electricity

I am not a student at UMD, but took a class there over the summer which used this textbook. While it is a nice book with some helpful explanations, there are just not enough examples. The problems it gives are very difficult if you've never seen a similar problem worked on, and the textbook just doesn't work through enough problems to properly teach technique. If this is required for a class, I guess you have to get it. Just remember that you'll still have to go to class. Don't buy it just to learn the stuff on your own. There are better books for it.

This is a good book aimed mostly for Electrical Engineers. Good theory concepts are reviewed in a nicely organzied format. If you're even reading this review, chances are you're a UMCP student. I swear his lectures are straight from the book. He even lables all 1,000 of his formulas in class as he teaches -- and they always match up the the ones in the book! It's crazy. Makes going to his class optional. But he's still good, so go.

As an electrical engineering student and a person that has used the book, I found it easy to follow and easy to learn from. In addition, Dr. Mayergoyz and Dr. Lawson's examples enhance the learning of the material. Reading this book is like being in one of Dr. Mayergoyz's lectures, take it from some one who knows

A good book for general conduit bending, but woefully inadequate for professional concentric bending.

In the complicated world of Job Training it is quite refreshing to see that "New and Improved" is not always Best. I was first introduced to the Jack Benfield EMT bender and his Benfield Conduit Bending Manual in 1979 when I first joined the IBEW, and I found the tool and the Manual to both be Superior.
Why? Because they are simple to use!!
Presently, I train Electrician Apprentices on a daily basis,
and I find so many of the other manuals unreasonably complicated in their approach to EMT bending methods, especially for Apprentices who have been in the Trade a short time. When I see
an Apprentice failing to grasp the modern (and complicated) approach, I rely on the Benfield Manual and Jack's easy and amusing approach to developing skill in the Electricians Trade.
Todays Journeyman Level Electrician can also benefit from having a copy of this book. Highly Recomended!

Relatively short,concise and easy to understand.If you need to get another book on conduit bending after reading this one you might as well give it up!

At first glance, this book seems to be a necessary addition to the average tinkerer's library. However, after purchasing the book I found little inconsistencies between the schematics and the text, typos, or something else which led to confusion and apprehension--as the book starts out by warning of the risk of death with most of the projects if the instructions and safety precautions aren't followed exactly, and repeats the warning with almost every project. Before buying this book I'd suggest becoming very familiar with high-voltage circuits (to the point where you can design your own), otherwise you won't get as much out of it as you should. For example, the first project I tried was the variable xenon strobe, because I found all the parts in a $3.50 kit online, and it's actually two projects in one. The first thing I noticed before building it was that the parts list (the book lists all the components you'll need to build each project) didn't match the schematic--the 555 IC isn't listed. The text says it's the heart of the circuit. Not a big deal, but then the text refers to a third diode, which is neither in the parts list nor the schematic. If this is a necessary part you could blow other components and/or, as the book warns you several times, kill yourself. As an intermediate-level "gadgeteer," I can't figure out if the text is wrong or if the schematic is wrong, and if the schematic is wrong (the text sounds correct) what to do about it. This book isn't really to teach how things work, it's more for an advanced gadgeteer to put his or her knowledge to use. There is a basic explanation of how each project works, but not to the point where you could go in not knowing anything and come away a rocket scientist. Overall I'd recommend this book only to an advanced gadgeteer, or someone who's very serious about learning these types of applications of high-voltage circuits. Once you do understand what's happening, though, this book shows you how to build the coolest things, either from scratch or by rewiring things you'd find at a junk shop, and for that, if you are at that level, I recommend it highly.

I love do-dads, thingamagigs and gizmos, and this book is just chuck full of them! Even better, the writer doesn't assume you're an utter moron, or that you have an advanced degree in Electrical Engineering. Fun and challanging, I highly recommend it.

This book tells you how to build everything from a night vision scope to a "bug" which transmits sound. Any one who is interested in electronics should purchase this book.

In his book Morrison says he may have gotten a few things wrong. That statement is almost the extent of what he got right. But Ott's book. You won't be sorry.

The first 3 editions of this book had "In Instrumentation" in the title, the name change reflects an added focus on digital electronics, but the emphasis on analog is still there. The book was and is outstanding in its explanation of how to calculate the magnitude of interference from all kinds of external sources on analog signals between sensors and instrumentation or between instruments, and how to thus select a grounding and shielding system which meets requirements. I have used its methods to solve grounding and shielding problems many times during 20+ years as a field engineer troubleshooting new machinery control installations. It may not the best book for learning digital signal integrity design issues, but does introduce the subject clearly.

I am familiar with the 3rd edition of this book. This text is the classic text in the field, and the original source for what a lot of other authors write about grounding and sheilding. It is fairly mathematical in its approach (and hence has a theoretical rather than purely practical bias), but if you have (for example) a transmission line problem on your circuit and can't model or fix it, you will be able to get a handle on the problem using this book.

