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Fast chargingIntroduction
If you would agree with us, the best way to enjoy your electric vehicle if you own one is to have your home-installed charging point. We can list numerous benefits of doing this, but one of them and the most important is convenience. The fact that you don’t have to visit gas stations to fill your tank while inhaling exhaust fumes as you do so is a huge relief. Therefore, the second-best thing after owning an electric car of your own is having a home-installed charging point for your EV. How to do that is what we are about to find out in this article. Hop in and enjoy the ride.
I. What are the available types of EV charging stations?
The high priority of identifying an appropriate charging station and its availability makes it the first consideration. Even then, you only have two options of home charging stations from which to make your selection. The Level 1 and level 2 EV chargers are commonly suited for home charging purposes with the level 1 often accompanying your EV from the manufacturer. However, it takes longer to charge your EV even after installing a level 1 charging point since it uses a 120V maximum output. However, installing the level 2 type charging station in your home offers a better charging experience than the level 1 charger. It charges faster at a maximum charging power of 240 Volts and can give you the extra juice needed for a longer distance of driving. Again, you need to ensure that the supplied residential current is adequate to power your level 2 charging station. The level 2 charger can charge up your EV in 2-4 hours. Interestingly, the level 3 EV charger is still the fastest means of charging your EVs since it uses a DC charging station with a minimum of 480V. Unfortunately, it is unsuitable for home charging but strictly for public charging.
II. First Question: Electrician or DIY?
Installing your home charging station could seem like another fun task to do around the house for a DIY lover, or just hiring an electrician to do the installation is just the way to go for others. However, safety must be considered for both installation processes. If you are a DIY person, then you may factor in some safety standards and inspections while you purchase and install your EV charger. But if you are hiring an electrician to install it for you, all necessary protocols and safety standards will be complied with professionally. In essence, you’d need permits before commencing your installation and a certified professional must carry out inspections to ensure it was properly installed. It is important to note that some EV charger manufacturers provide professional installers as part of their services and you should factor this into your purchasing decision.
III. Second Question: Hard Wire or Plug-in to an Outlet?
Before installing your EV home charging solution, two options are available to EV owners. Hard-wiring into your home’s electrical supply or plugging into a secure 240 Volts supply. EV owners who choose to hard-wire the charging station to their homes’ electrical supply have a more permanent solution than those who opt for the plug-in option. Nonetheless, hard-wired charging stations must have the capacity to supply up to 240 Volts of power which is to be connected to the household’s electrical unit. This would require the expertise of a licensed electrical professional because you do not want the connector exposed to intense weather conditions.
It would be advised to hard-wire your electric vehicle charging station. Plug-ins on the other hand require that you install a separate high-powered electrical outlet where you can plug in your electric vehicle to charge. Similar to the hard wire is also the condition that your plug-in outlet must supply the standard voltage necessary to power an EV to charge. The only difference is a plug-in adapter isn’t permanent like the hard wire is. So, should there be any reason for relocation, it can be uninstalled and moved. Cool, isn’t it?
IV. Installation steps
Unlike a portable EV charger which doesn’t require any installation, a level 2 charger will require that you put some sort of fittings in place. But before we dive into the steps of installation of your EV charging station, one of the things that should be acquired is a permit for installation. Especially when installing by yourself. With that said, when it comes to the installation either by yourself or with the help of a licensed technician, these steps must be strictly adhered to.
With all the necessary tools needed now acquired, and a decision on the positioning of your EV charging point in your house. First and very paramount is to check the circuit breaker for safety purposes. It must be turned off before any connection is made. Then, you should measure appropriately where you want your charging station mounted so that the cable that connects to your EV is not far from the adapter.
Afterward, the bracket for the charger can be securely tightened to the wall for stability. However, in case any of these steps seem tedious to you, a licensed electrician can help with this installation. In addition, once the charging station is mounted you then proceed to plug in the cables carefully and appropriately. And voila, that’s it. One final step is to turn back on the circuit breaker and your charging station begins to receive all the juice needed for charging your EV. Installing a level 1 charging station doesn’t require these many steps as the charger already comes with your electric vehicle.
All you need to do is find a 120 Volts station. Just insert your connector and begin your charging without interruptions. Plus, having a level 3 charging station at home is not the best decision for both your EV and electrical circuitry. A level 3 DC fast charging station isn’t only expensive but might require more installation requirements and procedures. A level 2 charging station from one of the top EV charger companies is adequate for your home EV charging requirements including providing the extra power that charging at home sometimes demands.
Conclusion
In summary, installing your home EV charger doesn’t have to be cumbersome. But it can depend on your preference as the owner of an EV. You might prefer to do a DIY installation or hire the services of a professional electrician. Either way, it should be a seamless procedure. Additionally, you may also prefer hard-wire connectivity that runs through your home’s electrical supply or install a plug-in station. But it is noteworthy that a plug-in connection isn’t permanent. you can uninstall it in a situation where you have to move. Conclusively, when installing your home EV charging station, safety must be the focal point of such installations. And that is only possible when all the stated installation standards are followed through.
