American Electricians' Handbook (Hardcover)

by Terrell Croft (Author), Wilford Summers (Author), Frederic Hartwell (Author)
Key Phrases: current limiting, graphical symbols, electrical systems design, National Electrical Code, Westinghouse Electric Corp, Schneider Electric (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A Completely Updated Edition of the “Electricians' Bible”

The most popular electricians' handbook for the past 95 years has been completely updated to provide the latest NEC and NESC rules and standards, and new references to solar power, photovoltaics, induction lighting, and more. Providing all the information you'll need to design, maintain, and operate systems and equipment, the Fifteenth Edition of the American Electricians' Handbook is the key to tackling even the most complex jobs with complete confidence. This one-stop resource focuses on systems and equipment rather than codes and calculations, making it the most practical, hands-on guide available. No matter what kind of electrical project you plan to take on, the American Electricians' Handbook is the only guide you'll need.

American Electrician's Handbook covers:

• Solar power and photovoltaics
• Variable- and adjustable-speed drives
• Variable-speed-drive programming
• Continuous load calculations
• Induction lighting
• New NEC and NESC rules
• NEMA motor and generator standards
• Voltage drops in circuits with non-unity power factors

Inside: • Fundamentals • Properties and Splicing of Conductors • Circuits and Circuit Calculations • General Electrical Equipment and Batteries • Transformers • Solid-State Devices and Circuits • Generators and Motors • Outside Distribution • Interior Wiring • Electric Lighting • Optical Fiber • Wiring and Design Tables

From the Back Cover
Keep up with developments in the electrical field with the latest edition of the "electricians' bible." Filled with practical advice and facts, the new edition of this standard reference will enable you to do your job with complete confidence. Revised and updated in compliance with the current National Electrical Code standards, as well as those of NEMA, the National Electrical Safety Code, American National Standards, and Underwriters Laboratory, the book shows you how to select, install, maintain, and operate all types of electrical equipment and wiring. Using the clear language and diagrams that have helped make the Handbook the definitive Thirteenth Edition brings you the latest data on: Advances in solid-state technology; The most up-to-date techniques for splicing conductors, plus a look at new types of building wires and cables; new information on high efficiency motors and electronic control of motors; Recently developed tools, equipment, and other products available from manufacturers; Plus information on circuits and circuit calculations, transformers, wiring tables, lamp application tables, and much more. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 1856 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 15 edition (August 19, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071494626
• ISBN-13: 978-0071494625
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,897 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a handbook, December 1, 2001

By	jns (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: American Electrician's Handbook (Hardcover)

I would NOT recommend this book to any electrician, engineer, or architect. It is extremely difficult to comprehend. Gaining any practical information from this book is futile. I have had the twelfth edition over ten years. I used it to study for the electricians exam. I hated it then. Since that time, I have found it to be a very poor reference book. The thirteenth edition is no better. I understand why some electrician training schools might use this book - it is very comprehensive. It would make a good reference for a classroom lesson plan, but not a direct teaching tool. If you want to learn the material in this book, get the National Electric Code Handbook (and related materials published by the NFPA) and appropriate textbooks. FYI - I am a licensed electrician and a registered professional engineer.

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A patchwork monster, November 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: American Electrician's Handbook (Hardcover)

Another motley McGraw-Hill product. First copyrighted in 1913. The author appears to have died prior to 1976, and the book has been maintained by hired help. Don't try to use this as a textbook; treat it as a reference only. You never really know whether some item is up to date or 50 or 80 years old. Examples: There is a lot of treatment of two-phase (yup, 90 degrees) power, including at 25 hertz, and of multi-kilovolt series incandescent streetlighting, plus knob and tube wiring. Also, it is stated that the highest radio frequency in use is 30 megahertz, whereas in reality we're up to 1,000 or 2,000 times that just now. This book is a curiousity; charming if you have the cash, but if you don't, maybe you should be getting something more coherent.

36 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Electrician's Life-saver, March 28, 2000

By	R. M. Ballier "filmmaker" (Southern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: American Electrician's Handbook (Hardcover)

I originally purchased this book on the recommendation of another electician. Many electrician training schools use this same book to teach their students. I found it to be easy to comprehend, and to be a wealth of information that has helped me enormously in my work, and to prepare for Electrician's exams. I would recommend this to any electrician (Apprentice, Journeyman, etc. I have used and abused mine so much, that it's time for me to purchase another copy - that's how useful a tool it is.