code cycle is in effect.

Roger

 

[Little Bill]

I am biased on this subject, so I will say neither. Get a codebook, and then invest in Holts understanding the NEC. It goes farther in clarifying code rules than either of these books. Plus it has way better pictures, which will help on the job when you need to visualize some aspect of your work.

Thanks for your reply. I have currently been using the 2005 NEC handbook for about a year, I also have just a code book. I was looking to buy a 2008 and saw there were other authors and just wondered which one is best. I use Mike Holt's products and will look into his "Understanding the NEC."