The Electrical Engineer's Reference Book

The Electrical Engineer's Reference Book was first published in 1945: its original aims, to reflect the state of the art in electrical science and technology, have been kept in view throughout the succeeding decades during which subsequent editions have appeared at regular intervals.
Publication of a new edition gives the opportunity to respond to many of the changes occurring in the practice
of electrical engineering, reflecting not only the current commercial and environmental concerns of society, but also industrial practice and experience plus academic insights into fundamentals. For this 16th edition, thirtynine chapters are either new, have been extensively rewritten, or augmented and updated with new material.
As in earlier editions this wide range of material is brought within the scope of a single volume. To maintain the overall length within the possible bounds some of the older material has been deleted to make way for new  ext. The organisation of the book has been recast in the following format with the aim of facilitating quick  ccess to information.
General Principles (Chapters 1±3) covers basic scientific background material relevant to electrical  ngineering. It includes chapters on units, mathematics and physical quantities, electrotechnology and network analysis. Materials & Processes (Chapters 4±10) describes the fundamentals and range of materials  ncountered in electrical engineering in terms of their electromechanical, thermoelectric and electromagnetic  roperties. Included are chapters on the fundamental properties of materials, conductors and superconductors, semiconductors, insulation, magnetic materials, electroheat and materials processing and welding and  oldering.
Control (Chapters 11±16) is a largely new section with six chapters on electrical measurement and instruments, industrial instrumentation for process control, classical control systems theory, fundamentals of  igital control, microprocessors and programmable controllers. Power Electronics and Drives (Chapters 17±20) reflect the significance of upto 50% of all electrical power passing through semiconductor conversion. The subjects included of greatest importance to industry, particularly those related to the area of electrical variable speed drives, comprise power semiconductor devices, electronic power conversion, electrical  achine drives, motors and actuators.
Environment (Chapters 21±25) is a new section of particular relevance to current concerns in this area  ncluding lighting, environmental control, electromagnetic compatibility, health and safety, and hazardous area technology.
Power Generation (Chapters 26±29) sees some rationalisation of contributions to previous editions in the  argely mechanical engineering area of prime movers, but with an expanded treatment of the increasingly important topic of alternative energy sources, along with further chapters on alternating current generators and batteries.
Transmission and Distribution (Chapters 30±38) is concerned with the methods and equipment involved in the
delivery of electric power from the generator to the consumer. It deals with overhead lines, cables, HVDC transmission, power transformers, switchgear, protection, and optical fibres in power systems and aspects of installation with an additional chapter on the nature of electromagnetic transients.
Power Systems (Chapters 39±43) gathers together those topics concerned with present day power system planning and power system operation and control, together with aspects of related reactive power plant and FACTS controllers. Chapters are included on electricity economics and trading in the liberalised electricity supply industry now existing in many countries, plus an analysis of the power supply quality necessary for modern industrialised nations.
Sectors ofElectricity Use (Chapters 44±49) is a concluding section comprising chapters on the special requirements of agriculture and horticulture, roads, railways, ships, aircraft, and mining with a final chapter providing a preliminary guide to Standards and Certification. Although every effort has been made to cover the scope of electrical engineering, the nature of the subject and the manner in which it is evolving makes it inevitable that improvements and additions are possible and desirable. In order to ensure that the reference information provided remains accurate and relevant, communications from professional engineers are invited and all are given careful consideration in the revision and preparation of new editions of the book. The expert contributions made by all the authors involved and their patience through the editorial process is gratefully acknowledged.
M. A. Laughton
D. F. Warne