USEFUL REFERENCE BOOKS
IMPORTANT NOTE - when buying books from Amazon, seek confirmation that they are the latest versions.
And be very careful not to buy US books - Amazon UK sell US electrical books in the UK despite them being at best useless and at worst liable to kill you. If you see photos of US style switches or sockets, or black & white wires etc, give it a wide berth, it’ll be a waste of money.
This is described as “Although not intended as a DIY manual, non-qualified persons will also find this book useful reading.” but by the looks of it it’s ideal for DIYers who want to know what they are doing, which should be everyone.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/17th-IET-Wiring-Regulations-Installers/dp/1138848905
The next 2 are traditional DIY books which may not tell you about circuit design, testing etc.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Collins-Complete-Wiring-Lighting-Jackson/dp/0007364571
No idea about this one, but if it’s as good as their car manuals it’ll be useful.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Electrics-Manual-Step-step/dp/184425240X
The next 2 are essential.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/On-Site-Guide-Regulations-incorporating-Amendment/dp/1849192871 or http://electrical.theiet.org/books/regulations/on-site-17th-ed-amd1.cfm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418627 or http://www.theiet.org/publishing/books/wir-reg/electricians-guide-part-p-2nd-edition.cfm
As is a guide to the Wiring Regulations, such as this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0953788555 or http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLGUIDE.html
Or one of Brian Scaddan‘s many books.
You can get a feel for the 16th Edition version of Whitfields book here. It is worth looking at while you wait for other books to arrive, as it will give you useful general information, **but please bear in mind that it applies to the previous version of the wiring regulations**.
The next three are pretty handy guides, the Amicus ones being small enough to fit in your toolbox.:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Part-Doctor-Second-Fix/dp/0955479312
http://www.technicaltrainingsolutions.co.uk/publications.shtml
http://www.technicaltrainingsolutions.co.uk/publications.shtml
I would strongly recommend a copy of the Wiring Regulations, and also (but not as strongly) copies of the Guidance Notes, but bear in mind there were new versions out in 2008 onwards, as the Wiring Regulations were revised. A lot of people on eBay are still selling old versions, pay close attention, and don’t buy the 16th Edition ones by mistake.
**__ NOTE - the list of Guidance Notes below needs updating - please go to http://electrical.theiet.org/books/additional/index.cfm to check what the latest versions are. __**
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1849192693 or http://electrical.theiet.org/books/regulations/17th-edition-amd1.cfm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418554
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418562
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418570 or http://www.theiet.org/publishing/books/wir-reg/inspection-testing-5th-edition.cfm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418589
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0852969937
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418600
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863418619
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863416160
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Electrical-Installation-Design-Guide-Calculations/dp/0863415504 or http://www.theiet.org/publishing/books/wir-reg/electrical-installation-design-guide.cfm
The Electrician’s Guide shown above is a good explanation of the regs, but if you fancy one with a bit more of the electrical engineering theory behind it all, I can recommend this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0863419666 or http://electrical.theiet.org/books/regulations/commentary-17th-edition.cfm
