Despite the rapid growth in demand for electric vehicles in recent years, how to install a charging station for electric vehicle is still a new experience for many. Unlike gasoline cars, EVs can be charged almost anywhere there is an outlet, including at home. It is no surprise that the convenience and cost-effectiveness of a home station make it the most popular charging location: 64% of current EV drivers regularly charge at home.
Charging a car at home, however, can be a bit more complicated than just plugging it into the nearest outlet. Among other things, the most frequent questions are whether you need a home EV charging station, how much it costs, and how to install it.
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Charging Station for Electric Vehicle: Checking Available Power
Start by checking the maximum allowable power, as the EV charging station will become the most powerful consumer in your network. For this, take the maximum power on the incoming line and calculate the peak load consumption. The difference between them is the value you need.
Let’s consider a possible option with a single-phase line: Look at the maximum current of the circuit breaker on the line and multiply it by 220. Example: 220V*32A=7.04kW. From this number, subtract the total maximum power consumption of your network consumers (if they were all turned on at the same time). That is: heater 1.5 kW + washing machine 800 W + lights 700 W. And now you have 4 kW left for the charging station.
Video: How to Find Out if Your Home Electrical System is Suitable for Charging Station for Electric Vehicle
The following short video visually demonstrates what to pay attention to when calculating electricity capacity for charging.
EV Charging Station and Necessary Protection Devices
Installing an EV charging station requires a separate line with a circuit breaker paired with a differential relay. For a single-phase line, you need a relay and a circuit breaker.
Differential Relay (RCD) Type A/Hi:
- Nominal differential current – 30 mA.
- Maximum working current – 40A.
- Connection – 2P (two-pole).
Circuit Breaker for the chosen current from 16 to 40 A (add 3 to 8 A to the calculated value):
- Type – C.
- Connection – 2P or 1P + N (single-pole or two-pole device).
For three-phase connection you will need:
- Differential Relay (RCD) Type B (if your terminal is already equipped with a DC leakage detector, a three-phase differential relay type A will be sufficient).
- Nominal disconnecting differential current – 30 mA.
- Connection – 4P.
- Maximum amperage – 40A.
- Circuit Breakers for the chosen current from 16 to 40 A (add 3 to 8 A to the station’s calculated current).
A combined device – a differential circuit breaker – can also be used. This is an automatic differential current switch (AID).
Wire cross-section for connection is an important detail that many do not pay attention to when installing an EV charging station. In reality, the throughput of the wire and its quality also affects the safety and stability of the system, like other devices. Therefore, choose:
| Amps | Meters | mm² |
| Up to 16 | Less than 100 | 2.5 |
| 16-32 | Less than 100 | 10 |
To ensure operation without RCD overload, the nominal operating current of the RCD must be higher than the maximum of the circuit breaker. The standard range of nominal currents of RCD: 16, 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 80, 100 (A).
Types of Differential Relays for Charging Station for Electric Vehicle
Several types of differential relays can be used for the installation of a charging system:
- “AC”. Tested only for the leakage of sinusoidal AC. Suitable for general use.
- “A”. Tested for leakage of AC and pulsating (impulse) current. Used in circuits with diode or thyristor rectifiers in electronic loads, as well as in single-phase EV charging schemes.
- “B”. Responds to the appearance of AC, DC, or rectified current leakage in the controlled circuit. The disconnection conditions are defined for frequencies from 50 Hz to 1 kHz. DC residual current in the AC network is generated by three-phase and some single-phase rectifying circuits. These RCDs are used with loads with a three-phase rectifier (photovoltaic systems, variable speed drives, EV charging, medical equipment).
Installing an EV charging station requires a careful and serious approach. Whether to contact a specialist or handle the installation yourself is a matter of preparation and experience, but in any case, patience and quality materials will be the key to your success.
Frequently Asked Questions About Charging Station for Electric Vehicle
To install charging stations, you need to obtain approval from the management company, permission from the property owner, and an installation agreement with utility services.
Yes, so before installation, you must definitely clarify this issue with the supplier’s service center.
Fast charging is a DC source that takes half an hour to charge the car battery to 80%. Slow charging uses an AC power source, with a charging time of 6-8 hours.
