Are You Doing a D.I.Y. EV Car Charger Install at Your Home?
Upstate Electrical Solutions Offers the Following Helpful Tips for Homeowners
Upstate Electric Solutions has been
installing EV Chargers for many years now. Here are some things we have learned that will save you time and money and ensure your family's safety.
First, you should consider using a
Level 2 charger. Level 2 chargers are 240v and range between 30amps and 80amps. We have found a 60amp charger that uses 48amp works best and provides adequate charging without overloading most electrical systems.
Before you begin, check a few things to avoid overloading your electrical system. Your home should have at least a 200amp service. If your home does not have at least a 200amp service, you will need to look into
upgrading your electrical service before you proceed. If you have
old glass fuses that screw in, call a
local electrician as soon as possible since your system should have been upgraded in the 1980s.
Assuming your service is at least 200amps, and only one charger is needed, you must ensure your current electrical breaker box is suitable for an
EV Charger Installation. Your breaker box is probably fine if your home has an Eaton, Square D, GE, or Siemens panel. Upstate Electrical Solutions installs
Leviton Load Centers because of their durable design and smart breaker technology.
Old obsolete panels such as ITE, Challenger, Push-O-Mattic, Federal Pacific, Guild, Crouse-Hinds, and
Zinsco brands may have been recalled for problems and fire hazards. If you are considering installing two EV chargers, we recommend upgrading to a 400amp service.
GFCI protection is important to consider when installing your new Car Charger to help ensure your safety. Some manufacturers include GFCI protection like the
Telsa Wall Charger. If your EV Charger does not come with GFCI protection with will need to install a GFCI Breaker to meet local code requirements and ensure personal safety. Read more here to see if you need GFCI protection for your home.
Next, Voltage Drop and Splices can be significant obstacles. The circuit that feeds your EV Charger should be a continuous run without splices. We have learned that splices in an EV Charging circuit are a serious mistake. You will want to ensure your circuit length is not so long as it affects voltage drop.
The NEC recommends that the maximum voltage drop for a branch circuit shouldn't exceed 3%; follow this link to use an online
Voltage Drop Calculator. Once you have chosen your wire size, it is a good idea to go one size up to ensure the circuit can handle the ampacity the EV Charger uses and the heat it creates. Protip, #6 romex is only rated for 55amps. We have started installing #4 THHN Copper in a PVC Conduit for must 60amp Charger Installs. Aluminum Conductors should never be used for an
EV charger Installation.
Does your EV Charger need a wall-mounted receptacle and use a Cord and Plug to connect power to the charge itself? If so, we recommend using an
Industrial Rated Receptacle. We have seen well-made Commercial Grade Receptacles fail under the high amp loads the EV Chargers require.
Finally, as with all electrical connections, ensuring the correct torque is essential to prevent loose links that lead to heat build-up and electrical failures.
If Upstate Electrical Solutions can be of assistance, please give us a call at
864.834.9955 or fill out a service request below:
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"TESLA HOME CHARGER INSTALLATION. I just got the new Model 3 and had ordered the home charger. I could not find anyone that knew what they were doing and the Tesla's website only recommended 2 installers which were outrageously overpriced and they were booked out 6 weeks. I called Upstate Electrical Solutions and they were able to come out the next day. They gave me a fair quote and did an amazing clean professional job. I also appreciated they did not try to sell me any 3rd party products and acknowledged I got the right charger for the car. The two installers were Ian and Anthony. Once again, I highly recommend these guys for home car charger installation."
