For anyone in the HVAC electrical trades, residential wiring is a frequent part of the job. Thermostats, control circuits, and furnace connections all rely on clean, safe wiring. A thorough reference can help you confirm a wiring method or study a topic you don't deal with daily. That's why a used copy of Electrical Wiring Residential, the textbook by Ray C. Mullin and Phil Simmons, is a serious option. But you need to decide if a used copy is enough.
Quick verdict
This copy of Electrical Wiring Residential is a complete textbook, not a condensed guide. It costs $63.09 and offers thorough coverage of residential wiring. If you want a full wiring text for your library, this is a reasonable choice.
Who it suits
The book suits HVAC technicians who want to strengthen their electrical foundation, as well as apprentices and trainers in the field. Because it's a revised edition, it follows a modern curriculum, and the course-style layout works for people who prefer to learn from beginning to end. It's less suited to someone who wants a quick pocket guide or a code summary.
What stands out from the listed details
The foldout plans are the standout detail. They let you follow along with residential wiring plans as you read, which is useful for visualizing how circuits, panels, and fixtures connect. The book is a large trade paperback, with a height of 10.9 inches and a thickness of 1.5 inches, so it's substantial enough to stay open on a bench. The ISBN 9780357366479 places it in the Mindtap Course List series, a textbook format used with electrical training courses.
Electrical Wiring Residential: Includes Foldout Plans
One reason to go with this copy is that you get the full revised textbook, including the foldout plans. The flip side is the acceptable condition: the item might be beaten up but readable, so you could see scuffs, creases, or notes inside.
Meaningful trade-offs
The biggest trade-off is the condition. You're paying for a used textbook, and "acceptable" means it won't look new. That's fine if you're using it as a workbench reference or study tool, but not ideal if you want a clean book for a professional shelf. The content, however, isn't affected by the wear. There's also the scope to consider. The title says Residential, so the material focuses on residential wiring systems. If most of your HVAC calls are in commercial or industrial buildings, you might need a separate reference for those systems. This book covers the residential side thoroughly, but it isn't a universal electrical manual.
Bottom line
For an HVAC professional looking to round out their electrical knowledge, this used copy of Electrical Wiring Residential is a practical buy. The $63.09 price includes the full trade paperback. It's worth adding to your tool bag if you need a thorough residential wiring reference.
