Wiring devices and distribution equipment
| Item | Function | Band we observe |
|---|---|---|
| 6A switch module | Lighting and fan control | ₹80 – 380 |
| 16A socket module | Air conditioners, appliances | ₹170 – 700 |
| Cover plate, standard to premium | The visible face | ₹220 – 4,000 |
| MCB, single pole | Circuit protection | ₹180 – 700 |
| RCCB, 30 mA | Earth leakage protection for people | ₹1,800 – 6,500 |
| Distribution board, 8 – 16 way | Enclosure and busbar | ₹1,800 – 9,000 |
| Isolator / changeover | Main switching | ₹900 – 4,500 |
Buying observations only, not official pricing. A properly specified board for a 2BHK typically runs ₹18,000–45,000 complete with devices and labour.
Designing the distribution board
On most Mumbai renovations we inherit a board installed when the building was constructed, sized for a household with two fans, a fridge and a television. The load in the same flat today is several times that.
- Calculate the connected load. List every air conditioner, geyser, oven, induction hob, washing machine, dishwasher and pump, with its rating. Sum it, apply a diversity factor, and compare against the sanctioned load.
- Check the sanctioned load with the supply company. If the calculated demand exceeds it, a load increase must be applied for, and that is an administrative process with a lead time, not a site task.
- Segregate circuits. Lighting, general sockets, each air conditioner, the kitchen high-load appliances and the geysers each want their own protected circuit.
- Install an RCCB. Thirty milliamp earth leakage protection is what stops an electric shock becoming an electrocution. In a flat with a humid bathroom and a wet kitchen, this is the single most important device on the board.
- Leave 20–25% spare ways and label every circuit clearly inside the board door. A labelled board saves an hour every time anything is worked on.
Earthing, and the thing most old Mumbai flats get wrong
- Many older buildings have a single earth for the whole flat, of unknown quality, connected decades ago. During a renovation is the only practical opportunity to check it.
- Measure the earth resistance rather than assuming. An RCCB works with a sound earth; with a poor one, protection is compromised.
- All metal parts — geyser bodies, metal back boxes, kitchen carcasses with metal components in wet areas — should be bonded to earth.
- Where the building earth is inadequate, the fix is a building-level matter and must be raised with the society, not solved inside one flat.
- Photograph and record the board layout, circuit schedule and earth arrangement in the handover file.
Choosing plates without over-thinking it
- Module quality determines feel and longevity; plate finish determines looks. Both matter, and they are separate purchases.
- Premium metal and glass plates look excellent and mark more visibly with fingerprints. In a corridor with children, a textured or matt plate is more forgiving.
- Keep one plate family across the whole flat. Mixing ranges is visible at every junction between two rooms.
- Order 5% spare modules and one spare plate of each size. Ranges are updated and an exact match years later is not guaranteed.
- In a commercial fit-out, check the landlord’s fit-out manual, which sometimes specifies device classes and containment standards.
Our independence
Greenbox is an independent design and build studio. We hold no dealership, distributorship, channel or system-integrator arrangement with Schneider Electric or with any other electrical manufacturer. We specify on merit, buy through Mumbai suppliers at market rates, and pass through supplier invoices where we procure on a client’s behalf. All figures on this page are market observations rather than official prices.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to replace the distribution board in a renovation?+
In an older Mumbai flat, almost always. The original board was sized for a far lighter load, often has no earth leakage protection and rarely has spare ways. Replacing it during a renovation costs ₹18,000–45,000 and is the most worthwhile electrical spend in the project.
What is the difference between an MCB and an RCCB?+
An MCB protects the cable and equipment against overload and short circuit. An RCCB detects current leaking to earth — typically through a person — and disconnects in milliseconds. You need both; one does not substitute for the other.
Is Greenbox a Schneider dealer or integrator?+
No. We hold no dealership, distributorship or channel relationship with Schneider Electric or with any other electrical manufacturer. We specify on merit, buy on the open market and pass through supplier invoices where we procure for clients.
How do I know if my flat’s sanctioned load is enough?+
List every appliance with its rating, sum the connected load, apply a diversity factor and compare against the sanctioned figure on your electricity bill. If the calculated demand approaches or exceeds it, apply for an increase early — it is an administrative lead time, not a site activity.
Are premium switch plates worth it?+
They are the most-touched visible object in a flat, so many clients think so. The module behind the plate matters more for reliability. Our usual advice is a mid-tier module everywhere with a better plate in the rooms guests see, and the saving put into the distribution board.