Handbook of Electric Power Calculations

Some context: I never met a test I didn't like, graduated with BSEE from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in 1982, and found the P.E. to be sophomore-to-junior level with low-to-moderate difficulty and depth - with no significant time pressure - one hour average per problem.

You can make the P.E. difficult if you only do the power problems. Electric Power only scratches a small part of the PE, which also includes:

Digital logic, Communications, Integration, Filters, Op amp applications, Control systems/application of feedback, NEC (my 1994 test had a grounding problem),

The EE Review Manual is much broader in scope and was written specifically for the P.E. It was the only book I actually used at the test (and I had "Electric Power Calculations").

I remember doing problems as follows: 1) A freshman-level problem relating power and energy (first page of the test and shockingly rudimentary) 2) An integration problem - find the RMS value of a sine-wave 10V peak-to-peak, chopped at 65% - another freshman level problem 3) An op amp problem - find the rise time, calculate the value of feedback resistors, draw bode plot showing frequency response 4) A grounding problem using NEC (I DIDN'T HAVE MY NEC! But did the problem anyway since I'd been doing a lot of commercial design) 5) A Control Systems problem - classic transfer function with feedback problem 6) A Sallen and Key low-pass filter problem. 7) A power problem - transformer regulation with non-purely-resistive load. 8) ?

A word of encouragement for prospective P.E.'s: Don't sweat that fact that you may not have prepared adequately - take it anyway. I delayed sitting for it because of this non-reason, and cost myself tens-of-thousands of dollars. Apply for it, don't tell anyone you're taking it, and go in with no pressure. Like Doritos tortilla chips "they'll make more" If you get a 69, you'll get to take the test again.

I took the test with no preparation, walked out of the afternoon session (multiple choice) with one-and-one-half hours to spare, and got a 76 (laughing when I got the notice). Real-world consulting and my classes at Rose were and are far, far, more difficult.

Go get `em!!


Everything you never wanted to know about power calculations   April 12, 2000
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

Calculations for network analysis, instrumentation, dc machines, transformers, 3 phase induction motors, single phase induction motors, synchronous machines, transmission lines, electric-power networks, load-flow studies, power-system control, short-circuit computations, system grounding, power-system protection, power-system stability, cogeneration, batteries, economic methods, and lighting design are covered in separate chapters. The information is available, it's just not easy to find. Small type makes reading difficult for anything other than short periods.

I haven't found any errors in formulae or explanations. The organization is logical and, except for the spacing, easy to follow.

Each section has it's own table of contents. The Index is large and appears to encompass most of the important topics in the book.

I'm using it to prepare for and take my Professional Engineering Exam and it looks like it will be an excellent reference.... this is the book I'd buy to have a handbook close at hand for quick, look ups.