EV Charger Installation for Homes & Businesses
Electric vehicle chargers fitted after a proper look at the supply they are going to depend on.
An electric vehicle charger is one of the biggest continuous loads a home or small business can add. It may draw a high current for hours at a time, often overnight while the heating or a dishwasher is also running. Fitting one is straightforward when the supply is ready for it and awkward when it isn't. That is why every job we take on starts with a survey.
Surveying the supply and consumer unit
We look at the incoming supply, the main fuse rating, the meter position and the consumer unit. Is there a spare way? Does the board offer the right protection? Is it in good condition? We also consider what else the property runs, such as electric showers, cooking and heat pumps, to see whether load management is sensible. Sometimes the answer is that the board needs replacing first; our page on consumer unit upgrades explains what that involves.
Planning the cable route
The charger usually goes on an outside wall near where you park, or on a post in a drive or car park. The cable has to get there from the board safely: through the house, along an external wall, or buried in a protected route to a detached garage or post. A shorter, simpler route keeps the job tidy. We agree the position with you before any drilling starts.
Earthing in general terms
Charging outdoors raises particular earthing questions, because a vehicle stands on the ground and is touched by people. Depending on how the property's supply is earthed, the installation may need a charger with built-in protection or a separate earthing arrangement. We assess this during the survey and design the installation to suit, in line with the wiring regulations, BS 7671.
Smart charger requirements
In general, chargers installed at homes and workplaces in Great Britain must meet smart charging regulations: they need to be able to connect to the internet, schedule charging and respond to signals that shift charging away from busy times. Most current home chargers are built to this. If you are buying your own, check it is a compliant smart model.
Workplace chargers
For a business, chargers are usually fed from the building's distribution board, sometimes through a new sub-main. The questions are how many vehicles, how fast, and how the load fits alongside everything else the building uses. Our page on three-phase supplies and distribution boards covers the bigger supply questions that can come up.
Testing and handover
Choosing the position
Think about where the car actually parks, which side the charging socket is on, and whether a tethered cable or a socket suits you better. A charger on the wall nearest the driveway avoids cables trailing across paths. If the drive is shared or the car sits on the road, the options can be limited, and we will tell you honestly. For businesses, chargers close to the building usually mean shorter cable runs, while bays further out may need ducting or a feeder pillar. We mark out positions during the survey so there are no surprises on installation day.
After installation we walk you through the charger's app or settings, show you where its isolator and protective device are, and leave the certificate and manufacturer's paperwork with you. If you later add solar panels or a battery, the charger can often be set to make use of them, and it is worth telling whoever installs them that a charger is already in place.
Once installed, the circuit is tested and certified, and we show you how the charger is switched and isolated. We are based at Lyford near Wantage and work Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm. Check the areas we cover, or call 01235 430442 to book a survey.