Customer Reviews

Your Old Wiring

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

 

 

This book is a great resource for the non-professional who has to evaluate and/or repair old residential electrical systems. It is well-organized, thoroughly safety-oriented, and practical. The author, David E. Shapiro, is a master electrician with substantial experience. He not only translates the National Electrical Code into practical advice for the do-it-yourselfer, he isn't afraid to express his opinions and recommendations, which is rare in this kind of book. This kind of practical advice, based on long experience, is more valuable than the just-the-facts approach taken by so many DIY authors.

There are two problems with the book, however, and both are related to the graphics. Many of the photographs are blurry or otherwise unhelpful, and there are a number of places in the text where more phtotographs or illustrations would be quite helpful. I would have given this book five stars if the graphics were done as professionally as the text.

Finally, the book doesn't really deal with the "knob-and-tube" type wiring found in many older homes. The author is clear that many subjects are beyond the scope of this entry-level book, and knob-and-tube is one of the subjects that doesn't make it in.

I expected the photos to be hard to discern, as it was stated by other reviewers. As a Master Electrician, I found that this is not the case. Apparently, the photos are not for amateurs, since it requires someone who has actually seen such wiring "in the flesh" to really understand them.

No other book deals with old wiring so well. The subject is too often neglected by the industry.

The author wisely recommends consulting an experienced electrician. Unfortunately, too many young ones do not understand old wiring and many old ones are up to date with the current electric code.

I found this book incredibly helpful in dealing with a 1950's house with basically good wiring...Shapiro doesn't pull any punches and only tells you what you need to know to safely do basic electrical maintenance.

My thoughts reflect the previous reviews pretty much. This book has been excellent at helping me deal with my home's 1950's era wiring. The major drawback to the book is the photographs. There are many photographs that I imagine would be very helpful, except that they are in black and white and it is extremely difficult to tell what exactly the pictures contain. Other than that, excellent book.

I thought the book was a bit pricey and most of what I've read so far isn't very advanced. But I bought it for a reference so mostly it's just on the shelf. I gave it five stars because a book like that can pay for itself with one helpful sentence.

I don't understand anyone having a problem with this book. This is the rare volume, and rare author in non-fiction, where there simply is NOTHING that can in any way substitute. Both his books on old electrical wiring (the other being "Old Electrical Wiring") cover real-world situations that those of us who have, or have worked on, a really old house have had. Other books, particularly the Black and Decker wiring volume offer wonderful pictures and diagrams--everything clean and antiseptic and new. That is fine if you are working in a house stripped of it's wallboard, or replacing an outlet in a newer building. This is the book to save, upgrade, and repair 40+ year old wiring systems. If you want something more advanced, the same author has the book "Old Electrical Wiring" (with a new edition coming out fall 2010.) It does have some faults, no in-depth discussion of repairing knob and tube wiring and not the best pictures ever. Despite these faults, the information is so unique and so valuable to people with old wiring that I can't recommend this book highly enough.

This is one of the best advanced primers on electrical work that I've seen. It requires a thoughtful read to absorb its details and mindset that stresses the myriad dangers arising from old, sloppy installations. The book's thoroughness teaches the novice to recognize limits. It is worth many times its price for making the homeowner intelligible on electrical concepts and terms, a useful skill to have when consulting with professionals. I've been reading it on and off for years, and always gain new insights. Definitely worth five stars, especially for knowledge that could save a life.

Sorry to say this book was not of any use to me. Ive been an electrician for 20 plus years. Mostly industrial work. I wish I could get my money back. I used to teach electricians in the Air Force. From that back ground I dont think that anyone could get very much use from this book. I was hoping to learn somethings about residentual wiring because I dont do that kind wiring for a living. I never even finished reading the book. It was full of alot of useless fluff. I hope to sell this book at a flea market this summer to atleast get back some of my money.If I knew then what I know now I wouldnt buy it or suggest anyone reading it. I am sorry to write this I had high hopes for this book.

Wordy, wordy, wordy. Lots of info there, somewhere -- like Ronald Reagan's story of horse poop in Xmas stocking: look for the pony, if you like. I couldn't, and I seldom put down a promising book.

Negative stars to publisher McGraw-Hill, for failing to promote simple, declarative sentences, and to emphasize points through book design/layout.