Everything You Need To Know Before Installation of an Electric Vehicle Charging Point

[@kevinclelland8017]

WOW Thanks Gary for the expert explained details of the installation

[@carlcat11]

Great well explained video. One thing that is worth mentioning is that most older properties don't have a 100A isolator fitted after the sealed metering equipment. This officially needs to be fitted by the customers current energy supplier. Some will charge for this but we had smart meters fitted so they included the isolator for free. I'm an industrial controls engineer so wanted to make sure Pod Point had easy isolation and Henley blocks to connect their extra combined RCD enclosure to. Smart meters will be a major advantage in the EV installation as the customer can then use a monitored off peak tariff to set the vehicle to charge overnight.

[@markbradley5746]

Thinking about this and long term into the future i recon that off peak will soon become peak time.... as there will be more of us using chargers during the nite time thus creating a higher demand..... cheap rates will be a thing of the past...

[@bostedtap8399]

Excellent discourse on EV install, very accurate. Thanks for sharing.

[@abcelectric]

Thanks

[@markgoddard1826]

Brilliant video mate. Spot on 👌. Mark👍

[@phileagle8432]

Really great video - thx for making the whole process so clear with some real world info based on your experience….👍

[@abcelectric]

You're welcome Phil 👍

[@gino2465]

For once a fantastic video explaining everything good video

[@matth7179]

Excellent video, thanks for taking the time to make it and sharing your expertise.

[@NigelHubbold]

Brilliant Gary, thanks for posting. Cleared up a load of points for me all in one go. Cheers.

[@abcelectric]

Glad it helped Nigel. Cheers 👍

[@sn2319]

Thanks Gary for sharing useful information ❤

[@matthewsmith2040]

This is a very useful 15 mins of my time, I now feel as though I have a real handle on what EV charging installation means an what I can expect.l do however live in Scotland, but if anyone I know wants one installed in greater manchester I will point them your way!

[@abcelectric]

🤣 Thanks Matt 👍

[@jamesmanning4639]

Hi Gary, many thanks for posting this video, which I found very helpful and informative. I wish you covered Kent and could install my EV charger!

[@abdulhaddad5454]

Great video and simple explanation but effective. Thanks

[@leejohnson7471]

Great video. Do you cover the warrington area

[@iainanderson5881]

Thank you. Great simple explanation.

[@slinkyboy777]

Good video very informative I’m guessing Pod Point has both things needed that you mentioned this is the one we are looking at getting? Thanks

[@abcelectric]

Pop Point has PEN protection and 6mA RDC-DD built in. It needs an external 30mA Type A RCD with 32A Overcurrent protection

[@TheShedOccupant]

We were on looped supply, took 48 hours to visit then 24 hours after that we were disconnected and next day charger fitted and working. This may be because we have overground supply or we were just lucky!

[@KOKO-ui4on]

Hi Gary, can you use RCBO (type B)?? (RCBO located after the main breaker) Great video Gary, many thanks

[@abcelectric]

Hi KOKO. I think you might be confusing the terms "B Curve" with "Type B". The curve relates to the overcurrent protection of the RCBO and the type relates to the current waveform and its capabilities of detecting DC current faults. They are 2 entirely different things. The installation and charge point parameters will determine whether you need a Type A, B or possibly even F RCD/RCBO. The MCB or "O" part of the RCBO will normally be a B curve. I have never come across a Type B RCBO, but you can get a Type B RCD. I would suggest getting a qualified electrician experienced in EV to check your requirements

[@OsmanHussein-oh7it]

Hi Gary great video. Just getting into the game . Where do you get your pod points from

[@abcelectric]

Hi Osman. Thanks. I get mine from Yesss. You can't buy Pod Points directly or from CEF.

[@marley2319]

Great video. I have an overhead supply and it’s looped to two other houses. I don’t cook on electric and don’t have an electric shower, so nothing pulling 7 kW of power! I have phoned my power supplier and they said it shouldn’t be an issue and can probably just need a fuse upgrade and maybe A power limiter fitted. What I was wondering is, is it easier to un- loop an overhead supply? As I can’t see my neighbour being to happy to have her house pulled to bits! Any help or advice about this would be much appreciated. And I’m sure there are a lot more people that would like to know about the overhead supply being un-looped as there are No Videos about this subject to be found on KZbin or anywhere else so I’m sure a video about this would be very much appreciated. Kind regards.

