I wish that NFPA would bring back the smaller version of the NEC.

I miss having that handy size!

Does this fall under "Old dogs new tricks?" I like the new size. Anyone familiar with a Grainger catalog? I think the NEC would be getting close to that thickness if it was the old size.

Either 3 inches thick, or print so small you need a magnifying glass to read it.

Greetings Earl. Its good to see you here. You'll be a valued resource.

Joe,

Maybe the smaller book is easier to carry around, but the bigger format that lays flat is better for the office.

Ditto to Ryan's post
Welcome Earl!


Bill

PS, if it would be as thick as Graingers catalog forget what I said above.


Bill

I remember not thinking much of the new size when it came out in 99, but I've grown to appreciate it for the print size as I age.

Thinking about it being the size of the Grainger catalog is really scary.

I would also like to say welcome to Earl.

Roger

I wish the code book would revert back to the good ole days when I could size a conductor for a job by looking in one table for 3 current carrying wires in raceway, and not have to perform 3 seperate alternate calculations to get the best answer. Also I knew how many wires of type thhn for a given size fit into a 3/4" conduit by looking in one single spot in chapter 9. However if the old ways resulted in more fires across the country, then I guess its Aidios old friend, and on with the new.

maybe they could have a seperate book just for all the exceptions?

The 1999 NEC is the size of a phone book. I have the soft-cover version -- only type that was available for sale at the NYC Government bookstore plus the local ammendments.

[threadjack]
Has anyone ever written a "WHY" book on the NEC? As to why such and such a rule has been established?[/threadjack]

Sven: Have patience. David Shapiro and I are working on just such a book now. If you have anything you think should be in it, let us know. Creighton

Cool, sign me up for one!

Can I get a signed copy?

Bob

The techniques used to print Bibles could be used to make a nice compact, durable code but it would then be $60 to NFPA and another $60 to the printer. At least for residential, the cut down pocket version is handy to keep with you.

The same happened here in Britain when a larger format was introduced for the 1981 edition.

The older editions of our code book were a much more convenient size, about 8 x 6.

..I put mine in a loose leaf binder, that I keep on the truck, and then I have the Handbook, that I keep at home...I also have 2 small books, one for residential, and the other for commercial/industrial applications written by the NFPA,they go for about $27.00 each,but they're compact and filled with Code articles...I can't remember the exact name,but they are small,black soft cover books...got them in Barnes and Noble...

The electronic NEC doesn't take up any room at all!
I'm with Roger. My '96 NEC has become more difficult to read as my eyes degrade, even though the print is only slightly smaller.
Sure fit on the dashboard nicely, though...S

[This message has been edited by electure (edited 12-28-2003).]

great, you just had to bring up the print size in an age-heavy trade electure !


by that rationale, the 08' should have a type size pursuant to a 3' square book remenisent of grade school caliber fare....

~S~

Attic Rat:
They are called the Pocket Guide to Electrical Installations. Volume 1 covers residential and volume 2 covers commercial and industrial. They are $26 from NFPA, or both for $44, (even less for members) plus shipping. Save your $ shop on the net!
very handy pocket stuffing size.

I prefer the current "Larger" sized version of the NEC.
Text is a little larger, the book stays open easier on my desktop
(actual real desktop, not what's "inside my monitor" desktop ...),
and since pages are larger, each page holds more text - so book is less bloated.

Now to get Grainger to follow... images are easy to see, but that <4 point text is quite blurry for me after doing some "Marathon" CAD / PC work!

Funny thing about what has been mentioned by others in regards to larger text (at least funny to me):

If my eyes keep progressively getting worse, I would totally support the printed hard copy version of 2008 NEC using 24 point bold Sans Serif fonts! Something in an Arial or Swiss flavor will be fine.
Weights of Character sets would increase in a linear fashion per every other code cycle - meaning that by 2014, font size would increase to 48 points, and by 2020, font size would be at 72 points!

After that, the term "Mr. Magoo" applies to me - and as a result, it's time for "The NEC On Audio Tape" - or more like my CD version of the NEC would contain Digital Audio only!

Just give me a copy with individual letters cut out of Magazines, glued to blank paper - similar to the "Stereotypical" Kidnappers' ransom notes in Movies.
(I used to have a font that had this look, and man I sent out some crazy looking memos!).

Scott35

Man...we have alot of old people with bad eyesight here...I really miss the old size.
I wish we had a choice.
The smaller size is better in the field. I have the binder right now...my dad swaped with me and I hate it too. I miss the days of being a 20 year old journeyman, carrying a small code book...not a care in the world..:0)


[This message has been edited by pip (edited 01-01-2004).]

how about an encyclopidic approach ? each article has it's own book?

Shutup Steve.

Roger

How much of the code do you really need?

Tooo Funny ,..LMAO!!!!

..Mine eyes are faltering as well!!!!

[This message has been edited by Attic Rat (edited 01-03-2004).]

i agree joe the old style no matter how thick it becomes is much easier to flip through. every code class and test ive ever taken has been about speed and correct answers. the newer code book is frail by comparison. i used to enjoy blazing through the old code books. but i doubt they will ever go back to the old style. so i have to suck it up and get on with it.

The 'new' closer-to-letter-sized pages are preferable — more typical of most books on the shelf these days.

The binary version is indispensable, though, for doing any searches, or citing paragraphs in any correspondence.