Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring: Upgrade Your Main Service Panel - Discover the Latest Wiring Products - Complies with 2008 NEC (Black & Decker Complete Guide) Reviews

• Comparison of 3 books on home wiring

  
  By AXSH6O4OP5L4M on 2003-01-07
  I've decided to remodel my spare bedroom. It's one of those "furnished closet" type spaces that tends to collect junk at an alarming rate. While it's a lovely little room when it's empty, it disappears in the furniture that gets put into it. Even the sliding glass doors over the small balcony don`t give one an illusion of spaciousness. I had a roommate for a while who used that room, and she had to climb over her bed just to get to her bureau.

  The plan is to put up lighted crown molding to add dimension and indirect lighting to the room and to remodel the ample closet space into a bureau cum mini-closet cum desk area.

  To accomplish my goal, the project required some rewiring of the room, so I found three books that seemed to have the information I needed: Wiring 1-2-3 by the people at Home Depot, The Complete Guide to Home Wiring by the Black and Decker people, and Wiring a House by Rex Cauldwell. Each is an excellent book with much to offer, but I definitely found that each had a slant that made it specialized in some way.

  Of the three books, only the Cauldwell book was written in a person-to-person format. The author is a third generation electrician with years of experience, and as he says quite charmingly, "I have written this book from lifelong experience and knowledge--some of which has been passed down through each generation. However, there is no one within my family to pass the gauntlet to--no fourth generation to pick up the trade. Therefore, by reading this book you will become heir to my knowledge and experience. You, in effect, will become the fourth generation (p. 1)." His style is very much master of the craft to learning apprentice, explaining all facets of his field from how electricity is produced, how it is measured, what types of wires carry it to and into your home, and what tools one needs to do electrical work. He not only provides the information, he tells the reader the "whys" of what is, which I find helpful because it permits one to problem solve and trouble shoot more effectively. Particularly useful are those things that he tells the reader to avoid and what can happen when they aren't! The drawings are very helpful, particularly as they are clearer than photographs can be. Sometimes less is more in this regard. The schematic of the main floor of a house (pp. 22-23) which detailed how wiring is arranged for each room was quite helpful for my project, since it described what I should (and did) find in the walls when locating my power source and routing new wiring. I also found that the information on materials to select was helpful. I was able to go to the store and pick out just what I needed without any trouble at all.

  While the Cauldwell book is a good one to read from cover to cover because of it's clear and thorough discussion of electrical wiring and its many helpful hints (which I did), it really did not help with my specific plans. It does cover some types of project, but I found that The Black and Decker book was more useful for my specific wiring goals. It's definitely a "how to do it" book with information on trouble shooting current wiring for potential problems (pp. 122-143), on code requirements (pp. 145-146), on how to calculate electrical loads and when to upgrade. It also includes simple repairs for the home owner, everything from checking which fuse controls which part of the house, to replacing plugs and repairing fluorescent lights. It also provides some advanced projects, like rewiring a kitchen or installing outdoor wiring. Of particular interest to my husband, the computer guru in our household, was the information on the home network wiring systems.

  For my own project, I found the circuit maps for 26 common wiring layouts of greatest help. With the aid of this feature and the Cauldwell book, I was able to draw on paper the likely arrangement of the present wiring in my spare bedroom, and plan in the pathway to and from the projected new outlets. The diagrams on pages 155-167 also gave me a clearer idea of which wires connected to which specific sites on the receptacles, and what the pathway of the current would be. I was thrilled when I turned on the wall switch in the room, and the lighted crown molding actually came on, first try!

  Wiring 1-2-3 is another group-effort type book like the Black and Decker. It'd made a splendid gift for the new home owner or prospective buyer. It provides the most extensive information on inspecting the home for electrical problems and providing measures for repairing them. The table of contents highlights almost every conceivable project, and each project has a list of materials, a skill scale that projects the level of difficulty to expect, and the amount of time that would be required by the experienced, the handy and the novice. It also makes some suggestions regarding the selection of a professional electrician for difficult projects, and does not urge the novice to go beyond their comfort level.

