If you have just recently purchased an electric vehicle, and tried charging it with the standard 110/120v outlet in your garage, you probably noticed the batteries did not charge very much even after an entire night of charging. Many car salesman don’t inform buyers of the need for additional electrical service in the garage to effectively charge the vehicle at home.
This is because although standard 110/120v outlets can charge an EV, the amperage provided is only a maximum 12 amps on a 15 amp circuit. A 15 map circuit is typical of an outlet in most garages. to complicate things even more is the fact that the maximum continuous amperage is usually 80% of the circuit breaker rating. This is an industry standard and is used as a safety precaution to minimize over loading breaker. Additionally, if any other load is on the circuit it further reduces the available amperage for the onboard car charger. Safety is the primary goal for everyone.
Charging an EV with 110/120 volt service is know as “Level 1” charging. Not really adequate except in emergency situations.
So what is an EV owner to do at home? The answer is to add a dedicated 220/240v circuit using at least a 40 or 50 amp breaker ( depending on your EV) from your mail electrical panel. That is, if there is space in the panel for an additional double breaker, and if the overall electrical service has the capacity to accommodate the additional load. Sound complex? Well it’s not rocket science, but it does take some knowledge to make an informed choice of what do and how to do it safely.
Most EV owners main goal is to always have a sufficiently charged battery for their travels. Most prefer to maximize the number of miles per hour of charge. Makes sense that anyone would want to maximize their battery charging in the least of amount of time. Also add at for the least amount of money. that’s is why Tesla owner love filling up on the Super Charger at the Tesla store- Fast,Free & Full. Of course if someone is not already using it….
the next step is purchasing a charger for your home. This may seem daunting, but it’s not that difficult. This blog post will discuss the different types of chargers available and how to choose the right one for your needs.
EVs, in theory, have onboard charging capability. A home electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) funnels energy from the mains into a car’s onboard power supply, which is used to charge the vehicle while safeguarding the home.
Most EV owners will only use Level 1 or Level 2 charging, depending on their EV. Because they may be used with a regular power outlet, level 1 devices don’t require additional connections or wiring modifications. Most EVs have their Level 1 charger, making this the most affordable choice.
Level 1 Electric Vehicle Charging
Level 1 charging is the slowest and least effective way to charge your car. It can take up to a whole day to fully charge your vehicle. Most people would like to have a faster way to charge their devices. Since most EV charging is done at home, it is essential to have a high-quality, efficient EVSE. That’s why Level 2 charging is so important. Level 2 EVSE can charge your car at 240v, which can charge most electric vehicles in less than 4 hours. A level 1 charger, on the other hand, can take a full day or more to charge your car.
Before buying an Electric Vehicle charger, you should consider how your house and garage are arranged and where you will park your car. The next step is to choose the right one for your car’s make and model. Most of the time, the charging speed will be faster if the charging amperage is higher, but different EVs can charge at different rates. As EVs and batteries improve, getting an EV charging station with as much amperage as possible is a good idea. This way, your EV charger will be ready to charge as quickly as possible in the future. And don’t worry, the car will only use as much power as possible from a Level 2 charger. This means that even if it charges slower than another car, it will still charge as fast as it can be based on the maximum amperage available. Some PHEVs may work with a Level 1, but if you’d rather have a Level 2, you can buy an EVSE with less amperage, and it will work just fine. Depending on the EV, it may just charge the car more slowly.
Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging
Level 2 EVSEs can be wired into the wall or plugged into a 240v outlet. Our licensed, certified electricians will install your EVSE wherever you want. They will also help you with all the details, like figuring out if your current electrical panel has enough power to handle your new EV charger. When deciding whether to hardwire your Level 2 charger or get a plug-in model, you should consider how portable it needs to be and if you need it. A NEMA 14-50 plug is often used to connect the plug-in Level 2 EVSE to the grid.
In conclusion, a few things to consider before buying an electric vehicle charger. You should consider where you will park your car, how your house is arranged, and what charger is perfect for your vehicle. With some research, you can find the perfect charger for your needs. Finding a professional to install your EVSE is easy, and we can help you with all the details. Call us today at (470) 369-0000.
