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Rex Cauldwell
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Wiring a House: 5th Edition (For Pros By Pros) Hardcover – November 1, 1996

by Rex Cauldwell (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 942 ratings
See all formats and editions

There is a newer edition of this item:

Wiring A House: Sixth Edition
Wiring A House: Sixth Edition
$32.54
This title will be released on September 10, 2024.

For Pros By Pros: Builder Tested / Code-Approved

Updated classic. Wiring a House: 5th Edition, is a must-have reference on home wiring – essential for homeowners, electricians, and apprentices. You'll find all the information is updated to the latest electrical code and contains significant revisions that impact residential work, including:

  • Expanded AFCI and GFCI protection in homes
  • New approaches to ensure the safety of photovoltaic (PV) electrical systems
  • New methods to distribute low voltage power
  • New DC provisions designed to save energy lost in conversion from AC

Written in plain language. Author Rex Cauldwell shares his wealth of experience in a simple, straightforward manner. He covers all the basics from idiot-proof advice on how to keep track of your tools ― cart them in bins in a little red wagon ― to the highly technical aspects of wiring, and tried-and-true industry tips.

Current and accurate information. Wiring a House is a comprehensive guide written by a master electrician with over 37 years of experience. An indispensable reference for keeping pros up-to-date, it also provides apprentices and homeowners an accessible reference with the latest information:

  • 350 full-color photographs
  • 120 instructive illustrations
  • Plus information on lighting, inverters, and electrical vehicle chargers.
Previous slide of product details
  1. Part of series
    For Pros By Pros
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Taunton Press
  5. Publication date
    November 1, 1996
  6. Dimensions
    8.3 x 0.79 x 10.35 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1561581135
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1561581139
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

Review

Master electrician Cauldwell has been wiring houses for almost thirty years and is in a fine position to explain the job. From avoiding the wrong materials to designing new wiring and working with old, Wiring a House focuses on safety and long-term durability alike, telling how to work with both new and old construction. An invaluable guide. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

A third generation tradesperson, Cauldwell is both a master electrician and master plumber. Cauldwell has an A.A.S. degree in Electronic Engineering and his books "Wiring a House" and "Inspecting a House" are popular industry standards. He is also the author of "For Pros by Pros: Plumbing."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Taunton Press; 4th edition (November 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1561581135
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1561581139
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.3 x 0.79 x 10.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 942 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Rex Cauldwell

Rex Cauldwell

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

A third-generation tradesperson, Rex Cauldwell is both a master electrician and master plumber. Cauldwell has an A.A.S. degree in Electronic Engineering and his books "Wiring a House" and "Inspecting a House" are popular industry standards. He is also the author of "For Pros by Pros: Plumbing."

He's also the creator and the main author at https://tankless.review where he covers all the main aspects of choosing the best tankless water heaters, installing, and maintenance.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
942 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book full of good tips and how-tos, covering wiring a whole house. They also appreciate the author's intelligence, wisdom, and a lifetime of thoughtful experience. Readers describe the book as simple to read, well organized, and easy to understand. They appreciate the great pictures and diagrams.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
Code informationReadabilityIllustrationsDiy
98 customers mention "Code information"93 positive5 negative

Customers find the book full of good tips and how-tos. They say it's a valuable reference to have on hand, and that it helps them do it properly. Readers also say it teaches from an electrician's point of view, making them confident and clearing up any confusion. They mention that the pictures and explanations are excellent.

"...I also think the tools chapter was so helpful. Knowing which tools to have for the job/what professionals use in the field makes it so much easier...." Read more

"...good info for any beginner or adv handy man" Read more

"...this book answered some questions we had and gave a good number of excellent suggestions on the finer details and planning...." Read more

"...The author speaks from intelligence, wisdom, and a lifetime of thoughtful experience. A truly wonderful "how to" book...." Read more

66 customers mention "Readability"63 positive3 negative

Customers find the book simple to read, compellingly written for a technical work, and concise. They also say it's clear, helpful, and well organized. Customers say the book makes home wiring easy.

"...The index and table of contents are well laid out and easy to navigate if you have a specific topic you need to research quickly...." Read more

"...This book is excellent in it's easy to read presentation and pictures...." Read more

"...Format was very readable." Read more

"...The straight forward way the author presents the material is great, and the illustrations are better than perfect, not only being pertinent, but..." Read more

28 customers mention "Illustrations"25 positive3 negative

Customers find the illustrations in the book great, with colorful pictures that make it plain to read. They also appreciate the excellent photos that show errors and correct solutions to these. However, some readers feel the book is less picture dense than the B&D book.

"...It has sooo much content in it and colorful photos/illustrations on every page. It took me weeks just to flip through and skim every chapter...." Read more

"...This author has great photos illustrating his points, but he also tells you what you need to know: Why you don't want multiwire (common neutral)..." Read more

"...way the author presents the material is great, and the illustrations are better than perfect, not only being pertinent, but also sized perfectly for..." Read more

"Precise, concise advice. Many excellent photos show errors and correct solutions to these problems...." Read more

4 customers mention "Diy"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great for DIY and home users.

