Getting Started-The Basics covers standards, codes, safety practices, planning the installation, and how electricity is measured.
Wires, Circuits, And Grounding tells how to select, install, and connect the right wire for a job. The detailed instructions and diagrams show how to achieve professional results, use materials economically, and how to make each wiring installation safe.
Installing Service Equipment And Wiring explains the entire process of installing the service entrance, outlet and switch boxes, cable or conduit, and then finishing the installation. There are chapters on modernizing old wiring and wiring of appliances.
Special Wiring Situations And Projects covers electric motors, farms, and low voltage wiring. The final chapter shows how to troubleshoot and make repairs.
New topics in the 39th edition include emergency backup generators and arc-fault circuit-interrupter circuit breakers. Three-wire circuit coverage is expanded. There is a special chapter on low-voltage wiring.
Unlike most of the other wiring books I've seen that a DYIer might buy, this book isn't just a bunch of high-gloss pictures with minimal text that only shows what happens on the "happy path" where everything works out just right. It discusses a lot of real world issues like voltage drop and working with old wiring systems that most of the other books I've seen don't even admit the existance of.
The book is quite often used as a textbook for beginning electricians with good reason. When I wear this copy out I'm sure I'll go looking for another.
I use it all the time -- it's just as valid today as it was then. (I'm sure the code has changed, but the basics haven't.) If you need to do basic wiring and also want to understand the fundamentals of electricity and wiring, this book is not only sufficient; it will keep you out of trouble and danger. I'm not a pro, but a skilled do-it-yourselfer. I've never encountered a wiring situation for which the answer wasn't in this book -- and I've done some pretty fancy wiring.
I'm one person who LIKES the old-style writing used in this book. Tomorrow I'm going to do some outdoor, underground wiring and once again, the book tells me everything I need to know.
Granted, if you're doing sophisticated stuff, this may not be for you. But for the common guy doing straightforward wiring around the house, the shop or the farm, this book is just great. (The section on farm wiring is a lot of fun -- it includes basics that are explained simply and understandably. This is stuff you'll use whether you're on a farm or not.)
It occurred to me that I ought to get the current edition -- that's why I'm here.
Richter has served me well for over 25 years. By the way: I paid $1.39 for my old copy!
