2BHK Flat Electrical Wiring Checklist (Chennai)

Before you start

Three things to confirm with your electrician:

1. Load assessment — list every appliance and its wattage. This determines incomer rating and DB board sizing.
2. Wall conduit vs surface — concealed conduit is standard for new builds. Surface conduit only for retrofits where breaking walls isn't an option.
3. DB board location — ideally near the main entrance, 5–5.5 ft height, at least 2 ft from water lines. Not in bathroom / kitchen.

Room-by-room count

Hall / living room

• Main light switch — 1 × 2-way 6A (for 2 entry points)
• Fan switch + regulator — 1 + 1
• Secondary light switches — 4 (TV wall light, corner lamp, etc.)
• 5-pin sockets — 4 (TV, router, side table, extra)
• 16A socket — 1 (for heavy appliance / AC if split)
• AC socket — 1 × 20A dedicated circuit
• Plate system — 2M / 3M / 4M Roma Urban mix

Master bedroom

• Main light + fan + regulator — 1 + 1 + 1
• Bedside switches (both sides) — 2 × 2-way for master light
• Reading lights — 2 × 6A
• 5-pin sockets — 3 (bed, dresser, side)
• 16A socket — 1 (geyser / AC)
• AC circuit — 20A MCB dedicated

Second bedroom

• Main light + fan + regulator — 1 + 1 + 1
• Reading light switch — 1
• 5-pin sockets — 3
• 16A socket — 1

Kitchen

• Overhead light — 1 × 6A
• Counter light — 1 × 6A
• Exhaust fan switch — 1
• 16A sockets — 4 (fridge, mixer, microwave, induction)
• Chimney point — 1 × 16A
• Use UNO Plus or Roma Urban 16A sockets (heat tolerant)

Bathrooms (×2)

• Ceiling light — 1 × 6A (outside bathroom switch panel)
• Geyser switch + 16A socket — 1 + 1
• Exhaust fan switch — 1
• Shaver / hair-dryer 5-pin — 1

Balcony / utility

• Light — 1 × 6A
• Fan (optional) — 1 × 6A
• Washing machine 16A socket — 1

Consolidated BOQ (typical 2BHK, 850–1,000 sqft)

Budget range (2026, Chennai)

Typical 2BHK electrical material cost (switches + MCB + DB + wires + LED lighting + fans + accessories), excluding installation labour:

• Budget tier — Classic Anchor Penta + Asmon LED + Altech MCB → ₹42,000 – ₹55,000
• Standard tier — Roma Urban / Plus + Asmon LED + Anchor MCB → ₹65,000 – ₹85,000
• Premium tier — Panorama / Roma Urban + Philips LED + Anchor MCB + smart switches → ₹1,10,000 – ₹1,60,000

Pro tips from Sowcarpet

• Over-provision sockets. Add 2 extra 5-pin per room. Chennai homes keep picking up new devices.
• Always use 4 sqmm for AC even if the brochure says 2.5 sqmm is "enough". Chennai voltage fluctuation eats thinner wires.
• RCCB is not optional. If the builder hasn't included one, retrofit at DB board before moving in.
• Get brand warranty card for each item into one envelope. 2 years later it matters.

Related reads

• How to choose MCB rating for your home
• RCCB vs ELCB vs MCB — safety guide
• Panasonic vs Anchor modular switches