"Great For DIY Basement - Recommend..." Read more

"Excellent for DIY’ers..." Read more

"Great for DIY..." Read more

"Great for home users..." Read more

Love the book
4 out of 5 stars
Love the book
Love the book, lots of great information. Well written and laid out. Really like all the above code references. Would definitely rate as a five if the binding wasn't so subpar! Only had it for a little over a week, reading flat at a table, the first half of the pages have already fallen out. Still a great book that I would recommend to anyone.
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Top reviews from the United States

Nate
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is huge.
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2023
Verified Purchase
The media could not be loaded.
 Love this book. It has sooo much content in it and colorful photos/illustrations on every page. It took me weeks just to flip through and skim every chapter. The index and table of contents are well laid out and easy to navigate if you have a specific topic you need to research quickly. I also think the tools chapter was so helpful. Knowing which tools to have for the job/what professionals use in the field makes it so much easier. This is the one to buy if you’re looking to have a library on home improvement stuff and you want a solid electrical book.
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justison
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
literally found this book as it was water logged and heading to a burn pit took a peek at what was left of it and liked it so much decided to go buy one new. good info for any beginner or adv handy man
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S.M. Del-Gado
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source of data for a DIY, electrical project
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
Verified Purchase
I needed to install some electrical wiring in one of my sheds. I'm a retired, electrical engineer. I understand the electrical concepts but I didn't know the NEC code for installing electrical wiring, outlets, breaker panels, etc. This book is excellent in it's easy to read presentation and pictures. I learned enough to do install all the outlets, breaker panel and circuit breakers. I highly recommend this book.
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Sherri W.
5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
We are having a house built and have opted to do the "grunt work" of the electrical to save $$$ While we have a good deal of DIY knowledge, this book answered some questions we had and gave a good number of excellent suggestions on the finer details and planning. Format was very readable.
One person found this helpful
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Kent Lanigan
5.0 out of 5 stars Great series
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
The Taunton for pro by pros series is amazing. That’s all brilliant series that focuses on the finer points of a craft not just the DYI basics
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x
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on residential wiring!
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2021
Verified Purchase
Buy it and read it. You will be glad you did.
Some of the other residential wiring books have oodles of color photos but not as much substance. This author has great photos illustrating his points, but he also tells you what you need to know: Why you don't want multiwire (common neutral) circuits. Why one ground rod may not save your expensive appliances and electronics. Why, when building a new home, you want extra empty breaker slots in your panel. Why you do not bond neutral to ground in a sub-panel. How to plan for later upgrades and expansions. Why you should often run 12 gauge even if the code allows 14. Why backstabbing an outlet may be easy but you will pay later. Why the least expensive receptacles are a bad choice, and so on. Tired of replacing your well pump after it gets fried by lightning? The author has solutions. Wondering what tools you need to work on your wiring, again great advice. The author speaks from intelligence, wisdom, and a lifetime of thoughtful experience. A truly wonderful "how to" book. I've read most of the popular books on residential wiring and wish I started with this one. Kudos to the author.
15 people found this helpful
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Cole Mayhugh
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Balance Between 'Hands On Reference' & Textbook Teaching
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2020
Verified Purchase
I'm using this as an introduction for myself to learn the actual application of residential electricity. I have been a framer by trade all my life and just recently began studying electrical theory to get a foundation under me (which I highly recommend, it makes the application easy as walking) and now I'm stepping into adding this skill to my residential construction abilities. After this, all I really lack is plumbing & a little more masonry.

Like I said this book is a great balance between being a hands on reference when you are actually going to do the work and just a strict textbook teaching text. I feel like I wasn't shorted anything I needed to know. Throughly recommend it.

I just recently fixed some electrical issues on my own house and my fiancés parents. Its a good way to start getting your feet wet in any new trade. They say the greatest teacher is necessity! And we have needed those things fixed for years. Anyhow I highly recommend this book for the beginner in doing residential electricity. What else can be recommended to an aspiring electrician?

1) Electricity One-Seven by Harry Mileaf (This is the go-to book for all electrical theory, physics and mathematics needed but its quite expensive since it is no longer being printed) or Basic Electricity by Van Valkenburgh, Nooger and Neville, Inc. (this is equally impressive)

2) Any up to date Electrical Codes book. Especially if you are wiring a new project without anyone to contact. You'll need to be able to pass inspection. Uglys Electrical Reference is a trade-wide trusted source for electricians.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Cliente Kindle
1.0 out of 5 stars Decepcionante!
Reviewed in Brazil on May 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
Livro muito pouco didático
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Archibald
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for serious DIY' ers and self builders
Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2022
Verified Purchase
Ok: yes this book is - a little - outdated. For exemple, evolutions like drywall steel studs, led lights, are ignored.
BUT, the main subject stays: THE WIRING. And from this point of view, this books is perfect. It take the problem from the biginning ( foundations / ground loop ) to the end: inspector visit.
Every aspect is studied, and even , superceded. The autor stick to code, of course, but go also further with advanced solutions, or better pratices. Just for this approach, this book worth the money.
One person found this helpful
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Sifu Munday
1.0 out of 5 stars Not for UK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
Unless you're wiring up a house in the US then don't order this, it's completely useless
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book well explained
Reviewed in Canada on July 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
excellent book well explained, it not only tells you the way to do it right
but also what will happen if you do it wrong, i love it
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SGRedman
1.0 out of 5 stars Not appropriate for UK standards
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 20, 2015
Verified Purchase
Not appropriate content at all for modern UK standards. This does not meet UK building or electrical regulations.
5 people found this helpful
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