LT-A vs LT-B vs LT-C vs LT-D vs LT-E and beyond
Bangladesh's BERC tariff schedule sorts every connection into a category, and the category — not just the units you use — decides how you're charged. This guide explains who belongs where and what to do if yours looks wrong.
Every electricity connection in Bangladesh is assigned a tariff category at the time of application, based on how the premises is used. The category determines the rate structure (progressive slabs vs. flat vs. time-of-use), the demand charge rate, and sometimes eligibility for subsidised rates. Getting it wrong — in either direction — has real financial consequences, and this guide is meant to help you recognise your own category correctly, not to override your utility's official classification.
On this page
The main category families
The full schedule spans LT (low tension), MT (11kV), HT (33kV) and EHT (132/230kV) tiers — see the full tariff page for every code. Most households and small businesses only need to know these five:
| Category | Name | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| LT-A | Residential (Light & Fan) | Homes, flats and domestic connections at 230/400V. Progressive slab billing. |
| LT-B | Irrigation & Agricultural Pump | Deep tubewells, irrigation pumps and farm equipment. |
| LT-C1 | Small Industry | Small-scale industrial connections billed on time-of-use rates. |
| LT-D1 | Education, Religious, Charitable & Hospital | Schools, madrasas, mosques, temples, NGOs and hospitals. |
| LT-E | Commercial & Office | Shops, offices, restaurants and commercial spaces. |
LT-A is the only category with progressive slabs (cheaper first, pricier later); everything else in this table is billed flat or through peak/off-peak time-of-use rates, which is why crossing from residential to commercial usually raises the average rate even before demand charges are considered.
Common misclassification cases
- Home-based business on a residential meter. A small shop, tutoring centre or parlour run from a home connection may need reclassification to LT-E depending on scale and local policy.
- Mosque or NGO wrongly billed as commercial. Religious and charitable institutions generally qualify for LT-D1, which has no progressive slab but a lower flat rate than commercial LT-E.
- Irrigation pump billed as general commercial/industrial. Agricultural pumps should sit under LT-B, a materially cheaper flat rate than LT-C or LT-E.
- Landlord's building meter billed commercial for a purely residential apartment block. Pure residential buildings, including shared-meter apartment blocks, are usually eligible for LT-A even if a caretaker's office is inside, unless part of the ground floor is a rented shop.
- Small workshop under a household connection. Motorised workshops (welding, carpentry with power tools) often need an industrial category once load crosses a certain threshold, even at small scale.
Cost impact of the wrong category
A rough illustration for 300 units a month and a 2kW sanctioned load, energy charge only (before VAT and demand charge), shows how much the category alone can move the bill:
| If billed as | Approx. energy charge (300 units) | Demand rate |
|---|---|---|
| LT-A (residential) | ≈ ৳2,367 | ৳42/kW |
| LT-D1 (education/charitable) | ৳2,715 | ৳60/kW |
| LT-E (commercial) | ≈ ৳4,930* | ৳90/kW |
*LT-E is time-of-use rated; figure assumes a 25% peak-hour share. Use the bill calculator for your own consumption profile.
How to apply for a category change
- Visit your local utility office (DESCO, DPDC, NESCO, BPDB, WZPDCL zone or Palli Bidyut Samity) with your bill and consumer number.
- Submit a written application stating the actual use of the premises, with supporting documents (trade licence, rental agreement, institution registration as applicable).
- An inspector typically visits the premises to verify actual usage before approving the change.
- Once approved, the new category applies from the next billing cycle; some utilities may also review recent bills for correction.
Key takeaways
- • Category decides both the rate structure and the demand charge rate — not just a label.
- • LT-A is the only category with progressive residential slabs.
- • Home businesses, mosques/NGOs and irrigation pumps are the most commonly misclassified.
- • A category change needs a written application and usually a site inspection.
- • Getting classified too cheap is risky — a backdated correction can be costly.
Frequently asked questions
Can a home-based business be billed on the LT-A residential rate?
Generally no — if part of the premises is used commercially (a shop front, a tuition centre, a small workshop), utilities usually expect a separate commercial (LT-E) connection or meter for that portion. Rules and enforcement vary by utility, so confirm with your billing office before assuming either way.
I run a small tailoring shop from home with one meter. What category am I?
This is one of the most common grey areas. Some utilities allow small home-based trades to stay residential if commercial load is minor; others require reclassification. Ask your local office directly, since the answer depends on local policy and the inspector's assessment.
Does changing category change my sanctioned load automatically?
No, they are separate fields. A category change affects which rate table applies to your units; a load change affects the demand charge. You can request either independently, though inspectors sometimes review both together.
Will my bill go up or down if I move from LT-A to LT-E?
Almost always up — LT-E (commercial) has both a higher demand charge and time-of-use energy rates instead of the residential slab system, so identical consumption typically costs noticeably more.
How long does a category change application take?
This varies by utility and often requires a site inspection. It can range from a couple of weeks to over a month. Following up in person at the local office tends to be faster than waiting for a written response.
See the full tariff table for every category, or read how to read your bill to find where your category is printed.