Installing a Home EV Charge Point - Everything you Need to Know

[@mickbitchum4664]

Unfortunately your installation does not comply with BS7671. Regulation 722.531.3 requires that an RCD (Max 30mA) supplies a car charger and the RCD shall disconnect all live conductors. This includes the Neutral therefore the single-pole RCBOs should not be used for this application. The RCBO you have used is single pole and only disconnects the line (live) conductor. I'd recommend a fusebox or Lewden branded consumer unit as they both manufacture double-pole RCBOs. Even electricians get it wrong if they've not been suitably trained. I wouldn't recommend a DIY installation for anyone, find an electrician who has completed his City and Guilds 2919 and your more than likely to get the job done correctly!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for the heads up on this Mick. The guys at eFIXX have also pointed this out after you. It's very frustrating and I think the blame here has to fall squarely with Chargedev as they charged for a full price install and should have changed the RCBOs as part of the install. After all, we were acting on their advice with our prep work to make install on the day as easy as possible and they didn't specifically refer to the need for double pole rcds/rcbos. Normally I'd take the video down and amend - I might still do - but an update video in a week's time might be more useful. Interestingly another comment has advised that the RCBO at the house should be 100mA time delay.

[@mickbitchum4664]

@@CharlieDIYte I wouldn't ammend the video, only a trained eye would spot the mistake. The video is still informative to people who don't have an understanding of what is involved. I really enjoy your videos and don't make a habit of pointing out mistakes but felt that if you're paying for a job then it should be done correct otherwise it would invalidate the warranty. Keep up the good work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

@@mickbitchum4664 Thanks Mick - I appreciate that. You absolutely must point out when a video is inaccurate. There are two reasons the Comments are incredibly important to me i) as a continual source of encouragement since I started doing this - which has been key as with all the filming and editing this can be quite a hard slog and ii) as checks and balances to what I'm putting out there. With the views I can get these days, creating this content comes with a lot of responsibility and it's important for me I get stuff right. This vid was a tricky one in the sense of finding myself straying into the realms of stuff I'm not qualified to comment on (electrics) - which I have to be very careful about doing - so it's frustrating the pros who I relied on got it wrong, but pretty brilliant there are people out there like you to point it out! The fact that the wholesaler is sending out 5 units a week with these RCBOs in for EV installs underlines what a minefield this is and if I can do an update video in a couple of weeks time correcting a few errors and hammering home a) the fact this is part P notifiable and so no DIYers should be doing it and b) the double pole issue, then I think my channel has achieved its purpose.

[@CharlieDIYte]

@@mickbitchum4664 Bit of an update. They've identified a Live double pole RCBO and will hopefully be installing it soon. I'll do a quick video update once it's done. Thanks again for pointing this out.

[@leewinters606]

Maybe if you read the 18th edition regs and do that course you might not need the city and guilds Ev course if your a competent electrician in effect an ev installation is a 32a radial circuit with added overload ct nearly all have WiFi.if installation is too far away from your hub maybe you wire a cat5 cable instead nearly all eV boxes have this feature also internal double pole rcd and T-NC protection no longer needing a earth rod if you read the IEE 18th edition regs it's all in there. Then you need the 2391 City and Gilds Testing and inspection course in order to sign the work off as its classed as a new addition.

[@gmotdot]

I am only 23 seconds into this video but I want to say I love and appreciate the inclusion of Excel screenshots! Back to the video….

[@efixx]

Thanks for the shout out Charlie. A great video and plenty of great points for consumers to think about. Just one thing you might want to check is the RCBO feeding the EV charger. They should disconnect both line and neutral conductors - often called a single-pole plus switched neutral RCBO. This is a requirement in BS7671. Also with reference to Bulb - they are still operating. Gordon in our team has an ongoing battle to get a smart (dumb) meter removed and it's close to a resolution after 9 months.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks. Yes this point about the single pole RCBO has been raised by someone else too (Mick), and someone else has said the RCBO at the house should be 100mA time delay? I can't really blame my electrician given that he doesn't install EV chargers and he got the board from his wholesaler who supplies several chargers with this set up to electricians for EV charger installs each week!! Plus he was acting on some general instructions we'd received from chargedev's technical team on RCDs which didn't specifically mention the double pole point. Granted he should probably have known about this reg, but the RCBO wasn't connected - we were just trying to streamline the install as much as possible. Chargedev should have picked it up though and installed their own double pole RCBOs - particularly given this was a full price install with no discount, in spite of the fact I supplied all the cable! I'll see what they say on Monday ... I should perhaps have been a bit clearer on the Bulb point. By saying they'd gone bust I was really just making the point that they perhaps won't be as keen to come out and assist with the meter tail upgrade as a company not in administration would be

[@mickbitchum4664]

@@CharlieDIYte Chargedev should have picked up on it really as its their line of work. Even qualified installers get it wrong though as I've seen it done many times. These big companies are only as good as the individual they send to comple the work. Unfortunately once the OLEV grant ends for homeowners in March there's going to be thousands of badly installed charge points by electricians who haven't received adequate training.

