Stove Wattage to Amperes
& Wire Size Converter
Find out the exact amperes, the right circuit breaker size, and the correct wire gauge (mm²) for your electric stove, induction cooker, or any kitchen appliance — based on Pakistan's 220V single-phase and 380V three-phase supply.
Most Pakistani homes use WAPDA 220V single-phase supply
Check the sticker on the back of your stove for wattage
Please enter a valid wattage (100W – 30,000W)
Quick Select – Common Appliances in Pakistan
Safety details will appear here after calculation.
Wire Size & Breaker Reference Table for Pakistani Homes
This table shows the standard wire gauge capacities commonly available in Pakistani electrical markets — from Lahore's Hall Road to Karachi's Jodia Bazar. Use this to double-check the calculator results or select the right cable before buying from a hardware store.
| Wire Size (mm²) | Max Safe Load (A) | Max Watts @ 220V | Best Use Case | Safety Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mm² | 13A | ~2,860W | Lights, fans, small sockets | Safe for lights only |
| 2.5 mm² | 18A | ~3,960W | Normal 13A wall sockets, AC | Standard home use |
| 4 mm² | 25A | ~5,500W | Electric stove up to 5kW, water heater | Stove-grade |
| 6 mm² | 32A | ~7,040W | High-power stove, big geyser, AC units | Heavy appliances |
| 10 mm² | 50A | ~11,000W | Sub-panel feed, industrial cooker | Professional install only |
| 16 mm² | 70A | ~15,400W | Three-phase load, industrial kitchens | Certified electrician only |
🔌 How to Read Your Stove's Wattage
Every electric stove or induction cooker sold in Pakistan — whether it is a Dawlance, Super Asia, Westpoint, or any Chinese import — has a small sticker or metal plate on the back or bottom. Look for the word Rated Power or simply W. That number is the wattage you should enter above.
- Induction cookers: usually 1,000W – 2,200W
- 2-burner electric stoves: usually 2,000W – 3,000W
- 4-burner electric ranges: usually 4,000W – 8,000W
- Commercial electric hobs: can go up to 10,000W+
🇵🇰 Pakistan Voltage & Wiring Standards
In Pakistan, the standard residential electricity supply from LESCO, PESCO, HESCO, IESCO, QESCO, and MEPCO is 220V at 50Hz on a single-phase connection. Three-phase 380V supply is mostly given to commercial and industrial connections.
- Residential: 220V single-phase, 50Hz
- Industrial: 380V three-phase, 50Hz
- Pakistan follows BS (British Standard) wiring rules
- Copper wire is strongly preferred over aluminium
📐 The Simple Formula Behind This Calculator
The calculation uses Ohm's Law — one of the most basic and important rules in electrical engineering:
Amperes (A) = Watts (W) ÷ Voltage (V)
For example, a 2,000W stove on Pakistan's standard 220V single-phase supply draws 2000 ÷ 220 = 9.09 Amperes. To be safe, we then add a 25% safety margin (as required by BS 7671 wiring standards) and round up to the nearest standard breaker size — so a 16A breaker and 4mm² wire would be recommended.
- The safety margin protects against overheating and wire damage
- Circuit breakers are always rated at standard sizes: 6A, 10A, 16A, 20A, 25A, 32A, 40A, 63A
- Wire gauge must always be able to handle the full load continuously
⚡ What Happens If You Use the Wrong Wire Size?
Using a wire that is too thin for your stove's power is one of the most common causes of house fires in Pakistan. A thin wire will overheat, the plastic insulation will melt, and this can start a fire inside your walls — where it is very hard to detect or stop quickly.
- Thin wire = overheating, burning smell, risk of fire
- Wrong breaker = breaker does not trip, wire keeps burning
- Loose connections = arcing, sparks, electrocution risk
- Using 1.5mm wire for a 2,000W stove = very dangerous
Always use the wire size recommended by this calculator and confirmed by a professional electrician before connecting your electric stove.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 2000W stove on 220V draws about 9.1 Amperes. With a 25% safety margin, that comes to around 11.4A. You should use 4mm² single core copper wire and a 16A circuit breaker. This is the most common stove wiring setup in Pakistani homes.
It depends on the wattage. If your induction cooker is 1000W or less, then 2.5mm² wire with a 10A or 16A breaker may be acceptable. But if the cooker is 1500W or more — which most modern induction cookers are — you should use 4mm² wire with a 16A breaker to be safe. Using thin wire with a powerful cooker can cause overheating over time.
A 3000W stove on 220V draws about 13.6A. After adding the 25% safety margin, you need a circuit that can handle ~17A. So the recommended breaker is a 20A MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) and you should use 4mm² copper wire. Make sure the wire run is not too long (over 20 metres), otherwise voltage drop may require you to go up to 6mm².
For stoves up to 5,000W, 4mm² wire with a 25A or 32A breaker is generally enough. For stoves above 5,000W, or if you are running long cable runs (more than 15–20 metres), use 6mm² wire with a 32A breaker. Many electricians in Pakistan recommend 6mm² for any dedicated stove circuit as a future-proof choice, since it provides extra safety headroom.
A 16A circuit at 220V can theoretically handle up to 3,520W (16 × 220 = 3,520). But for continuous loads like a stove, you should only use 80% of the breaker's rating — so about 2,816W continuously. For stoves above this rating, upgrade to a 20A, 25A, or 32A breaker and the matching wire size.
Yes, absolutely. Any electric stove above 1,500W should have its own dedicated circuit — meaning a separate wire from the distribution board (DB box) directly to the stove socket. Never share a stove circuit with other appliances like a fridge, washing machine, or microwave. Sharing circuits causes tripping and is a fire risk in Pakistani homes where load shedding causes voltage fluctuations.