DIN 18015: Minimum Electrical Equipment for Residential Buildings
DIN 18015 is the most important standard for electrical installation in residential buildings in Germany. It governs the minimum number of sockets, light outlets and circuits each room must have — and is mandatory reading for any planner.
What DIN 18015 covers
The standard has three parts that together form the basis for any apartment planning.
DIN 18015-1: Planning fundamentals
Circuit distribution, cross-sections, installation zones, distribution board placement.
DIN 18015-2: Minimum equipment
Per room type, the minimum number of sockets, light outlets, connections.
DIN 18015-3: Wiring systems
How cables are routed: installation zones, drilling restrictions, protection zones.
Minimum equipment per room
These values are mandatory — anything less is non-compliant.
| Room | Sockets | Light outlets | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | min. 5 | 1 | TV, antenna, phone 1 each |
| Bedroom | min. 3 | 1 | — |
| Kitchen | min. 5 | 2 | Stove connection |
| Bath | min. 1 | 1-2 | Shaver socket, 30 mA RCD |
| Hallway | min. 1 / 5 m | sufficient | Two-way switch |
| Basement / utility room | min. 1 / room | 1 | Switch at the door |
Circuits per DIN 18015-1
Every apartment must have certain circuits as a minimum.
| Circuit type | Minimum count | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | 1 / floor | For larger apartments, separate by area |
| Sockets | 1 / room + 1 reserve | Split if > 6 sockets per circuit |
| Kitchen | min. 2 separate circuits | Dishwasher, fridge, worktop |
| Stove | own circuit | 5×2.5 mm² to 5×6 mm² |
| Bath | own circuit | 30 mA RCD |
Reserve positions in the meter cabinet
Even reserve in the meter cabinet is standardized.
At least 30 % reserve
DIN 18015-1 requires at least 30 % free positions in the meter cabinet for later expansion.
Future preparation
Empty conduits to garage (wallbox), roof (PV) and utility room (storage) are standard today.
Practical tips beyond the standard
Generous sockets
Plan at least 50 % more sockets than the standard requires. Retrofitting always costs more.
Don't forget networking
DIN 18015 barely covers network sockets. Every living and work room should have at least 2 LAN connections today.
USB sockets
USB sockets at bedside, in the bath and kitchen are very convenient and cost little extra.
Conclusion: the standard is the floor, not the goal
DIN 18015 is the lower limit, not the target. Anyone planning a good electrical installation goes well beyond it. Additional cost is small, the comfort gain enormous.
💡 Tip: Visualize sockets directly in the floor plan — many homeowners underestimate how quickly furniture blocks positions.
Validate DIN 18015 directly in your plan
myElectricPlan automatically checks whether your rooms meet DIN 18015-2 minimum equipment — and shows missing sockets immediately.
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