ABB’s Electrical Installation Handbook Volume 2 has been a go-to quick-reference since the early 2000s, offering compact tables and ready-made examples for everything that sits downstream of the main LV switchboard: cable sizing, overload & short-circuit protection, lighting, motors, PF correction and more. The current 3rd edition (document ID 1SDC010001D0203, printed 2005) remains freely downloadable from ABB’s library and continues to show up on every savvy engineer’s hard drive.
Table of Contents
Book at a Glance
| Full Title | Electrical Installation Handbook – Volume 2: Electrical Devices |
| Edition / Year | 3rd Edition • 2005 |
| Publisher | ABB SACE Division |
| Length | 137 pp. PDF (≈ 1.8 MB) |
| Format & Price | Free PDF download; legacy hard copy occasionally ~€30 on eBay |
| Primary Audience | Consulting engineers, panel builders, maintenance teams, electrical-trade educators |
| Key Focus | Protection devices, cable & busbar sizing, motor & transformer protection, power-factor correction, residual-current safety |
Why Electrical Installation Handbook Volume 2 Still Matters
- Tables you actually use – k²t constants, derating factors, Ik calcs and selectivity charts live on one spread for lightning-fast look-ups.
- IEC 60947 & 60364 alignment – All examples cite the relevant clause numbers, so consultants can cross-check against current standards with minimal tweaking.
- Device-agnostic formulas – Although published by ABB, the handbook focuses on principles first; parts lists are brand-neutral, so you can swap in Schneider, Siemens or LS equivalents.
- Pocket size – At just 137 pages, it’s easy to keep on a tablet for site walk-downs.
Chapter Highlights
| Section | What You’ll Learn | Typical Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Standards & Symbols | IEC installation categories, IP/IK ratings | Specification boiler-plate |
| 2. Feeder Protection | Cable sizing, thermal constraints, short-circuit checks | Quick XLS calculator inputs |
| 3. Busbar Trunking Systems | Current-carrying capacity, tap-off rules | Riser design sketches |
| 4. Lighting Circuits | Inrush factors, protection device choice | Warehouse LED panel layout |
| 5. Motor Protection | DOL vs. soft-start selection, coordination curves | MCC starter list |
| 6. Transformer Protection | MV/LV transformer fuse & breaker tables | Package-substation BOM |
| 7. Power-Factor Correction | Capacitor bank sizing, detuned reactors | PF-correction cabinet spec |
| 8. Residual-Current Devices | Type A vs. Type B, selectivity charts | EV-charger RCD choice |
Strengths
- Field-tested clarity – The same tables have appeared for 20 years in ABB seminar slide decks; you know they’ve survived countless audits.
- Selectivity made simple – Step-by-step procedure shows how to overlay trip-curve PDFs—perfect for tender deadlines.
- Bridge between design & install – Torque values, tightening sequences and maintenance intervals save a separate search through catalogs.
Limitations
| Limitation | Impact | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 standards snapshot | Missing AFDDs, SPDs per IEC 60364-4-44-2018 | Cross-check with latest ABB Selectivity & Backup guide or Schneider EIG 2024 |
| Metric-only cable tables | US NEC users need AWG conversion | Pair with NEC Table 310 or Eaton Wiring Manual |
| Brand references in examples | Some device codes are ABB-specific | Replace with equivalent model numbers; principles unchanged |
How It Compares
| Feature | ABB Handbook Vol 2 (2005) | Schneider Electrical Installation Guide 2024 | Eaton Wiring Manual 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | 137 | ~600 | 594 |
| Price | Free | Free | Free |
| Main Scope | Devices & protection | Full LV design | Machine/control-panel wiring |
| Latest IEC alignment | 2005 snapshot | 2023 Amend. 2 | 2022/23 mix |
| Best For | Fast device & selectivity look-ups | Comprehensive design & calcs | Motor-control schematics |
FAQ
Is Electrical Installation Handbook Volume 2 suitable for beginners?
Yes—each table is preceded by a short plain-English intro; perfect for apprentices under a supervisor’s eye.
Does the handbook include short-circuit calculation methods?
Section 2 provides both IEC 60909 equations and ready-made k²t tables for cables and busbars.
Where can I download the PDF?
From ABB’s public library or various engineering blogs hosting the file ID 1SDC010001D0203.
Is Volume 1 required to use Volume 2?
No. Volume 1 covers main LV distribution; Volume 2 focuses on downstream devices. They complement but don’t depend on each other.
