Key Considerations Before Installing An EV Charger At Home

If you've recently purchased an electric vehicle, you may have noticed that the level one charging system, which is the power cord you can plug into your home's outlets, is a slow way to charge your car. That's why many homeowners decide to install a level 2 charger on their property. You might be thinking about doing the same. Before you call your electrician about level 2 electric vehicle charging systems, you should know what factors into the decision. Here's a look at a couple of things you need to think about.

Electrical Circuit Capacity

One of the first things that you need to think about before you install an electric vehicle charger on your property is the electrical circuit capacity that's available. You'll need to make sure that you have a dedicated circuit for your electric vehicle whenever possible, so you'll have to have an electrician establish that for you. 

They can help you to set up a 240-volt circuit that will help you to charge your car much faster than the traditional household 120-volt circuits. This gives you a dedicated circuit that will charge your car at a faster rate than you might have currently.

Charger Location

The next thing that you need to think about is where you should install the charger. You'll have to talk with your electrician about the possible areas based on the wiring and connectivity, then you should take some time to think about where and how you park.

Remember that any electric vehicle charger you install will have a charging cord that's limited in length. You need to be sure that you install the charger somewhere that the charging cord can still reach your car in the way that you typically park it. Sometimes, you may have to modify how you park and back into your driveway instead of parking head-in to accommodate the charging cord length.

Property Upheaval

Be prepared for the property upheaval that comes with the installation of a level two electric vehicle charger. Installing the new power circuit means having to install an additional circuit panel that controls that specific circuit. You may also find that the electrician needs to dig a trench to run the cables for the power supply. Ask your electrician about the physical work involved in the installation so that you're adequately prepared.

These are some of the things that you need to know before you install an electric vehicle charger. The more you understand, the easier it is to be prepared. Reach out to an EV charger provider, such as Shocking Difference LLC, to learn more.


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