Choosing between these two reference books comes down to one question: are you wiring a house or interpreting the code that governs it? Both are trade paperbacks in very good condition, and both are aimed at people studying the electrical trade. One takes a revised approach to residential wiring; the other uses illustrations to walk you through the National Electrical Code. Their listed prices sit at opposite ends of the range, so your decision matters for your wallet as well as your shelf.
Quick verdict
Get the Mullin and Simmons residential wiring book if you want a revised house-wiring reference at the lower listed price. Get the Miller illustrated NEC guide if your priority is visual code interpretation and you are willing to spend more for that focus.
Price and focus comparison
| Product | Listed price | Price bar | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) | USD 60.32 | Residential wiring methods and revision-focused study | |
| Mindtap Course List Ser.: Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code | USD 89.00 | Visual code explanations and NEC reference |
Where each product wins
- Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) wins for house-wiring study: it is a revised trade paperback from Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons, and it comes in at the lower listed price.
- Mindtap Course List Ser.: Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code wins for code study: Charles Miller's illustrated approach makes NEC topics easier to follow, and the copy includes clean pages and unanswered practice questions.
Product notes
Electrical Wiring Residential (MindTap Course List) - Paperback - VERY GOOD
Ray Mullin and Phil Simmons wrote this revised residential wiring reference, and it is available as a very good trade paperback. Choose it when your study plan centers on how circuits, outlets, and residential systems are actually wired. The lower listed price makes it the easier pick if you are buying for personal study. The main limitation is that its focus is residential wiring rather than a fully illustrated NEC walkthrough, so if you need to learn the code through visuals, you will likely want the Miller guide instead.
Mindtap Course List Ser.: Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code
Charles Miller wrote this illustrated guide to the National Electrical Code, and it is listed in very good condition as a trade paperback. Its strength is visual learning: the illustrations are built around code concepts, which can help you see how rules apply in real installations. The copy includes clean pages and unanswered practice questions, so you can write in it as you study. The tradeoff is the higher listed price, and it is not a residential wiring method book, so you will need a separate reference for whole-house wiring details.
Final choice by use case
For a residential wiring refresher that is easier on your budget, go with Electrical Wiring Residential as your primary handbook. For a code-focused study guide with visual support, pick the Illustrated Guide to the National Electrical Code and use it as your NEC companion.
