Yes, following your installation you should receive a certificate of electrical compliance. An electrical certificate of compliance verifies that an electrical installation complies with BS 7671, the British standard for electrical safety. You should also receive a Smart Charging Regulations 2022 Certificate of Compliance, which clarifies that your charger meets the smart charging compliance that came into effect on June 30th 2022.
Factor in where you currently park your vehicle, where on your vehicle the charging socket is and how easy is it to get the supply cable to that location. This and some of the things listed below should help you make the best decision.
The speed of your charger isn’t a factor you have much control of. If you have a three-phase supply (most commercial properties), the maximum charging speed you can achieve is 22kW. Regardless of supply type,
the speed can also be curtailed by the existing load you have on your workplace. If you have large industrial
equipment, servers, air conditioning, compressors, hand dryers ect, then these may impact on your load.
Some chargers offer dynamic load balancing, which means they can monitor your properties load and adjust the charger speed accordingly to meet the load requirements.
This will determine the cost of your installation. The further away the distribution board, the more the install will cost as bigger and longer cables have to be factored in.
The cable can be either surface mounted or buried underground. If you are burying underground, we recommend burying the cable in protective ducting with a cable pull so that should you wish to replace the
cable or update it a later date it’s easier to remove. Cables must also be buried according to the current
electrical regulations. Extensive groundworks can add additional costs to installation.
EV chargers need to be earthed separately from the main supply if the charger is located outside the property (which the majority are) to meet IET Wiring Regulations BS:7671 2018 Amendment 1 2020. This requires one of two solutions; the charger needs to be installed with an earth electrode (rod), which means digging into your car park to bury the rod, or alternatively you can fit a charger with PEN fault protection built in, such as the Easee One. Other companies such as Matt:e, Proteus or Garo offer supply boxes which also have the PEN fault
protection built in.
At "AK Power" Ltd. we can offer either an end-to-end supply and installation service or simple supply-only installation kits for your onsite electrician to fit.
To comply with the law, the installation of your home electric vehicle charger must be carried out by a licensed professional electrician who adheres to the regulations outlined in BS7671 and the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation, 4th Edition.
Certified electrician experienced in EV charger installations will ensure that the charger is safely connected to your electrical supply, preventing any potential hazards or damage.
By hiring a professional, you can have confidence that the installation will be done correctly and safely, providing you with a reliable and efficient charging solution for your electric vehicle.
Yes, it is technically possible to charge your electric vehicle using a standard household plug, often referred to as a 3-pin plug. However, it's essential to note that this method is not the most efficient or practical for regular charging.
Using a 3-pin plug for EV charging is typically a slow process and may take over 24 hours to fully charge your vehicle, depending on its battery capacity and the charging rate. These plugs are designed for everyday household use and may not provide the higher power levels that dedicated EV chargers offer.
In most cases, EV owners use dedicated EV charging equipment or charging stations that offer faster charging speeds, which are more convenient for daily use. While a standard household plug can be used as a temporary solution in emergency situations, it is not recommended as a primary charging method for electric vehicles due to the extended charging times.
Absolutely, it is entirely feasible to install an electric vehicle charger outdoors. This option is particularly popular among EV owners who lack a garage or simply prefer parking their vehicles outdoors. Outdoor installations are widely practiced and can provide convenient access to charging for your electric vehicle. However, it's crucial to ensure that the charger and its installation are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and are compliant with relevant safety standards and regulations. Proper protection against weather elements and appropriate cable management are essential factors to consider for an effective and safe outdoor charging solution.