Apartment Breaker Size: Amps & Wire Size Chart

The answer in two lines

Choose a breaker by this rule: appliance (load) current ≤ breaker rating ≤ wire ampacity. As a guide for Egyptian apartments: lighting 10 A on 1.5 mm² wire, general sockets 16 A on 2.5 mm², and the kitchen, washing machine and a 1.5 HP AC 16 or 20 A, usually on 2.5 mm² (or 4 mm² depending on the distance). Larger ACs and ovens are sized from the current printed on the appliance nameplate, not from horsepower alone, and the electrician confirms the final size.

"What size breaker should I install?" comes up in every fit-out and every time someone installs a new AC or water heater. A breaker that is too small trips all the time and drives you mad, but a breaker larger than the wire can carry is far more dangerous: the wire overheats before the breaker reacts. In this practical guide from Tawredaat (توريدات), an electrical and finishing materials store in Cairo and Giza, we explain how to choose the right breaker for each circuit in your apartment, the standard wire size that goes with it, and how to choose the distribution panel and the earth leakage breaker.

What exactly does a circuit breaker do?

A standard miniature circuit breaker (MCB) protects the circuit against overload and short circuit. If the current flowing in the wire goes above its limit, or a short circuit happens, the breaker trips before the wire overheats and its insulation is damaged. That is why the breaker rating must match the appliance on the circuit and the wire size behind it at the same time.

Load current ≤ breaker rating ≤ wire ampacity

In other words: the breaker must be greater than or equal to the current the appliance draws, so it doesn't trip for no reason, and at the same time less than or equal to what the wire can carry, so it protects it.

What are the standard electrical wire sizes?

The standard sizes for copper wires in apartment wiring are 1.5, 2.5, 4, 6 and 10 mm². This table shows the approximate current capacity of each size when the wire runs in conduit inside the wall, adjusted for Egypt's summer heat (about 40 °C), and the breaker commonly used with it:

Wire size	Approx. capacity in Egypt's heat	Common breaker
1.5 mm²	About 14 A	10 A
2.5 mm²	About 20 A	16 A (or 20 A depending on installation conditions)
4 mm²	About 26 A	20 A (or 25 A depending on installation conditions)
6 mm²	About 33 A	25 A or more depending on load and installation
10 mm²	About 45 A	40 A

⚠ If several loaded wires share the same conduit, the run is long, or the location is hot (such as a roof), the current capacity drops, and the electrician may use a larger wire or a smaller breaker.

What size breaker for each circuit in the apartment? (guide table)

This is a guide table for wiring apartments in Egypt over normal distances inside the apartment (from the panel to the appliance). To learn more about the wires themselves, read our guide to electrical wire types and sizes:

Circuit	Suggested breaker (guide)	Wire size
Lighting (bulbs, chandeliers, spotlights)	10 A	1.5 mm²
General sockets (bedrooms and living room)	16 A	2.5 mm²
Kitchen sockets / washing machine / 1.5 HP AC	16 or 20 A depending on load and model	Usually 2.5 mm², or 4 mm² depending on distance and installation conditions
Electric tank water heater (usually 1.5 – 2 kW)	Usually 16 A	Usually 2.5 mm²
2.25 HP AC / higher-power water heater	20 or 25 A depending on load	Usually 4 mm²
3 HP AC / electric oven or cooker	Based on the appliance's power and actual current	4 or 6 mm² depending on load and distance
Instant water heater	Based on its power and nameplate	Set by the electrician based on current and distance

⚠ This table is a guide, not a fixed rule. The model, the distance and the number of wires in the conduit all change the choice, and a qualified electrician or electrical engineer confirms the final size.
⚠ Never install a breaker larger than the wire can carry just so it "doesn't trip". That removes the protection and opens the door to a fire.
✔ Curve C is common in household breakers, but it is not a rule for every AC or every circuit: choosing curve B or C depends on the inrush current, the load and the type of circuit, so check the breaker and appliance catalogues.

How do you work out the breaker from the appliance nameplate?

