Most homeowners own—or have at least flipped through—Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring. Fewer realize there’s a slim spin-off booklet laser-focused on circuit layouts: Wiring Diagrams Current With 2011-2013 Electrical Codes (Editors of CPi, 2013). Pulled from the 5th-edition Complete Guide, this 44-page “Quick Read” gives you nothing but wiring diagrams, newly updated to comply with the 2011 NEC and 2012/13 IRC revisions. Scribd
Table of Contents
Book at a Glance
| Full Title | Wiring Diagrams: Current with 2011-2013 Electrical Codes |
| Series | Black & Decker Inspector’s Notebook / Quick-Read |
| Publisher / Year | Creative Publishing International • 2013 |
| Length | 44 pp. (full-color) |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1589236011 (digital) |
| Formats | eBook (EPUB/PDF) • occasionally bundled in print box-sets |
| Typical Price | US $3.99 e-book; used print inserts ≈ US $6–10 eBay |
| Audience | DIYers, apprentice electricians, home inspectors, code-update trainers |
What’s Inside?
- Circuit Maps (20 pp.) – Top-down diagrams for 15 common household circuits: 1- & 2-way light switches, 3-way and 4-way stair runs, switched receptacles, bath fan/light combos, GFCI strings, split-wires for kitchens, dryer & range circuits. Each map labels cable type, conductor color, and NEC-mandated box-fill or device-rating notes.
- Code Call-outs – Sidebar balloons cite the exact 2011/13 NEC paragraphs (e.g., 210.8(A) for bathroom GFCIs, 406.4(D)(5) for tamper-resistant receptacles).
- Device Legend – One-page icon key with symbols for switches, fixtures, receptacles, splices, grounds, cable feeds.
- Trouble-Spot Gallery – Ten photo vignettes (“reverse-wired receptacle,” “shared-neutral overfill”) showing what inspectors flag most often, plus quick fixes.
Strengths
| ✅ | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Laser-focused | No tool tutorials or theory—just diagrams, ideal when your hands are in the box and you can’t flip 350 pages. |
| Code citations | Instant cross-check with the 2011-2013 code cycle—useful for inspectors or anyone finishing a lingering remodel. |
| Color clarity | Conductors shaded by function (hot, neutral, ground, travelers) reduce mis-reads under site lighting. |
| Budget price | At under $4 digitally, it’s cheaper than most coffee runs—and easier to scroll on a phone in the attic. |
Limitations
| ❗ | Impact | Work-around |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow scope | Only 15 household circuits; no multi-wire branch, sub-panel or low-voltage diagrams. | Keep the full Complete Guide to Wiring for edge cases. |
| Dated code cycle | NEC 2020 now rules most U.S. jurisdictions. | Use booklet for visual logic, then verify any new breaker/GFCI locations against NEC 2020 or local amendments. |
| Digital-only for many buyers | Print inserts can be hard to source. | Download the PDF/ePub and print key pages in a sleeve for site use. |
How It Compares
| Feature | Wiring Diagrams (Quick Read) | Black & Decker Complete Guide to Wiring 5e | Ultimate Guide: Wiring, 9e (Creative Homeowner) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pages | 44 | 352 | 304 |
| Pure diagram content | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Code cycle | 2011-2013 | 2011-2013 | 2020 |
| Project tutorials | None | 60+ | 50+ |
| Best for | Fast circuit look-ups | Full DIY projects | Modern code overview |
SEO-Friendly FAQ
Is Wiring Diagrams Current With 2011-2013 Electrical Codes good for beginners?
Yes—each diagram shows conductor colors and cable types, so novices can trace wires visually without deep theory.
Does it replace the full Complete Guide to Wiring?
No—it’s an excerpt. Use it as a quick-reference supplement on site.
Are the diagrams still safe under newer codes?
The layouts remain safe, but GFCI/AFCI and service-size requirements evolved after 2014. Always double-check with NEC 2020 or local amendments.
Where can I buy it?
The eBook is on OverDrive, Kindle, and Google Play; print versions appear on eBay or inside some Black & Decker wiring kits.