[@CharlieDIYte]

@@mickbitchum4664 Thanks Mick. Yes it'll be an interesting conversation with Chargedev on Monday. I'll report back! I agree with you point about the grant, which was a big incentive to go with one of the established OLEV installers. Thanks to you both for your input - I'll be doing an update video to highlight what you've said in a week or two.

[@alangaughran]

This is the best, waffle free, description I have seen - by miles. Thanks.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Alan 👊

[@valborchardt3596]

Thank you charlie, although i must be honest, i never had a clue what you were talking about, my electrician hubby found it very useful…..so thank you….please be safe as always from South Africa

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Val. Great to hear from you and thanks for the comment. You too.

[@revanmercury]

Charlie, thank you kindly for your transparency and first hand account of what you went through. Great info for everyone to think about for their own living situation!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks, I appreciate that. 👍

[@dadys31]

I got Indra installed. Few months ago and I Love it,the app is brilliant too

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Valeriu, that's good to know 👍

[@MalcolmJames-sg3zg]

ALWAYS WONDERED HOW THIS WORKS , THANKS CHARLIE FOR THE VIDEO

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome Malcolm. Thanks for the comment.

[@flyborgify]

Brilliant video Charlie, very informative. Watched all of it even though we've had a charger installed already. Solar and battery storage next on the list.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Dean. Yes solar is my next step too. Makes perfect sense once you've done the hard work getting this installed.

[@jonp6798]

Brilliant video Charlie, this points out to people how complicated an EV install can be and should be done completely by professionals or with the watchful eye of them. Especially that you got professionals in as well as the specialist EV installer and it still wasn’t perfect. Many will watch this and realise that perhaps they shouldn’t install a charger themselves as it’s certifiable.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Jon, I appreciate that - let's hope so. As it is the rcbo at the garage should have been double pole so I have to get them back and will be doing an update video. Shows that even with the pros involved, mistakes can happen.

[@THusbands]

Literally just in the process of buying a PHEV. Great video as always Charlie.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Tobias - I appreciate that. Good luck with the PHEV. It's definitely worth it 👍

[@Truthfull]

I installed the same smart heating controls and it is life changing. The oil savings are significant. Was going to write to them about it. Thanks 💪🏼

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Denis. It's fantastic isn't it!

[@MS-yy2dh]

I can relate to the problems you had digging that trench. I have been struggling through clay that is either like concrete or glue (depending on the weather) and I'm lucky if I make two feet a day...

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes it's all you can do, isn't it, tackle it bit by bit.

[@neilmanson7266]

Great video. Answered a lot of questions I had about the install of a car charger.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Neil. Glad you found it useful.

[@AviKhali]

A very good informative video thank you for taking the time document your journey and sharing with us.

[@k1lmo]

Also had an Indra installed by ChargedEV. Had also a bit of a tricky setup so did the cable run myself, ChargedEV did a great job

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Iain. There will be a quick update video in a week or two following some comments from eagle eyed electricians, so keep an eye out for that 👍

[@k1lmo]

@@CharlieDIYte seen the comment regarding SP RCBO, I have checked they did install a DP RCBO in my install

[@pauldowie1399]

What an awesome vid Charlie. Thanks so much. I'm currently considering changing to an EV and this has really been useful to help me understand the infrastructure needs.

[@stevept1504]

Had a charger fitted today but still useful to see this. Thanks for the info and keep the videos coming.

[@paulp96275]

Thank you for the information we have now made our minds up which way to go with our new car great 👍👨🏻‍🏭

[@CharlieDIYte]

Glad to hear that, Paul. You're welcome. Are you going combustion 🤔

[@jeta1f35]

Brilliant video ... very well researched, presented and edited. Some people buying EV's do all their research before buying, but many don't. For anyone considering an EV and wanting to home home charge this video will be invaluable, sure not everyone will have the 70 metre cable trench, but the way you have presented the content makes it easy to see all the other highly relevant content. I especially like how you focused on the main fuse rating, interacting with the DNO and the issue of looped supplies. It is essential people understand these matters up front and taking advice from a car dealer interested in closing a sale these are things that are glossed over. Also like the mention of the guys at efixx, another great YpuTube resource. You were also realistic enough to mention that with the current state of domestic energy market the possible savings from running an EV will be reduced. Competition in the energy market is broken so the only way people will be able to improve their situation is with their own solar and battery and it sounds like you are setting up to tell us all about that. Well Done.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Stephen, I really appreciate your detailed and thoughtful comment. Yes I was definitely in the second group - inexplicably of not doing any research before buying. If I had though, we might not have got the car in the first place... 😉 Yes, solar is the next step as you guessed and whilst the cost of it will pretty much wipe me out, it just makes so much sense at the moment!

