Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home [Paperback]

Editors of Creative Homeowner (Author), Clarke Barre (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2004

Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home provides homeowners with all the information they need to understand the workings of their home electrical system. With projects and information to serve the novice, the savvy do-it-yourselfer, or the homeowner planning to work with a professional electrician, this is the ultimate home reference for wiring and electricity. Wiring is able to convey a wide range of concepts and details with easy-to-understand text and step-by-step instructions. Hundreds of color photographs of close-up views serve as a guide from start to finish. Projects cover a realm of subjects and are rated for difficulty.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home provides homeowners with all the information they need to understand the workings of their home electrical system. With projects and information to serve the novice, the savvy do-it-yourselfer, or the homeowner planning to work with a professional electrician, this is the ultimate home reference for wiring and electricity. Electricity is often the least understood home system, but Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home is able to convey a wide range of concepts and details with easy-to-understand text and step-by-step instructions. Hundreds of color photographs of close-up views serve as a guide from start to finish.

Projects cover a realm of subjects and are rated for difficulty. From stripping wires and replacing light fixtures to wiring an outdoor spa, everything a homeowner needs to maintain or improve electrical fixtures and systems can be found in this complete guide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner; Fifth edition (April 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580111602
• ISBN-13: 978-1580111607
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #949,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The only wiring book a homeowner will ever need., September 1, 2005

By 

B. T. Denyer "Web designer" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home (Paperback)

Though I feel this book was written for the newbie and the weekend warrior do-it-yourselfer, it has some pretty advanced stuff in it too. But if you think about it, most electrical projects are the same, just with different uses and boxes.

Along with installations, the book covers tests, troubleshooting and upgrades of outlets, fishing cables and wires, drywall cutting, plugs and wires (and much more.) There is way too much stuff in this book to list here, so the highlights are:

GFCI outlets (where to install and why)
Tools, wires, fittings (when, how and where to use them)
Standby generators
Outdoor installations
Telephone wiring and hook-up

Something it doesn't cover: solar power. It would be nice to cover this growing issue.

You should have no trouble finding your particular problem / project in this book. The step-by-step instructions (with many many pictures and diagrams) make it so easy. I highly recommend this book.

I also highly recommend purchasing a Fluke T5 Electrical Tester along with this book. It is absolutely imperative that you have a *dependable* tester when you are working with electricity. The T5 is one of the easiest to use, just turn it on and the voltage, amps and ohms are given automatically.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finished my basement wiring myself with this book, March 28, 2006

By 

gopher fan (minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home (Paperback)

I completed remodeling my basement to add a bath, office, large family room and even re-located the 20A laundry circuit. This book helped me so much, I can't understate it. Passed my city inspection 1st try. Added 6 or 7 new circuits overall for the house.

Anyone with a screwdriver can change outlets or replace switches, but for more complex tasks, I wanted a reference book.

*Plain, easy to read wiring diagrams for 3-way switches and lights. - which can be tricky to get right.

*Tips on keeping up to code (such as Arc-Fault breakers in sleeping rooms!)

*Clearly explained how to install a 240V line for my bathroom heater.

*How to wire my fire alarms all together for all three levels.

I'm so happy with my addition, and this book was the go-to source. I couldn't believe I was changing Breakers myself! (along with the Creative Homeowner plumbing book-also highly recommend)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference., August 5, 2005

By 

Fred Schellenberg (Windber, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home (Paperback)

I haven't really required this book for any real-world projects yet, however I am very impressed with the coverage. The great detailed colored illustrations, as well as the large 8 1/2" X 11" pages ensure that it will be a very useful reference for the future. I was an electrical engineer by trade (now retired), but this book is extremely well-written for the layman, as well.