Minimum
The minimum number of electrical circuits for a new home would be 4/5, as follows;
- Lights
- General Power outlets (GPOs)
- Hob and Oven
- Air Conditioning
- Hot Water Service (Only if Electric)
In my opinion this is only suitable for a Granny Flat, although I have heard of it suggested for larger properties.
Suggested Circuits
A good procedure is to have separate circuits for rooms that have heavy loads as well as separate circuits for major items.
This gives the following circuits for a 3/4bedroom house
- GPOs Kitchen
- GPOs Laundry
- GPOs Living*
- GPOs Bedrooms*
- Lighting Living*
- Lighting Bedrooms*
- Hot Water Service**
- Oven
- HotPlates**
- Centralised Air Conditioning
* Upstairs and downstairs for a 2 storey home
**Not required if Gas Appliances
3 Phase Power
If you want Reverse Cycle Air Conditioning for a large house or want Instantaneous Hot Water you will need 3 Phase Power. In this case it may be worth spreading the GPO and lighting circuits over the different phases.