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Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity, 8th Edition

Stephen L. Herman, Derek Vigstol

  • Copyright 2026
  • {{checkPublicationMessage('Published', '2025-01-01T00:00:00+0000')}}
Starting At $74.95 See pricing and ISBN options
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Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity 8th Edition by Stephen L. Herman/Derek Vigstol
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Overview

Herman/Vigstol's DELMAR'S STANDARD TEXTBOOK OF ELECTRICITY, 8th Edition, combines basic electrical theory with practical information with no requirement for prior electrical knowledge. The text also limits math to basic algebra and trigonometry with step-by-step examples. Quality schematics and illustrations guide students through basic electrical circuits, DC and AC theory and equipment such as meters, transformers and motors. Numerous examples demonstrate how to complete common tasks electricians perform, while specific units cover only one or two topics each to ensure clarity. In addition, any discussion of installation practices has been written for compliance with the 2023 edition of NFPA 70®: National Electrical Code® (NEC®). MindTap online resources are also available with interactive multimedia and options to customize, track and report progress.

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Meet the Authors

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Stephen L. Herman

Stephen L. Herman was an electrician and proficient instructor with over 30 years of practical experience and was known for his reader-friendly approach. A seasoned author, Mr. Herman wrote leading books on electricity and mathematics that are popular with students and instructors alike. For two decades, Mr. Herman served as lead instructor for the Electrical Technology Curriculum at Lee College in Baytown, Texas, where he received an Excellence in Education Award from the Halliburton Education Foundation. He also taught at Randolph Community College in Asheboro, North Carolina, for nine years and helped pioneer an electrical curriculum for Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant, Texas. His additional publications include ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTROL, ELECTRICITY AND CONTROLS FOR HVAC/R, INDUSTRIAL MOTOR CONTROLS, UNDERSTANDING MOTOR CONTROLS, ELECTRONICS FOR ELECTRICIANS, ALTERNATING CURRENT FUNDAMENTALS, DIRECT CURRENT FUNDAMENTALS, ELECTRICAL STUDIES FOR TRADES, ELECTRICAL PRINCIPLES, EXPERIMENTS IN ELECTRICITY FOR USE WITH LAB VOLT EQUIPMENT, THE COMPLETE LABORATORY MANUAL FOR ELECTRICITY and PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN MATHEMATICS FOR ELECTRICIANS.

Derek Vigstol

Derek Vigstol is an electrical safety consultant for e-Hazard Management, LLC, where he provides training and other consulting services, such as electrical safety audits and electrical safety program development based on OSHA and NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®. Derek earned his master electrician license in the state of Minnesota, where he began his journey into the world of electrical construction. He also was the founder and President of Rum River Home Inspections, LLC. He found his way into a classroom for the Minneapolis Electrical JATC, where he taught both pre-apprentice and apprentice-level electrician students. As an instructor, he participated in the first-ever NEC® Challenge hosted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Derek became the inaugural NEC Challenge Champion after competing against electrical code experts from across the country. This title then earned him a position working as a member of the technical staff at NFPA. Starting in a staff liaison role guiding NFPA members and AHJs on all things electrical-related, Derek worked his way up to electrical technical lead and eventually senior electrical content specialist. In these roles, he had the opportunity to act as a technical contributor to several key projects -- most notable was his role in both the 2017 and 2020 editions of the NEC® Handbook. He is a member of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the National Fire Protection Association. Derek has presented on various electrical topics at conferences around the globe and is a regular contributor to several publications in the electrical industry.

What's New

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  • High quality schematics and large illustrations clearly depict basic electrical circuits, DC and AC theory as well as electrical equipment at work in the field today. Several images have been revised to use color schemes that are more accommodating for those with visual impairments.
  • Electrical safety content has been updated to align with Modern Electrically Safe Work Practices outlined in NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® to help students start their career on the right foot.
  • Learning objectives have been revised to better reflect the content discussed in each unit with a goal of giving the instructor a better understanding of the students’ learning experience.
  • Key concepts have been revised based on requirements in NFPA 70®: National Electrical Code.
  • Review questions have been revised to follow a multiple choice or true/false format and have been directly tied into learning objectives and electronic learning tools.
  • The authors continue to modernize the outdated concepts to better prepare students for today's electrical systems and tools in an effort to shift students away from work practices that are no longer utilized.

