Illustrated Guide to the NEC: Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code [Paperback]

Charles Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 6, 2004

Over the years, the National Electrical Code has grown in volume and complexity. This updated edition utilizes visualization to present a complete, concise, and easy-to-understand exploration of the 2005 Edition of the NEC. Each highly-detailed illustration offers insight into Code requirements and is enhanced by clearly written text blocks that read quickly and with little effort. Includes coverage of fundamental provisions, followed by Code requirements relevant to specific types of occupancies. Intended as an indispensable supplement to the NEC, this book translates the sometimes vague and complex language of the Code into clearer, cleaner, and simpler terms.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

For eighteen years Charles R. Miller owned and operated a successful commercial electrical contracting company (Lighthouse Electric Co., Inc.) in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1988 he began, and continues to operate, a second company dedicated to electrical related training, known as Lighthouse Educational Services. Mr. Miller teaches custom tailored classes and seminars covering various aspects of the electrical industry. Class and seminar attendees have spanned the globe, bringing to each session immensely diverse backgrounds. Such diversity requires and receives a unique teaching approach to guarantee that all students within a class are afforded an equal opportunity to learn. Individuals employed by companies such as Ford, Textron, The Aerostructures Corporation, Aladdin Industries; by academic institutions such as Tennessee State and Vanderbilt Universities; and governmental agencies including NASA and even Nashville's own Electrical Inspection and Codes Department, have attended and praised the curriculum offered by Lighthouse Educational Services. In 1999, Charlie wrote and illustrated a nationally published text book on the NEC® titled Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code®. In 2000, he started writing and illustrating a monthly column in the electrical industry’s top magazine. In 2001, Charles R. Miller was contracted by NFPA to write two pocket guides to the NEC®. Both books are titled Pocket Guide to Electrical Installations Under NEC 2002. Currently, besides his writing and illustrating, Charles is a co-host for a home improvement radio show in Nashville, Tennessee. The two-hour show airs every Saturday morning.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 3 edition (December 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401850685
• ISBN-13: 978-1401850685
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #682,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Plain English guide to a very complex code., October 26, 2005

By 

The Old Philosopher "The Old Philosopher" (WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to the NEC: Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code (Paperback)

The National Electric Code, also knows as NFPA-70, is the standard that building officials use to define what is legal to use in electric services of all kinds. NFPA is the National Fire Protection Association. The Electric Code began almost as soon as Edison wired some of his new lights in New York, and the first electricity caused fire happened. Soon thereafter the National Fire Protection Association began writing safety codes aimed at preventing fires and promoting safe wiring techniques. Today, more than a century later, the Electric Code is republished every 3 years. As new inventions and new applications for electricity are ever expanding the code book expands and is revised to define the new applications. The 2005 edition has been updated to include recent developments in available materials and equipment. The code has 772 large pages detailing every electric installation from common house wiring to installation requirements for 35,000 volt transformers. The tables detailing how many conductors you can put in a conduit go on for 50 pages in the appendix. The problem most people have with the code comes from its complexity and scope. If you are a handyman, or even an electrician, it takes years of study to learn all its requirements, and even then they change it on you.

The code is so long and complex that other books are needed to help professional and amateur electricians understand the code, translating it's stilted language and detailed requirements into plain English for common applications. The "Illustrated Guide to the National Electric Code," by Charles R. Miller, is one of the better code translations. Miller covers just about all aspects of common wiring for residential and commercial buildings. He tells you what you need to know in a simple easy to understand prose. He lets you know how to wire single and multi-family residences, businesses, and commercial applications. Where the electric code only tells you what you have to do, Miller tells you something of why that is required, so you understand the need for doing it that way. For the home handyman it's indispensable. Even a journeyman electrician may not have wired a film projector in quite a while, for example, and want to read up on the latest code requirements before proceeding. There are also review questions at the end of each chapter for those who are studying for an electrical certification or license.

Over the years I've had to straighten out so many bad and dangerous wiring messes that I recommend every handyman and electrician read this or a similar book before proceeding with any project. Read the latest version every 3 years when the code revisions come out. This edition is based on the 2005 code and will be current until 2008.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars needs work, January 9, 2007

By 

Norman R. Lachance "wirenutt" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to the NEC: Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code (Paperback)

They need to find an editor that has a eye for details. I found numerous mistakes, and references to sections of the code book that the code book editors changed. The book will help you learn the NEC code, but just reading the code book will do the same. The text book won't help too much on the state exam since you can't bring it in. The calculations sections relies heavily on a work sheet that you cannot bring into the test site. Its nice to have, but no use with the exam. The diagrams and illustrations have letter marking that have corresponding informational paragraphs, but i found them to be list in a convenient circular pattern instead of listed in an easy to follow line-of-thinking method. You have to have it for your class, so just pay them the money and work some overtime to pay for it. It is my opinion that it is overpriced.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely a Must Have for Anyone Involved with Electricity and Electrical Equipment, August 18, 2006

By 

David De Sousa "The Automation and Control Guy" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illustrated Guide to the NEC: Based on the 2005 National Electrical Code (Paperback)

The single most important reference in the electrical industry, the National Electrical Code (NEC), is updated every three years and outlines minimum standards for all types of electrical installations. Each time the National Electrical Code® is significantly revised to keep pace with technology and enhance protection against electrical fire and shock hazards. This is a valuable reference to help you get in position to advance your knowledge and be prepared with the newest codes.

This book is like an annotated and illustrated version of the NEC 2005, explaining in a clear and understandable language that is additionally supported by clear to follow diagrams every important aspect covered by the NEC.

This book is loaded with solutions designed to provide better safeguards, add greater usability, and bring provisions in line with technology trends. Absolutely a must for anyone involved in electrical design, installation, or inspection, the 2005 NEC provides 100% of the information needed to meet Code® and avoid costly errors in electrical installations of all types.