Circuit Breaker Sizes and Consumer Unit Guide for Kenyan Homes (2026)
The consumer unit (distribution board) protects every circuit in your house. Using the right breaker size stops cables overheating and fires.
Quick answer: Typical breaker sizes in homes: 6 A or 10 A for lighting, 16 A or 20 A for socket circuits, 32 A for cookers and instant showers or water heaters on their own circuit sized to the appliance. The breaker must match the cable size. Add RCD protection against electric shock. A 4-way consumer unit starts from KSh 2,000.
Safety first: electrical work must be done by a qualified, licensed electrician. Switch off at the main switch before touching any wiring.
Breaker Sizes by Circuit
| Circuit | Typical breaker | Typical cable |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | 6–10 A | 1.0–1.5 mm² |
| Sockets | 16–20 A | 2.5 mm² |
| Cooker | 32 A | 6 mm² |
| Instant shower / water heater | Per appliance rating | Sized by electrician |
| Water pump | Per motor rating | Sized by electrician |
These are typical values; your electrician sizes each circuit from the load and cable length.
What Is in a Consumer Unit?
- Main switch: turns off the whole house.
- MCBs: one breaker per circuit; trips on overload or short circuit.
- RCD / RCCB: trips if current leaks to earth, protecting people.
- Earth and neutral bars.
Consumer Units and Wiring Materials
KSh 2,300
KSh 2,000
KSh 13,500
KSh 2,850
KSh 6,600
Some photos are reference images of the product type, used under open licences. Image credits are on each product page.
| Item | Use | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Units 4 Way (Powermax) | 4-way board | KSh 2,300 |
| Consumer Units 4 Way (Scanford) | 4-way board | KSh 2,000 |
| 2.5 Powermax Cable Roll | Socket circuits | KSh 13,500 |
| Electrical Cables Per Roll-1.5 Single Core(Bgr) | Lighting circuits | KSh 2,850 |
| Electrical Cables Per Roll-1.0 Twin With Earth | Lighting with earth | KSh 6,600 |
Related: cable size guide and cost of wiring a house.
Why Does My Breaker Keep Tripping?
| Trips when… | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Many appliances on | Overload: spread the load |
| A specific appliance is used | Faulty appliance |
| It rains | Water in outdoor fittings or cables |
| RCD trips randomly | Earth leakage: call an electrician |
Worked Example: Planning a 2-Bedroom Board
A 2-bedroom house might have: lighting 1 (bedrooms) 10 A, lighting 2 (living/kitchen) 10 A, sockets 1 at 20 A, sockets 2 (kitchen) at 20 A, an instant shower circuit, and a cooker circuit at 32 A. That is six ways, so choose a board with 8 or more ways to leave spares for a water heater or pump later.
How to Label Your Board
Switch off one breaker at a time and note which lights and sockets go off. Write the labels clearly inside the cover. This saves time in an emergency and helps any electrician who works on the house later.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Replacing a tripping breaker with a bigger one.
- No RCD protection.
- Sharing a shower with sockets.
- DIY work on the board.
Not sure which one fits? Send us your details on WhatsApp or through the product page and we will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size breaker for sockets?
Usually 16–20 A with 2.5 mm² cable.
What size breaker for lights?
Usually 6–10 A.
What size breaker for a cooker?
Often 32 A on its own circuit with suitable cable.
What is the difference between MCB and RCD?
MCBs protect cables from overload; RCDs protect people from shock.
Why does my breaker keep tripping?
Overload, a faulty appliance, or water/earth leakage.
How many ways should my consumer unit have?
Enough for every circuit plus spare ways; a small house may use 4–8 ways.
Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.
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