I agree with Mr. Green in all respects except one. I would have (and did have) "Electrical Engineering Review Manual" by Yarbrough as a look up reference for the PE test. (ISBN = 0-932276-36-9)

Some context: I never met a test I didn't like, graduated with BSEE from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1982, and found the P.E. to be sophomore-to-junior level with low-to-moderate difficulty and depth - with no significant time pressure - one hour average per problem.

You can make the P.E. difficult if you only do the power problems. Electric Power only scratches a small part of the PE, which also includes:

Digital logic, Communications, Integration, Filters, Op amp applications, Control systems/application of feedback, NEC (my 1994 test had a grounding problem),

The EE Review Manual is much broader in scope and was written specifically for the P.E. It was the only book I actually used at the test (and I had "Electric Power Calculations").

I remember doing problems as follows: 1) A freshman-level problem relating power and energy (first page of the test and shockingly rudimentary) 2) An integration problem - find the RMS value of a sine-wave 10V peak-to-peak, chopped at 65% - another freshman level problem 3) An op amp problem - find the rise time, calculate the value of feedback resistors, draw bode plot showing frequency response 4) A grounding problem using NEC (I DIDN'T HAVE MY NEC! But did the problem anyway since I'd been doing a lot of commercial design) 5) A Control Systems problem - classic transfer function with feedback problem 6) A Sallen and Key low-pass filter problem. 7) A power problem - transformer regulation with non-purely-resistive load. 8) ?

A word of encouragement for prospective P.E.'s: Don't sweat that fact that you may not have prepared adequately - take it anyway. I delayed sitting for it because of this non-reason, and cost myself tens-of-thousands of dollars. Apply for it, don't tell anyone you're taking it, and go in with no pressure. Like Doritos tortilla chips "they'll make more" If you get a 69, you'll get to take the test again.

I took the test with no preparation, walked out of the afternoon session (multiple choice) with one-and-one-half hours to spare, and got a 76 (laughing when I got the notice). Real-world consulting and my classes at Rose were and are far, far, more difficult.

Go get 'em!!

Calculations for network analysis, instrumentation, dc machines, transformers, 3 phase induction motors, single phase induction motors, synchronous machines, transmission lines, electric-power networks, load-flow studies, power-system control, short-circuit computations, system grounding, power-system protection, power-system stability, cogeneration, batteries, economic methods, and lighting design are covered in separate chapters. The information is available, it's just not easy to find. Small type makes reading difficult for anything other than short periods.

I haven't found any errors in formulae or explanations. The organization is logical and, except for the spacing, easy to follow.

Each section has it's own table of contents. The Index is large and appears to encompass most of the important topics in the book.

I'm using it to prepare for and take my Professional Engineering Exam and it looks like it will be an excellent reference.... this is the book I'd buy to have a handbook close at hand for quick, look ups.

Calculations for network analysis, instrumentation, dc machines, transformers, 3 phase induction motors, single phase induction motors, synchronous machines, transmission lines, electric-power networks, load-flow studies, power-system control, short-circuit computations, system grounding, power-system protection, power-system stability, cogeneration, batteries, economic methods, and lighting design are covered in separate chapters.

The information is available, it's just not easy to find. Small type makes reading difficult for anything other than short periods.

I haven't found any errors in formulae or explanations. The organization is logical and, except for the spacing, easy to follow.

Each section has it's own table of contents. The Index is large and appears to encompass most of the important topics in the book.

I'm using it to prepare for and take my Professional Engineering Exam and it looks like it will be an excellent reference... this is the book I'd buy to have a handbook close at hand for quick, look ups.

If you're looking to live off the grid, this is not the first book you need, nor will it save you any busted knuckles or needless expenses. It's interesting for a Sunday afternoon read and worth its modest price, but it's long on history and short on practical specifics. (It does mention some suppliers and manufacturers, but only by general location - better than nothing.)

This handy little book is an interesting window into the daily life of the modern Amish (OK, that sounds a bit like an oxymoron). It begins with an informative and sympathetic explanation of who the Amish are, and why they live the way they do. After that, the book looks into how they live their lives, making do without electrical appliances.

I found this book to be quite interesting and informative. It is far from being a "how-to," so you probably won't be able to take any suggestions from it. But, it does help to give the outsider a more thorough understanding of what daily life is like in an Amish community. I highly recommend this book.

This book introduces the reader to the philosophy and lifestyle of the Amish people. It shows how they live a life of voluntary simplicity, instead of rampant consumerism. If you are interested in de-stressing your lifestyle and learning how simple pleasures are usually the best, you will enjoy this book immensely.

It is some weird book about a free energy generator. It is hard to read but rewarding. People who like to think about new forms of energy will like it.

This short book packs a lot of info. It helped me to understand the Science Fair Motors that John Bedini has freely given out the schematics on in the last several years. The info is about another type of generator, but the concepts of what is happening inside the lead acid batteries is explained very well! If you are serious about free energy research, this book is a must....