[@abcelectric]

Hi. Thanks for the comments. I have no idea about unlooping an overhead supply. However, an EV installer would submit an LCT application form to the DNO if you're going to have an EVCP fitted. I can't see that the DNO's responsibility would be any different, so if you needed unlooping, they'd have to do it regardless. It's part of the ENA regulations. As regards making a video on it, there's no call for it. It's not an electrician's job to unloop a supply and we can't do it. The supply to a property is solely the responsibility of the DNO in that area. The fact that I discuss unlooping doesn’t change. In my area they're all underground supplies as it's very urban, but the same principles would still apply to overhead lines.

[@marley2319]

@@abcelectric Hi, thanks for the reply. I was just wondering if it was a less messy job unloosing an overhead supply than one that was underground? Not sure if the neighbours would be over happy! Anyway, I called my DNO after looking at videos and the lady I was talking to said she would get the people that deal with ev chargers and unloosing to call me and they did. They told me a fuse upgrade would be sufficient and they have thousands of homes like this.. I don’t cook on electric and I don’t have an electric shower or anything else that pulls lots of power so I’m hope it’ll be ok. I guess I’ll just have to get someone to come out and see! Thanks again for the reply. Much appreciated.

[@abcelectric]

Sounds like you should be OK then. Regarding "unlooping", I would think modifying an overhead supply would be far less invasive for any neighbours than digging up their drives/gardens. Either way, they can't say no, and the DNOs do an excellent job at reinstatement.

[@marley2319]

@@abcelectric Hi. Yes I thought it would be easier with it being overhead. As for the neighbours not being able to say no, well I didn’t know that! Not that I would want to be at loggerheads with my neighbours! Thanks again for the reply and your help. Keep up the good work with your videos, always people out there looking for help. Kind regards.

[@chrisjm95]

Interesting about the wait time to get permission to install…I completed my order with Pod Point directly on Friday and got a date for installation on Monday

[@abcelectric]

Under certain conditions, often when you've got a 100A cut-out and a low existing maximum demand, it's acceptable to do the notification after the installation

[@jakeroadtonowhere4070]

My DNO did not know what main fuse was fitted at my property mine is in a metal box with no label on the outside but I did a couple years ago have a smart meter fitted. They also upgraded the tails. Does this make any? Difference thank

[@abcelectric]

You still need to know the main fuse size irrespective. Ask the DNO to come and check it. You also need to check if you're on a looped supply

[@jakeroadtonowhere4070]

@@abcelectric thank you I know I’m not on the loop supply I only got one main Wire coming in but you would think they know my fuse when I asked my energy supplier, the same question, they said they don’t give me that information they for am asking them something dodgy

[@abcelectric]

@JAKE ROAD TO NOWHERE The best thing to do is to get a local EV installer to do a physical site survey and quote. They can then submit an Application To Connect form for an EV charger and the DNO will have to check your supply and fuse. Just because you have only one supply cable in your house doesn't mean you're not looped either. You could be last in the chain. Submitting that DNO form makes it all get checked

[@maxtradesofficial]

Quality explanation

[@abcelectric]

Thanks 👍

[@ChristianFrench1]

We have an induction hob and that makes a CT clamp show an incorrect load even when it's switched off. How do you get around that?

[@abcelectric]

Check that it's not a different appliance or circuit that's pulling the load and if the CT clamp is still giving inaccurate feedback replace it. Also check everything is installed and setup correctly. You need to get someone to test the readings with a clamp meter and fault find accordingly.

[@rhiantaylor3446]

You covered PEN protection but didn't talk about what now seems to be a requirement to fit a protective earth rod. My question is - if you do fit an external earth rod (and check it meets requirements), does this mean you no longer need to have any other form of protection against PEN problems that stem from the incoming mains connection and bonding of the earth and neutral outside your house ? thanks

[@abcelectric]

PEN protection usurps the need for an earth rod and all chargers sold for the UK market incorporate PEN protection. Tesla Wall Connector is the only major charger I know without it. An earth rod is only required if you haven’t got PEN protection. In that very unusual case, you would basically make the supply to the charger TT, so that loss of the N conductor still leaves an earth path. You then have to be very careful with bonding in the 10m equipotential zone to avoid introducing a potential difference under fault conditions. Also, in urban areas, fitting an earth rod is not a clever idea as you could easily hit gas, comms, power or anything else, even if you could actually drive one in. Even if you did, everyone around is probably on TN-C-S, so unless the property is detached and a long way from any neighbours, you're opening up another can of worms regarding equipotential zones. There is no requirement in the Regs to fit an earth rod, and given the above, why would you even bother? It's cheaper and safer to fit the included PEN protection or buy/install a Matt-E or Garo PEN fault device in the exceptional case that the charger hasn't got it.

