You can find electrical information resources that provide a variety of information, including electrical product information, electrical contractor information, electrical reference information, electric power information and electrical industry information.

Information on electrical resources can help you complete your job more effectively and efficiently. You may also require additional electrical related information, such as installation information, permits, fees and inspections, licensing and forms and publications.

Some important parameters you must consider before using electrical information resources are:

1. Type of electrical information required
2. Reliability and coverage of the information available on electrical resources database
3. Type of decision you want to take using the electrical research
4. Relevance of the electrical information
5. Cost-value analysis if the access to the electrical information resources are premium based

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use electrical information materials from technical search engines

You can refer to the information provided by the websites that help electrical research. These websites help a user to select a product by providing detailed and relevant electrical information.

I recommend: Business.com is a reputable business search engine that also provides electrical reference material for the electrical products industry. GlobalSpec, another technical search engine, provides information on electrical products that you want to buy or rent. Global Sources also provides information on electrical products and services for the prospective buyers.

Search for electrical information at leading universities

You can search fundamental electrical information and the research in progress at educational institutions and universities. The libraries of the universities and institutions are one of the most reliable sources for reference about the electrical information and products.

I recommend: You can refer to online library of MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), a leading institution. University of Maryland helps its students and faculty members in finding information resources in the field of electrical and computer engineering. Evaluate the library services offered by University of Washington Libraries where you can search for relevant research on electrical information. The library resource of Harvard University is another online resource that provides information to the members including students and researchers.

Buy books and magazines that provide reference to electrical information

Purchase electric industry books and periodicals that provide electrical information as well as relevant updates.

I recommend: MagsontheNet.com is an online resource that lists magazines on various subjects including magazines that provide electrical information. ‘Electrical Today’ magazine from The Electricity Forum provides the latest information on the electrical industry. You can also refer to the information available at Industrial Machinery Digest, an online source of electric industry research. EA-Online provides services including both online and written electric industry resources for finding electrical equipment and supplies of all makes, models, and sizes.

Access electrical information at reputable associations of manufacturers and state departments

The associations and state departments provide detailed electrical information and updates about the development in the electrical industry.

I recommend: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is a reputable source for electrical information that provides varied information on different topics including basics for home and business owners, electrical installation information and details of state electrical board members. You can further subscribe to the newsletters from National Fire Protection Association that gives further insight on the electrical industry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use the catalogs and classification tools on the information resources to save time to get required electrical reports.
• •  You can participate in electrical expos and exhibitions to update your electrical products industry information.