Electrical Finishing Materials — Complete List
Electrical finishing is the phase where you move from bare wires to a fully functional, habitable electrical system. The critical decision at this stage is not just installation — it's choosing the right materials. A cheap switch fails within months, an under-rated outlet damages your appliances, and a non-standard cable causes fires. This comprehensive list covers everything you need for professional finishing with real Egypt 2026 market prices.
By the Ases Kahraba team — Last updated: March 2026
Quick Answer
Detailed list of all electrical finishing materials: Legrand and Schneider New Unica switches and outlets, Philips LED lighting, El Sewedy cables, distribution panel and RCCB breakers — with Egypt 2026 prices and trusted suppliers like Gila Al-Tawakol Electric.
Comparison: Material Tiers — Budget vs Mid-Range vs Premium
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switches & outlets | Unknown local brandEGP 20–28/pt | Legrand MosaicEGP 42–65/pt | Légrand Céliane / New UnicaEGP 90–140/pt |
| Downlight fitting | Unbranded ChineseEGP 25–45 | Opple / HimelEGP 65–100 | Philips / Signify-GilaEGP 130–220 |
| LED strip | No CRI ratingEGP 35–55/m | CRI≥80 stripEGP 75–110/m | CRI≥90 + alu. profileEGP 160–260/m |
| Cables (2.5mm²) | Unknown origin⚠ avoid | Locally certifiedEGP 9–12/m | El Sewedy / Alex. CablesEGP 13–16/m |
| MCB/RCCB breakers | Unbranded ChineseEGP 20–35 | Himel / ETIEGP 55–80 | Schneider Easy9 / LegrandEGP 110–200 |
| Boxes & conduits | Cheap unbranded PVCcracks quickly | Certified PVCEGP 7–13/unit | Poly-metal / galvanisedfor wet areas |
| Expected lifespan | 1–3 yearsbefore failure | 5–10 years | 15–25 yearslight maintenance |
Detailed Materials List — Category by Category
- Switches and power outlets: The most important elements aesthetically and functionally. Available tiers in Egypt 2026: Legrand Mosaic — most widely used, high-quality plastic, EGP 40–70 per point. Legrand Céliane — premium tier, EGP 80–150 per point, better durability and longer lifespan. Schneider New Unica — excellent alternative available from authorised distributors like Gila Al-Tawakol Electric, EGP 60–120 per point. Egypt tip: avoid unbranded Chinese outlets sold at El-Ataba market — the plastic fails within months under heat and heavy use. Approximate quantity for a 120 m² apartment: 45–60 outlet and switch points.
- LED lighting — the right choice saves your bill: Lighting components in finishing: Recessed LED downlight (7–10 cm): most commonly used in suspended ceilings. Choose 7–12W per point and 60° beam for general illumination. LED strip + aluminium profile: for cornices, cabinets, and decorative features. Choose CRI ≥ 90 and 2700–3000K for interior rooms. Kitchen spotlight: IP44 moisture and grease-resistant. Philips LED (Signify-Gila joint manufacturing in Egypt since 2024): better availability and pricing in the Egyptian market compared to direct imports, available in Gila Al-Tawakol Electric branches. Opple: reliable mid-range alternative. Warning: never use a standard dimmer on LED lamps — you need an LED-rated dimmer (LED Dimmer) available from Gila and authorised distributors.
- Cables and wires — required cross-sections per circuit: Approximate guide for a residential apartment per the Egyptian electrical code: 1.5mm² NYA/NYM: lighting circuits only. 2.5mm² NYA/NYM: standard power outlet circuits. 4mm² NYA/NYM: air conditioners ≤ 2 tons and washing machines. 6mm² NYA/NYM: large AC units (2.5–3 tons). 10mm² NYY or NYA: main feed line (from meter to distribution panel). Recommended cables: El Sewedy Electric — widest coverage in Egypt. Alexandria Cables. Verification tip: check the batch serial number on the El Sewedy reel before purchasing — 100m × 2.5mm² should weigh 13–14 kg.
- The final distribution panel and its components: The finishing panel contains: RCCB (residual current breaker 30mA): essential for human safety — separate breaker for each zone (bathrooms, kitchen, power outlets). MCB per circuit: 10A for lighting, 16A for standard outlets, 20A for heavy appliances. Distribution busbar: for feeding multiple breakers. Surge Protective Device (SPD): important in Egypt due to summer voltage fluctuations. DIN labelling: label every breaker with the circuit it feeds. Recommendation: buy a Schneider Easy9 panel — available at Gila Al-Tawakol Electric as an authorised distributor. Warning: Easy9 breakers are the most counterfeited in Egypt — only buy from authorised distributors like Gila.
- Protective conduits and installation boxes: Required installation components: Outlet back boxes 80×80mm: for wall sockets — embedded in the wall. Switch boxes 50×50mm: smaller, dedicated to switches. PVC conduit: to protect wires during under-plaster installation. 16mm diameter for small wires, 20mm for grouped wires. Junction boxes: for connection points in ceilings and walls. Cable ties + mounting clips: to organise wires inside the panel. Egypt note: in some older apartments being refinished, old asbestos conduits are not replaced — new cable is pulled through them after verifying their integrity.