[@kingweddingmedia]

Ohme have told me I’ll be able to have a standard install for my home charger as there’s only one cable coming into my electric box so in their minds I’m “not looped”. However, the property I’m joined onto and is closer to the road than me has 2 cables in theirs. Having searched online, I believe I am a loop off of their box/feed. I explained this to Ohme but they still claim I’m not looped and the installation will be ok. Is it only an issue for those that have two cables because it could disrupt their neighbours supply too or could I be right in thinking I’m maybe at the end of a loop out of their system and this be a problem for me? Thanks in advance!

[@abcelectric]

Hi. It certainly sounds like you're the end of the loop, but the only definitive way to find out is through the DNO. The reason it's an issue is that the shared cable wasn't designed to carry the potential load to 2 properties simultaneously and adding a charger is a big addition. The DNOs are now allowing chargers to be fitted to looped supplies if load management is installed, and they will then unloop it in their own time.

[@kingweddingmedia]

@@abcelectric thank you! With our housing setup it seems the most likely that I’d be the end of a loop, so will ask/mention to the installer when they arrive. Is load management something that can be installed with any of the common EV chargers or is it only available on certain models? I would be happy with a restricted charging speed as a shorter term solution - I just don’t want anything to be unsafe!

[@abcelectric]

@kingweddingmedia Most chargers can be downrated or fitted with load management. Without knowing specific details of your installation and what was quoted etc I can't comment. What I would say is that Ohme should know what they're doing. The protocols for fitting chargers are well known

[@kingweddingmedia]

@@abcelectric fab thanks for your reassurance and completely understand you can’t say for sure etc. Earned my sub! 👍

[@cavendishelectricals]

3:25 Fitting a new mini consumer unit. Could you please suggest any IP68 version? In case, if the DNO supply is outside in its box, would you add next to it? Similar to Caravan consumer unit. Thanks

[@abcelectric]

Proteus do a plastic 4 mod IP68 bare unit. I've used this solution once and fitted it next to the external meter cabinet. I carry several of the Proteus EV mini DBs in the van and just swapped the innards on this occasion so that I'm not mixing manufacturers. Works out cheaper than buying the parts separately

[@Chimp_No_1]

First class video ! New subscriber !

[@muzzer8869]

Hi mate prob a silly question but im looking into this atm as just orderd a car, but a live in a new build property were the electric meter is on the side of the house next to were i want the charger to be installed, the fuse box is inside my house under the stairs cupboard , do you need to have a cable to the fuse box or is it just the eleci meter you need, sorry for the long winded question🤣

[@abcelectric]

Generally speaking, either the consumer unit (fuse box) or incoming supply tails (from meter) are acceptable to supply an EV charger

[@Bazza-tn5ck]

Hi Gary, am I correct I thinking that the EV point supply cable doesn’t always require RCD protection if the cable is suitably protected? Thanks mate.

[@abcelectric]

It depends on the installation method used and the type of cable. If the RCD device is upstream then it's not an issue, but if it's downstream then the cable may or may not need RCD protection. Without getting into specifics, if there's no RCD upstream then armoured is possibly required, but if it's all clipped direct then an MCB upstream should suffice because the "socket" outlet of the charger is protected by the internal RCD. It's all in BS7671 if you're in any doubt, but where people get confused is if the protection applies to the cable or the socket outlet. They're 2 different things

[@abcelectric]

You're welcome mate 👍

[@MyLove4Allah]

Have a question, what about if I don't have off street parking? Do I need permission.

[@abcelectric]

Tricky one! If you mount the charger on your property and then use a cable cover to prevent a tripping hazard then you might get away with it. If anyone fell over the cable/obstruction you'd no doubt be liable and possibly wind up with litigation. Or, you could ask the council for permission to cross the footpath with a cable or to fit a charger on it and probably wait a few years for a "No". Private EV chargers without off-road parking are not a good match. If you installed one on the footpath without permission you'd probably end up in another legal battle. Just my thoughts from experience. Likely a no win situation, but whatever you do I'm not responsible for giving you my opinion 😉

[@keithnewton8981]

I am very concerned in Dec 2021 pod fitted me an ev charge I had no profit inspection. Other than me sending pics of the meter. On the day of fitting the fitter never came into the house I asked did he need to see the consumer box. Answer was no We don't go near your consumer box. Dno, say no consumer boxes to be fitted to meter board. The electrician fitted a mini consumer box to the meter board. Not sure this is right.

