Do It Yourself Book

[jwelectric]

From time to time I get some information via email just because of what I do for a living.

Any of you who might have bought a How To book lately should check out this link

click here

[jar546]

Just found this through another source this morning. This is what jw is pointing to:

This is one more fine example of why electrical safety is so important and you really need to understand what you are doing.

Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

[jar546]

Cookie,

You are running off on a tangent with this one. This is a very good example of how dangerous DIY with electrical can be and please re-read my statement.

This is one more fine example of why electrical safety is so important and you really need to understand what you are doing.

I never said DIY should not be done. No matter who you are, you need to know what you are doing, especially with electrical work. Comparing electrical to teaching school is a very poor example. One minor error in electrical work can cause a death. I am rather taken back that you choose to minimalize the importance of this.

Rather than act as an attorney for the DIY folks, how about taking this lesson at face value by understanding and appreciating this important information that is being shared.

Too many people are trying to make a buck by selling DIY books and money hungry publishers are quick to put them in the big box stores with very little oversight.

Every 3 years a new NEC version comes out after a constant ongoing process involving thousands, yes thousands of experts who evaluate and re-evaluate the safety of the public. The NEC is over 100 years old and it is constantly changing. Before one word is changed it takes a major evaluation and acceptance. Not the case with some moron who wants to show people how to do things wrong.

Whether you stated it or not, your post is minimalizing electrical safety. Don't lose sight of safety to ring the DIY bell.

[Cookie]

I knew you were going to say that.

I absolutely did not miminize the danger, danger, of electrical.
To be honest with you Jeff, you are alittle off tangent.
I was married to an EE for nearly 30 years, and he would agree, education is the key to safety.

Have a nice day.

[hj]

And do you really believe ONLY electrical books have errors in them. Most of the DIY books are probably written by guys, and gals, who have read other books, but never did any real work.

[Cookie]

[quote=jar546;175143]

I never said DIY should not be done. No matter who you are, you need to know what you are doing, especially with electrical work.
quote]

How do you propose they learn?

[jimbo]

Just curious....if any one has one of those books, can you post an example of the errors? I am thinking there must be some pretty egregious stuff in there to prompt CPSC action!

[jwelectric]

How do you propose they learn?

Cookie the books that the CPSC has recalled have some very serious life safety issues in the text.
The text tells someone how to wire something where all metal is carrying current. Wouldn’t you think it nice to arise in the morning and stroll into the kitchen to fix you some breakfast and while the eggs was frying in the skillet you are going to make you a pot of coffee. When you reach to turn on the water you can’t let go of the facet.

Those eggs would just sit in that pan and burn and that would be a waste of good eggs not to mention that there might not be any more Cookie for us here and that would be nothing short of tragic.

Being in the electrical construction for over 40 years I think it would be fair for me to say that I have taught thousands of people a little something about electrical installations.

After old Author moved into my knees, hips and shoulders I had to give up field work and took on the role of instructor at the local community college where I have been teaching for 9 years. I think that if there is anyone on this site that can address the education of some of the task asked about on this forum I would be well qualified to make a judgment call as to whether or not the person asking the question could handle the job.

I agree that education is the key but some things can not be taught through self help books and can’t even come close to being covered on some DIY web site.
Working in the field as well as answering question on these DIY web sites any experience electrician can easily see that most of the DITer is just looking to make it work. Once it is working then in their mind it is right,

In one of those books that is being recalled the author is telling the DIYer that a metal water pipe can be used as the return path for current. In other words the metal water pipes is being used for a conductor.

Now ask any of the plumbers on this site just what they think about this type of installation. Remember that it will work so in the mind of most DIYer it must be right.
.

If someone wants to learn how to install a service let him/her go to their local community college where they will have some one on one instead of just coming to a web site and asking what kind of panel they need to buy.

Now being the wife of an electrical engineer do you think that he obtained his knowledge by asking a few questions on a web site? I bet he spent a lot of hours in a classroom. Some of the questions that are asked on this site would require the person to spend many classroom hours in order to learn about all the things that they are not asking about.

[jwelectric]

Just curious....if any one has one of those books, can you post an example of the errors? I am thinking there must be some pretty egregious stuff in there to prompt CPSC action!

How about useing the metal water pipe for a return path for a circuit.

One example is that when changing from a three wire recrptacle to a four wire receptacle for a range or dryer a metal water pipe can be used for the new white wire.

This means that the metal water pipe is carrying current. Wouldn't you love to work on that system?

[jwelectric]

How do you both propose people learn so they know what they are doing? I am surprised by you both. People are going to do things thereselves no matter what. That is what makes this forum necessary.

With some things like changing a light bulb or a fuse we can give a lot of help.

With things such as a service panel there is no way they can LEAEN close to enough on a discussion forum such as this one.

For some installations I recomment a course at the local community college.

I am suprised that the wife of an electrical engineer would think that someone could obtain enouth knowledge to design and install an electrical system by asking questions on a web site.

We have no way of testing the person to see if they are ready to move on the the next level so what we are doing is helping someone get hrut, hurt soemone else, or burn down their house.

[Cookie]

I never said they could obtain enough knowledge to do all things. Read my VERY first post again. Then read it again. You will see... something I said in it, about figuring out they, a DIY'er, will need a Pro.

Do you see it?
Don't read so quick guys, slow down, read what is being written before you jump.

[jimbo]

How about useing the metal water pipe for a return path for a circuit.

One example is that when changing from a three wire recrptacle to a four wire receptacle for a range or dryer a metal water pipe can be used for the new white wire.

This means that the metal water pipe is carrying current. Wouldn't you love to work on that system?

WOW! They really put that in a book? Hope that publisher had lots of insurance!

[Billy_Bob]

So far as learning new things and books go, I like to get three books on the same subject by different authors/publishers. I learn the most this way.

With just one book, something might not be explained very well and I don't understand it. Then the second book with explain the same thing differently and I will then understand it. And sometimes two books will give conflicting advice, then the 3rd will confirm something should be done one way or another.

Also the important stuff is drilled into my head three times by reading three books.

BTW I read a LOT and it is not uncommon to see mistakes in books. (Frequently toward the back.) I think the proof readers get tired after going through the first part of the book and are not so careful with the rest.

[220/221]

How do you both propose people learn so they know what they are doing?

IMO, homeowners and handymen should not do electrical work. The learning curve is too great.

I do a lot of service work and base my opinion on what I see every day.

If your plumbing leaks, things get wet. If your electricity leaks, things get burned and killed.

[Cookie]

Some plumbers die each year from things electricians do.