  Although I didn't use the Home Depot book for actual planning and wiring, I found it was especially helpful with the messy stuff, things like drilling holes through the attic to route wires, the nitty-gritty of fishing for wires, and repairing the damage to walls where holes had to be made to route wires. In general these books are useful all round books.

  I'd give all three books a 5, each for its own area of usefulness. If you're a person who likes to have a multi-perspective approach to your projects, then I'd recommend all three. Certainly the Home Depot book would be a very nice house warming gift.
  
  

• Current information

  
  By A3NFGOTUXGPTCQ on 2004-08-06
  This originally was two separate books, Basic and Advanced Wiring, that B&D combined into one book. Extremely well written, with lots of photographs, this is an excellent book for a do it yourselfer with a project in mind, or for a home owner to keep on hand to have when the need arises. The book covers basic repairs and maintenance, with a not too complicated introduction to electricity, but quickly gets down to the basics, with chapters on Wall Switches, Receptacles, Light Fixtures, Doorbells & Thermostats. The second half covers how to do more complicated electrical tasks. The first half is repair and maintenance, the second half moves into renovation and remodeling, with chapters on project planning, tools & techniques, Wiring a Room Addition, Wiring a Remodeled Kitchen, Installing Outdoor Wiring, etc. From this book I learned how to install new breakers in the main fuse panel, a project I was terrified of trying. This really is a very good book for the non-professional. It was a good idea to combine the two books into one, a handy reference and guide
  
  

• Very good starter book; not ideal for those with experience

  
  By A1KGB11F94FOEG on 2001-08-24
  If you've never wired anything in your house, but are a hands-on person, this book is an outstanding way to get started. It treats the title subject well, starting with the basics--in fact, that's also one of its weaknesses. Those who have some wiring experience will have little use for the first one-third of the book.

  This book makes excellent use of photographs and four-color diagrams throughout for illustrating principles, tools and materials. It's laid out in a logical manner and is organized so that it's easy to find what you're seeking.

  This book's greatest value is its focus on clearly illustrated layout diagrams and techniques. It contains over 20 example circuits of various common types, including some subtle variations on themes such as three-way switched circuits that have not-so-subtle differences in implementation. It includes a clear and complete section on wiring a bedroom/office addition with a bathroom and closet, using various types of circuits, from the ground up.

  The text is light on code-related issues, probably to avoid the need for frequent revisions to keep it current with the NEC's three-year publication cycle. This makes it more difficult to rely on information it presents as authoritative when it comes time to meet the electrical inspector.

  I found this book a useful blend of text and graphics for learning the basics of house wiring. To take the next step, I strongly recommend Rex Cauldwell's "Wiring a House." It's far more substantive and NEC-compliance-oriented.
  
  

• Good for an overview, but not for adding circuits or anything more complex

  
  By A334X69Y2AJHJ6 on 2006-07-16
  I was getting ready to add a couple rooms to my house and wanted to do the electrical myself. I'm an electrical engineer and have done plenty of wiring throughout the years, but none of it that necessarily complied with the NEC. Oh sure I used 14 awg for 15 amp circuits and 12 awg for 20 amp circuits, but that was about the extent of the code compliance (out of ignorance of the code, not contempt). Well, I wanted to start following the letter of the law so I got the B&D "Complete Guide to Home Wiring".
  
  Did this book meet my needs? No. Is it a bad book? No. The book just doesn't go into enough detail (and has errors) to give you all the information you'll need to wire a house. On the other hand, if all you're looking to do is replace some existing wiring or add on to a existing branch circuit, this may the book for you. If you're really wanting to understand the NEC (in a very straight forward manner), I would recommend getting "Electrical Wiring Residential" by Ray C. Mullin along with the NEC Pocket Guide to Residential Electrical Installations. Those two books alone will provide 99% of what you need to know for your remodel.
  
