***Found this PE reference review through work - author unknown***
When you take the actual PE, I would say you only need to bring the first and third books with you. If you've studied as outlined, you will not need to reference any of the others.
PE (Electrical Systems) License Review Manual, Volume 1
C.V. Chelapati
Isbn 0-942115-16-3
- If you can do this entire book, you can very likely pass the exam. This is really the perfect learning/study guide. Explains everything in great detail. The only problem is that I found a couple of small errors and it doesn't cover engineering economics. I started studying it in January 2010 and finished it in august, doing an average of 1-2 hours a day. You can also email the author for clarification, as he still responds to email. It should be noted that this book is designed to take you "soup-to-nuts" for PE Power. It is really the best recommendation I can give.
PE Electrical and Computer: Power Sample Questions and Solutions
NCEES
Isbn 978-1-932613-38-4
- This is basically a sample exam, exactly like the actual exam. I did this over a week, about an hour a day. Good reference and indication of preparedness for the exam. A similar book is offered for all three PE exams.
NEC Code (I used 2008)
- This is a 100% must for the power exam! If you can do the first two books, you'll get pretty good at the code since it is referenced thoroughly.
Handbook of Electrical Power Calculations
H. Wayne Beaty
Isbn 0-07-136298-3
- Tons and tons of power engineering problems spanning PE topics and more. It also is pretty well written (with only a couple sections hard to follow). What's more, the methods shown are typically different than the Chelapati book, allowing for greater insight when combined. This book was used to fill in any gaps left by the previous books - maybe a week of studying.
Electrical Engineering Quick Reference for Power, Electrical & Electronics, and Computer PE Exams
John A Camara
Isbn 978-159126-113-1
- I think this book has been replaced w/ three separate books for each exam. I referenced this a lot. However, I also added my own notes to it which were referenced at least as much. The reference books by Camara are the only ones worth purchasing - his practice problems are useless (I have that book too, but it is not good).
Power Systems Analysis
Grainger
Isbn 0-07-113338-0
-Although this book doesn't give test like problems, it is superb for discussing the theory behind the problems. T-lines, transformer configs, surge z, power flow, symmetrical faults & components, and zero sequence topics are really fleshed out in here. I referenced throughout my study sessions.
I'd also recommend a good power electronics book. I used Fundamentals of Power Electronics by Erickson. Helped with inverter/converter problems.
The only other thing is to bone up on engineering econ! I skipped that part during studying because I didn't see it in the practice exam. Well, low and behold, there were 6-10 of those guys on the exam! I didn’t have the required tables, so I had to guess :/ Also, do not buy any of the Schaums books. I bought both the Systems and Power Electronics ones and was thoroughly disappointed. I also bought a couple other books, but they're not worth mentioning (they were that bad).
