Some of the best electrician books are invaluable resources to have on hand for experienced contractors, journeymen, and new technicians alike. The right technical reference material is often critical for an electrician to deliver exceptional work.
The best books provide accurate, up-to-date information on:
Safety protocols
National electrician codes
Installation and troubleshooting guides
Stocking your office with a few essential titles goes a long way to empowering your team to provide expert service, ensure full compliance, and continually improve their skills.
This article highlights 10 of the most useful electrician books contractors should have in their offices.
1. Ugly’s Electrical References
Ugly’s Electrical References is a pocket-sized, on-the-job reference tool electricians rely on for accurate, up-to-date information. The concise, easy-to-understand explanations include tables, diagrams, and calculations to answer common questions electricians have on the job. The material includes NEMA wiring configurations, conduit bending, and control wiring diagrams.
Author: George V. Hart
Language: English
Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date: 2023, with new editions published bi-annually
Pages: Around 200, depending on the edition
Best for: Daily use as a quick reference for codes, conversions, and electrical formulas. Both novice and expert professional electricians will find value in this easy-to-navigate electrical book.
This staple reference book packs a lot of information for its small format, making it a must-have for practical utility in the office or on the job site.
2. Ultimate Guide: Wiring
Ultimate Guide: Wiring is a comprehensive guidebook for everything related to residential wiring. It includes step-by-step instructions and illustrations that are clear enough for both DIY-ers and techs who are new to residential electrical systems.
Author: Creative Homeowner
Language: English
Publisher: Creative Homeowner
Publication date: 2017, with multiple earlier editions
Series: Ultimate Guide
Pages: 304
Best for: DIY-ers, homeowners, and new electricians just learning residential electrical wiring.
While not written with the master electrician in mind, the Ultimate Guide is a comprehensive resource for all things residential, from simple repairs to whole-house installations.
3. American Electrician’s Handbook
American Electrician’s Handbook is the industry standard for designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems. It’s been a classic reference for over a hundred years, with the most recent edition updated to comply with the 2020 National Electrical Code.
Author: Frederick Hartwell
Language: English
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
Publication date: 17th Edition published March 2021
Series: N/A
Pages: 1568
Best for: Professional electricians who need an exhaustive reference guide for their library, covering practical job knowledge, energy efficiency technologies, and contemporary safety practices.
The American Electrician’s Handbook is widely regarded as the definitive resource of the electrical services industry.
4. Electrical Trainee Guide, Level 1
Electrical Trainee Guide, Level 1 is a training manual and workbook designed for beginners in the electrical industry and focuses on foundational knowledge and fundamental skill sets, including tips and tricks from industry experts.
Author: NCCER
Language: English
Publisher: Pearson
Publication date: 10th Edition published February 2021
Series: NCCER Contren Learning
Pages: 624
Best for: Early training for beginners and new technicians who need foundational knowledge for the field and preparing for electrical exams.
For new technicians, this book is an essential stepping stone to higher-level learning and skill development
4. Wiring a House
Wiring a House is a detailed guide written in plain language covering everything homeowners, DIY-ers, and electricians need to know about residential electrical installation, with updated editions covering the latest wiring methods, electrical codes, and best practices.
Author: Rex Cauldwell
Language: English
Publisher: Taunton Press
Publication date: 5th Edition published 2014, 6th Edition due January 2024
Series: For Pros By Pros
Pages: 368
Best for: Intermediate to advanced electricians who want comprehensive house wiring instructions and references to expand their residential electrical knowledge.
The For Pros By Pros series provides easy-to-comprehend reference materials for home services businesses.
6. Electrician’s Troubleshooting and Testing Pocket Guide
Electrician’s Troubleshooting and Testing Pocket Guide is a portable reference to help electricians diagnose and rectify common electrical problems.
Author: Brook Stauffer, John Traistor
Language: English
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Publication date: 3rd Edition published March 2007
Series: N/A
Pages: 240
Best for: Troubleshooting and diagnosing electrical problems on the job site.
No matter what other books are in your office, this guide is a wherever-you-go essential for quickly identifying solutions on-site.
7. Delmar’s Standard Textbook of Electricity
Delmar’s Standard Textbook of Electricity is a complete textbook providing high-quality illustrations and photos for a well-rounded introduction to electrical theory, codes, design, and applications.