  P.S. When I wrote to the editors of the B&D book to point out the errors that it contains (direct contradictions from one page to another), I got no response back from them. I guess they sell enough of them not to care.
  
  

• Good detail, well organized.

  
  By A37SOYC6PXP5WA on 1999-03-22
  I found this book to be most informative; lots of detail, that isn't buried in volumes of text. Tons of pictures, and real-world examples. Would be valuable for the novice, as well as the seasoned home-improvement enthusiast.
  
  
• Very good wiring reference...
  By on 2001-05-29
  Of all the books I browsed and purchased, this was the best. The wiring diagrams are great as a reference. Any circuit I've had to wire up so far was diagramed in the book. There are pages of diagrams so I would expect that most people would find what they needed there.

  There's a good example of adding a sub-panel if you're up to that task. They warn that if you want to re-wire or replace your main panel, you should hire an experienced electrician. That's a task not recommended for even the handiest of homeowners. Good advice....

  There's tons of info here. If you are reasonbly handy and willing to heed all of the safety warnings, this book is a great one to have.

  There's examples of wiring room additions, kitchens, etc., that are very informative.

  I also have the Home Depot "Wiring 1-2-3" book. It's good also. Arranged on a task by task basis... sort of cookbook-like. Most taks homeowners would tackle are in there but the Black & Decker book covers more issues. I also see that there what I believe is a new edition of this book (Mar '01 vs Apr '98 publication). Haven't seen contents but maybe that's the one to get.
  
  

• Amateur to Journeyman
  By on 2001-09-04
  I used this book to add four circuits to my service and finish my basement as a completely usable space. I had no experience with electricity before this project, and the book gave me enough confidence to finish the job completely. Each part of my project had easy-to-follow examples in the book. I installed four new circuit breakers, 25 outlets, a two-way light switch, 18 recessed lights, two GFCI outlets, and a bath vent fan and light. This book saved me a lot of money. I know I did the job more carefully with better materials than a hired electrician would have used.
  
  
• Best of the home wiring books
  By A11AP3CZ5Y71RL on 2003-04-18
  I started out knowing nothing about home wiring. I bought all of the books I could find, and this one was the best. I've used it many times for small and large projects in my house. I've repaired lamps and rewired a gut-renovated bathroom. Explanations for making circuti changes in your service panel are excellent.
  
  
• The Complete Guide to Home Wiring
  By A1FI8CA18APRLM on 2002-07-10
  This is an excellent book for the novice home electrician. I knew very little about wiring and after reading this book was able to completely wire my barn and tool shed. I had a friend who was an electrician stop by to check out my work after I was finished and he found absolutely nothing to change! This book is easy to read, easy to follow, and will serve in my library as a great reference tool for other electrical work I may decide to take on in the future! I highly recommend it.
  
  
• I did it!
  By A1IESRUN6P56EN on 2005-09-07
  I compared this book to many others (including the Home Depot book mentioned in another review) before I bought it, and this one seemed to be the most comprehensive, clear and concise for my purposes. I used this book to help guide me through wiring portion in the process of ripping out my entire basement (all the way to the block walls) and rebuilding it. This is a fifty year old house with old "ragwire" wiring, which I replaced as I did the new work. I used the information in the book to do my electrical permit drawings which flew through the permit office with no comments from the reviewer. I installed multiple remote controlled recessed and surface-mounted lighting fixtures and networked the house for computer, video, audio and telephone by following the well-illustrated and clearly written directions in the book. The circuit diagrams proved especially helpful in wiring the multiple-switched and zoned lighting fixtures. All of the work passed the rough-in and final inspections by the electrical inspector without a single comment or change, and not once did I need to call in a professional electrician. I have several more projects on the agenda, including wiring my large shed, some low-voltage landscape lighting and a complete remodeling of the 50 year old kitchen and bathrooms, and this book includes all of the required information. I know I won't need to buy any other DIY books on the subject of wiring in order to finish the projects. Based on the quality and ease-of-use of this book, I went out and bought the Black & Decker book on plumbing. If you are remodeling (or just installing a ceiling fan) and want to save a ton of cash by doing your own electrical work, I highly recommend this book.
  