In the last couple of years we've had major biographies of Benjamin Franklin by H.W. Brands, Walter Isaacson, and Edmund Morgan. Now we have Tom Tucker's take on Franklin the "electrical scientist." (Gosh, we haven't even gotten to the tricentennial of Franklin's birth, which will be in 2006. One wonders what's in the publishing pipeline!) This book has quite a few pros and cons. Here are the pros: Because of the 3 recent general biographies, we probably didn't need another one. Mr. Tucker has done us a service by electing to concentrate on Franklin the scientist. And although Mr. Tucker's background is in writing about science, he has an engaging "popular" style. There's nothing dry about this book. Another plus is that Mr. Tucker goes to great pains to show us how myth becomes enshrined as reality. He makes a pretty good case that Franklin never actually flew his "electric kite." Looking carefully at the primary sources, we see that Franklin gave instructions on how to construct such a kite, but never actually claimed to have conducted the "kite in a thunderstorm" experiment himself. He was also uncharacteristically evasive when questioned about details of the experiment. Mr. Tucker also points out that Franklin was not averse to a bit of self-promotion. If people wanted to assume that he had flown a kite in a thunderstorm....well, he wasn't going to disabuse them of the notion. Likewise, although Franklin came up with the idea and "blueprint" for the lightning rod, he apparently tooted his own horn by lying to his European "colleagues" when he claimed that lightning rods were being attached to public buildings in Philadelphia earlier than the historical evidence shows they were. Franklin was presumably miffed that the Royal Society in London had been virtually ignoring the papers he had written on electricity up to this point, and was trying to gain some respect. (There is also evidence that Royal Society member William Watson was trying to claim some of Franklin's theories and experiments had originated, independently, with himself.) So, those are the pros. What are the cons? Perverse as it may seem, zeroing in on Franklin the scientist is one of them. Frankly, (sorry, I couldn't resist) there isn't a whole lot to zero in on. Taking 237 pages to prove that Franklin didn't fly a kite in a thunderstorm, and that he lied about when the first domestic lightning rod was constructed, can tax your patience. Also, anyone who has read anything previous on Franklin won't be surprised by the author's comments that Franklin was fond of hoaxes, practical jokes, and that he was a lot more sophisticated than his public persona. However, the most grievous "negative" is that the author tries to assert that Franklin was responsible for our victory in the Revolutionary War. The logic is as follows: Franklin's self-promotion as an "electrical scientist" resulted in his being immensely popular in France. He parlayed this popularity into gaining a great deal of influence with Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, et al. Bingo....he convinced the French to form an alliance with the upstart Americans, which enabled us to win the war. While it is true that Franklin was popular and had influence, it is a long stretch to say that he was single-handedly responsible for the French coming in on the American side. Other Americans, such as John Adams, played key roles, and the French had excellent reasons of their own to enter the fray. Mr. Tucker may have felt that the basic theme of his book didn't quite pack enough of a wallop, and so he decided to "jazz" the narrative up with "The French Connection." But, he took things a bit too far. In any case, this book is worth reading for its exploration of myth vs. reality and for its elucidation of 18th century professional jealousy and backbiting within the world of the "electrical scientists."

I enjoyed this book because the author obviously likes and respects Benjamin Franklin so the story of how he flew the kite is one of a celebration of Franklin. As an ex-US History I know the playful mischiefness wit of Franklin is lost in our classrooms. The book does a great job of exposing this other side of Franklin so often lost.

this is an excellent book for someone who wants to practically work on some basic digital circuits.this book provides good reading for practical applications and also provides a brief run through of the theorotical knowledge required for a particular circuit.it includes chapters on boolean algebra,combinational and sequential logic circuits and families and chapters on flip flops,counters and registers.however this book is certainly not meant for someone who is looking for some theorotical depth in the subject.

This is quite an excellent lab manual for the enthusiast or beginner of electronics. This specific lab manual, along with the textbook is quite informative and helpeful. It contains such experiments as making BCD and LED counters and the like. Through the principles I've learned through this lab manual, I've even been successful in building my own multi function calculator. Very helpful and informative.

This book is a good book on the subject of Direct energy conversion.The author has given good deal with the various topics of direct energy conversion.Since so many other methods are coming up.The author is requested to update and publish new addition.I thin I have not seen any publication after 1982.So new publication with updating will help for the book to be more papular .

Stanley Angrist does an excellent job of explaining how we convert heat, light and other things into electricity. Although this is an old book, it covers the subject really well. I have used this to teach a course at FIT called "Space Power Systems."

He covers batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaic, thermoelectric, thermionic, radioisotope thermoelectric generators, magneto hydrodynamic generators, fission and fusion. It is written for the science literate, and he explains the basics of quantum physics as it applies to power generation very well.