When you are working your way through the electrical trades, the textbook choice can feel as important as the wiring diagram itself. Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons wrote both a Residential and a Commercial volume in the MindTap Course List series, so the real decision is which side of the trade you are studying. The used Residential paperback is listed at a lower price, while the Commercial trade paperback is brand new. Do you prioritize cost or condition?
Quick verdict
If your study plan is centered on residential wiring, the used Electrical Wiring Residential paperback is the more economical starting point. If you are moving toward commercial wiring and want a fresh copy, the Electrical Wiring Commercial volume is the stronger match.
Comparison at a glance
| Product | Listed price | Condition | Format | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) | USD 60.32 | Good | Trade Paperback | Residential wiring |
| Electrical Wiring Commercial (MindTap Course List) | USD 81.99 | Brand New | Trade Paperback | Commercial wiring |
The listed-price gap between the two options is $21.67.
Where each product wins
- Electrical Wiring Residential wins when you want to spend less and your coursework is residential. The Good condition is a tradeoff, and the used copy may not include supplemental items such as CDs or access codes.
- Electrical Wiring Commercial wins when new condition matters and your focus is commercial wiring. The 640-page revised trade paperback gives you a substantial text to work through, and because it is Brand New, the pages will not show wear before you start.
Product notes
Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) - Paperback - GOOD
At $60.32, this is the lower-priced option in this head-to-head. It is a used paperback in Good condition, so you can expect normal wear from an earlier reader, and textbooks may not include supplemental items such as CDs or access codes. If your training is residential-focused, the revised edition by Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons covers the home side of the trade. The trade paperback format and ISBN 9780357366479 make it an easy candidate to match against your course reading list. Choose it when you want to keep your study budget lower and don't mind buying used.
Mindtap Course List Ser.: Electrical Wiring Commercial by Ray Mullin and Phil
At $81.99, this Commercial volume costs more but arrives Brand New. The 2020 revised trade paperback from Cengage Learning spans 640 pages and is written for the Technology & Engineering side of wiring, with a focus on commercial construction. Because it is new, you do not have to wonder about wear when you crack open the book. The ISBN is 9780357137697. If your coursework leans commercial rather than residential, the substantial page count gives you room for commercial wiring methods. Choose it when new condition and commercial scope matter more than the lower price.
Final choice by use case
For a residential wiring course and a smaller study budget, the Electrical Wiring Residential paperback is the practical pick at its lower listed price. For a commercial wiring course, or when you want a brand-new edition, the Electrical Wiring Commercial trade paperback is the one to put in your bag.