  
• Fantastic Introduction To Home Wiring Projects
  By on 2001-09-25
  After purchasing a home with outdated and dangerous wiring, I needed a comprehensive reference to quickly learn as much as possible. Prior to this book, I knew almost nothing about residential wiring. The descriptions and photos were clear and easy to understand and completely demystified everything. I have since completely replaced everything myself; from the new service panel to each and every switch and receptacle. This book has saved me thousands and I would recommend it to any beginner. In fact, I am very pleased with most of the Black & Decker reference books.
  
  
• Excellent Source for Basic Information
  By A3EAEA0LTVO0UY on 2002-04-09
  The Black & Decker series is generally very good and I think The Complete Guide To Home Wiring continues this tradition. This book contains useful information for wiring new and retrofit projects. The only reason this book is only rated 4 stars is because I was hoping for more information. For several projects I have been forced to turn to other sources for wiring information. There is not a lot of information about newer technology wiring for home automation or telecommunications. Overall an execellent source for general wiring information.
  
  
• I'm not a Monkey, but if I was
  By on 2003-01-30
  Even if I was a Monkey (which I'm not - my wife checked!), I would be able to handle every electrical situation with ease after reading this book. The pictures are clear, the copy descriptive, the index is right on and the complete book is an absolute dream.

  I didn't buy this book from Amazon.com, although I wish I had, I would have saved some coin, but it was so good that I felt the need to write a review. This is my first review and I'm not one to praise, but after reading the book and wiring my workshop, I was compelled to write this. Enjoy and don't look further.
  
  

• Excellent Book
  By AWYDDWODO7S0R on 2007-06-07
  I consider myself mechanically inclined but have never touched anything to do with electricity before. Well I bought a house a few years ago and it's either learn how to do it, or pay double and hire someone.
  
  Most books always leave me with only 75% confidence to do the job myself but there are always some important parts that are confusing. Not with this book, it is step-by-step with full color detailed photos.
  
  I went to Home Depot and got circuit breakers, receptacles, switches, GFCI's, etc. and they are exactly the same thing that are in the photos.
  
  So far I have completely wired a 250sf addition, outside lights, and run a full 50amp sub panel to my garage with a dedicated 240 volt circuit for my compressor and welder. All from this one book.
  
  Highly recommended
  
  
• Absolute necessity
  By AQA46HCQ09W89 on 2005-09-29
  I've been working on home wiring projects for 25 years. I bought this book to catch me up with the times. It includes all the information a person could use to install new and old wiring in a home. The pictures are highly detailed and easy to follow. The book includes most - not all - situations you will find in a home. Buy it. You won't regret it.
  
  
• Great photos, great information
  By A3KTTW7UVZ8WIA on 2007-01-16
  This book is an excellent reference when you have to tackle electrical jobs around the house, yourself. Honestly, I still don't have great ambitions like wiring a brand new room in the house or anything. I bought this to simply be informed. However, after reading some of the well-explained fundamentals and going over some of the projects clearly explained in the book, I've gained enough confidence to venture into projects of my own.
  
  At first, I thought that when I hire an electrician to do some minor changes around the house, I won't be confused or fall for double-speak that I don't follow - because I would have information from the book.
  
  After the book de-mystified some tasks and explained some basics, I was able to open up some ceiling lamps and change them without getting killed or abandoning the project.
  
  Then when my cooktop was malfunctioning, I was able to trace the problem and fix it. I could read the wiring diagram attached to the cooktop and figure out where the problem was. The book doesn't show you how. But once you know a few things, you can build on that knowledge.
  
  A part of my house lost power. I tracked the problem down to a covered box that had wiring held together with electrical tape and some of the wires appeared to have oxidized because of the bad connection. I cleaned up and joined the right wires with connectors, and fixed the problem.
  