[@YNYNYNYNYNYN]

Charlie, you're a legend

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy 👊

[@purp1euk]

Such a helpful video Charlie, there so little reliable info out there on EV chargers and you've really knocked it out of the park with such a comprehensive video. It covers so many things in 23 minutes that look me months to research and understand. A note on the upgrade of the main fuse - only some DNO's do it for free. Mine charge over £100 for upgrading to 100A :(

[@AccountantDoesDIY]

Fantastic video Charlie - really didn't feel that long, lots of great, interesting and informative content. I think you might be similar to me in that I'm sensing we have a shared DY interest in electrical matters. As you alluded to in the video, electricals is probably the most taboo area for a DIYer given all the regs, "competent individual" qualification requirements and the sheer danger of getting it wrong (if it was a choice between cutting a length of timber at 901mm instead of 910mm and getting an electric shock, I know which balls-up I'd choose!). I've found myself consuming a lot of KZbin electrical content recently and am doing more and more non-notifiable projects around the home. I just find it quite fascinating and like the maths that comes into play with formulae using volts, amps and cable core diameters, etc. Back to your video and I definitely don't envy you that cable run and you absolutely did the right thing by future proofing. The garden gym/workroom I built in lockdown at end of our garden is about 50m from the house consumer unit and I future proofed only in so far as using 16mm2 SWA rather than the 10mm2 which is all i currently need- but i did cheat a bit and cleat it along the bottom rail of our newly installed fence rather than burying. If i ever convert it into more of a living space (with water and wifi) then I'll no doubt be doing a lot of digging. In terms of EV, I'm on the same Octopus deal as you with that 0030-0430 special deal. But got an email from them recently with the new rates about to come in and they're eye watering. Wish they'd hurry up and install chargers at my office!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Chris. You're one up on me there with the maths of electrics. I have neither the time or inclination to get into that so that's why I need to get the professionals in! My deal runs out in April 😩

[@TrackItYT]

Really pleased you mentioned solar payback, I had the same feeling about the cost assumptions on the basic calculator but hadn’t yet done the hard maths.

[@andrewmcdonald9279]

Your video has been an absolute massive help to me Charlie thants a million.👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for watching my vids Andrew, I really appreciate that. 👊

[@KingMartin90]

Digging that trench alone would have been 1000s . Fair play. Personally I probably would have found a way above ground in getting there but you have obviously saved lots of wasted metres by trenching the cable. 👍 Keep up the good work

[@jamesquinn6614]

Very interesting video, thank you for your always excellent content.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks James 👊

[@danieldurnin959]

Great info Charlie. Excellent video.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Daniel 👊

[@justingrunwald4431]

From Sydney Australia, a super video, all very similar down here, thanks

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Justin, really appreciate that - not to mention humbled it's got your radar in Australia. Turns out the RCBOs should be double pole so I'll be doing an update on a week or so 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@johnogrady2024]

That was very informative and well presented. Thank you

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks John. There will be an update video in a couple of weeks because it turns out we need double pole RCBOs. It's not easy, this 👍

[@mwffoto7698]

Charlie… that hand dug channel!!! You need a medal. Starting to think solar is the way but wish the Government would help some how otherwise we’ll always be in this situation!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks buddy. 👊 Yes this was the most attritional job I've done to date. The hardest part in many ways was drilling those holes through the wall, and now I have to contact Chargedev to say they should have fitted double pole RCBOs. And so it goes on, bit at least we have the infrastructure in place now for other improvements and possibly solar if I can get the funds together...

[@tonybaker7453]

Great video and style. Loved it. Interesting that on an earth rod TT System the sub consumer unit is often served with as earth resistances to ground like this are rarely good. Therefore in the main CU, it would be a 40Amp MCB. Two RDBO/RCD in series could mean problem tripping and a time delay RCBO/RCD would be installed a the main CU. Time delay being 500ms instead of 40ms trip. Picky I know but fact. Also the DNO can be asked to asses to make the supply a TNCS or PME. This is where the earth in bonded to the Neutral at the supply transformer and at the cut out. This is standard now. Neutral 'is' Earth

[@Daijonism]

Wow. What a wealth of information.

[@goingviral8917]

I always LIKE before I even watch the video, as I know u put a lot of effort into each and every video. My favourite KZbin channel!

[@CharlieDIYte]

That's so much for that 👊

[@rodp2310]

Brilliant practical info as always. 👍

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Rod, I really appreciate that 👊

[@jonmasterhouse]

Great video! great information i.e. realistic costs very useful thanks for making it

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Jon, I appreciate that 👍

[@superamario6464]

Charlie...you keep reading my mind :) Great video and one I'll be reviewing when I get my charge port installed. Keep doing what your doing, and all the best to you. Bl**dy great content:)

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks so much - appreciate that 👊 Good luck with your install.

[@johnfoxworthy-bowers4994]

Great vid, and super useful as I'm about to get a car like yours

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers John. I would probably go with a Zappi if I had my time again. A proper solar ecosystem charger.

[@mikebolt9753]

Thanks for the good quality info.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@paulprescott7913]

Hello Charlie, stumbled upon your site and subscribed. As an installer myself i find this very interesting. What i actually think is that your video should be showed to everyone thinking of buy an ev. And be shown to every salesman selling the ev dream and walking away with the commission and the poor customer without a clue about ev charging. Something i sadly see all of the time. Its a very good vid, thank you for making it.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Paul. I really appreciate that. Interestingly even with a professional installer and electrician, things still go wrong. Within minutes of posting it I had a couple of people saying it should have been fitted with a double pole RCBO. Chargedev have acknowledged this but not got round to replacing it yet. The knowledge and research you're investing in what you do says to me you're very good at your job 😉👍

[@paulprescott7913]

@@CharlieDIYte Thank you Charlie.

