The Black & Decker Complete Guide to Wiring has been America's best-selling consumer wiring book for more than a decade, with previous editions selling more than 1 million copies. This fifth edition has been updated to comply with 2011-2013 National Electrical Codes. It also includes all-new information on solar electricity, grounding an upgraded electrical service system, emergency back-up electrical power and much more. A bonus computer/smartphone link takes you to 60 minutes of how-to video featuring common home wiring projects.
Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring, 5th Edition
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About the Author
Based in Minneapolis, MN, the editors of Creative Publishing international have produced dozens of America's best-selling do-it-yourself books on home repair, home improvement and landscaping.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 77 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I cannot write a review for how someone who is a professional electrician would look at this book; I am a fairly decent handiman, but know very little about electrical wiring. I own a home that is in desperate need of electrical updating - the existing wiring dates back to the 1920s. After having an electrician appraise the job at $7500, I thought I'd look into seeing how much of it I could do myself, and so in order to learn about what I can and what I cannot do, I decided to buy this book and educate myself.
I didn't want a book that had a couple of little tricks here and there. I wanted a book that sat me down and explained all the way from the beginning just what electrical wiring is all about. I didn't want a professional electrician's manual, either.
And so, to those ends, this book is absolutely on target! I have already learned a huge amount of stuff in just the first two chapters, which I'll probably have to go back and re-read because there's just so much there. But it is presented so well, and although it talks about very basic stuff, it doesn't treat the reader like a dummy.
The color photographs and diagrams are fantastic, too.
After the first sections that take up about 1/3 to 1/2 of the book, then it gets into specific tasks, such as pulling electrical cable, how to do wiring diagrams, step-by-step instructions for wiring boxes, wall sockets, light switches, etc. It even gets into some advanced stuff at the end.
So far I'm very well pleased with this book. If I can get a lot of this work done - such as pulling the cables through the house - I will be able to then get the professional electrician to come in to finish off the job with the real hard and tricky stuff. I hope that this will end up saving me thousands of dollars.... Read more ›
I didn't want a book that had a couple of little tricks here and there. I wanted a book that sat me down and explained all the way from the beginning just what electrical wiring is all about. I didn't want a professional electrician's manual, either.
And so, to those ends, this book is absolutely on target! I have already learned a huge amount of stuff in just the first two chapters, which I'll probably have to go back and re-read because there's just so much there. But it is presented so well, and although it talks about very basic stuff, it doesn't treat the reader like a dummy.
The color photographs and diagrams are fantastic, too.
After the first sections that take up about 1/3 to 1/2 of the book, then it gets into specific tasks, such as pulling electrical cable, how to do wiring diagrams, step-by-step instructions for wiring boxes, wall sockets, light switches, etc. It even gets into some advanced stuff at the end.
So far I'm very well pleased with this book. If I can get a lot of this work done - such as pulling the cables through the house - I will be able to then get the professional electrician to come in to finish off the job with the real hard and tricky stuff. I hope that this will end up saving me thousands of dollars.... Read more ›
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have a class in Electrcal/Electronic Technology and one in Domestic Electrical Installation. As a tutor/instructor, I find the book informative,the illustrations are real-life like,and simply put,just what you want the students to see and read,so that they can conceptualize better.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Superb book, especially for someone with minimal experience in electrical projects. The set of wiring diagrams showing numerous possible types of projects is the best part. Easy to follow.
23 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Squeezus
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read every word of this book up until the case studies where I kind of picked and chose what interested me. It does a great job of explaining the basics of wiring and the different types of equipment and hardware, and has a fair amount of real world examples that are pretty easy to understand.
A few things bothered me though, and are all in somewhat of a way related to home automation.
In the section on different types of switches they mention a few types including dimmers and some automation switches that will not work with 2 conductor wire because they require a neutral, and simply state that it can not be done. It can be done if 3 conductor wire is ran from the device to the switch in order to keep the neutral, but they don't mention that or show how to do it, which would be nice.
On the same note, about half of the wiring examples they had for wiring switches are examples that as far as I know, are no longer valid per the 2011 NEC. The NEC now states that switch boxes must contain a neutral wire even if it isn't used (just cap it off in that case.) The book still has several examples of the outdated practice of just running a switch loop with 2 conductor wire. Unless I'm misunderstanding what the book is saying, I'm really not sure how that got overlooked, especially since it is one of only a few changes in the code. That is the point of releasing a new edition of the book, right?
In the home automation section, most of the examples of "automation" that they show are nothing more than decades old remote controllers. There is nothing on actual automation packages which are what consumers are looking for today. If someone wants to know how to install a remote device on their fan they can read the 2 page instruction booklet that comes with it.... Read more ›
A few things bothered me though, and are all in somewhat of a way related to home automation.