[@abcelectric]

Each DNO is different Keith. Some do and some don't allow other equipment to be fitted in the meter cabinet, although they don't own the cabinet as it's on your property. My understanding is that the top right of the meter cabinet is reserved for clients' own equipment, but I think it's a very grey area and you will get a different answer depending who you ask and who the DNO is. I can't give any definitive answer

[@shentsov84]

With such lead times DIY can be done in one evening for the fraction of cost.

[@abcelectric]

Which equates to a fraction of the safety with a huge dose of stupidity, but you've obviously not watched through or understood. Long lead times are where the infrastructure needs upgrading, and no DIYer is ever going to dig up the road and fit a new 35 SNE/CNE cable with live jointing. As for charge point lead times , they're pretty much off the shelf, and the lead time to fit is so that the installer can do the pre-installation survey, quotation, notification paperwork where necessary, and book the job into their busy schedule. It'll then be fitted to BS7671 and won't cause a fire or kill anyone. You point me to a DIYer who would quite easily be able to do all that in an evening at half the price. 🙄 🤔

[@shentsov84]

@@abcelectric Absolutely agree with that. The comment was mainly to appreciate your work and make your video more visible to others, there was no attempt to encourage doing stupid DIY things without appropriate knowledge. Thank you for your generous reply.

[@abcelectric]

A bit of reverse psychology eh? Thanks for that then Volodymyr. That's given me a little chuckle 😀

[@markbradley5746]

New to E.V as never installed a charger to any installations but why does the DNO need to know the customers having a car charger and why do we need their permission ?? I know its a high current demand device but so is a cooker or electric shower.... i dont need permission to do that as far as im concerned..? Or is this new requirement / Regulation as of 18th edition Amendments. ? Cheers Mark

[@abcelectric]

It's Regs. Remember that a car charger could be on full load for 12 hours. That's a far cry from a cooker taking into account diversity, or a shower for 10 mins. The time/current characteristics of the main cut-out won't cause it to trip with a few seconds ir minutes of overcurrent. It's a different story over 8 or more hours

[@TingBiker]

I have a looped supply with one other house. 16mm tails but a upgraded intake of 100A done by the service provider this week. He said it would be around £3.5k to £4.5k to have my own feed. Any idea if this true?

[@abcelectric]

In my area the DNO upgrades looped supplies free of charge for EV charger installations. It can take a few months, but they do it. Needs all the correct paperwork submitting by the installer and you have to wait to fit the charger until then. That said, I find it extremely surprising that your service provider has upgraded you to a 100A fuse on a looped supply and also left 16mm tails. That's just asking for problems

[@keithnewton8981]

No dno took 24hrs

[@gino2465]

My dno will not pay for a 3 phase. My home is total electric but cannot use a second ev charger. So we cannot meet the goverment deadlines unless someone pays spenergy £15k

[@abcelectric]

That's going to be a much bigger issue in the future Gino. You could probably add a 2nd charger by utilising load sharing though

[@gino2465]

@@abcelectric yes I could but when one car is used, and we have had a power cut for 3 days now the ev cannot be used, so I was going to get a ev van but I cannot as we would both need charging every night. So looks like it's best to kerp a diesel. For us no diesel no work.

[@catherineshuttleworth5686]

Instead of paying the DNO £15k why not invest in solar and battery storage

[@gino2465]

@@catherineshuttleworth5686 I have solar I have battery's. Its to do with how much load you use, using a 100amp cut out. If all my loads in my home were used together it would exceed the 100amp now. So this is why a I require 3 phase.

[@G0ogs]

This reminds me when the tv signals where being changed from analogue to digital. A lot of aerial fitters where making a killing installing so called digital aerials when in reality they was not required. The twist in the tale was when the analogue signal was switched off the digital signal was increased anyway. I appreciate the safety of electrical installs as I’ve been an electrician for 40 years but I fear it’s being milked to a certain degree. I’m not suggesting this chap is milking it, he as to say all things that meet present day regs.

[@abcelectric]

I don't write the Regs. My responsibility is to work to them and the point of this video was to try to explain them. When you actually realise that the Regs are essentially written to prevent 2 things - fire and death under fault conditions - then they make a lot more sense. As technology advances the Regs get more complicated. It's evolution and progress. What's annoying is people thinking that they're there to make money, which couldn't be further from the truth. They're there to save money and to save lives. There's zero analogy to TV transmission protocols.

[@asimsiddiqui221]

Bla, Bla, Bla , I give up its too much bother. I'll stick to granny charger.