Considering the high temperature, dusty, humid or coastal salt spray outdoor environment in rural Africa, as well as the core requirements of low-cost, easy to maintain, and corrosion-resistant lighting electrical ready boards, the material and thickness of component installation boards need to balance practicality, adaptability, and economy. The specific requirements are as follows, which should be in line with local construction and maintenance conditions and avoid overly complex selection.

In terms of material, cold-rolled steel plates (spray treated) are preferred for supporting the din rails, which is the first choice for high cost-effectiveness and is suitable for the vast majority of non coastal rural areas. Its substrate has high strength, impact resistance, and can stably support lightweight components such as switches and terminals. The surface spray can effectively resist corrosion in high-temperature and dusty environments, with moderate cost, easy procurement, and simple maintenance. In coastal areas with frequent salt spray, rainy and humid weather, 304 stainless steel is preferred as it has strong corrosion resistance and salt spray resistance, reducing maintenance frequency in the later stage; 316 stainless steel can be used in extreme salt spray environments, taking into account budget considerations. It is strictly prohibited to use pure plastics (which are prone to deformation at high temperatures and have poor impact resistance) and hot-rolled steel plates without anti-corrosion treatment (which are prone to rapid corrosion).

In terms of thickness, the core requirement is not less than 1.5mm. African rural lighting electrical ready boards only carry lightweight components such as lighting switches and wiring terminals. A thickness of 1.5mm can meet the load-bearing requirements, balancing lightweight and economy, and is the conventional first choice. If the size of the electrical ready board is large, there are many components, or it is installed in areas with frequent human activities and easy collision, the thickness should not be less than 2.0mm to enhance structural strength and avoid deformation and damage to internal components. The thickness of the board should be uniform, without scratches or dents, and the anti-corrosion treatment should be in place to ensure adaptability to harsh outdoor environments and ensure long-term stable operation of the electrical ready board.