[@meethree6305]

Great video. I had a similar situation to you but thankfully we installed the Indra last year way before our car arrived. We are going to get a shock as we fixed our octopus tariff back in July for 2 years and pay 15p per KWH during the day and 5p per kWh for the 4 hours off peak during the night. Must say they are a great charger and the support from Charged EV is brilliant. You also could have mentioned that Indra are based in this country and manufacture the chargers here too.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for that. Yes I've just moved over to Go and I'm paying a dynamic rate of 30p per kWh now 🤦🏻‍♂️ I hope Chargedev come good. An interesting issue has arisen in that some electricians have pointed out that they should have fitted double pole RCBOs. I pointed this out on Monday and am waiting for a response...

[@grahamleiper1538]

Had to get DNO to upgrade my fuse and Zappi has built in pen fault and RCD, so RCD in the additional CU used was only really protecting the cable. Tails were upgraded to 25mm when smart meter was installed. Meter inside house so space for additional CU not an issue. The best point is that you can get more use of your cheap EV rate (Bulb do a 4 hour EV rate) with a higher current charging option.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Graham. Really wish I had installed the Zappi. Solar charging is hopeless on the Indra as it depletes the battery.

[@craiglang832]

My polestar comes next Thursday 🤞

[@CharlieDIYte]

Ah good stuff Craig. It's a fantastic car. I had two annoying gripes - the key not recognising the user to move seats when you get in and the digital key in the phone not working but the latest software update seems to have fixed them. Have you got a charger installed yet?

[@henryeadie7972]

Could you use the armouring of the 2 core cable to export the earth from your house to the garage and not have to install new earth rod?

[@fantasticjames]

Could you consider creating a video on tools for detecting cables behind walls. Personally I have a house that has plenty of coaxial, telephone outlets but I have struggled to trace where they go.

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's problematic as the detectors are hit and miss. That one you saw - which is now called Truvo is one of the best in my opinion. However you might not pick up coax or telephone because of the amount of power running through it. With getting one of those detectors though as it's a good thing to have in your tool box.

[@rodchambers-g4h]

Oh dear, yet again 1.4 mm square, I think you really mean 1.4 square mm, there is a big difference. But the video is A1 I learnt lots from it as im about to choose a charger for our new E car, very helpful thank you.

[@BillsCountrysideAdventures]

Great video as always, missed this one, but yes I have done many hand digs and they are killers. Hoping to get a ev soon :)

[@leewinters606]

The time delay on main switch rcd, that regulation has been out for years on a TT system then 30ma on each circuit.

[@bigbark4627]

OMG! I'm toying with this idea, look it up & it's U! I think U'v possibly dun every DIY job I'm ever thnkin of doing!!! 🤣

[@NISARQC]

If only you were my neighbour would learn alot and probably you would lend me your tools too 😜. Great video as always. 👌

[@JohnWhite-wx8ke]

Very informative

[@amezcuaist]

Maybe the problems explain why so many charge points around the country are out of action . Making this video proves you are a Hero anyway .Respect .

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks so much. Just annoyed I didn't install a Zappi as Octopus didn't recognise my charger or car for it's Intelligent Go tariff and the Indra is rubbish for solar charging as it just drains the battery.

[@RKC3.14]

Hey Charlie, really enjoy your videos. Thanks so much for the effort. I was looking on your Amazon shop and noticed that some of the prices are a lot higher than normal. I know the shop isn’t ‘your shop’ and you’re just linking to products but I wanted to flag the hike in price. Case in point is the paint scuttle newly £12 on Amazon and £5 at Toolstation. Just something to watch out for. Rich

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Rich. I'll look into that. It's just very frustrating that Screwfix and Toolstation don't offer any affiliate schemes for us. 👍

[@graeme6040]

Great Video. I don't think people appreciate the difficulty in having an EV charge point installed. I was dead lucky in my old house as my meter box was in an outside brick cupboard. My new house (new-build) the drive and garage are at the bottom of the garden. I had to pretty much beg the builder to add an additional circuit ready for my charger. One of the UKs biggest house builders and they claimed no one had ever asked for this! They need to wake up to the future or the government needs to hurry up the legislation forcing builders to install EV points as standard.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Graeme. Great work - I bet the builder was like a dog chewing wasps when you asked him to install that 😬 There's so much to be done as you say, if they're going to ban the cake of ICEs in 2030. The charging network is woefully inadequate right now, not helped by corporates like Open Reach and British Gas changing their entire fleets over to electric, and clogging the fast chargers during the day.

[@Haabsa22024]

Wow that seems like such a hassle but at the same time I think electric charging is so cool. Some things are worth the fight lol. Great video as always! Keep up the great work!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks, I appreciate that. Yes a long slog but worth it now it's done.

[@Handleyman]

What an epic video!

