The Electrician Certification Program
The Law has passed, and has been signed into law! All in the Electrical Trade should go directly to the "Take the Test" link here!
The Electrician Certification Program The Law has passed, and has been signed into law! All in the Electrical Trade should go directly to the "Take the Test" link here!
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Study Materials review: '99 NEC (*) A '99 NEC book will be provided for the test. ( Although the 2002 NEC is out, but not adopted by the State. The 2005 is the next to be considered for adoption, possibly around 2006 - 7 ) You technically do not need one for the test, but for practice and study purposes you might like to have one of your own. But I suggest the pricey '99 NEC Handbook below for study purposes, for reasons mentioned in it's review below.
'99 NEC Handbook (*) This is the biggest bang for the biggest bucks! Yes, it's pricey, but worth it! Not only is it a full Code book, but this Handbook version includes highly detailed commentary and interpretations of almost every Code section. And, quirky anomalies in the Code, and multiples of Codes. I've had previous editions before, and have found them highly valuable in understanding the NEC in years past. When I've had to question Building Inspectors on things I think they may have misinterpreted. I break this beast out, to set things straight. One of us will be proved right, or wrong. Not that I suggest you question you Inspectors authority, but.... This is the "Electrician's Bible!" And on top of all that.... Experior ( the company hired to administer the test. ) says that they based the questions on the test on material from the American Electricians Handbook reviewed below. Yet, I found at least five questions on my test, that were practically plagiarized from the commentary of '99 NEC Handbook! This and, an Ugly's reviewed below, should be all you need to study for, and pass this test. P.S. I have seen them on e-bay for around $30, enter "1999 nec handbook" in the search window. And, make sure you are looking, or bidding for the "1999 NEC Handbook"
American Electricians' Handbook 14th Edition (*) Experior ( the company hired to administer the test. ) says that they based the questions on the test on material from this book. Which is supposedly based on the 2002 NEC. And, is not much of a Code reference at all. I DO NOT think this book was used for anything in the test. It is however a good primer for learning the fundamentals of Ohm's law and basic electrical theory. It also has some good material on motors and transformers. It is more of a "history book" for the Electrical Industry. Some sections of the book don't seem like they have been updated since 1925, others since 1965. Rather than the "Electricians Bible" it self-proclaims itself to be. And, I don't think it is of any real use for effective study for the test, unless you lack the fundamentals of Ohm's law and basic to intermediate electrical theory. Or, would like to know rig poles into place by hand.
Ugly's Electrical References (*) The infamous "Ugly's" has been the glove box, and tool box reference for Electrical Industry for decades. Most of you probably have one already. There is not much to this book and it doesn't have to any bigger than it is. It has all the formulas boiled down to the absolute simplest form. It also has useful tables and examples. It has no real use as a study for the test, but as a reference for Ohm's law, motor and transformer calculations, there is no greater value. The test will have about ten or so, questions that require you to remember formulas. You are provided a non-programmable calculator for the test, if you don't have one. But you will need to remember the formulas! Coupled with the '99 NEC Handbook, makes for a good combination.
California Journeyman Electrician's Preparation and Study Guide (*) This book is almost useless. It contains a simple strategy for taking the test. ( That suggests you to buy some sort of tabs to add to your Code book, after you cut it up and rearrange it! For the purpose of speed while taking the test. Well, guess what, you may not be able to take your hacked up Code book into the test. ) This book was written while the test was still being developed, and I think, is a little misinformed. It's only saving graces are; that it does have a good tutorial on how to decipher the questions on the test, and does have some good practice questions. And could be a confidence builder for those who are unfamiliar with reading and finding things in the Code, or tests of this sort. It is only $20. Compared to the same type of "hand holding" you can get from some classroom course for $500 or more. Only to learn the same thing, makes this a bargain. But DO NOT cut up your Code book, as suggested in this guide.
For an idea of typical questions, try this site: ( But beware they are based on 2002 NEC, and I think Mike Holt is trying to sell Flat Conductor Cable these days. A lot of the questions have been about it lately. But still a good exercise, and free. )
(*) This sites linked here, are only a few places where these books are available. The links are for reference only, and not intended to promote any commercial outlet over the other, or the publishers of the these books. Many versions are available. Shop around for your best price, and availability. |
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