Wire sizes at a glance
Every house circuit has a right wire size. Undersize it and the wire heats up; oversize everything and you burn money. Here's the standard mapping used across Indian homes (copper, FR-insulated multistrand):
| Size | Use | Typical circuits |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 sq mm | Lighting | LED points, false-ceiling circuits |
| 1.5 sq mm | Light + fan | Room light/fan boards, exhaust |
| 2.5 sq mm | Power sockets | 6A/16A plugs, fridge, washing machine |
| 4.0 sq mm | Heavy points | 1–1.5 ton ACs, geysers |
| 6.0 sq mm | Mains / sub-mains | Meter to DB, 2-ton AC |
When in doubt between two sizes, take the larger one — the cost difference per point is small against rewiring later.
How much wire does a home need?
A typical 2BHK uses roughly 4–6 coils (90 m each) across sizes, with 1.5 and 2.5 sq mm doing most of the work. Get your electrician's point-count first, then buy coils for the big runs and per-metre lengths for top-ups.
That per-metre option matters: EaseHome sells loose wire by the metre — like Polycab 6.0 sq mm loose at ~₹105/m or Havells 4.0 sq mm loose — so a 12 m AC run doesn't force a 90 m coil purchase.
Brand picks
All three house brands we stock are ISI-marked electrolytic copper; the differences are insulation grade and price:
- Polycab — the volume favourite; excellent price-to-quality (2.5 sq mm coil ~₹3,978).
- Havells — premium insulation and finish; electricians' pick for concealed work.
- OCI — the value option (2.5 sq mm coil ~₹3,974) for budget-sensitive projects.
Full comparison: Polycab vs Havells vs OCI.
Safety non-negotiables
- Use FR (flame-retardant) insulation minimum; FRLS in kitchens and commercial spaces.
- Never mix aluminium and copper on the same circuit.
- Every wet-area and AC circuit deserves its own MCB — wire size and breaker rating go together.
- Colour-code consistently: red/yellow/blue phase, black neutral, green earth.
This guide is a planning aid — final sizing is your licensed electrician's call, especially for runs longer than 20 m where voltage drop matters.
Browse all sizes and brands in Cables & Wires.
