National Electrical Code 2008 Handbook (NEC 2008) - Complete Guide to Electrical Standards & Safety for Professionals | Electrical Installation, Inspection & Compliance Reference

Ever wonder what gage and type of wire you need for a 20A current draw on a motor? Or how many 16 gage wires you can fit into a 4 x 6 junction box? Or what breaker size you need for an electrical panel? Or?... [insert hundreds of other electrical questions]. If so, this book is probably for you.Having worked with a LOT of standards, I have say the NEC code book has got it's act together. This is the defacto standard for anyone who needs to work with electricity or design electrical appliances. The best part of this standard is that it clearly states the code rule and the goes on to give rationale and examples.As an engineer that works on a variety of electro-mechanical equipment, the in-depth explanations presented in this standard are really appreciated. In my opinion, a good working knowledge of this standard is a must for most engineers and tradesmen who work around electricity. Most devices have their own standards but the NEC is simply referenced everywhere and some local jurisdictions lean heavily on it so it's always good to be familiar with it.It's always important to keep the most up to date version of the standard and for this reason I recommend this version. For me, the in-depth topic of SCCR (short circuit current rating) was worth the update.