Now that I have retired after 48 years in the electrical industry, it has become even more evident that a good solid education about the world of electricity is of utmost importance.
Accurate materials and training are the two sides of the electrical safety coin. This coin is spent every day by various persons intrinsically involved in the electrical con�struction industry. Unfortunately, some spend it less wisely than others. Usually, the unwise spenders are those who rush to career, having neglected to acquire accurate materials and to focus on training themselves to a high level of proficiency.
Ray Mullin, coauthor of this book, Electrical Wiring—Residential, has often stated, “The cost of education is small when compared to the price paid for igno�rance.” All too often, we, the citizens, pay the price for others’ ignorance—ignorance of the codes, ignorance of proper wiring methods, ignorance of proper installation procedures, ignorance of design requirements, ignorance of product evaluations.
This price becomes dear when our friends and family lose health or life or when our homes are destroyed. It is exciting to see that Phil Simmons has joined with Ray as coauthor of the 17th edition of Electrical Wiring—Residential. Phil has served the electrical industry with distinction for many years. His ability to express complex electrical issues clearly and to illustrate them accurately is unparallelled among his peers.
Fortunately, accurate materials are so easy to obtain. Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons are both technical writers who have paid their dues in the electrical industry. Each has put in many years as an apprentice, a journeyman, and then as a master electrician before beginning to write about his trade. Phil was additionally a professional in the electrical inspection arena and managed the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) for several years. Both have served or are serving on NEC Code Making Panels. Electrical Wiring—Residential contains accurate, up-to-date informa�tion about all aspects of residential wiring.
When installers and inspectors don’t keep abreast of installation procedures and code requirements, things like cables across scuttle access to attics, improper spacing of receptacle outlets, improper short-circuit and ground-fault protection, and improper grounding of electrical systems, phone system, and CATV systems can lead to hazard�ous situations causing electrical shocks and fire. Not just anybody can install or inspect safe electrical systems. Trained professionals can, but even they must be constantly improving their knowledge and skills
Because Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons care about the electrical safety coin, they have striven to provide the most accurate information possible. It is up to each of us, however, to focus on the train�ing. Some training can be acquired simply by read�ing the best books in our trade; some training can come through the online programs available; and other training, through participation in classes and seminars. In each instance, though, motivation and desire come from within—to know everything involved in our trade, to be totally proficient, to focus continually on improvement. As we seek both accurate information and training, we learn to spend the coin of safety to benefit others as well as ourselves. I commend you for acquiring Electrical Wiring—Residential; now I challenge you to make it part of yourself. I challenge you to spend the electrical safety coin wisely.