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks David - really appreciate the comment 👊

[@Kx110x]

Hi Charley Being now retired from electrical contracting I have taken a particular interest in the whole issue of EV charging. And to say it’s a minefield is probably an understatement , and definitely not helped by manufacturers playing fast and lose with the regulations saying you can charge for a 13 amp socket . Just look at the recorded fires that have been attributed to this practice . As regards just the earthing of a system , it seems to attract much debate . Resulting in some saying the whole installation should be separate from the incoming supply Earth via a earth rod / spike . The reason for this is that under certain fault conditions the actual body of the car can become live . You can see what I mean when I say it’s a controversial topic , I did notice your contractor had installed an earth spike so I would assume it was to mitigate this problem . Finally I would mention that installing 2core SWA is really seldom compliant , because the cross sectional aria of armer wire is not big enough for the earth loop reading . So would always use 3core , and in my day we would install a separate earth cable of say 16 mm to give a belt and braces approach . This is purely in regards to the garage supply , but I think you would agree the actual EV side is a total different ballgame . This new technology is still in its infancy so in fairness to electrical contractors this has been a steep learning curve. Which makes me glad to be on the sidelines now , Best wishes and kind regards as always 😀👍👍🤔

[@misstakenot9582]

Is the use of the armour alone for earthing a problem in this case, as it's being used for a TT supply to the garage? All it's protecting is the cable itself, and is presumably isolated from the earthing system of the garage.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for this Michael. I'm not an electrical obviously so I'll trip myself up here but with the house supply staked, the argument goes that there's little point running the earth all the way back to the house stake when it can be separately staked at the garage. It would I think be different if we were supplied at the house by an underground supply which is earthed neck to the sub station? @Miss Take Not, my electrician also earthed the SWA sheaf - not sure if this answers your question.

[@misstakenot9582]

@@CharlieDIYte I would expect the sheath to be earthed at the house end, but not at the garage end.

[@Kx110x]

@@misstakenot9582 hi this is the point I was trying to make as regards it’s a complicated subject , if you make an installation a TT install then obviously it’s a case that it’s controlled via a RCD , as I stated it did look like an earth spike had been installed at the garage end but if the intention is to increase the size of the installation having it totally controlled by an RCD may invariably prove problematic . So assuming we just treat the the supply to the AV charger as having a separated earth from the garage supply ie TT , the rest of the installation should have at least a 3 core SWA supply cable because when it comes to testing the supply the lack of cross sectional aria of the steel wire will not be enough to give an adequate earth loop impedance result . As I’m not privy to the ins and outs of the installation I am trying to point out some of the pitfalls that can arise in this kind of work , but I reiterate the AV it self looks in accordance with accepted practice. Best wishes and kind regards

[@uk_assassin8684]

Very interesting and informative video. I think solar is very much worth it at this time, looking forward to ev's and fuel bills rising

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes I think that has to be the next step.

[@NickW1111]

Useful video - thank you. A few observations if I may: - the lack of a double pole RCD has already been identified but it should also be a type A or better (not type AC as this gives no protection against and may stop working in the presence of a DC fault current) - you mention a 100mA time delay RCD. This is normally what you would have to provide additional protection for the whole installation if it is TT (which yours is) and the earth loop impedance (Ze) is too high to trip MCBs or the overcurrent function of RCBOs. As a minimum your sparks should have measured Ze and recorded it on the installation certificate for the new circuits. - you do not recommend DIY installation, which is good. A charger must be on its own circuit, which means that the installation is notifiable under part P so unless the DIY installer had their work certified by LABC or an electrician who can certify third party work, they would be breaking the law. - supplier fuses can be problematic. The fuse carrier may say 100A but that is the carrier’s rated current; the fuse may be lower. Some DNOs are reluctant to go above 80A, 60A is also common and as low as 30A is possible. There is no way of telling without asking the DNO to pull the fuse. It should be obvious that no DIYer should cut any seal - you do not need the DNO for a meter or tails change. The supplier or their meter operator can cut and re-seal the main fuse.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Many thanks for this, Nick. It looks like an update video will be needed in a week or two once I've contacted Chargedev and got a response from them on why they didn't swap the RCBOs. I discussed the type A/ type B question with my electrician and his wholesaler days all RCBOs are type A now. Would you disagree with this? I never intended this video to be a chapter and verse on electrical regs so it's frustrating I've been let down on this side of things but I'm grateful to you and the other commenters who have pointed out where this install has gone wrong. Apparently the wholesaler who supplied electrician is selling several ev charge points per week with this RCBO consumer unit, so it looks like mistakes are being made on these installs nationwide.

[@eddiereed5025]

All points well highlighted saved me the trouble of pointing them out.

[@jp6975]

@@CharlieDIYte From a personal point of view that would be a really good video. The lease company im getting an EV through use ChargedEV... and I've not been overly impressed by them so far.

[@GHOOGLEMALE]

OMG - What a job! For me, it would have had to be park the car and charger closer to the house - or MOVE - Jeesus, all that for a charger. Hat off to you...

[@CharlieDIYte]

Cheers buddy. Yes, it was a classic case of getting the car before doing the research. Trouble is I vowed to get an EV when our last lease case went back, and didn't think it through 😩🤦🏻‍♂️

[@mikec2505]

Talking of your Drayton Wiser system - any chance of a more detailed follow up? About to have one installed myself.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes Mike, I have an update video placed for some time soon. Keep an eye out for it 👍

[@mikec2505]

@@CharlieDIYte Fab. So far so good with mine, but I’m only two days in with two smart TRVs. Twelve more arriving today.

