You’ve been for the test drive, put down the deposit and your brand new EV is on the way – exciting!
However, now you need to think about the EV charger. Whether you’re going with the dealership’s recommended charger or seeking out your own option, you’ll need a qualified electrician to install it – preferably one who can also look at the rest of your electrical infrastructure and ensure that everything is up to scratch before you start charging an electric car.
As the St George region’s EV charging expert, we’ve installed EV chargers in many different homes. Here’s our top three most common system upgrades that may need to be carried out before installing your EV charger.
- Switchboard upgrades
A switchboard upgrade is by far the most common upgrade that needs to be carried out before installing an EV charger. The humble switchboard is the heart of every home (and office’s) electrical system. If your switchboard is more than a decade old, it may need to be upgraded before we can safely install an EV charger. Key signs that your switchboard is due for retirement includes:
- no safety switches
- outdated fuse boxes
- visual damage
- age
- System capacity upgrades
Alongside switchboard upgrades often come system capacity upgrades. Older residential systems may have insufficient spare capacity to handle an EV charger in addition to other demands.
When we install an EV charger, we’ll conduct detailed load calculations to confirm if there is adequate ‘headroom’ for the steady draw from EV charging in your circuit breaker. This may be a targeted upgrade, or it may require a full switchboard replacement as above. In the uncommon event a circuit breaker can’t handle the requirements for an EV charger, we will offer our expertise and work within your needs to determine the best possible option.
- Wiring replacement
Finally, we may need to carry out wiring replacement and/or upgrades of older wiring. Older wiring, like black rubber or VIR cables, tended to use insulation material that degrades with age, exposing the metal and creating a severe risk of electric fires. According to the New South Wales Fire and Safety Department, faulty electrical equipment like older wiring with degraded insulation causes up to 40% of home fires. Newer wiring has better insulation materials, has less risk of degradation or is simply a much needed upgrade. In addition, older wiring systems may not be able to handle the electrical load of an EV charger. There are several telltale signs that your wiring is cooked, including:
- Unusual crackling or sizzling noises
- Frequently tripping circuit breakers
- Flickering lights
- Burning smells
- Electric shocks
If you’re experiencing any of these, we’ll definitely need to replace your wiring; even if you’re not, we may look to replace ageing wiring to prevent degradation from ageing and generally create a safer setup.
As southern Sydney’s EV charger experts, Saints Electrical are here to help with all aspects of EV charging We can advise on which type and brand of EV charger is best for your circumstances, carry out any upgrades necessary for installation, and install your charger quickly and to the highest quality. To book your charger chat, contact us today.