- Specialist outlets — don't forget them on the list: Professional finishing also includes: IP44 outlets for bathrooms and kitchen: more resistant to moisture and steam — mandatory at 60+ cm from water sources. Dedicated AC outlet (16A 2P+E): one per air conditioner, wired on its own independent circuit from the panel. USB charging outlet (Type-A + Type-C): available from Legrand and Schneider, replaces a standard outlet and removes the need for a desk charger. TV outlet (coaxial F-connector): aerial connection point. RJ45 Cat6 network outlet: for wired internet — faster and more stable than WiFi. RJ11 phone outlet: may be required in offices despite declining use. Recommendation: in professional finishing, these specialist outlets are held to the same selection standards — Legrand or Schneider from Gila, not unknown materials.
- Where to buy finishing materials in Egypt — trusted sources: Gila Al-Tawakol Electric (جيلا التوكل الكهربائية): authorised official distributor for Schneider Electric, Philips (Signify), Legrand, APC, and Honeywell in Egypt. Branches in Cairo (New Cairo, 6th of October, El-Tahrir/downtown). Website: gilaelectric.com.eg. Sells to individuals, contractors, and companies. Key advantage: since 2024 they have a joint venture with Signify (Philips parent) to manufacture LED lamps in Egypt — meaning better Philips pricing and greater availability in the Egyptian market. EPEMall (epemall.com): online platform for electrical materials at wholesale and retail. Sources to avoid buying randomly from: El-Ataba — some distributors are reliable, but many materials are unknown origin or counterfeit. Golden rule: buy from an officially authorised distributor to guarantee product authenticity and after-sales warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a 13A and a 16A outlet — when do I need each?
A 13A outlet is the standard household socket (triangular or 3-pin) suitable for appliances up to about 2,500 watts (screens, chargers, lamps, fans). A 16A outlet is for higher-consumption appliances: AC units ≤ 1.5 tons, washing machines, small electric ovens. In professional finishing: each AC unit gets a dedicated 16A outlet on its own direct circuit from the panel. Standard 13A outlets in living rooms and bedrooms are sufficient for everyday use.
Can I buy all finishing materials from one place?
Yes — Gila Al-Tawakol Electric (gilaelectric.com.eg) is one of the best options in Egypt because it provides under one roof: Legrand and Schneider New Unica outlets and switches, Philips/Signify LED lighting (with local Egyptian manufacturing joint venture), Schneider Easy9 MCB and RCCB breakers, APC and Eaton protection devices. EPEMall is available for online purchasing. Cables are best bought separately from El Sewedy or Alexandria Cables authorised agents to get a documented batch.
How many outlets and switches does a 120 m² apartment need?
Approximate count per Egyptian professional practice: bedroom (14 m²): 4 outlets + 2 light switches. Master bedroom: 5 outlets + 2 switches + 1 AC 16A outlet. Living room (25 m²): 6–8 outlets + 3 switches + AC outlet + TV outlet + network outlet. Kitchen: 4–6 IP44 outlets + 16A electric hob outlet (if applicable). Bathroom: 1 IP44 outlet + external light switch. Approximate total: 45–60 points + 3–4 AC outlets + TV and network points.
What's the best LED strip for suspended ceilings in Egypt?
For suspended ceilings and cornices: choose LED strip with CRI ≥ 90, 12V DC, 14–18W per metre. Colour temperature: 2700–3000K for bedrooms and living rooms, 3000–4000K for kitchen and bathroom. From Philips or Signify (available at Gila with better pricing since the 2024 joint manufacturing venture). An aluminium profile is essential to protect the strip and dissipate heat — never install the strip directly on gypsum board without a profile as it dramatically reduces its lifespan. Driver/transformer: choose a certified driver rated at least 1.2× the strip wattage for a safety margin.
Is the Philips lighting sold at Gila the same as the imported version?
Since July 2024, Signify (the parent company of Philips Lighting) and Gila Al-Tawakol Electric announced a joint venture to establish a regional LED lamp manufacturing facility near Cairo. This means that part of the Philips lighting sold at Gila is now Egyptian-made — world-class quality at lower cost by saving on shipping and customs. Products carry the same global Signify warranty.
How do I verify genuine El Sewedy cables before buying?
4 verification methods: 1) Weight: a 100m reel of 2.5mm² should weigh 13–14 kg — lower weight means insufficient copper. 2) Batch number: on the side of the reel there's a sticker with a batch number — request it and verify on the official El Sewedy website. 3) Colour: the internal copper cross-section should be bright and uniform — dull or streaked colour indicates low-quality copper or aluminium. 4) Certifications: the cable jacket should show VDE or CE marking and IEC 60227 standard designation.
Why is RCCB essential in the finishing panel — why not just MCB?
An MCB (magnetic-thermal circuit breaker) only protects cables from overload and short circuit. An RCCB (30mA residual current device) protects people from electric shock — it senses even the smallest current leakage (30 milliamps) and disconnects power in 30 milliseconds before cardiac arrest can occur. In Egypt, many older apartments lack RCCB — this is a genuine life-threatening hazard, not a luxury. Modern standard: separate RCCB at minimum for bathroom circuits, kitchen circuits, and all power outlets.