[@nataliebennett1994]

Hi, are you now thinking of installing solar panels ? We are in the process of looking into atm 👍🏻👍🏻

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes, currently stripping off the roof in preparation kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5yxpKR6jLqUoMk

[@marknadin770]

Nice video Charlie the only thing i would have done would have been is change cat5 for cat7👍👍🍺🍺

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Mark. I don't think you can get steel wire armoured Cat 7, but I might be wrong.

[@greggreg9677]

If your using 2 40a rcbo , would you not suffer with discrimination, ie which one would trip first

[@williamarmstrong7199]

The 22KW chargering or 11 KW depends on the vehicle entirly. It is worth doing if you can of course for future planning. A house battery (10KWh+ ) makes a lot more sense than Solar. Even after the price rises due April 2022 the 7.5p a KWh over night ("ecconmy 7") to run the house and capture your excess Solar power makes a lot of financial sense.

[@RustyRecovery]

22kw is 3phase.

[@garethblake544]

Very interesting video with excellent commentary This is what has always concerned me with the introduction of EVs is the amount of infrastructure requirement to provide a vehicle charging point in a domestic dwelling situation. Sadly l strongly believe that EVs are only going to be for the chosen few. Keep up the great work and stay safe.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Gareth - I really appreciate that. There are so many problems with roll out, aren't there, and I can't see how people in cities without off street parking are going to be able to access cheap charging. You're probably right but then the government will have to retreat on its target of no new combustion engine cars after 2030. 🤔

[@johnphagen]

Great video

[@allthegearuk]

I don't think you mentioned it but did you do any utilities surveys before you did any digging?

[@jamesieadams]

Thanks for another interesting video Charlie, you are making me feel emasculated though! 😂 putting up a shelf doesn’t seem as impressive now. My wife is barred from ever watching your videos!

[@CharlieDIYte]

You're very welcome Jamesie - thanks for the comment 👊 It's definitely the hardest thing I've tackled to date but don't forget I do this full time now (although I'm not nearly as productive as I should be with the videos) - anyone could do this if the pesky day job didn't get in the way!

[@leesmart1971]

I required a main fuse upgrade for my new Wallbox charger and it was not free of charge. Small works like this from Northern Power grid cost me £143 Inc VAT.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for pointing that out Lee. I'll put that in my update video once I've persuaded chargedev to replace the single pole RCBOs they should have - as has been pointed out to me since I posted the video.

[@bilibong0101]

Hi I've just had my install done by evcharger easy 3meter at front of house but even so mine was free as I leased car via vanarama whom had an offer on of free charger and install.

[@xinixxagnix201]

Just like the WEF/UN it loved... Next step elec bill go skyhigh.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

You hardly have money enough left to buy an electric bike hehehehe Well again great video, you covered it all and make people realise there is a bit more going on than laying a cable. But every other country has different regulations so always ask your local power distributer and *make sure you check with your insurance company incase of fire caused by electrical problems* . Glad the UK Electricity regulations are good, like her in Holland , cause i have seen outdoor electrical work in USA YT videos and I wonder why that country have not yet electrify itself. Now adding value to your house it a bit overdone IMO, nobody will choose your house over another one for this matter and since you live out and about in the country, the ownership of an electric car will still be less popular than a diesel or gas car cause of the range. But if you do own one this is a smart move to make, and well done too. Thanks for sharing.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks and good to hear from you. I hadn't realised you were in Holland 👍

[@RS-Amsterdam]

@@CharlieDIYte Amsterdam 🏠

[@icarossavvides2641]

Interesting and some good 'heads up' points. At about minute 14, when you decided to 'save a bit of money', I could already see that this was going to run in to thousands, especially as you were having the CU's replaced. Was the time you spent 'saving' that money really worth your time? We've all done it though!!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@CharlieDIYte]

It's one of those things isn't it. Probably not right now although they say having a charge point adds value to your house. But if I install solar - which will admittedly be a ton more money, then it starts to make a lot of sense.

[@grahamarnold2591]

Nice Charlie and welcome to the World of EV'S. I've been in Electric cars for 7yrs, ironically changing my home charging -- I live in a terrace so have to route cable over my neighbours front garden. Im going with EV ultra 6mm.3 core / data cat5 .( tuff sheath). my run is approx 15 metres .. im on smart metres from octopus. fixed for a year on the octopus Go ev tarriff -- 30 miles an hour -- x4 hrs plenty range.. remember never fill the battery full and leave it sitting there--fill it --use it--battery 20%---80% daily .. Good luck --gets some batteries -checkout "Fully Charged" Rob LLEWELLYN, CHEERS GRAHAM

[@CharlieDIYte]

Wow, that is SERIOUSLY early adoption Graham! Tesla per chance? A friend inspired me to make the switch. When we leased our Mercedes GLC 3 years ago they bought a 5 year old Tesla Model S. It looked space age compared to the new GLC in spite of its age. I was a bit gutted and I've vowed ever since to get an EV next. A bit pricey that Polestar on lease but at least it's reducing the corp tax bill! Good to hear from you 👊

[@grahamarnold2591]

@@CharlieDIYte hi Charlie thanks so much. I started with a LEAF.--then Model S. Now Model 3 plus A Skoda citigo ev. which I recently sold .To come in a two months hopefully BMWI3s so cool....Then again all electric cars are cool.. Great job and so happy for you and your family your driving a BEV. CHEERS .