The most accurate way is to look at the nameplate (rating sticker) on the appliance itself:

If the current is printed in amps (Rated current): that is the number to build on.
If only the power in watts is printed: current ≈ watts ÷ 220. For example, a 2000 W tank water heater ÷ 220 ≈ 9 A, so a 16 A breaker on 2.5 mm² wire is usually enough, depending on the installation.
Then: choose the smallest standard breaker (10, 16, 20, 25, 32...) that covers the appliance current and, at the same time, does not exceed the wire's current capacity.

What size breaker does an AC need?

The AC is the appliance people ask about most, and the first rule is: every AC on its own circuit and its own breaker. But there is no fixed number per horsepower, because the running current varies from model to model (regular or inverter, and brand to brand). So:

✔ Check the running current printed on the AC nameplate or in the catalogue before choosing the breaker.
✔ A 1.5 HP AC is usually fine on a 16 or 20 A breaker with 2.5 mm² wire (or 4 mm² if the run is long).
✔ A 2.25 HP AC usually needs a 20 or 25 A breaker on 4 mm² wire, depending on the load and installation conditions.
✔ 3 HP AC: the breaker and the wire (4 or 6 mm²) are set from the model's actual current, and the electrician confirms them.

And if you are still choosing the AC capacity itself, read our guide to how many HP your room's AC needs.

What size breaker does a water heater need?

Most electric tank water heaters in homes are rated at about 1.5 to 2 kW, which means they draw about 7 to 9 A at 220 V. So a 16 A breaker and 2.5 mm² wire are usually enough, depending on the installation. An instant heater is a different story: its power is much higher, and its breaker and wire are set from its nameplate. And if you are still deciding on the type of heater, see our gas vs electric water heater comparison.

16 A or 32 A breaker?

The difference is not "better or worse", it is about the load and the wire:

16 A: the usual choice for ordinary room sockets on 2.5 mm² wire (TV, chargers, laptop, vacuum cleaner), and also for most tank water heaters.
32 A: not a rule for any appliance. It is installed only if the appliance's actual current needs it and the wire behind it can carry it, and the electrician decides. If you put a large breaker on 2.5 mm² wire, the wire can overheat badly before the breaker trips.

What is the difference between a standard breaker and an earth leakage breaker?

Comparison	Standard breaker (MCB)	Earth leakage breaker (RCCB)
Protects against?	Overload and short circuit on the circuit and wire	Current leaking to earth, such as touching the body of an earthed conductive appliance with a leak
When does it trip?	When the current exceeds the breaker rating or a short circuit occurs	When the leakage current reaches its sensitivity (e.g. 30 mA)
Limits	Does not detect small leakage to earth	Does not protect in every case of contact between live and neutral, and does not protect against overload
Replaces the other?	No	No, it must be paired with overload and short-circuit protection
Where it goes	One breaker per circuit	Depends on the panel design: on socket, bathroom and kitchen circuits or upstream of a group of circuits

A 30 mA earth leakage breaker can cut the power in an instant if someone touches the body of a washing machine or water heater that is leaking to earth. The international standard IEC 60364 and manufacturers' guides such as the Schneider Electric Electrical Installation Guide call for 30 mA protection on sockets, bathrooms and high-risk circuits, and the final installation is subject to the local code and the panel design.

✔ Choose a 2-pole earth leakage breaker for an apartment with a single-phase meter, rated equal to or higher than the breaker or protection upstream of it (e.g. 40 A main → 40 A RCCB or higher), and always paired with a breaker that protects against overload and short circuit.
✔ The test button (T): it must be tested right after installation to make sure it actually trips, and then periodically (some recommendations say about every 3 months). If it doesn't trip, call the electrician.
⚠ An earth leakage breaker can trip on leakage current even in some cases without an earth wire, but a sound earth connection is still essential for full protection and to discharge insulation faults. Don't rely on one without the other.

How many ways does your apartment's distribution panel need?

