Electric Vehicle Charger Home Installation
Electric Vehicle Charging Install
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How To Choose A Home Electric Car Charger ​
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Being able to charge your electric vehicle at your home is
convenient and easy.
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Home charging of electric vehicles enhances when you switch from
a 110-volt outlet on your wall to a quicker, 240V home charger
- this switch can add around 15 to 60 miles of per hour range (RPH)
to your charging!
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A quicker charger also enables you to maximize your electric car’s
output and cover more of your short and long-distance trips
through electric driving.
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Compatibility usually is not a problem with home chargers, since
most of them can charge any electric car through the universal
connector J1772 (Tesla chargers being an exception only compatible with Tesla cars).
However, there are several other factors you would want to consider before deciding on a home electric car charger. Let us discuss some of these factors.
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Charging Speed
Charging speed varies, depending upon your charger’s electrical current or amperage.
Your electric car’s range, driving style, and commute will determine your requirement for speed – a vehicle with a low range, longer commute, and always operating on maximum speed, will require faster charging at home.
Typically, electric cars can handle around 32 amperes and add approximately 25 to 30 miles of RPH with charging, making a 32-ampere station a decent choice for most electric cars. A 50-ampere charger, though, will allow you to increase the charging speed further, adding around 37 miles of RPH of charging.
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The Amount of Room on the Electrical Panel
It is essential to select a home electric car charger with an amperage level aligned with your home and car’s electrical capacity.
According to The National Electric Code, your electric circuit’s amperage should be at least 25% more than the charger’s output. For instance, if you want to purchase a Level 2 40-ampere charger, you should also have a circuit with a rating of at least 50 amperes. Another option could be to use one of those flexible chargers which allow you to set amperage levels that are compatible with your residence.
Checking your electric panel will allow you to find out the number of available amps for charging.
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The Location for Charger Placement
Ideally, the electrical panel should be close to your home electric car charger.
You might need the electrician to form a conduit from your charging spot to your panel, and
excessive conduit can prove costly. However, if you have your garage door close to your charger,
it will become easier for you to charge more than one car simultaneously.
Getting a weatherproof charger allows you the option to install indoors or outdoors, depending
upon your preferred parking spot. Although dryer circuits are not particularly secure for chargers,
chargers that use 14-50 or NEMA 650 plugs can do the job, as those two plug types are common,
and can easily be installed by an electrician.
Conclusion
Now that you have an understanding regarding the essential considerations to focus on while
buying a home charger, you can better assess your options and choose one that is perfectly
aligned with your home and vehicle requirements.
So, what are you waiting for?
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference in Level 1 and Level 2 charging?
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Using a Level 1 charger is the simplest way to power up in your garage since it plugs into a normal 110-volt wall outlet. The downside? Filling your battery can take a while. Most Level 1 charger plug-ins get about four to five miles of driving in from each hour of charge. How long a full recharge can take is dependent on the battery size of your EV. If you regularly run your battery down to single digits of battery life, a Level 1 charging station probably won’t cut it. On the other hand, if you mostly travel short distances and have significant time between driving trips, a Level 1 charger may fit your lifestyle.
A Level 2 charger allows you to get on the road faster and be fully charged. 240-volt chargers should be professionally installed and have a current of up to 32 Amps. Depending on the model of EV you own and how frequently you drive it, it’s possible to fill up about five times faster than with a Level 1 charger. If you drive long distances all the time, don’t have access to a high-powered charger near your destination or don’t want to wait hours before you get moving again, a Level 2 charger is the right choice for you. It can be installed either hardwired or portable.
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A portable Level 2 charger option is good if you need flexibility in your charging options or aren’t ready to permanently install one at home. The charger delivers charging at about three times the speed of a Level 1 station, and you can take it on the road with you as needed. The outlet you plug this portable charger into will need the necessary voltage and correct NEMA Configuration.
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What sets ABC’s installation services apart from others?
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At ABC, all our electricians are licensed and work under the direction of a Master Electrician. Just like with electrical service in another part of your home, our electricians know local code requirements for a charger installation. Additionally, they’re equipped with most parts, pieces or equipment that allows them to know a charger is functioning properly when installed. Plus, our electricians will obtain necessary permits and manage any inspection of the completed installation by city or county inspectors.