Customer Reviews

Electrical Design Guide for Commercial Buildings

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book needs to go back through editorial review. Many figures are mis-labeled and out of sequence. Most of the details and drawings are so small that you cannot read them even with a magnifying glass. The general content is practical and useable. I'd give the content a "B+", but the presentation and delivery a "D-".

This book might have a lot of useful information, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. The book is literally too small. What I expected was a very large book with many photos of electrical equipment in commercial buildings, enough photos to thoroughly educate someone in the design of commercial building electrical systems. It seems that everyone compromises when writing a technical book like this,,,,,,,,and that is what makes people like me return such books.

I am the author of this book and wanted to add a few comments to the publisher's remarks.

My philosophy in writing this book was to distill all my experience in electrical design so that if I were to be out of the field for a few years, all I would need to refresh my skills would be to study this book. The important NEC Tables are there plus computer drafting methods, AUTOCAD drawings to illustrate technique, sample specifications, and even some computer programs that many designers write for themselves.

I also offer some design software via a form in the book for voltage drop, lighting, and short circuit analysis. All these programs are available for free download from my web page. They are very helpful in learning some of the more abstract concepts of electrical design.

There are also some sections on basic electrical theory that many contractors and field personnel do not usually know. These concepts are helpful to making their jobs safer and perhaps more interesting. Especially in light of the modern trend toward more design-build projects, in which the more design skills a person has the more competitive he or she can be.

I have also written a textbook with McGraw-Hill on energy conservation, and many ideas in that field are included in the book. A good electrical design is not only inexpensive but it provides efficient use and distribution of power. There are several sections on harmonics, in which I present the latest theories on how to minimize this ubiquitous problem in power distribution systems. No one really knows for sure how to best minimize harmonics, but it is important to keep current in the latest theories and proven design and installation techniques.

The previous reviewer comments on my saying fiber optic cable is difficult to splice. He takes my words out of context. I said what I did to emphasize that only skilled, experienced individuals should work with fiber optics. No one can deny that splicing copper cables is not as challenging as splicing optical networks, or that people without proper training and certification should not do so.

He also comments on my disparaging remarks about HVAC designers. I am licensed to seal mechanical and hvac projects as well as electrical. I have another book published with McGraw-Hill "Retrofitting for Energy Conservation" which is mostly mechanical. In proper context, I said that HVAC designers are lazy when specifying electrical components for HVAC systems. For example, they routinely spec variable frequency drives for all motors, globally. Assuming that VFD's are the most efficient options. Another important factor is the facility - a small, rural, or remote facility might be better served with a two speed motor, which is almost as efficient as a VFD. My comments on this were intended to motivate electrical designers to get more involved in the specification of mechanical systems, so that the most efficient system can be provided to the client.

I will clarify these points in the next edition, and I appreciate their being brought to my attention.

It seems difficult to find a good general guide for electrical engineering pertaining to commercial buildings. This book manages to cover the essentials, adds in some experience related data and some of the theory behind the concepts. It does not provide the type of information contained within books such as the American Electrician's Handbook (also recommended), but is valuable nonetheless.

I really like this book. There are a lot of useful details on different issues; plain English and logical sequence in explanation of modern design of Electrical Systems for Buildings. Very good Chapters on Estimating, Value Engineering and HVAC equipment. There are some mistakes, but they are minor.

I am an Architect studying for the licensing exam. I purchased this book for additional study material. Even though it is written for electrical engineers/electricians, because it is so well written, I was able to understand the principles taught.