Author: Stephen L. Herman
Language: English
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Publication date: 6th Edition published January 2015
Series: N/A
Pages: 1152
Best for: New electricians and techs developing a deep understanding of theory as they prepare for real-world applications.
This textbook is considered one of the most thorough training textbooks available today, providing comprehensive explanations of everything from broad concepts to routine tasks to be performed in the field.
8. Industrial Motor Control
Industrial Motor Control is essential to technician education for working in industrial settings. Topics covered include PLCs, control relays, and selecting, installing, and troubleshooting motor control systems.
Author: Stephen L. Herman
Language: English
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Publication date: 7th Edition published January 2013
Series: N/A
Pages: 576
Best for: Electricians working in industrial settings and motor control applications.
This textbook is the go-to guide for anyone currently or aspiring to work in industrial settings, written specifically for electricians.
9. Understanding the National Electrical Code
Understanding the National Electrical Code is an explanatory guide providing electricians with the crucial information they need to navigate and apply the NEC safely.
Author: Mike Holt Enterprises
Language: English
Publisher: Mike Holt
Publication date: January 2020
Series: Mike Holt’s Illustrated Guide To
Pages: 672
Best for: All electricians seeking an in-depth understanding of the NFPA 70, NEC.
This book should be included in every electrician’s library as it offers understandable step-by-step explanations, author insights, and illustrations to visualize the concepts of the National Electrical Code and best practices for electrical safety on the job site.
10. Transformer Principles and Applications
Transformer Principles and Applications is a comprehensive technical guide to transformer theory, design, installation, and maintenance in various electrical systems.
Author: Otto Taylor, Jim Overmyer, Ron Michaelis
Language: English
Publisher: American Technical Publishers
Publication date: January 2006
Series: N/A
Pages: 309
Best for: The electrician who needs a specialized understanding of transformer applications in the electrical trade.
This book is a one-stop resource for electricians working with transformer systems in a variety of settings.
Where Can I Buy Electrician Books?
Finding books you need to establish or expand your resource library can be challenging. Consider these popular options to find the right place to buy electrician books.
Amazon
Amazon is the largest online retailer, and often, finding the right book (including tough-to-find prior editions) is a matter of a simple search. Shipping is also fast and often free for Prime Members.
However, prices can sometimes be higher than at other retailers, and business owners concerned with shopping locally may consider a different option.
Brick-and-mortar bookstores
When you buy at brick-and-mortar bookstores, you keep money in your community. You can also browse through books before deciding what to purchase.
Shopping at local stores is more time-consuming than buying online; the selection is more limited, and often prices are higher.
Online bookstores
Other online retailers, such as the Licensed Electrician Bookstore, can sometimes offer lower prices than Amazon or brick-and-mortar bookstores while offering the hard-to-find and technical titles you need.
Whether ordering from Amazon, an online bookstore or shopping locally, always double-check you’re getting the edition you want and the correct year for annual publications.
Keep in mind the variety of resources available to supplement your electrical book library and keep your technicians current on the latest best practices and news for electrical contractors, such as industry magazines and online blogs.
Beyond Books: Tips For Every Electrical Contractor
Running a successful electrical business requires more than the technical know-how in books. You need to optimize operations and deliver exceptional customer service as well.
Offering a superb experience is key: Customers today expect at-their-fingertips communication and service tracking. Using advanced software like ServiceTitan provides electricians with tools for the digital age, such as:
Automated customer notifications
Real-time tech tracking
In-platform text messaging
Good dispatch management takes you a step ahead: Smooth dispatching keeps jobs on track and technicians productive throughout the workday. ServiceTitan’s intelligent schedule optimization tools offer the flexibility dispatchers need to adjust appointments and coordinate with two-way messaging.
Empowered technicians can make a difference: Techs with digital selling tools can communicate value and drive new revenue from the field. ServiceTitan’s mobile Pricebook Pro provides sales resources such as Regional Pricing Averages and eye-catching graphics to convert customers.
Your Team is Your Most Valuable Asset—Invest in Their Success with ServiceTitan
Building a comprehensive library of technical resources ensures you and your team know how to troubleshoot unique challenges and install systems in a variety of properties.
Making the same investment in your business and your team can help electrical contractors streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and drive new business growth.
ServiceTitan is end-to-end management software that provides complete control over your business throughout the entire client lifecycle. Improve productivity and accountability with ServiceTitan’s software and in-the-field app for mobile devices.
See how ServiceTitan can transform your electrical service business with new efficiencies by requesting a demo.
