Electrical Supply Prices in Zambia
Compare prices for wiring, distribution boards, circuit breakers, and accessories. Includes a complete wiring guide for a 3-bedroom house and ZESCO compliance requirements.
Cables, breakers, switches, and DB boards for residential wiring
Electrical Materials Price List
Twin & Earth Cable 2.5mm² (100m)
2.5mm² · 100m roll · PVC insulated · Copper
ZMK 350 – 500
Used for: Sockets, power points, geysers
Twin & Earth Cable 1.5mm² (100m)
1.5mm² · 100m roll · PVC insulated · Copper
ZMK 250 – 350
Used for: Lighting circuits
Single Cable 4mm² (100m)
4mm² · 100m roll · Single core · Red/Blue/Green
ZMK 400 – 550
Used for: Stove, geyser, high-power circuits
Distribution Board (8-way)
8-way · DIN rail · With cover · Wall mount
ZMK 300 – 500
Used for: Home electrical panel (DB box)
Distribution Board (12-way)
12-way · DIN rail · Split bus option
ZMK 450 – 700
Used for: Larger homes, dual geyser systems
Circuit Breaker MCB (20A)
MCB · 20 Amp · Single pole · DIN rail mount
ZMK 80 – 130
Used for: Individual circuit protection
Earth Leakage (30mA)
30mA · 2-pole · RCCB · DIN rail
ZMK 250 – 400
Used for: Geyser, outdoor, pool pump protection
Light Switch (2-gang)
2-gang · 10A · White · Flush mount
ZMK 40 – 80
Used for: Room lighting control
Socket Outlet (15A single)
15A · 3-pin (Type G) · Flush mount
ZMK 50 – 100
Used for: Power points throughout house
Conduit Pipe 20mm (4m)
20mm · 4 metres · White PVC rigid
ZMK 15 – 25
Used for: Cable protection in walls/ceilings
LED Downlight (7W)
7W · Warm/Cool white · Recessed · 90mm cut-out
ZMK 30 – 60
Used for: Ceiling lighting — replaces GU10
Wiring a 3-Bedroom House — Complete Breakdown
Materials Cost Estimate
Cables (2.5mm² + 1.5mm²)
ZMK 1,200 – 2,000
DB Board + MCBs + Earth Leakage
ZMK 800 – 1,500
Switches, Sockets, Plates
ZMK 500 – 1,000
Conduit, Junction Boxes, Tape
ZMK 300 – 600
Total Materials + Labour
ZMK 5,000 – 10,000
Cable Sizing Guide
Correct cable sizing is critical for safety. Undersized cables overheat and cause fires. In Zambia, follow these standard sizes:
- 1.5mm² — Lighting circuits only (max 10 light points per circuit)
- 2.5mm² — Socket/power circuits (max 8-10 sockets per circuit)
- 4mm² — Geyser, air conditioning, large appliances
- 6mm² — Electric stove/hob (dedicated circuit)
- 10mm² or 16mm² — Mains supply from ZESCO pole to DB board
Copper vs Aluminium Cable
Always use copper cable for internal wiring. Aluminium cable (cheaper, sometimes sold at market stalls) is not suitable for residential installations — it has higher resistance, corrodes at connection points, and expands/contracts more than copper. ZESCO inspectors will reject aluminium internal wiring.
Electrical Wiring Questions
How much does it cost to wire a 3-bedroom house in Zambia?
Total electrical materials cost approximately ZMK 3,000–6,000, depending on the number of circuits and fittings. This includes: cable (ZMK 1,200-2,000), DB board with breakers (ZMK 800-1,500), switches and sockets (ZMK 500-1,000), conduit and accessories (ZMK 300-600), and light fittings (ZMK 400-1,000). Add ZMK 2,000–4,000 for professional electrician labour. Total: ZMK 5,000–10,000 for a standard installation.
Do I need a licensed electrician in Zambia?
Yes. ZESCO requires a certificate of compliance from a licensed electrician before connecting your meter. Unlicensed wiring will fail ZESCO inspection, delaying your power connection indefinitely. Licensed electricians registered with the Engineering Institution of Zambia (EIZ) or the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) can issue compliance certificates. Ask to see their license before hiring.
What cable size do I need for power sockets?
Use 2.5mm² twin & earth for all socket (power point) circuits, and 1.5mm² for lighting circuits. For high-power appliances (stove, geyser, air conditioner), use 4mm² or 6mm² single cable. Each power circuit should serve a maximum of 8-10 sockets. Each lighting circuit should serve a maximum of 10 light points. This follows ZESCO wiring standards.
How many circuits does a 3-bedroom house need?
A typical 3-bedroom house needs 6-8 circuits: 2-3 lighting circuits, 2-3 power (socket) circuits, 1 geyser circuit (dedicated, with earth leakage), and 1 stove circuit (dedicated). Larger houses with pool pumps, borehole pumps, or multiple geysers need additional dedicated circuits. Each circuit has its own MCB (circuit breaker) in the DB board.