Features

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  • This edition continues the effort to limit math concepts to basic algebra and trigonometry. These concepts are logically organized and include step-by-step examples to ensure students master the basics before moving to more advanced topics.
  • "Why You Need to Know" boxed articles highlight the relevance and emphasize the importance of the book's critical topics. These articles demonstrate how these principles are actually used in today's world.
  • Practical "Green Tips" integrated throughout the text, equip students to offer energy-efficient and "green" options as professionals. While these concepts have been updated to best reflect today’s equipment, the electrical field is ever-evolving and they present an opportunity for the instructor’s knowledge of new technology to be front and center.

Table of Contents

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Introduction: Electrical Occupations.
Part I: SAFETY OVERVIEW.
1. Atomic Structure.
2. Electrical Quantities and Ohm's Law.
3. Static Electricity.
4. Magnetism.
5. Resistors.
6. Series Circuits.
7. Parallel Circuits.
8. Combination Circuits.
9. Test Instruments.
10. Determining Conductor Sizes.
11. Conduction in Liquids and Gases.
12. Batteries and Other Sources of Electricity.
13. Magnetic Induction.
14. Basic Trigonometry and Vectors.
15. Alternating Current.
16. Inductance in AC Circuits.
17. Resistive-Inductive Series Circuits.
18. Resistive-Inductive Parallel Circuits.
19. Capacitors.
20. Capacitance in AC Circuits.
21. Resistive-Capacitive Series Circuits.
22. Resistive-Capacitive Parallel Circuits.
23. Resistive-Inductive-Capacitive Series Circuits.
24. Resistive-Inductive-Capacitive Parallel Circuits.
25. Surge Protection and Lightning Protection.
26. Three-Phase Circuits.
27. Single-Phase Transformers.
28. Three-Phase Transformers.
29. DC Generators.
30. DC Motors.
31. Three-Phase Alternators.
32. Three-Phase Motors.
33. Single-Phase Motors.
34. Motor Installation.
35. Harmonics.

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MindTap Options

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MindTap
Each MindTap product offers the full, mobile-ready textbook combined with superior and proven learning tools at one affordable price. Students who purchase digital access can add a print option at any time when a print option is available for their course.

This Cengage solution can be seamlessly integrated into most Learning Management Systems (Blackboard, Brightspace by D2L, Canvas, Moodle, and more) but does require a different ISBN for access codes. Please work with your Cengage Learning Consultant to ensure the proper course set up and ordering information. For additional information, please visit the LMS Integration site.

Standalone Digital Access — Ultimate Value

Recommended and most popular

  • ISBN-10: 0357933907
  • ISBN-13: 9780357933909
  • RETAIL $99.95

  • ISBN-10: 8214116805
  • ISBN-13: 9798214116808
  • RETAIL $99.95

  • ISBN-10: 0357933923
  • ISBN-13: 9780357933923
  • RETAIL $99.95
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Textbook Only Options

Traditional eBook and Print Options

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  • ISBN-10: 0357933966
  • ISBN-13: 9780357933961
  • RETAIL $74.95

  • ISBN-10: 0357933850
  • ISBN-13: 9780357933855
  • RETAIL $235.95
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Supplements

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Cengage provides a range of supplements that are updated in coordination with the main title selection. For more information about these supplements, contact your Learning Consultant.

FOR STUDENTS

MindTap for Herman/Vigstol's Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity, 2 terms Instant Access

ISBN: 9780357933909
MindTap for Herman/Vigstol's DELMAR'S STANDARD TEXTBOOK OF ELECTRICITY, 8th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.

MindTap for Herman/Vigstol's Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity, 1 term Instant Access

ISBN: 9798214116808
MindTap for Herman/Vigstol's DELMAR'S STANDARD TEXTBOOK OF ELECTRICITY, 8th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.

MindTap for Herman/Vigstol's Delmar's Standard Textbook of Electricity, 4 terms Instant Access

ISBN: 9780357933923
MindTap for Herman/Vigstol's DELMAR'S STANDARD TEXTBOOK OF ELECTRICITY, 8th Edition, is the digital learning solution that powers students from memorization to mastery. It gives you complete control of your course to provide engaging content, challenge every individual and build their confidence. Empower students to accelerate their progress with MindTap. MindTap: Powered by You. MindTap gives you complete ownership of your content and learning experience. Customize the interactive syllabi, emphasize the most important topics and add your own material or notes in the eBook.