  My next step is to add a few ceiling fans in my home. Then maybe a wireless switch so I won't have to walk to my door in pitch darkness. Wire my yard for low-voltage lighting. I feel very inspired, because I feel very informed. And the book definitely paid for itself.
  
  
• Best book for amatuers
  By on 2003-02-04
  This book is for the do-it-yourselfer. And what a fantastic job this book does of explaining house-hold wiring and much more. Great visuals and extraordinary explanations. Worth every cent.
  
  
• excellent book
  By A2PYEOWMJZXFB8 on 2005-12-28
  Highly recommended- it has high-quality photographs and wiring diagrams, and good clear instructions. It does not dig very deeply into theory, but it does give some in context. I was able to complete a number of home projects that ordinarily I would have hired an electrician for. As getting an electrician to even return a phone call around here is nearly impossible, let alone show up, I needed a good reliable howto manual, and this is it.
  
  The Rex Cauldwell book is a good companion for this book, for readers who want the advanced course.
  
  
• This book really shines the light on home electric projects
  By A3M2GOIB3HIXZD on 2002-12-20
  I used to install communications and radar gear worldwide, but was hesitant and unclear on home wiring due to significant differences in materials, tools and codes. This book, typical of the Black & Decker series, begins with the basics and gets into some advanced territory. It is clearly written, illustrated with hundreds of step-by-step photographs, and guides one through sometim4es tricky codes. circuitry and materials. It is logical, clear, methodical, and written with the safety in mind that this kind of work demands. I heartily recommend this book for homeowners and handypersons.
  
  
• All Thumbs
  By A2A9Y8XBRB6YEH on 2006-03-10
  Where I live electricians are in demand now and it can be weeks before you can get one to come over. None of my projects are what you would call at the urgent level so I've been putting them off until spring. Then my wife brought this book home and it's changed things. I can tackle many of the simpler tasks myself. Its been a big boost to my ego and an education for my son who is ten. The directions and illustrations can be followed by anyone who has mastered the fifth grade and owns a screwdriver and electrical tape.
  
  
• Perfect starting place for me.
  By A1K9F885OTGKNO on 2005-11-03
  This book is an excellent place to start to learn about home wiring. I own an old home (c.1905) with wiring technologies from all eras including old knob and tube. This book has enough information in it to have educated me on what is is I have and what I could/should do to improve it. Another thing that is stunning about this book is its production. Whoever was in charge of this book project hired excellent support. The photos are gallery quality, the writing thorough and concise. It's a pleasure to work with.
  
  
• An Excellent book. Has it all.
  By A392Y2B4UKWW1E on 2003-07-21
  I never installed a light bulb before! Well I did change a bulb, but never really opened an electric box, or ran electrical wire or installed a light fixture. That is until I got this book. It is an excellent book with all the details and has superb colored photos. If you have to do any electrical work at all, this is the one to have. I love it!
  
  
• Excellent reference for a do it yourself homeowner
  By AWWSGVC69ZJG2 on 2007-04-10
  Great reference book. I had some basic electrical knowledge but minimal hands on skills. This book gave me the boost of knowledge and confidence I needed to do all the electrical on a room addition. Not only did I learn wiring basics but also general "good design practices" and became familiar with various wire gauges, types of romex and switch/fixture options to buy the right stuff the first time. Based on this I looked at circuit loads and determined based on general residential 15 amp breakers how many circuits were needed. I installed the breakers and ran the 3 new circuits from the breaker box. I wired and installed three way switches, two way switches, dimmers, canned lights, ceiling fans, standard wall outlets and a series of GFI protected outlets. It took me a bit longer to do the work than a professional but it was well worth it. Based on estimates from electricians I saved over $1000 on the labor.
  
  Now.....this is my "go to" electrical book as a home owner. Using the quick reference pictures (which are excellent!!!)and some common sense I handle all my routine electrical work. I don't do 240V work but I do the 120V stuff and continue to learn. This is a great book!!!
  
