Recommended Books for Instrumentation and Electrical Engineers
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Good reference books save engineers countless hours. This list covers the books that instrumentation, control and industrial electrical engineers most often keep on their desks, from comprehensive handbooks to beginner-friendly textbooks. It is organized by topic so you can find what you need for your current stage of learning.
Editions change over time; check for the latest edition before buying.
Comprehensive handbooks
| Book | Author / editor | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Instrument Engineers’ Handbook (multi-volume) | Béla G. Lipták (editor) | The most comprehensive reference on process measurement, analysis, control and software; used by practicing engineers worldwide |
| Handbook of Electrical Engineering: For Practitioners in the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Industry | Alan L. Sheldrake | Practical electrical engineering for process plants |
| Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook | Richard W. Miller | In-depth reference on flow measurement, especially differential pressure meters |
Instrumentation and measurement textbooks
| Book | Author | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Process Control Instrumentation Technology | Curtis D. Johnson | Beginner to intermediate; widely used in technical education |
| Measurement and Instrumentation: Theory and Application | Alan S. Morris and Reza Langari | Measurement principles, errors and sensors |
| Fundamentals of Industrial Instrumentation and Process Control | William C. Dunn | Clear introduction to instruments and control |
| Instrumentation for Process Measurement and Control | Norman A. Anderson | Practical process instrumentation |
| Principles of Industrial Instrumentation | D. Patranabis | Popular textbook in Indian engineering programs |
| Industrial Instrumentation and Control | S. K. Singh | Instrumentation and control fundamentals, common in Indian curricula |
Free and open resources
- Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation by Tony R. Kuphaldt: a large, free textbook released under a Creative Commons license, covering instrumentation, control, electrical fundamentals and troubleshooting in a very practical way.
- Control Valve Handbook from Emerson (Fisher): a free, detailed reference on control valve selection, sizing and application.
- Manufacturer application guides and white papers: instrument, valve and analyzer manufacturers publish excellent free technical guides on measurement principles and installation.
Process control
| Book | Author | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Process Dynamics and Control | Dale E. Seborg, Thomas F. Edgar, Duncan A. Mellichamp, Francis J. Doyle III | Standard university text on process control |
| Process Control: Modeling, Design, and Simulation | B. Wayne Bequette | Modeling and control design with simulation |
See also our guide to PID Control.
Electrical power and machines
| Book | Author | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Machinery Fundamentals | Stephen J. Chapman | Motors, generators and transformers |
| Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design | Ned Mohan, Tore M. Undeland, William P. Robbins | Drives, converters and power electronics |
| Industrial Power Distribution | Ralph E. Fehr III | Industrial power systems design |
| Electrical Power Systems | C. L. Wadhwa | Power system fundamentals, widely used in India |
The IEEE 3000 Standards Collection (the successor to the IEEE “Color Books,” such as the Green Book on grounding and the Buff Book on protection) provides recommended practices for industrial power systems.
PLCs, networks and cybersecurity
| Book | Author | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable Logic Controllers | Frank D. Petruzella | PLC fundamentals and programming |
| Practical Industrial Data Networks | Steve Mackay and co-authors | Industrial communication networks |
| Industrial Network Security | Eric D. Knapp and Joel Thomas Langill | Securing industrial control systems |
How to use these books effectively
- Start with one foundational text matched to your level, rather than several at once.
- Keep a handbook for reference, and look up topics as they come up in real work.
- Combine reading with practice: calibrate a transmitter, trace a loop, tune a controller, or use our free calculators.
- Follow standards for authoritative requirements; books explain, standards specify.
- Read manufacturer documentation for the specific equipment you work with.
Key takeaways
- Lipták’s Instrument Engineers’ Handbook is the core professional reference.
- Johnson, Morris and Dunn provide accessible textbooks for learning instrumentation.
- Kuphaldt’s free Lessons In Industrial Instrumentation is an outstanding no-cost resource.
- Combine books with standards, manufacturer guides and hands-on practice.
Related tutorials
Before you apply this in a plant: this article is for education. Always check the current edition of the relevant standards, the manufacturer's documentation for your exact product and version, and your site's procedures. Safety-related work needs qualified personnel. See our editorial policy.