All guides
Voltage and sockets in Saudi Arabia: 230 V and the three-pin plug
Why do some homes have 127 V sockets and others 220/230 V? The decision to unify voltage and plugs in the Kingdom, the SASO 2203 standard, and the safety features of the unified plug.
Circuit breakers: MCB vs. RCD, and B, C and D trip curves
An ordinary breaker protects the cable from fire; an RCD protects people from electric shock. The difference, the trip curve types, and the 30 mA RCD requirement in the international standard.
Electrical wiring: standard colours, common sizes, and how cable size is decided
Blue for neutral, green/yellow for earth, and black, brown or grey for line conductors — that's what the international standard IEC 60445 specifies. And why there's no 'one size fits all' cable.
Electricity in bathrooms: zones 0, 1 and 2, and IP ratings
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. The international standard IEC 60364-7-701 divides the bathroom into zones, each with requirements. And what IP codes like IPX4 and IPX7 mean.
Common household electrical faults: why does the RCD trip? Hot sockets, and protecting appliances from surges
RCD keeps tripping? A socket getting hot? Appliances damaged after a power cut? The most common causes as explained by the UK Institution of Engineering and Technology, what you can safely check, and when you need an electrician.
Rooftop solar in Saudi Arabia: net billing, allowed sizes, and the connection steps with the electricity company
Saudi regulations allow small solar PV systems from 1 kW to 2 MW to connect to the distribution grid. Based on the official documents of the Saudi Electricity Company and the Saudi Electricity Regulatory Authority: net billing, application steps, capacity limits, and what to ask before contracting.
Outdoor lighting and electrics: IP ratings, RCD protection, and sockets in yards and on roofs
Yard, facade and garden lighting and outdoor sockets face dust, rain and sun. How to read an IP rating, why outdoor circuits need a 30 mA RCD, questions before installing, and common mistakes.
Earthing at home: the difference between the earth wire, the breaker and the RCD, and why you need all three
The earth wire does not disconnect power on its own, a breaker does not always protect against shock, and an RCD needs a sound earth to work as designed. The role of each in plain words, a worked example from the Electrical Installation Guide, and how to request a documented test from a professional.
Home and kitchen appliances: location, power, water, ventilation and maintenance — washer, dryer, dishwasher and cooker
Before buying or installing large appliances: which need a dedicated circuit, which need water, drainage or venting, how to lay out the kitchen and laundry for maintenance, and the role of the energy label and warranty. Organised by appliance function and location, for the whole household.
Warranties, spare parts and after the warranty: protecting your rights on appliances, materials and contractor work
In Saudi Arabia electrical appliance warranties are at least two years and extend by any delay in spare parts or repairs, and building hidden defects insurance runs 10 years. The types of warranty at home, what voids them, how to keep a warranty file, and what to do after they end.