The branch circuits of rural lighting electrical ready boards in Africa must be designed according to functional zoning (such as lighting and sockets), which is not only a core requirement for ensuring electrical safety, but also a key measure to adapt to local electricity scenarios and reduce maintenance costs. A perfect layout should take into account safety, practicality, and economy, and be in line with the current situation of rural electricity in Africa.

The necessity of designing according to functional zoning is highlighted. The electricity load in rural Africa is chaotic, mostly mixed with lighting and small household appliance sockets. If not divided, once a circuit is short circuited or overloaded, it can cause power outages throughout the house and even lead to electrical fires. After partitioning by lighting and socket, independent control can be achieved. Socket circuit faults do not affect lighting use and can quickly locate the fault point, reducing maintenance time. At the same time, it is easy to configure protective devices separately. Socket circuits are equipped with leakage protectors to avoid electric shock risks and meet local electricity safety needs.

Reasonable layout should follow three core principles. Firstly, the functional zoning is clear, with a lighting circuit on the left side and a socket circuit on the right side of the electrical ready board. A separate independent circuit is added for high-power sockets to avoid load concentration. Secondly, taking into account environmental adaptability, as rural areas in Africa are prone to high temperatures and dust, outdoor enclosures with a protection level of no less than IP44 should be selected. The internal wiring should be straight and tied, and wires should be selected according to specifications. Lighting circuits should use 2.5mm ² copper core wires, and socket circuits should be equipped with leakage protection. Thirdly, it is convenient for operation and maintenance. The layout of components is horizontal and vertical, with reasonable spacing. Each circuit is clearly labeled with its purpose. The installation height of the box is controlled at 1.4-1.6m, and there is reserved operating space around it to adapt to the local operation and maintenance level.

In addition, 1-2 backup circuits need to be reserved to cope with future increased electricity demand, while simplifying layout, reducing redundant design, and lowering costs. In summary, functional zoning is the foundation, and optimizing the layout based on local environment and operational capabilities is necessary to ensure that the electrical ready board is both safe and reliable, while also meeting the actual electricity needs of rural Africa.