[@hughtattersall7583]

Surely just put another 2way consumer unit in, this chasing to and from the house unit is bonkers, Parfitt did that as well!

[@misstakenot9582]

How would that work? The supply to the garage wasn't big enough for the required load.

[@samrix5793]

That's cool didn't know if you got the grant if you installed your self

[@CharlieDIYte]

No, you'd need to get an approved OZEV installer to do it to qualify for the grant, but it ended on 1 March.

[@stephenhawkes4444]

@@CharlieDIYte It actually ends on the 31st March. As in the install and grant application has to be done prior to that. I suspect all the installers are fully booked by now though so it's unlikely you can get it.

[@michaels8336]

@@CharlieDIYte yeah this is wrong, ends at the end of March and not the beginning.

[@JDI4DAVID]

Couldn’t a registered installer wire in the charger direct to the meter box? Certainly my power company quoted on that basis without any interference with my consumer unit.

[@richardwalsh5882]

Wrong RCD. Single pole is prohibited for an EVSE.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Which is why we did this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqbYY2SId5lsl9ksi=Cur86vA1zAnSLy1z

[@chrishudson5706]

I am looking to fit a home charger. But don't want to ruin the esthetic look of the front of my house. The option I have is to have it fitted round near my electric connection to the house about 10+ metres away from the parking. Is there anything I need to consider when considering this option as in, are there type 2 cables that would stretch that far to charge the vehicle and also will the length of cable effect the rate of charge?

[@CharlieDIYte]

The cable obviously needs to be armoured and the cable diameter should be wide enough to deal with the voltage drop but the installer should take care of that. This isn't a DIY install - too many things that could go wrong.

[@andyduffield8208]

Now you’ve had it a while what are your thoughts on the Indra, I am considering ordering one but I think they still haven’t updated the app with a button to turn it off while you are away which is a basic requirement as far as I’m concerned. Is the app good, has it been reliable? Thanks for all your Stella work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Tricky one Andy. It's not perfect but then the customer service has been very good. They're bringing out a new app quite soon - which should be a big leap forward. For me, I would have been better off with the solar ecosystem designed Zappi given that I have solar now, but I didn't when I got the Indra installed.

[@andyduffield8208]

@@CharlieDIYte thanks for that, the new app has been coming for well over a year it seems

[@mdouras2571]

With current electricity charges you could be quids in here set against petrol costs and save pence per year!

[@CharlieDIYte]

And I've installed solar now - will be my next video.

[@TheEulerID]

Rather than run an EV charging cable back to the house CU, which is disruptive, then what I intend to do is have a new external grade CU installed next to the current meter box, which I have plenty of space for. It minimises the cable run, and means there is zero effect on the house electrics (save the normal checks). There are weather-tight CUs available at a very reasonable price, and I suspect that it is cheaper than running a cable to many people's existing CU. I should at I have a detached garage. If your CU is in the garage already, then that might not be such an issue.

[@CharlieDIYte]

My issue is the mains come into the house which is 65 metres away.

[@ambassadorfromreality1125]

Thanks for all your videos. Solar is the best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint especially if you have an EV. Install as much as you can given the space available. You have to have permission to install above 3.6 Kwp from the DNO and back in the days of the Feed in Tariff you were penalised if you had more than 4 Kwp so a standard install was 3.6 KWp indeed inverter manufacturers made a version for the UK market. if you have room for more then apply for permission which you may have to pay for. You may also have to wait for 4 weeks for the permission. Any extra you generate you will be paid for. Something like 5.5p per kwh but there is the likelihood of that going up in the future. Until recently I used to think that a battery is a waste of money. In the winter there is very little solar and so the battery doesn't really get charged much. In the summer solar keeps you supplied during the day and you don't consume much in the evening a few lights TV computer perhaps for a few hours and the battery doesn't discharge much. However with prices so high it might be worth it. If you can charge the battery overnight with cheap tariff electricity then it becomes more attractive.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks for this. Yes I've ordered the solar. The priority will be to minimise my consumption from the grid and to charge the EV from what I generate, rather than feed in, but if I can sell any back that will be a bonus. Got to re-tile the garage roof first though. 😬

[@voodoonights1671]

Well, that put me off LOl. Great guide and description of experience.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks 👍

[@outoftheburrough]

I sense a video discussion on solar coming soon ...?

[@CharlieDIYte]

You'd be right about that Sarah! And there will be an update video in a couple of weeks because its been pointed out to me that the charge point installed should have put a different kind of trip switch in the consumer unit 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@outoftheburrough]

@@CharlieDIYte fabulous news, is a topic that's coming to the front of everyone's minds right now (especially us poor lot on oil) I appreciated the detailed trench layering info, my neighbours builder put warning tape immediately on top of the cable for their new driveway entrance light 🙈

[@gavinparry5426]

Another simple (NOT) hairbrain idea by Boris! Good video Charlie, great channel.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Gavin 👊

[@stulop]

Bulb haven't gone bust just yet, they are, or were in special administration. I am with bulb, their EV tarrif is similar to octopus, until April at least.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Yes Andrew, a few people have pointed that out. What I meant was that, in administration they are less likely to want to come out to participate in upgrade works but I should have been clearer on that. I did point out later in the vid that Bulb have an EV tariff that you can switch to over the phone. 👍

[@picobyte]

We have 3x40A, it still takes ages to charge a car at 25kW.

