Electric Vehicles are growing in popularity. With people more aware of their carbon footprint, owning an electric car is a good way to help cut emissions. A major consideration with any Electric Vehicle (EV) is charging. You need to be able to charge your vehicle effectively. Having an efficient way of charging your electric car at home ensures that you are ready to go whenever you need to.
Here we will answer your questions about what you need to consider for your EV charger installation.
What are the charging speeds?
There are three main types of EV charging; rapid, fast, and slow. These represent the power outputs, and therefore the charging speeds, available to charge an EV. Power is measured in kilowatts (kW).
Fast chargers are typically rated at either 7 kW or 22 kW. When using a fast charger, the charging speed will be limited by the car’s on-board charger, with not all models able to accept 7 kW or more. These models can still be plugged in to the charge point, but will only draw the maximum power accepted by the on-board charger. For example, a Nissan Leaf with a 3.3 kW on-board charger will only draw a maximum of 3.3 kW, even if the fast charge point is 7 kW or 22 kW.
Charging times vary on unit speed and the vehicle, but a 7 kW charger will recharge a compatible EV with a 40 kWh battery in 4-6 hours, and a 22 kW charger in 1-2 hours.
Tesla’s ‘destination’ chargers provide 11 kW or 22 kW of power but, like the Supercharger network, are intended only for use by Tesla models. Tesla does provide some standard Type 2 chargers at many of its destination locations, and these are compatible with any plug-in model using the compatible connector.
What Home Charging connector do I need?
Each charger type has an associated set of connectors which are designed for low or high-power use, and for either AC or DC charging.
For home charging you will have an AC supply which requires one of two connectors. The connector you need will depend on which one your car is compatible with. It needs to fit your charging point at one end and your EV charging inlet at the other.
type 1 connector
- Supports slow charging of 3.7kW or 7kW
- Commonly used by Mitsubishi and Nissan
Type 2 Connector
- Supports slow charging of 3.7kW or 7kW. Some charge at 22kW
- Commonly used by Audi, BMW, VW and Volvo
What about Cables?
Most EVs are supplied with two cables for slow and fast AC charging; one with a three-pin plug and the other with a Type 2 connector charger-side. Both are fitted with a compatible connector for the car’s inlet port. These cables enable an EV to connect to most untethered charge points, while use of tethered units require using the cable with the correct connector type for the vehicle.
Examples include the Nissan Leaf MkI which is typically supplied with a 3-pin-to-Type 1 cable and a Type 2-to-Type 1 cable. The Renault Zoe has a different charging set up and comes with a 3-pin-to-Type 2 and/or Type 2-to-Type 2 cable. For rapid charging, both models use the tethered connectors which are attached to the charging units.
What’s the difference between a tethered and untethered charger?
A tethered charger has an integrated charging cable which is permanently attached. This means that it will only be compatible with car models that are compatible with that connector type. If you change model or a new cable is needed the charger will no longer work. So, for example. a Type 1 tethered cable could be used by a first-generation Nissan Leaf, but not a second-generation Leaf, which has a Type 2 inlet.
Untethered units are more flexible and can be used by any EV with the correct cable. This means you are not locked into one type of connector and others can more easily use you charger, for example if you have friends visiting you.
What Charging Units are available?
Zappi Charging Unit
• TETHERED/UNTETHERED
• British made and manufactured lower carbon footprint
• Solar compatible
• Myenergi app, smart charging
• Three charging modes – eco, eco+ and fast
• No earth rod required
• 7kW or 22kW 230V AC
• Tethered system 6.5m cable
• PIN protected
• Remote access using HUB and app
• Three year warranty
• All packaging is recycled and recyclable with minimal use of plastics
Hypervolt Charging Unit
• TETHERED
• Designed and manufactured in Britain
• Mobile monitoring
• Type 1 and 2 leads available
• 7.5m and 10m leads available at extra cost
• Tariff scheduled charging mode
• 3 year warranty
• No earth rod required
• Household load adjustment
• Solar compatible
• Hypervolt app
Rolec Charging Unit
• TETHERED/UNTETHERED
• Modular design for easy repair
• Smart
• Solar (optional)
• Load balancing
• Manage remotely
• Adjustable power output
Anderson Charging Unit
TETHERED
• Hidden cable system and night light.
• 5.5m, 8.5m (3.6kW,7kW), 6.5m (22kW)
• 3.6kW, 7kW, 22kW
• Bluetooth/wifi connectivity
• 8 metal finishes and 4 wood
• Compatible with all type 2 electric and hybrid cars
• Remote locking
• No tariff optimisation
• Load balancing
• Solar compatible
• 3 years of Andersen care cover
• No earth rod required
Tesla Charging Unit
TETHERED
• Remotely open your Tesla’s charge port
• Sleek Tesla design
• Single unit delivers Slow to 3-phase charging
• 3.6kW, 7kW, 22kW
• Only available with Type 2 connector
• Compatible with all vehicles with a Type 2 Socket
• 3 year warranty
What are the Installation requirements?
A site visit is required to ensure that the earth bonding of the house is adequate and equal to that of the car charger. If this is not the case severe electric shock is possible due to the potential differences between the earthing arrangements.
The site visit will also allow us to assess lengths and difficulty of cable runs, the most suitable point of installation and whether the house has an independent electrical supply. To install an EV charge point a house must have its own electric supply and not be connected on a loop with its neighbours. The house can draw a maximum of 60 amps before we would have to seek permission from the Distribution Network Operator for the installation.
How can Equiptest help you?
We are experienced in installing and testing a variety of electrical equipment. We will ensure that your EV charger is safe to use.
Contact us to discover more.
