Electrical Wiring Commercial 15 edition

INTENDED USE AND LEVEL

Electrical Wiring—Commercial is intended for use in commercial wiring courses at twoyear

and four-year colleges, as well as in apprenticeship training programs. The text provides

the basics of commercial wiring by offering insight into the planning of a typical

commercial installation, carefully demonstrating how the load requirements are converted

into branch circuits, then to feeders, and finally into the building’s main electrical service.

An accompanying set of plans at the back of the book allows the reader to step through the

wiring process by applying concepts learned in each chapter to an actual commercial building,

in order to understand and meet Code requirements set forth by the National Electrical Code®.

SUBJECT AND APPROACH

The fifteenth edition of Electrical Wiring—Commercial is based on the 2014 National Electrical

Code. This new edition thoroughly and clearly explains the NEC® changes that relate

to typical commercial wiring.

The National Electrical Code is used as the basic standard for the layout and construction

of electrical systems. To gain the greatest benefit from this text, the learner must use the

National Electrical Code on a continuing basis.

State and local codes may contain modifications of the National Electrical Code to meet

local requirements. The instructor is encouraged to furnish students with any variations from

the NEC as they affect this commercial installation in a specific area.

This book takes the learner through the essential minimum requirements as set forth in

the National Electrical Code for commercial installations. In addition to Code minimums,

the reader will find such information above and beyond the minimum requirements.

The commercial electrician is required to work in three common situations: where the

work is planned in advance, where there is no advance planning, and where repairs are

needed. The first situation exists when the work is designed by a consulting engineer or by

the electrical contractor as part of a design/build project. In this case, the electrician must

know the installation procedures, be able to read and follow the plans for the project, be able

to understand and interpret specifications, and must know the applicable Code requirements.

The second situation occurs either during or after construction when changes or remodeling

are required. The third situation arises any time after a system is installed. Whenever a problem

occurs with an installation, the electrician must understand the operation of all equipment

included in the installation in order to solve the problem. And as previously stated,all electrical work must be done in accordance with

the National Electrical Code and any local electrical

codes.

The electrician must understand that he or she

is a part of a construction team with the goal of getting

the project completed on time and within the

budget. Cooperation and “pulling your load” are the

keys to success. The general contractor and owner

count on every trade and specialist to get the components

on the job when they are needed and install

them so as to keep the project moving ahead

smoothly.

When the electrician is working on the initial installation

or is modifying an existing installation, the

circuit loads must be determined. Thorough explanations

and numerous examples of calculating these

loads help prepare the reader for similar problems

on the job. The text and assignments make frequent

reference to the Commercial Building drawings at

the back of the book.

The electrical loads (lighting, outlets, equipment,

appliances, etc.) were selected to provide the

reader with experiences that he or she would encounter

when wiring a typical commercial building.

The authors also carry many calculations to a higher

level of accuracy as compared to the accuracy required

in many actual job situations. This is done

to demonstrate the correct method according to the

National Electrical Code. Then, if the reader and/

or the instructor wish to back off from this level,

based upon installation requirements, it can be done

intelligently.