Electric Vehicles (EVs) are rapidly becoming the standard, and for most owners, the ultimate convenience is the ability to charge at home. This is where installing a Level 2 EV charger is a substantial electrical upgrade, offering significantly faster charging than a standard wall outlet.

But before you whip out that drill, know that this isn’t a DIY job but a dedicated electrical installation that affects your home’s entire power grid. Continue reading our blog where we’ll guide you through every crucial step to ensure a safe, compliant and future-proof setup.

Understanding the Installation Requirements

A Level 2 charger (typically 7kW or more) operates on a 240-volt dedicated circuit, similar to an electric oven or tumble dryer, but it draws a substantial load for many hours at a time. Here’s what the process involves:

1. The Critical Assessment: Panel Capacity

The single most important step is determining if your existing electrical panel can safely handle the sustained, heavy load of an EV charger.

The Calculation: 

Most homes operate on a 100-amp or 200-amp service. A Level 2 charger typically requires a 40-amp or 50-amp dedicated circuit (meaning it pulls up to 80% of that capacity continuously). So this draw is on top of your existing appliances, HVAC, and lights.

The Upgrade: 

You will likely need a panel upgrade to 200-amp service if your existing panel is 100-amp or near capacity. This is so that you can safely and reliably run your EV charger without constantly risking trips or overheating. Here, our licensed electrician will perform a full load calculation to confirm this requirement.

2. Dedicated Circuit and Safety Components

For safety and efficiency, your EV charger must be installed on its own dedicated circuit, running directly from the main electrical panel to the charging location.

• Breaker and Wiring: This requires a dedicated two-pole 240V circuit breaker and heavy-gauge wiring (e.g. 6-gauge wire for a 50-amp circuit). The wire size is critical to prevent overheating during prolonged charging sessions.
  
• RCD Protection: The circuit must include appropriate RCD (Residual Current Device) protection (Type A, B, or F, as required by the specific charger and regulations) to protect against electric shock and earth faults.
  
• Load Management: For homes that are borderline on panel capacity, advanced chargers can use load management features. This allows the charger to temporarily reduce its power draw if the total household load becomes too high. Thus, preventing a breaker trip while avoiding a full panel replacement.

3. Charger Placement and Mounting

The physical location of the charger needs careful consideration for convenience and compliance:

• Location: The unit should be mounted in a garage or on an exterior wall with off-street parking (a driveway or allocated space) and within easy reach of the car’s charging port.
  
• Compliance: The installation must adhere to current UK wiring regulations (BS 7671) and often has specific height requirements for the charging socket (typically between 750mm and 1200mm above ground).

4. Smart Charger Compliance

Since July 2022, all new domestic EV chargers installed in the UK must be ‘smart chargers.’ This means they must be internet-connected and capable of being remotely accessed, monitored, and adjusted for smart energy balancing. Hence, ensuring a stable Wi-Fi signal at the charger location is now a non-negotiable part of the installation.

Your Trusted EV Installation Partner

Installing an EV charger is one of the most significant electrical changes you can make to your home. It’s a job for certified professionals who are up-to-date with both vehicle technology and Part P Building Regulations.

At Northwest Contractors, our electricians are fully qualified and experienced in all aspects of home EV charging installation, from the initial load assessment to the final wiring and certification. 

Rest assured, your installation is safe, compliant, efficient, and ready for your electric future. So if you’re ready to power your electric cars at home, get in touch today to schedule your site survey and load assessment!