[@CharlieDIYte]

For us, 7kw/ hr charger takes a 78kw battery about 11 hours which as you say isn't quick.

[@picobyte]

@@CharlieDIYte I really love our dutch 230/400V system. No huge heavy cables needed when running stuff on almost half a kiloVolt 😁

[@whatthedeuse]

You just haven’t got any selectivity or what use to be known as discrimination between the 30mA RCBO in the garage and the supply from the house that’s 30mA too, it should be a 100mA time delay unit so you don’t get nuisance tripping of the sub main supply when one of the 30mA RCBOs trips in the garage, or it doesn’t trip and the one in the house does first.

[@robertwilliams7222]

He isn’t using the earth from the house, the garage has an earth rod. The only time that garage supply rcbo will trip is if there is an earth fault on the supply cable. An earth fault on the garage circuits won’t be ‘seen’ on the supply rcbo.

[@whatthedeuse]

@@robertwilliams7222 I’d be willing to bet that the electrician still glanded the SWA off straight into the side of the metal DB in the garage and in doing so has exported the earth through a parallel path so the RCBO in the house would still see the other earth leakage from the circuits down stream, happy to be proven wrong and he’s glanded it off into a plastic adaptable box and not carried the earth through. It is still best practice to put a sub main fed from a TT system on a 100mA time delay protected circuit

[@robertwilliams7222]

@@whatthedeuse why would you just assume that? What a negative person. On the other hand I wouldn’t make such an assumption because I haven’t seen how the supply cable has been terminated.

[@whatthedeuse]

@@robertwilliams7222 18yrs as an electrician has made me a very cynical person lol 😂

[@CharlieDIYte]

When he comes back to upgrade the tails I'll ask him. 😉👍

[@MrGlendragon]

sod it Im sticking with diesel and the pushbike

[@CharlieDIYte]

I don't blame you 😉👍

[@wilbauk]

Don't forget twinwall ducting in all available sizes is great for future proofing. Also moling is possible but often expensive and perhaps risky to get under driveways without digging etc

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks William - great tips 👍

[@t4bs594]

I'm wondering how many people you think would face what you described in the video? My EV charger was installed in approx 2 hours and cost £470 installed, 2 years ago.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Well hopefully the installer will deal with a lot of the upgrades. I just wanted to point out all the things that need considering, but you're right, I would probably have left it another few years if I'd known all that before we got the car!

[@normancoutts]

useful, if scary. Thanks.

[@CharlieDIYte]

Thanks Norman 👊

[@Interdiction]

The cost of charging EVs is now more then the cost to run a diesel . Has this been done on purpose in order for EVs to pay fuel duty

[@CharlieDIYte]

Demand for EVs is plummeting right now so they might not be able to remove all the perks as soon as they were hoping to...

[@Traumahawk007]

Great video but common mistake as they’re not charger’s but a charge point, charger and rectifiers are in vehicles

[@CharlieDIYte]

Fair point Gareth. Pretty sure I referred to it as a charge point at the start but I might have wandered into "charger" terminology later on.

[@jp6975]

@@CharlieDIYte Well... not quite. I installed the phone app for my supplier and they said I can just provide my readings... and id never have a visit from a reader again!

[@leewinters606]

You should have had a proper duct installed then it would be rewireble you already done the hard work.

[@CharlieDIYte]

You'd struggle to send a new cable down 65m of ducting though. 🤔

[@leewinters606]

@@CharlieDIYte put a bigger ducting in for future use or rewiring your already going to them lengths digging the trench in the first place.

[@CharlieDIYte]

@@leewinters606 Fair point.

[@kroozer5215]

I can categorically say Charlie, no one apart from you owns the space in your meter box, whatever is on your property belongs to you, regarding the meters - gas or electric - they are rented by the billing company (e-on, scottish power, British gas etc) they have their property on your property and are charging you the pleasure of it - its not illegal to have their meters removed and have your own meters fitted - providing its done by a qualified fitter, and your out of contract with them.

[@davidbray6515]

Your a braver man than me Charlie. It's all the forward planning that I carnt deal with especially when you travel 5o mile and find the charging point not working 😕

[@TheHouseofChameleons]

I wonder what will happen when electric cars become mainstream. Do we have to build more coal plants to keep up with demand?

[@CharlieDIYte]

In the rush to net zero the government haven't really though about this. There are so many other problems too, like the totally inadequate fast charger network, made worse by companies like Open Reach and British Gas swapping their entire fleets to electric which now clog many of the charge points during the day.

[@jp6975]

Lol! Yes, we will import coal from China and North Korea... After rebuilding relations. In the interim electricity will become so expensive that we'll import as much gas as we can possibly get... from Russia!