Count the circuits first: each 1-pole breaker takes about one way (module), and the main breaker and the earth leakage breaker (2-pole) take two ways each, while allowing room for wiring and organisation. Then leave about 20 to 30% spare ways for any AC or appliance you will add later.

Example: a 3-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen and two bathrooms

Lighting: 3 circuits
Room and living-room sockets: 4 circuits
Kitchen: 2 circuits (sockets + washing machine)
ACs: 3 circuits
Water heaters: 2 circuits
Main + earth leakage breaker: 4 ways

The total is about 18 ways, so a 24-way panel is comfortable and leaves room to grow.

Apartment	Approx. number of circuits	Suitable panel
Small (1 or 2 bedrooms and a living room)	8 – 12	12 – 18 ways
Medium (3 bedrooms)	14 – 18	24 ways
Large or duplex	20 or more	36 ways

✔ Put the panel in a visible, easy-to-reach place (such as the hallway next to the apartment door), away from water and humidity.
✔ Label each breaker with the name of its circuit (living-room lighting, bedroom AC...).
✔ The main breaker is set by the meter capacity and the total load, and the electrician decides it.

⚠ Safety warning: any work on the electrical panel, or changing breakers or wires, must be done by a qualified electrician or electrical engineer, after isolating the supply and confirming with a tester that there is no voltage. The tables here are a guide for planning and knowledge, and the electrician confirms the final size of the breaker and wire based on the appliance current, the distance, the installation conditions and the Egyptian code for electrical installations.

Breakers and panels available on Tawredaat

Hager 1-pole breakers

Hager 10 A breaker (for lighting)
Hager 16 A breaker (for sockets and tank water heaters)
Hager 20 A breaker (kitchen and washing machine, or AC depending on load)
Hager 25 A breaker (2.25 HP AC depending on load and wire)
Hager 32 A breaker (for larger loads if the electrician specifies it based on the appliance and wire)
Hager 40 A breaker

30 mA earth leakage breakers

Distribution panels

You can browse every model in our circuit breakers collection, earth leakage breakers collection and electrical panels collection, and wires in all standard sizes in our power wires collection.

Tips before you buy breakers

✔ Make a list of the heavy appliances (ACs, water heaters, oven) and write down each one's current from its nameplate before wiring.
✔ Keep lighting separate from sockets, so a fault in one plug doesn't leave the whole room dark.
✔ Buy breakers and wire from a trusted source, and check the amps printed on the breaker and the size printed on the wire (mm²).
✔ Read the 5 most common electrical finishing mistakes before you start.

Frequently asked questions

What size breaker for an apartment?
There is no single number for the whole apartment. Each circuit has its own breaker based on its load and wire: as a guide, 10 A for lighting on 1.5 mm², 16 A for sockets on 2.5 mm², and 16 or 20 A for the kitchen, washing machine and a 1.5 HP AC. Larger appliances are sized by their actual current, and the electrician sets the main breaker based on the meter and the load.

What size breaker for a 1.5 HP AC?
Usually 16 or 20 A on 2.5 mm² wire (or 4 mm² if the run is long), on its own circuit. Check the running current printed on the AC.

What size breaker for an electric water heater?
A 1.5 – 2 kW tank heater draws about 9 A, so usually a 16 A breaker and 2.5 mm² wire, depending on the installation. An instant heater is sized from its nameplate.

Why does my breaker keep tripping?
Either the load on the circuit is more than it can take (too many appliances on the same sockets), or there is a short circuit or a leak. Don't upsize the breaker; have an electrician inspect the circuit.

Is an earth leakage breaker necessary?
Yes, especially for sockets, bathrooms and the kitchen. A 30 mA breaker trips when it senses current leaking to earth, and it must be paired with a standard breaker and a sound earth connection.

Can I install the breakers myself?
No. Work on the panel must be done by a qualified electrician or electrical engineer, after isolating the supply and confirming there is no voltage.

Ready to set up your apartment's panel?

Breakers, panels and earth leakage breakers from Hager, Schneider and Beta, with delivery in Cairo and Giza.

Circuit breakers Electrical panels

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.