Finding the Perfect EE Book for Beginners

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around recommendations for beginner-level electrical engineering (EE) books, with a focus on foundational concepts in circuit analysis. Participants explore various resources and share their experiences with different texts, while also addressing the mathematical skills necessary for understanding EE topics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest "Engineering Circuit Analysis" by Hayt and Kemmerly as a solid starting point for learning circuit theory.
  • Others inquire about the participant's goals, whether they aim to enter an EE program or self-learn the basics.
  • There are discussions about the importance of mathematical skills, including algebra, trigonometry, and calculus, for understanding circuit concepts.
  • One participant mentions the need for practice and time commitment in mastering circuit analysis, sharing their own study habits.
  • Another participant recommends an online circuit simulator as a helpful tool for visualizing circuit behavior.
  • Some participants express their struggles with applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems in EE.
  • A suggestion is made for "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz as a useful reference for both analog and digital electronics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of foundational knowledge in circuit analysis and the necessity of mathematical skills. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the best resources and approaches for beginners, and the discussion remains unresolved on which book is definitively the best for beginners.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about their mathematical background and its impact on their understanding of EE concepts. There are also mentions of different editions of recommended books potentially having significant variations.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in starting their journey in electrical engineering, particularly those seeking foundational knowledge in circuit analysis and related mathematical skills.

Frederica Salt
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Suggestion for best book for basic EE please. I think I need the very basic one. Please. :biggrin:
 
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"Engineering Circuit Analysis" by Hayt and Kemmerly. I used this book for Circuits I, Circuits II, various lab courses, and as a reference. I still have it and still use it to this day (and I graduated from college in 2003).

http://www.slideshare.net/nakulrtm/engineering-circuit-analysis7th-editionhayt-and-kimmerly

How are your algebra, trigonometry, complex numbers, and calculus skills?
 
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What are your goals? Are you trying to prep entering into an EE program? or just want to self learn some of the basics?

EE is a large field covering many topics :) But Circuit analysis as EM_Guy suggested is never a bad place to start :)
 
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EM_Guy said:
"Engineering Circuit Analysis" by Hayt and Kemmerly. I used this book for Circuits I, Circuits II, various lab courses, and as a reference. I still have it and still use it to this day (and I graduated from college in 2003).

http://www.slideshare.net/nakulrtm/engineering-circuit-analysis7th-editionhayt-and-kimmerly

How are your algebra, trigonometry, complex numbers, and calculus skills?
I've just read the first chapter Sir. I downloaded a pdf. That was the same book our instructor recommended. But my analysis is not that good. I really want to get familiar with the basics. :rolleyes: I think I'm kind of good in math Sir, but not that in application.
 
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cpscdave said:
What are your goals? Are you trying to prep entering into an EE program? or just want to self learn some of the basics?

EE is a large field covering many topics :) But Circuit analysis as EM_Guy suggested is never a bad place to start :)
I have a Basic EE subject because I'm taking up Civil Eng'g. We have tackled the lessons already in Physics but still, I have difficulties especially in application and I really want to good at it. :rolleyes: :biggrin:
 
I'm not sure what to tell you. Math is the language of circuits. I don't see any way around it. But it does take a lot of time and practice. When I took Circuits I, I spent 3-5 hours studying outside of class for every hour I spent in class. If you go step-by-step, it is all pretty straightforward. But if you are weak in algebra, logarithms, complex numbers, exponential decays, or basic calculus, then you need to get up to speed in those. However, to learn the basics of circuit theory (DC circuits with no capacitors or inductors and only using voltage sources and resistors), you just need to know basic algebra.

All the best. There are plenty of people on these forums to help you if you have specific questions.
 
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EM_Guy said:
I'm not sure what to tell you. Math is the language of circuits. I don't see any way around it. But it does take a lot of time and practice. When I took Circuits I, I spent 3-5 hours studying outside of class for every hour I spent in class. If you go step-by-step, it is all pretty straightforward. But if you are weak in algebra, logarithms, complex numbers, exponential decays, or basic calculus, then you need to get up to speed in those. However, to learn the basics of circuit theory (DC circuits with no capacitors or inductors and only using voltage sources and resistors), you just need to know basic algebra.

All the best. There are plenty of people on these forums to help you if you have specific questions.
Yes yes. I guess so. Anyway, thank you Sir. I really have to practice more and more. :smile:
 
Also take a look at http://www.falstad.com/circuit/ its a really great online simple circuit simulator. When I was going through the various circuit course we took, I found it quite helpful to "see" what was going on.
 
cpscdave said:
Also take a look at http://www.falstad.com/circuit/ its a really great online simple circuit simulator. When I was going through the various circuit course we took, I found it quite helpful to "see" what was going on.
I think this will help. Thanks.
 
  • #10
Hello Mrs. Salt! - Welcome --

How do you see EE knowledge fitting into your world. Just like CivE -- EE is pretty broad.
 
  • #11
Windadct said:
Hello Mrs. Salt! - Welcome --

How do you see EE knowledge fitting into your world. Just like CivE -- EE is pretty broad.
#Ms :biggrin: I think we just have to make an electrical plan at the end of the semester, but our instructor maybe wanted us to really know the basic, testing us if we can. Just maybe. :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
I have a friend that is a PE Civ - he does Traffic ( I only hate him a little for this! :rolleyes: ) -- By electrical plan, for what - do you need to make a circuit?

Point being - the logic of a traffic intersection with LED lights - and sensors could be done in about 20 Hours of work -- I just realized it could all be done in simulation!
 
  • #13
Oh and my apologizes on the Mrs vs Ms... Etiquette level = Engineer - cheers
 
  • #14
Windadct said:
Oh and my apologizes on the Mrs vs Ms... Etiquette level = Engineer - cheers
It's okay. Haha
 
  • #15
The Art of Electronics, by Horowitz, is a wonderful reference I find for analogue electronics. I haven't really used it for digital electronics, but I found our digital course pretty easy so I didn't need to.

It covers electronics and electric circuits from RC circuits and basic digital electronics up through microprocessors and signal processing. It's not very deep, but for a non specialist I imagine it would be more than sufficient. You can usually find some cheaper ones on ebay, but apparently some of the older editions are very different from the newer ones, so check around (I don't recall which edition my one is).
 

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