Short answer: The standard socket in Saudi Arabia is the British BS 1363 — three flat pins, 13 amps, with a fuse inside the plug — on 230 V / 60 Hz. This category splits into three branches: sockets, switches and dimmers, and plates and covers. All three must match in size and range to be installed together.

The category has three branches, not one

Most buying mistakes here come from mixing the branches: a contractor buys the socket from one range and the plate from another, and the modules no longer fit.

Branch	What it is	Products in Almadah's catalogue	Used for
Sockets	The power outlet itself: single, double, switched, USB, industrial	2,718	Every appliance feed point
Switches & dimmers	Lighting switches (1–4 gang), appliance switches (AC / water heater), dimmers	2,900	Controlling lighting and loads
Plates & covers	The outer frame and module carrier	1,045	Final look and size matching

Figures from the sockets and switches category as of 14/09/2026 — 7,105 products in total.

The adopted standard, and why you still see others

The Saudi electrical code adopts the BS 1363 plug (locally known as the "English plug" or "13 amp"). You will still find three other shapes in the market:

• European Schuko (F-type) — arrives with appliances imported from Europe and China. It works electrically on 230 V but does not fit the Saudi back box without an adapter.
• American (A/B-type) — 120 V by origin; not used in fixed wiring here.
• Industrial P17 (CEE) — a sealed plug for workshops, generators and sites, colour-coded by voltage: blue 230 V, red 400 V. The catalogue holds 411 products of this type.

Practical rule: fixed wiring in the building is always BS 1363. Imported appliances are served with an adapter or by changing the appliance plug — not by fitting a European socket in the wall.

The right amperage per appliance

A 13 A socket is not enough for everything, and this is the most common installation mistake in Saudi homes:

Appliance	Correct switch / socket	Note
Lighting and small appliances	13 A switched socket	The norm in rooms
Split air conditioner	20 A switch with neon indicator	Continuous summer load; a normal socket cannot carry it
Electric water heater	45 A heater / cooker switch	Installed outside the bathroom, not inside
Oven, kettle, air fryer	Dedicated 13 A socket or 45 A switch by rating	A Saudi villa kitchen needs a dedicated circuit
Workshop and generator	Industrial P17, IP44 or higher	Voltage colours as above

Available ranges and price bands

The catalogue is led by LEGRAND with 5,221 products in this category, followed by Proto (300), Schneider Electric (177), SCAME (100) and Alfanar (79), then MK, Panasonic and Bahra.

The actual best seller here is the Yana range by Bahra in black, along with the Luxy-Fi line — a sign that the Saudi market is moving toward darker finishes after years of white.

Price band (VAT-inclusive, as of 14/09/2026):

• Cheapest item: SAR 1.66 (covers and small spare parts)
• Median price: SAR 72.50 — the most telling figure for an ordinary piece
• Arithmetic mean: SAR 234.55 (inflated by industrial assemblies)
• Highest: SAR 65,578.75 (industrial assemblies, not domestic parts)

Why the median matters more than the mean: a few hundred industrial items triple the average here. The median says half the category sits below SAR 72.50.

How many sockets and switches do you need?

For a four-bedroom Saudi villa (a practical estimate, to be reviewed with your consultant):

• Bedroom: 4–6 sockets + a 2-gang switch + a 20 A AC switch
• Majlis: 6–8 sockets + a 3- or 4-gang switch + a dimmer if the lighting is dimmable
• Kitchen: 8–12 sockets (kettle, air fryer, microwave and fridge each on its own point) + a 45 A switch for the oven
• Bathroom: no socket inside the shower zone; the 45 A heater switch goes outside the door
• Outdoors and garden: sockets inside sealed IP55 enclosures — the catalogue holds 138 products of this type

Typical local mounting heights: sockets at 30 cm from floor level, switches at 110 cm.

Frequently asked questions

Can I fit a European socket in my home?

Not advisable in fixed wiring. BS 1363 is the adopted standard, and the European socket provides no in-plug fuse and does not match the standard back box. Use an adapter for the imported appliance.

What is the difference between a switched and an unswitched socket?

A switched socket cuts power to the appliance without unplugging it. It is the common choice in Saudi Arabia and is preferred for appliances that stay permanently connected.

Why do LED lamps flicker on a dimmer?

Because most older dimmers are designed for incandescent loads and have a minimum load that LED lamps never reach. The fix is a dimmer marked LED-compatible with the correct cut type (leading or trailing edge). The catalogue holds 75 dimmers.

How do I pick the right plate size?

By module count (2, 3, 4 or 6) and frame size (British or Italian). Plate and module must come from the same range — the single biggest cause of returns in this category.

Are USB sockets worth the price difference?

They help in bedrooms and offices by reducing loose chargers. But the built-in charger has a shorter life than the socket itself and is slower than a modern standalone charger. The catalogue holds 255 products with a USB port.

What do the IP ratings mean?

The first digit covers solids and dust, the second covers water. IP44 is enough for covered areas; IP55 suits outdoor exposure to dust and rain — the right choice for Saudi conditions.

Related

• Full sockets and switches category — 7,105 products
• Sockets · Switches & dimmers · Plates & covers