In the section on different types of switches they mention a few types including dimmers and some automation switches that will not work with 2 conductor wire because they require a neutral, and simply state that it can not be done. It can be done if 3 conductor wire is ran from the device to the switch in order to keep the neutral, but they don't mention that or show how to do it, which would be nice.
On the same note, about half of the wiring examples they had for wiring switches are examples that as far as I know, are no longer valid per the 2011 NEC. The NEC now states that switch boxes must contain a neutral wire even if it isn't used (just cap it off in that case.) The book still has several examples of the outdated practice of just running a switch loop with 2 conductor wire. Unless I'm misunderstanding what the book is saying, I'm really not sure how that got overlooked, especially since it is one of only a few changes in the code. That is the point of releasing a new edition of the book, right?
In the home automation section, most of the examples of "automation" that they show are nothing more than decades old remote controllers. There is nothing on actual automation packages which are what consumers are looking for today. If someone wants to know how to install a remote device on their fan they can read the 2 page instruction booklet that comes with it.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best book I've yet seen on wiring, and it really demystifies the process. The images and diagrams are easy to understand. I used this book as a reference in a bathroom remodel where I was re-running the wiring, installing new lights and GFCI plugs, and installing a towel warmer. I had no prior experience in wiring or electricity, and this book really made me feel confident about what I was doing.
That being said, I had some questions that I couldn't answer that I think this book should have included, like:
- My house was built in 1940 and has old knob-and-tube wiring in some of the walls. Can I join this knob and tube directly to my 14/2 wiring? What do I do about grounding?
- If I cut off wiring that I don't intend to use, and it's not feasible to pull it all out, how do I cap off hot wires in order to make them safe?
- Can I run wiring where there's blown-in insulation, or does it require some type of shielding?
- How can I identify which appliances, outlets, fixtures map to which circuits in my panel so that I can calculate current load on those circuits?
- How do I know if the fuses in an old screw-in fuse box are over the recommended capacity and pose a fire hazard?
- Do I need to update my existing panel to new ARC4 breakers? What's the implication if I don't?
All that being said, I still thought that this was a terrific book and I highly recommend it.
That being said, I had some questions that I couldn't answer that I think this book should have included, like:
- My house was built in 1940 and has old knob-and-tube wiring in some of the walls. Can I join this knob and tube directly to my 14/2 wiring? What do I do about grounding?
- If I cut off wiring that I don't intend to use, and it's not feasible to pull it all out, how do I cap off hot wires in order to make them safe?
- Can I run wiring where there's blown-in insulation, or does it require some type of shielding?
- How can I identify which appliances, outlets, fixtures map to which circuits in my panel so that I can calculate current load on those circuits?
- How do I know if the fuses in an old screw-in fuse box are over the recommended capacity and pose a fire hazard?
- Do I need to update my existing panel to new ARC4 breakers? What's the implication if I don't?
All that being said, I still thought that this was a terrific book and I highly recommend it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Everything you need for building or updating your electrical. Need the latest code book too if you want to be by the book.
Published 15 hours ago by DonImpala66
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice, well explained, easy read. quick access to info needed
Great book! Gives practical details for doing the work rather than wasting lots of time on theories and history, etc.
Published 16 days ago by Josue
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just leaf through this book and you'll want to buy it too!
The photos and diagrams make this series the best DIY books available, while the excellent content provides warnings and cautions to keep you from most forms of electrical... Read more
Published 17 days ago by geek chick
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT INFO
This book is perfect for the average person who wants to make sure they are doing things right. Like new condition at the lowest price available. Thank you.
Published 18 days ago by Gerald L. Hill
4.0 out of 5 stars
electrical
its a good book but doesnt exsplain how to do the wireing of sub boxes for different houses on one property its kinda helped me
Published 28 days ago by jason
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book with plenty of illustrations
One thing is for sure, the Black and Decker books have the greatest pictures and illustrations when it comes to home repair books. The information is laid out pretty well. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Garcia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bought my own copy
Lots of photos. Easy to read. I used a friends copy first. Then bought my own copy. All the circuits are easy to understand.
Published 1 month ago by Dennis R Gauthier
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This book is absolutely amazing!
my complain is that the cover looks like it have been dragged on the floor for a quite long distance :)
also the content about the... Read more
my complain is that the cover looks like it have been dragged on the floor for a quite long distance :)
also the content about the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by 3bdura7man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have a bunch of little jobs to do around the house and this book is a...
Saw this at Lowe's for 25.00. Saved on paper and money by downloading to my iPad on kindle for 10.00. Can't beat that! Totally worth it.
Published 1 month ago by David Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent buy
Excellent buy for homeowner wanting to work on electrical system. I can wire a house, and this is a great reference to check on procedures.
Published 1 month ago by John T. Kizer
