The answer in two lines
Use 1.5 mm² for lighting, 2 mm² for normal sockets, 3 mm² for kitchen sockets and 1.5 HP ACs, 4 mm² for 2.25 HP ACs and 6 mm² for 3 HP ACs and electric ovens. Every circuit needs a breaker matched to its wire size, and your electrician sets the final size based on load and distance.
"Which wire size should I buy?" comes up in every home finishing project. A wire that is too thin for its load overheats and can melt, short or start a fire, while an oversized wire just wastes money. In this guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza, we explain what each wire size is for and which breaker goes with it.
What does 1.5 mm or 6 mm mean?
The number is the copper cross-section in square millimetres (mm²), not the wire diameter. The larger the cross-section, the more current (amps) the wire carries without overheating, so high-power appliances need thicker wire.
Which wire size for which use? (table)
This is the common split used for apartment wiring in Egypt over normal in-home distances:
| Wire size | Use | Typical breaker |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm² | Lighting circuits | 10 A |
| 2 mm² | Normal sockets (TV, chargers, laptop) | 16 A |
| 3 mm² | Kitchen and washing machine sockets, 1.5 HP AC | 20 A |
| 4 mm² | 2.25 HP AC, electric tank water heater | 25 A |
| 6 mm² | 3 HP AC, electric oven and hob | 32 A |
- ⚠ These figures are approximate. Long runs from the panel or several cables in one conduit can make your electrician size up.
- ⚠ A large instant water heater (e.g. 12 kW) draws about 55 A and usually needs cable thicker than 6 mm² on its own breaker, sized by an electrician.
Flexible (stranded) or solid wire?
| Comparison | Flexible (stranded) | Solid |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Easy to pull through conduits and bends | Harder around bends |
| Flexibility | Very flexible | Stiff |
| Most common use | Apartment wiring and connections | Fixed runs |
✔ Most apartment projects use flexible stranded wire because it pulls easily through conduits.
Why do wire colors matter?
- ✔ Red (or brown) for live.
- ✔ Blue (or black) for neutral.
- ✔ Green-yellow for earth only, never for anything else.
- ✔ Consistent colors make maintenance easier and reduce wiring mistakes.
Why Elsewedy wire?
Elsewedy is one of the best-known wire brands in Egypt: pure copper, heat-resistant insulation and accurate sizes. Counterfeit wire may be labelled 2 mm² while actually being thinner, which puts the whole home at risk.
Elsewedy wires available on Tawredaat
- Elsewedy flexible wire 1.5 mm² - 100 m
- Elsewedy flexible wire 2 mm² - 100 m
- Elsewedy flexible wire 3 mm² - 100 m
- Elsewedy flexible wire 4 mm² - 100 m
- Elsewedy flexible wire 6 mm² - 100 m
All colors and sizes are in our power wires collection, along with circuit breakers and earth leakage breakers.
Tips before you buy
- ✔ Separate lighting from socket circuits, and give the AC and water heater their own circuit and breaker.
- ✔ Buy original wire from a trusted source and check the size printed on the reel.
- ✔ Use an earth leakage (RCD) breaker for bathrooms and the kitchen.
- ✔ Read 5 electrical finishing mistakes to avoid and how many HP does your room's AC need.
Frequently asked questions
How many amps can 2 mm² wire take?
It is usually protected by a 16 A breaker and suits normal sockets in rooms and the living area.
What wire does a 1.5 HP AC need?
Usually 3 mm² wire on a dedicated 20 A breaker; for long runs the electrician may go to 4 mm².
What wire does a 3 HP AC need?
Usually 6 mm² wire with a 32 A breaker.
Can I use 1.5 mm² wire for sockets?
Not recommended. 1.5 mm² is for lighting only; sockets need at least 2 mm².
What is the difference between flexible and solid wire?
Flexible wire bends easily and pulls through conduits; solid wire is stiff and used for fixed runs.
Ready to start your wiring?
Shop Elsewedy wires and breakers on Tawredaat, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.
About Tawredaat: Tawredaat (توريدات) is an Egyptian supplier of electrical and finishing materials, serving homeowners, companies and contractors in Cairo and Giza. Questions? See our FAQ.
