When getting ready to install a new electric vehicle charging system, remember to invest in the right size of your electric panel and upgrade it if necessary. The simplest way to check if your electric panel could support a new electric vehicle charging system is to find out how much extra amperage is available. In many homes, it is possible to have a maximum of 30A available; some others might even support a high amperage charger up to 70A! Also, when your panel is not ready, a new main electrical service could become a solution. You will need to discuss the service upgrade requirements with an electrical professional to avoid future frustration. Choosing the right location and evaluating the amperage cost are very important elements of the project that require consideration.
Electric vehicle sales are expected to dramatically increase over the next few years in California. Along with the increase of electric vehicles, there comes the need for additional electrical power in order to properly charge these new vehicles. The California Energy Commission is providing significant incentives in the form of rebates aimed at reducing the cost of electric vehicle charger installations. These incentives cover battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV). Rebates are available to a variety of different types of customers: property owners, contractors, utilities, government institutions, businesses, and non-profit organizations.
Types of Electric Car Chargers
Level 3 DC chargers: They are the fastest EV chargers on the market and use direct current to recharge the battery. They are capable of extremely high power and can charge the battery to about 80 percent in 30 minutes, which is needed when batteries are needed. However, these chargers are rarely used and very difficult to find, and they require a special working charger with a 480V+ 3-phase electricity supply to work, so it is not possible to install at home. Currently, most DC chargers are built-in a public installation project, so drivers can find them in their car. These chargers are more expensive to purchase and install, so they are a good choice for commercial use.
AC chargers: These chargers are the most common and utilize the 240-volt system. They can charge electric cars to full capacity overnight within 6 to 8 hours, which is suitable for home when the vehicle is not being used. It is also very safe and can prevent overheating of the power source and also protect the vehicle. The most common chargers for AC chargers have a 3.3kW, 7.2kW, and 6.6kW, but you must select your charger according to the requirement of the electric car to be charged. When you overestimate, you’ll waste money, and when you underestimate, you’ll have extra work to power your EV.
Factors to Consider Before Installing an Electric Car Charger
Placing an electric car charger at home is not as simple as buying a car charger and installing it yourself. Several matters need to be considered such as building regulation, charging location, cable length, electric safety in the home, or zoning issue. All of these issues and incompatibilities need to be addressed in advance of the installation process; that’s why consulting with a professional can save a lot of hassle and state violation. If one plans to buy an electric car, be sure to look into the state, local government, and electrical code for charging station regulations before installing a charging station. This will be an indicator of the requirement, can request legal advice, and contribute to the owner’s peace of mind.
An electric car charger, also known as an electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE), is a device that supplies electric energy from the home or building’s main electrical supply to charge an electric vehicle’s rechargeable batteries. Having one at home puts one at ease, which allows him/her to travel without worrying about the battery life since charging time will significantly be reduced. They can also charge it overnight and will be convenient for car owners. Many of these units also come with personal safety features to avoid overcharging or other issues. It has an emergency button to stop the flow of electricity when necessary. Safety should be the number one priority, so do not hesitate to consult with a professional before buying and installing a car charger at home. In this article, we will cover everything one needs to consider before hiring an expert to install an electric car charger at his/her home.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing an Electric Car Charger
Choose where in your home you want to install the charger; whether outside, in your garage, or in a carport. When choosing the location, the distance from the unit to the electric car should be taken into consideration. Check if the electrical panel is big enough to install the charger smoothly. Make the decision between charging at 40 or 50 amps; keep in mind these two different charging rates involve distinct units. The 40-amp unit needs a 50-amp breaker, with six-gauge wiring, whereas the 50-amp one has a 60-amp breaker with a four-gauge wire.
Solve the cabling for underground installation after looking for any potential obstacles like steel rebars inside the walls or to prevent damage to irrigation piping. Among the processes done during the installation is making a few holes to drive the cable through. The charging station or wall-port mounting location should be computed by navigating the length of the feed cable with your decision of electrical conduit and the location on the floor of the wall. It is essential to leave a good margin for the cable. Remember to consider any repair that might be necessary in the future. After deciding whether you will be getting a hardwired or a plug-in electric charging station, it is now time to learn how to install it.
Set up the power and control connections at the wall port with the charging station by setting up the power and control connections with pigtails. Each of these pigtails comes equipped with four different screws: L1, L2, L1, and L2. Keep in mind that you will have to make the right connections on the base; otherwise, issues might occur.
When connections are accomplished, the ground tail is to be permanently secured using a wire curtain using a terminal block to connect one option to the base. Complete all the power connections at the station. Once all the power connections are done, you can proceed with making the control connections.
Separate the charging station cord from the connector; in the case of liquid-cooled, remember not to switch the fluid of the connectors with air. Position the wires and organize them efficiently in the cable ends. After removing a piece of insulation from the single larger wire or series of wires, use some heat shrink tubing sticking up into the outlet box so that is half of the half-inch exposed copper. Finally, check for strays and then insert it. Mount the wall box to hold the future connection.
Safety Precautions and Best Practices
When there are multiple connections (consuming or serving) on the same line, the load current for each converter is determined. This can happen when the limit is reached, due to the first charging of 2 or 3 cars in the morning or in the afternoon according to a typical work shift. Periods in which the charge will not be main or exclusive for all the installed columns can reduce costs and avoid costly reinforcement. It is possible to centralize the control of the charge of the different vehicles: dedicate a distinctive protection device to each station so that, according to the indications of the on-board electronics modules of the vehicle, the control unit can prevent the connection to the charging station. If an electric vehicle is being powered, the control unit should manage any interruptions and subsequent reconstructions of the charging.
What if a large amount of current flows? Critical values can cause a fire or electric shock. The charge cable has a dedicated device that limits current to a safe level based on the device of the vehicle, to prevent the occurrence of a hazardous situation. In principle, try to install only as much power as you need. To install more than necessary (larger cross section, larger capacity, reinforcement, etc.) only increases the cost of installation. In particular, do not connect in parallel other devices to a charge cable of very high power; in practice, this is avoided and not provided in the case of fast charging station installations. Recall that the value returned by the e-car charger is indicatively maximum. The current will, in any case, be limited by the capacity of the column, by the capacity of the line, and by the connected devices.