  
• This book saved me $4,000.
  By A3W2ES4B9C5V3A on 2007-02-15
  I used this book to completely wire a new bathroom. I used flex conduit and solid copper wiring to add two 20 amp circuits from my main service panel. I've never installed new electrical work before, but this book allowed me to install four receptacles, a pair of recessed lights, a pair of wall sconces and a combination exhaust fan/heater with no problems. Everything worked the first time I tried it (with absolutely no assistance from anyone).
  
  
• All you need for basic to intermediate home-wiring projects
  By on 2004-05-14
  I recently renovated 100% of my home's electric (which was largely knob and tube prior to this). I had no previous electrical experience, and this book walked me through everything I needed to do this work, pass all inspections and stay safe. I always keep it handy as a reference when I am working with electricity. The "general inspection guidelines" in the middle of the book is particularly useful.
  
  
• Thorough and Complete
  By ADXSOHYWVCF84 on 2001-10-23
  I just got this book a couple of weeks ago and was impressed. It cost double of its thinner, more limited sister edition, but well worth it. Seems to cover just about everything - including sections on phone, stereo wiring and computer networking cables (albeit those items in a limited catch-all section). Good focus on older wiring and switches for those of us with houses older than ourselves! Great photos, easy to understand descriptions. I agree that few people will need to go beyond this book for electrical info. Highly recommended!
  
  
• VERY helpful book!
  By A2N25PXPDOX2OW on 2008-01-21
  I'm completely gutting and redoing the upstairs in my house built back in 1902. Using this book as a resource for planning new circuits to replace all the old knob-and-tube wiring. This book gives GREAT sample diagrams showing not only the circuit view, but a realistic "this is what it looks like in the real-world" views. Very helpful at figuring out and simplifying more complicated circuits (such as 3-way and 4-way light switch circuits, etc). Got this on a recommendation from a friend and it was WELL worth the money!
  
  
• One of the best
  By A3037DMMS9X3UF on 2003-10-15
  I have this book on order now, My fatherinlaw ordered it for me yesterday when he was showing me Amazon.ca.
  This book sits in my room on loan from the library along with several others, I own the Home Depot 123. Its a great book as well but not as good as Black & Decker, Im a do it yourselfer for the smaller jobs and this book covers alot more than do it yourself stuff you can learn tons in here,
  I also ordered Black & Decker home repairs book, I have had this out from the library as well its very good..
  Looking forward to my books coming in,
  Have a great day.
  
  
• Excellent coverage of the basics
  By AEGSGD8XJ8858 on 2002-04-02
  Very well laid out with easy to follow diagrams and sample wiring layouts. If you are looking for a book to cover the basics and intermediate jobs, this is it.
  
  
• Outstanding reference for jobs big and small
  By A3LXIE5GLALJPU on 2009-03-30
  I have Wiring a House-by Pros for Pros, and though I think it's a good refence, I think the Black & Decker book is better yet. I have a cabin built in the 1930s that had a cobbled-together electrical system that needed to be completely redone, and this book gave me all the tools I needed to do it. I've done electrical before, but this project required more thorough knowledge, and this book gave me exactly what I needed. The assortment of wiring diagrams is very helpful and easy to follow, but rather than stopping there the author provides worksheets for determining whether the electrical panel is sufficient for the application, and also provides a worksheet for calculating the anticipated load that a planned circuit will carry. It's this planning stage that's omitted from a lot of other electrical books, and if you're doing anything beyond simple fixture replacement, it's a must. There's even a 2 page list of highlights from the 2008-2011 National Electrical Code, which does a great job of highlighting some of the key elements that will impact what the average person might choose to tackle. I had also ordered the Home Depot 1-2-3 book, and after a couple of hours reviewing them side-by-side, the HD book went straight back to Amazon. It's good for someone who wants a very basic treatment of wiring, but the Black & Decker book has everything the HD book does and a lot more.
  
  

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